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How To Make Learning Fun For Kids

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

According to research, when children get access to as little as 15 minutes of playtime, some of that time will be used to learn some mathematical and spatial principles. It shows us that children do not only learn from books and organised class sessions. With this in mind, as a parent, do not hesitate to allow your kids to learn using different approaches. Below are a few ways to assist your kids in studying and having fun at the same time.

Create a game

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Your kids will be able to learn easier and faster when they have some sort of a game version of their lessons. It will help them have fun while studying at home and make them look forward to the next study session. Even with adults, you will notice that it is a lot easier to remember words from a puzzle as compared to words encountered while flipping through the pages of a dictionary or encyclopedia. So, consider turning your kids’ lessons into games such as puzzles, riddles, flashcards, board games, etc. Games come with a sense of achievement and pleasure, so allow your children to indulge in them.

Mix up your kids studies with other fun activities 

For both adults and children, it is easier to study when you are looking forward to some exciting breaks to keep you refreshed. Sometimes, the mere fact that you get to do something of interest during your break helps to keep you alert during your study session. These may include watching a few minutes or more of your favourite movie, quickly checking out social media updates or engaging in a hobby. 

The key to these switches is to know the right amount of time to break for. Also, for children, you should consider monitoring their breaks since they may not have developed the self-discipline to do so. This is because some children may find it difficult to return to studies when they have prolonged breaks. Therefore, it would be best to study their concentration patterns and get to know which period works best for them.

Have a change of environment 

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It can get very boring for most people when they do not change scenery while studying. So as a parent, you can help your kids study by encouraging or helping them to switch up the scenery while studying. The change may involve moving from one room to the other at home or moving from an indoor space into an outdoor area such as a porch or even the park. 

Try to encourage your children of all ages, for example, your college or high school level kids to partake in study trips. For instance, UK study trips serve as a great platform for students to learn about history related to locations while enjoying sceneries. A child who is taught something on a study trip is more likely to recollect what they were taught. This is because a lot of people recollect better when they study by association. This association may be with scenes, events, sounds, smells, etc.

Studying is not supposed to feel like a chore considering the many benefits it comes with. However, it may begin to feel like a chore depending on the approach you use. As a parent, help your kids not just tolerate but also enjoy their studies by trying out the above tips or any others you are comfortable with. Lastly, keep in mind that no matter how silly your approach may seem, all that matters is that you get the desired results.

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Swizzels letterbox review and giveaway #AD

Published on by Jade Rice49 Comments

Hi all, how are you? I don’t know about you but 2021 seems so be the longest year ever, oh what id give for our everyone’s circumstances to return to normal. I miss my family, I miss normality and most of all I miss the sparkle from the children’s eyes. In the words of the wise ariel “, I wanna be where the people are”. Quite honestly I know we’re probably all feeling the effects of 2021, were battling our battles and doing our best and I think we are smashing it. Things may not change for a while but that does not mean we can’t all stick together and support each other.

That being said let’s get to the fun stuff I was kindly gifted a wonderful letterbox treat hamper from Swizzels, upon opening, I saw a variety of tasty treat, in a personalised box. I couldn’t help but think wow !! What a thoughtful gesture this would be, to send to someone we care about. Letting them know even though we are apart were thinking of them in such a SWEET way.

The Swizzels website is so easy to navigate too and customisation process is almost as easy as checking out. I also loved the nostalgic feeling I got when I ate the Parma violets they remind of my nan. I know she would of love such a lovely surprise in the post I imagine she would say something along the lines ” well that’s better than a bill isn’t it jade”.

The hamper are so customisable and versatile they are fabulous for any occasion birthday, Christmas and valentines day nothing says I love you like some lovely love hearts, we love them. As you can imagine the kids were very excited when it arrived and this mum made them wait, while she took photos was probably the quietest they been all year. I’m no way saying you could give them some encouragement (bribe) to do there school work and chores but if your looking for some help could be the way to go. Jokes aside. I can defiantly see myself sending such a thoughtful treat to my loved ones in time for there birthdays this year. They’re all creeping up on me and with so much uncertainty I want to be sure they receive a gift they will love personalised for them

Now who would like to win such a SWEET prize? Simply comment below your favourite childhood sweet to win your very own swizzels letterbox treats. winner will be selected 28/2/2021 I will reply to comment below and contact you asap. GOOD LUCK! (keep an eye on instagram for another chance to win @mummyandmex2 )

Swizzel’s has a great affordable selection available on their website https://www.swizzels.com/shop/. You or your loved one won’t be disappointed. I know I wouldn’t be. Thanks for reading have a great day Jade x

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Change your life in 5 book review #AD

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

!Hi, all another self-help book review today. I’ve kindly been gifted a copy of Change your life in 5 by Sue Belton. I’ve been using all this lockdown time to reflect on life and to be honest, it’s changed my whole perspective I am somewhat positive but I’m very prone to a wobble. As of today myself, Liam and our children have been isolating for 5 weeks. I’ve gone through all the emotions had many meltdowns but I have accepted there is nothing I can do to change the situation but I can make the best of it and if I have a bad day that’s ok too I’m only human after all. The time we’ve been in I’ve done a lot more reading than usual and I really do want to change my life.

About author

The author Sue Belton is a qualified life coach of 12 years, sue used to be a BBC producer. Upon returning to work when her maternity leave was over her priorities were different .she made the commitment to herself to change and she did.

The book its self is a 5 step programme which is really easy to follow and adapt to your life needs/wants.

