Everything You Need to Score a World Class Football Themed Party
/My Junior column in The County Down Spectator this month is a whole page! I've filled it with great product ideas to put together the classiest team football party. I've special items from Talking Tables, Tesco, Novelties Direct, Party Packs, Party Explosion, TDH Party Supplies, Party Rama, Monster Parties and a few cool ideas from fellow bloggers. Enjoy!
Own an Entire Rainbow's Worth of Nail Polish Colours with Jess from Poundland
/We've established I'm a bargain hunter and proud. When the Pound stores started appearing on Northern Ireland's shores, I was one of the first down there filling my trolley. We've all seen the reduced branded beauty items on their shelves, but you'd be wise to read this very useful blog post by London Beauty Queen on why they might not be the bargain they seem.
Pound chains also have certain ranges manufactured especially for them, and Jess Nail Polish is one of those endeavours. I had to share my love of the polishes with you, as at only £1 a bottle, it's for nothing.
The colours are super. The neon yellow would poke your eyes out it's so bright, especially if you use a white base coat. One of my recent purchases was the lilac. I've tried purple nail varnishes before but always binned them after one use as it reminded me of my goth days. The Jess purple is a gorgeous pastel however, and I loved the shade so much I picked up the peach & powder blue on my return visit to the store. Have you tried Jess polishes? What do you think? Let me know on Twitter @rudedoodle.
Own all six colours for £6, the equivalent of half a bottle of my other favourite brand of polish, Nails Inc.
Lidl & the Emergency £9.99 Hairdryer
/Our hair dryer exploded this morning about two minutes into drying my mane. I'm already pathetic at hair styling, so I just whacked a tonne of Aussie Mousse into it and hoped for the best.
Unfortunately the best was a wet look perm, one Michael Jackson would have been proud of. I actually went out to a church fete with my hair as below.
Luckily I'd spotted a hair dryer in Lidl yesterday for £9.99 in black, pink, blue or orange. So tomorrow I'll be back to my usual self.
I Spent £38 in Lidl- See How Much I Got
/It seems like if I just walk in the door of Tesco these days I'll be leaving £20 down, even if I've only just called in for something for that night, or break time in school. You know I'm a huge Lidl cheerleader for their Deluxe range and cheaper, good quality fruit and vegetable, but it's increasingly becoming a political issue for me. Everyone is worse off than five or ten years ago, and food prices are increasing by the week. Lidl is the only place I can do a big shop and not be terrified when I get to the checkout.
I was round today to pick up some things for the weekend and spent just around £38. Here is everything I got for that price. I would guess similar products would cost around £50 at LEAST elsewhere.
Mozzarella sticks (like McDonald's serve!) £1.55
Banana Fritters £2.00
World Cup Pizza £1.29
Potato Gratins £2.00
Pork Rib Rack £2.99
Chicken Wings £1.99
Strawberries £1.29
Blueberries £1.99
Kinder multi-packs 2 for £2
Cereal Bars £1.39
Tortilla Wraps 89p
Babybel £1.84
Grates Cheddar £1.59
Double Gloucester £1.39
Peanuts in Chocolate 99p
Chocolate Bars 99p
Sparkling juice £1.69
Salsa dip £1.00
Spring Onions 49p
Sweet Baby Peppers 74p
Black Pudding 99p
Bacon £1.49
A Summer School Break Must-Visit, the Bangor Plant & Play Wildlife Garden
/This afternoon little Michael & I took a spin over to the Plant & Play Wildlife Garden, just outside Bangor, very close to Donaghadee Garden Centre. If you are stuck for a day trip idea this coming summer, you can book a morning or afternoon at the Garden and leave your little ones in the hands of Vikki, the gardening expert.
You can relax at the shady picnic table area as your children play and learn.
The first activity was bug hunting. We found slugs and spiders, much to the other little boy who was there's delight!
Vikki has a fab way with children, and they listened as she pointed out the various vegetables and fruit growing in the planters.
The garden also has a gorgeous willow tree dome, which the children ran through as they caught bubbles in their nets.
We then went inside for a while to the bright education and craft space. There is a fun, grass carpeted playroom with cushions, cuddlies & blow up snakes and ladders.
Then came the part my Michael loves the best, crafts! He absolutely loves being artistic. The kids made paper flowers and flapping butterflies.
Vikki led us outside again for more play & a go on the outdoor musical instruments.
Vikki helped each child plant a spinach plant to take home, and gave them a work booklet to record how it grows, encouraging us to send it via Facebook to their page.
Next Vikki passed the kids sheets with silhouettes of various animal paw prints, and they searched the soil for tracks. She showed us where a fox arrives and sleeps in the long grass.
The last activity was guessing what certain plants smell like. I had to have a go at this myself!
We had to leave a little early, as you can stay and play from 2-4.30pm and Vikki was getting them set up to do some helpful weed digging as we went. There's a morning session too 10-12.30pm, but all visits must be pre-booked. There is ample free parking at the site.
I highly recommend an afternoon at the Plant and Play Garden, we were there for 90 mins and had a very relaxing time. Refreshments are also available, and raised beds for nurseries who don't have outside space to rent.
Vikki can also hold parties here if you fancy a unique birthday treat. Just give her a shout on Facebook.
Prices- Children under two - free Children over two - £4.50 Adults - £3.50
Sneaky First Look at What Will Be Arriving Instore at Ikea this August 2014
/Very Ulster Folk Museum
23 Animals Having the Best Birthday EVER
/@DarraghDoyle posted this interesting info graphic showing the average lifespan of various animals. Look at all the happy birthday faces!
This Elephant got to tour his zoo for his birthday treat.
A Two-headed lizard!