Almost 2015!

Can you believe it is almost the end of 2014! 

For me this year has seemed to whirl passed my eyes in a matter of seconds leaving behind a whole bag of mixed emotions but mostly these are happy ones. I watched my son leave nursery and start at big school, I gave birth to my baby girl and I have seen James become an amazing big brother. 
This year has also been tough with a horrible pregnancy where I was feeling sick and in a lot of pain the whole way through. Family members have been poorly and we have had to move house totally unexpectedly whilst I was 7 months pregnant!  

To top it all off Christmas was a bit of a write off for us this year. I began feeling ill Christmas eve morning but by Christmas eve night everyone in the house was ill. By Christmas morning we all had soaring temperatures, nasty coughs and stuffy blocked up noses. We tried our best to make the most of it and James LOVED finding that Santa had been and opening all of his presents. 
We had to cancel our Christmas lunch as we were all too poorly to eat anything and the rest of Christmas day was spent snuggled on the sofa watching Christmas dvds. 

Overall though we have loved spending time together as a family of 4, Having everyone here together with no work or school runs to worry about has been lovely and everyone perked up for a spot of ice skating yesterday! 

I have lots of hopes for 2015 but my main ones are -

- To spend more time with my family/children and friends. 
- To loose weight so that I can be happier, healthier and more energetic to run after James and Evie!
- To start saving money rather than wasting it.

But most of all I just want to enjoy it. I want to smile more, regret less and live life to its fullest remembering that life is for living not for worrying. 

This has also been the first proper full year I have been blogging and I have loved it! Not only has my blog been a great place for me to create and store memories for myself, it has been lovely to be able to share these with you, my lovely readers! I have been extremely lucky to also have the opportunity to review some fantastic products and work with some amazing companies, which hopefully you have found useful. I would like to thank each and every one of you who has visited my blog, my Facebook, my twitter or one of our other pages. Every comment, like, share etc I have been truly greatful for so thank you.

So here's to an amazing 2015!

Do you have any resolutions, wishes or hopes for 2015? please do share with us below. 

xXx

December Degustabox **REVIEW**

We had a little surprise last week our degustabox arrived early!! Degustabox sent out the boxes early so they were not caught up in all the christmas madness and postal delays over christmas so it was fab to have received it a little bit early so we could enjoy all the yummy items inside over christmas. Here is what was inside our box this month - 

The Chia company oats + chia.

The chia company oats + chia are wholegrain oats and chia blended with the finest quality fruits and coconut oil. You simply add water to create a smooth and creamy textured breakfast. Chia seeds are great for you and packed full of omega 3, fibre, protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidents. I wasnt sure what to expect but after trying it I must say it was delicious. I tried the mixed berry outs and they had a lovely subtle fruity flavour and it felt great to get a good breakfast to start the day. RRP £1.70.

Bahlsen biscuits.

I was delighted to find these in the box and new they would be enjoyed by everyone. These biscuits consist of the finest continental milk chocolate wrapped around a butter biscuit or oozing with caramel. As expected they were devoured by the whole family and they were totally delicious! It was great to find both the milk chocolate and caramel versions in the box so we got to try both. RRP £1.79 per pack.

Popchips.

Popchips slogan is "All the flavour half the fat" and this was certainly true! These crisps were packed with flavour and contain less than 100 calories per serving. Pop chips are made in a completly different way, they are not fried nor are they baked they are actually popped using a little heat and preasure leaving you with a delicious tasting crisp with a crunchy texture, Delicious! RRP £1.79.

Pukka Herbs

Pukka herbs clean green is a fresh burst of pure organic green tea with a luscious lemony lift. Im not a huge fan of hot drinks anyway but will occasionally drink a fruity tea. You could smell the lemon as soon as the water hit the herbs. RRP £2.39 for 20 sachets.

Eisberg alcohol free wine. 

Eisberg alcohol wine is made in exactly the same way as alcoholic wine just with the alcohol removed so you get the same taste. Eisberg alcohol wine is available in Chardonnay, Rose, Cabernet, Sauvignon and Riesling so a lovely big selection. I was a little disappointed to find the non alcoholic version in my box. Especially since degustabox are now offering their customers the choice between having alcohol or no alcohol in your box so perhaps would have been great to include this in the non alcoholic version of the box and given an alcohol version to others. However it will come in handy if I have to drive over christmas but still fancy something a bit different to lemonade! RRP £3.49.

Gloworm mixers.