  1. Clarify – What’s really important to you, how you feel right now, your values and purpose.
  2. Conquer- self-sabotaging, fears and doubts.
  3. Choose –  Fresh new ways of looking at life and how to change it.
  4. Celebrate- Your achievements and be kinder to yourself.
  5. Commit- To putting yourself first, reducing stress and making changes every day.

Essentially what you do is read the chapters in the order you feel works for you so for me I need to clarify and commit I’ve been wandering through life with no real purpose so fixated on what I cant do never really thought of what I can which sounds a bit daft. My main focus for the past five years has been the children and I’m happy with that I’m very lucky. Now they are getting older and they are off to school I want a change..no I need to change.

Inside the chapters of changing your life in 5, there are a series of very well thought out exercises for you to complete.

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Thes activities help evaluate your life and help you, help yourself find out what YOU need to make your life much more fulfilled. What obstacles you need to overcome. Personally, I am my biggest obstacle! the fear of failing or not being good enough. In reality, I could probably do whatever I put my mind too within reason of course and so can you. I have to admit some of the exercises were difficult for me as I’ve never really sat down and made a plan, change your life in five can help you in a very efficient and effective way. I think this is great to have and given the current global climate and what’s going. I can’t really think of a better time to improve my life yes we may be locked down. I suppose if this horrible event has taught me anything appreciate what you and if your not happy change it.

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I really enjoyed reading and doing the task inside would highly recommend to anyone who wants to live a more fulfilled life we only get one after all. If this sounds like something you might like its release date is the 16th currently on sale on Amazon here. If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?  Do you enjoy self-help book reviews comment below id love to hear your thoughts and opinions?

 

  Thanks for reading

Stay safe

Jade x

 

Disclaimer: I have been gifted this book for review I received no payment all opinions are my own. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.

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free homeschooling resourses 2021

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi everyone short one today thought id just share a few online resources, I have come across this few weeks. We have work from the school but last week some wouldnt load we found our own and hoped for the best. I’m actually really enjoying it but have the worry we will run out of ideas. We don’t have a strict schedule a little every day as well as some of these online activities below I’ve listed the ones we like and a few bonus entries at the end. I must admit i didnt think 2021 was gunna begin like this but i suppose we must make the best of a crappy situation. These resourses will defiantly come in handy for the foreseeable until we can all resume our normal lives. I’m so proud of my children not once have they complained although we have had a few tears and tantrums this has been a huge change for them for everyone globally at the moment if we all stick together and follow the guidelines it’ll be ok just focus on now and hope for a better future.

Free Learning sites for children

These are for mainly primary school ages children but I have added one or two for older children too all are free and easily accessible if an app version is available I will list that too.

BBC bitesize a range of subjects for all ages :ehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

Math factor can be customised to your child age free until the schools open:https://www.themathsfactor.com/

For key stage 2 free online lessons from Atom, learning choose the free option: https://atomlearning.co.uk/

Free Courses for adults

The open university has a great selection of free online courses to help keep your mind busy or to simply learn something new or to brush up on old skills to help you get through this isolation time. I’ve personally done a fair few.

Alison free online learning Really great selection ive done a couple on here too.

Vision to learn  Not as many available but still useful and great for keeping your mind busy.

(will add more when i find them)

You can also watch on youtube at a more convenient time I subscribed so we don’t miss out(Here).

Museum –    LONDON- BRITISH MUSEUM 

PARIS- The LOUVRE

(will be adding more these are all I’ve looked at for now)

SPECIAL LESSONS

PE WITH JOE WE KNOW WHERE TO FIND HIM this time round you wont beat me mate haha.

Online ballet classes :https://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/filter-type/on-screen/

Hopefully, these will be helpful for you and your family and you’re all staying safe if you have come across any online resources you’ve found useful please comment below. This is a very uncertain time but we can make the best of it  WEVE got this!

Thanks for reading

Jade x

Ps will be updating as i find more resources .

disclaimer:  nothing in this post is sponsored there merely resources I have come across and decided to share with you i will be adding more through the weeks feb half term is a while away yet.

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Tildabow’s review

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi everyone, hope you are well today I have a very colourful fun review for you. Some of you may no Emily is a brand rep for Tildabows which is run by the lovely Liz. She creates so many wonderful and unique bows and accessories I decided to write about, as i myself and Emily really enjoy the bow-tiful designs. We love having the collection we have and I don’t care if I’m too old to bow I’m gonna anyway hahaaaaa.

There are a vast array of bows that suit all budgets as well as lots of fun extras like bow holders and reward charts which I  cannot wait to arrive this week we definitely need them… send nanny McPhee. Im very accustoms to the skull snap clips I bought so well made and actually tame this crazy hair of mine. The quality of the bow trumps any you can buy at the shop so precisely cut and made impeccably I really can’t fault them at all.

Emily favourite is its beautiful giraffe called lucy but to be honest, I think there all her favourites she can never wear just one and is always on the prowl for more on my  Instagram haha.

Tildabows also has a giveaway running atm any order on the website is eligible to win ten-pound store credit and you can use code EMILY10 for a discount on your order. we do not get a commission but we do get a discount for our own orders. This isn’t a sponsored post I’m just sharing with you a bow company we believe in we’ve never been a brand rep before so please to be able to do it just for fun and to support a small business which we loved long before we were reps.

Shop here: https://www.tildabows.co.uk/ Follow here: https://www.instagram.com/tilda_bows/

This is Emily birthday bow couldn’t resist literally bows for all occasions and all ages.

Today tilda bows opened after her christmas break some new and wonderful items avalible now use code emily10 for a discount.Thanks for reading and good luck.

