The Fogarty Wool Duvet Review

Now I don't want to jinx anything... So I won't go into too much detail at this moment in time, but I will say that the move Leo and I have been preparing for over the last couple of months, it may be closer than I imagined. In fact it might be so much closer in fact that I might have been found smiling from ear to ear and trying to resist the urge to jump up and down on the spot! 

Over the last couple of months I really have been keeping myself busy with everything that we are going to need, even just freshening up the things that we already had. One of these items is the duvet I have for my rather luxurious bed. I have had the bed a good few years now, and treated myself to a memory foam mattress at the same time, it is seriously one of the comfiest beds I have slept in, so when I go away I often long for my bed because all of the other's don't compare in the slightest.

The only aspect that let my bed down was the duvet and the duvet cover. 

This is now a thing of the past, and recent weeks has seen my bed get a complete and utter make over in preparation for the move. 

The Duvet

The new duvet in the form of the Fogarty Wool Duvet has somewhat changed my life, I have to admit that when I first un-packed the duvet from the box, I was concerned that it would keep me too warm throughout the night. It's a very heavy duvet and you can feel just how luxurious it is before you have even got the duvet linen on, and I was really pleased to discover on that very first night that this duvet was absolute perfection.

The duvet is filled with New Zealand Wool and wrapped up in a cotton cover. If you like thick duvets (just like you find in a really nice hotel) then the Fogarty is for you. I have it in the King Size and it fits absolutely beautifully in the new duvet set I had imported from America. I had a very specific idea in mind and knew exactly what I wanted, I made it my mission to get my hands on a Black and White Chevron Duvet Set. If like me you have tried to get your hands on one within the UK, you will know first hand that they are a rarity.

In the end I managed to find my one on eBay, but it meant paying a little more to have it shipped to me here in England, but do you know what? It was absolutely 100% worth it. The Chevron Duvet set just completes my new duvet and when I get into bed each night, it feels absolutely incredible. 

The Fogarty Wool Duvet regulates temperature which means you can FORGET all about the togs. One duvet that regulates your body temperature through Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. This is what I was skeptical about in that first instance, but after using this duvet for the last few weeks, I have been so impressed and I couldn't imagine reverting back to my old thin summer duvet that used to get all muddled up inside the duvet cover.

I have always loved snuggly duvets, duvets that you can get down under and feel the weight on top of you. Duvets that you can pull and wrap around your leg. I want this feeling all year round regardless of whether it's the middle of Winter or right in the heat of Summer. The beautiful thing about the Fogarty Wool Duvet is that you CAN do all of those things without getting all hot and sweaty, you can still have a thick luxurious duvet regardless of the weather.

Another great aspect for me is that I can actually stick the entire duvet in the washing machine. Having Leo means that he often sneaks into my bed, and there have been instances where he has decided to throw up or accidentally wet the bed (sickness was the death of my old duvet in the end...) and it's fantastic that I can now just stick it in the wash and have it come back out all fresh again.

I may still have to look into a mattress protector though if Leo insists on sneaking into my bed in the middle of the night (Ahh the joy's of parenthood).

The Fogarty Wool Duvet can be purchased from Dunelm.

Now everything is coming together, I can really visualize how our new home is going to look. I have excited butterflies tinged with a few little nerves, but I will keep thinking positively, because it is positive thinking that has gotten me this far, and it is only a while now until we start a whole new chapter of our lives.

Father's Day 2016 Gift Guide

Sunday 19th June is the day where we let the Dad's of the world know how much we care. I know that we shouldn't wait for that one day a year to let them know how thankful we are for all that they do, but really it's not about that. We don't wait for that one day a year, we let them know in our own way, everyday. But why shouldn't we make an extra special effort one Sunday each year? Why shouldn't we have an excuse to pull up a chair, sit down and enjoy lunch as a family? 

For me it's just another excuse to get the family together and let those men in our lives know that what they do does not go un-noticed. It's just a day to give them that extra bit of pampering and just generally spoil them. 

