Beautiful Bluestone Wales

Bluestone Wales is a luxury holiday park set in 500 acres in the lovely Pembroke countryside. Awarded and reaccredited with a five star rating from Visit Wales, a stay at Bluestone can be as relaxing or as fun and energetic as you wish.

With nearly 300 well appointed lodges, cottages and studios and a range of over 100 activities it's a holiday park suitable for all ages, families, couples and those that love the countryside.

If you love nature you will love Bluestone, the park is located around a lake where you can watch the wildlife and birds and enjoy walks around the nature trails.





Our well appointed accommodation 

We stayed in a Gateholm lodge, which had three bedrooms downstairs, an ensuite bathroom and separate shower and toilet. Upstairs is the lounge/dining room with an open plan kitchen. The lodge is deliberately set out for 'upside down living', so you get views over the beautiful valley.

As you can see from the photos above, everything was new, modern and of a very high standard. The kitchen for example includes a fridge, dishwasher, full cooker and microwave, and you could easily cook a full meal with the appliances and equipment on offer. The lounge had two comfy leather sofas as well as a TV with freeview and a DVD player.  The dining area had a large wooden table and chairs big enough to seat six. The bedrooms had one double bed in the main room and two other bedrooms with two single beds. We had a very good nights sleep and found the mattress they use excellent, not too soft or too firm.

Everything was well looked after and considering the amount of people that stay in the lodges, that is no mean feat.  



Our lodge designed for  'upside down living'. Identifying butterflies and flowers. There are many activities on offer at Bluestone.


Activities

There is an abundance of activities on offer at Bluestone. You get admittance into the Blue Lagoon with every stay and this is an under cover all weather water park featuring large flume rides, a river rapid ride and an indoor wave machine. For the little ones they have two interactive wet play areas, and for the adults a spa pool too. The Blue Lagoon is particularly brilliant for families and can provide hours of fun in the Welsh weather. 

For adults the Well Spa has a thermal spa experience, with 6 rooms including an Ice room, Hot Brick Spa and Salt Room, a pool and experienced staff to treat you with the latest ESPA treatments. Spa packages are available for an indulgent treat or you can book treatments separately. 

Other activities are almost too numerous to mention so I have listed some of them below, and this is without the lovely walks and watching the wildlife.

For the little kids
Mini rangers, Junior rangers and Celtic Rangers
Teenage adventures
Pond Dipping
Baby Sensory
Toddler Sensory
Messy Play
Soft Play
Bouncy Castle
Ball Pool
Outdoor adventure area

For the older kids and grown ups
Archery
Steep Ravine zip wire
Laser Clay
High Ropes
Laser combat
Climbing wall

For adults
The Well Spa

For everyone
Bike Hire
History walks

Dining Options

The food at Bluestone is locally sourced wherever possible and there is a wide choice of cafes and restaurants including a pub - The Knight's Tafarn. There is a bakers, a shop to buy provisions, a cafe in the adventure centre as well as one in the Well Spa and a special dining restaurant called Carreg Las. In better weather Camp Smokey provides barbecue food outdoors.



Food at The Farmhouse Grill

We ate the first night at the Farmhouse Grill. I had the turkey and ham pie with chips and my husband had the butter bean and tomato pasta. I enjoyed my food, the chips were brown and crispy and the pie generous in portion size and well seasoned. It also came with fresh salad from the salad bar and warm bread and butter, which was a lovely touch. For £8.50 I felt it was good value, considering the extras you get as well. My husband felt his pasta could have been better seasoned and when he asked for parmesan it had run out, which was a little disappointing. Although I realise it is a family friendly place, we did feel that it would be a more grown up environment if the plastic tablecloths were removed. 



You can walk or cycle around the lake and enjoy the nature trails 


My Top Tips

Bring enough essentials with you such as tea, coffee, milk, bread, juice and toiletries. You can buy food and some items in the shop, but it is small and not keenly priced.

Consider hiring a buggy if you have small children or those with mobility problems in your party. Cars have to be parked at the top of a hill after unloading and it can be a big walk for little ones.

The Knight's Tafarn pub has activities in the night, such as bands playing or pub quizzes. We were involved in a game of Deal or No Deal and won a bottle of wine!