Jade x

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Removing Debts For A Better Future

Published on by Jade Rice1 Comment

Photo: Unsplash

There are many types of debt today but not all of them are bad and if you are struggling, there are ways to help. There are secured debts, for example, a mortgage loan where the property is the same guarantee in case the payment or the car loan is not fulfilled, where if it stops paying, the bank or company that granted the loan validates the execution of the guarantee and takes it to recover part of the credit granted. Another type of debt is unsecured, where, in case of not paying or canceling the loan, in addition to the accumulation of interest, legal measures can be applied, in addition to the immediate effect. You should look at debt consolidation. 

STEP BY STEP HOW TO PAY A DEBT

  • Make a budget and allocate a specific amount for the payment of debt.
  • Eliminate unnecessary expenses or postpone some purchases until after you have paid off the debt.
  • Avoid applying for new loans until you have finished paying the debt beforehand.
  • In case you have problems paying, go to your bank and explain your situation.
  • You can also go to a credit repair company and design a scheme to pay your debt.
  • Notify your creditor. As soon as you identify that you will not be able to cover a debt, credit or payment, you must contact the bank or financial institution to let them know the situation. This opens the possibility of an agreement to restructure the credit and pay it in a longer time with smaller amounts. Extending the term will increase the interest and the final amount to pay, but it is an alternative to maintain a positive credit history. 
  • Avoid hiring a new loan. Acquiring another financial commitment to pay off a previous one will only aggravate the problem and cause the original debt to become larger. It is a momentary solution, but detrimental in the long term. 

Getting out of debt.

We should always seek to manage our personal finances. It is a skill that we must reinforce as the years go by. This way we can look at many different tools to assist us and help us with the areas that are difficult: such as credit cards. If you don’t take care of it, then severe  consequences will ensue and you should always seek to get out of debt. 

“Having a credit card is a blessing or a curse, it all depends on whether you know how to manage money or not” – Mortgage Advisor.

There is no secret formula to get out of debt fast, that’s impossible. What you can do is enter a healing program and even try to pay what you owe, if you don’t, your account may fall into default and you won’t be able to settle soon. A credit repair or paying your debts on time you should do.  Once you get out of your debts, take a savings method, where you look for a way to continue paying your debts and saving. Make a budget of your expenses to avoid that your cards are exceeded in interest. Seek professional help to encourage a culture of savings. 

Thank for reading Jade x

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Important Questions To Consider Before Starting Your Own Family !

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Have you ever considered starting a family of your own? It’s completely natural for people to want to have a child with their partner to begin a family of their own. It comes with many challenges and hardships, but it’s also one of the most magical experiences that you’ll go through as a person. However, there’s a good time and a bad time to start your own family and it’s important to make those distinctions.

In this post, we’ll be looking at some of the most important questions to ask before you start your own family.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/DUrU_bZV8So (CC0)

Do you feel like you’re being forced into starting a family?

There’s a big difference between having a child by your own decision and feeling like you’re being forced into it. There are times where you might feel forced due to your partner pressuring you, and sometimes you might feel like it’s your parents who are pushing you to find a partner and have a child. If you’re not making the decision on your own, it’s going to introduce many problems in both searching for a suitable partner and also having a child. Make sure you and your partner are on board with the idea before you decide to commit.

Are you physically healthy and capable of raising a child?

It’s also a good idea to consider if you’re physically healthy enough to raise a child and start a family. Everyone’s body condition is different and we all decide to have children of different ages. If your physician determines that your body isn’t capable of raising a child or if there are concerns, then you may want to consider the egg donation procedure to see if there are suitable alternatives to natural childbirth. It’s also worth discussing the possibility that you may need to have a cesarean delivery due to your body or any other conditions.

Are you ready to take time off your career to focus on your family?

One of the best ways to understand your children and ensure they have a healthy upbringing is to spend a lot of time with them. Unfortunately, this does involve taking some time off your career and other activities in order to commit your time to them instead. If you’re not ready to take a little break from progressing up the career ladder, then you may want to reconsider starting a family.

Are you financially prepared to start your own family?

Raising a child isn’t cheap. It’s going to take a lot of money to pay for medical costs, supplies and potentially renovations to ensure your home is suitable for a family. As such, it’s important to understand that you need to be financially secure if you want to start a family. Yes, there is plenty of financial assistance you can claim too, but it’s important to have a steady flow of income and reduced amount of debt if you want to be prepared to start your own family.

Thanks for reading and happy new year

Jade x

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Preparing for 2021 compers editions

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi everyone,  Merry Christmas and happy new year. Hope you everyone been really lucky in the advents . Whether your a seasoned comper or not here are some tips and tricks to get your comping in order ready for 2021. The week between Christmas and New Years is a very good time for a post-Christmas digital clear out. So as the comps are slowing down or like me you’ve been banned on Instagram here are some ways to spend your post advent withdrawals time.

1. Notebooks and diaries.

Keeping a diary of wins is a great way to keep track of what you’re waiting for as well as documenting all the wins you’ve had throughout the year. You can also keep track of yearly special dates which you might encourage seasonal comps or 3 hehe. Thank you to my friend mummy overload for my lovely notebook,

2. Instagram clear out I use the Instagram cleaner app but be careful not to unfollow too many or you may get a ban I tend to do 50 a day so far it’s been ok. I Started with the inactive accounts. The app does cost 1.99 but in my opinion so worth it saves so much time.

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3. Twitter clear out I use unfollowerstat to unfollow inactive accounts so easy to use you can unfollow 30 a day for free. Unfollowerstats.com simply sign up with your twitter so good :). I had 1000 accounts that hadn’t even logged in for 2 years .

4. Unsubscribe from mailing lists but don’t be too hasty as some wins may still come in the new year if you’ve gone advent mad like me.