Stuck for gift ideas? Have a look at the Life Unexpected gift round up to see if there's anything that might tick the boxes of gift requirements. I for one think that buying for the Dad's of the world can be tricky, let's face it they are so much harder to buy for than us ladies. They seem to have absolutely everything that they could possibly ever want or need, they go out and they buy their own things, and steal it back off to their man cave, so sometimes it's a worry that you could duplicate gifts...

Let's surprise them for 2016!

Something for the office?

You can't go wrong picking out a practical gift for the working man, they will love you for it even. Especially if that practical gift comes in the shape of a Parker Pen, because gifting a Parker is so much more than just picking out a pen, it's a luxurious treat. There is such a wide selection available to suit every budget, so if you have a particular budget in mind you will be able to pick out a pen or set that suits that perfectly. 

If you are thinking about a practical gift then how about the WD My Passport Ultra? In a day and age where everything is digital, we are all in the same boat when it comes to backing our digital lives up. We want everything to be in one place and readily available right? 

My Passport Ultra portable  comes in 3 different sizes: 500GB, 1TB and 2TB. The hard drives feature WD SmartWare Pro back-up software that lets you save data to the drive itself or use Dropbox to back-up to the cloud. You can move files quickly with the blazing speed of USB 3.0 connectivity whilst keeping your data private with password protection and hardware encryption.

At a Glance

- Ultra-compact design with plenty of storage

- Fast data transfers with USB 3.0 interface

- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility

- Automatic back-up software for local back-ups

- Cloud back-up through Dropbox

- Password protection and hardware encryption

Or how about going down a practical but personal route? Everyone in 2016 has access to a smart phone, which means that they have access to a camera. Everyone is taking and sharing photos in some way, shape or form. That is what makes the Nixplay Seed WiFi Cloud Frame so special. 

The Nixplay Seed Frame makes it easy to get in touch with your photos. You yourself can send photos directly from your phone to the frame, and you can even allow friends and family to share their own photos to the Nixplay WiFi Frame from anywhere in the world! 

The frame is available in four different colours and each are finished with a beautiful design to fit stylishly anywhere within the home or office space. The power cord is flexible and acts as a frame stand which allows for adjustable viewing angle.

How about facial hair maintenance? 

Ever noticed that when a man tells you to be ready for a certain time, you are usually the one sitting around and waiting for them to be ready? There have been times where I have had to tell my other half a earlier time so that we have a chance of actually makig the real (slightly later) time! The reason behind the lateness usually falls in the realms of the getting ready. Yup those men of ours (if we are honest) usually take longer to get ready than the ladies in their lives.

I know we probably shouldn't encourage them to spend any longer getting ready than they already do, but why not provide them with a few of the necessities that they covet this Fathers Day? For the bearded man in your lives look no further than the Power Health Beard Oil that comes in two blends, Citrus and Warming. Priced at £8.99 they make a lovely addition whether you choose to buy just the one, or present both this Father's Day.

While we are thinking about taming the otherwise wild manes of the men in our lives, how about treating them to a some new maintenance tools to keep it trim? The new Gilette Fusion ProShield has lubrication before and after the blade so that it helps shield from any irritation. The blade is Gilette's thinnest to date, boasting the finest blade edges for less tug and pull during use. It boasts FlexBall technology which allows the razor to pivot and respond to the unique shape of the users face, and contours for maximum contact.

Last but most definitely not least for our grooming finale, we have the Braun Series 3 Wet and Dry Foil Shaver which has been newly designed and offers MicroComb technology. The series 3 catches and feeds more hair into the cutting parts, for a faster more efficient shave than ever before. Thanks to its triple action cutting system, sensofoil and precision mode the series 3 not only delivers having performance on three day beards, but is also incredibly smooth on skin. Plus this Wet and Dry 3080 model can even be used in the shower with foam or gel for a more comfortable shaving experience.

