Mini Christmas Gift Guide

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I am a nightmare to buy for at Christmas I am so practical I give practicality a headache but as I get older I like to be more organised as life is till revolving around my son from giving him advice on how to change a light bulb to picking him up from university to taking him back.So planning meals can be a a real headache at times especially with all the comings and goings.So this is where a dairy is useful but not a sort of diary but one that is designed not only to help you keep track of your life but also write recipes in and there is even some recipes already in the Cook's Diary.



A unique diary with a practical week-to-view layout and 52 delicious triple-tested recipes so that you can try something new every week of the year. It has a handy pocket at the front for storing cards and receipts and features concealed wiro-binding so that it lies flat when in use. There's even a sticker sheet so that you can customise the pages with your appointments and important dates. There are plenty of useful pages for recording details, such as personal contacts, useful websites, thoughts and plans, plus birthday and Christmas gift records. This Cook's Diary also provides hints, tips, calendars and conversions - in fact everything you need (and want) to plan your busy life.

Fern design with gold foil
£9.99


This diary is an ideal Christmas present as well as a stocking filler .



Who doesn't love to receive flowers at Christmas and red is one of the most vibrant colours at Christmas so it was wonderful to receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers the other day which was perfect in cheering me up from my post holiday slump having just come back from the Vienna Christmas markets.


I love the Christmas Cinnamon Spice Bouquet which is priced at £29.99 it is from Blossoming gifts and they have all sort of flowers and gifts that are suitable for Christmas , they do flowers and gifts all year round. Flowers are a wonderful gift at Christmas and if you’re struggling to get that teacher gift this Christmas then it’s worth clubbing together with some parents to give the teacher some flowers.

Disclosure I was sent these items and all thoughts words and opinions are my own.

Vienna Vibe

I’ve been up since half past 3 in the morning this morning trying to remember why Oooh that’s it Vienna , Heathrow is weird place early in the morning , you find yourself stuck between Duty Free and Oysters and champagne . Of course Harrods is thrown in for good measure and why not top it off with some Tiffany’s jewellery , I did splash the cash on a Boots meal deal well two meal deals actually.A smooth flight which was more refined as no one clapped when the plane landed.

After some confusion with our Vienna card in getting our airport transfers we made it to the hotel to drop off our cases and get the lie of the land.A few steps down the street we nearly got attacked by a sofa and going abroad I’ve learnt not to be surprised.Well that was until I saw a man who was dressed one minute then complete starkers they next , I think it might of been some performance art piece ? as he had a photographer with him.

Vienna so has a vibe about it ...

Beatles 48 Hours In Liverpool

Travelling on a Friday night might seem like a cuckoo thing to do as everyone and their cat will be travelling back home from work or or a break away and you can only but expect frazzles but if you are willing to take your time then Friday afternoon isn't that bad.I think it really does help to break your joinery if you're travelling say further afield then you're fresh and ready to go the very next day.We were travelling to Liverpool with isn't that far from us it is only one hour forty minutes away so no time at all really though it took round about two hours on the Friday afternoon but we weren't really bothered about that.




On our first day we were straight into Liverpool by bus , getting the bus near from where we were staying which was the Crowne Plaza near Liverpool airport and we got off near the Albert Docks and you are straight into the throng of it all. There really is SO much to see round Liverpool that I think you really need about 4 days to most of it and even then there will still be something more to see.We headed first to the Beatles museum and paid our money and took ourselves on the self guided tour.which is a timeline of the Beatles story with additional information and videos etc.The museum is good the tour is a little long winded in places mainly due the never ending video clips on the tour guide you are given but never the less we both enjoyed it.My husband thought that the museum could have be made ever better by having people dressed up as the Beatles characters to interact with people every now and again.

Then it was onto the Liver Building which dominates the skyline of Liverpool , it is so true than when you're in Liverpool that you really do need to to look up because of the marvellous architecture.

It’s costs £15 per adult to go up the Liver building but it’s worth it as you get a guided tour and talk.There is a lift most of the way and then there’s about 120 steps to the top but don’t worry you don’t have to rush up.There is a display to look round before you go up and there’s an app to download which helps you interact with the display 







If you’re going to visit Liverpool and you’re a National Trust member then it’s working booking in advance to see Paul Mccartneys childhood home and the home Mendips  where John Lennon  grew up . It’s around £9.50 each if you’re a #nationaltrustmember and £25 if not.They tell you there’s no toilet on the door but there is one you can use at the McCartney home ( not the one that Paul Mcartney used ! ) 

#abbeyroad50 #beatles #liverpool

Humiliation At the Doctors

I went the doctors with one thing and you know how it is you end up with a list of things you didn't go in for like humiliation and finger pointing at you that you're fat .. no sorry obese and made to stand on the scales like a fisherman waiting in their huge haul.Getting fit shouldn't be like this it shouldn't be humiliation ,  shouldn't be made to feel like if I do want a cake ( a rare treat ) that I am going to need a defibrillator standing by.


It was a case of OOOOh no you shouldn't be on that medication because you're obese and let's have you on the scales.


I went from a hero to zero in one swift mouthful.



I know I have to lose weight and you know I have really overhauled my eating habits and people know how much walking I do and all I got from the doctor was "you seem to be doing the right things"

I have a referral from the dietician which has been shelved because even they thought it was odd being referred in such a way.

I really do think I was fat shamed in a way ... because all the other times I have been to the doctors my weight has roughly stayed the same .. my blood pressure and cholesterol are all good.

I have joined instead a scheme with the council aimed at people with a disability where it is one and one and there is no shaming in fact I was congratulated on making that step! now to me that is far more productive and inspiring that what I experienced at the doctors last week.And I have been assured that it is on no way like far club from Little Britain.

Christmas For A Baby Johnsons Sleep Tight Gift Set

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Someone I know their daughter has just had a baby and sometimes you really scratch your head what to get them and the new bundle of joy as new born babies don't really play with toys.



The Sleep Tight Gift set is ideal for helping establish a baby in their bed time routine as well as bonding.And reading to a baby promotes a life long love of books and everyone loves a bedtime story.

Included in the Sleep Tight Gift Set is;

• Handy Storage Bag
• Useful Baby-friendly Gifts; Book & Bedtime Socks
• Johnson’s Bedtime Baby Oil 300ml
• Johnson’s Bedtime Baby Lotion 300ml
• Johnson’s Bedtime Baby Bath 300ml
• Johnson’s Bedtime Baby Wash 400ml

Each of the Johnson’s Bedtime Baby product contains NaturalCalm, a patented blend of relaxing aromas. They are all clinically proven mild, and dermatologist tested.

The Johnson’s Sleep Tight Gift Set costs around £12.00 or less as is available from Asda, Ocado, Superdrug, Amazon UK and Boots.