5. Create a wish-list I put mine on the first page of my diary and hope for the best!

There are probably many more tips I could have included but I’d say these would make a great start. What do you do to prepare for a new comping year I’d love to know please comment below. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a very lucky and happy new year.

Jade x

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Savvy ways to give your food shop the chop!

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi all hope you are well, it’s been a crazy few months and being frugal is more important than ever with unemployment rising and the children being home 24/7 and constantly demanding food. I’ve been working hard to get our bills down and to eliminate the amount of food waste we create. I’m actually quite embarrassed to admit most of our money was going on food and stupidly I’d order a take away when we had a full fridge. Cancelling our weekly takeaway has saved us 30 quid a week.

  • My first tip is to meal plan and stick to it. This is a new thing for me but I’ve found over the past three months has really helped to not only waste less food and money but is probably helping waistline too. This has saved us another £30 a week.

  • Buy own brand where possible. Usually tastes the same or very similar to the bigger brands and you’ll also find the salt and sugar content may be lower too so double win really.

  • Order online with your meal plan in tow and always check the cupboards before you shop. I’m guilty of having 6 packs of fish fingers in the freezer because I didn’t check.

 

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Creating online christmas cards!

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi all, I hope you’re doing well. This year hasn’t been the best the easiest, to say the least! Christmas is fast approaching I wanted to create a post about sending and creating your own Christmas cards. This year we’ve all spent so much time apart what’s better than a little Christmas cheer and festivities to bring us all together again maybe not in person but united in Christmas spirit and the hope 2021 will be a better year for us all. I imagine it may be rocky for a while but I do know everything will be better eventually.

The benefits of creating and digitally sending christmas cards

  • One of my main reason for sending a digital card. a vast majority of store-bought cards cannot be recycled due to the glitter which in the long term is not sustainable for the environment. Deforestation has some of the most disastrous effects on climate change.
  • Money-saving and time-saving no need for a stamp and if you’re having to isolate no need to leave your home or if you don’t have to one less trip out more time in the warm its so cold already hope we get snow this year.
  • The number of cards you can send is not as limited. Sending digitally allows you to send everyone there very own special card with a touch of a button and they can receive almost as quickly.
  • If you forget someone it easy to quickly send one over and not have to rely on the mail with is often very busy and often late this time of year due to higher demand.

Resources you can use for free or cheaply to help

Fonts

Probably not the first thought you had when deciding to create a digital card but its the little details that make each card unique. You can really play with the aesthetics of your card the right font makes a big impact. There is a phenomenal website filled with Fancy font many of which are free to use. Theres a vast selection to choose from. My personal favourite is Joyfully cute and playful (click here to view) The fonts are also compatible with pc , mac and word which is ACE and makes the fonts very accessible.

Images

Firstly don’t rip off anyone else’s work unless you have permission to use a photo or image don’t. Id suggests only using your own original imagery adding a festive picture you’ve taken or maybe even a photo yourself and the recipient reminding them of a fun time you’d shared together. Alternatively, you could draw one and scan it in a bit beyond my know-how tho. Using specially designed websites to create your cards will have free images available and there are databases of free images you can use too have a quick google i’m sure you’ll find what you need.I use Canva see below or the stock images on wordpress.

Free online design template websites

Canva easy to use and has all the templates you could possibly need.The ingenious step-by-step, easy to use editing software which is 100% online all you have to do is download and send to all your loved ones and friends. I was feeling extra festive so I made an automatic reply card to anybody who messages me or starts to follow me on social media. I just love christmas can you tell.

Christmas card for nanny made using canva.

There are so many options nowadays search around. There are so many resources available online that can easily be downloaded and sent. Word or slides could even be used if that’s what you’re comfortable with. You could use the fancy fonts I mentioned above. I’d recommend slides for emailing and if your going to print use word then you can fold the A4 paper or card you use.

How to make a card on Microsoft slides/ Word

  1. Open word /slide to a blank page or you can use a template if you’d like too just browse what they have but I prefer to start with a blank canvas.
  2. Add your unique image or photo. Afree stock photo you have permission to use is also a good option ( mine was from pexel.com .
  3. Add your text and your warmest Christmas wishes. These can be personalised and edited so quickly and if your a creative like me you’ll enjoy having made that extra effort and putting extra love into each one.
  4. Download and save as a jpeg if done through google like me. / Save normally if you have Microsoft office if you have access to it.
  5. Send via email or messenger to your intended recipient.Its as easy as that and doesnt cost a penny but means alot to the recipient.
Christmas e-card made using microsoft slides.

I must admit before writing this post I wasn’t aware of how much free software id been using and was available. I’m so glad I finally wrote it all down to share with all of my creative readers to use not only for there festive creations. If you can make a Christmas card you could make a card for any occasions you want with ease you could even go as far as creating your own blank templates you just change the name on. personally I like to start fresh for each project. I really hope this post as been helpful Thanks for reading… And almost I’m almost ready for the Merry Christmas ending hehe

Jade x

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Easy bakes with the kid

Published on by Jade Rice2 Comments

Morning all hope your all well as some of you will be and the kids love cooking together sometime on the anxiety days we don’t get out as much as we could. So I like to find ways of having fun at home. Baking some yummy treats is a fun way to get messy and have fun. This morning we’ve been on a baking adventure on the menu is homemade fairy cakes and dinosaur scones that turned into crackers biscuits think we’ve created hybrid or forgot the baking powder, either way, they were very yummy and went well with cheese. Both Harrison and Emily had lots of fun not only making but eating I like to let them add the ingredients and join in when they want to and both love it even if we did spend most of the day in PJ we were still productive and I had less washing WINNING hehe. Below are our photos and recipes that are not mine but I can’t remember where I found them been using them for years.

 

Fairy cake so easy recipe

You will need

  • 100g self-raising flour
  • 100g soft butter
  • 100g of sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1tsp vanilla essence
  • some icing sugar and sprinkles to decorate.
  1. Mix together the butter and sugar
  2. Add the flour (sift it if you want will make fluffier)
  3. add the eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth then put into cake cases
  4.  pop in the oven on gas mark 4 for 20 mins
  5. wait till cool the ice and add sprinkle (to make the icing I do 2 spoons of icing to 1 of water so it’s not too runny).
  6. pop in the fridge for 5 mins then ready to eat yummy.

Easy scones traditionally round but ours are dinosaurs

You will need

  • 225g of self-raising flour
  • pinch of salt
  • 55g of butter
  • 25g sugar
  • 150ml of milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp of baking powder optional but our bakes need it Ahah
  1. Heat oven to gas mark 7.
  2. Mix the flour-butter and salt
  3. Stir in sugar and slowly add milk to make a soft dough
  4.  Flour the side and knead then roll out the dough using a round or whatever shape cookie cutter you have to make your scones, about 2cm in thickness keep going till all the dough is used.
  5.  Place on lined baking tray and brush with egg
  6. bake on gas mark 7 for 12-15mins
  7.  Let cool and enjoy with some jam

 

These are ours we made ourselves a budget-friendly afternoon tea and had a fun morning of baking even though they didn’t turn out as planned we liked them 😀 Thank you for reading xx

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How to make money online

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi all hope you are well. over the past few months ive been trying to find ways to make money online below ive listed risk free ways of making a little extra cash online for free. 2020 has been a very testing year to say the least a few of these have help keep me sane. Dont get me wrong the extra money wont buy you a house but can put extra food on the table during these hard times. All you will need is a smartphone which most of us already have and an internet connections.

Top picks

Prolific- a survey site with varying leght , you can cash out when you get to a fiver. each survey pays a different amount on avarage i take out £10 a week which can be a couple of meals if your really stretched keep an eye out for future posts on budget meals. Sign up here .

Bonus picks

While these ones do require you to spend money you do get a return on what youd of already spent so there kind of like cashback but not.

Airtime rewards app – spend normally and save your cashback for your phonebill ive been using this for a while and havent had to spend any money on my phone which has been great. one less expenditure and all you have to do is shop as you normally would. use my code to get extra cashback JGKD7RLT.

Honey- find the best discounts and save coins which can be exchanged for gift cards when you get to 1000 youll get extra coins to get you started if you sign up using my link Here. ( this is a referal link i will get 50 coins but so will you).

Hobbies

Maybe not money saving but will certainly help your wallet.

Comping- A lovely hobby not only a great way to relieve finatial strain but is really rewarding i must admit chistmas has been alot easier since i started 4ish years ago ive also made some lively friends to find out more see this post.

product testing another great way not only to try new thing but to save money and stop you wasting on things you dont like. See this post to find out how.

The are all i have for now but check back ill keep updating as and when i find new ways to earn online. Ill be sharing more money related posts in the future and some money saving meal ideas.I know this has been a hard year and alot of us are struggling i cant do much to help but i am used to being frugal and would say is one of my life skills haha.

Thanks for reading jade x

This post contains referal links.

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Glossybox midnight fantasy edit review.

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi all happy Monday , how are you?. Today I’m going to be reviewing this October’s glossybox and it’s amazing probably my favourite edits for a long while. I did Unsub for a while but I alway come back. Glossy is defiantly one of my favourite monthly treats. I like to call it my mum treat🤣 not that I need an excuse the value and items speak for themselves. This month there were two different edits enchanted spirit and Midnight fantasy which I received and would of picked if I’d had the choice.

Inside my midnight fantasy edit.

  • A deluxe mini Essential eye cream – really hydrating and improved my eye bags 😂.
  • Full size bubble T star dust foamining bath powder in rose really lovely such a indulgent treat after a stressful day.
  • A full size Luna beauty lipstick in the shade pixie really lovely with nice pigment and lasting wear. (See swatch)
  • A deluxe mini illimasqua hydra veil primer really good base for my foundation I really enjoyed it will definatly treat myself to a full size soon.
  • A full size the beauty corp stargazing blush duo perfect shade for me skin tone love them. The pigment is nice and the formula is buildable which is perfect for me as I often wear to much blush oops. (See swatch)

All in all I was really happy with this months box unfortunately the October box is sold out but you can use my code to sign up for next months box (HERE) it will contain a full size pallet worth £29 already covers the cost of the subscriptions. I must admit my glossybox has helped me build up a lovely collection of make up perfect if your like me and don’t have a clue where to begin, my eyeliner is still wonkey after 15 years of wearing it haha I don’t give up. What was your favourite item this month? What’s your favourite beauty box I’d love to know comment below thanks for reading.

Jade x

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Granny franny’s big red bus childrens book review

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi everyone hope you are well i cant quite believe its coming up to end of august , itll be christmas before we know it ….YAY. Me and the children have been spending more time reading and doing school work this week to prepare for back to school next wednesday …im not counting down the days i swear haha. We have kindly been gifted a wonderful new book called Granny Franny’s big red bus written and illistrated but Sonia Beldom.

About the authour

Sonia beldom had a lifelong dream of becomming a bus driver and she made her dreama relaity in 2018. She wrote granny franny’s big red bus during the covid-19 pandemic to help raise money for bus-related charitys.

About the book

Granny Frannys is a really fun story about franny whom takes her grandchildren on an amazing adventure. both fun and captivating both my chilren absolutly adored the story and the lovely illistrations theyve even requested it again for bedtime.I think we have a new favourite.

Where to purchase

Amazon-https://www.grannyfrannysbigredbus.com/

The Granny Franny website. https://www.grannyfrannysbigredbus.com/

I must admit we do own alot of books but granny franny’s big red bus is brillaint and was definalty missing from out collection it so fun and exciting and makes the perfect bedtime story filling little minds with big dreams.

Thanks for reading Jade x

Light house raincoat review #AD

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi all hope you are well. It been the longest week know to man and its only monday haha. The sun is shining thats a great mood booster which brings me to my review a fabulous long iona raincoat which even on the bleekest days reminds me of the sunshine. After the lovely cold weather and rain i couldnt of been happier with my choice. I found even tho the ioan is very lightweight and not bulky at all its probably the warmest coat i actually own. There so much to love about this wardrobe staples i wouldnt be without it now , so well made and can be worn in a variety of weathers the detachable hood makes it perfect for our daily walks. Dont get me started on the pockets there the perfect size to fit all you need phone keys and wallet no need for a bulky handbag on out winter/spring walks and there even extra pockets which are fully lined like the jacket perfect for keeping my hands ward because for the life of me i cant ever find my gloves.

Weve been finding our daily trips to the park so therapeutic even better when I’m not cold too. we dont always go far thanks to my stupid anxiety but its nice to know when we do go im not going to be freezing. It’s really important for our self care to just get out and explore the fresh air with lighthouse clothing you can go out in style dressed for any weather. The lovely company is based in northern island where all there designs are created with the weather and coast in mind ready for any adventure.

If your on the market for a new rain coat the iona coat can be purchases here avalibe ins a range of colours : https://www.lighthouseclothing.co.uk/products/iona-padded-raincoat-new-sunrise?variant=32609984512046&glCountry=GB-NEW&gclid=Cj0KCQiAj9iBBhCJARIsAE9qRtD2l1CLrlmNu982yTE0YtLvW4iqSwR2b7umquuz_uECrQ1zmRpbOVkaAuvOEALw_wcB#fo_c=2440&fo_k=c492cc9a4eede243d5c71cce0eacbbe3&fo_s=gplaukhttps://www.lighthouseclothing.co.uk/products/iona-padded-raincoat-new-sunrise?variant=32609984512046&glCountry=GB-NEW&gclid=Cj0KCQiAj9iBBhCJARIsAE9qRtD2l1CLrlmNu982yTE0YtLvW4iqSwR2b7umquuz_uECrQ1zmRpbOVkaAuvOEALw_wcB#fo_c=2440&fo_k=c492cc9a4eede243d5c71cce0eacbbe3&fo_s=gplauk

I would highley reccommend the iona coat not only is it stylish , practical but also really well made and i cant fault it even down to the delightful little saying stiched in to the zip ” Live simple , Live happy” now thats a mantra i can get behind. Thanks for reading and have a great week Jade x

3 Tips to Plan a Much-Needed Family Road Trip

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

It goes without saying that the last year has been hard on everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted so many lives in a variety of ways – that includes kids! Maybe your kids had to deal with virtual learning, or maybe they haven’t been able to play sports or do their normal activities. 

Thankfully, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, things will be back to normal again someday soon. In the meantime, however, you can use this as the perfect opportunity to plan a family road trip. 

When you want to do what’s best for your family, sometimes that means taking a break from the everyday routine. A little family vacation, even if it’s only a weekend away, can do wonders to boost everyone’s spirits. 

If you’ve never been on a road trip before, let’s go over a few pointers that can make the experience easier and more enjoyable for everyone. 

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1. Get the Kids Involved

Remember, your kids have been through a lot this year, too. In fact, according to the CDC, kids and teenagers may be more susceptible to stress during traumatic events or situations, including the pandemic. Getting them involved in planning your trip can be extremely beneficial for them. Plus, they’ll be able to pick out things they really want to do. 

Let them give their input on where you should go, things you should see, and activities you should try. While you obviously have the final say, it’s a good idea to take their thoughts to heart and work them into the trip as much as possible. 

2. Start Budgeting Now

If you don’t plan on going on your trip immediately, it’s a good idea to start a savings account strictly for it. You can start budgeting for what you’ll need and putting money away, little by little. Even small additions here and there can add up to quite a bit of savings, in the long run. 

Plus, road trips tend to be cheaper than flying or taking any other type of public transportation. So, it may take less than you think to have enough saved up for a dream trip. 

3. Get Your Car Checked Out

Now is a good time to take your car in for regular maintenance. Now, if you have something like a Bentley Approved Used car, you’re probably not going to need as much maintenance as a 10-year-old sedan you’ve had for just as many years. But, no matter what type of vehicle you drive, getting the tires checked, the oil changed, and making sure everything is working properly will give you peace of mind even before you start out on your adventure. 

So, be sure to take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic who will be able to tune it up properly before you hit the road. 

There are so many additional tips and things to keep in mind before you head out on a family road trip. But, hopefully, these ideas will inspire you to start the planning process. You’ll love just how fun planning can be, and it will give everyone something to look forward to very soon!

Thanks for reading Jade x

Bring A Little Life Back To Old Jeans

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

 

Jeans are as long-lasting as they are versatile. If you’re like a lot of people, then you loathe to let go of a good pair of jeans. However, there does come a time where they’re looking less on the distressed side and more like they’re in dire need of help. However, jeans are one of the easiest garments to keep updated and upcycled. If you don’t want to get rid of your favorite denims then here are a few ways you can keep them living for longer.