Gloworm mixers are premium mixers specifically blended to compliment a variety of spirits. They are sugar and taurine free and come in 4 unique flavours. Raspberry and Orris for Vodka, Cucumber and Apple for Gin, Pear, spice and lime for Rum and Lemongrass and ginger for Bourbon. I have popped these away to enjoy over christmas but I love the sound of the unique flavours. RRP £1.50 each.

Kents kitchen meal kits.

Kents kitchen bring to you these 1,2,3 step authentic meal kits. The 3 pots you get in each pack contain all the herbs, spices and oil you will need for your meal and you just need to add the fresh ingredients. These little pots are handy to have in the cupboard to whip up a tasty meal in no time and minimal mess. I was a little disappointed to find these in the box again as we recieved them just a few months ago however it was great to try a new flavour! I would say these are more for adults than a family based meal though as it was quite spicy. RRP £2.50.

Fry light infuse chilli spray.

I am a big fan of Frylight and use the original frylight for all types of cooking and baking so I was excited to a flavoured variety in the box. The chilli infused frylight is made with natural chilli extract and because it is dispensed via a spray nozzle you can adjust the amount of flavour and heat you add to your dish. I recently used this to make a stir fry and it was a great addition. It have a subtle chilli flavour to the meal without being over power but adding a great flavour with just a few sprays! RRP £2.00.

Bonne Maman marmalade.

This Bonne Maman course orange marmalade is fresh, zingy and made with thick shred orang peels for lots of character. Bonne Maman maramlade really packs a punch of flavour and you get a real waft of orange as soon as you pop the lid. The texture is a little thick for me but it will work great in cooking. RRP £2.30.

Overall this was another great box from Degustabox. There are 1 or 2 items we wont use personally but I will b epassing these on to family who will love them so nothing will go to waste. I have to admit I was a little disappointed at the lack of festive treats/ items but this is just a personal opinion and the box was still fab!

Do you fancy trying out Degustabox for yourself? Then you can order directly from their website or you can stay up to date with all the latest news and offers via one of their social media pages.

http://bit.ly/DBhomepage - website
http://bit.ly/DBUKfacebook - Facebook
http://bit.ly/DBUKTwitter - twitter

xXx

* I was not paid for this review. All opinions given are my own.

* If you would like me to review your product or service, please email me on xJessLegresleyx@hotmail.com.

Clearwell Caves Santa visit! **REVIEW**

Each year as Christmas approaches we take a trip to visit Santa. We visit somewhere different each year and make a day of it. This year we visited Clearwell Caves in Coleford. 

"Clearwell Caves are natural caves, extensively mined for iron ore to make some of Britain's most complex and oldest mine workings. The mine dates back well over 4,000 years, when early miners dug for ochre pigments to make paints. Iron ore miners later created a warren of underground passageways, by connecting huge caverns."

Each year at Clearwell Caves they put on the story of "The perfect christmas tree". The caves are decorated, illuminated and tell a magical christmas story for all to enjoy. Santa is also hidden among the caves for you to pay a visit mid way through your walk around the caves. 

James loves caves so we knew he would love the visit and the added bonus of Santa was sure to see him in excitement over drive lol! We certainly were not disappointed either.

Almost christmas!

Just a quick post from me today but can you believe its almost christmas! 

I think the blue skies (although very cold) are throwing me off a little bit and I keep having to remind myself it really is less than 1 week until the big day. Theres just snow about snow that automatically makes it chrismassy right? 

James is so excited, Not helped by the visit from santa as school this week which has sent him into christmas overdrive and every night before bed we get "is santa coming tonight" lol.

This will of course be Evie's first christmas and although I know she is really still to young to understand any of it she has loved the christmas lights on the tree and I cant wait to spend it as a family all together. 

James loved putting up the decorations! Here he is putting the all important final touch to the christmas tree (the angel on top of course!) 

We have also been introducing some new traditions for James and Evie to enjoy such as Elf on the shelf and a christmas eve basket (post to follow with pics). 

Heres some of the things our naughty elf has been up too - 

So now I just have the big christmas food shop to do, YAY lots of christmas goodies! and a few more presents to wrap.

Do you have any christmas traditions you do every year? Are you all organised for christmas? 

xXx

Lakeland Family Fun Hamper **REVIEW**

I am a bit of a sucker for hampers! I find myself browsing through all the different hamper options when they all start appearing around Christmas. So, as you can imagine I was over the moon to be offered a family hamper from Lakeland to try out. 