Or to keep them active?

What if your Dad or Grandad is more in tune with spending time at the gym or heading out on brisk walks? I know that my own Dad started a get fit regime back in January and 4 months later he has lost 2 stone and is more active than ever before. If that sounds like someone you know then you may want to consider the TomTom Spark Cardio + Music. Yep! You read that right, TomTom isn't just the helpful satellite navigation system to get you from point A to point B in 2016, it's the GPS Fitness Watch!

It's definitely a contender if you are thinking about investing in some wearable fitness technology, and even boasts a built in heart rate monitor. Here are some of the other features that just make this piece of tech even more desirable:

- 24/7 activity tracking - Capture steps, calories burnt and active minutes all day everyday!
- GPS tracking - Keep track of your timing, pace and distance.
- Multisport mode - Modes for cycling, running, swimming and treadmill. 
- Built-in heart rate monitor - Providing you with accurate heart rate information from your wrist. There is no band to strap around your chest. Just use and go!
- Over 500 songs of music storage - Enjoy your music WITHOUT having to take your phone with you. All of your music can be stored on your watch. 

Even I am excited by the TomTom Spark Cardio + Music, so keep your eyes peeled for the full review of this all singing, all dancing fitness watch over the coming weeks. 

RRP £189.00

If you are going down the fitness route then the Slendertone Abs 7 Unisex Toning Belt could be the perfect light bulb moment! The Slendertone Abs 7 uses advanced EMS technology to help tone and shape your abs from as little as 4 weeks! The idea is that you combine the abs belt whilst working out in order to double the benefits of your exercise routine.

It is advised that you use this 5 times a week over the course of a month in order to help you achieve your goal of stronger, toned abs.

Of course exercise and a well balanced diet are the ultimate key to achieving a washboard stomach, and the key to any training program is time and commitment.

Slendertone Abs7 Unisex Toning Belt features:

• - 10 programmes: 7 are passive programmes (no physical activity required) and 3 are active (with physical activity).
• 
  
• - 0-150 intensity for maximum power to suit all users.
• 
  
• - 0-30 minute treatments.
• 
  
• - Built-in warm up and cool down phases to ensure correct muscle usage.
• 
  
• - Intelligent training system to auto-progress you through the programmes.
• 
  
• - Patented 3 pads positioned around waist over the belly button and either side.
• 
  
• - Hand held rechargeable & interchangeable controller – suitable for use with Slendertone Arms Male Accessory.
• 
  
• • Certified to medical safety standards.

Clinically proven results:

All Slendertone products undergo rigorous clinical trials. Slendertone Abs7 Unisex Belt is clinically proven for a firmer and flatter stomach in just 4 weeks:

• - 100% of users reporting firmer more toned abs.
• 
  
• - 72% increase in abdominal endurance.
• 
  
• - 49% increase in abdominal strength.
• 
  
• - 20 mins = 120 abdominal crunches.
• 
  

*Clinical trial conducted by Dr. John Porcari, University of Wisconsin, La-Crosse. Flex & Walking (University of Ulster)*

Kick start their day...

Lumie Bodyclock is the original wake-up light. It simulates the sunrise and gradually wakes you up by increasing the natural daylight. As the light in the room gets brighter it signals for your body to ease production of sleep hormones (melatonin) and increases that that help you get up and go (Cortisol)!

I don't know about you, but I am awful at getting up in the morning. Some days I get up relatively easily and the next I am there snoozing my iPhone alarm to the point that I will be lucky to get out of the door in time to drop little man at school, I sometimes feel like I need a clock that will brew the coffee and press it to my lips first thing each morning. The way the Lumie Bodyclock's Wake-up lights work, they aid your sleep cycle and keep you on track, they boost your mood, energy levels and even help with your productivity levels throughout the day.

I myself like to get up and head out in the early AM for a walk. Recent weeks have seen me snoozing the alarm and missing that window of opportunity to get outside. So I look forward to seeing how the implementation of the Lumie Bodyclock Elite 300 will help me in kick starting my mornings.

