New Mum? Student? Or Spoonie, like me? Reasons Why an IceQ Mini Fridge is a Handy Little Investment For All Year Round.

When I was expecting my son, oh goodness, ten years ago now, I was buying all sorts of stuff in preparation and excitement about becoming a new mum. One of the things I bought which isn't an obvious item at the top of most expectant mothers' lists, is a mini fridge.

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Why on earth, you might wonder. A baby isn't going to be desiring an ice cold Red Bull on hand in the nursery, even if us mums might yearn for one the fifth time we are up during the night.

Well, here's the thing. Those cute little mini fridges don't just make things cold. Nope, they also have a switch that turns the unit into a box that keeps things warm. I was planning on bottle feeding, and realised I could keep bottles warm in between close feeds, but there's another feature of these mini fridges that you might not be aware of that's even handier for new parents.

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IceQ fridges from  www.minifridge.co.uk come with three adaptors, one of which is your standard home plug, but another one is an adaptor to plug your fridge into the car's socket lighter. This meant I could make a bottle before leaving on a journey, keep it warm in the car and not have to try to find somewhere later on to wrangle with powder and water and bottles. Later on you can use the fridge to keep your sprouting toddler's water or juice, or even snacks cool, just switch to the cooling feature. 

That was many moons ago, and my old mini fridge got misplaced on one of the two house moves in the last ten years. So I was delighted to receive this gloriously fuchsia IceQ model to see me through the next ten years, and most likely beyond. 

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Obviously I'm no longer a new mum, but there's a personal reason why I now need a mini fridge, again, it's probably not one very obvious to most people. I suffer from M.E. which leaves me exhausted daily just dealing with single parenting. It's a known fact I blog from my bed on my iPad Pro. So I'm what is known on the internet as a 'Spoonie', someone who has a chronic illness which has an aspect of very limited energy.

Where does a mini fridge fit into this? Well three years ago I moved from a bungalow to a two storey house, and boy do I feel the difference some days.  

Having a mini fridge in my bedroom means I can bring drinks, snacks etc. upstairs in one run, rather than having to go up and down stairs a few times during the day or evening. This may seem like a small issue, but for other chronic fatigue sufferers you may be having an 'a-ha!' moment, and deciding which colour of mini fridge you want to buy for your own bedroom!

Mini fridges are also excellent if you have certain medications that need stored at a certain temperature. If you've an elderly relative who might struggle to get up and down stairs, again they might benefit from a bedroom fridge unit. The IceQ fridges also are asethically pleasing to have sitting in your bedroom, with many different designs and sizes on www.minifridge.co.uk

If you are a student, or a parent of a new student heading away this autumn, who might have to share a kitchen, a mini fridge to store their stuff they definitely don't want to share with everyone else in halls, would be an excellent and actually useful going away present. 

Ditto if you are in a big office and people keep 'sharing'  your lunch or snacks. They are also a great idea for taxi drivers, or for on boats, should you be so lucky to have one, and remember, the unit can keep food or drink warm for you also, not just keep things chilled.

Lastly, okay, admittedly having a mini fridge is also pretty darn cool. Snazzy for your computer work station, home bar, or a Christmas presents for a teenager's bedroom.

 www.minifridge.co.uk has a sale right now, with it being the end of the summer, and free next day shipping. I've also an exclusive voucher code for you- 'save5' to take £5 off orders over £50

Sneaky Peek at the M&S Xmas 2017 Range- at the launch in London this morning #mandsxmas17

I'm in London this morning at the M&S Christmas 2017 launch. Lots of blog posts ahead in the different food ranges, gifts, decorations, but for now a couple of snaps to get you in the festive mood. It's never too early for me! 

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Early Christmas Present Idea- Buy Before They Sell Out- Dan TDM Pyjamas

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Last Christmas I spent Christmas Eve driving all over the country trying to find an Asda with the earlier bluer version of these jammies with Dan TDM on them. I never did find them, but picked up a different Tube Heroes pair with different Youtubers on them. 

