Have you tried Photobox?

Like any parent, I love taking photo’s. I’m in the process of searching for my perfect camera and hoping Santa will be good to me this year. Thing is though, I’m guilty like many of taking pictures, putting them on my PC and then that’s it. Other than sticking some on Facebook to share with family and friends, and emailing them to others, I rarely “do” anything with them. The thing is though, there is so much you can do with them, so when I was approached by the people over at www.photobox.co.uk I jumped at the chance to try out their service.

Opening an account with them is as easy as joining any other internet site, just input your details and your away. On joining, you get 40 free prints automatically which is incentive in itself, but the wide variety of products available is amazing. Of course, you have to upload your pictures to use them, but that is straight forward and easy and once done you can start to play around to make gifts, enlargements and photo books to name just a few things.

After my week away in Scotland with the girls recently I decided to make a photo book of our trip. The guideline is to set aside 30 minutes to design the book and depending on which book you choose, the number of pictures varies too. Small books start from just £5.99, up to large books at £45.99 and lots of options in-between. There are themes to chose from and the design element is as easy as drag and drop into the spaces marked out. You can also add pictures to different areas of each page and resize if you want to really put your own stamp on the design. It really was as simple as that! I opted for a Square Hard backed 30 page book and it took me around the estimated 30 minute mark to put it together. It really was so simple and enjoying to do. Then after placing the order it was just a case of sitting back and waiting for it to arrive.

It took a week for my order to be ready for dispatch and arrived just 2 days later, so if you are buying for a gift I would say allow 2 weeks to be on the safe side. When it arrived I was very impressed with the quality and B loved looking through it too! When you take into account the cost of prints, a photo album and the time it takes to sort all that out, these books really are no more expensive and look so professional. I have already decided that I will be putting one together for Christmas and probably for each of the girls birthdays in future as well as other occasions such as holidays. They are also a brilliant idea for presents for the family.

Thing is though, there are so many other options too, I decided to order the fridge magnets too, just to see what they are like! I was so impressed that neither have gone on my fridge, one went to my mum for her birthday and the other to my Grandma as a house warming gift. I’ll definitely be buying them again!

There is only one problem though, after my great experience with Photobox, I am spoilt for choice as to what to buy next!! They do regularly have special offers on different products though, and with their refer a friend scheme you can get plenty more free prints just by letting others know about the service!

So here’s to many more great photo experiences with Photobox, and hopefully taken with my new camera that Santa brings!!

The Diet Continues

So I’ve been doing Weight Watchers for about 8 weeks now and things are going really well. I’ve lost something most weeks, only 1 week I stayed the same and my total weight loss to date is now 17lb. My aim is to lose in total 5 stone, so I am just over a 5th of the way there! Thing is though, after losing over a stone, I thought I would have noticed a difference in  myself!!!

I went shopping for new jeans the other week and still had to buy the same size, even though now I have worn them a few times they are too lose, the next size down wouldn’t even do up! So where have I lost this weight from? Ok so I should have done my measurements too and then I would know I suppose! I have definitely lost off my wrist because my watch is now on the next hole, and my tops feel more comfortable as my midriff shrinks, so I suppose going on that, I can tell a difference I just wish it was more noticeable!!!

Anyway, things are going swimmingly and I am getting used to the whole points system, but next week it’s all change. Weight Watchers are introducing the ProPoints Plan. The principle is still the same, you have a points allowance worked out from various factors and all food has a points value, so you can eat anything you like as long as it fits in your points allowance. I’ve just got used to what the points values are for the foods I eat most and now I have to get used to a whole new plan!!! Let’s think positive though, this could be a boost to my weight loss, because I am so used to the points values now, maybe a new system will help me work out my points better. It’s all guessing at the moment though as the new plan isn’t released until next week so until then anything could happen!!!

I’ll keep you posted on how the change goes, and I’m aiming to have lost 2 stone by Christmas, so 11lb in 6 weeks to go!!!

FurReal Snuggimals – Toy Review

So cute and small, you’ll want to adopt them all! FurReal Friends Snuggimals palm-sized pets are a handful of fun. Pet the adorable Snuggimals puppies on their backs and they’ll move their heads and wag their tails, ready for playtime! Snuggimals kitties love to have their tummies rubbed, and furry Snuggimals bunnies are comfiest when they cuddle into your palm. Stroke it’s back and watch the cute Snuggimals seal wiggle about in your hand. You can choose from more than 20 different Snuggimals pets, but it’s more fun with more than one!

These make ideal stocking fillers for the upcoming festivities, or even, at and RRP of £7.99, just as a treat for having a good week. The idea is simple enough, little furry animals which fit in your hand and when you stroke them they make noises. The recommended age for these is 4+ and when I asked B if she wanted to try them out she said she would love to. B is 7 though, and was a little disappointed that they didn’t do as much as she had expected them to do! However, H loved them and keeps stroking and talking to them as if they are real animals!! Now I personally would buy these for H even though she is only 2, but that’s got to be the parents choice and as such I wouldn’t buy them for friends children unless I knew they would be ok with it! I have to say though, they are very cute and soft and I can’t fault them at all for quality. Ideal for little girls who love animals!!

Upsy Daisy Tea Party – Toy Review

I was recently contacted about reviewing some toys that have recently hit the market and one of them was the Upsy Daisy Tea Party. Now anyone with preschoolers will know that In The Night Garden is one of those kids programs that is addictive for the little ones! H has loads of Night Garden toys and absolutely loved this one.

When it arrived H wanted it out straight away, no surprise there!!! In the set was Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, a head band for Upsy Daisy, 2 cups, saucers and spoons, and a tea pot. Igglepiggle’s blanket is removable and can be used as their picnic blanket too.

Now one thing that bugs me with kids toys is the amount of packaging, but this really impressed me! Both figures were secured into place using ribbon which could be cut without damaging the toys, and the other bits popped out with ease. Although lots of ties are used to keep the bits in place in the box, it took a minute to get this little lot out and for me that’s a major plus with a two year old yelling for the bits!

H was really impressed and has had this toy out loads ever since we got it. She loves to feed Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, oh and me too! She is the typical kind of two year old who loves role play, be it in her kitchen or with her pushchair and doll, so this was right up her street and compliments the other food toys she has. The other good bit is that both figures are soft and cuddly so when H said she wanted this Igglepiggle to go to bed with rather than her other one, I had no hesitation in letting her.

Aimed at age 2 and over, at an RRP of £29.99 this is an ideal Christmas present idea, and I would have no hesitation in buying this for my own or for friends children. For kids who love the whole role play side of things, this is great and the fact it includes characters that our kids know and love just makes it even better!