Elite Features
- 15, 30, 60 or 90-minute sunrise to wake naturally
- 15, 30, 60 or 90-minute sunset to wind down for bed
- AM/FM radio to listen to your favourite station after waking
- SD slot to play MP3 tracks
- Choice of wake-up sounds to enhance your sunrise, including dawn chorus, waves and rain
- Guided meditation by Meditainment, experts in audio for sleep and well-being
- White noise setting to mask sounds that might keep you awake
- A choice of relaxing sounds to lull you to sleep
- 7 day alarm setting
- Dimmable lighting for use as a bedside light
- Nightlight feature
- Glass lamp cover
- Snooze feature
- Security option to turn on the light randomly while you're away
- Back-ups: optional alarm beep, power failure back-up

There are so many amazing features with this clock, and it is something that can be enjoyed and made use of by everyone using the bedroom where it's situated. I love that you can play music and enjoy a guided meditation, and as for the white noise I know that this is something I will most definitely be making use of. As much as I struggle with waking in the morning, I equally share at bedtime when it comes to drifting off my sleep. There have been times I have ransacked the PODcasts trying to find something that will eventually bore me off to sleep. 

Disclaimer: I was provided samples of the above products in exchange for this post. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.

I Always Knew You Would Be Trouble

Ever since you came along little man, you have enabled me to find new ways to get myself in trouble. When I say enabled me... I mean YOU. To explain what I mean by this I am going to have to share a few of the most recent stories, and when I say stories... I mean recent events. Events that have taken place. Situations that YOU have orchestrated. 

Over the May half term we spent the week in Crete, it was a holiday we had all been really looking forward to. A chance to unwind and push aside the mundane responsibilities of everyday life. It meant a week of no school, no pulling our hair out over getting out of the house on time, or trying to coerce you into reading (in other words attempting to get blood to come out of a stone!). It was a week spent by the pool with lots of laughter. 

Of course it wasn't all that straight cut little Leo, I mean we both know that without a little drama we would have been in for a very boring week. The first spout of drama came in the form of Mummy (and yourself Leo) forgetting your rather famous comfort blanket and new little friend Sheep. The moment of realisation struck like a bolt of lightening as we drove out of Worcestershire. I knew I had to tell you before you asked for it later that day, I knew you were going to be angry, but being upfront and honest with you was definitely the right thing to do. Suffice to say you were angry. Very angry. So angry in fact that you refused to talk to me for the entire hour and a half ride to the airport, you couldn't even bring yourself to look at me! However when that was behind us, you were so grown up about the entire situation, and you went the whole week without both of your comforters for the first time in history! 

You were so well behaved for the entirety of the flight, you shone so bright on the transfer to the hotel, and you were an absolute joy to be around. Everyone thought so, in fact even when you were being mischievous you were far from naughty. This brings me to the story I wanted to tell you, we had just finished dinner, and as always you and Josh had hopped up as soon as you had finished and headed straight out to the park. It was no problem, we could see you the entire time. I followed you out as we were all planning on taking a stroll down to the beach front to take in some fresh air. 

The hotel was situated on a rather large slope, and parked on that slope were 2 or 3 golf buggies. The hotel used them to get loads around the many different rooms you see. Of course to two little boys (of course I mean yourself and Josh little man..) this was the greatest thing in the entire world. I mean there was nothing stopping either of you climbing inside...

So there you both were, you in the front and Josh in the back. I stood there and watched you both pretending to drive the carts around the establishment. Suddenly I heard a loud *CLICK* and watched as you removed your hand off the hand break. It was as though everything suddenly transformed into slow motion. The cart veered backwards and before I knew what I was doing. I had assembled the superhero positon and had automatically grabbed hold of the golf buggy to stop it verandaring off down the slope!

