My Sunday Photo – Chocolate Cake

Food / 8 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

I baked a delicious chocolate cake yesterday & had to share it for my Sunday photo. It is far from impressive compared to the food bloggers I follow but it is GOOD cake. Two weeks without a cooker over half term is not fun. Having a working cooker that actually cooks properly makes all the difference though! As soon as our new cooker arrived I decided I had to test it out properly.. by baking cake of course! Our old cooker decided to blow the day I chose to do some baking so it only seemed right.

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake

The cake is a devils food cake mix with vanilla icing mixed wit 60g of melted chocolate (from hotel chocolat) and 20g of cocoa powder. I have to say I had no confidence it would turn out right but it surprisingly turned out brilliantly! I split the mix between two tins & added a layer of icing between them too.. nom!

 

Chocolate cake sliced

The cake is amazingly fluffy and light and I’ve pleased myself with my icing, I thought it would be a disaster yet it tastes AMAZING!

Have you baked a cake recently? Do you have any tips?

 

Photalife

Christmas Eve Boxes From My Pocket Money Toy

christmas / 8 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

We received Christmas Eve boxes From My Pocket Money Toys, filled with perfect Christmas themed gifts. My Pocket Money Toys offer a fantastic toy subscription for children and a great selection of Christmas boxes. There is a gift box for different ages, as well as different sized boxes & even boxes for adults too! We recently reviewed their fantastic Halloween Box which was full of awesome goodies and love these Christmas boxes too.

Christmas eve boxes

We received the 6-7 years Christmas Eve box which costs £30 and a Mummy Christmas eve box too which costs £15.

 

Christmas Eve box 6-7 years

Chocolate pizza slice

Cuddly toy

Christmas book

Festive craft

Puzzle

Something cosy to wear

A Toy

Belgian hot chocolate stick

Bag of reindeer food

Certificate from Santa!

 

Christmas eve box from My Pocket Money Toys

Eva was excited opening her Christmas eve box and loves everything that is included. She knows mummy usually gets her Christmas eve box & Santa brings her presents Christmas day so she was pleased to find she’d already made Santa’s nice list! (For helping mummy review these awesome products of course 😉 haha). Eva instantly removed the Robin from the parcel & hasn’t let go since as Robyn is her middle name.

Robin soft toy

The Mummy Christmas eve box can be for mum, dad or even grandparents! It’s a lovely little gift box to receive with everything you need for Christmas eve including the all important hot chocolate, Christmas socks, chocolate & a tree decoration.

Mummy Christmas eve box

The Mummy Box

Chocolate pizza slice

Belgian hot chocolate stick

Cosy Christmas socks

Shaggy Stag or Hairy Coo tree decoration

 

Mummy box from My pocket money toys

These Christmas eve boxes are great gifts for children & adults and such a reasonable price for what is included too.

Do you buy Christmas eve boxes? What do you think of the gifts included in these boxes from My Pocket Money Toy?

Burnished Chaos

The Storm Dog – Christmas Books

Book Reviews / 8 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

We received a copy of The Storm Dog by Holly Webb to review, published by Stripes, an imprint of the Little Tiger group. Holly Webb has written over ninety books for Stripes including Animal Stories, My Naughty Little Puppy & Maisie Hitchins Series. This book is an unforgettable tale of courage and adventure just in time for Christmas. Available in hardback for £8.99 The Storm Dog is a great gift for children Eva’s age (7).

The Storm Dog

The Storm Dog

The Storm Dog is about a girl called Tilly who is excited to spend Christmas in wales with her gran and great-gran. Gran promised to help Tilly on a big school project about the second world war. Her gran had been evacuated herself during the war. At least that was the plan!

Tilly falls asleep on the train and time-travels back to world war 2 instead! Upon waking Tilly finds herself being evacuated along with her two younger brothers. She comes across a stern old Mr Thomas who reluctantly agrees to give her a home on his farm.

Mr Thomas lives alone with his beautiful sheepdog Tarran. As Christmas approaches the farmhouse gets cut off by the snow. Tilly has to be braver than ever when Tarran comes to her for help one stormy night.

Eva started reading as soon as the book arrived and was glued to it for 2 days until she finished it. She thought The Storm Dog was a great book because it has lots going on. Tilly was so brave at the end of the story that Eva thinks she is super cool. The Storm Dog is a fantastic action packed, courageous adventure!

I would recommend The Storm Dog if you are looking for Christmas books having seen Eva become so absorbed in the storyline. Eva retold the story so well where she was captured by the magic of this beautifully heart-warming story. It is definitely a book I can see her re-reading too.

 Do you know a child that would love The Storm Dog to add to their bookshelf this Christmas?

 

 

 

 

Christmas Hamper From Prestige Hampers

christmas / 8 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

I received a gorgeous Christmas hamper from Prestige Hampers to review. I received Prestige Hampers Traditional Gift Basket which costs £64.99. A true Christmas classic the traditional gift basket in premium wicker is packed with the finest products for the recipient to enjoy.

Prestige Hampers

Prestige Hampers

Christmas Hamper

Prestige Hampers Christmas hamper is the perfect gift to send this Christmas with a selection of fine wines, treats & savoury goodies arranged neatly inside the wicker basket. To top it off the hamper was approved by Good Housekeeping 2017!

Christmas Hamper From Prestige Hampers

Included:
Water Stop Station Chardonnay 75cl
Water Stop Station Shiraz 75cl
Red Velvet Crunch Biscuits 150g
English Breakfast Tea 40g
Milk, White and Dark Chocolate Classics 120g
Shortbread Festive Shapes 60g
Matthew Walker Classic Christmas Pudding 100g
Iced Fruit Cake 400g
Dark Chocolate Bar 60g
Mackays Christmas Marmalade 113g
Mackays Christmas Preserve 113g
Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Yorkshire Crisps 100g
Handmade Smoked Oatcakes 125g
Handmade Wicker Basket

 

This gorgeous Christmas hamper is bursting full of deliciously tasty goodies perfect for Christmas. We love the Red Velvet Crunch Biscuits & Shortbread festive shapes that go really well with the English Breakfast Tea which I shared with the girls.

There is a little bit of everything you could want treat wise over the Christmas period including 2 Water Stop Wines to wash it all down with. This is a great gift for anyone who is unsure what to buy for someone this Christmas. The lovely Handmade Wicker Basket can be kept for storing things once it is empty too.

Prestige Hampers sell a range of hampers to suit your needs & budget with something for everyone. They are fantastically priced for what is included in the hamper and I would definitely buy a hamper like this as a gift.

Have you heard of Prestige Hampers before? Do you like Christmas hampers?

 

My Sunday Photo – Vauxhall Cresta PA

Cars and Bikes / 8 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

This week this gorgeous Vauxhall Cresta PA had to be My Sunday Photo. They are photo’s the Mr has taken this week having finally got himself a new phone! He spotted this gorgeous red Vauxhall Cresta PA in Morrison’s car park and I love it. Seriously though, how beautiful is that car?

Vauxhall Cresta PA

Red Vauxhall Cresta PA

It looks like the owner really looks after his Cresta, it is absolutely gorgeous and looks so well kept too. I’m no expert but the car does look to be all original parts and is one of the best kept I’ve seen over the last few years. Old cars, bikes & buses really stand out and we are lucky to see quite a few around here on a regular basis.

I love the Churchill dogs in the back, they look great. The fact they have red cushions & hanging dice to match is pretty cool too. You can tell the owner loves the car from how well looked after & presented it is. Vauxhall Cresta PA inside

The Mr wasn’t too pleased with this shot but you can still see how immaculately kept this Vauxhall Cresta PA is inside. I think this may be one of my favourite cars the Mr has spotted for a while to be honest.

I’m looking forward to seeing what else he comes cross now he has a phone again. He has a 20.5MP camera compared to my 16MP which made me sulk to begin with. Luckily for him the camera isn’t that great at focusing & adjustments so I’ll let him off & keep searching for my next upgrade whilst enjoying the shots he does manage to take haha.

