How to protect your home like the rich and famous

Hollywood A-listers live in the lap of luxury and so it’s no surprise that they splash out on elaborate security measures. Rapper 50 Cent has admitted to spending an eye-watering $20,000 (£12,375) per week on security as his mansion in Connecticut. This means that over the course of a year, the global superstar shells out over $1 million protecting his property. OK, so you might not want to spend quite this much on keeping your family home safe. However, by implementing a few savvy security measures, you can protect your home and your loved ones like the rich and famous without busting your budget in the process. Below are some top tips to help you along the way. 

Use CCTV

It’s now simple to get your hands on superb quality CCTV systems. Lots of people assume that this equipment is only used by the super-rich or by companies to protect large premises. However, there are now lots of different products on offer that cater to a variety of needs. For example, Big Brother Systems offers a selection of CCTV solutions that are ideal for typical domestic environments.

Win a years subscription to OK Magazine!

Hello everyone! And happy Halloween eve! That's a thing right? ;)

Today I am hosting an exciting giveaway and the prize is a whole years subscription to OK! magazine courtesy of sparkling drinks company Shloer! 

So why have Shloer very kindly agreed to giveaway such an awesome prize? Well if you're a Shloer fan already then you may already know that at the moment you can claim a FREE copy of OK! magazine when you purchase a promotional bottle of delicious sparkling juice drink Shloer! (For a limited period only). So whether you’re having a relaxing night in for one, or a night in with the girls, you can have the latest issue delivered straight to your door. Chill your refreshing grape-based Shloer and put your feet up to enjoy some ‘me time’!

Things to Consider when Buying a Fridge for your Family

It may not be the most enthralling topic in the world, but making the right decision when you buy a fridge is really important as it’s one of the main appliances in your home. It’s made a little more important when your fridge is a main part of your family’s life and diet, as you will need something strong, reliable and efficient.

Therefore we’ve put together a bit of a guide of things to consider when buying a fridge for your family to hopefully make the process a little easier!

Storage capacity and size

The storage capacity of the fridge is usually the main component when choosing one as you will obviously want one that will be adequate for your needs. It’s important to think about not going too OTT however and buying one that will be too big, as it will not only be more expensive to buy but it will also be more expensive to run. Evaluate how much food you put in your fridge each week (and where you can cut back!) to properly get an idea for how big it will need to be. 

Where you are going to keep your fridge will have an impact on the decision. Freestanding fridges from sites like Electric Shop are great as you can put them anywhere you have the space and a plug! Therefore they tend to be the most common and popular option.

How to Get the Kids Organised During Half Term

Half term is finally here and for busy mums, there’s no better time than the half term break to get the whole family organised in the home. If your house is in need of a major spring clean, half time may not be the best time to tackle this (we all know how tough it is juggling more than one kid whilst watching the stove and balancing the phone on your shoulder!) but you can sure make a start. This is prime time to start clearing out old junk, and whilst the kids aren’t at school, you may as well keep them distracted with a fun and practical exercise. 

We’ve all heard the phrase, “tidy room, tidy mind”; we can’t always be on top of the housework (especially with school runs, bottle feeds, work and getting dinner on the table every night) but we can make time for a big clear-out when we have all hands on deck.

Our Favourite Toddler and Children's Books for Halloween 2014

Yet another Halloween-themed blog post for you today (Can you tell that I'm a fan?). 

Today I am sharing some of the spooky books that are my personal favourites and are one that's I've purchased for Ethan this year. As a child I always remember the more spookier books as being my very favourites, they always stood out more to me and so purchasing Ethans Halloween books has been a bit of a nostalgic experience for me, which is always really lovely. I even purchased myself a halloween Goosebumps book from eBay purely for the nostalgia and because I was having so much fun remembering all the wonderful books I used to read. Oh and I should make a special mention to my good friend and fellow blogger Hayley from Sparkles and Stretchmarks who posted some of these books on her Instgram last week and who reminded me of some of these amazing childhood classics! How could I forgot the likes of the amazing Funnybones?! Thanks Hayley!

Here are our favourite halloween books for children this year..

WellVine: Your trusted health partner through the ups and downs of pregnancy and motherhood*

WellVine launches free health Q&A service, connecting to you to real doctors for bespoke support

www.wellvine.co.uk

Once upon a time, in a land not far away (well, actually…just down the road from you), lived a mum with her husband and two little children. She was once pregnant like you, she loves her children intensely much like you do yours, she is passionate and driven as you are about the things that matter and frankly, like you - she probably deserves a ‘superwoman of the week’ award one of these days. O, and one more thing – she worries. She worries about balancing children, family, friends and all that life throws at her. But most of all, she worries about the health and safety of her children. This may sound familiar because these are the stories we heard from women like you.

