Mother's Day Gift Ideas at the Ever Beautiful Creative Gardens, Donaghadee

Mother's Day in the UK is next weekend, Sunday 30th March. I visited Creative Gardens, Donaghadee for some gift inspiration. Why not visit this weekend and pick something up for your Mum, and enjoy a slice of giant lemon meringue in their award winning restaurant?

They have a wealth of ideal Mother's Day gift ideas at all price ranges, and even have a card & gift wrap section so you can get everything sorted in one stop. 

Creative Gardens have another branch in Bushmills, and a newly opened centre in Galgorm. If you aren't from Northern Ireland, there is a selection of items in their online store to browse.

How about an orange tree instead of the traditional bunch of flowers?

Instead of a box of chocolates, you could choose one of the many vintage print tins and fill it with retro sweets, or baking supplies.

There are lots of savoury sauces, chutneys and relishes if your Mum isn't a sweet tooth.

Creative Gardens has a beautiful home ware department with literally dozens of possible presents.

Gorgeous wicker picnic set

They have an excellent selection of Cath Kidston bags and kitchen ware. If you're a bargain hunter like me, get across this weekend and catch the sale items.

Creative Gardens also stock local crafts, like this pretty patchwork from Made Pretty.

Of course it also had a huge garden section. Lots of spring bulbs and plants which would make a more lasting gift than a bunch of cut flowers.

What about a little birdhouse?

A very unique gift- a topiary frame. I actually bought a squirrel version from Creative Gardens for my Dad last Father's Day.

If you really can't decide, there are gift cards available. These can also be used for the 150 seat restaurant, which will be giving away complimentary tete-a-tete for all ladies who are in for lunch on Mother's Day.

Something Beginning with i

Have you ever imagined an amazing room but had no idea how to even begin making it a reality?                

Then speak to Robin McFarland, founder of Belfast based interior design company, Little i Design.

Having had years of experience designing, making and dressing sets for film and television, Robin started up his own company to offer his skills and flair to anyone who wants their home to be individualised and, more importantly, to offer his services at a price which remains surprisingly affordable.

Take a look at what was created for clients who wanted a bedroom inspired by the distinctive visual style of Tim Burton.                

 

Excitingly creative, Robin made his clients’ dream bedroom a unique reality.

Robin enjoys creating children’s rooms as individual as the children they are for. Whether they want to sleep in a tree house, to go through the looking-glass, or to be right inside a Mario game, Little i delivers.

From straightforward painting or wallpapering, laying floors or tiling , to making a dream room become reality, Robin is happy to help.

See more of what Little I Design has to offer: www.littleidesign.com

Or contact Robin directly on: 07841013554

Rosy Lee's Jewellery Might be your Cup of Tea

A blossoming, Facebook-based, small business. Find out more about Rosy Lee.

Giant Lego Bricks & Lego Movie Lunchboxes at STORE

 STORE is an online Homeware shop, and their latest additions are pieces from the Lego Movie accessory range. They have giant Lego blocks for storing your bricks, and everything else. I also like the pencil cases, which even an adult could get away with in the office. STORE sent us the Lego Movie lunchbox, which comes with a cute water bottle too, on sale for £14.00 for a limited time only. Maybe a good time to buy and save for next September, or a cool gift instead of an Easter Egg in the next few weeks.

Do You Think You Could Eat This? I'm Not Sure it'll be on My St Patrick's Day Dinner Plate!

Oh, Mash Direct, you know I love you, but this green, Leprachaun mash isn't for me. It's naturally coloured with green cabbage, so as per their other products, everything is fresh and natural. I will be buying it however, I have a six year old son and green mash will be quite the novelty.

Find your local Mash Direct stockist here. 

Another Nosy at the Ikea PS 2014 Collection

Launches today, but not in store in Belfast until 1st April. Further away readers, contact your local store to see has 'On the Move' landed with them yet.

Sneak Peek at Ikea's PS 2014 Collection. In Store from April.

This year's PS collection is titled 'On the Move'. I'm definitely buying the little greenhouse to attempt growing watermelon seeds again this summer.

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!