Visit picturesque Tenby, a lovely little seaside town. Excellent places to eat include The Mooring Cafe and The Blue Ball restaurant. Narbeth is a small town within a 10 minute drive and worth visiting for lunch.

The cheapest time to go is January. Out of high season the accommodation can be very reasonable in price. This time of year you can book a mid week break for around £150 which is excellent value for money. In peak season obviously the prices increase.

If you are visiting in the Summer, Oakwood park, Wales' biggest and best theme park, is next door and this is the perfect place to stay.





Bluestone is set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside where you can feel at one with nature.

I think Bluestone Wales is a lovely place to visit, with a wide range of activities for both young and old. It is a super base to explore the Pembrokeshire countryside and myself and my husband both said we would definitely return in the near future.

Tell me, would you like to visit Bluestone Wales one day?




* I was a guest of Bluestone Wales, all words and opinions are my own

A Valentine Poem For My First Car


Me circa 1990

As Valentine's Day is just around the corner I thought about writing a love poem with a difference. A love poem for my first love, my first car.

Many years ago I bought my first car,
A lovely Ford Fiesta in which to go far.
My pride and joy in the colour of brown,
Which took me to work and around the town.
A rust bucket car, yet it was the real deal,
It gave me independence behind the wheel.
It took me out shopping, and on my first getaway,
It was hard to do 60 on the motorway! 
One cold Winter morning, there had been a snow drift,
And although it was icy I had to start an early shift.
Down the 5 mile lane, as snow fluttered by, 
I skidded on ice and started to cry.
My poor little Ford was now in a ditch,
I had to call for a tow, now isn't life a … pain! 
It was a write-off and that was the end,
Of my little Ford Fiesta, my lovely faithful friend.
Now my dream is to drive an Audi R8
A car that I have to admit that is great,
Yet I still think all the time of my bucket of rust,
That started every day, a car I could trust.
So my heart is taken my love is true,
My dear Ford Fiesta I did love you!


What was your first car and do you have fond memories of it, like me?

This is my entry into a competition with Insurance Revolution

Be My Valentine Hotel Chocolat

This time of year, I start dreaming about the mouth watering goodies I will get from my husband on Valentine's Day. Those of you who read my blog regularly may know that I am a massive fan of Hotel Chocolat, so I'm always leaving hints for my husband, with their web page open on special occasions.

What I like about Hotel Chocolat is the detail. If you order from the website for home delivery, everything is packaged beautifully. Your order is delivered in a Hotel Chocolat bag and lovingly wrapped in tissue paper with a card. It's the finishing touches that make you realise what a quality brand they have.





It's all in the detail

Then when you open the tissue, you get chocolate of an outstanding quality and creaminess, and with each chocolate you can tell great thought has gone into the flavours and the ingredients. The company are hot on ethics too, and pay farmers a fair deal for the cocoa they produce. 


Gorgeous packaging

I have been browsing the Hotel Chocolate website and I have so many favourites this Valentine's Day, I thought I would share them with my readers below.


The Valentines Goody Bag




The Valentines Goody Bag £18

This goody bag is full of yummy treats for your loved one. How could they not adore the White Chocolate and Passion Fruit Truffles or the sweet deliciousness that is the caramel sweethearts, called Nudge-Nudge, say no more? Or what about the Champagne Truffles, smooth and creamy with a hint of champagne, or the Mellow Heart slab of milk chocolate with a heart centre. The last tempting delight in the goody bag is the Valentines truffle duo, featuring a Caramel Gianduja and a Strawberry Cheesecake. 


Myself and one of blogger friends Chris, from Mummy Of 3 Diaries were gifted this goody bag and we were both impressed with the choice and variety of the chocolate inside. My favourite was the Strawberry Cheesecake, which has a white chocolate base, a layer of strawberry essence and a strawberry topping with white chocolate pieces. A really delicious chocolate. Another favourite of us both was the Champagne Truffles which were light, smooth and dreamy inside a crisp chocolate shell and a hint of champagne. Indulgence at its best. My son adored the Nudge-Nudge, caramel sweetheart chocolates, a sweet little treat. My husband enjoyed the Mellow Heart, a double slab with a heart centre as the quality of the milk chocolate was outstanding. The fruitiness of the Passion Fruit Truffles were enjoyed by all.

