Celebrate St. Patrick's Day With a Build-a-Bear Workshop Friend

Yesterday we visited what is listed as my son's favourite place in the world outside of being somewhere like Disneyland- we went to Build-a-Bear Workshop, Belfast Branch. Sadly we missed out on sharing their Valentine's themed collection this year, but we made the trip to catch the St. Patrick's Day bear.

We also had the chance to make a My Little Pony Build-a-Bear, something we've both been excited about since their launch last Spring. Quite honestly I wanted the rainbow maned one, Rainbow Dash, all for myself, but from my son's first hug of the unstuffed horse, I knew I wasn't getting a look in. The My Little Pony craze is huge, with little boys as well as girls loving the new cartoon. Adults too, of those I knew who already were Rainbow Dash owners, three of those were grown adults, and one of them male!

As with our Christmas visit, Johnathon the store manager took us through the now familiar, still as magical Build-a-Bear Workshop bringing-to-life stages.

First you choose your friend, Rainbow Dash and the snowy white, shimmering shamrock festooned teddy bear. The second stage is choosing a sound for you bear. We chose the My Little Pony theme tune, and for the bear my son settled on One Direction's That's What Makes You Beautiful. The store has lots of One Direction merch for your bear to wear.

The stuffing station is next. You have an option to add a scent which goes inside the paw of your teddy. There were a couple of new additions since Christmas, a pineapple smell which we put in teddy, which smells exactly like Polly Pineapple lollies, and Icing Sugar, which Johnathon correctly compared to Drumstick lollies' scent. Rainbow Dash got an icing sugar smelling hoof.

You also choose a satin heart to put inside with the stuffing, which 'brings your friend to life'. There's an option to buy a £1 charity heart too, or a special battery heart that thumps when pushed from outside the toy. Michael enjoys helping press the foot pedal to work the stuffing machine.

Then it's Michael's favourite part, the combing, fluffing and bathing station. Rainbow Dash's tail got a good few minutes attention! 

The all important dressing step. There are beautiful capes for the ponies. Sorry for the blurry photo. Little Spike is available too, for £10.

Johnathon helped us choose a cape, and St. Patrick's Day wear for teddy, who teamed it with a cute reversible tutu (is it wrong to wish for that in adult sizes?) 

Check the tounge sticking out. Serious business this fashion. 

Another successful Build-a-Bear trip. My son honestly finds the whole experience a blast, and it is hard not to get caught up in the magic of making a unique friend yourself. In fact Michael is going to get me my own My Little Pony for Mothers' Day, maybe you're a mum out there thinking 'YES. I want a pony too', well even if you don't have an actual Build-a-bear Workshop near your home, you can order anything on their online store, including the ponies.

I can also reveal that next month they will be launching Pinkie Pie! 

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT- I Have Found A Beauty Range That Smells EXACTLY Like Parma Violets

If you've followed me on Twitter (@rudedoodle) you may know that my dream is to find a perfume that smells like Parma Violets. In the past few years I've tried Yardley April Violets (too bitter), YSL Parisienne (didn't like it at all) and the closest I found was a Benefit one that still wasn't close enough. I even tried hand made perfumes, made I presume, from Parma Violets, from eBay. As you'd imagine these didn't work at all.

Chemists & beauty halls have lots of lavender, but violet is less popular, so finding my signature scent, of wanting to smell like a roll of Parma Violet sweets, was tricky. 

Last week we were up in Belfast to get our hair cut, so my son and I visited the near by shopping centre, Forestside while we were up in that area. I found the very promising Rose & Co Patisserie de Bain Sweet Violet range. There were only a few bits left, so I bought myself the body lotion pot. When I wore it to bed that night all I could smell was Parma Violets. Not slightly, this scent is bang on EXACTLY like the sweet. I knew what I must do. I simply had to contact the lovely folks at Rose & Co to review the entire Sweet Violet range.

Luckily they were up for my offer and today the most fragrant package arrived for me with room sachets (my car will smell like Parma Violets), lip balm, more lotions and potions, I am so chuffed.

Sugared Violet isn't their only range however. Their glorious online store has products in other tempting scents, like coconut ice. There's also a section for the gents.

My Top Picks from Out There Interiors' Home Accessory Treasure Trove

Faux taxidermy, fusion crockery, over sized regular objects, Out There has lots of fun accessories to customise your living space.

Have you ever seen a bin as cool as this? 

I love these official Royal Mail Stamp Rugs too.

It might be just me, but this quirky purple mirror reminds me of Monica's apartment in Friends.

A security camera which is really a mirror in disguise.

"Won't You Regret Those Tattoos When You're Older?" 13 Women Who Don't.

