A joyful and fun advent calendar to get kids excited for Christmas. Yes, chocolate advent calendars are great, but they can’t compare to this swashbuckling advent calendar from Playmobil. It’s the perfect way to kick off festive fun. Hours of fun lay ahead for little ones.
Are you ready for a fun-filled Christmas countdown? Playmobil has just launched four exciting new advent calendars that are sure to bring joy and excitement to your festive season! Get ready to embark on a magical journey with the PLAYMOBIL 71472 Advent Calendar: Christmas Market, where you can explore a winter wonderland filled with festive cheer. Or, set sail on a swashbuckling adventure with the PLAYMOBIL 71636 Advent Calendar: Pirates, and uncover hidden treasures behind each door! For our littlest fans, the PLAYMOBIL 70297 Advent Calendar: 1.2.3 Snowy Christmas is perfect for toddlers to enjoy the festive season. And for all the Miraculous fans out there, the PLAYMOBIL 71344 Advent Calendar: Miraculous: Picnic is a must-have for a miraculous Christmas! Each calendar is filled with surprises that will help you build a set ready for Christmas, making it the perfect way to count down the days until the big day. The best part? There’s no sugar involved, so you can enjoy the excitement without the sugar rush! These festive advent calendars are available online and in toy stores, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out. Get ready for a Christmas full of fun, surprises, and joy with Playmobil’s new advent calendars. Happy adventuring!
Effective household management, often referred to as housekeeping, is about more than just cleaning and organizing your home. It also involves ensuring that household finances are well-managed to save your family valuable time and money. Whether it’s budgeting for groceries or reducing energy consumption, efficient household management allows you to successfully manage your family’s resources to meet your daily needs.
Ensuring proper maintenance to avoid costly repairs, negotiating insurance costs, or shopping prudently, household management requires strategy, planning, and discipline. Here are some helpful tips on how to manage your household efficiently to save time and money.
Establish a Budget
Setting up a household budget is the cornerstone of efficient household management, and it can do wonders for saving both time and money in the long run. A well-planned budget gives you a clear picture of where your money is going, allowing you to make informed decisions about expenditures.
For instance, opting for a higher mileage, affordable car could lead to savings not only in terms of fuel efficiency but also in terms of insurance costs. Many families have saved a substantial amount of money by choosing Toyota insurance for their vehicles due to its reasonable rates. It is important to note that every dollar saved through wise decision-making can add up to significant annual savings.
Reduce Energy Consumption
Energy-saving practices are not only beneficial to the environment but also result in significant reduction in household expenses. By implementing measures such as using energy-efficient appliances, reducing water consumption, using LED lights, and insulating your home, you can save a substantial amount of money over time. Turning off unused electrical appliances, utilizing natural light during the day, and maintaining an energy-conscious mindset can also greatly contribute to reduced energy bills.
Plan and Cook Meals at Home
Eating out frequently or getting takeout can quickly add to your expenditures. A more cost-effective solution is planning and cooking meals at home. Meal planning allows you to use your grocery shopping time more efficiently and prevents wastage of food. Additionally, home-cooked meals are usually healthier and more nutritious compared to fast foods. When possible, buying groceries in bulk could deliver significant savings.
Embrace DIY and Maintenance
Adopting a do-it-yourself attitude toward home repairs and maintenance can save you a lot of money usually paid to professionals for minor repairs. Moreover, regular home maintenance can prevent future headaches and expensive repairs. For example, regularly servicing your car, checking for leaks, maintaining your home appliances, and cleaning your home regularly can extend the life of these items, saving you both time and money.
Automate Bill Payments
Automating your bills reduces the risk of late payments and the exorbitant fees that come with them. Most banks offer free online bill pay services. You can set up automatic withdrawals to cover your mortgage, utilities, car payments, and other regular expenses. This not only guarantees timely payments but it also saves you the time and effort of keeping track and writing out checks.
Negotiate
Never shy away from negotiating prices or contracts. This includes everything from your cable bill to your gym membership. Large corporations have some flexibility in their pricing structures and would rather give a discount than lose a customer. It’s definitely worth a call to ask if any discounts or promotions are available.
In conclusion, efficient household management entails a well-planned budget, energy-saving practices, meal planning, DIY maintenance, automated bill payments, and the ability to negotiate. By applying these principles you can save a lot of time, while also preserving your family’s financial health. Essentially, managing a home effectively is similar to running a business, requiring both strategic planning and the discipline to follow through.
Fearne Cotton’s new range has dropped at M&S and we are in love. Our favourite is the marshmallows on the fire scented candle. It’s stylish and smells great. Perfect for Autumn. They also make great gifts.
M&S introduces an Exclusive Home Fragrance and Beauty Collection with Fearne Cotton: the ‘Happy Place’ Range.
The launch of Happy Place, a new and exclusive collection with Fearne Cotton, has landed at M&S Home Fragrance & Beauty.
The collection focuses on creating refreshing spaces, influenced by those experiences which create light and happiness in our lives. Celebrating those simple joys, the Happy Place range is designed to encourage serene unwinding and wellbeing.
Exclusively available at M&S, the range features 18 beautifully created, perfectly giftable pieces. These include home fragrances, such as 60g votive candles, 100ml diffusers with natural rattan reeds, 180g single wick, and 500g three wick scented candles.
Across beauty, products include a selection of soft eye masks, bath salts, pillow sprays, hand creams and body washes.
Find your Happy Place with M&S and Fearne Cotton exclusively at M&S now.
Karina Canellakis strode to the stage, a woman in complete control of a full orchestra, with a no-nonsense approach, her actions brisk and to the point, we were in safe hands.
Born and raised in New York City, she has been Principal guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra since 2021. Karina is also a virtuoso violinist, but as a conductor she is one of the greats, as we were about to discover. The concert began with the Overture, Manfred by Robert Schuman which washed over the audience, at times soothing and soporific, at other times, muscular and rousing, a piece with real heft. A short pause, as some musicians left the stage and a small podium was placed beside the conductor. Canellakis returned to the stage followed by a graceful self-effacing man carrying his Cello. This we discover is Truls Mork, born in Bergen, Norway, a compelling Cellist.
Initially taught by his father and is one of the most preeminent cellists of our time, and goodness didn’t he demonstrate it this evening. A champion of contemporary music and he has given over 30 premieres and recorded many of the great cello concertos. This evening, playing Schumann’s Cello Concerto, Mork went on to demonstrate the versatility of his instrument; haunting notes filled the space, mournful then lifted by the strings, transforming into… the beautifully soothing.
I became transfixed when he played without accompaniment, and without sheet music and to see Karina Canellakis’ face… expressive, stern, joyful, alert, at times jumping as though the music could make her defy gravity. Both Canellakis and Mork left the stage and returned as the applause refused to abate. Mork proceeded to take his place as silence fell on the auditorium to be replaced with the haunting notes of the cello. The audience sat, transfixed in pin drop silence, and not just the audience, the orchestra too. We were in the presence of a master, and we knew it.
After the interval we were treated to Bruckner’s Symphony No 4, his ‘Romantic Symphony, with an orchestra so crammed full that I feared for some of the musicians. I think that this would be a good point to heap praise on the playing of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, who never gave less than their all (although there is the question of the mutiny to discuss, which I will come to later). The fourth symphony is in four movements, with clear instructions on how each is to be performed, 1) lively, not too fast, 2) At fairly brisk speed, 3) Not too fast but not dragging 4) Lively but not too fast
The first movement saw the Orchestra in full flow, a tidal wave of sound before once again rising and falling, swelling and exhilarating, revelling in the perfect acoustics of the Royal Festival Hall.
The second movement was gently sweeping pierced by the pizzicato (plucking of strings) and once again, the sweet shrill notes of the flute soared above the sound of the strings followed by the muscularity of the brass section’’ The third movement was cinematic in scale, and could easily have accompanied a blockbuster film. Brass tympany and double base all came into their own sweeping us away, filling the auditorium with sound, only to fall back to gentle lilting soft notes. The fourth movement built to a crescendo, every instrument at full throttle before the melodious strings calmed us and then the music beating like a heart. My notes read, ‘Just beautiful’
Throughout, Canellakis conducted with the control and precision of an Olympic Dressage gold medallist, ably demonstrating her absolute authority over the orchestra. At the end of the concert the audience erupted in rightful applause. This had been a superb concert, and the applause reached a crescendo after coming back to the podium twice, the applause showed no sign of abating and Canellakis bid her orchestra to stand and take their well earned bow. She looked taken aback to see the orchestra resolutely remain seated and once more bid her orchestra to stand, but no, rebellion was in the air, and they had decided that this was her moment. This sharp, taut conductor burst into laughter and then the orchestra stood, and we applauded all the louder.
The current London Philharmonic Orchestra season has been exceptional, (based on the two performances that I have seen, so far.) I list the rest of the season below so that you too can enjoy music at its very best.
I’ve had a stressful few months, with difficult people – sometimes it’s a struggle to protect one’s boundaries, isn’t it? I admit to a desperate need for self-care and a longing for the healing found only in nature.
Temple Of Incense is truly an answer to that prayer. Created by two sisters, Simi and Sam Aydee, Temple Of Incense products are hand-made with love and positive intention, using quality oils and resins sourced from around the world. Their large range of incense products reflects this diversity, with names such as Himalayan Spikenard, Ganesha and Bulgarian Rose And Oudh.
But I’m excited to test their newest Incense sticks, called simply ‘Earth’. As the name suggests, they’re recommended for grounding and renewal, blending amber woods, earthy musk, tonka bean and mitti (clay). Frankly just what I need.
Packaged with care in vibrant saffron-coloured tissue with a hand-written note, I’m feeling the love even as the powerful aromas of authentic natural perfumes fill the air. The incense sticks are plump and rich and I’m very aware of the layers of scent even before I light one.
But such beautiful incense sticks need a rather special holder, and I absolutely love the 7 Chakra wide wooden incense holder. Extra wide to catch all the ash, this is exquisitely carved with the seven chakra symbols in heavy wood using Indian craftmanship mixed with minimal design. It’s so simple and beautiful, I feel the calming aura just gazing at it.
Just half an hour burning the incense and relaxing, and I’m already feeling peaceful and strong, and my shattered boundaries are mending. In fact the incense stick will continue to burn for some time longer, but sadly I need to press on (I know, self-care etc etc but sometimes life gets in the way).
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.
I admit to hating long car journeys. I’d far rather be striding through woods or up mountains, but sometimes hours in a car must be endured, particularly at this time of year.
So thank goodness for clever Barbara Behan and Carrie Hindmarsh of Charabanc, who have dreamed up a novel way to recreate the freshness of nature, even when you’re miles from open countryside.
Our sense of smell is probably the most overlooked of our sensibilities, and yet it can conjure up images, memories and emotions, contributing to our happiness, or otherwise. Barbara and Carrie began experimenting with essential oils sprinkled in their car when they had a potentially difficult meeting and found they arrived feeling calm and energised.
Inspired by this experience, they created the Charabanc Travel Atomiser range, using fragrances of carefully selected herbs and plants, created by renowned nez from a world-famous perfume house. This is true high-end luxury and just a single spray onto the footwell of your car transforms the ambience.
I confess that I was blown away by Across Penine Fells – a blend of Leafy, Freshly-Cut Grass, Resinous Pine, Sage, Lavender, Mint, Fir Balsam, Cedarwood. It really does what it claims – the aromas are subtle yet powerful and authentic. The pine resin hits your senses first, followed by the cedar, evocative of forests, then the herbal and grass notes, emulating a fresh mountain breeze.
This unique product is pure quality and a perfect gift for a car enthusiast, or anyone who spends hours in a vehicle. But it’s not just for car journeys, British Airways love Charabanc atomisers so much that their exclusive Concorde lounge is scented by Charabanc, which can also be found in British Airways’ VIP cars.
At £60 for a 100ml atomiser, this represents good value for such a high-end item, and a great gift for any car owner. See the full range below. Or, like British Airways, perhaps you should spray it around your room too – let nature embrace you?
By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.
A packed Queen Elizabeth Hall is an exciting place to be, with the buzz of expectation that an audience brings. When at least half that crowd are under the age of 5, there’s an additional frisson and organised chaos. This is a very demanding bunch – quick to be critical, bored, scared, sleepy, hungry….
[Frankie Turton, Amelia Gabriel and Jack Benjamin]
Tall Stories are a company well-aware of their target audiences. Touring nationally with The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo’s Child and The Smeds and The Smoos, this latest show fits straight in. The Elmer Adventure is a collection of three of David McKee’s classic Elmer stories, with songs and participation along the way.
[Frankie Turton and Jack Benjamin]
The performers – creating a relaxed atmosphere throughout – appear calm and in control. Wide-eyed Amelia Gabriel, casual Frankie Turton and cool Jack Benjamin guide us through a 55-minute adventure that has genuine surprises, too. Plus plenty of witty one-liners to check the adults are still awake!
[Elmer visits the Southbank Centre]
I’m sure, for many, this is their first theatrical experience. The colours, the characters and the genuine warmth and respect for the material shine through. This company cares about its shows and its audiences. Everyone leaves quite satisfied, if not a little wet (ah – that’s one of the surprises!) …
Photography Mark Senior
Producer Tall Stories
Elmer’s Creator David McKee
Director Toby Mitchell
Puppet Director Yvonne Stone
Music & Lyrics Matthew Floyd-Jones
Set & Costume Amanda Mascarenhas
Movement Director Sundeep Saini
Cast Jack Benjamin, Amelia Gabriel and Frankie Turton
Venue Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London
Mamma Mia makes a great gift for friends and family, or a light and refreshing treat to serve guests this festive season.With Limoncello being the shining star of supermarket Christmas collections, including Waitrose’s
Limoncello infused Panetone, Stollen and Stilton, it’s a must have for your home bar too.
I love Limoncello. It’s delicious and refreshing. Mamma Mia uses only natural ingredients and it perfect for the party season.
Mamma Mia is made with the oldest variety of Italian lemons, the “Femminello del Gargano” which are small, flavourful organic lemons from the Puglia region in Southern Italy. The lemons have been harvested by hand since 1850 by the Ricucci family who continue to cultivate them to this day. The lemons are hand peeled and the outer part of the zest is infused in Italian grain alcohol for 30 days. Mamma Mia is made with all natural ingredients, is free of preservatives and artificial colouring and is less sweet than traditional Limoncello. As part of Mamma Mia’s sustainable production process, the labels of the Mamma Mia bottles are entirely made of recycled lemon peel.
Mamma Mia Limoncello Spritz 40ml Mamma Mia Limoncello | 50ml Prosecco | Sparkling Water or Tonic Pour Mamma Mia Limoncello and Prosecco over ice. Add some sparkling water or tonic and stir. Garnish with a lemon zest or a mint leaf.For an extra Christmas sparkle, add some edible glitter and watch your spritz glisten.
The Limoncello Spritz is not just a summer serve, it makes the perfect Christmas Cocktail too. Requiring just three ingredients; Mamma Mia Limoncello, Prosecco and Soda Water, this is a delicious serve for the busy Christmas hosting season.
The Mamma Mia Spritz is not only delicious but also lower in alcohol content and less sweet than traditional Limoncello, it is a great option for a light and refreshing drink.
Mamma Mia Shooter 25ml of Mamma Mia Limoncello Pour into a shot glass, and cheers to a Mamma Mia Christmas!
A delicious sweet treat for welcoming guests, or serving as a digestif after an abundance of Christmas food.