I do often find hampers centre around 1 type of product i.e. alcohol, cheeses, chocolate etc but that is where the Lakeland family fun hamper is a little different.

The family fun hamper contains a mix of chocolate, sweets, puddings, crisps, sauces, drinks, crackers and even games!

Here is what is included in the Lakeland family fun hamper -

• Half-Coated Chocolate Christmas Tree Biscuits (200g).
• Claire’s Smoky Red Pepper Salsa Dip (200g).
• Montezuma’s Giant Milk Chocolate Buttons (180g).
• Mackie’s Sea Salt Crisps (150g).
• Cartmel Chocolate Sauce (170g).
• Chocca Mocca Belgian Drinking Chocolate (150g).
• Cole’s Chocolate Steamed Pudding Twin Pack (2 x 110g).
• Propercorn Sweet & Salty (30g).
• Perry Court Farm Apple Juice (75cl).
• Australian Soft Eating Liquorice – Strawberry Flavoured (500g).
• Milk Chocolate Battleships (140g).
• Sprout Roulette (120g).
• 8 Bingo Crackers.
• The World’s Silliest Family Jokes.

The box arrived beautifully packaged in a multi-coloured very sturdy cardboard box with everything inside individually wrapped again in sturdy card. 

We loved the addition of the fun games which is not something I have seen in other hampers. My personal favourite game included was the chocolate battleships. It's a game all the family can have a giggle over and there is chocolate to eat (what's not to love!?! lol). I also know that my mum and sister will have a real giggle at the sprouts game. The addition of the family jokes tin was a great idea too as they are something that can be packed away and brought out every Christmas. 

I love how this box had such a variety of products in it. It really is the ultimate family hamper with some real luxury products to enjoy. There is so much included that you could even break the hamper down and give some of the products as gifts if you wished too. 

All of the products inside are high quality and totally delicious! The family fun hamper would make a fantastic gift for a family if you were looking for something a little bit different to send as a gift. 

If this hamper isn't for you, no problem Lakeland have SO many hampers to choose from you are bound to find one that is perfect for you. Why not pop over and check out all the hampers available on their website here - www.lakeland.co.uk.

You can also stay up to date with all the latest news, offers and new products on the Lakeland twitter and Facebook pages here - 

Twitter - twitter.com/LakelandUK

Facebook - www.facebook.com/lakeland.co.uk

What hamper do you most like the look of over on the Lakeland website? 

xXx

* I was not paid for this review. All opinions given are my own.

* If you would like me to review your product or service, please email me on xJessLegresleyx@hotmail.com.

November Degustabox **REVIEW**

Whats not to love about a monthly box delivered straight to your door filled to the brim with exciting new food and drink items to try from new and existing brands? Well that is exactly what Degustabox brings you! 

We have been receiving the Degustabox for several months now and I can honestly say we have NEVER been disappointed by the contents of any of our boxes.

Here is what was inside our November Degustabox - 

Kettle Chips. 

All the greatness of the original Kettle chips but in two tasty new flavours these flavours are limited edition for christmas so get yours quick! We had the Salsa Mesquite flavour in our box and they were delicious. When I first saw them I was a bit dubious as its not a flavour I would normally pick up but im glad I got to try them. They have a lovely heat to them and taste a cross between barbecue and tomato. RRP £2.19 each

Cool Dawn Recovery Drinks.

Cool dawn drinks are a herbal detox drink that is designed to cure/prevent hangovers. These are suppose to be drink at the end of the night after you have been drinking and then again in the morning if needed. The flavour is suppose to be a combination of liquorice and citrus but I have to admit the taste really wasn't great. Im not a big drinker anyway so I hadn't had a chance to properly try them out. RRP £1.49 each.

Lindor My Melting Moment. 

These were my favourite thing in the box (who doesnt love chocolate!?!) There were actually 5 inside the box so plenty to go around and we all loved them. It was fantastic to find a high quality chocolate brand in the box and I loved the start shapes (perfect for christmas!) RRP £0.65 each.

Kents Kitchen Flavour Shots.

I love trying things like this. With James now at school and Evelyn always demanding my attention for cuddles or feeding it can be hard to get a tasty meal on the table each night. So these flavour shots that can be just added in with meat, veg, pasta and potatoes etc pack the meal with loads of flavour making a tasty meal simply and quickly. We had the Fajita flavour shots which had a little bit of spice to them but we all really enjoyed them even James who is 5! RRP £1.85 each (4 pots per pack).

Branston Chutney.

