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

 

Tweet

Are you fed up of the X Factor race for Christmas Number One? Well Ladbrokes have just announced that two unknown school children from Oxfordshire are now in the chart battle for the coveted Christmas Number One Spot with odds of 10/1 with their charity single ‘Dare Make A Wish’. 400 other children also from the Oxford area came together to record the song, with the two youngsters, which will see all proceeds being donated to the Dyslexia Action charity.

Francesca Longrigg, writer and creator of The Land of Sometimes CD from which the single is taken from has said

“This single is by children for children. In the music industry particularly with the likes of X Factor and Novelty singles competing for the top spot we wanted to remember what the heart of Christmas is all about – the children and give them a chance to shine and have their special moment.”

Ladbrokes have put the children in front of the likes of Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud and Olly Murs with only the X Factor's James Arthur and the Hillsborough charity single in front of them.

Background Info

Auditions have taken place in Banbury over the last few months to search for two children to play the lead vocals for a Christmas single called ‘Dare Make a Wish’, which is set for release on the 9^th December.

The Land of Sometimes are joining forces with the charity Dyslexia Action to release the charity single, which will be a version of one of the album tracks ‘Dare Make A Wish’.

The proceeds will go to the charity ‘Dyslexia Action’, the biggest dyslexia charity in the UK. We believe in the tremendous power of music in helping to transform learning difficulties, and indeed the Land of sometimes very own Isadora, who plays Elise on the album, who felt that her involvement in recording The Land Of Sometimes boosted her confidence and helped her overcome learning difficulties from her dyslexia enormously. Libby Griffiths who will sing the lead part of Elise is also Dyslexic, which the panel had no idea of until after she had won the part!

“Dyslexia Action are so grateful for being the partner charity of the single made by all at the ‘Land of Sometimes’. We are very keen to have enthusiastic fundraisers such as LOS on this team, supporting the charity. It is both such a lovely and unique idea and we are glad to be a part of it. The money raised from this single will be used to help change many lives and help to break down the barriers in education that those living with dyslexia face. On behalf of Dyslexia Action, I’d like to thank all those involved in making this wonderful piece of music and to all those who purchase it and therefore support this very worthy cause”

Danielle Perrin, Supporter Relationship Team

Go and download it NOW ..... click HERE 

Tweet

Regular blog readers may remember we were treated to a "Pamper Package" at the Village Hotel, Coventry quite recently and whilst we had a fabulous time, I had a niggling guilt that we hadn't shared this with the children, so were delighted when we were asked back to try out their "Splosh & Nosh" package.

The main premise of the package is a family day pass to the leisure club and a meal for 4 - all for £39.99* (Saving at least 40% on the usual prices). The Splosh ‘n’ Nosh deal is only available up until Christmas and is a great family day out.

Both of my girls go to swimming lessons, one at a local shool and the baby with Water Babies but I rarely get the chance to get in the water with them. I loved that my eldest was excited to show us how well she can swim and it was lovely that the little one was happy bobbing around in the water. This is a far cry from them both clinging onto my neck when they were tiny.

The pool was lovely and warm and not too deep, so I wasn't concerned about them getting cold or where in the pool we were and it was only when I looked up at the clock, I realised we had been in the pool for nearly an hour. We had been having too much fun! So I went back to the family changing rooms (which were great) and eventually we managed to get the big one out of the water and all went to the Victory Pub for something to eat.

We had definately worked up an appetite and were genuinely surprised that we weren't given a specific menu, we were able to choose a meal from the main menu and the food, as we found last time, was delicious. My eldest daughter said before we even got there that she wanted prawns for lunch, so she was thrilled to get the biggest prawn cocktail she has ever seen!!

This is the second time we have been to the Village Hotel, Coventry now and I genuinely can't sing their praises highly enough. We were asked to review the Splosh & Nosh package and as a fun and food loving family, it was perfect for us. It is a great way to spend an afternoon all together ..... and much warmer than traipsing round Christmas shops!!

*T&Cs apply

Offer is for 2 adults and 2 children up to the age of 14

Adults have access to all leisure club facilities

Children have access to the pool only and must be supervised at all times

Victory Menu is subject to change. Drinks not included