I’ll have to try and beat him now and find an even better car spot too!

Do you love this Vauxhall Cresta PA too? If not what is your favourite car spot?

Photalife

Personalised Nametags From My Nametags & A Set To Giveaway!

Giveaways / 8 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple
Personalised nametags giveaway

My Nametags sent both girls a set off personalised nametags which they both designed themselves! Nametags are a must especially when you have children of school age. Eva is known for losing her School Uniform and we have spent hundreds replacing it all. Whilst that does seem to have stopped this year I’m still not taking any chances so I jumped at the chance to review a set of nametags for both girls.

Ordering From My Nametags

Ordering personalised nametags from My Nametags is nice and simple with just a few steps. My Nametags have a range of options and nametags available including Design your own for £11.95 per set of tags + £1.00 P&P. You can pick from Coloured Stickers, Coloured Iron-on, Black & White Stickers, Black & White Iron-on or a mixture of coloured stickers and black & white iron-on nametags. We chose coloured Stickers and designed our own. Choosing this option lets you enter up to 3 lines of text, a font & font colour. Moving on to the design of the sticker you can pick an icon from an extensive list. You can then pick a background and add to your basket.

Our Personalised Nametags

Eva’s Nametags

Eva - nametags

Eva choose to add her first & last name along with her class in the handwriting font in pink. She then chose a dog icon which reminds her of Saphy along with a flowery pink background. They turned out really well and she loves them. We have already started adding them to her uniform & school bag and they look great. I’ve blurred out the girls last names for this post.

Izzy’s Nametags

personalised nametags

Izzy decided on her name in handwriting font in pink too. She then choose a strawberry on a field background. Whilst Izzy isn’t in nursery yet nametags are still useful especially for things like books! She couldn’t wait to stick her name in her new Peppa Pig’s adventure Brochure book.

We’ve teamed up with My Nametags to offer our readers a set of personalised nametags* too! So enter below to win!

*Please note this does not include licensed products.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tammymum

Halloween Box From My Pocket Money Toys

Gift Guide / 9 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple
My Pocket Money Toys Halloween Box Review

This Halloween Box from My Pocket Money Toys is full of spooktacular gifts to keep the kids amused this Halloween! My Pocket Money Toys is a toy subscription service for children aged 3-5, 6-7 & 8 -10 years. They offer a range of subscription packages including 3 & 6 months & a yearly package. Prices vary depending on the age range but they are very reasonable for what’s included.

Halloween Box

Halloween Box From My Pocket Money Toys

We received this months Halloween Box to review and couldn’t wait to check it out! The girls opened their box to find a Bouncy Eyeballs Kit, Soft Cuddly Bat, Stretchy Skeleton, Funny Eye Glasses & Glow in the dark Slime. There is also a colouring sheet, My Pocket Money Toys Stamp Book, stamp book stickers, chocolate ghost lolly & sweets. That’s a great selection for any child at Halloween!

 

Soft Cuddly Bat

Izzy of course had to have the Bat & Stretchy Skeleton, they are keeping her rather amused with one flying across the room & the other sticking & hanging from the walls and ceiling haha! Izzy decided the Colouring Sheet was also hers.

Halloween Colouring Sheet

Eva loved the Funny Eye Glasses and has added them to her dressing up collection. The Glow in the dark Slime caught Eva’s attention too. As it comes with a glow in the dark bracelet to wear too Eva couldn’t wait to get it open. The Bouncy Eyeball Kit is something she is really looking forward to making this week to scare her friend for Halloween haha!

Subscriptions

In each subscription box from My Pocket Money Toys you will find a Stamp Book and Stamps, collect 10 & you get a free toy! I love this idea and My Pocket Money Toys Subscription boxes, they really are great fun & a lovely surprise when they arrive for the kids. Whilst prices do vary depending which subscription you choose starting at £37.80 – £43.20 for a 3 month subscription. I think they are definitely worth it considering how much you get in each box.

What do you think of the Halloween Box from My Pocket Money Toys? Do you like the sound of their Toy Subscription service too?

DIY Daddy

PJ Masks – Time To Be A Hero

DVD's / 9 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

We were sent the new PJ Masks – Time To Be A Hero DVD which is being launched on 30th October, just in time for Halloween! PJ Masks – Time To Be A Hero will be available on DVD, Digital Downloads & On Demand for RRP £9.99. You can also pre-order on Amazon for £7.99.

PJ Masks - Time Top Be A Hero DVD

As day turns to night the heroes put on their pyjamas and activate their amulets when something goes awry in the city. They magically transform into their dynamic superhero alter egos: Catboy, Owlette & Gekko becoming the fantastically unstoppable PJ Masks team! PJ Masks is a hugely popular preschool TV show being released on DVD for the first time ever. I’m sure lot’s of mini superheroes will be as excited as Izzy is!

PJ Masks – Time To Be A Hero Features 6 Adventures

Perfect for young super heroes PJ Masks -Time To Be A Hero features six fan-favourite episodes following the adventures of Connor, Amaya & Greg. The DVD runs for 72 minutes and includes the following 6 adventures.

  1. Speak UP, Gekko! – When Romeo starts using Gekko’s voice for no good, Gekko has to get over his stage fright & get his voice back.
  2. Catboy & Master Fang’s Sword – Night Ninja has stolen Master Fang’s prized sword and Catboy wants it back, but he will have to learn not to let his anger get in the way first.
  3. Owlette and the Giving Owl – Owlette’s prized ‘Giving Owl’ statue is stolen by Luna Girl to decorate her new headquarters. If Owlette doesn’t learn its better to give than to receive, Catboy and Gekko could become trapped in Luna Girl’s newest HQ for good.
  4. Catboy Vs. Robo-Cat – Catboy has to get Amaya’s and Greg’s stolen superhero pyjamas back from Romeo so they can transform into Owlette and Gekko and help him save the day… unless he learns that you don’t need superpowers to be a hero.
  5. Catboy’s Flying Fiasco – When Catboy receives a scooter as a gift from an unknown aunt, something smells fishy. But when he can use it to fly, its too good to leave at home. Too bad that it’s really a ‘gift’ from… Luna girl!
  6. Owlette and the Flash Flip Trip – Using his newest machine, Romeo erases all the stories from the books and replaces them with pictures of himself. Rather than relying on her own skills, Owlette plans to use the moves of her favourite comic character, Flossy Flash, to save the day.

Izzy loves PJ Masks - Time To Be A Hero

Izzy’s Thoughts

Izzy loves PJ Masks after discovering them in a book & she now loves them. Izzy says she love, love, loves the PJ Masks DVD and the episodes on it! She also reminded me the DVD comes with some PJ Mask stickers too which she says are ‘Super cool!’. Izzy loves PJ Masks and the release of this DVD means she can watch it at home whenever she wants. Perfect for keeping her entertained over half term.

PJ Masks - Time To Be A Hero DVD & Stickers

If you have a PJ Masks fan I would definitely recommend buying a copy. It bought me a much needed hour of peace. Izzy has already asked to watch it again so I can see it becoming a firm favourite. She is surprisingly saving some of her stickers for something special. I’m hoping it’s not my desk again haha!

Do you have a PJ Masks Fan that would love this DVD? Who is their favourite PJ Masks Superhero?

 

5 Christmas Gifts Under £5 – #SDFiverChallenge

Britmum's Linky Challenges / 9 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

I’ve been looking at 5 Christmas Gifts under £5 from Sports Direct and ordered some great gifts for the girls. It can be tough at Christmas affording presents for everyone. Sports Direct want to make it easier to find gifts that cost less but are still good quality so I’ve picked out 5 gifts under £5 to take a closer look at. I’ve already shared some fab gift guides to help my readers this Christmas, here’s some bargain gifts too!

5 Christmas Gifts Under £5

#SDFiverChallenge

Sports Direct have definitely made that easier this year with their fab range of gifts £5 and under. I had expected to struggle to find a gift I thought the girls would both enjoy & would last more than 2 minutes. Surprisingly I managed to find 5 Christmas gifts £5 and under for the #SDFiverChallenge that I know my girls would enjoy and seem pretty good value too!

