Tweet

Best quote of the year : "Dont be the person who could juggle but just didnt have the balls"

Last year I decided that rather than start a list of New Years Resolutions, that would probably be broken by the second week in January, I would do a reverse list of all the things I have achieved in the last 12 months.  2011 was an amazing year and it made me realise that I dont need a list to aspire to but I just need to aspire to be the best I can be, whether that is mum, daughter, friend, business associate (or indeed juggler).

So on reflection, here are my reverse resolutions for 2012. 

1. I was nominated and subsequently named one fo the Top 100 Mumpreneurs by the national network, Mumsclub.

2. The Lilypad Blog was nominated and a finalist in the first Women Inspiring Women awards.

3. The Lilypad Blog has developed its own identity this year and has been a great platform to work with amazing brands like Fisher Price, Plum Baby and Groupon.

4. I have been able to give both daughters a new life skill through swimming. The eldest can now swim competently and the little one is enjoying the water with Water Babies classes. As you can imagine, bath time is hugely amusing in our house with neither of them being afraid of being splashed and dunked!

5. My love of blogging and addiction to social media has resulted in new opportunities and the start of some exciting new working partnerships.

 

The start of the year was a haze of breastfeeding and nappies, so I was probably wasnt focused enough to make any achievable resolutions but on reflection, the girl did good!

Watch out 2013, I have the balls and I am ready for some juggling!

Tweet

Once upon a time, Christmas Day involved a mixture of a house full of people, a heaving fridge of food, a regimented timeframe, extensive menu, more than a few splashes of alcohol and a sprinkling of determination that everyone WOULD enjoy themselves. Fast forward ten years and 2012 has been a much more relaxed affair.

Twelve months ago my eldest daughter was unwell, so unwell that we spent alot of the Christmas period in and out of hospital, so I wasn't feeling particularly festive or in any mood to celebrate. Presents were opened without enthusiasm and socialising was kept to a minimum, which was most unlike me - on both counts.

So this year was about what we wanted to do. This isnt always the popular choice, especially as it is the most selfish one but I wanted Christmas to be about us. Not about catering for the masses, not about designing elaborate table decorations, not thinking about anyone else except my little family. I have a beautiful family and I am fortunate to have an amazing extended family, the kind that do actually like to all get together at Christmas, so me even suggesting that I didnt want to do that, was met with some surprise. Christmas is about family but this year I wanted it just about us.

So that is what we did, although the 4.30am wake up was more what the 7 year old wanted, rather than me but the wrapping paper was flying, squeals of delight at toys and gifts off her Christmas list (again the 7 year old, not me) and momentarily reflecting on last year, made me realise how lucky I am to have two beautiful healthy children, a gorgeous man, a fabulous family and food in our tummies. The food may not have reached the table for the previously mentioned regimented timescale and I "may" have forgotten the obligatory sprouts but it was the Christmas dinner we wanted and I wouldnt have had it any other way. 

We all know the song "All I want for Christmas is yooooooooou" and if I am honest, I have everything I need. I have a gorgeous family, fabulous friends, a lovely home, food in my tummy and clothes on my back (and a few pairs of rocking heels), so I shouldn't want for anything, BUT when I got invited to look around the Achica website, I couldnt help but feel that there maybe, just maybe, a few things that could be added to my last minute Christmas list!

I was introduced to Achica as "the leading members-only luxury lifestyle store, offering desirable brands at great prices". I like the fact that its free to join ACHICA and, as a member, you can get your hands on luxurious items for your home, garden and lifestyle every day of the week. So if Santa is reading this, here is mu Christmas wish list ....

1. A Candlelit Christmas - This is an entire range of candles and room diffusers to fragrance your home with gorgeous scents such as Sandlewood and Vanilla to Bergamot and Rosemary. I would be quite happy to receive anything from this range!!

2. Galleria Gerbra Umbrella - when I went back to pushing a pushchair, my umbrella seemed to get relegated as I couldnt push and hold an umbrella at the same time but now the little one is toddling, I would just love a new one and given my love of flowers, this Gerbra one is just perfect at £14.50.

3. I love decorating my tree and each year add to my decoration collection, so would love to have some of these Widmanns Set of 6 Hanging Glass 8cm Balls, Shiny Gold would be a perfect addition!

4. CS-Solingen Solingen 24 piece cutlery set. We have ever cutlery, obviously, and we have a canteen of cutlery for special occasions but our "every" day pieces dont seem to match (how does that even happen??) But in this set, each piece is made of high quality 18/10 stainless steel with a stylish mirror finish .... perfect to eat the culinary cuisine I rustle up on a daily (ahem) basis.

 

5. Now if I was going to be really indulgent I would ask for the 9 pc stainless steel pan set. Its RRP is £450.00 but Achica have in on their site for £120.00, so it would be rude to leave it. I have just realised that I selected kitchen utensils in my Christmas Wish List!! Does this mean I have turned into my mother?

Now Santa, (or indeed any of your happy helpers) if you really are reading this, I have been a very good girl (for most of ) this year and I hope I may have given you a "few" last minute Christmas ideas!!

 

Disclaimer: In return for this blog post, Achica kindly offered a £50 voucher to spend on their site. The comments contained within this blog are our honest opinion on the products