Mother’s Day Gift Ideas 2019

The items included in this Mothers Day gift guide were sent to me for inclusion. However, all opinions are my own and I only accepted products that I thought would be relevant.

 

Copa de Balon glasses are ideal for drinking Gin from and these beautiful designs from a range of 12 Ginology glasses would make a perfect gift for any Gin lover.

This glass is recommended hand wash only. Each glass is presented in a branded kraft gift box.

I particularly love the Hummingbird design but the cherry blossom screams Spring! These glasses are available from Gift Giving All Wrapped Up.

Whether you are looking for a card that is funny, sweet or laugh out loud rude, Love Layla have you covered. As well as every kind of card you could imagine, you will also find some fun and quirky gifts to accompany your card like this great badge and some hilarious gift wrap options!

I think that most Mums would agree that there is not much that would beat a gift that makes their life easier. If the Mum in your life has a fussy eater then this is the gift for her!

Written by a parent blogger, Emily, of the fabulous A Mummy Too blog Get Your Kids To Eat Anything is much more than a cookbook. It is a 5 phase programme designed to help change your families whole approach to eating.

Three mills wine is very, very nice. I am not a wine connoisseur by any means but I know what I like and I like this wine a lot. You may notice that there is a bottle of white and a rosé shown here. Where is the red? Well, I refer you to my first sentence.. I may have got a bit carried away.

Je ne regrette rien.

It;s lower alcohol than a lot of other wines so I had barely any hangover too and for an already pretty much broken Mother of 3 let me assure you that this is of grave importance.

Plus it is way more wallet friendly than I expected at less than £5 a bottle from B&M and several good supermarkets.

My Mum loves to read, not that she had too much free time to do it until recently. A book would make a great gift for her. Choosing a book as a gift is not an easy thing, I think you really have to know the recipient because it is such a personal gift.  That makes a book such as Unscripted a lovely gift for Mothers day.

If your Mum loves noodles (and, note to my kids, your Mum DOES) then what could be better than a pretty bowl WITH A LID so that her food stays warm even when she has to sort out child related requests before she gets to sit down and eat! The Blue Wave covered bowl is available from Sous Chef

If your Mum wouldn’t love a Yankee Candle, is she even a Mum though?

My Mum has an addiction to these things. Something that as I am knocking 40 I can totally relate to! Luckily for all of us Candle lovers, Yankee has a ton of different scents (or “flavours” as my Mum would say) for every occasion. I am enamoured with their new range, it smells like spring!

 

If your Mum often stands in front of the fridge wondering what the hell to cook (been there) then this is for her. New Kitchen Basics offers a refreshing array of simple but very tasty recipes. The author, Claire, dedicates the book to her Mum who taught her everything she now knows about food.

The meals within these pages are clear, unfussy and original, they are inspiring. Just like Mums!

The stress of dealing with your teenage angst BS greatly contributed to your Mothers aged face so do your bit!

Treat mum to Skin Doctors’ award-winning day-to-night Potent. Vit. C and Potent. Vit. A single dose Ampoules, available in a collagen boosting Duo Pack. Each Vitamin A ampoule contains .5% pure retinol to help repair damaged skin cells, stimulate new cell growth and increase cell turnover. Vitamin C ampoules contain an antioxidant-rich, potent form of pure Vitamin C to speed up collagen synthesis and provide deep antioxidant protection and hydration.

Use the Skin Doctors Potent Vit. C Ampoules in the morning to brighten, illuminate and awaken the skin with the velvety conditioning serum. At night apply the silky serum of the Skin Doctors Potent Vit. A Ampoules to restore, repair and refine the skin as you sleep.

 

One for the tech fans, the Lenovo Smart Display is an ideal choice.

Having a Lenovo Smart Display is like having your own personal assistant. The children and I really enjoy cooking together and we love the Tasty videos online. The Lenovo Smart Display makes it so easy!

While the children are at school I also use it to play music while I work and as well as that we make video calls with it!

It was easy to set up and it feels sturdy. I am sure it would make a great Mothers day gift!

 

Critically Endangered Socks are a great gift for Mothers day.

Made from a soft and sustainable blend of cotton and bamboo, each pair comes with an endangered animal fact sheet in a bespoke recyclable box.

It looks like wine, you drink it like wine. But it is not wine. There is no alcohol in this drink and that makes it the perfect gift for Mums who like wine, but not hangovers!

In addition, it contains the beneficial elements of Prelixir®, a unique blend of vitamins, minerals and amino acids which alcohol is known to deplete. This unique element means that Botonique is able to provide anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, alkalising, detoxifying and hydrating benefits.