In hind sight I didn't know whether or not I could hold the cart. It could have just as easily knocked me flying. We were very lucky, and I was so glad I could hold the cart into position and instruct you both to hop back out. It all happened so quickly, and you were both out and on solid ground again in a matter of seconds. I however was still stood in a squat like position with both arms supporting the runaway golf cart. I was there until Heather saw the commotion from the top of the hill, she bounded down and I told her that she needed to pop the handbrake back into position as I could't move until it was secured again.

Both of you boys thought you were going to be in big trouble, but it really was just a silly mistake, and really these things should have been locked up in the first place. Once everyone was safe and the cart was secure, I couldn't help but chuckle about the ordeal. I couldn't have even written it if I had tried. and what a story for your 18th birthday... That time you and your nephew tried to steal a golf cart. 

Although you have informed me that you weren't trying to steal it. You only wanted to borrow it for a ride, and you had fully intended to return it...

I couldn't help smile about your mischievous adventure that evening, and when I called Daddy that night to tell him what you had been up to that day, you couldn't ignore the chuckle that ensued down the phone. You could almost hear the Cheshire cat smile that I could in-vision spreading over the whole of his face and making his eyes twinkle. 

There is absolutely no mistaking who's son you are little man, I know for a fact that Daddy was just like you back in the day. 

I always knew you were going to be trouble.

A big ball of squishy beautiful trouble.

Feeling confident in Summer

It finally feels like Summer has arrived here in the UK, and over the last couple of weeks I have been able to wear my hot pants on an almost daily basis. Instead of reaching for my jeans and a warm jacket, I am finally pairing those short shorts with a tee, taking little man to school and coming back to crack on with some work in the garden. 

Being able to bring the laptop outside and relaxing in the sun writing up posts is by far the best feeling you can have at work. A cup of coffee to the side of me, legs catching some rays all rolled into a day in the office. 

Not bad going eh?

2 years ago this month I was dreading the summer, I was carrying a bit of extra weight back then and the thought of having to put my legs into a pair of shorts, or worse...A bikini filled me with dread to the very pit of my stomach. I longed to wear crop tops and short shorts, but at that moment in my life it quite simply wasn't going to happen. I really was at my lowest and my confidence was at rock bottom. 

I decided to make a change so that I could feel confident in the clothes I longed to wear, so I felt good in them. It's amazing what 2 years can do to your confidence, self esteem and your BODY! Just by cleaning up my diet and finding a exercise routine that worked for me, I lost 2 stone, 2 dress sizes and toned up my body. Today I long for summer, I feel happy, confident and love an excuse to get my short shorts out to play! 

Summer makes me want to shop, I love the dresses, I love the shoes and the crop tops, the cute tee's and that's before I have even got started on the play suits! I do the majority of my shopping online as I find that there is so much more choice, I can walk down the high street and find absolutely nothing that catches my eye, I log online and suddenly I don't have enough money to fund my clothing lust! 

I recently discovered Lyst, they are a fashion tech company based in London and New York (two of my favourite places!) and they offer a shopping experience that is tailored to each unique visitor that enters the site. Let's face it, my taste will not be the same as yours and vice versa, so what I want to see popping up on my screen, won't reflect what you would want to see. The website learns about your shopping habits as you shop, and the more you use it, the more you start to see things that really relate to you, completely tailoring your shopping experience to YOU!

In addition to this rather incredible form of online shopping, you can also lyst the items you like to plan wardrobes, entire outfits and wish lists. If there is something that you really love but it's out of stock at that precise moment in time that you want to pop it in your basket you can lyst it so that they alert you the moment it comes back into stock. 

I have lost the last few hours today oggling over all of the beautiful dresses that are currently featuring on Lyst, there is absolutely something for every occasion, but I decided it would be fun to share my top 10 dresses for Sumer 2016 with you.

So here we go...

