| Bakes, Books And My Boys

Xtava Curls & Giveaway

Friday, September 15, 2017

Having been watching with interest the style for this autumn and winter I’m delighted that curls are back! Straight hair does not suit me and quite frankly curls suit everyone – you just need to find your size of curls! I have a couple of the old-style curling tongs when you take your skins life in to your hands every time you heat it up and gently place your hair around the hot wand! So when I was asked to review the amazing Xtava Satin Waves 5 in 1 Curling Wand I shouted out with a big fat yes!

I’ve been up this particular brand of curling wands for a while – Check ot the Curly Hair Queens review here and you’ll see what I mean! On amazon it is priced at £21.99 on Amazon more than half price of its RRP and other stores prices. The wand comes in a fabulous box – lovely and sturdy and inside the box you find the instructions and the wand in a black zip bag. Also included is a heat resistant glove so no more skin burns! Wahoo!

With the wand handle, which has 9 settings for heat between 130C- 210C (standard hair is about 150-190) are the 5 interchangeable ceramic barrels. None of the barrels include a cool tip so the glove comes into its own here. On top of all of this it has one great feature I absolutely love! The curling iron is in fact designed with a 60-minute auto sleep mode!

I found incredibly easy with a basically plug in and go aspect. It has a lovely long cord which is great for me so I could easily curl around the head!

It helps so much that you aren’t having to twist at awkward angles. The changing of the barrels too is very easy and straight forward. The only negative I have is the buttons. They are in the same place as on my straightening wands so I’m more use to these than other people but if you grip the handle to tightly in the wrong place you can end up changing your temperature! I loved these and my hair quite frankly looks great!

However don’t take my word for it but enter the competition below to win your own set!

lifestyle

How to Modernise Your Home

Thursday, September 14, 2017

We are currently trying to renovate our 1960’s bungalow and modernise it bit by bit. I love this article which shows just how you can do this without the need to knock down walls or spend a fortune doing it.

You don’t need to tear down walls or undertake costly renovations to update your property. It’s possible to transform your home by making small changes that can make a big difference to your space. We are therefore offering helpful advice on how to modernize your home.

Add Contemporary Lighting

Poorly lit rooms can look dull, dark and cramped, which can be almost claustrophobic. Breathe new life into your property by layering a room with light to create a spacious, welcoming area for both you and your guests. For instance, add a tall floor lamp into a dark corner to bring a room to life, whilst a table lamp can make a space feel a little cozy and romantic.

Secondary Glazing Installation

Secondary glazing offers a modern design that can perfectly complement your interior and exterior design. It is an affordable update that can make a lasting first impression on your home, whilst creating a warmer, safer environment. Many homeowners are under the assumption that secondary glazing can be expensive to install, but it doesn’t have to be. You simply need to do your homework to find a reputable, affordable provider in your local area.

Landscape Your Garden

Improve your home’s curb appeal by landscaping your garden. You don’t need to have green fingers and thumbs to plant trees or raise garden beds. Visit your local greenhouse to receive advice on how to care for plants, flowers and shrubbery, so your garden is bursting with life. Don’t forget to ask about low maintenance plants, so you can spend more time enjoying your garden, rather than tending to it.

Update Your Bathroom Fixtures

Is your bathroom looking a little old and tired? Freshen up the room by updating any outdated door knobs, faucets, vanities, shower curtains and light fixtures. Also, adding a fresh coat of paint can transform the space, which will make the bathroom appear both modern and new. You will love nothing more than sliding into a hot tub in your fresh and tranquil space.

Welcome Natural Light

Naturally add color and space to your home by welcoming as much natural sunlight into the room as possible. Adjust your curtains to allow daylight to enter the room with ease, and hang a large mirror facing a window to reflect the sun, which will make a room appear bigger and brighter.

Less is More

Simplicity is key when designing a modern home. For instance, bright white walls can perfectly complement neutral furniture, which create a streamlined interior design. Focus on straight lines, unique focal pieces and a neutral color scheme to create a home that is the epitome of modern style. Remember, less is always more when creating a modern, minimalist design.

Embrace Nature

Almost every modern home features wood, which is a primary material to create a grounded, classic décor. From pale hardwood flooring to rustic dining tables, try to incorporate beautiful woodwork throughout a space to make your house feel like a modern home.

lifestyle

Train your brain with Wentworth Puzzles

Monday, September 11, 2017

One of the activities I started when I moved to my village was to bell ring. Twice a week I meet up with some of the cleverest, funniest and most amazing people I know to chat and practice this age-old skill. Many of these people also happy to be of the older generation and partly use bell ringing as a great mental work out. One other thing we all share is a love of jigsaw puzzles and as the evenings are getting darker and the days are already a little colder they are again making a reappearance.

As I said we all share this love so a couple of years we started up a group of passing round jigsaws when we got a new one. They are such a fabulous mental work out which is superb for them and also being a stay at home mum is great for me! One of our real favourites of brands is of course the Wentworth Jigsaw Puzzles. After all jigsaw puzzles on their own are amazing but add in the special touches of Wentworth and we are taking it to a whole new level.

Wentworth puzzles are wonderful! Made from wood they also incorporate “whimsies” jigsaws with gorgeous bespoke pieces which reflect the puzzles pictures, for example a shell in a seaside picture, a watering can in a garden. They also they throw all the traditional rules to the side and have no straight edges! With Wentworth you cannot happily make the edge and fill it in!

I chose to review their fun, happy Salcombe picture to offer up to my group recently and they just loved it. Aside from the gorgeous pictures – there is a design to suit anyone! I cannot wait to get my hands on the Christmas collections – they are printed on to the wood and are such a high quality the puzzle is picture like in its finish. The group each loved the whimsy pieces and all noted how challenging it was and how much fun was made from the difference.