The drink is available in both original and blush

Not your traditional gift

Walking is one of the best forms of low-impact exercises. But, when we walk a lot, we still put pressure on a feet ankles shins and knees. The 5 layered Sole is made of comfortable EVA material, used in top quality running shoes for high impact absorption. These layers, and extra-wide perfect-fit shape, reduce pressure and support your foot across the widest point and from heel to toe in a way that feels like you’re walking on air!

The unique Walkmaxx sole design evenly distributes your weight and reduces pressure on the feet, joints, hips, and back.

SEKSY Embrace, a dynamic and glamorous fragrance. Feminine, enchanting and seductive with top notes of orange blossom, blackcurrant and pear. The heart is very rich with iris, jasmine and patchouli. Tonka bean, vanilla and praline accord and musks create a deep and opulent finish.

Presented in a lavishly designed 12-sided bottle embellished with a Swarovski® crystal and a detachable Swarovski® charm that can be added to your favourite jewellery.

Treat your Mum to something sweet.

Sparkling Wine Jelly Belly beans have all the flavour of a glass of the real thing in a petite package. A sweet way to add a little bubbly to any celebration, the 42g Sparkling Wine Flavour Bubbly Bottles make perfect favours and gifts for adult fans looking for a bit of whimsy and style for all occasions. These miniature bottles are designed to look like traditional bottles with gold embellishments. They are filled with 42 grams of the non-alcoholic flavour

 

Mum’s like to smell nice. This Mum HATES taking perfume bottles along on a trip.

I was scarred for life after I once arrived at my hotel only to be greeted by a broken bottle. The perfume went all over my belongings. I really did smell like a branch of Boots on a Saturday afternoon after it has been invaded by groups of bored tweens.

Twist and Spritz are designed to be a portable alternative to your full-size fragrance bottle. One of these would be so handy for your Mum to keep in her bag.

 

A dashcam is essential these days.

There are so many idiots on the road. So why not choose a practical gift for your Mum this Mother’s day?

With inbuilt Wi-Fi, GPS logging and an accompanying smartphone app, the Nextbase 312GW is the most connected mid-range Dash Cam on the market.

 

 

Why not surprise your Mum with a beautiful bouquet from Blossoming Gifts. The bouquet shown here is the Sweet Clementine.

There is a massive choice of flowers and gifts on the website. I am happy to report that even a week after receiving these flowers they are still going strong!

 

AD | Micro Motorz – the brand new toy car collectible

Micro Motorz – On Your Marks, Get set, GO!

When we were recently sent some of the Micro Motorz to play with I knew that Moose would love them! He (like many children) really likes blind bags and adores toy cars. A blind bag with a toy car theming is a surefire hit. The Micro Motorz are a little bit more than that though.

The Micro Motorz packaging is very bright and colourful. It’s quite large for a blind bag toy. Certainly bigger than I had expected it to be.

 

 

The first surprise awaiting you once you have opened your blind bag is a cool sticker which alludes to the team you are about to reveal.

Inside the Micro Motorz bag is a plastic pod with 3 chambers.

There are over 20 different Micro Motorz to collect in the first series including six Nitro Chargerz – these racers pack some serious punch with their powerful engines and are perfect for drag races – there are three regular Nitro Chargerz and three rare ones to collect.

Once you have opened all 3 surprise pods you will have revealed a sticker, a display capsule, a Micro Motorz car, a tool to use with your car, a cool tuning accessory such as an engine or a spoiler and a launch pad to turn your display capsule into launch mode!

A really good feature of this toy is that the display capsules fit together ensuring that you have a fun and easy way to keep your Micro Motorz as you build your collection!

How to assemble your launcher

First of all you will need to take the launcher pad and insert it into the display capsule as shown.

Ensure that the launcher pad is inserted the correct way round.

 

Attach the blue part as shown and tuck the elastic band around it.

Finally, fit the base plate as shown. You may have to squeeze this down again after you perform your launch. Push the launch pad to the rear of the capsule.

The unique steel ball bearing in the base of each Micro Motorz car means that you can drift, spin and CRASH your vehicles when firing them out of the launcher!

What did we think?

For less than £5 per blind bag I think they would make for a great collectible. I could imagine Moose would have lots of fun racing the cars with his friends and he already has his new toys on display in his bedroom!

Micro Motorz are available from supermarkets and toy retailers at £4.99 for children ages 3+.