It's one of the questions heavily tattooed women get asked, "won't you regret those once you're older?". If my tattoos are my biggest regret in my life, then I reckon I'll have lived pretty well. 

Here are some bad ass looking, beautiful older women who certainly don't seem to regret their body art.  There is a whole generation of tattooed grannies to come in the future, I think we will look pretty interesting to our future grandchildren.

 This month 888ladies.com Bingo are holding the 888Ladies Granny Awards, celebrating the coolest, kindest and most special grannies in the UK. Like their FB page to be the first to know how to win exclusive prizes.

This is a sponsored post for 888ladies.com

I've Found the Most Delightful, Quirky Furniture Website, I Just Have to Share with You

 Out There finds furniture you'll want to put in there. 'In there' being your modern, tasteful, subtly quirky home. A picture paints a thousand words, so I'm going to just jump ahead and share with you just some of my Out There wish list. I'm going to need a bigger house.

Coffee tables & side tables. 

Most Wanted- crochet table £110

Cartoon coffee table alongside the entire 2D range.

 Chests of Drawers. 

Most wanted- pixelated portraits £875

Bedside Tables.  

 Very Cool Cabinets. 

Most Wanted- the Moo Cabinet £3295

There are literally too many outstanding, World of Kitsch-esque pieces to fit in just one post. Tomorrow I will share their beds, lamps and more with you. Until then you can always have a nosy round the site for yourself .

http://www.outthereinteriors.com/

Dennis the Menace Farting Football

Yep. You can imagine the giggles this sets off with a six year old. A soft, squishy football that makes cheeky fart noises every time it's hit or kicked- a small child's dream come true. £9.99 from Argos. Just look at that face.

Dennis the Menace Farting Football  

Get Your Pancake Day Supplies From Ikea Today

Pancake Day tomorrow- make sure you've a nice, new frying pan (£4.75 from Ikea) to make the flipping easier.

Have a Free Day Out at a Northern Ireland National Trust Property on 8th March

National Trust is opening its spectacular houses, gardens and industrial heritage sites across Northern Ireland for free on Saturday 8 March.

With spring on its way, the free day is an opportunity to explore the great outdoors, step back in time at an historic mansion or experience industrial heritage in action.

Heather Thompson, National Trust Director for Northern Ireland, said:

 “Our free day on 8 March is the chance to get outdoors to breathe in the spring air or take inspiration from the unique stories of our many special places. It’s a perfect opportunity for those that have not been to National Trust places to discover what Northern Ireland has to offer.

“We encourage you, with your friends and family, to join us on Saturday where you can discover the amazing work that goes on behind the scenes conserving collections and caring for spectacular landscapes, grand mansions and beautiful gardens.  

“As Northern Ireland’s largest conservation charity we are committed to looking after our places for ever, yet conservation costs rise faster than inflation every year. By visitingNational Trust places you’re helping to protect Northern Ireland’s natural and built heritage for future generations. So we really do appreciate the support of our visitors and members.” 

Here’s a taster of where to go for your FREE day out:

In County Fermanagh there is something for all the family to enjoy at Florence Court, set against a beautiful backdrop of mountains and forests. You can also savour the stately grandeur of Castle Coole with its new Lake Walk which is carpeted in stunning snowdrops. Or escape to the breathtaking Crom demesne where BBC show Blandings was recently filmed. (Note - National Trust places in Fermanagh will also be open for free on Sunday 9 March.) 

Described as one of the best gardens in the world, the impressive garden at Mount Stewart in County Down makes the most of the unique microclimate of the Ards Peninsula – did you know it is the sunniest place in Ireland? Enjoy a stroll around the gardens and see conservation in action as the National Trust’s £7m project to restore the magnificent house to its former glory continues. 

Also on the shores of Strangford Lough is Castle Ward, with miles of walking and cycling trails and stunning views. Nearby, Rowallane in Saintfield is a captivating natural garden with a dazzling variety of rare trees and shrubs from across the globe.

Along the North Coast take the exhilarating rope bridge challenge to Carrick-a-Rede island and enjoy a truly unique cliff top experience. Close by are the Giant’s Causeway, Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House, Portstewart Strand and White Park Bay.

In mid Ulster a tour of The Argory reveals this Neo-classical masterpiece has unchanged since 1900. You can also visit the charming 17th-century Ardress farmhouse or Springhill in Moneymore which has a beguiling spirit that captures the heart of every visitor. 

For a flavour of our Industrial Heritage visit the unique Patterson’s Spade Mill in Templepatrick, Wellbrook Beetling Mill near Cookstown or Gray’s printing Press in Strabane. 

For more information on the work of the National Trust, how to become a member and where to visit see www.nationaltrust.org.uk