I managed to get the older DanTDM design pyjamas in the spring, but I was already thinking of what kind of design I might pick for Michael's Christmas Eve night nightwear this year, and spotted a set of DanTDM pyjamas again on Asda

Its the same brand, so I know they wash well, and prices range between £9 and £11 or so, depending on age and size you buy. So not bad!  

I'm tipping you lot off so you can rush and buy some too before they sell out again. Keep an eye on www.TheWorldofKitsch.com for a very exciting Christmas Launch from London next week. 

M&S Pizza Offer for Autumn 2017 Is Their Best Yet! 2 Pizzas & 2 Sides for £10

Marks & Spencer's £10 Pizza Deals are legendary, second only to their Dine In weekend meals which should go down in history as one of the best ideas they ever came up with. 

Their pizza deal for autumn 2017 is beyond a bargain and should feed a whole family easily. You can choose two pizzas, and two sides for £10. 

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The pizzas can be from their classic selection, but it's worth noting you can try their brand new Detroit style pizzas, which have just hit stores this week, in the offer also.

The Detroit Style pizzas are thin based and fully loaded. The Philly Steak has Colby cheese, green peppers, house sauce, mozzarella, mature cheddar and comes with American mustard mayo for drizzling once cooked. Three cheeses on one pizza!

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All Fired Up is a classic American Hot, with pepperoni and red hot chilli sauce for drizzling. The Whole Hog is a pork lovers dream and the Meatball Marinara combines your two favourite Italian dishes in one delicious handheld snack.

With two sides to choose from, there's coleslaw, potato salad & fresh side salads, or for a real treat you can pick from Mac N Cheese Bites, Cheesy Pizza Fries & Spicy Chicken & Rice Bites. These can really bulk the meal up if there are more than three of you.

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The offer is on in stores now, so the choice is really up to you. Any two pizzas, and any two sides for £10. 

I will update with some cooked pizza shots over the next few days as we work our way through these beasts! 

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Hidden Limmy's Show References in Taylor Swift's 'Look What You Made Me Do'

It's the record breaking music video everyone's talking about, with over 100 million views in just a couple of days, and almost as many articles about all the hidden messages contained in it.

However I think everyone has missed some glaringly obvious references in the video, which I've shown in the following presentation: 

Remember, she dated Calvin Harris for months, and he's a confirmed Limmy fan. THE SIGNS ARE THERE PEOPLE!!!  

 

Earliest Childhood Memories Part Three- Taxidermy in The Dead Face Shop (Delaney's Restaurant, Lombard Street)

The third instalment of how my earliest childhood memories seem to have guided my likes and loves in life. I blogged about my earliest ever memory being of a collection of garden gnomes on the Castlereagh Road, and how I'm fascinated by exterior features used as interior walls, thanks to many toddler aged visits to Summerland in the Isle of Man.  

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The third iteration of my toddler years spookily influencing my later life isn't so much a memory, as I don't remember the tales my parents recount now, but it involves Delaney's Restaurant in Lombard Street, Belfast. 

Delaney's still stood there until a few years ago, when it was gutted and turned into a souless Caffè Nero.  

 

My Mum and Granny would take me to Delaney's when I was still only three or four years old, and if you ever set foot in the dimly lit, mysterious eatery you'll have noticed one thing above all others- the massive amount of taxidermy.  

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Back then it would be my favourite place to eat, because of the taxidermy. I would refer to it as 'The Dead Face Shop', as I would eat my broth under the watch of the stuffed head of a buffalo, elk and other beasts.​

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In my 20s I spent a few years working next door to Delaney's, in the fabulously kitsch independent boutique Liberty Blue. 

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Of course now taxidermy is part of my weird and wonderful home. I would have the large pieces Delaney's once had if I could, if I had the money. Myself, I have a fox mount, piranhas, a stoat and a selection of different birds.​ I would have loved to have owned a piece of the Delaney's collection. Maybe some how some day something will turn up for me to buy and it will all come full circle.

The Money Fight as Foreshadowed By Castle Ward's Boxing Squirrels- Plus Their Game of Thrones Winterfell Festival

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I've been totally and utterly suckered into the hype for the Money Fight. Some guys are boxing in Vegas for billions of dollars.  If you live in the States you have to pay $80-$100 just to watch it. What happens if one knocks the other out in seconds? Is there a refund policy if you get twelve seconds of a match?