My Favourite Lyst Dresses for Summer

1. Sachin & babi Cuba Short Sleeve Fitted Dress

2. Timo-Weiland Danielle Dress Blue

3. Bridge & Burn Green Fleer Dress

4. Krisa Surplice Flounce Dress

5. Jonathan Simkhai Cutout Trim Shirt Dress

6. Mara Hoffman Cross Front Mini Dress

7. Marysia Swim 'mott' Scalloped Halterneck Dress - Yellow

8. Solace London Alana Mini Dress

9. Pinko Pink Women's Dress

10. Alice & Olivia Yellow 'Pacey' Floral Lace Lantern Dress

Win Air Storm Toys from Zing

Win the super fast Air Storm Z-Tek bows with 125 foot range and Air Storm Firetek rockets! Get the kids ready for an all-new archery experience with whistling arrows and light up rockets.



We have one Air Storm Z-Tek bow and four Firetek rockets available to win from Zing Toys!

         Air Storm Z-Tek Bow

Get the next big thing in bow technology with the Z-Tek Bow.  Check out the sleek new design and shape.  Shorter bungees for faster firing.  Arrow clips right on the bow for quick reloads and a powerful presence.  It’s an all new archery experience with the Z-Tek Bow! Hook in the Zartz™ Arrow or Zonic™ Whistling Arrow, position the shot, and watch it fly through the air for an incredible 100 feet! Includes a Z-Tek Bow, two Zonic™ Whistling Arrows and one Suction-Cup Zartz™ Arrow.         

Please note the Air Storm Z-Tek bow comes in two colours – green and orange – winners cannot choose colours of prizes. 

Price: £19.99rrp

Age: 8+
Aailable: Now

Check out the Z-Tek Bow out on YouTube here.

                                   

Firetek Rocket

The Firetek Rocket is launching into orbit as the newest addition to Zing’s Firetek line with lights and sounds, ready for outdoor day or night fun!   Turn the light switch on the rocket to power up the action, Then, attach the Firetek light-up rocket to the launcher, pull the tab, and let it soar into the sky!  Hear the whistle-screaming arrows in action as the rocket flies up to 250 feet high with just a simple flick of the wrist. The Firetek rockets are set to fly to incredible heights with long-lasting performance.  Each set comes with two whistle-screaming light-up rockets and one launcher.

Price: £9.99rrp

Age: 5+           

Available: Now

Check out the Firetek Rocket out on YouTube here.

To enter and be in with a chance of winning the Air Storm Z-Tek bow (1 available) or one of (four available) Firetek rockets just fill in the Rafflecopter form below! 

5 winners will be picked at random on the 1st July 2016 and notified by email. 

Terms and Conditions
Please only enter this giveaway if you live within the United Kingdom. A winner willl be chosen at random on the condition they have completed the entry form honestly.Once a winner had been chosen you will be contacted via email, if you do not respond within 48 hours another winner will be picked at random and the original winner's notification will not be valid.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Good Luck everybody!

Global Developmental Delay

I have always shared Leo's milestones here, it has been our sacred place to speak about his achievements, the things he says and the things he does. It has also been our place to talk about the difficulties we have experienced over the years, and it seems that those same difficulties are still following my little man around.

I always find it hard to put into words when I talk about what troubles Leo, and this is because he is just a normal little boy. He looks like any other happy child, he sounds like any other happy child. He loves like his heart might burst at any given moment, and he cares deeply about his family and the people around him. I may be biased, but he is a beautiful little human.

This is why I find it so hard to put his struggles into words, because how can someone so loving, so normal, so beautiful have everything he needs in all of those areas, but struggle so much with academic learning? How can that same little boy be classed as globally delayed.

I always knew school was going to be a struggle, I mean how could it not after the last couple of years of being told he was so behind his peers? First it was the speech delay, then it was his social interaction and now it's everything that goes on in a reception class. Granted his speech has come along absolutely beautifully and you would never even know now that he didn't talk straight away. In fact a recent speech assessment has told me that Leo's speech essentially masks his wider delay. They say that his speech has advanced ahead of his understanding, and although the report also highlighted areas that I do agree with, this is one point that I definitely disagree with.

