Week 4 Thinking Slimmer #Slimpod

Keep an eye out for future posts and photographs that sum up how I am feeling as I progress on my #Slimpod journey.

If you would like to try a Slimpod yourself you can get £4.50 off the price of a Slimpod by using discount code: BlogSaver1

*  I was sent the ‘Drop Two Dresses Sizes (Or More) Slimpod’ for free for the purposes of this ongoing review as well as a complementary place on the Thinking Slimmer Helping Hands programme.  All opinions expressed are my own.  No Payment was received for this post *

888ladies Millionaire Genie review.

When I was recently offered the chance to review a new game, Millionaire Genie from 888ladies I could not resist giving it a whirl especially when I started imaging that the Genie might grant my wishes and award me with a big money prize that would help my dreams come true and make life that little bit easier financially.

Having never used 888ladies before I registered myself on the site, which was a quick and easy process.  With £5 credited in my 888ladies account I set about trying the Millionaire Genie game that is located in the games section of the website as well as currently being advertised on the 888ladies main screen.

Crafting a little Easter Friend - #craftylicious fun

Today Bug has been getting excited about Easter by doing some Easter and spring themed crafts.  He especially enjoyed making a little Easter friend using a craft kit he picked when we popped into Poundland yesterday.

Having a soft spot for sheep I was not surprised when he dismissed a little chick and a cute bunny in favour of an adorable sheep.

Why I want to win a Samsung Galaxy S5 with Virgin Media.

Today when my phone decided to give up the ghost and completely die on me it felt like fate when I just noticed a fab competition to win a Samsung Galaxy S5 with Virgin Media and I just had to quickly take part in the hope of winning a new phone.

I would love to win this competition and win the fantastic prize so that I have a shiny new phone to replace the well-used and abused phone that has decided enough is enough and has gone into retirement. 

I have had my current phone for nearly two years now and it was my first and so far only smartphone.  A little over three months after I had got the new phone Bug accidentally knocked it on the floor and the screen cracked, thankfully as I did not have any insurance on it (alas because I could not afford the extra cost to pay for the insurance when I got the phone) the phone still worked but for nearly two years I have used my phone with a cracked screen, looking at the screen through a myriad of tiny cracks.  Having an ethos of making do, not throwing something that works away to get a replacement and not spending money on myself when it is not necessary I kept the phone and used it regardless of how battered and bruised it was looking.

Let's Grow Wild! #GrowWild

I have always loved spending my time outdoors in nature and since having Bug my love of being outdoors has been rekindled thanks to the many moments we have had together exploring and playing outdoors.  We love the great outdoors and love nothing more than enjoying time together as a family having fun outdoors come rain or shine, relishing in the wonder of Mother Nature. 

I have many fond memories of our time spent together in the great outdoors such as the time we had a rainy day adventure at the beach where we were the only ones mad enough to brave the beach in the rain, the bank holiday when Bug was a muddy mess as he played in the mud during a lovely walk in the countryside and when Bug loved getting green fingered and having fun getting into a mucky mess as he took part in a Kids Grow Wild challenge.

Whilst I love being outdoors regardless of the weather or time of year, and appreciate all of the seasons and all types of weather for their own unique, special reasons there is something enchanting about spring and summer when flowers are emerging and blossoming into beautiful blooms.  I love walking in the countryside, appreciating the wildlife and admiring wild flowers that attract insects, beautiful buzzing bumble bee’s collecting pollen and fluttering butterflies.

Children's Easter Books.

Little Face of Venture competition….will your little one be the next Little Face of Venture?

Venture Photography are currently running a competition to find the next Little Face of Venture.  Not only will the winner be given the proud title of being the new Little Face of Venture, the little winner will also get a one year’s professional modelling contract with top modelling agency MOT Models.  During your little one’s year-long modelling contract with MOT Models the agency will promote your little one for modelling assignments for your little one to star in.  But that’s not all the winner will also get a year’s supply of shoes from Start-rite and an amazing LEGO prize.

5 reasons granny pants are the best - #NationalBVDay

Believe it or not, granny pants are going through a bit of a revival. What was that? A collective sigh of relief from the female population? Probably. But it is true, in fact the latest figures show sales of high cut, full coverage briefs doubled in 2013, and that trend is expected to continue this year too.

Forget Bridget Jones, you don’t need to be curvy, single or incredibly klutzy to enjoy the pleasures of the full coverage pantie. There really are lots of reasons we should all be investing in granny pants right now. Here are just five of those reasons to start your conversion to the world of big pants.