Its on at 5am our time, early Sunday morning, and whilst I'm not going to pay to watch it (£20-£24 here, I assume cause it's 5am) I am going to set an alarm to wake up and be on social media for the buzz. I love this sort of thing. 

Anyway, it reminded me of one of my favourite parts of Castle Ward's grand house tour- the taxidermy boxing squirrels.

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If you are a Game of Thrones fan (and who isnt? Well, me, but I'm odd) then you might be excited to know Castle Ward is holding a Winterfell Festival on 24th September 

Festival gates will open at 11am on 24 September and at 12 noon a fanfare will herald the arrival of the King’s procession as he visits House Stark at Winterfell for The King’s Tournament Games. Irish Arms, a historical reproduction company, will perform a series of medieval jousting shows on horseback throughout the day. Sword sparring, archery demonstrations, jesters and falcon flights will add to the atmosphere in the tournament ring where visitors will be able to feast on roast hog washed down with local cider.

Amongst the medieval themed stalls, armourer Boyd Rankin, who starred as Mikken in Game of Thrones will showcase a selection of the weapons he forged for the world famous TV series. Special guests will also include two of the original Stark family Direwolf dogs.

The iconic Winterfell Tower House will be open throughout the day and fans can join Winterfell Tours on a skirmish to Audley’s Castle before having their very own green screen photo taken in the Winterfell Courtyard where the Stark family famously lined up for the King’s arrival. An interactive show and workshop with Shadow Puppets themed on Game of Thrones will take place in the historic courtyard and can be enjoyed by all.

Travellers will also be encouraged to walk down the Kingsroad to the Inn at the Crossroads where they can pull up a pew and listen to stories from A Song of Ice and Fire Series One being performed by Footsteps theatrical company, while dining on venison pie and ale.

  • Adult - £22.50

  • Child - £10.00 (10 - 16 years)

  • Family - £60.00 (2 adults and 2 children between 10 - 16 years)
    *Children under 10 are free

Access to Castle Ward on 24 September will be exclusively for Winterfell Festival ticket holders only. Castle Ward will be closed to non-ticket holders, including National Trust members, from 9am-6pm on 24 September.

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You can plan a do it yourself road trip to visit all the filming locations the National Trust work with HBO on Game of Thrones, with this handy guide to where they all are.

So, shall I see you online at 5am on Sunday morning? Who do you think is going to be champion? 

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P.S. I made the long list of this year's Irish Blog Awards in the Lifestyle and Best Blog Post categories, but I won't make a song and dance about it as every valid blog that got nominated makes the long list. When the short list, then the finalist lists come out I'll add buttons etc then (if I'm a finalist again this year- fingers crossed!) But thank you to anyone who nominated me I really appreciate it. 

Exciting New Belfast City Centre Walking Tour For Kids On Sunday Mornings- and it's totally free!

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Sunday mornings in Belfast City Centre just got a lot more fun for children and families. Belfast One, – Belfast City Centre’s Business Improvement District – has partnered with Young at Art to launch a new, exciting, interactive children’s walking tour, designed to help families see lesser-known parts of the city in a fun and engaging way.

Speaking at the launch Julie McCullagh, marketing manager at Belfast One said: “We are thrilled to be launching the new children’s walking tour which is designed to be a whole lot of fun and is aimed at attracting families to the city at a time when it is quieter, offering the opportunity to view the fantastic sites at a slower pace.

“The forty-minute tour will start at Howard Street in the heart of the city and the children will get clues and a map to help friendly character Janey find her missing lottery ticket while exploring Belfast City Centre, before finishing at High Street.”

Speaking about the partnership with Belfast One, Morag Stuart from Young at Art Events said: “This is a fantastic new initiative to provide a unique interactive performance. We welcome families and children of all ages to come along and get involved in the new tour.”

The tour is free and is suitable for children age 4-10 with upcoming tours on 3 and 17 September - to book the tour visit www.BelfastOne.co.uk.