Regular readers will know that we are big Clark's fans in this household. Liv has only ever had Clark's shoes and I have written about them twice now here and here.

Once again we were offered the chance to review a pair of the new range, and obviously I couldn't say yes fast enough!

We are quite limited in choice because as well as wide feet and a high instep she is far from dainty in the ankle/calf department so a lot of boots are a complete non starter no matter how pretty.

After measuring in at a 7.5 G, we went over to take a look at the lovely range of boots available. We browsed the shelves and chose 3 pairs to try on but unfortunately two of the three pairs weren't in store in her size, luckily the Dolly Ruby leather boots (our first choice) were in stock and as I held my breath they slipped on like a pair of handmade glass slippers. A perfect fit!

I was so excited you would have thought that it was me leaving the store with a sparkling new pair of winter boots!

She has been calling them her princess boots so I think they are a hit.

As ever the quality is fantastic, high quality soft leather teamed with some lovely stitching detail, a very pretty heart with a diamante in the centre and some removable cross over straps with silver circular detail.

As always we are very happy with our choice, the quality at Clarks is second to none and we will continue to shop there exclusively and recommend them to Friends and Family.

You can view the full range at www.clarks.co.uk

Disclaimer - we were sent a voucher for the purpose of the review. However all opinion is my own.

Shoezone - suede effect military boots review.

When I was offered the chance to review a pair of shoes or boots from the latest Shoezone collection, as usual I was immediately drawn to all of the lovely heels but unfortunately I have a back problem that was exacerbated by pregnancy and I can no longer wear them *cry*

 

So instead I decided to have a look for something more practical, but suitable for going out in over Winter. That's when I came across these beautiful Lilley suede effect military boots.

Aren't they lovely? And only £24.99 too.

 

They aren't my usual style but I decided to take a chance for a change, and I am honestly so glad I did, they are really lovely, and fit well too.

 

I have a very high instep as well as wide feet so usually struggle with boots but as these have laces (for show) and a zip, I have been able to loosen and tighten the laces until they fit perfectly and then I can just use the zip to take them on and off.

 

Shoezone sell over 25 million pairs of shoes a year - 
the equivalent to 50 pairs a minute!



They are very comfortable to wear and the suede effect material feels and looks lovely.

The soles feel quite hardwearing and have a small heel of approximate one inch.

 

I would definitely recommend these boots as I honestly love them, so much so that I am now shopping for my Christmas Day outfit to compliment them, any excuse!

 

You can see the full range of footwear for sale at www.shoezone.com

 

 

Disclaimer - I was sent these boots for the purpose if the review, however all opinion is my own.



Matalan fancy dress review - Sleeping Beauty

Liv turned 2 last month, along with her second birthday came has dressing up stage!

While very cute it can also run very expensive, so when I was offered the chance to review a fancy dress outfit from Matalan, I showed the selection to Liv and she asked for "the pink one please" (Sleeping Beauty)

I was glad she chose this one because it has long sleeves, I hate when she has bare chilly arms but no such problem with this outfit. I ordered age 3 because Liv is very big for her age, it fits her perfectly and is topped off with a matching princess tiara.

Please note jewellery, handbag and shoes were bought separately.

The quality of the dress is very good, Liv has done her gymnastic style Princess dancing in it around 12 times now and it still looks like new. I would also like to point out that unlike a lot of other outfits she has had, we were not showered with glitter from this dress at any point (this pleased Daddy!)

Along with flowers, stars and castles all made from glitter there are also sequins sewn down the bodice, a portrait of the lovely Aurora at the neckline, a lovely 3D rose on the belt and a half petticoat inside for a lovely puffiness at the top of the skirt. 

At the shoulders you will find an elasticated strap then there is then a small area of bare shoulder before the long satin type sleeve begins. Just under the elbow this becomes a beautiful flared, sheer cuff which I think really gives it the Princess feel. Liv always strokes this part of the sleeve saying "Wow Princess" whenever she puts it on.
 

I would definitely recommend this outfit to family and friends. Priced at only £12 I suspect one or two of the range may make an appearance from Santa on Christmas morning . . . .

Disclaimer - I was sent this outfit for the purpose of the review, all opinion is honest and my own.

Christmas Stories by Michael Morpurgo .

We were very lucky to be sent this lovely book of Christmas Stories as written by Michael Morpugo to review from Egmont press.

 

It contains four stories titled; The Goose is getting fat, The best of times, The best Christmas present in the world and On Angel wings.

While the stories are far too old for Olivia (just turned 2), she enjoyed looking at the beautiful pictures and I'm sure she will enjoy listening to and reading the stories as she grows older.

I would definitely recommend this book for older children, probably 8 or over as the stories talk about things like a Goose being reared for Christmas dinner and a Princess being so ill that she may die - they do all have happy endings though and are far more thought provoking than Fairy Tales.

If you purchase, or already have this book please do let me know what your children think.

Disclaimer - we were sent this book for the purpose if the review. All opinion is honest and my own.

The toy that is the Bain of my existence!

Liv absolutely loves these 12 little figures. They came in a story book along with a large play mat that all looked so innocent at first . . . .