Branston already produce lots of delicious products but now they have introduced a new product to their range Chutney! You can choose from Caramelised onion or Mediterranean tomato. Included in our box was the Mediterranean tomato. Im not really a bit fan of chutney but I gave them to my dad who was delighted to try them and gave them a big thumbs up. He said they had a lovely rich flavour. RRP £1.50. 

PIP Organic fruit juice. 

PIP organic is a family run london based business that produce award winning pure organic juices and smooties. We received the apple fruit juice in our box and it was really tasty and refreshing. PIP fruit juices are made from 100% organix fruit and not from concentrate and you can really taste this in the flavour. James enjoyed them too and you could really taste the fresh apple. RRP £1.50 each.

Montano Cider.

This Italian crafted cider is solely made from the apples grown in the foothills of the Trentino region of Northern Italy. Both myself and hubby enoyed this. It had a smooth refreshing taste that was easy to drink. RRP £2.79 each.

Holy Cow Curries.

Holy Cow sachets are authentic indian curries made from all natural ingredients, No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives just great tastes! These sachets also have the added bonus of being gluten free and suitable for vegatatians. These again were perfect for putting together a quick but tasty meal. Myself and James enjoyed the curry (we are curry wimps and dont like anything too spicy lol) and Hubby enjoyed the Madras which he said was great and packed a real punch. RRP £1.69 each. 

Also included in the box this month was a gift!! Yep thats right Degustabox sent out an extra gift to all of there loyal customers who had been with them from the get go. Its so great to hear of a company rewarding existing customers and not just new customers. 

The gift we received were these totally delicious Baru Marshmallows. 

These were totally delicious marshmallows are dipped in chocolate and flavoured with sea salt caramel. Such a lovely gift! 

Do you fancy trying Degustabox out for yourself? You can order your box here from the website www.degustabox.com and if you use the code AOP76  to receive £3 off your order. 

Each box is priced at just £12.99 (£9.99) using the code above and that included postage. As you can see the value of the contents inside the box far outweighs the price of the box. We always look forward to ours turning up and have been introduced to so many fab products and brands since receiving our Degustabox.

Do you have a friend who you think would love this box? How about sending one as a christmas present? 

What is your favourite item from the box this month? 

xXx

* I was not paid for this review. All opinions given are my own.

* If you would like me to review your product or service, please email me on xJessLegresleyx@hotmail.com.

Organix Goodies Christmas selection box.

With christmas coming the shops are filled with chocolate, sweets and selection boxes which are great as a treat for older children but what about the younger toddlers? 

Well the fantastic people at Organix have come up with the Organix Goodies Christmas selection box for children 12 months +. 

Each selection box contains -

Box Contents

• 1 x Blackcurrant & Apple Fruit Stars 12g 

• 1 x Raspberry & Apple Fruit Moos 12g

• 1 x Raspberry & Apple Soft Oaty Bar 30g 

• 1 x Mini Gingerbread Men 25g 

• 1 x Alphabet Biscuits 25g 

These boxes are priced at just £2.99 so a really great price with such a big selection of products inside. 

The Organic Goodies christmas selection boxes are available to buy at Boots, Ocado and Amazon.

As well as these selection boxes Organix have a fantastic range of "no junk" products and you check them all out here on their website www.organix-shop.co.uk.

xXx

* I was not paid for this review. All opinions given are my own.

* If you would like me to review your product or service, please email me on xJessLegresleyx@hotmail.com.

Christmas Giveaway Number 3!

Have you seen our christmas givaways we have been running? If not check them out here -

Chocolate mug brownie kit

Marvellous Mummy Kit

Today we have a Carddies set to give away to one of our lucky readers! 

What are Carddies?

• Carddies are little Card People to colour in and play with for hours
• They come in fun sets:  some sets are ready now, and many more are on their way!
• Carddies sets appeal to girls and to boys aged 3 to 99!
• Each Carddies set has double sided little Card People and a scene to colour in, high quality Carddies colouring pencils, and plastic stands which all bring the Carddies to life
• Carddies are packaged in a perfect, robust card box. You can carry them everywhere!
• Carddies are made in the UK using premium materials made to last

So fancy winning your own Carddies set? Then enter via the rafflecopter form below. The lucky winner will get to choose a set of your choice from the Carddies website here - www.carddies.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to UK residents only. A winner will be picked via rafflecopter at random and prize will be sent from the company themselves and not myself. The winner will be notfied via email and then I will require your full name and address to pass on to the company for your prize to be sent.