My 3 favourite sources for Christmas Decorations

 
My 3 favourite sources for Christmas Decorations
Adding a few reindeer to our home this year
It is certainly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, with colder nights and Christmas lights popping up but best of all Christmas decorations in the shops.  

My Top 10 Toys from the 2015 Toy Sale at Debenhams

The sale is on for the toys at Debenhams
Check out Debenhams Megadeal on Toys
With all the talk of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it is very easy to miss some of the great deals out there, such as the bargains that can be had within the toy section at Debenhams especially the Toy Megadeals!

How I plan to deal with Amazon's Black Friday Deals

Last year I got a bit carried away with all the special offers in the name of 'Black Friday'!   In hindsight, many of the items I bought were 'nice to haves' rather than anything I was in real need of!

So this year I have a plan.

I have created a wish list on Amazon.  It's a list of all the items that I'd like to buy but not at the current price - either because I think it's too expensive (like Lego) or I just can't afford it.
Amazon's Black Friday Deals
My list took me quite some time to do, but I'm hoping it's worth it.  I'm trying to avoid getting caught up in 'Bargain Buys' - remember it's not really a bargain if you didn't really need it!  So I have this list of everything I'd like (and could be classed as needed).

Now to see if the price drops on Friday.

I work and I can't possibly sit and refresh my wishlist all day to see if the prices drop to my preferred price so I'm using the rather fabulous site CamelCamelCamel!

Amazon's Black Friday Deals via Camel
I created an account and linked it to my wish list!

There is an option in your account settings marked wish list.  Just click on add wishlist and follow the instructions.

Once my wishlist was imported I went through each of my items and added the price I would pay.  I have the account set up to email me if any of my items drops to my preferred price.  I'm hoping this works on Friday and that way I get the bargains I want and not all the 'bargains' that I actually don't need.

That's the theory anyway.

I thought I'd share with you the latest email notification I got.  I really want a Miele Cat and Dog vacuum cleaner, but these have been retailing between £177 - £222 on Amazon so I added it to Camel and agreed with myself that if it dropped to £150 I would think about buying one.... it did drop and I got an email. I still haven't bought it yet as for me it's too close to Christmas now and this really isn't a necessity.

What you can also see from the image below is how much the item was when I added the product to camel, how much it is now and how much it is 3rd party and used.
Camel website ideal for price tracking

So here's to Black Friday - and remember - It's not a bargain if you don't really need it!

Do you have your eye on anything on Friday?
 

Loot Crate Review


Back in September 2014, I started my search for the best geeky subscription box (for me!), and as you can see from my summary post, I've covered quite a few in that time, hence the lack of 'new' reviews until recently!

Recently I spotted Loot crate's 'summon' themed subscription box was going to contain an Impala... Baby to be exact, so of course, I had to have it!

The first thing I noticed about Loot crate before I even opened the box was the size!  I have to admit I was rather disappointed as I'd had such high expectations for this box!

What to wear to my work's Christmas party

I'm having that dilemma, the one where I have no idea what to wear to my work's Christmas do! I would say that ideally I want to wear a geeky T-Shirt and jeans, and whilst I do where this on dress down Fridays..... I wouldn't actually feel comfortable wearing my favourites to a fancy do.
Christmas party season - what to wear!
I'm having that dilemma, the one where I have no idea what to wear to my work's Christmas do! I would say that ideally, I want to wear a geeky T-Shirt and jeans, and whilst I do where this on dress-down Fridays..... I wouldn't actually feel comfortable wearing my favorites to a Christmas party.

So what do I wear?  I'm loving the rockabilly look, and if I could add a few skulls or batman symbols on then this would ideal, and this is what I  looked around for until I saw the Christmas Work party look from House of Fraser!   Not only is it a guide to a Christmas party success with tips and accessories but there is this idea of....... a Jumpsuit!

Image sauce - House of Fraser
Could the jumpsuit be the new little black dress?

I rather like this idea.  There are some very stylish jumpsuits and best of all they are currently on offer.  Also, whilst I do like to have a little geeky edge about me after a few drinks I'd definitely think I was Catwoman - you can see it can't you?

There are tips at the bottom of House of Fraser's guide, the 3 that stand out for me are :

* Don't get totally gazebo'ed - This is never wise!  The last time I was a three sheets to the wind, I may have said to one of the senior bosses 'oh, you're one of them' when he mentioned he didn't eat buffet food as others have fingered it..... (wrong on so many levels).

* Pre-book your cab home - I love this and something so simple I've never done!  This year I will be booking my cab home so I'm not there until the end... a wee bit worse for wear and acting like a cat.....

but my favourite is the age-old - Dress for the job you want.