That was until Liv saw them, from that moment on she has played with them every day without fail, for weeks.

The problem is if I'm not standing or sitting on them I am trying to hunt for one or the other of the flippin things because she has squirrelled it away somewhere for later.

I kid you not when I say that they have been found in places ranging from the rim of a Teddy's hat to underneath the dogs bed.

She also never puts them in the same place twice which is helpful!

She loves them that much that we have bought her a Winnie the Pooh one for Christmas, how much damage could another 12 tiny figures do . . . . 

 

Hotel Chocolat Autumn Sleekster collection review.

We have been faced with the terribly hard job of reviewing some gorgeous Hotel Chocolats Autumn Sleekster Selection this month, it's a hard life!

This is the box, aren't they just beautiful? They each have so much lovely detail on them, one is even shaped like a pumpkin!


Almost too beautiful to eat.

The Hubbys favourite was a super cute pumpkin filled with smooth hazelnut praline.

 

My favourite was this Pistachio praline with cherry pieces and a hint of rose, crowned with a whole pistachio nut.

 

 As always they were not only beautiful to look at but most importantly divine to eat!

 

Some of the other choices from this box are, Sloe Gin Truffles, Apple Strudels, Mulled Ports and Egg and Brandy Truffles.

 

Each image on the menu clearly states if the pictured chocolate contains alcohol, egg or gluten.

 

Hotel Chocolat say:

"We have a strong ingredients philosophy to only use wholesome, real ingredients and our overall mantra is More Cocoa, Less Sugar.

Suitable for vegetarians"

We genuinely loved this selection, in fact it was our favourite Hotel Chocolat offering so far. I would without doubt recommend these to Family and Friends and will definitely be buying one or two as gifts this year.

Why not pop over to the website to find some lovely Christmas gifts - www.hotelchocolat.com

Disclaimer - we were sent this box of chocolates for the purpose of the review, however all opinion is my own.

The day the soft play area won!

Today we headed off to a local play area with my Aunty and Cousin Kirsty.

Turkey (as Liv calls her) took her shoes off and threw herself into play time with Liv as she always does, climbing, swimming in the ball pit, going down the slide. You name it and she will give it a go.

Until about 30 minutes in when she suddenly yelled out in pain and froze.

Liv immediately offered to get her sucky (dummy) to make it better bless her! Anyway fast forwards lots of pain, a trip to A & E and an x-ray later, thankfully it turned out to be a bad anklesprain and not a break as initially feared.

When asked by her Nanny what she had been doing today Liv replied simply "I broke Turkey" How cute! It made the patient smile too.

Here she is being looked after at home. 

Get well soon Turkey x

My gorgeous Stokke Xplory

Anyone that knows me knows I have had my fair share of pushchairs since Liv was born.

She is so big that nothing really suited her, that is until we bought this beauty!

It is big enough to fit my giant baby very comfortably, comes with removable fabrics allowing you to wash them, change the colour and add accessories like our gorgeous new winter kit.

My favourite parts are:

1) the footmuff, no matter what the temperature is outside, Liv always comes out of the pushchair toasty warm - every time I am jealous!

2) the furry handmuff. It keeps my hands toasty warm, means I don't have to try to wrestle gloves off when trying to pay in a shop or open the door. It even has a little pocket on top to keep you phone/keys etc in.

Daddy keeps trying to have a go but we don't let him!

My baby turned two.

I know everyone says it but I genuinely do not know where the time has gone since Liv was born.

Two whole years, it's actually quite scary!

Litte Miss was very spoilt by the whole family, Mummy and Daddy were especially pleased that she loved her extremely expensive bucket of Toy Story characters (even if she was a little freaked out at first!)

After a hard morning opening gifts, she wore her new Minnie Mouse dress and shoes to her Minnie Mouse themed party, where she had a lovely cake made for her by her Nana.

 

This not so little Girl amazes me day in day out, she is so loving and smart and wants to learn everything, even thing way beyond her years!

You are the light of our lives Olivia xx

Hobbycraft Christmas stocking review.

Yes you read that right. Crafts. ME!

I've got to be honest, I was more than a little nervous about this review as I cannot do anything crafty, I was terrible in school and I am terrible today!

My last attempt was to learn to knit when I was pregnant with Olivia. My (ridiculously naturally talented at everything crafty) Sister in Law spent weeks teaching me on a Friday night.

The result? I can knit one pearl one with the best of them. Endlessly. Without it ever actually becoming anything.

I decided to give these stockings a go because I thought it would be nice to have a decoration to put out that I had made and they weren't as difficult to make as I thought they would be.

Surprisingly I actually enjoyed it and I think they have turned out really well, which proves that anyone can make them!

They come with full instructions and everything you need (except for a needle and scissors)
*please note* the gem/button in the centre of the hearts were NOT part of the set, they were found at the bottom of my sewing box.

At only £3 for a pack of 2, why not give them or some of the other Christmas crafts a try, you may be pleasantly surprised like me :)

Disclaimer - I was sent a pack of 2 stockings for the purpose of the review.