The Little Cheesecakes Bag




Little Cheesecakes £5

I am a big fan of chocolates that are based on desserts - they seem so decadent. These cheesecake inspired chocolates would make a lovely gift - for me! Flavours include Rhubarb & Ginger, Strawberry, Lemon and Caramel, all mixed with the luxurious flavours of mascarpone and cream. These chocolates would be perfect with coffee after a fabulous meal.


Straight From The Heart Gift Box


Straight From The Heart £39

This luxury box of chocolates would be a chocoholics dream. Containing 35 delectable nibbles, it's a gift straight from the heart. With luxury flavours such as passion fruit and champagne, this box is meant for sharing with the person you love. Or if you can't bare to share, eat them all yourself. I won't tell, honest.


The Pink Collection Gift Set




The Pink Collection £26

Most ladies I know like some bubbly now and again, and the style icon Marilyn Monroe was reputed to have taken a bath in 350 bottles of Champagne. If your partner can't afford 350 bottle of Champagne, what about The Pink Collection gift set of sparkling pink rose, champagne truffles, and a strawberries and cream Eton Mess slab. Pink is the new black darling....

So if you like the chocolates you see on my blog, and you haven't got a Valentine, maybe Hotel Chocolat can be your Valentine this Valentine's Day?





The Valentines Goody Bag

Tell me, which chocolates would you like your Valentine to buy you from Hotel Chocolat?

Valentine's Day Gifts From Toxic Fox

What do you get the man or woman that has everything for Valentines Day? Something sentimental, something lovely and romantic, or something jokey and even a touch risque? Toxic Fox has it all. 

The company started in 2011 when a group of enthusiastic friends got together to start a personalised and unique gift company. With the average age of 25, but with experience beyond their years, they struck a chord with the UK public as within 6 months they were recognised as one of the fastest growing retailers in the UK.

If you have a look at the Valentines Day Gifts you will see that they have some unique presents. This is my pick of the best ideas.
For Her


The white wine handbag

This gift bag in the shape of a handbag holds 1.5 litres of wine. With a pourer on the side it's a great idea to keep the wine fresh and it's a stylish gift too. They sent me this to try and I have to say I was impressed. The wine was pleasant, flowery, like a good Chardonnay should be and I think it would make a lovely present. I loved the shape of it too, for those fashionistas everywhere. Also available in red wine and rose, I think any female wine lover would enjoy receiving this as a gift.



The mirrored jewellery box

A really gorgeous jewellery box that can be personalised with your name and adorned with a butterfly design. I love the beaded effect along the edge of the jewellery box and the pretty design. With three compartments to store your jewellery this trinket box would look perfect on your bedside table.



The cute Me To You mug

This mug is a great gift for those couples that are still in the first throws of romance, or old softies like me! Personalised with any name or message it makes a super present and at a great price too.

For Him
The Cheeky monkey romantic hamper

If you are a sweet lover you would be delighted to receive this. A generous amount of sweets, a cute cuddly monkey toy and everything beautifully presented in a hamper. One for the boys or girls.
The Fifty Days Of Play game

A bit of a saucy gift, and who doesn't like a bit of sauce? This game would add a bit of sexy spice into most couples bedroom antics.  With 5 levels of play and 10 secret envelopes you can guarantee your inhibitions will be left at the bedroom door. 


The Grow Me Hot Stuff Gift

If you have a foodie in the house, this chilli growing gift would be very appreciated. A gift that is perfect for your the budding chef who's a 'hot stuff' in the kitchen.

If you like any of these gifts or want to see what else Toxic Fox have to offer, pop over to their website and use the code TFLove for 10% off all Valentine's Gifts.

Tell me, what do you think of these Valentine's gifts? What was the most romantic gift you ever received?


*Code can be used on all Valentines Day categories except for 3 for 2 offers

Choosing A New Cordless Home Phone

Choosing one of the many home phones out there can be a complicated business. I know when I first thought about looking for a new home phone I didn't know where to start.

Essentially you have two choices, corded and cordless. The benefits of a cordless phone over a corded phone is the easy of use and mobility without the constraints of the cord. 

With a cordless telephone you have a base unit that connects directly to the power source. A plus point is that you could have numerous handsets but only one phone line. This can be extremely useful, for example having a phone set upstairs in the bedroom as well as one in the living room and kitchen. 


This cordless telephone has many benefits and features of a mobile phone

Features I look for in a cordless phone include ease of set up and use, having a clear caller display panel, can it be used with caller ID and the number of handsets you can get. Other features that are useful are the handsfree function, the use of an in-built answer machine, and a quick charging time. I also look at the design as it is important to me for it to be aesthetically pleasing. 

Features

Ease Of Set Up And Use

With the many features some cordless phones have, I feel it is important that the instructions are clear and written in plain English. The ease of set up and use is an important consideration. If you are a technophobe you may want a simple phone without an array of state of the art features, if you love technology you may go for the most advanced phone you can afford to buy.

Caller Display Panel




Is the display panel large enough to see who is calling? Can it by used with Nuisance Call Block and Caller ID to prevent unwanted and nuisance phone calls. * requires subscription service.  Does the background contrast so that the numbers are displayed clearly? 

Handsfree Use

Does it have an in-built speaker system so it can it be used handsfree?  This can be extremely important for those who have difficulty using their hands or a disability like arthritis. 

Answer Machine



A cordless phone with an answer machine is considered almost essential today

If you do not have an answer machine already, an in-built answer machine can be incredibly useful. How does the answer machine alert the user that a message has been left?

Charging 

How long does the phone take to charge and how long does the charge last? This is particularly important if you are a heavy phone user.

Number Of Handsets



This phone is packed full of useful features, with a number of handsets and a slimline design

If you have a big family or big house, more than one handset can be particularly useful. Can you buy additional handsets at a later date if you want to?

Design

Something that is often overlooked is the design. Does it look pleasing to the eye and fit in with your sense of style?  Do you prefer a solid well built look or a more streamline design. 

Other Features

There are many other features that can be useful to the consumer. Some phones have a setting that completely eliminates radiation when the phone is on stand by mode. Other phones have an 'eco mode' that can let you lower the power consumption whilst on stand by, or a night time mode that flashes when a call is incoming.  Some cordless phones have many features of a mobile phone, such as being able to surf the net or read your emails. This can be useful if you do not want to tie yourself into a mobile contract or buy another phone, however you would need wi-fi to use the features.

As you can see there are many points to consider when buying a home cordless phone. Which features do you consider useful or essential?

* a collaborative post in conjunction with Panasonic, all words and opinions are my own

Clarins Instant Light Lip Balms Perfector Review

Clarins have a selection of makeup out for Spring / Summer called Garden Escape. 

Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector

Garden Escape is full of gorgeous colours like flowers blossoming in the Spring woods - pretty pink and soft corals in the lip colours and blushers mix with earthy browns and dark greens in the eye shadows and eye liners.

I was sent a selection of the lip balms to try. The new range of Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors are full of moisturising and nourishing ingredients such as mango and shea butter as well as Vitamin E. The Winter weather has left my lips dry and needing some TLC, so I could't wait to try them out.

What I noticed first on applying the lip balm is the sweet smell, which reminded me of being in a candy store. The lip balm tasted slightly sweet as well. On application my lips felt drenched in moisturising ingredients and completely nourished. The look was one of shine and understated glamour. Perfect for ladies who want a light colour look, a sheer veil almost, but a definite shine.

They have one shade called 'My Pink' which when applied reacts to the PH levels in your skin, giving you a bespoke pink lip balm, your very own shade. How fantastic is that!






Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm is a sheer moisturising lip balm with a hint of colour 

Another feature of this lip balm is the natural peptide it contains. Now for the science bit....what this does is encourage the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, which in turn gives lips a fuller appearance and heightens hydration.

They also sent me some Jolie Rouge Brilliant Sheer Shine Lipsticks as well.




These lipsticks look bright before applying but don't be afraid as they are transparent. They do however give more coverage than the lip balms, and I would say they are a cross between a lipstick and a gloss. They have a sweet smell similar to the lip balms above and give a hint of sweetness on your lips. The rose petal colour would be beautiful on those that have fair skin with blue eyes and blonde hair. I have dark hair and eyes and I think the colour was a little light on me. The Coral Dahlia is more the colour for me, a peachy pink delight, it suited my skin tone perfectly.  These lipsticks although not ultra long lasting left some colour on my lips for at least 4 hours. You would need to reapply throughout the day.



Bottom photo top Shade 23 Rose Petal, bottom Shade 22 Coral Dahlia 

You can find Clarins online or at any good beauty counters such as those at House of Fraser or Debenhams. 
The Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector is on sale for £18, and the Jolie Rouge Brilliant Sheer Shine Lipstick £19.

Tell me what do you think of these lip balms and lipsticks? Do you use Clarins products?

Silent Sunday - 18/01/15




Smart Home Technology

In this day and age, there are technological solutions to any problem. Technology can be integrated into your home seamlessly without you even knowing it. With state of the art technology, software and apps, your heating can be adjusted from an app, your windows can be closed from a control panel, and even your front door can be opened from your computer from the other side of the world. 




This has benefits not just to jet-setting business people but as technology comes downs in price, it is becoming affordable and within reach of people like you and me as well, and smart technology for families can really be a bit help.

Assistive and home technology can also be a life-changer for those with some form of disability. You are in charge, having greater control over things around you like turning on and off your lights, or opening doors and windows. This can be extremely reassuring for family and carers as making a phone call and turning appliances on and off can be done easily, without any hassle.

Examples Of Smart Home Technology

British Gas Hive heating allows you to control your heating at any time from anywhere. Users can do this via a mobile device, laptop and even tablet. With this great little system, you can set your timer so that your house is warm as you wake up, you have plenty of hot water when you come home from work, and the temperature in your house can be controlled easily and efficiently. If you don't have a smartphone you can even use text messages to adjust the heating.



Remote control blinds such as the VELUX Integra blinds system, allow you to open and close windows, shutters and blinds with one touch of a button. Adjusted using a control pad, it has predefined programmes such as Wake Up, Airing and On Holiday. Also available in a solar-powered version as well as mains, with no need for wiring, technology can be eco-friendly too. It even comes with a rain sensor that closes your windows when it starts raining. How nifty is that?


The SmarterKey lock system allows you to open your front door from anywhere in the world, with the electronic door lock. You communicate with the hub from a mobile phone, the Hub then uses encrypted radio signals to open your electronic door lock. You can also make a phone call or send a text message if you do not have a smartphone to open the lock. How easy is that! For larger buildings, like commercial and office settings, Advance Access have door access control solutions to ensure your building has secure access.


So as you can see there are lots of interesting ways to use technology to your advantage in your home. 

What do you think of these home technological solutions? Would you consider using these in your home?



Helping Your Child Pick The Right University And Win A £10 Amazon Voucher - Ends 31/01/15

I have a little confession to make. This week I will be mum to an eighteen year old for the first time. Yes, I know I don't look old enough!

He is an incredibly talented artist, and I am so proud of him. Last year he won the only award for art in the whole school for his GCSE coursework. Did I say I am proud of him?

He wants to work in film but on the creative side, and when I sat down with him to go through his options, studying for a degree in film making and visual effects was what he wished to do. He has just applied for degrees in this area through UCAS and before he did there were a number of things he had to consider. 

Closing date for applying this year is the 15th of January, so if you or your child or someone you know are considering going to university, this post may help you pick your right choices.

Important Factors to consider





University Of Greenwich 

The Course - Every course is different even those that sound exactly the same. There are a host of things to consider. Look at the modules, can you personalise the course? What is the calibre of the teaching staff, do they have relevant experience?  Is it a sandwich course with a year working or are there any shorter work placements? What are the job prospects at the end of the course and where are past students now working?

The University - Is it big or small? Does it have great facilities and modern state of the art equipment? What is the student life like on campus and what facilities/activities does it have or run? Is it local or further away and do you want to stay local or move away? You need to consider how would you get there, and would you live in close by or travel. You need to consider the reputation of the university and would this benefit you in finding a job at the end of the course.  You really have to find out as much as possible about the unis you could be attending

The City - Is it a big bustling city or a smaller town, and what would you prefer? Does it have easy transport links and is it accessible? Is the cost of living reasonable or more expensive? Is student accommodation easy to get, reasonable in cost and close to the university? 

The Funding - You need to consider how you are going to fund the tuition fees and living expenses. Are you going to apply for a loan from the Student Finance Centre? Can you apply for a grant that doesn't have to be paid back or a scholarship? Do you have savings you can use and are you going to supplement living expenses with a part-time job? You could consider getting a rail/bus card for a reduced fare on public transport.

These are just some of the points you need to consider and there are many more. Thorough research is essential so the course and university is the right fit for you.

The University of Greenwich 



Kiss FM presenter AJ went to the University of Greenwich to show potential students how to get under the skin of the university and what you can get up to in their faculties. Open Days and initiatives like these are brilliant to get a real feel for what a uni is like. 





Faculty Of Education & Health




Faculty Of Engineering & Science


If you are considering applying to the University of Greenwich you can find out all about it here. With world-class faculties, award-winning teaching and a focus on jobs, this cosmopolitan campus is a great choice for budding students. You can also register for an open day if you would like to find out more about the university.

Today in conjunction with the University Of Greenwich I am giving away a £10 Amazon voucher to my readers. If you are applying to University maybe you can put it towards a book you need, and, as they say - every little helps. They also have competitions running to win amazing start of term prizes, including an iPad mini.

On a final note, if you are applying for Uni this year you had better hurry up if you haven't completed your form yet as don't forget the closing date is the 15th of January, and good luck in your studies and in my competition. 

Win a £10 Amazon Voucher


Yu Healthy Snacks Review And Competition - Ends 31/01/15

Yu! are a range of healthy snacks that are perfect for this time of year and they now have some new tasty additions to the range. 



Perfect for everyone big or small, the revamped range of guilt-free treats include mini, star and heart-shaped 100% Just Fruit Chews.  These tasty snacks of dried fruit make up one of your five a day and are high in fibre with no added sugar. To me, they even taste just like little sweets - and all without the guilt.

Another item in the range is the Fruit Pieces With a Light Yogurt Coating. The apple pieces are particularly tasty, with a subtly sweet and moorish creamy taste, and these little snacks are high in fibre too.

The Yu Bars are another revelation, packed full of yummy juicy fruits and cereal in a gorgeous yoghurt-coating, these bars will stave off the hunger pangs until dinner time.

Nutritious and delicious, Yu!’s mini, heart and star-shaped Just Fruit Chews are now available in mango, raspberry and strawberry flavours, while Yu!’s Fruit Pieces with a Light Yogurt Coating are available in taste bud-tingling apple, mango, strawberry and raisin. The Yu Bars are available in strawberry, cherry and wild berry.

You can find these snacks in the home baking section of  Tesco and Sainsbury’s, and in the healthy snacking aisle in Waitrose. So if you are looking for a better snack than chocolate for yourself, or for a nutritious addition, to your kid's lunch box, consider these Yu! snacks.

Today I am giving my readers a chance to win a great selection of snacks. To enter my competition go through the Gleam application below. If you like this competition bookmark this page to enter daily.

Good Luck!

Win a Selection Of Yu Snacks

Win A £50 Voucher With Bras Galore - Ends 31/01/15

Bras Galore is a lingerie company that stock super quality underwear and swimwear from leading brands such as Freya, Fantasie, Elomi and Fauve amongst others.

The online shop is a fashion lovers delight. From pretty balconette bras to silky chemises, padded plunge bras to super soft thongs, you can guarantee there is something for everyone.



Elomi Rita Multi-way bra £40 and brief £20

One of my favourite underwear brands is Freya. This brand is always fashion led, stylish and fun. Freya use the best quality fabrics too, sourcing most from Europe and every part of each bra is thought about in detail, straps are tested, different underwires are used for each bra depending on style, and fit is never compromised. Real women test each design for fit, and each design is adjusted painstakingly until it is perfect. Freya also make a fun and flattering range of swimwear too, which is definitely worth checking out.


Freya Fifi half cup bra £31 and short £14

Elomi is another brand that caught my eye. Elomi makes underwear for ladies specifically with the fuller figure. Always supportive, and always pretty, the devil is in the detail, as they say, with embroidery, and lace popular finishing touches. How flattering is this Elomi Imogen waspie below? It holds you in, supports you, gives you a great waist and is sexy too.


Elomi Imogen Waspie £30

Are you stepping up your fitness in 2015? Well Bras Galore have a range of sportswear and activewear as well. From crop tops with wide straps for extra support, active racer style sports bras that keep sweat away from the body, full shorts, sports things and even capri pants - it is all here. 

