PODcast | A multi-award nominated lifestyle blog

Compare4Kids Christmas competition

We were set a challenge by Compare4Kids to choose toys up to the value of £100 using their Children’s Gift Finder. As gift finders go, this one is especially easy to use. You just select the sex of the child you’re purchasing for, their age and your budget.

We had fun choosing several gifts at the lower end of the scale before repeating the process to the higher priced products. On each occasion we viewed a wide selection of gifts from top online retailers. These included Mothercare, The White Company, John Lewis, Hamleys, Argos, Not On The High Street, JoJoMaman Bebe and ToysRus to name a few.

With our toddler’s Christmas Day birthday rapidly approaching, we opted for a Standing wood easel (£45) from the Great Little Trading Co as the first item on our wishlist. POD loves to draw and this wooden standing easel seems study enough not to knock over! It’s double-sided too – one side is a blackboard and the other magnetic. The easel also comes with a hand holder for a paper roll and a large shelf for paints and brushes. POD already has a selection of paints and pens so the perfect accessory would be this Create and Play Triangular Crayons and Stencil set (£4) from M&S.

POD has taken an interest in watches and the time recently – not to say she goes to sleep when she’s supposed to! This Learning Clock (£18) from John Lewis is an ideal way to start learning. It teaches children to tell the time in a fun way. If you move the clock’s hands it tells you the time and it’s possible to test the children too.

With a huge love for books, POD really needs somewhere to sit other than her bed. She does have a chair in her room but it always seems to house her dollies. The Peppa Pig Seaside beanbag (£27) would be great for her to sit on when she fancies a browse – she’s a huge Peppa Pig fan as well!

Finally POD sees Mummy taking photographs all the time and would love her own camera! She also loves bubbles so this Bubble Camera (£5) from Hamleys would be a superb accompaniment for outdoor play.

Disclaimer: This post is an entry into the Compare4Kids Christmas competition. The winner will receive all of the items on their wishlist for Christmas.

What’s The Story? | 9th December 2013

Hello everyone and welcome to What’s The Story? for w/c 9th December 2013. Thank you to everyone that joined in with What’s The Story? last week, it’s really good to hear so many of you enjoy joining in.

This week I bring you photographs from the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival which is an interpretation of the new Disney film ‘Frozen’. We saw it when we were in Bruges last weekend. Amazing stuff.

If you’re new to What’s The Story? and you’d like to join in, all you have to do is share a photograph and describe the story behind it. You can say as little or much as you like in your post and your photo can be taken at any time. It might be one you took recently or a real oldie. New posts are always best but you can link up a previously published post if it’s relevant. You can include more than one photograph in your post if you wish too.

What’s The Story? is open from 6.30am every Monday until the following Sunday. Do take the time to comment on some of your fellow bloggers posts when you can. The What’s The Story? badge is below so feel free to use it – I’m happy to share your post in return.

Thanks again for joining in and have a great week #whatsthestory

Hi-Tec Winter boots – the verdict

These St Anton Hi-Tec Winter boots seemed ideal for our countryside exploits. You can read the reveal post here. They’re made from premium leather, have Thinsulate insulation to trap in the heat and a sockliner for long-term comfort.

The snow boots felt wonderful when I tried them on but what was the verdict after testing them?

They arrived the day before a short break to Bruges. I decided to try them from the off but packed another pair of boots just in case. We traveled by car to Folkestone then took Eurotunnel to Calais with a drive to Bruges the other end. Other than a stop-off for coffee, very little walking was involved. The boots felt great at that point, it was like wearing slippers.

Once we’d dumped the bags off and eaten, we set off to see what Bruges had to offer. We walked for hours exploring what is a beautiful city full of medieval buildings, cobbled streets and canals. The Hi-Tec boots didn’t come off once, they were wonderful to walk in and felt snug. The laces didn’t need adjusting at any point either.

Little did I know I’d experience temperatures of -6 degrees while we were in Bruges! We were lucky we got to visit the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival which this year is based on an interpretation of the new Disney film Frozen. We didn’t stay long as we didn’t want our toddler to get cold but great to test how warm the boots would keep my feet. They really did.

Back in the UK, there was quickly an opportunity to test the stability of the Hi-Tec boots in the wet. Again they were a pleasure to wear and I didn’t once lose my footing. I was disappointed they got muddy but as they’re waterproof they wiped clean.

These Hi-Tec St Anton 200 Winter Boots are fantastic, the verdict is I love them. They’re made of premium, soft but durable leather, they’re waterproof and the D-ring lacing is easy to secure. Thinsulate insulation keeps your feet warm (but not sweaty!) and the sockliner provides underfoot cushioning.

The Hi-Tec St Anton 200 Winter boots are available in Chocolate/Taupe (pictured) and Black/Graphite priced £79.99. Delivery is free for UK orders over £30.

Disclaimer: We received a pair of Hi-Tec St Anton 200 waterproof boots for the purpose of this review. Opinions are our own.

Silent Sunday

Hi-Tec St Anton Winter boots

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a proper pair of snow boots although I remember owning moon boots when I was a child. The snow seemed especially deep at the time – perhaps that’s because I was only small!

Given how much time we spend outdoors, a pair of boots that suits all conditions is essential. These Hi-Tec St Anton 200 waterproof boots seem ideal for our country exploits.

Not only do they look great, these Hi-Tec boots are made from premium durable leather with a rubber outsole and have Thinsulate insulation. This means they trap in the heat to keep your feet warm when the temperature drops – a clever lining prevents any sweating. They also have a sockliner designed for long-term comfort.

Hi-Tec prides itself on producing lightweight, quality, comfortable footwear. Almost 30 years on, the company enjoys worldwide recognition as being one of the world leaders in sports and outdoor footwear. They were voted Outdoor Footwear Brand of the Year in 2013.

As well the durability and softness, I was delighted at how stylish the St Anton Winter boots were. The outsole looked like it would provide stability and traction whatever the weather – essential when you have a toddler in tow.

It was a nice touch that there was a personal message from Hi-Tec’s Chairman, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award this year, inside the box. It was a thank you from Frank Van Wezel himself and included his email address for any comments or questions.

The Hi-Tec St Anton Winter boots looked like they’d be extremely comfortable and perfect for our outdoor adventures. The laces were easy to adjust when I tried them on and the soft fur lining made them so comfortable. The sockliner provided that additional cushioning and the boots fitted perfectly.

You can read the verdict post here.

The Hi-Tec St Anton Winter Boots are available in Chocolate/Taupe (pictured) and Black/Graphite priced £79.99. Delivery is free for UK orders over £30.

Disclaimer: We received a pair of Hi-Tec St Anton 200 waterproof boots for the purpose of this review. Opinions are our own.

Through the chunnel to Bruges

Having discovered a great deal with Eurotunnel, last weekend saw POD enjoy her first train journey albeit among a sea of cars! We set off for Folkestone early in the morning, capturing an incredible sunrise in the process. POD said “look the sky is on fire” and it really did look like it was.

Our journey across the channel to Calais only took 25 minutes with the drive to Bruges an hour or so from there. It was a beautifully sunny day too so we got to admire the view whilst navigating the way to our Belgian hotel.

After a speedy check-in, we headed off with Ben Elf on the hunt for food. POD took great delight in saying “Bonjour” to the people on the table next to us many times over. Thankfully they had a sense of humour and found it entertaining. It was all very exciting for POD although she wasn’t overly impressed with my moules!

Fed and watered we headed for the Market Square which is located in the heart of the city. It’s dominated by the towering Belfort which offers 360-degree views for those brave enough to climb the 366 steps to the top.

Bruges is a beautiful city full of medieval buildings and cobbled streets. Horse-drawn carriages and canal rides are on offer but we find the best way to explore is on foot.

With the festive period fast approaching, there was a Christmas Market in the square. Although not comparable to the infamous German markets, it offered everything from Christmas decorations to woollies, Bratwurst and of course Glühwein (mulled wine). The market snaked around an ice-rink which was being enjoyed by the masses. POD wanted to go skating but they didn’t cater for toddlers.

There are numerous chocolatiers in Bruges but Dumon is without doubt the best. Situated in a small medieval shop not far from the Market Square, it sells the most divine chocolate. Following a brief gorge on teddy lollies, we set off for a leisurely walk down cobbled alleyways to Rozenhoedkaai and the canals.

After walking most of the day, we slumped in cafe for a well-deserved Irish coffee while POD had an orange. Although just in Bruges for 24 hours, we managed to catch the snow and ice sculpture festival – an exhibition based on the Disney film Frozen. You’ll find a sneak preview here and a post will follow.

We had time for a wander around the following morning before driving back to Calais. This included purchasing some delicious chocolate from Dumon and visiting a tea room that was closed the day before. It was beautiful inside, perhaps that’s why we were ushered to the back!

Patisseries were perfectly displayed as were all the gifts available – from tea and coffee to candles and Father Christmas. Even the toilet housed a Christmas tree laden with baubles and feathers! POD knew she was supposed to touch it so she enjoyed giving it a stroke! Our drinks arrived with a complimentary meringue and chocolate mousse. It was a wonderful end to a great short break.

We linking this post up with Magic Moments at The Oliver’s Madhouse and Country Kids at Coombe Mill.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

What makes the perfect holiday?

What makes the perfect holiday? For us it’s always been a combination of adventure and activity. As a couple we’ve enjoyed some fantastic trips close to home and as far afield as New Zealand.