I'm Catwoman.



So shall I go with a jumpsuit or shall I stick with a rockabilly dress?

I only have 3 weeks to decide!!


What is the new Jangle app?

How to help children save in the new technological age
New Jangle App coming soon 
Life skills are so important to teach our children and how we feel about cooking, finances, electrics, first aid etc. will rub off on our children, even if it is on a subconscious level.  The attitude I have towards some of these skills are a direct link to how my mum's attitude towards them is.  For example:

Baking
I have no idea when it comes to cooking!  My mum hated cooking and therefore spent next to no time in the kitchen let alone spend time in there with us kids!  For years I believed roast potatoes were solid pockets of air and mum let me believe toad in the hole was made of fresh toads.....  With that in mind, I purchased a children's cookbook and together with Max and I pick out a dish and make it over the weekend.

Electrics
My mother is not a fan of electrics so showed both myself and my sister  how to change a light bulb, how to change a plug (with a butter knife) and where the fuse box was at the earliest opportunity!  All of which are very handy pieces of knowledge that I am now an expert in!

Finances
This was almost a taboo subject.  A single mum raising 2 children on a shoestring budget we never really spoke about money - mainly because we never had any!  Regardless of my financial situation, I want to be able to talk to Max about money, to show him the value of money and the value of your time.  So I am rather honoured to have spent time with Experian, Pfeg  and Sarah Willingham learning about and being part of the focus group for a new app coming out in the new year which helps primary age kids to save - Jangle.

The Jangle website - still in it's infancy itself will give you an overview of the exciting times to come with backing from Experian, Pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group) and the inspiration Sarah Willingham, I have every confidence this project and app will be a success.  Jangle is a tool for parents - to help make their day to day lives a little easier, but also to support them in being able to help their children learn essential money management skills which could then be reinforced in the school environment in time.
Learning about the new saving app for children - Jangle
The Jangle website - still in it's infancy itself will give you an overview of the exciting times to come with backing from Experian, Pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group) and the inspirational Sarah Willingham.  Jangle is a tool for parents - to help make their day to day lives a little easier, but also to support them in being able to help their children learn essential money management skills which could then be reinforced in the school environment in time and taken on to adulthood and help make wise financial decisions, save and be money savvy.

I will be writing a follow-up post on Jangle with more details on how the app can be used and where you can download it, but for now, I just want to leave you with some facts from Experian that I found rather interesting!



Given how money was spoken about in my household (or lack of rather), I feel now more than ever I need to be able to talk to my son about how to manage money well, but as my mum proved, it's not something parents find easy to talk about.


Watch this space for updates on the new app to help teach your kids money skills, I'll be learning along the way too.

Do let me know what your thoughts are on the above facts, I must admit I'm quite surprised at 10-year-olds ordering online... !


Autumn - my favourite shows have returned


Isn't autumn a great season?  As the nights start to draw in and the evenings start to feel a little bit chilly.. but not too much... just enough for a snuggle in drinking hot chocolate and maybe a blanket sneaking its way over your feet.  Its time.

It's time for the old favourites to return home and to watch them one day soon on a Panasonic 4K TV - here are my top 5 shows that make my Autumn viewing complete:

The Doctor (come on that can't be a surprise...just look at my wallpaper!).  I have grown to love Capaldi as quickly as I grew to love Smith, maybe quicker!  I can't work out if that makes me fickle or not.

The bloodsuckers are back!  Having read the Vampire diaries I was quite keen to see Klaus get killed off... until he appears in the show and now I'm rather pleased a) he's nothing like the character in the book and b) he has his own show!  So I get 2 lots of vampires to snuggle down with - Vampire Diaries and The Originals.

A new one for me this autumn is a program I binge-watched over the summer, and it's one that I really didn't think I'd like, let alone love Once Upon a Time.  I'm not even sure why this works for me, maybe because there is no clear good versus bad, you end up rooting for Regina - you know the evil stepmother to Snow White - now that can't be right, can it?  She is quite possibly my favourite character though - the evil... trying to be a good Queen.

But best of all, now in season 11 so it's kind of touch and goes here if there will even be the next season..... I know, hush my mouth!.....................

With all the aliens, evils and demons on-screen - best counteract that with some hot, good guys in the world - Supernatural.

I haven't added the Walking Dead to my list.  I'm just as shocked as you guys are but that one I can take it or leave it a few weeks and watch them as and when.  The above, well they must be watched the second I can get under my TARDIS blanket!!

What are your favourite shows back on for Autumn or have you found any new ones?