Leo is very particular about what interests him, if it's something that pleases him and he wants to do, he will listen to instruction and follow through with the task. If however it is something that he does not want to do, you can bet your bottom dollar that he will halfheartedly take part. You could even say that he plays on the fact that he knows the teachers are taking his learning slow and steady with him, like he almost knows what they are thinking. 

What is global delay?

The term 'developmental delay' or 'global development delay' is used when a child takes longer to reach certain developmental milestones than other children their age.  This might include learning to walk or in Leo's case talk,. It could even be developing motor skills, learning new things and interacting with others socially and emotionally.

In some cases, the delay will be short-term and can be overcome with additional support or therapy. However, in other cases the delay may be more significant and the child will need ongoing support – this indicates they may also have a learning disability.  

School have informed me that Leo is globally delayed, but this is not an assessment that has come from a pediatrician. This is just something that has been used to describe the situation as it is right at this moment in time. Leo is learning you see and we have all been doing so much with him to try and bring him along that little bit more. I recently purchased the 'Teach your Monster to Read' App and Leo has been absolutely loving it, he's been coming along marvelously with all of his sounds, but is still struggling when it comes to putting words together. But I will take that as a step forward, because this is the first time he has shown an interest in letters and sounds. All of a sudden it's like he actually wants to try.

The school are fantastic, Leo now gets a lot of 1 to 1 and this seems to help spur him a long a little more. The most recent news is that we have finally been referred to the Pediatrician and are awaiting our first appointment, and on the 28th of this month we have an educational psychologist coming in to visit with Leo in school. I can only take this as a positive. 

I am at the point now where I just want answers and support for Leo. I'm angry that this could have all been sorted over the last couple of years in preparation for when he started school. I'm angry that the health visitor let us down, not just once, but twice. 

It was she who raised the initial concerns at Leo's 2 and half year assessment, it was she who ignored my phone calls and didn't follow up with us as she had promised. It was she who a year later came out to the house and told me that there was absolutely nothing wrong with Leo and there was no way that she was going to refer him.

It was she who sent him off to school when she damn well should have referred him. 

It was she who let Leo slip through the net. 

I am not just angry at her though. I am angry at myself. I am angry that I let her wash this relief all over me, let myself believe those words that I had longed to hear, despite the nursery completely contradicting what the health visitor had said. After years of hearing all of the things that Leo wasn't achieving, I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing it felt hearing that Leo was exceeding for once.

Do you know what though? I would not change a hair on Leo's head. So he finds school hard. So he's not where the other children are right now. I have a beautiful, happy, well behaved little man who is kind, loving and all round amazing. 

Leo has made really good friends with a little boy in his class, and when I had to collect my nephew a few weeks ago, I arrived early so I could sneak a peek at Leo playing on the big open field. I have always worried that I would see Leo looking lost as all the other children ran around enjoying themselves, as that is what the feedback from nursery and school has always lead me to believe. What I saw was the complete opposite, Leo and 2 of his friends running around, playing, kicking the football. Having a great time. I sat there for around 5 minutes just watching. Then I couldn't resist calling him over, he was so excited to see me and his little friends bounded over with him.

For me the most important factors are that Leo is happy, he likes school, he has friends. That to me is all that really matters. We will get Leo where he needs to be, but the fact that he is smiling is worth so much more than anything else. 

 

The MatalanDirect.com Shimmer Rug Review

It's almost 2 years since I moved back to the family home with Leo, and I don't even really know where to begin with everything that has happened in the last 24 months. There have been up's and downs, high's and low's, but there have also been so many incredible moments that I just wish I could bottle up and keep with me forever. 

Right now Leo and I are preparing for a new adventure. Were in the process of planning a house move. A new home for Leo and I, so that we can finally take our lives off hold and start living again. To say that we are excited doesn't quite sum up that butterfly feeling that takes hold of my insides whenever I think about all that is to come. Leo alone is so excited that he cannot contain it within himself, and I don't think that is just because we have decided to add a puppy dog to our household when we are all settled in! 