5 Christmas Gifts Under £5

Amigami

Amigami Large Figure – £5

The Amigami Large Figure is suitable for 6+ and is a great find for Eva. These kinds of gifts are great for creative kids with up to 500+ combinations available. The kit comes with a plastic AmiGami figure, 25 AmiGami paper parts, 45 stickers, 3 marker pens & 7 pins and caps. This seems fairly reasonable for £5 and will no doubt keep Eva busy for hours! She loves any chance to get creative & will love that her figure is pink.

 

Disney Princess 3 pack Wooden Puzzles & Storage box

Disney Princess Three Pack Wood Puzzles – £5

Wooden puzzles make great gifts and I found this Disney Three Pack of  24 piece wooden puzzles suitable for 3+ for just £5. The puzzles also come with a wooden box container to store them in too, bonus! With Izzy’s 3 favourite princesses, Cinderella, Belle & Rapunzel she is bound to love them. The quality of the wood is pretty good too so I can see the puzzles lasting a while!

Disney Princess Pop Up Game

 

Disney Princess Pop Up Game – £4.99

I remember playing pop up games as a child and really enjoying them & knew the girls would love this Disney Princess Pop Up Game. A great 2-4 player game for 4+ everyone can play together is always a great gift at Christmas. This Disney Princess Pop Up game seems fairly sturdy and I can see us playing regularly.

 

Monkey Tree Game

Monkey Tree Game – £4

Monkey Tree is another game I remember playing as a child. Carefully remove sticks and hope you don’t make the monkeys tumble! This is another 2-4 player game perfect for kids and seems just as good as any other version I’ve come across. Definitely a bargain at £4.

 

Crayola Disney Princess 2 colouring pages

Crayola Giant Princess Colouring Pages – £3

I thought these 20 Crayola Giant Disney Princess Colouring Pages were great for £3. The girls will love colouring them in & putting them up on their bedroom wall.

 

 

Overall I think Sports Direct has done pretty well with their Christmas gifts for £5 (and under!) and will probably be having another look to see what else I can put away for Christmas haha! Whilst I only really have a few people I buy gifts for the range of gifts at Sports Direct is great. There is something there for everyone!

Disclosure: This post is an entry for BritMums #sdfiverchallenge Christmas Challenge, sponsored by Sportsdirect.com

Cuddle Fairy

Spider Crush Forage Game – App Review

Apps / 9 years ago / RelentlesslyPurple

I’ve been playing the Spider Crush Forage game, a spooky new free-to-download game launched on Google Play in time for Halloween. The Spider Crush Forage game is a thrilling new take on classic matching games. I’ve been playing this game for a week now and it is great! I enjoy reviewing apps of all kinds but it’s rare I’m asked to try out a game so I had fun with this review!

Spider Crush Forage Game -App Review

Spider Crush Forage Game – A challenge

I am terrified of spiders and normally run at the first sight of one & am known to scream. The Spider Crush Forage game is a great way of facing your fears though. If the thought of a furry tarantula terrifies you too it may help you face your fear without having to get too close to a real one!

Spider Crush Forage

 

At first I really struggled with huge furry tarantulas crawling all over the screen. Eventually I learnt to ignore them and managed to get through a few levels. Spider Crush Forage is a challenging game which I am enjoying playing. Far too many game are so easy to beat. I usually get bored very quickly with games as they are so easy so I quite like the challenge of Spider Crush Forage. You have a certain amount of moves per level. It took me a good few attempts to beat even the first level thanks to those pesky Spiders!

Spooky Spiders

Spider Crush Forage is a fantastic spooky escape from the ordinary. It’s perfect for keeping you busy on the train, in a queue or resting with a cuppa! Spider Crush really is a fun game and the girls enjoy playing too. Oddly I felt calm after a few attempts, I wonder if I’ll be calmer next time I face a real spider?

Do you love games like Spider Crush Forage?