The Nonsense Show - Book Review

#Gifted
Max and I have just read the most bizarre book.  I'm still trying to get my head around what we read but to a 4 year old it all made perfect sense, so much so we ready it again!
Finding my inner child again with the Nonsense Show 
Max and I have just read the most bizarre book.  I'm still trying to get my head around what we read but to a 4-year-old it all made perfect sense, so much so we read it again!

5 Fandom Friday - Subscription Boxes



Whilst the love Nerdy Girlie over at Female Geek Bloggers take a week off from the Fandom Friday listing, it's pretty much a free for all this week, so I've chosen - My top 5 Mystery Boxes.  For those who read my babblings will know I'm a HUGE geek box fan!

I am rather excited to have recently subscribed to Nerd Blocks Sci-Fi theme, but as I am yet to receive it (and I just KNOW it would feature in my top 5)..... I'm working on what I've already received.

No. 5 is Nerd Block - I like the variety and as a POP or T-shirt is not guaranteed than there is room for all sorts of goodies to be delivered.


No. 4 is the Qwerkibox-Deluxe - bit on the expensive side, and the american treats are readily available in WHSmiths (of all places!) so not such a big deal for me these days, but the personal attention and customer services is excellent.

Joint 2nd (I know, I just can't choose between them)
Infinity crate which is superB at getting the personal preference in a box and the uber Kawaii Box straight from Japan.

Like I said I can't choose between them and so both merit the 2nd spot for completely different reasons.


My favourite subscription box (for now, lets just keep our options forever open) is the Marvel Collector corp box - I'm loving these!  I do like that the POPs are exclusive, some of the Tees have been a bit mediocre but the other 'bits' that you get make it great.  I can't fault it so far, there has been something for each one of us every time - and the Hulk Buster was excellent!


Do you subscribe to any geeky boxes?  I'd love to hear about them.

Happy Fandom Friday 

How to Make a Jewellery box with a hint of Geek

I was sent the materials and instructions needed to make my very own jewellery box.  There were some beautiful fabrics on offer to make this jewellery box, as I have experienced before with my Safi Turquoise CALM letters so this time I thought I'd rummage around in my own drawers...... and see what I had to make a slightly geeky jewellery box.
 
During the summer Hillarys hosted a lovely crafting day for bloggers over in Brighton.  An event I was very much looking forward to attending especially as it was on over the weekend, unfortunately,  due to other commitments I had to decline a lovely afternoon out with fellow crafty bloggers and Hillarys Crafternoon - The Jewel.

But all was not lost as I was sent the materials and instructions needed to make my very own jewellery box.  There were some beautiful fabrics on offer to make this jewellery box, as I have experienced before with my Safi Turquoise CALM letters so this time I thought I'd rummage around in my own drawers...... and see what I had to make a slightly geeky jewellery box.


Materials used for my geeky jewellery box
Materials used for my geeky jewellery box
Materials Used:
Cardboard
Box
Fabric
Glue gun / double-sided tape
Ribbon & Buttons
Wadding

Step 1 - Cover your box with your chosen material, cutting the edges out to leave 4 straight sides which will be folded over and either glued down or taped with double sided tape.
Step 1 - Cover your box with your chosen material, cutting the edges out to leave 4 straight sides which will be folded over and either glued down or taped down with double sided tape.
Preparing to cover the lid of the jewellery box
Step 2 Fold the cardboard insert to create a divider and then repeat the above step for glueing/sticking down the fabric onto the cardboard.


Step 2 Fold the cardboard insert to create a divider and then repeat the above step for gluing/sticking down the fabric on to the cardboard.
Making the divider
Step 3 - Slightly tricky.  Cut the fabrics you wish to use for the ring section the same size as the box.  Then cut the wadding to the same size as the fabric.  Roll up the fabric around the wadding and place it inside the jewellery box.  I ended up with 4 sections due to having my divider more in the middle than one side!
Step 3 - Slightly tricky.  Cut the fabrics you wish to use for the ring section the same size as the box.  Then cut the wadding the same size as the fabric.  Roll up the fabric around the wadding and place inside the jewellery box.  I ended up with 4 sections due to having my divider more in the middle than one side!
Adding ring section to Jewellery Box
Step 4 - Add a few decorations on the front of the box and you're ready to fill with geeky love.
Step 4 - Add a few decorations on the front of the box and you're ready to fill with geeky love.
Filling with geeky goodies
Jewellery Box thanks to Hillarys with a hint of geek



There are a lot of Marvel and Comic book images on my box, so fit in our household quite nicely, but with a couple of cheap fat quarts any theme would make a beautiful box, don't you think?
 

The Rabbit that Wanted to Fall Asleep

#Gifted


Max and I were fortunate enough to receive a proof copy of the groundbreaking No. 1 best-seller - The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep.  Here is a brief overview of the book: