This day I love.......: Bedding

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You may have seen on my Instagram feed that my youngest had a rather nasty accident. Without going into the gory details we have another follow up appointment next week to check again for any permanent damage, as when we first went there was too much swelling. She still has no feeling in her top teeth and has to avoid food of extreme temperatures, and we won't know until she looses her baby teeth what, if any, damage has been done to her adult teeth. In a bid to cheer her up she has had a few new treats, I know Christmas is coming but when your daughter has a very nasty accident you have to do something to take their mind away from the pain, try and pick them back up again and let them know how proud you are of them for their bravery.

The day after her accident I put on brand new bedding for her that I had been sent from Character World. Both girls are desperate to watch the Trolls movie but even though they have not seen the film they have picked up on the troll hype. My youngest loved the bright purple and pink colours and the troll design.

Normally the girls share bedding, but given this is a polyester blend my eldest daughter is unable to use it as it would trigger her eczema so it is just for my youngest. She loves that she has her very own character bedding, and that she does not have to share it.

I have tried to get a few photos of her in the bed at night but they turn out really blurry and you cannot see the bedding, so my apologies for that. Her face when she walked through the door to see the new bedding was amazing, she was so surprised and it really helped to cheer her up.

We have also been having lots of cuddles on the sofa and watching films together. I think some times when you feel a bit ill watching a film helps you to take your mind off the pain and you can loose yourself in your imagination. My youngest has been choosing the films and one she has been going back to is the BFG.

As a child I remember two books and films that scared me one was the witches and the other was the BFG, so when the BFG was released recently in the cinema I decided not to take the girls and instead wait for the DVD so I could assess how scary it was. The story follows Sophie, an orphan, who accidentally sees a large clocked figure in the night. The large figure is the BFG, Big Friendly Giant, who takes her away to Giant Country. The concept of giants taking children from their bedroom window always scared me and it was this I wanted to check to see how it had been done.

Like my youngest I fell in love with the film, it is such a beautiful rendition of the BFG and not scary at all. Neither girl has been scared by it and they both ask to watch it. They even mention is in one of my Vlogmas videos. The film stays true to the book and follows the story as I remember it. I have to say I wish the film had been done this way in my childhood, I would have wanted to watch it a whole lot more!

Watching the BFG, cuddling and her new bedding seems to have cheered her up! I just hope the appointment goes well next week, fingers crossed.

The bedding and BFG DVD was sent for review, all words are my own opinion

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It really begins to feel like Christmas when you start decorating your home. Bringing the decorations in or buying the tree, it all begins to set the tone for the festive season. In addition new items for the home seem to bring in a new lease of life to your house and sets new goals for the year ahead.

1. Cuisine Companion from Tefal

The Cuisine companion is at the top of my wish list, and top of a must have item for the kitchen. It cuts, prepares and cooks impressive recipes at the touch of a button - all without taking up valuable kitchen space. Every Cuisine Companion comes with a ‘1 Million Menus’ recipe book, providing inspiration for every course from ratatouille and risotto to sauces and soufflés. Thanks to its five detachable accessories, the Cuisine Companion can essentially replace up to ten traditional kitchen appliances leaving you with enough space to serve up all of your Christmas meals, and its smart control panel comes equipped with six automatic functions. This product can chop, emulsify, whip, crush, melt, beat, knead, mix, steam, slow cook and even prove dough. It is like Santa’s little helper in your kitchen

2. Get Creative

I left the B&Q press show feeling incredibly inspired. I would never have thought of making either decorations for the home, or as gifts. Yet you can make some amazing things which look incredible and are fairly easy to do. I love this sign that is created using wood and fairy lights. Really simple but looks impressive. The idea could be taken to make any saying you wanted and would make both a great gift for the home and as a decoration.

3. New Bedding

The sensation of climbing into your own bed with fresh, clean new bedding is amazing. A good nights sleep ready to face Christmas morning and the very excited kids is certainly needed. Dunelm Mill offer a gorgeous range of home furnishings set within very distinct themes, Frosted Pines, Christmas Cabins and Vintage Christmas. New Bedding also makes a wonderful gift as it is something which lasts the whole year, and can add a new feel to a bedroom

4. Copper Kitchen range

The new copper kitchen range from Wilkinson would not only make a perfect gift but would also be perfect to cook Christmas dinner from. The range has everything from Kettles and toasters to plates and fruit bowls. Something for those who want to replace everything and for others who want a few key pieces.

5. Paperchase

Paperchase seem to have something for everyone this Christmas. Everything from the traditional and glass baubles to the more modern, bright and funky and even novelty items. There are some perfect gifts for stocking fillers, and much larger gifts. Perfect for getting the house ready for the festive season

6. A little bit of fun

Sass & Belle add a little bit of fun into every home, they have everything from elegant copper bowls to the more modern fun slogan cushions. Lovers of flamingos and cactus will adore their new ranges. Perfect gifts to suit all budgets.

7. Be unique

Our home is filled with books, we simply love to read. Our children have a huge passion for reading too and we love receiving books as gifts. The gift of reading is one which is cherished for years to come, and perhaps one for all book or story lovers out there is a unique gift from Spineless classics. This is when a book is no longer a book, but is still a story. Each piece features the full story carefully written in a unique pattern in which to replicate part of the book it is from. Featuring classics from Roald Dahl, and Beatrix Potter along with many others, there is a design for every age and every taste. As gifts go, this is a truly unique and special gift that is perfect for any household.

8. From the heart

As the cold draws in outside candles offer warmth and comfort indoors. They seem to set the tone for the Festive period and scented candles even more so. Heart and Home have a wide selection of scents perfect for any home, and some dedicated to the festive season. Perfect as a gift or as a treat for yourself!