Silent Sunday #2

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Reducing the Risk of Family Pets Going Missing*

We've either experienced this moment ourselves or know someone who has - that gut-wrenching moment when you think your family pet has gone missing. Luckily, more often than not, your pet turns up pretty fast, whether they’ve discovered a fantastic hiding place behind the sofa or have gone for a wander down the road, but for some families a pet can go missing for weeks and even forever. When you have a young family this loss can hit them especially hard, and they might not be able to comprehend or deal with the possibility that they may never see their best friend again.

Locating your pet can be a costly and time-consuming experience and can put strain on even the most secure relationships. Minimising the risk of this happening is simpler than you may think, and by making sure your dog or cat is collared and tagged, they can be returned to you much sooner. If not, your pet may be mistaken for a stray and it will be a much longer process to reunite you. Here are some simple measures you can take to make sure your pet is returned home safe and sound.

FREE Halloween Trick Or Treat Printable

Yesterday I shared our Halloween / Autumn inspired mantelpiece and you may have noticed the Trick or Treat frame in the centre. If you were wondering where it's from, I actually made it myself and then printed it off and placed it inside of an A4 white ikea frame (which cost next to nothing!).

If you liked it and would like to have one for your own home, then feel free to download my picture and use it yourself. You can download it instantly by clicking the following link (which will take you to DropBox): Halloween Free Printable. :)

Happy Halloween week everyone! 

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Ladies Halloween Outfits Inspiration

From L to R: The Killer Doll  |  The  Pumpkin  | The Black Cat | The Ghost 

If you're looking for some inspiration for halloween themed outfits rather than the traditional halloween costumes then look no further - as we have 4 fantastic outfit ideas that you will (hopefully) love!

Using traditional halloween colours you can create some fabulous spooky-themed outfits that are perfect for halloween. Pink for the 'killer doll', black for a witch or 'the black cat', orange for 'the pumpkin' and white for 'the ghost'. My favourite (as the worlds biggest cat lover is) obviously 'the black cat'.. ;) Though, if I'm honest 'the ghost' really does appeal to me a lot too!

I think these outfit choices are clever and brilliant for anyone who doesn't fancy getting totally dressed up this year! Oh, and don't forget about your comfy ballet style flats to complete your spooktacular outfit.. our choices are all from http://butterflytwists.com. 

Which is your favourite halloween outfit?

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Our Halloween/Autumn Inspired Mantelpiece

Though I am not a lover of the cold, I have really enjoyed being able to use our wood burner to warm our house up lately. As this is our first year in our new home, it is the very first time that we have had a proper fireplace and I really do love it a lot - it makes everything feel so much more cosier, especially in the evenings. 

This year we decided to invest in some halloween/autumn inspired decor and makeover the mantelpiece and a few spots around our home. We had so much fun collecting autumn leaves, twigs and conkers on our autumn walk and I had lots of fun choosing some great halloween themed decor bits too! Here's how our finished autumn/halloween inspired mantelpiece looks.. (obviously it usually has a fireguard around it to protect little E from getting burnt but I removed it just for the pictures.) :) 

Top 3 Halloween Costume Ideas To Wear At The Family Halloween Party

It’s almost time…time for Halloween 2014! Surely by now the invites to all of the parties are starting to pour in. Of course you’re probably most looking forward to a fun, adult party at a nightclub or a bar. However, for mothers or even just older women with nieces, nephews, or friends with children, you will undoubtedly be invited to at least one family oriented party where younger children may be present. When it comes to dressing up for these types of Halloween parties you will need a while different mindset. Think twice before you put on that sexy little playboy bunny costume around the kids. You may also want to tone down your horror costume so you don’t make the babies cry. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun and look your best at the family Halloween party. Here are the top three Halloween costumes for women to wear at the family Halloween party. 

  

1. Disney Inspired Costumes – Everyone loves Disney Halloween costumes --- especially little girls! A Disney costume such as one of the Disney princesses is perfect to wear at a family Halloween party. If you’re attending or hosting a party with young kids, you can even do a whole family Halloween costume theme using this idea with one person playing the prince, another the princess, a third the villain, and so forth. The key to making the Disney inspired costume work at a family party is to be sure it is a conservative version of the costume. Sexy Snow White might be great for a night out with your gal pals, but keep it PG for the kiddies. 

