What I`m Wearing to Britmum`s 2015

OMG...Britmum`s 2015 is only 2 days away!!!!!!!!

I am so excited and nervous at the same time...I`m not a very confident person so am somewhat daunted at the thought of being at an event with over 500 bloggers attending. I know I need to suck it up and get out there but its easier said then done.

A great outfit always helps with my confidence and am delighted to say that I have had not one but 4 outfits offered to me by Salt Rock Surf Wear...I`m a VERY lucky girl.

I only recently learnt about Salt Rock but already half of my households wardrobes are Salt Rock clothes!!!!

The casual surfer look is right up mine and my hubby`s street. The dresses I will be wearing are smart but also sooo comfy and that is key when you are active all day.

I am planning to ream up the dresses with some cropped leggings as sadly my legs are not what I would expose to anyone after being bitten to death whilst camping last weekend!

On my feet I going to wear either my t-bar sandals or comfy pumps....smart but casual, the look I always go for. I wish that I could say I love to get all dressed up but with 3 young boys to sort out sadly what I am wearing is at the bottom of the list.

If you are going to Britmum`s as well, let me know what you are wearing so I can spot you and say Hi!!

Making New Friends and Memories in the New Forest

Last weekend we were invited to attend a bloggers camping get together in the New Forest by Camping In The Forest.

We literally jumped at the chance, now we are not what I would call `seasoned` campers but have been a fair few times and have most of the kit needed for fun and comfort.

Seeing as we haven`t camped in the New Forest for a long time we didn`t know what to expect, plus I had read the campsite`s website and was a little worried with some of the reviews that had been left. I shouldn`t of worried about a single thing!!

The car was packed up Friday afternoon, the kids were collected from school and we were off.

We were camping at Holmsley Campsite near Christchurch, just inside the New Forest national park and were met by the lovely Abi from The Camping and Caravanning Club, who explained where we were to pitch up and get settled.

Literally as soon as we got there the weather had decided to challenge us and the heavens opened...trying to pitch a tent in the rain is more fun, right??

After pitching the tent in what I am sure was the quickest time ever that we`ve done it ,we finished unpacking and waited to see who else was coming along for the weekend.

In total 13 bloggers attended with only us and Elaine Croft from Canvas Pretty having camped before; all the rest were first timers. And boy did they have a baptism of fire...it started to rain early evening and didn`t stop till the early hours. Luckily their tents had been set up ready for them with all the essentials sorted.





Now then the camp site was beautiful. Being a WWII airstrip there are large open pitching areas dotted with trees and wide and smooth roads (the old runways) snaking around the site.


There is a large reception area with a shop and small cafe/take-away attached to it. The shop is very reasonably priced; so too is the take-away and cafe. Plus a lovely play area for the kids.

The toilet and shower facilities were one of the cleanest we have ever seen, every time we were there (which is very often with 3 boys!) we saw a member of staff checking the condition of the blocks. With the wet weather the floors can become very muddy and slippery but they were constantly being cleaned by the staff.





There are only 3 toilet blocks for the whole site so if you pitch up on the outer areas of the site it might get a bit annoying having to walk a fair way to go to the loo. We were pitched in the rally area which was next to the reception/shop and toilet blocks so only had to dash across the main road to get to them.

On Saturday morning we were left to get to know each other a little better and feel very privileged to of met such a lovely bunch of people. We felt at home straight away and the kids played with each other so well.

Saturday afternoon was earmarked for forest activities and lunch. A very posh looking catering van appeared in camp and provided us all with the most amazing bbq lunch.

A forest ranger then came in their cute little van and set up some educational activities for the kids. My 3 boys loved them and were transfixed by the ranger, drinking in all the knowledge. A bug hunt ensued and everyone was sent off to find some creepy crawlies. Alfie and Jacob were very proud of their finds...a woodlouse and a worm!!

The rest of the weekend was left for us to explore the site and forest. Bikes were provided for us allowing us to all roam free in the forest.

The New Forest is a stunningly beautiful place and the camp site is perfectly located with the forest literally just over the boundary of the site with horses and cows roaming past.

Benjamin loved the trailer and we went for a lovely long ride together. Now I made a rookie mistake of bringing my camera fully charged but in the panic of making sure everything we needed was packed I forgot to pack my memory card....doh! My phone was my only means of taking photos so I apologise for the quality of the photos I managed to take before my battery ran out. I have to say a huge thank you to Elaine from Canvas Pretty who charged my phone for me but alas the battery isnt great and it died again on the Sunday morning.