1. No inadvertent wedgies.

Whilst there may be some ladies out there who truly do love their thong, how many of us actually find them to be a pain in the butt – literally? That terrible sinking feeling when you’re in a very public place and the back of your thong disappears between your cheeks can be no more, thanks to the granny pant. Designed to stay where you put them, this is one piece of underwear guaranteed to come with no nasty surprises.

2. Comfy cotton.

Some days we feel like a bit of luxurious lace, others some slinky satin. But when it comes down to it, nothing feels quite a soft, cool and comfortable as plain old 100% cotton underwear, a speciality of the granny pant. And because of this, there is less chance of developing conditions such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis (BV). Put simply, BV is an imbalance in your pH levels caused by everyday things like excessive washing, perfumed products, antibiotics, your period and even semen. BV is a vaginal condition which can make your nether regions smell like a fish market, and is made worse by wearing underwear with unbreathable materials such as polyester and nylon.

Bacterial Vaginosis advice video with Dr Dawn Harper - #NationalBVDay

To help raise awareness and learn more about Bacterial Vaginosis on #NationalBVDay take a look at this BV advice video with TV's Dr Dawn Harper and Amanda Butler.

Talk about #NationalBVDay and get #BOGOFBV products from Balance Active!

Let's talk about Bacterial Vaginosis and raise awareness of intimate women's health issues for #NationalBVDay

 Something to talk about!

#BOGOFBV products from Balance Active to celebrate #NationalBVDay!

On Wednesday 16th April 2014, Balance Activ will be encouraging women all over the world to talk to their friends and family and talk to Balance Activ about Bacterial Vaginosis and intimate women’s health issues for National BV Day.

Organised by Balance Activ, a female intimate health brand, National BV Day was created to encourage women to put aside their uncertainties and to openly discuss intimate issues, particularly about Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), a little known vaginal condition which affects millions of women and is twice as common as Thrush. 

Bacterial Vaginosis Awareness - April 16th #NationalBVDay

Week 2 Thinking Slimmer #Slimpod

It has now been two weeks since I first started listening to the Thinking Slimmer #Slimpod and when I shared my weighty thoughts about mybody and eating habits before starting the Thinking Slimmer Helping Hands Slimpod programme.  Now that I have had two weeks of falling asleep to the enchanting voice of Trevor Silvester I wanted to update you all on how I am feeling now, using one word, about the programme, my eating habits and my body.

Bacterial Vaginosis and Pregnancy #NationalBVDay

Have you heard of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?  Would you recognise the symptoms?  Don’t worry, you’re not alone if you haven’t heard of BV.  

One in three women will suffer from BV, making it the UK’s most common vaginal condition and yet a surprising 61% of women have never heard of or are unsure of the symptoms of BV according to a recent online survey and 2 out of 3 women misdiagnose BV as Thrush.

Bacterial Vaginosis…. do you know the facts? #NationalBVDay

It’s not something women often talk about; anything to do with downstairs is often a top secret topic... And yet, all women have a vagina.  That’s right, we said it, vagina.

It would seem that women’s intimate health is a secretive topic with over a third of women admitting they would feel more comfortable getting health advice online and a fifth saying they were too embarrassed to speak to a GP. 

So, have you ever heard of BV?  Or, more to the point, have you ever had Bacterial Vaginosis?  Don’t worry – you’re not alone.  Over 61% of women in the UK are not aware of this common and easily treatable condition, and yet it is the most usual cause of abnormal vaginal discharge.

Puppies or Older Dogs: Which choice is best for your Family?

When thinking about getting a dog for your family, you’ve no doubt looked into and thought about what sort of breed and size you’d like, and the impacts things like that will have on your family. Dogs make a great addition to a household but it is important to get the right one for your family and lifestyle.

When choosing a particular one, it’s also well worth thinking about which aged dog to go for as this will have a big impact on their wants and needs. When getting a new pet of any variety, it can seem like the obvious choice to automatically go for a newborn or young one. We’ve looked into the advantages and disadvantages of each side.

Win Alpha and Omega 3 The Great Wolf Games on DVD.

Lionsgate UK releases Alpha and Omega 3 The Great Wolf Games on DVD on 14th April 2014.

To celebrate the release of Alpha and Omega 3 The Great Wolf Games on DVD Lionsgate UK have kindly offered my readers the chance to win a copy of the DVD.

Treat your pack of wolves to a howl load of fun this Easter with

ALPHA AND OMEGA 3 THE GREAT WOLF GAMES

on DVD!