Swimwear is covered with bikinis, swimsuits and cover alls. I love the swimskirts that they sell as they are so flattering and skim over any problem areas.

Freya Cobalt Underwired Bikini top £35 and beach skirt £29

If you are pregnant, they also have some gorgeous nursing and maternity underwear, practical as well as pretty.

So as you can see there is something for everyone on Bras Galore, and with free delivery too, and a 28 days refund or exchange service it's definitely a store that is worth checking out.

Today, on my blog, for my lovely readers, I have a competition where you could win a £50 voucher for Bras Galore. Just follow the instructions below and if you love the competition, you can always bookmark the page to come back for a daily tweet/bonus entry.


Good Luck!

Win a £50 voucher for Bras Galore


Competition ends 11:59PM 31st January 2015 

Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com - See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/%C2%A350-voucher-bras-galore#sthash.vGszbcrE.dpuf

Flanders Fields Poppy Necklace By The Royal British Legion

Jewellery doesn’t come much more unique than this elegant and stylish poppy necklace from the Royal British Legion.

This pretty necklace which has been commissioned to help commemorate the Centenary of the First World War (1914-1918).

The design of the unique and exclusive Centenary Flanders Fields Poppy Necklace is based on a 100 year old dried and flattened real poppy from Private Len Smith’s diary. Private Smith, a veteran who lived until 1974, plucked the poppy from No Man’s Land in 1915 and preserved it in his illustrated diary. Artist Stephen Allen then created a sculpture of the poppy for TMB Art Metal of London to use as the model for the necklace. 




The necklaces have been created from the solid brass artillery shell fuses found on First World War battlefields. The shells have been melted down and cast, using the traditional ‘lost wax’ method in which each and every poppy requires a wax version, into the hand sculpted poppy designs. 

Each necklace features a contrasting sterling silver backing plate on which the brass poppy is mounted upon an 18” diamond cut Belcher style silver chain. Each is engraved on their reverse with ‘1914-1918 Flanders Fields’ and is accompanied by a certificate of provenance and presented in a high quality case. 

All profits raised from the sale of the necklaces goes directly to The Royal British Legion. The Royal British Legion do incredibly valuable work in supporting the members of the British Armed Forces and their families. 


The necklace is available exclusively from The Poppy Shop and is priced at £79.99. 

As you can see the design is very pretty and I think this is a lovely way to support a charity, and perhaps wear in memory of a relative. They also do this design as a set of cufflinks which is also priced at £79.99.

What To Do In A Weekend In Berlin

Recently I was lucky enough to be swept off to Berlin for a long weekend. Berlin, the capital of Germany is a very cosmopolitan city. With a population of only 3.5 million and an area of approximately two-thirds of the size of London, the capital of German has lots to see and do and great shopping.

I am no expert on Berlin but this is my guide as a first-timer on what to do in a weekend in this fascinating capital city.

When to go





A Christmas Market In Berlin

Summer is a popular time to see the city's parks and attractions and another popular time is December to see the Christmas markets.

We went in December and can highly recommend visiting at this time of year. In the Christmas markets, stalls abound with Christmas decorations, trinkets, mulled wine and decorated gingerbread. It does get very cold at this time of year so wrap up warm. When we were there in December, temperatures went as low as -6 degrees C and it snowed one day.

The Language


English is spoken in most places in Berlin so if you only know a few words of German it should be no problem, although it's only courteous to learn a few phrases to get you by on a short trip.

Transport

As the attractions in Berlin are spread out I would recommend using the local public transport to get around. The transport system is easy to use - one ticket can be used on the U-Bahn (underground) the S-Bahn (train) and the bus and tram system. A day ticket cost 6.9 euros. If you are not a fan of the underground you will be pleased to know it is much less crowded than in London. Tickets on the underground are bought from ticket machines in English and German and you can buy a ticket for one journey or a ticket to last you all day. The machines do not take MasterCard and Visa although Maestro is taken so make sure you have Euros with you to pay as a backup.

Official Taxis are metered and prices are comparable or slightly cheaper than in London.