2. Superhero Costumes – If your kids (or the kids who will be at the party) aren’t a very big fan of Disney princesses and villains, perhaps you’ll have more luck with superhero costumes. While some of these superhero costumes are known for being extremely revealing and sexy, you CAN find some that are more conservative and kid-friendly. Ditch the shirt skirts (and especially leotards) for a costume that has pants and will therefore provide you with more coverage. When in doubt, you can always just buy a superhero T-shirt and throw on a cape. Not only will this option be safe, but it will save you money, too! 

3. Animal costumes – You definitely don’t want to show up to a family oriented Halloween party as a sex kitten, or a Playboy Bunny. However, that doesn’t mean that all animal costumes are off limits. Some can actually be cute and appropriate to wear even around the youngest of children. Avoid leotards, leather, and short or tight-fitting costumes. Plush is usually a safe option as are one-piece jumpsuits. Remember, the party will have a lot of kids who will take delight in seeing you look a bit silly. Save your animal-ears, scantily clad costume for another night out at the club. This costume idea can be especially cute if you have an infant to dress up in a matching outfit. 

Are you planning to attend or host a family-oriented Halloween party this year? What do you plan to wear? 

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Easy and Fun Halloween Crafts for Kids

*Redecorating with Children in Mind

When you have young children, redecorating can sometimes feel like it’s just asking for trouble. You can’t watch your children 24/7 so it’s only a matter of time before they run in from playing outside and kick off their muddy trainers on to the nice furniture you’ve bought, right? Because of this, lots of families put off redecorating until their children are older. If you’re careful about the kinds of furniture you buy, though, you can find something that’s both functional and nice to look at. Here are some tips on choosing furniture that the whole family will enjoy. 

Get the Child Involved

The first step to making sure your home stays how you want is to go straight to the source. To get the kids involved, ask them what they'd like to see, or let them choose from a few paint colours or fabric samples you’ve narrowed it down to. This is a great way to make them feel like they’re a part of the process. While it will never be perfect, with any luck they’ll develop a little more respect for their surroundings even from a young age.

A Little Colour

One of the benefits of choosing furniture with a child in mind is it gives you an excuse to add some more colour to the room. Clean whites are in fashion but they aren’t really suitable for a kids growing up unless you want to see them quickly start to grey, or worse, over time. One of my favourites is the Etienne range. This has a distressed and rustic look, but the light blue accents still give it a playful, modern touch. A little colour or pattern goes a long way in camouflaging those inevitable spills, fingerprints, and other accidents that become a part of daily life. Take a look here for more pictures of the Etienne range.

Choose Tough Materials

It’s made from birch, too, which is perfect for families with young children. Hardwoods like this will be much more resilient than most softwoods so it won’t pick up marks easily. The rustic look is also ideal for masking any bumps and bruises it will get from thrown toys or shoes. When you’re looking to accessorise, try and stay away from over flowing fabrics on top of the furniture. While they might be nice to look at, for young children they’re just asking to be pulled on. They’ll also attract hair from any pets you have so a clean, no-fuss look is the best way to go. 

I hope this helps you get the furniture that makes the most out of your home. Take a look at more tips on home decor here to improve your home’s look as well as keeping it child-friendly at the same time.

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Help BEAR and WWF protect the paws of the world.

Did you know that six of the eight bears of the world are threatened with extinction?...

As someone who strongly cares about all animals including bears, I find this incredibly sad as I'm sure a lot of other people do too, including the healthy fruit snack company BEAR, who want to do something to help address this. 

And being that it is their 5^th birthday -  for them it seemed like a great time to do just that!..

So in a special partnership with WWF, they will be working to protect the paws of these amazing bears and other wild species (and the habitats they rely on) with a donation from every pack sold of their BEAR pure fruit Paws.

For every pack of special WWF Paws purchased until early November, BEAR will be donating 5p (single packs) and 25p (multipacks) respectively to WWF to help protect the world’s most endangered paws and other species!

And to spread the word they've teamed up with a few blogs (like Bump to Baby) and have sent special party packs full to the brim with fun and educational tools to help spread the word - of which we are very happy to do for a good cause and as huge animal lovers ourselves! 

 

BEAR’s founder, Hayley Gait Golding, says: “BEAR started because we wanted to help people get back to nature - both in terms of the food that they were eating, but also in getting them really excited about the world around them. Working with a partner as special as WWF is a real privilege. Together we want to help get young children really engaged with these magical animals - about where they live and what makes them unique- and for them to feel excited that they have made a difference."

 

 

Nicky Day Director of Corporate Partnerships at WWF-UK says: “WWF is really excited to be partnering with BEAR, a company that shares our values in respecting the natural world.  Through working with BEAR we will be able to engage with families and children about our work safeguarding the world’s most iconic and threatened species whilst raising vital funds for our conservation work around the world.”

 

BEAR fruit Paws are pure fruit shapes that take kids for a walk on the wild side. Made from gently baked fruit picked in season, and never from concentrates, they contain no added sugar, preservatives or stabilisers.  They are available in four tasty recipes- ‘Dino’ Paws (strawberry & apple), ‘Jungle’ Paws (apple & blackcurrant), ‘Arctic’ paws (raspberry & blueberry) and ‘Safari’ paws (orange and strawberry). Each pack contains five paw prints from animals that live in that habitat. 

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Our Autumn Nature Walk

As a family we are happiest when we are outdoors discovering new places. And it's Autumn that is probably our favourite season to get outdoors and take a walk. There's lots to look at with all of the leaves laying scattered over the floor, there are conkers to collect and a general feel of a prettiness to nature as the leaves change different colour.

We've been out collecting leaves, conkers, twigs and dead plants for our Autumn and Halloween themed fireplace display, which I will tell you more about soon as it's not quite finished yet. But I did take a few pictures of our walk (and obligatory stop and play in the park) which have a lovely Autumn feel to them.. 

 

 

 

Have you been on many autumn nature walks yet with your family?

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Tips For When You Are Expecting

When you become pregnant, it can be great. The wonderful realisation that you will have a child to look after and nurture can be ever so exciting, but at the same time quite daunting. There are so many things to think about and prepare for, and sometimes it can be rather difficult. Being healthy is one of the main things that you need to consider while pregnant to make sure that your child has the best possible start in life is a must. This may involve a change of lifestyle and diet, which can be quite difficult for some; but just remember, it can be so worth it. From the very second that you make everyone aware that you are expecting, you will be overwhelmed with advice, but you need to do your own research and find out what really works.

Fashion tips if you are expecting

Your body will inevitably change during pregnancy, and as mentioned, this can be quite an unnerving phase. We all want to feel confident with the way that we look, and being pregnant does not have to mean that you can’t look your very best. There are so many different types of clothing that can not only help with the practical side of being pregnant but also help you to look fantastic. Even while pregnant and still working, you could have stylish corporate maternity wear. You know what suits you and what you are comfortable with, so have a look below at the different items that can help you look great:

Image by: Natsumi Umino

A-line Shirts and Dresses – this item of clothing will flow away from your stomach and will keep you comfortable. As your stomach gets bigger, the A-line shirt or dress gives plenty of room.

Bras – one of the first things that you will notice when pregnant is that your bra size will get bigger so you will have to buy new bras. Another thing to consider here is that many women suffer discomfort at night with regard to their breasts. You can buy sleeping bras to help with this.

Nursing tops – these can be a great way to help with being discreet with breastfeeding and can be worn before and after pregnancy. You will be able to find many shops that offer great breastfeeding tops sales.

Belly Band – this is a favourite for many pregnant women. It is a stretchy band that can overlap your trousers. It can also mean that you can still wear your favourite designer jeans without having to zip them up.

Maternity Swimwear – keeping fit and healthy while pregnant is so important. And swimming can help with this and also relieving stress. You will find that in all maternity clothes shops, they will offer a swimwear line.

Shop at your favourite stores – not all but many big brand names will have a maternity section in their shops; you don’t just have to shop at specialist maternity stores.

Stay Healthy

Looking good and feeling happy in yourself is important, but you need to make sure that you are as healthy as you can be. For some people, not that much will change. But for others, it will involve a complete transformation. The obvious things to avoid when you become pregnant is smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. This obviously can be difficult, but regardless it is something that is needed. You will even need to make sure that you are not exposing yourself to second hand smoke. Always try to make sure that you get a good night’s sleep. It is recommended to get at least 8 hours sleep. If this is not possible, try to take naps during the day. Drink lots of fluids. This is recommended anyway even if you are not pregnant. Try to drink at least 8 glasses a day and stay away from things like caffeine and any drinks with artificial colouring. Have a look below at some other things that you need to consider when pregnant:

• Exercise – is so important to keep healthy and stress free.

• Vitamins - speak to your doctor, midwife or obstetrician for advice on this.

• Eat five to six balanced meals a day

• Consult your doctor – don’t take over-the-counter medication without speaking to your doctor first.

If you follow these tips, you will not go far wrong. Always ask questions if you are unsure, and make sure that you are happy and stress free. Being pregnant for the first time can be scary. But it does not need to be. Talk to other women and ask about their experiences and advice. The most important thing is that, in nine months, you will have the most precious thing in the world to look after and love for the rest of your life.

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Review of Oddprints.com | Custom Photo Printing Service

I hadn't heard of Oddprints before Matt got in touch. His rather new business is custom photo printing, where you can order prints of your favourite photos in standard or 'odd' sizes for those frames that you buy or receive as gifts that have really odd frame sizes and can sometimes be frustrating to try and fill. 

My Bad Beauty Habits and Me.

I have to admit, I'm not one of those people who have a morning or a bedtime skin ritual. There is no routine. Well, there is, I do rapidly through a wipe around my face before bed to remove what's left of my make-up from the day (if I've had any on, that is). But I just don't seem to have the time for all of the fancy cleansing and what not. And plus, it's too cold for all of that. When I go to bed, I want to go to bed, not spend half an hour cleaning and revitalising my face and body.

Autumn Inspiration: Womens Sleepwear

Dressing gown // Pyjama bottoms // Onesies // Slipper boots // Fox themed pyjama set 

It's that time of year when I swap out the much shorter, somewhat skimpier nighties for the thick, cozy, warm nightwear - and I love this time of year, if not just for that reason. ;)

I think I could quite happily live in nightwear, When I'm not wearing a jumper cardigan - I am all about the slippers, onesies, dressings downs and the thickest, softest pyjamas that money can buy! I'm the girl who likes to be comfortable, warm and snuggled up by the fire with a nice hot cup of tea, and well -  Autumn is just the perfect time of year to do just that, right?!

My Husband would tell you that I don't need anymore sleepwear and with an overflowing shelf of snuggly pyjamas etc - I see his point, I really do. But the thing is, is that it is ridiculously hard not to purchase more.. how can you leave the most cutest, most softest bit of sleepwear you've ever seen in the shop?! That's like giving away your old teddy bears. You simply can't. 

Right now I am going through what I have on my shelf and deciding what, if any new bits I will need this year. And so because there is bound to be things that I'm going to need new.. ;) - I've made myself a collage of my some of my favourite sort of styles for sleepwear. ^

What do you think to my choices? Could you quite happily live in sleepwear like me? 

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Home Improvement Tips that will Instantly Beautify your Home

It has always been said that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and this is especially true when it comes to how you visualise your home and its style and décor. Your home should reflect the personality of its residents by having an appropriate interior design pattern. Making your home reflect the characteristics of the people living there and ensuring that it looks visually appealing does not have to cause serious damage to your bank balance.

The following home improvement tips will instantly beautify your home giving it a sense of revitalisation and newness. 

Choose a Theme

Re-decorating your home is one sure way of getting rid of the old and introducing the new. If you’ve decided to re-decorate, you should consider choosing a recurring theme to run through the style and décor of your home. A noticeable theme makes a very strong statement about you and your personality. You can choose to go with a single theme for your entire home or just keep it to one single room or area of the house. If you do opt to incorporate different themes, ensure that they blend well and work together to create a space that you truly love and will be able to happily look at. 

Upgrade your Doors and Windows

Doors and windows make such a huge difference to the visual aspect of a house. If they are old and tired looking, they can transform an otherwise beautiful home into one that is lacking in substance and style. There are a huge variety of door types to choose from, each of which has varying price points. When it comes to choosing windows, Vevo Windows are a firm favourite with many people as they offer windows that allow for the maximum amount of natural light while also looking aesthetically pleasing too. Wooden sash windows are utterly beautiful too and will instantly beautify your home. Patchett Joinery are a great website to head to when looking for these. When upgrading your doors and windows, ensure to keep your theme in mind and consider whether your new pieces will fit in with the style of the rest of your home. 

Add Some Extra Storage

Not all homes are blessed with endless amounts of storage space and having a home that’s overly cluttered looking can make it look uncared for and messy. Adding some extra storage space in your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living room can instantly make your home appear more tidy, spacious and appealing to the eye. Simple things like adding a magnetic panel to the wall in your kitchen will allow you to store all of your cooking utensils in a practical and convenient way. As well as adding some extra storage throughout your home, it’s also important that you better use the storage space that you already have by ensuring that it’s utilised as efficiently as possible. 

Most people shudder at the thought of under-taking a home improvement project. This shouldn’t be the case as it’s a chance for you to get your creative juices flowing and muster up ways of how you can improve the overall look and practicality of your home. Although they’re fairly obvious, the three home improvement tips that I’ve mentioned above will help you to beautify your home in an instant making you love it even more.

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