New Mattessons Double Dippers

Running a business full-time and parenting a toddler often means I’m short on time. Although we usually have a healthy meal in the evening, lunchtime is more of a grab what you can affair. It might involve a short walk to the shop for a sandwich and crisps or on especially busy days toast or cereal.

It seems I’m not alone. According to a recent survey, busy lifestyles have resulted in traditional meal times being a thing of the past. We’re often skipping meals or turning to unhealthy snacks to tide ourselves over – more than 50% of women have a mid-afternoon energy crash around 3-4pm. This will be the time I’ll crave chocolate if I’ve not had a proper lunch.

Frequent smaller meals now seem to suit our busy lifestyle better – over half of us hardly ever eat three meals a day. We also tend to snack on the go too regardless of whether we’re at our desk, walking or travelling.

With this in mind, there’s definitely growing consumer demand for healthier alternatives that have the nutritional value but require little effort. Mattessons’ Double Dippers have satisfied this demand with a new high protein snack. This healthy, tasty option comprises of 100% chicken breast and with less than 190 calories per pack.

Each pack contains marinated natural chunks of chicken breast and two dips – one of which is creamy and the other crunchy. You just dip the marinated chunks of chicken in the creamy sauce and then the toasted crumbs. Each pack of Double Dippers contains a fork so you can eat them straight out of the packet or grab a plate. What’s important is that you don’t need to stop what you’re doing and you’re eating a much healthier snack.

Double Dippers are available in four flavour variants – Classic with a creamy dip, Thai with a sweet chilli dip, Italian with a tomato and basil dip and Tikka with a smooth mint yoghurt dip. Having tried them all, my favourite was the Italian although my husband preferred the Thai.

Double Dippers are available now and stocked in Asda and Tesco. They retail at £1.59 mark and there’s a downloadable 25p off voucher available here.

An infographic of the Mattessons snacking survey results is below if you fancy a nose.

Disclaimer: We received a selection of Mattessons Double Dippers for this review along with payment. Opinions are our own.

Morning

On the days POD doesn’t want to get dressed, morning is a rushed affair. She might hold her arms down by her sides making it difficult to get her pyjama top off, remove her clothes once they’re on or hide her shoes.

You might have to chase her too although that’s usually quite entertaining.

If she helps with getting ready, ensuring she’s at nursery for breakfast is much more relaxed. It may even involve a Costa stop-off on the way home before embarking on the working day.

Last weekend POD was brilliant. She was out of bed shortly after the alarm went off and dressed with no fuss. Although it was 6am, she was excited – we were heading to Belgium that day.

We found a great deal with Eurotunnel which involved taking the car from Folkestone to Calais – a journey that only took 25 minutes. We then drove from Calais to Bruges.

This photograph was taken en route to Folkestone, we were on the motorway travelling at c.70mph. It isn’t apparent in this image but the sky was bright orange – such an incredible sight. POD summed it up perfectly when she said “look the sky is on fire”.

We’re linking this post up with The Gallery at Sticky Fingers. The theme is Morning.

The Elf on the Shelf

POD will be three on 25th December so she’s old enough now to remember her birthday and the festive period. With this in mind, we had a Christmas themed treasure hunt at the weekend and she met the Doves’ Elf on the Shelf.

We thought it would be nice for POD if she named him. This is quite dangerous given she has dollies called Boadicea, Bob and Rice as well as the aptly named “dolly”, “elephant” and “monkey”.

Initially she decided on “Elf” but having understood “Elf the Elf” wasn’t a name, he became “Ben Elf”. Given she’s a fan of Ben and Holly, we encouraged her to think of another name. Ben Elf then became Jake Elf which was an improvement but Jake Elf quickly became Ben Elf again.

So we will be registering him as Ben Elf.

POD loved the Elf on the Shelf book and its been read several times over. She likes that he has been sent from the North Pole and helps Father Christmas. When she was told he flies back each evening to report on what she’s been doing, her response was “no he doesn’t”.

She enjoys looking for him but mostly believes we put him there rather than he arrived of his own accord.

In an attempt to create a bit of magic, we took Ben Elf away with us at the weekend. Although she was pleasantly surprised he’d joined us, I’m sure she thought we’d just put him in our bag.

We had to work quite hard while we were there to ensure Ben sprung up in the most unlikely of places.

Ben Elf must be spluttering to the North Pole each evening as POD likes to cuddle him. She’s also tried bending his legs backwards and seeing if he can do the splits.

She also likes to turn his head all the way round like an owl. This she finds highly entertaining as she’s tried to do it to me a few times.

Ben Elf may have been touched and moved around which is against the rules but he does have a name at least. Apart from the time he was thrown across the floor, he’s been well loved too. We just need to work on less mauling and encourage POD to believe in magic.

We’re linking this Elf on the Shelf post up with Jocelyn at The Reading Residence. If you’d like to join in with #ElfTakeover, click on the badge below.

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