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Sew them up

The first step you should take is to see if you or a friend of yours can sew them up first. Minor rips can be sewed pretty easily and even if you have to buy the thread and needles to start from scratch, you’re still likely to save money on what you would have paid if you bought a new pair of jeans, instead. There are plenty of beginner tutorials for sewing up rips in jeans online, so it shouldn’t be too hard to learn how to get started.

Make it look intentional

Are your jeans starting to look a little tatty in places? You don’t have to throw them out just yet. The distressed jeans look is very much a part of denim fashion, but most of the time, people usually go out and buy jeans that are designed to look like they’ve been worn for years. You already got the job part of the way done, you can finish it by using a sandpaper block (amongst other things) to give it the perfectly faded and tattered look without tearing it to a pile of useless shreds.

Take care of those cuffs

The cuffs of your jeans are some of the easiest parts to start going a little awry. This is especially true if they’re a little longer on you and have gotten caught a few times. However, while you can simply turn up the cuffs, you can make sure that it looks more like an intentional style choice rather than simply you trying to make the best of a bad situation. After you turn them up, add some shiny studs to them so that they can bring a little bling and a little sparkle to your outfit.

Make good use of a bad hole

Sure, the occasional strategically placed hole in a pair of jeans can really contribute to that experienced look. However, if you leave it too long, it will start to grow and look a little more tragic with each passing day. However, with the help of craft glue guns, you can use a little lace to plug it right up. All you have to do is turn the pair of jeans inside out, and place the lace over the hole, sticking it on with the gun and waiting for it to dry.

Get them ready for summer

Maybe you’re never going to get your jeans back and they’re not going to work well as a normal pair of jeans again. Does that mean that they have to be thrown away? Not at all! People will pay all sorts for a good pair of cut-offs, but the reason we call them cut-offs, to begin with, is that we would cut them off ourselves, originally! There are different ways to turn a pair of jeans into a pair of cut-offs, but perhaps the simplest way is to use a pair of fabric scissors for cutting as well as tweezers to deal with the stray fabrics.

Patch it cute

You don’t necessarily have to let the holes look like holes if you don’t like how distressed denim looks. You can’t quite cover up the fact that your jeans are ripped, but you do have some choice in how you cover up those holes. If you’re a decent sewer, then you should take a closer look at some of the cutesy patches you can add to your jeans. You can cover up the holes while adding a little bit of personalization that might not be there otherwise.

As with all pieces of clothing, there will come a time you have to say goodbye to your beloved jeans forever. However, with the tips above, hopefully, you can keep that day way off in the future for now while adding some new style to old favorites. What’s more, by keeping your jeans living for longer, you can save the money you would otherwise spend on replacements.

Thanks for reading Jade x

PTA Pointers: How You Can Help Your School

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Parent Teacher Associations, or PTA’s, rather unfairly have a bad reputation. The stereotype is one of overbearing do-gooders and mums who hassle everyone for money and their time, not to mention being a bit of a clique.

While there is always going to be the few bad apples spoiling it, the reality is that for many schools, the Parent Teacher Association is a lifeline, raising much needed funds for the school and for the children that go to it. It might be that they fund fun activities such as craft days or new toys, or it could be essentials such as new books and up to date Educational Furniture. Either way, the intentions behind the PTA are good.

The problem is that many parents just do not have time to fully engage with it. They are busy working or looking after families and cannot devote their time to meetings and organizing. However, that does not mean that you cannot support your school PTA from afar. In this post, we will look at some of the ways that you can be a part of the team without giving up your life to it.

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Sponsorship

If you own a business or have some influence in your workplace, look at how you can support the PTA and school. Some businesses match fundraising – for every £1 the PTA or school raises they add 10p, for example. Others may be happy to sponsor an event in return for some advertising on a banner or on the school website. It is a win for the business too – customers like to see how local businesses help out in their local community.

Share ideas

You might think that just because you cannot attend the PTA meetings that you cannot share your ideas, but that could not be any further from the truth. The majority of PTA’s would be overjoyed at people sharing their ideas and supporting them, even if they are unable to play a more active part in it. If you have an idea that you think would work, drop them an email.

Donate prizes

Of course, there is always a risk that you will end up winning it back, but if your PTA puts a call out for donations for raffle prizes and tombolas, it can be a good excuse to clear out all those jigsaws and bubble baths that you do not use. It makes space for you and raises money for the school – it is a win all around!

Use your skills

Are you good at painting faces or braiding hair? Can you blow up balloons or make cakes? If so, offer your skills and services at events. It might mean taking a couple of hours out every few months, but it is a great way to integrate yourself into the school community and help out the PTA without being too involved.

There are plenty of other ways that you can support your school’s Parent Teacher Association without attending every single meeting and giving up your life. Do you have any to add?

Thanks for reading jade x

Doing What Is Best For Your Family Means A Lot Of Different Things

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

When you have a family, the thing that you are always going to be concerned about is doing the right thing by them. As long as you are doing what you think is right, while also listening to what other family members have to say, then you’re going to do just fine. You might be wondering what kind of things we mean by this, and by the time that you have finished reading, you should understand a little bit better. If you would like to find out more about what it takes to do what is best for your family, keep reading down below.

Health

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The first thing that you are going to need to do is prioritizing the health of your family, even if they aren’t so keen on it. This is going to be the case if you have teenage children who think that they know it all and that you don’t need to be babying them. Well, looking out for their health is not the same as babying them, so they are just going to have to suck it up and listen. This is going to include a number of things such as ensuring everyone attends their routine checkups at the doctor, eating properly and balanced, as well as fitting some kind of exercise into their routine.

