The Art Nouveau Amber Pendant

As we begin to look forward to the festive season the mind starts to ponder the gifts that we will be purchasing for those closest to us, and let's face it the gifts we may hope to receive. With October now in full swing, the days growing colder and the nights having truly drawn in, it really is starting to feel a lot more wintry around these parts, and it is only natural that we look to fill our dark dismal days with something sparkly and beautiful.. Or is that just me?

I was recently sent a rather beautiful pendant that I have been really excited about sharing with you all. It is certainly an item that I will be making the very most of over the upcoming festive period, I expect that there will be a number of nights where I will be able to show case the Art Nouveau Amber Pendant.

The pendant is set on a Silver chain and there is no denying the varying hues of Amber that run through the stone. I have always admired Amber but never added any to my jewelry box until now, and it is defiantly a stand alone piece within my necklace collection. For me personally I usually opt for something more simple, and I can usually be found wearing my Silver finger print pendant that I had cast of Leo when he was 7 months old. This is a very special piece for me and is usually something I wear daily. The Amber Pendant will be an item that I wear for special occasions, and is going to look rather dazzling when it makes it's debut over the next couple of months. 

The pendant retails at £99.99 and would make the perfect stocking filler for that special lady in your life.. Don't you think?

I know that with each year we talk about Christmas that little bit earlier, but whether we choose to accept it or not we are officially on count down to the big day. I know that I like the idea of beginning my shopping that little bit earlier than the masses, and I would be telling porky pies if I said that I hadn't already tucked one or two things away, and over the next few weeks I intend to get a list together and beginning to strategically work my way through it.

This year I intend to be one step ahead of the game, I don't want to be sat up on Christmas Eve running around like a headless chicken. I want to be prepared, in my PJ's before 9pm and snuggled up with a good Christmas film accompanied by a rather large glass of Mulled Wine. 

When do you start Christmas shopping?

Disclaimer: I was sent the Art Nouveau Amber Pendant.for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.

  

Leo and his bucketful of Schleich Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs are one of those delights that simply fascinate children, Leo is forever racing around roaring and telling us he is primitive beast. Nursery have even told us how he will stand at the top of the play gym and roar his little heart out, while the other children run away petrified of me Leo-saurus.

Dinosaurs are just a whole other world of imaginative play, as once upon a time they walked this earth dominating the planet we now inhabit. I think that is part of the sparkle that draws children towards these rather spectacular creatures, that once ruled the earth. Talking to Leo about the world and it’s past is always an interesting topic of conversation and you can tell he thinks that I am making it all up, and in his mind Dinosaurs are nothing more than a make believe monster on the television, or a heap of bones in the Natural History Museum…

We were recently sent a selection of Schleich Dinosaurs, and Leo was incredibly excited to open up the box to discover Seven new models just for his enjoyment. In Leo’s box full of Dinosaurs we discovered the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Quetzalcoatlus and Spinosaurus along with the brand new 2014 models, Therizinosaurus, Pentaceratops, T-Rex Light Green and the Velociraptor in Green.

Within moments of the un-boxing ceremony, Leo had taken a handful of Dinosaurs over to the table to play. There was instant growling and roaring as the fun began to take hold and Leo’s imagination went wild. I on the other hand was really impressed with the level of detail that had gone into each of the different models, from the teeth, colouring and care that had gone into all of them, they were really something else. The details was so precise that on a few of them they had even been packaged in cardboard due to sharp horns or tails. I was instantly surprised at the weight of the models, they are all pretty heavy and you know you are holding a quality object. There is no cheap plastic in sight with the Schleich model collection, only superb detail.

The Dinosaurs have been coloured as true to life as possible and they all look realistic and even a little scary in cases! Some have moveable jaws, others have rotating arms which of course gives a whole new level of play value to these models. They are aimed at pre-schoolers from the age of 3+ and really do allow your little one to delve into a land long forgotten. Whether or not of course they believe you are telling the truth about this land from long ago… Well that is another situation entirely!

You can purchase the Schleich Dinosaurs through Amazon and prices start from as little as £3.50 depending upon which models you are looking at. They are all sold individually but with Christmas coming up they would make super stocking fillers for the kids.

Disclaimer: We were sent a selection of the Schleich Dinosaur range for the purpose of this review. All views and opinons expressed are completely honest and my own.

Have a little festive family fun in London this Christmas

Are you struggling to find the perfect Christmas presents for friends and family? Don’t panic, as the English capital could provide the solution! We think buying train tickets to London for a weekend away would be a great gift and get everyone feeling a little more festive. Of course, it’ll also be a great chance to do a little shopping and perhaps find something unique to head home with. Here are a few spots we think are worth checking out:

Chocolate Festival at Southbank

Across the festive period the Southbank is transformed as traders offer a wide range of items from their stalls. However, chocoholics won’t want to miss the Chocolate Festival, which takes place from December 13^th to 15^th at Southbank Centre Square. As you’d expect you’ll be able to try and take away a wide range of chocolate products but you’ll also be able to catch demonstrations from expert chocolatiers. It’s the tenth year this free event is taking place, so why not book trains to London now and join the celebrations?

Belgravia Christmas Sunday  

On the first day of December Motcomb Street, Elizabeth Street and Pimlico Road will be taken over by stalls selling a range of arts and crafts. There’ll also be a brass band and carol singers providing entertainment and Father Christmas and his reindeer will also be stopping off in the area, so it’s sure to be a fun day out for all the family.

London Christmas Fair

If you’re a fan of BBC TV’s The Great British Bake Off the London Christmas Fair in aid of the British Red Cross could be an event for you as the show’s Mary Berry will opening it and speaking at the preview night on November 27^th. If you’d like to attend this tickets are priced at £20 and include canapés and a glass of wine on arrival. Alternatively, you can head along the next day with tickets priced at £5 on the door and £4 in advance. You’ll find more than 70 stalls to browse within the Kensington Town Hall venue, so it could be a great option for those seeking something unique.

Ice Skating at the National History Museum 

Always a great day out, the Natural History Museum has a little extra appeal at this time of year as visitors can get their skates on and take to an ice rink. If you don’t fancy skating check out the market stalls and admire the impressive Christmas tree!   

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