The last couple of months have passed in a blur of getting all of the new items we will need for our new home, everything that we brought back from the old house has seemingly been tested by matter of time spent in the garage, and I have had to get rid of pretty much all of it. This meant that I was pretty much starting over, and we all know that house hold items don't come cheap when you have to purchase everything for every room...from scratch.

This is why I have started sooner rather than later, as I know very well that if I was to have all of the expenses coming at once, there is no way I could afford to get everything that we need. I only want to have to purchase everything once, so I want to buy the things that we want and like straight off so that we can just get in and start enjoying our new space. 

I have already mentally decorated our future home, I can see it exactly as I want it. I want it to be crisp, modern and ultimately monochrome with a vintage feel, with some nice bright colour's thrown in here and there to add some flashes of vibrancy. 

Our house collection is coming together beautifully now, and seeing it all here and ready just makes my tummy do somersaults all over again. We have some beautiful items already, from our black and white chevron cushions, the vintage console table I purchased and the bedroom set I found on eBay for a bargain £60.00! 

As I mentioned earlier, once we are out Leo and I want a puppy. We have set our hearts on a Dalmatian. I have always thought they were beautiful dogs, and I want a dog who is up to the task to come out and keep up with my daily exercise routine. Of course Dalmatians shed 365 days a year, so I am taking this into consideration when it comes to kitting the flooring in the house out. The entirety of downstairs will be laminate to make keeping on top of the cleaning an easier feat. 

In the living room I have a gorgeous Black MatalanDirect.com Shimmer Rug at the ready, because although I love the look of laminate, soft carpet or fur underfoot provides you with a luxurious feel that can't be achieved through laminate alone. This Shimmer Rug is absolutely gorgeous, it's thick and incredibly soft. It's the kind of rug you would want laid out before a fire place in the midst of Winter, as the fire burns and you snuggle up on the rug (think Beauty and the Beast). 

The rug is 100% Polyester Pile and is long lasting and resistant to stains (Think Dalmatian stains!), this is the precise reason I opted for Black as I know that it is going to be easier to keep clean (or at least looking it) over a lighter shade. As we have opted for a creamy corner sofa, I thought the Black would break it up slightly and create a nice contrast between the two.

When we are in our own home the rug will sit before the sofa, the images you see here are in the family home (I think that they will really miss it when we move). Leo has taken to laying down on the rug and loves how it feels when he rolls around on it after he's in his PJ's and is ready for bed. 

We have the 1200 x 1500 rug and it is the perfect size for us, I adore how the sun catches it and creates a gleaming shine, it really is a gorgeous piece. 

It arrived quickly from MatalanDirect.com and I was provided with updates of it's where about's for the duration of the shipment until delivery, it really was good for peace of mind, and it meant that I could make sure I was in for the delivery. 

When I first unrolled it I got that beautiful new carpet smell, I always loved that. I can remember being walked around the carpet shops as a child with my parents, and it brings back so many memories. 

The Shimmer Rug is available in a selection of colours:

- Champagne

- Mushroom Mink

- Olive

- Mauve

- Black

A number of sizes and prices:

- 800 x 1500 £55.00

- 1200 x 1700 £99.00

- 1600 x 2300 £165.00

Over all I am really impressed with the Shimmer Rug and of course MatalanDirect.com's fantastic delivery service. I have since been back online and ordered some more things from MatalanDirect.com for the house, they had some gorgeous porcelain Take Away containers for Chips and Fries (I plan and using them with my Sweet Potato Fries!)

 I can't wait to see all of our lovely new items in our new home, I will be sharing our home improvement series here on the blog when the ball gets rolling, so keep your eyes peeled! 

Disclaimer: I was sent the Shimmer Rug for the purpose of this post. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.