The New Forest is a beautiful place to stay, a definite must-stay if you are a new camper or a seasoned expert!!

No camping trip is complete without toasting marshmallows over coals!!!

Thank you to the Camping and Caravanning Club for including us in this amazing weekend. We loved every second and have made some amazing memories and friends xxx

My Britmum`s Live 2015 Sponsor/s Revealed!!

Regular readers will know that I have been searching and searching for sponsors to allow me to attend Britmums in 2 weeks time. Being a mum of 3 young boys I can`t afford to pay for the ticket, travel expenses and accommodation so the only way I could even dream to attend is by sponsorship.

Well I am so happy and proud to now be able to show and tell you who has been kind enough to offer me sponsorship!!

I have been lucky enough to find not one but TWO sponsors!!

Please meet my sponsors....

Mi Local For Mum`s App, is a free app that allows you to view activities in your local/chosen area to do with your children.

Available on both android and iPhone platforms there is no reason I can think of as to why you shouldn`t have this app on your phone....it is a MUST HAVE!

Android link - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.milocal.mums.MiLocal
iPhone link -   https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mi-local-for-mums/id814502615?mt=8

The Mi Local team are passionate about helping other users find what they want when they want it. With just a few clicks you can find an activity of your choice with specific criteria....say age range of children involved, cost of activity, distance of activity from you, indoor or outdoor activities. And not only can you now chat and meet up with mums local to you, but call, message and find directions all from the app. The app covers most of the country with new coverage areas and new activities/events being added all the time.

I have had this app since it was released and have found it a life saver. I`ve found and attended loads of different events that I would of never of even know about being held without the help Mi Local.

Try it to day and I`m sure you`ll love it....a new and updated version is due for release in the next few weeks so it is a very exciting time for the team at Mi Local.

Check out my full review of Mi Local HERE.

They thinks it`s all over....It isn`t now!!!

Open Goaaal is a revolutionary garden solution to that ever so annoying problem of stray footballs!!

The Open Goaaal`s design is unique in the fact it allows a normal functioning and looking garden to be transformed into a football haven in seconds. It works by using a white netted goal area and a black netted safe zone around the outside. You have two poles and top line spanning the width of your garden and just like drawing your curtains, you pull it out and peg down your goal net when you need it. The black outer net creates a safe zone which allows any stray footballs to be rebounded back into your garden.

No more needing to go knocking on the next door neighbours doors asking for your balls back or having to replace expensive border shrubs that have been used as a goal post!!!

My boys were sent this Open Goaaal to try out last year and I have to say that this has to be one of the best things invented for your garden, it has been used literally every day since last September in rain, wind and even snow. I can now let the boys out in the garden without worrying about them damaging our neighbours flowers and garden.

My full review and video of the boys using the Open Goaal is HERE.

I have to say a HUGE thank you to both sponsors for allowing me to attend Britmum`s this year, I will be using my time there very carefully and plan to come back with some exciting ideas for Poolemamma; improving the blog in all aspects xxx

Goodbye Fab Food Friday`s

Sadly after 6 weeks to trying to get Fab Food Friday`s up and running I have decided to stop doing this linky. :-(

But don`t be too disheartened as I am in the process of creating an new one. I think that FFF was too much of a niche for everyone to join in with so alienated a lot of you. My new linky will be easy for everyone to take part in, and hopefully will be more successful because of this.

Keep checking back to see what its all about!!!

Xxx

Father`s Day Mini-Hamper Competition Worth over £100!!

Following on from yesterday`s Father`s Day Gift Guide I am delighted to be able to offer you the chance to win a mini-hamper of some of the products featured in the guide worth in excess of a stonking £100!!!

I have to say a huge thank you to the companies that have supplied to goodies for you - Gillette, Salt Rock, Qwerkity, From You To Me, Times To Treasure, and Fat Buddah.

All you need to do is fill out the rafflecopter widget below to be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize.

Rules of Entry:

• Fill in the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries
• Please read the rules below
• Closing Date: 19th June 2015
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• Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf making it really easy to enter
• Really want to win the prize? Come back every day for bonus entries via twitter
• Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter form below

This hamper will not be delivered in time for Father`s Day

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a Rafflecopter giveaway