They might not thank you for it now, but they will in the future when they know all about staying healthy because you got them into the right mindset. As we get older, we realize that health is important, so keep pushing it now, and we guarantee it will pay off.

Moving On

The next thing that we are going to talk about can be a sensitive subject. You hear all the time that there are parents who are only staying together for the kids, but this might not be what is best. This is going to be especially true if you are arguing all the time and making the house a miserable and tense place to be. In some cases, moving on and letting go, continuing to be a family but separately might be the best thing for everyone involved. It might be time to look into divorce solicitors, and remember that two happy parents who are apart, is better than two that are together, and miserable. 

Making The Hard Choices

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Finally, being a parent and looking out for your family sometimes means that you have to make those hard choices. At times, you are going to look like the bad guy, but you need to be okay with that. As long as it means that your family is safe, happy and healthy, this is all that matters.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of what it means to be doing what is best for your family. Sometimes, this means that you are going to have to make choices that you don’t want to, and in other times it’s a lot more simple. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you have the courage to do whatever it takes for your family. 

As long as were all doing our best were doing ok

Thanks for reading Jade x

Managing Money When It Feels Like You Have None!

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

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Hi all , hope you are well. One of the hardest things to do in life, especially when you have kids, is manage money. There is so much that you need to think about and buy, that it can feel as though the whole world is coming down on you at times. But, there is always going to be a way to manage your money, even when you feel like you have none, which can happen more often than any of us are really willing to admit. If you would like to find out more about this topic, keep reading down below where you will find the information that you need. 

Find A Way To Make More

The first thing that we suggest you do is find a way to make more money. It might sound simple when it’s put like this, but the reality is that it’s not. It’s important that you understand there are many different ways to make a little more money. The first thing that you can do is start a side hustle and this can be whatever you want it to be. For example, you could start a blog, and gather such a following that it begins to make money. Or, you could start something like dog walking or babysitting to get some extra cash.

Another option would be to look into investing. Something like real estate or even CFD trading could be right up your alley. Of course, you are going to need to find out all the information you need to even get started with this, so it might take you a little bit of time to understand. 

Budget Thoroughly

You also need to ensure that you are budgeting thoroughly. Managing money when there isn’t a lot of it might seem like a simple task, but making it stretch as far as you need it to is difficult. What you need to do is go through all of the money that you have, and then all of the money that goes out each month, making sure that you include all of your bills. Whatever you have left at the end is what you’ve got to spend on luxuries each month. We highly recommend that you budget in some money for the expenses of your children while you are doing this, otherwise you could find yourself falling short.

Buy Only When You Have To

When you don’t have a lot of money, you shouldn’t be wasting it. Once you know how much you have left, it will be far easier for you to know what you can and cannot afford. You should do your best to only spend this money when you have to, seeing as you don’t know when you’re going to need it. Although this doesn’t sound like much fun for you, remember that finances change and this isn’t going to be forever.

We hope that you have found this article helpful and now see some of the things that you should be doing when it comes to managing money, even when you feel like you have none. There is always a way to make the most out of what you have, it is simply going to be a case of figuring out how you can do it. We wish you the best of luck, and hope that this advice provides you with some kind of help. 

Thanks for reading Jade x

Hacks Top Teachers Use For Maximum Learning

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

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When you were at school, you probably remember having a great teacher – somebody who was able to connect all the dots for you. They were a rare creature indeed. But you knew when you’d found one. 

But what was it about these individuals that made their teaching so good? Was it pure genius or did they have a method? 

The reality is a bit of both. Not only were they masters of their subjects, but they also learned a bunch of techniques that made it easier for children to learn. 

But what were they? 

Let’s take a look. 

Leverage Excitement 

Children tend to be experts at following cues. If their teacher isn’t interested in a particular subject, they won’t be either. 

The trick to effective teaching, therefore, is to make it sound exciting. As a homeschooler, you want to keep the tone light and engaging so children come to believe that there’s something genuinely interesting about what they’re learning. 

One of the best ways to do this is to explain that knowledge is empowering. The more they know, the more effective they will be in the world. 

Create A Template

One of the reasons sites like Studentreasures.com are so popular is that they create a template that makes learning more manageable. They break down skill-building into manageable chunks. 

Remember, students can’t create great work without any prior experience. Instead, they need to build their skills over time, mastering development at each stage. 

But what does this look like in practice? 

Ultimately, it’s about creating just the right level of challenge. Children need enough resistance to make their achievements feel satisfying. But they shouldn’t feel overwhelmed and stuck. That could put them off. 

Great teachers understand this balance intuitively. Kids have to struggle. But they also have to get some payoff for all their hard work too. 

Use Your Hands

According to Lifehack.org, using your hands is one of the best things you can do as an educator. Children react strongly to body language and it can help to maintain their attention. 

Small changes in your body language can have a profound difference in learning outcomes. Changing the angles of your hands so that your palms face outwards indicates openness and a willingness to engage in a shared experience. And that’s what learning is all about. 

Keep Learning Tasks Short

The way children learn is very different from what adults imagine. Kids tend to gain the most knowledge when they receive information in small chunks. Four-hour marathons are not advised. 

The reason for this comes down to the way that children learn. It turns out that the developing brain needs time for “consolidation.” Learning something new takes energy and new neural connections. And this tends to occur when the child is doing something other than actively learning. 

Where possible, therefore, try to keep learning tasks short – perhaps as little as fifteen minutes. Break up the day with plenty of movement. And be sure to vary the tasks that your child completes to keep them interested. 

Thanks for reading Jade x