My grandma spent many happy hours in the summer holidays playing with the puzzle and even dragging her great-grandchildren into it. There is truly something about an unfinished puzzle, it cannot be left nor can it be walked past without an attempt! It is such a great way to bring family together and to get the brain kicking into gear!

I can highly recommend these beautiful British made wooden puzzles. They are great for any age or generation and are the perfect way to spend a couple of hours giving your brain a fun and fabulous work out!

lifestyle

Spook-tacular times with National Trust

Friday, September 08, 2017

Photo Credit: Andreas Von Einsiedel

Can you believe that in just 5 and ½ weeks it’ll be half term? I cant wait! I love it at this time of year and the wellies and hats are ready by the door to be donned on the way out! This is the perfect time to head too to your local National Trust! With most places starting to wind down for winter the National Trust have some amazing events happening all over the country!

Just in our own local part of Sussex & Surrey for example their gorgeous properties are coming alive with scary trails and spook-tacular tales! My two will be heading down to the Witches & Wizards’ Academy at Petworth house and while I cant wait to see decay and fungi at Nymans they will love to do the bat trails all over Uppark!

Just take a look below at whats local to me this holiday and why not see what your local National Trust has on offer?

Photo Credit: Naomi Goggins

Claremont Landscape Garden

· Gothic Hallowe’en

Sat 21 - Sun 29 Oct

This half term and Hallowe’en Claremont Landscape Garden has a big lineup of Gothic-themed events and activities to keep families busy throughout half-term. Kids in fancy dress get into the garden for free. £1 per trail. Normal admission charges apply

Leith Hill Place

· Spooky books, crafts and storytelling

Tues 24 October, 10am to 12.30pm (age 4-6, £12.50) and 1.45 to 4.30pm (age 7-10, £15)

On Tuesday 24 October the National Trust and ‘Into the Wild’ are hosting a Hallowe’en themed day, packed full of spooky books, craft and storytelling. Come and see Leith Hill Place as you’ve never seen it before, transformed into a spooky mansion. Sessions in the morning and afternoon are run by children’s authors Alex Milway (am) and Claire Barker (pm).

Dapdune Wharf

· Half-term activities at Wharf
Mon 23 -Sun 29 October, 11am to 4pm.
Come and join the young witches and wizards in their mischief at Dapdune Wharf, Make your own broom, get lost in the spooky maze, learn how to make bubbling potions, and maybe even have a go on the ducking stool - but bring a change of clothes, just in case.

· Spooktacular family fun run at Dapdune Wharf

Sat 28 October from 4.30pm

Join in a spooktacular family fun run - test your fitness and your fears in a night time run around the haunted Wharf and Island. 2k run in fancy dress - with jacket potatoes available from 4.30pm, warm up from 5.30pm. To book call the Navigations Office on 01483 561389

Hatchlands Park

· Half-term trail

Monday 23 - Sunday 29 October, 10am-5pm

Learn about leaves and the trees on a fun autumn trail through our park and woodland. Take a leaf rubbing of some of our most spectacular species as you stroll through fiery seasonal colour.

Photo Credit: Naomi Goggins

Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl

· Half term fun in the outdoors

This October half-term, head to Hindhead for fresh air, lots of open space to run around, scoot or ride as well some magnificent views. Head over to the shepherd's hut to borrow a free children’s tracker pack; they contain spotter sheets, pencils, binoculars and a compass to help your little ones explore the great outdoors. Pick up a free walks guide too, as well as a dog biscuit for your four-legged friend.

Petworth

· Petworth Witches and Wizards Academy

Sat 21 – Sun 29 Oct

· Visit Petworth this October half-term and take part in some spine tingling activities. Enrol in the Petworth Witches and Wizards Academy and make some spooky craft to take home.

· For those after an adventure, take on the spooktastic Hallowe'en trail around the Pleasure Grounds. The three witches have escaped from their painting and are causing a trail of toil around Petworth. Are you brave enough to help return them? £3 per trail

Standen

· Harvest trail

Keep the kids occupied this half term at Standen with a fun trail inspired by harvest in the garden, autumn strolls through crunchy leaves and spooky bat walks. If the weather's not on your side, our cafe is open all week for tasty treats.

Uppark

· Bat Trail

Uppark is home to all sorts of little bats, which swoop over the lawns and meadow at dusk on the hunt for insects. As Hallowe’en draws near, we’re inviting little ones to ‘think like a bat’ and complete the activities on our new bat-themed trail through the grounds. Suitable for younger children, 21 – 29 October.

Nymans

· Family trail: Hooray for decay
This half term follow the trail through the garden and discover what really happens after a tree dies. It is just the beginning of a hidden and interesting cycle full of bugs, decay and fungi. Pick up the trail from our welcome hub from 10.00am to 3.30pm. £1 per trail, normal admission applies.

· The garden and woods has a large variety of different tree species and this produces a kaleidoscope of colourful leaves in autumn. Take some time to look at the different shapes, sizes and colours as you explore. The fallen leaves can be collected to make autumn pictures and patterns.

Alfriston Clergy House

· Autumn sees a bumper crop of pumpkins at the bottom of the kitchen garden, at Alfriston Clergy House just in time for Halloween. Follow a self-lead trail for younger children looking for pumpkins hidden around the property.

South Downs

· Fungus foray at Newtimber Hill

Fri 6 Oct 9.30am-3pm

Join mycologist Martin Allinson discovering fungi on this glorious downland site. Bring a packed lunch.

£10 B 01273 857981

· Fungus foray at Wolstonbury Hill

Fri 13 Oct 9.30am-3pm

Join mycologist Martin Allinson discovering fungi on this glorious downland site. Bring a packed lunch.

£10 B 01273 857981