 

Living Arrows – week 10 2019

WEEK TEN?! WHAT?! Living Arrows is something I haven’t joined in on for the last <cough> few weeks. To be honest, I find it really difficult sometimes to get out and doing stuff with the children – it really is all in my head. When I am not feeling my best we tend to stay in. It’s not fair on them but that’s what happens!

If you would like to know more about Living Arrows or even get involved and join in then you can read about it here.

Last week we managed to get outdoors and soak up some cloud rays. I would love to say Sun but I would be lying. 

Simple fun

It was really lovely to spend some time in the park with Bess and Moose. It’s rare that Bess is in a park kinda mood so we must have timed it right. The aerial slide has always been her absolute favourite thing to play on at the park. Ever since she was a little one. 

Moose just loves anything he can climb up and jump off. Tick those boxes and he is happy for hours. 

I wish we could have more park days. Sometimes I regret there being a large age gap between them. It was hardly something we planned though. That said, it’s lucky that Moose has so many cousins his own age and that they all actually enjoy each others company. I feel like we are very lucky in that respect. 

 

Living Arrows

Slimming World friendly meal planning – Our menu 08/03/19

I think that planning my meals is definitely helping. I got lots of work done last week and even lost 2lbs! It’s going to take a while but I am chiseling away at it and that’s the main thing. Even if I lose 1lb a week, that’s still 42lbs down by Christmas and will mean a massive change to my energy levels and general wellness. That’s what I am trying for. To feel better. 

This week I have nothing big coming to throw me off track. It should be pretty easy to stay on plan I hope. My eyes are sore (need to go back to the opticians) so I have ordered lots of frozen ready to go veg for less time in the kitchen chopping. This should be a great help and will definitely stop me ordering takeaway. Planning is key!

The Week Ahead in Food

Friday: Sweet & sour chicken with noodles 

Saturday: Oven roasted chicken ratatouille 

Sunday:  Pork with roast potatoes and vegetables

Monday: Quorn nugget wrap with chips and salad 

Tuesday: Butterflied Chicken breast, corn on the cob and Aldi mediterranean rice (1.5 syns)

Wednesday: Chow mein with Slimming World friendly spring rolls* and chilli sauce. 

Thursday: Pasta bake with salad. 

Breakfasts will be one from this selection of Slimming World Breakfasts

Lunches will be either leftovers because I hate waste or something saladish. Seriously need to seek out some different salads to include in my planning though, otherwise I will get bored.

*made with lasagne sheets but so easy. Blanche the sheets one at a time, pop the filling in, roll up and spray with oil. Bake for about 20 mins.

Katykicker

SWAK – Interactive Kissable Key Chain | Gifted

Now that Bess is getting a little older she is pretty much past playing with toys. Collectibles however, that’s a different ballgame. As well as the ever growing stationery obsession she has, Bess also likes quirky little things for her bedroom and to share with her friends.

SWAK – Interactive Kissable Key Chain

We were recently sent the SWAK – Interactive Kissable Key Chain to try out and I knew she would love them. I was not wrong.

We were sent a selection of 3 ‘kissable keychains’ from the 12 which are currently available. Here are all of the designs currently for sale in the ‘kissable keychain’ range. As you can see, each design is bright and funky and totally collectable!

Love is out there
Why wish upon just one star when you can wish upon a billion of them? Close your eyes and dream big with Stellar Kiss!

Stellar Kiss was Lexi’s favourite. She really liked the blue colour and the starry design.

 

Shake it up

Ready to leave your mark on the world? Do it in style with XO Kiss!

Shine on

Lights, camera, friendship! Shimmer Kiss is red-carpet ready to bring the bling!

This was Bess’ favourite.

 

Each S.W.A.K. Comes with kisstech: a unique sensor technology that detects your cheek and gives you a kiss. The longer you hold it the longer It lasts.

The keychain means that you can attach your S.W.A.K to clothing, your bag or a piece of furniture. If you want to you can also detach the keychain entirely!

S.W.A.K Kissable Keychains also come with a slot in the top so that they can be used as a photo holder. An easy way to brighten up any child’s study area.

Bess and Lex really enjoyed playing with and finding out about the S.W.A.K Kissable Keychains, you can see what they thought in their YouTube video.

What I thought

I think that the fact that there are only 12 is a massive plus point. So many collectibles have hundreds available, at least with S.W.A.K Kissable Keyrings you have a hope of completing the collection.

Especially when each one retails for less than £6! I like that they are pocket money prices, it’s a cute little toy. Each set also includes a little postcard and sticker stamp to play with too.

We were sent these products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own.