Fostering in England: The Facts and Figures.

If you’re looking to expand your family without having any – or more – children of your own, or really think you could make a difference to a vulnerable child’s life, fostering could be a fantastic opportunity for yourself and all those involved.

When embarking on any major change like adding to your family, it’s essential that you arm yourself with all the facts at your disposal. Facts regarding fostering in England are a great place to start as you can really catch a glimpse of the impact your decision will have on a young person’s life. It may also help answer any questions you have, and can help you choose a child from a certain situation more suitably.

Baby and Toddler event at Asda.

Even though it only feels like yesterday since Asda last had their Baby and Toddler Event at the beginning of the year, in a matter of a few days the well-known Asda Baby and Toddler Event is set to start again.

Heroes of the City review.

Bug is a huge fan of the emergency services; he gets all excited when he sees policemen, policewomen and police cars whizzing by, he loves seeing ambulances and is mad about fire engines.  As Bug is crazy about the emergency services he loves children’s TV shows such as Finley the Fire Engine and City of Friends as well as shows about doctors and helping others such as the CBeebies show Get Well Soon with Dr Ranj Singh and Disney’s Doc McStuffins.

As Bug loves the emergency services when I heard about a new children’s TV show about cartoon rescue vehicles I could not wait to show Bug.  Not only did the show sound perfect for emergency services mad Bug thanks to the rescue services theme but as he is also mad about vehicles and all forms of transport the fact that the characters are cartoon vehicles I thought the show would also appeal to his love of vehicles.

Laser Hair Removal with Sk:n

As I have previously mentioned I suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and along with many other symptoms, one symptom of the syndrome that I have and hate is the dreaded excess hair that I suffer with.  For years now thanks to my PCOS I have had to contend with excess hair covering my body and face, leaving me with a daily battle to keep the hair at bay so that I do not get mistaken for a werewolf.

In the course of my battle with excess hair I have tried the usual hair removal tricks of shaving, plucking, bleaching, using hair removal creams, waxing and even a course or two of electrolysis but alas the dream of being free from excess hair forever has eluded me. 

As I dream of being free from excess hair especially on my face I have always wanted to have laser hair removal treatment.  I have wanted to have Laser hair removal for years now as it is considered to be the most effective, highest quality way to safely removed unwanted hair especially from visible and sensitive areas such as the face.

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is a safe, virtually painless method of removing unwanted hair which works by focusing a laser beam at hair follicles so that the laser’s thermal energy damages the base of the hair follicle which halts hair growth.  Laser energy is attracted to the dark pigment in hair called melanin and as it needs melanin in the hair to be effective the treatment does not work on blonde, white or grey hair but it does work on most skin tones.

Win a #chocopampering ChocoMania Gift Set from The Body Shop.

Following my review of The Body Shop Strawberry Shower, Scrub and Soften gift set The Body shop have kindly offered my readers the chance to win a ChocoMania™ gift set filled with pampering treats.

The ChocoMania gift sets includes –

*  ChocoMania Shower Cream

*  ChocoMania Body Butter

*  ChocoMania Body Scrub

*  ChocoMania Lip Butter

Asda's Disney Easter event goodies.

To help keep kids entertained this Easter and help parents save some money in the process Asda are offering discounts on a huge range of Disney toys and products with the Asda Disney Easter Kid’s Event.

Since the 31st of March Asda’s Disney Easter Kid’s Event has been running in-store and online with fab deals and discounts on Disney products including toys, dining, books and DVD’S.

With deals on favourite Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse and Friends, Spiderman, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Disney Princesses, Planes and Jake and the Neverland Pirates, there is something for everyone with plenty of products that will delight Disney fans.

Asda has some great Disney toys on offer for Easter; with fab discounts on Spiderman and Star Wars action figures, price-cuts on Sofia the First products and reductions on Disney soft toys including Mickey Mouse and Friends Flopsies, Doc McStuffins and Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

The Quick - Lauren Owen #TheQuick @TheAegoliusClub

 

You are not yet permitted, reader, to know the secrets of The Quick.

For now, please make do with the following – 

“You will travel to Victorian England, and there, in the wilds of Yorkshire, you will meet a brother and sister alone in the world, a pair bound by tragedy. You will, in time, enter the rooms of London’s mysterious Aegolius Club – a society of the richest, most ambitious men in England. And at some point, we cannot say when, a trapdoor will open, the contours of reality will change, and the secrets of The Quick will reveal themselves.”