20/09/2024 - Travelling as a single parent can often feel like a monumental task. Between juggling the logistics, managing expectations, and ensuring your kids stay entertained throughout the trip, it’s no wonder many single parents shy away from planning a holiday. However, with some thoughtful preparation and the right choices, you can have a memorable, stress-free holiday that both you and your kids will enjoy. One brilliant option that makes travel easy is a cruise—where all the hard work is done for you. Here’s how you can plan the ultimate single parent holiday, with minimum stress and maximum fun. Acknowledge the Challenges The Balancing Act First and foremost, it’s important to acknowledge the unique challenges that come with planning a holiday as a single parent. You’re not just responsible for packing the bags and booking the tickets—you’re also expected to entertain, mediate sibling squabbles, and handle any travel hiccups that come your way. Essentially, you’re wearing two Collapse

07/08/2024 -   It’s been a wet summer and wasps have suffered the consequences. But come the first week of August, wasps will be out in force. Dendron Brands, UK distributers of Anthisan, the no.1 bite and sting cream, consistently see a significant increase in demand on this day every year and they are urging people to make a beeline for the product. “It’s a curious thing but every year without fail, wasps seem to be most active around the beginning of August and we always see a spike in sales of Anthisan in response to an increase in stings,” says Andy Gill, Head of Consumer Health for Dendron Brands. “Anthisan provides relief from the bites and stings of many insects including bees and mosquitoes and even nettle rash but wasps definitely steal the show around August.” Ellen Fitzgibbons from Wade Environmental, experts in pest management, throws some light on wasp activity in August. She says, “Towards the end of July, wasp nests start to die off along with the food supplies within the Collapse

11/07/2024 - Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a delectable journey through the whimsical world of Japanese snacks, courtesy of the fabulous TokyoTreat! As a self-proclaimed snack aficionado, I’m always on the lookout for the next big thing in the munchies department. So, when I stumbled upon TokyoTreat, a subscription box service that delivers authentic Japanese snacks right to your doorstep, I knew I had to give it a try. Spoiler alert: It did not disappoint. First of all, let’s talk about the sheer excitement of receiving a package from the other side of the globe. It’s like a mini Christmas morning every month! The box itself is a vibrant orange, covered in cute graphics that scream “open me immediately.” And who am I to resist? Inside, I found a treasure trove of Japanese candy that made my inner child do cartwheels. From the quirky and colourful to the downright bizarre, each piece was a delightful adventure. There were candies that fizzed, candies that popped, and candies Collapse

01/07/2024 - We’ve all heard the saying, “money can’t buy happiness,” but when it comes to managing debt, a bit of financial relief can certainly bring peace of mind. Many people find themselves overwhelmed by mounting bills, unsure of where to turn. For those feeling the weight of financial stress, Debt Management Plans (DMPs) can offer a lifeline. A recent blog post on MoneyPlus Advice, titled The Success of Debt Management Plans, delves into the benefits of DMPs and how they can help individuals regain control over their finances. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to understand how to navigate their way out of debt. Debt Management Plans are agreements between you and your creditors to pay off your debts at a more manageable rate. Unlike a loan, a DMP doesn’t involve borrowing more money. Instead, it allows you to restructure your payments, making them more affordable and providing much-needed breathing space. The MoneyPlus Advice article highlights several key advantages of DMPs. One of the Collapse

19/06/2024 - That sounds like a pretty depressing title but I promise you this isn’t a ‘what’s the point when we’re all going to die anyway’ kind of post. Not really anyway. Although sort of. I was inspired to write it by Oliver Burkeman’s latest email newsletter, titled ‘Maybe it doesn’t matter’. He talks about driving one of his children to a sports club and that horrible tightening he feels around his neck and shoulders when he realises they are running late and how he balances this with the idea of it ultimately not mattering whether they are on time or not. I can relate. I know that tension well – being late for something is one of the only things that really triggers it – and yet I also relate hard to the notion of it not being important. I used to think ‘At least…’ was my most overused expression. I’ve been driving my children mad for years by my incessant use of the line ‘at least you’re Collapse

05/05/2024 - The Roomba i3+ robot vacuum was a gift from iRobot. All views my own. One of the only times I lament being single is when I’m doing boring household chores like vacuuming or putting out the bins. It’s because in my mind a husband would be someone with whom I could share housework equally, someone who would say ‘I noticed the kitchen floor needed a clean so be careful in case it’s still wet’ and ‘don’t be silly, put your feet up, I’ll take the cats for their vaccinations, I already made the appointment.’ And then I laugh cynically to myself because I remember that actually being in a relationship wouldn’t be like that at all. Being in a relationship, in my experience at least, involves waiting weeks for your partner to vaguely LOOK in the direction of the kitchen floor, seething quietly with resentment, and then doing it yourself, loudly, to make a point. Much better just to get a robot vacuum, do away with the bitterness AND Collapse

24/03/2024 - In the ever-evolving landscape of audio entertainment, finding a device that seamlessly blends modernity with timeless charm can be akin to discovering a hidden gem. Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in a strange no man’s lands, caught between longing for the Good Old Days of recording the Top 40 off the radio onto cassette and trying to figure out how to get The Archers omnibus to play via Alexa. Neither feel right for me. Enter the Majority Homerton 2 Bluetooth Internet Radio, DAB+ Radio & CD Player Music System, a harmonious fusion of versatility and nostalgia that promises to elevate your auditory experience to new heights. From the moment you unbox this musical marvel, you’re greeted with a sense of anticipation. The sleek design, with its clean lines and compact form factor, immediately hints at the sophistication within. It’s a device that effortlessly complements any living space, whether adorning a bedside table or taking pride of place in a cosy Collapse

12/02/2024 - On our recent trip to Copenhagen we stayed about ten minutes walk away from the Botanical Gardens. As the gardens open at 8.30am, it was the perfect opportunity for me to have an explore while Belle was still asleep back at the hotel. There was barely anyone in the gardens but me and I got to see a red squirrel – one of the highlights of my trip! Here are just a few reasons why the Botanical Gardens in Copenhagen are special. A Historical Tapestry As you step through the gates of the Botanical Gardens, you are immediately embraced by a rich tapestry of history. Established in 1600, the gardens boast a legacy that spans centuries. Originally founded for the University of Copenhagen’s medical students, the gardens have evolved into a treasure trove of botanical wonders. The historical glasshouses, including the Palm House and the Butterfly House, stand as majestic monuments to the past, housing an impressive array of exotic flora. Horticultural Diversity One of the most Collapse

11/12/2023 - Advertisement feature in association with Land’s End As of this week I have officially achieved a lifelong ambition. I now own a gilet. Okay, I get that this might not seem like a terribly lofty ambition, and you might wonder why I’ve never just bought a gilet, and honestly I can’t answer that. Suffice it to say that I now have one – a stylish emerald green number from the Land’s End women’s gilet range – and it is everything I ever dreamed of. I wore it on its first outing on Saturday to Greenway – Agatha Christie’s holiday home near Torquay – which is now owned by the National Trust. I wanted to do their Christmas wreath trail around the gardens, see the house festooned in Christmas decorations and of course, walk to the boathouse and solve a murder. ‘Do I look rich?’ I asked as I put on my gilet in the car park. My children raised their eyebrows sceptically. It became apparent as soon as we started walking Collapse