History

Berlin has a troubled and violent history. During World War 2 it was virtually destroyed by bombing and artillery. At this time in history, it was the centre of the Gestapo - the German secret police and Hitler spent much of his time in Berlin and had one of his many residences there. Even after the Second World War, the city was divided into East and West by the Berlin Wall. I'm not an expert in history so I have added relevant links throughout this post if you are interested in reading up more.

What To See 


Topography of Terror

This indoor and outdoor museum on the site of buildings which during the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945, was the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS. The boundary between the American and Soviet zones of occupation in Berlin ran along the street, so the street soon became a fortified boundary, and the Berlin Wall ran along the south side of the street, A sombre but worthwhile museum about Berlin from 1933 to 1945.

The Berlin Wall





A Section Of The Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was a barrier that divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989, constructed by the German Democratic Republic, that
 cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin until it was opened in November 1989. Many people tried to cross the Berlin Wall and not everyone survived. The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls which circumscribed a wide area - the "death strip" that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defences. 

The Eastern Bloc claimed that the wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" in building a socialist state in East Germany. In practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that marked East Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period.

There is an interesting free museum that explains the history of the Berlin Wall and charts the timeline, those that escaped and those that died trying to escape as well as the fall of the wall.

Checkpoint Charlie



Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was the name given by the Western Allies to the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War. Today you can have your photo taken with the 'army guards' that are employed for tourism.

Berlin Zoo

The Berlin Zoo is the oldest and best-known zoo in Germany. It is considered to be the most visited zoo in Europe and one of the most popular worldwide. With over 20,000 animals, there is a lot to see and do. It's a perfect family attraction and great for some light sightseeing.

The Brandenburg Gate



 The Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate is an 18th-century archway in Berlin, and one of the best-known landmarks of Germany. It is built on the site of a former city gate that marked the start of the road from Berlin to the town of Brandenburg an der Havel. During the post-war Partition of Germany, the gate was isolated and inaccessible immediately next to the Berlin Wall, and the area around the gate was featured most prominently in the media coverage of the opening of the wall in 1989.

Throughout its existence, the Brandenburg Gate was often a site for major historical events and is today considered a symbol of the tumultuous history of Europe and Germany, but also of European unity and peace.

Where To Eat

There are lots of cosmopolitan places to eat in Berlin with cuisine from all nationalities, and you can find many excellent places, both independent restaurants, chains, and cafes. We had gluhwein (mulled wine) and the local lager at a traditional German pub and ate from the menu of German specialities including a German version of Wiener Schnitzel.

German specialities are hearty and many are based on meat and potatoes with ingredients such as cabbage popular.
 For snacks, Bratwurst which is a German sausage is eaten at many stalls at the side of the street. Currywurst, which is a sausage with ketchup and curry powder wasn't as bad as I imagined! 




Currywurst

Le Faubourg Restaurant

This French restaurant, part of the Sofitel Berlin Kurfuerstendamm, ranks highly on TripAdvisor and is worthy of one Michelin star in my opinion. Choose from traditional or nouveau style food, and with dishes like saddle of venison with pancetta, sweet potato, brussel sprouts and mushrooms and sautéed sea bass on champagne lentils with straw potatoes, you will be in for a treat. A special occasion place, expect to pay 100-150 euros for a meal for two with wine.

Hard Rock Cafe, Berlin


Always dependable where ever you find them around the world, the Hard Rock Cafe at Kurfuerstendamm is no exception. I think you can't beat the burgers here and my son rates the rack of ribs highly. Use priority seating via the website to have first seating when you arrive and to avoid a long wait. Expect to pay 40-50 Euros for a meal for two, more if you are having alcohol.

Where To Stay

We stayed at the Sofitel Berlin Kurfuerstendamm. A lovely hotel in the west of the city with large modern rooms and a surprisingly affordable cost for a city centre hotel. Expect to pay £100 - £150 a night for a room for 2 people. I couldn't fault the hotel but as many of the sights are in the East of the city perhaps I would stay in a more central hotel next time if we visited Germany again. 
If you're wondering where to stay in Berlin, Katie from Wandertooth has a great guide here.

For more information, check out this guide on what to do with 72 hours in Berlin.  


So this is a guide on what to do and see in a weekend in Berlin, as I said I am not an expert.  Tell me, have you been to Berlin? Do you have any recommendations on what to do and see?