9. For the Disney Fan

Disney, together with thousands of UK parents, has for the first time defined the traits of a modern Princess in a set of ten principles, which have recently been released to encourage young girls to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

Disney UK commissioned parenting expert Judy Reith to analyse the characteristics of Disney Princesses including the kind and compassionate Belle (Beauty and the Beast), courageous Rapunzel (Tangled) and confident Tiana (The Princess and the Frog), before putting a long list of their inner qualities and traits to a panel of over 5,000 parents. The parents then ranked the attributes they judged most relevant and important to their 6-12 year old daughters.

Three of the UK’s leading illustrators, Kate Moross, Rose Blake and Kate Forrester, have turned the Princess Principles into posters, which are being made available for free to young girls across the country.

Whilst the poster is free to download, I think you could purchase a gorgeous frame for these posters and give them as a gift. They have an inspiring image to them and would be great for children to give to their friends.

I have received no financial compensation or products for this gift guide.

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In my latest Things for Thing 3 post I mentioned that we had been very kindly sent a SnüzPod. In the post I also mentioned the reasons why I am so excited to have been sent one and cannot wait for Thing 3 to arrive. I felt it would be a good idea to split my review posts of the SnüzPod into a few posts, with the first a first impressions and assembly post. I will be making a video when Thing 3 arrives of our day to day to use of the SnüzPod to document how we get on on a day to day basis with the SnüzPod.

The SnüzPod arrives in one box with full assembly instructions. If you follow the instructions it is really easy to put together and took no time at all to assemble. I had planned to assemble it myself but my Dad wanted to put it together and I was more than happy for him to do so.

The SnüzPod has a shelf at the base, I am planning a trip to find some boxes to place on here as this will make handy storage for all baby related things, especially things you may need during the night. The rocking action appears to be really smooth and both girls have put their dolls in and rocked them to sleep. Finally the bassinet can easily be lifted and removed to be used away from the base. I love that this also has a rocking feature and can easily be slotted back into the base when needed. The base is also easily fold able and will fit underneath my bed for storage, should I not wish to use it.

The SnüzPod is made from Quality Beech wood low in VOCs and formaldehyde emission free. Along with the SnüzPod we were also sent a Little Green sheep natural mattress which feels incredibly comfortable and I did look to see if they made them to fit my own bed. In addition we also have the recommended mattress protector and the gorgeous SnüzPod bedding sets.

The bedding is incredibly soft and feels really snugly, I cannot wait to wrap Thing 3 in them.

Once Thing 3 arrives I will be attaching the SnüzPod to the side of the bed with the included straps. Thanks to the adjustable height of the SnüzPod I have also got it set at the correct height ready to be attached. All we are missing now is Thing 3.

I keep sitting in bed and looking over at the SnüzPod. Peering in through the mesh window at the gorgeous design of the bedding and thinking to myself 'not long now'. Not long until Thing 3 arrives and will be sleeping in the SnüzPod next to me in comfort.

All products mentioned have been sent for review, all words are my own personal opinion

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I love my sleep. Before having the girls I would have spent all day in bed if I could. I have even slept and missed an entire day before. Now a lie in is classed as anything past 7 am and if I get more than 2 hours solid sleep I have had a good night. When I do manage to sleep I want that sleep to be good quality. I never know how long I will get and I need my sleep.

The sleep council have created a fun initiative called Sleeptember. The idea is to reinforce the importance of a good nights sleep and to remind people of the health benefits. Poor sleep has been linked with diabetes, heart problems and stroke. They have come up with 5 things we can do to try and improve our sleep quality.

1. Remove technology from the bed room.

Technology in the bed room can make it difficult to switch off and unwind. Even the smallest glow can unconsciously keep you alert when you should be asleep. I know this to be true and have my phone face down at night so any glow from a notification does not disturb me.

2. Invest in a new bed

Beds should be replaced every 7 years. We may not notice the change in our beds as they gradually deteriorate over time, but this change can rob us of up to an hour's sleep. I need a new bed especially given the amount of sleep I could get.

Whilst I am still waiting on the new bed, I have noticed an improvement on the quality of my sleep with a new mattress. I have a beautiful memory foam mattress from Dormeo. As I sleep mainly on my side this medium firm mattress is perfect for me. It also is lined with silver which means it has anti bacterial properties. It provides great support and I have noticed that I am not suffering with as much aches in my shoulders since changing mattresses.

3. Routine

Going to bed and waking up at the same time sets your body into a rhythm and helps regulate sleep. I have certainly noticed a difference with my sleep now that I am getting up earlier during the week for the school run.

4. Wind down

Make sure you have some time to unwind before going to bed. I found pilates and a good book a great way to de-stress before coming to bed.

5. Create the perfect environment.

Creating an environment which is relaxing and inviting to sleep will also aid in a good night sleep. Invest in some good curtains or blinds that will keep the light out and make the room dark. Make the room as peaceful and quiet as possible too.

In order to create a beautiful sleep environment I invested in some new bedding from Next. My favourite is the black velvet panel set. This beautiful bedding adds a real touch of class with the soft black velvet panels and the silk like texture to the bedding. Like all bedding from Next, and I have bought a few sets from there, they really do last and are of great quality.

So whilst it might not be possible to control all external factors to your sleep, such as the kids waking up, many things we can control. Setting a good wind down and bed time routine are perhaps two of the easiest to do. I would certainly recommend investing in some new bedding to help create the perfect environment. I had never thought we really needed a new mattress but having experienced a great difference to how my back and shoulders feel, having just moved to a new Dormeo mattress, I would also really recommend looking at replacing the mattress to really help improve the quality of your sleep.

I was sent a Dormeo mattress and a bedding set from Next to review [although I have purchased Next bedding previously]. All words and opinions are my own.

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