A LITTLE BIT OF ME-TIME (a kenco/belvita shoppertunity)

'We need someone to buy Kenco coffee and Belvita biccies, drink and eat them, chill out while you're doing it, and tell us all about it,' the message read (or words kind of to that effect). 

'You had me at coffee...' I replied. 

Being a working Mum of two, means there's very little me-time left over at the end of the day. So the chance to take part in this Collective Bias shopping project was heaven sent. An excuse to take an hour out, and relax, without feeling guilty?! Yes please!

Lil Sis and I toodled to our nearest Tesco, and into the coffee aisle, where we were met with this dazzling array...

My first decision was... what type of Kenco coffee did I want..? 

There was instant, pre-mixed cappuccino, and the fancy new Millicano blend, which stood out from the rest with its silver and red packaging (top L). 

I'd seen the ads on telly, where they claimed it tasted just like café blends, so this was the one for me. Since the girls were born, I've had more coffee running through my veins than red blood cells. I love it, but I need it too: that little caffeine kick in the morning really jump-starts my day. 

Next it was biccie time! I'm pretty bad at remembering breakfast. By the time I drag myself, then the girls, out of bed, and get them fed, watered and dressed, there's barely enough time to rush out the door, let alone eat. 

Chomping on a biscuit though, I could definitely manage. 

We found them easily enough: smack dab at eye level, and standing out with their sunny yellow packaging. Then it was home, to try out our goodies...

I was impressed with the Millicano coffee - it really did taste more like a café blend than an instant. The Belvita biccies were delish too, and, even better, I could take them with me in the car when I drop Big Sis off at school. Brekkie-to-go! 

So, back to my little bit of me-time; it actually felt really strange to sit down and open a magazine without simultaneously answering emails, checking phone messages, and generally running around keeping everyone else happy. But it was a feeling I could definitely get used to!

Here's the photographic proof that I actually had some time to myself... 

I'll keep this, so I can look back and remember that precious hour, and how darn good it felt. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get another hour to myself, some day soon. 

Until then, I'll settle for another cup of coffee. Flick the kettle on will you?

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SILENT SUNDAY (19 may)

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WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO THE WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL

The arrival of children usually signals the departure of partying. But what if you could actually combine the two?!

The WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL is held at Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire, from 31^st May to 2^nd June, is arguably Britain’s best and original family festival, with an extensive and exciting children's program. 

Much more than just a music festival, Wychwood has something for everyone: from performances by Soul II Soul and Toploader, to appearances by Mr Bloom and a dedicated children’s Literature Festival.

And if that's not enough, additional attractions include arts and drama workshops, a mega slide, paint balling, and zorbing. Literally something for everyone!

Sounds pretty cool, right? So... what would you say to a family ticket for the full weekend (Friday, 31 May - Sunday, 2 June) FREE?!

Follow the Rafflecopter prompts, and you and your family could be heading to Wychwood Festival (please ensure you're available on those dates, and able to travel to Cheltenham Racecourse, should you be lucky enough to win). 

Get entering, and good luck! xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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BLOW YOUR OWN BLOG-HORN (17 may)

It's that time again, time to:

'BLOW YOUR OWN BLOG-HORN' 

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For those of you not yet familiar with the concept, simply write your regular post, or flag up an old favourite, then enter your URL details with Mr Linky below, and he'll do the rest of the work.

Follow me and on Twitter @Jax2000, if you feel so inclined (you don't have to, but if you do you'll receive the weekly BYOB reminders) and share the love by visiting the other entries on the list. If you like what you see, subscribe or follow them too, or pop them in your reader. 

If you comment on anyone's blog, remember to let them know who you are, and how you found them. Tell your friends about it too, and encourage them to join in.

If you spot my tweets, RT them to all your Tweet Peeps, so we get lots of lovely new readers for all our blogs. The list starts fresh every week (usually Friday morning but don't hate me if I'm tardy...) and the idea is to come back again and again to relist your details.

There are absolutely no limits to the number of times you can 'Blow Your Own Blog-Horn'. In fact I hope to see you all every single week.

You don't have to comment every time (even though it tells you too). If you want to include a brief description of your blog, or your chosen post, in the comment section instead, please feel free!!

Right, enough dilly-dallying...

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TASTE TEST (walkers hoops and crosses review)

Ooh, look! A Monkey has arrived for the Monkeys...

Hmmm. I'm not sure about these Mummy, I'm very particular about what I eat...

What the heck - I'll give them a try!

Here goes nothing...

A quick sniff, then a tentative lick, then the taste test...

I like them Mummy, I like them!!

We were trying the brand-new Walkers Hoops and Crosses: corn snacks that are baked from multi-grain, and contain no artificial flavours or preservatives. 

They contain 30 percent less fat than traditional crisps (just 85 calories) and no MSG, making them a healthier snack alternative. 

Lil Sis enjoyed the roast beef flavour but, because the flavours were quite intense, a small bowl was plenty for her. Daddy, however, had no trouble polishing off the rest of them, and has requested some for his lunchbox!

(PS: They also come in prawn cocktail, and salt & vinegar flavours - all are suitable for vegetarians.)

• this is a Sponsored Post; the Hoops and Cross were provided for the purpose of review

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BLOW YOUR OWN BLOG-HORN (10 may)

______________________________________________________

LIKE MUMMY'S LITTLE MONKEY?

VOTE FOR ME IN THE BIBS! (CLICK BOXES TO THE RIGHT)

______________________________________________________

It's that time again, time to:

'BLOW YOUR OWN BLOG-HORN' 

Tweet

For those of you not yet familiar with the concept, simply write your regular post, or flag up an old favourite, then enter your URL details with Mr Linky below, and he'll do the rest of the work.

Follow me and on Twitter @Jax2000, if you feel so inclined (you don't have to, but if you do you'll receive the weekly BYOB reminders) and share the love by visiting the other entries on the list. If you like what you see, subscribe or follow them too, or pop them in your reader. 

If you comment on anyone's blog, remember to let them know who you are, and how you found them. Tell your friends about it too, and encourage them to join in.

If you spot my tweets, RT them to all your Tweet Peeps, so we get lots of lovely new readers for all our blogs. The list starts fresh every week (usually Friday morning but don't hate me if I'm tardy...) and the idea is to come back again and again to relist your details.

There are absolutely no limits to the number of times you can 'Blow Your Own Blog-Horn'. In fact I hope to see you all every single week.

You don't have to comment every time (even though it tells you too). If you want to include a brief description of your blog, or your chosen post, in the comment section instead, please feel free!!

Right, enough dilly-dallying...

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CAREX LIVE LIFE HANDS ON AWARDS (win £500 red letter day vouchers)

Hands. We take them for granted, but they're pretty important. Without them, how would we pick up stray Lego pieces, and wipe little bottoms, and launch tickle attacks?!

See? Important. 

The folks at Carex don't take hands for granted. Au contraire; they're celebrating all the hard work they do. In fact, to commemorate their 20th birthday, they want to find out exactly what your hands get up to. 

Document a day in the life of your digits. You can use photos, video, diary entries, drawings... it's up to you! 

Enter the CAREX LIVE LIFE HANDS ON AWARDS and you could win one of 20 Red Letter Day vouchers, each worth £500! Use them to buy anything from a luxury spa trip, to an adrenalin-filled adventure weekend, to a family break with the kids. 

The competition is open to everyone; from busy mums to landscape gardeners, lollipop ladies to office workers. 

So get 'Hands On', and appreciate your appendages. Good luck!! xx

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