Random Likings

This is what has been distracting me recently and, surprisingly, none of it is to do with Christmas.

 1. Narratively
I can't remember how I found this site, but it makes for really entertaining reading. It's packed with well written, insightful and incredibly personal stories that show a less visible side of New York. I promise I'll only read one, but before I know it half an hour has passed and I've been sucked into other people's lives.

2. LEGO Minifigure Family Postcards
Ok, this one is kind of about Christmas but it's LEGO and it's COOL so suck it up and get stuck in

3. Thread Den
If you're in Melbourne you really should visit Thread Den. It's a sewing lounge where you can take classes and attend workshops, get advice and improve your skill with a needle and thread. I don't drink much these days so bonding with friends over a bottle of wine is not appealing, however this funky looking store would be an enjoyable alternative to a pub.

4. Nightsky Dress by Joanna Johnson
I love this dress! It's made from lightweight flecked Italian wool and lined in silk satin. It has a stunning cut away back you can see here .  That combination of fabrics must make it feel amazing to wear. There are stacks of stunning gowns around with all the numerous party-wear inspired magazine articles, but this one really stood out to me for its elegance and simplicity.

5. Bottle Green Blackcurrant & Coffee Cordial

This limited edition cordial is sold at Waitrose for £2.something. The surprising combination of flavours really works with either hot or cold water. I will be getting more.

It's a Pinterest kind of Day

I don't know what Sundays are like in your house, but ours are usually pretty quiet. My husband almost always rides his bike which leaves me and the kids to our own devices, or me and the youngest since my oldest normally hangs out with his friends. Finding activities to keep kids occupied while still leaving me enough time to get my own stuff done (such as reading the paper in peace) isn't always easy. I'm usually brain dead and devoid of imagination on Sunday, especially on days like today when I don't want to go anywhere or spend any money. Where else would I go for inspiration for a fun and frugal activities for children, but Pintrest! This is what we have been doing today.

Baking Banana and Oat biscuits
Finally, a biscuit that is virtually guilt free! These have just two healthy ingredients: bananas and rolled oats. I also chucked in some raisins and a sprinkling of cinnamon. I quite like the idea of adding peanut butter and some frozen raspberries to the mix next time.

Two ingredient Oat and Banana biscuits

Being a Ninja
How awesome is this Ninja mask! It's as simple as you like because it's just a normal t-shirt. The pin came via one of my favourite websites, Frugal Fun For Boys. My son was delighted with the effect and spent the next hour or so playing Ninja and sneaking up on my while I was undertaking sinister activities such as hanging out the washing. We used my older son's t-shirt for this but it would have been even better if I'd nicked one of his dad's. Best of all it took seconds with no cutting, sewing or mess of any kind.

No cut, no sew Ninja mask

Making a LEGO maze
Even a Ninja needs a little downtime so after successfully patrolling the perimeter and practicing his swordsmanship, this little Ninja and I settled down to make a LEGO marble maze. We started by identifying where the entrance and exit was going to be then worked our way out creating false paths until the board was covered. A few adjustments were made to make the maze even trickier and now it's ready for use.

Thank you Pinterest for a stress free Sunday which hasn't involved me shouting, hiding in the toilet in an attempt to get some peace, having to go out, or spending any money!

Random Likings

It's been a while since I posted any of these. So much so that when I went back through the list of bookmarks, some of them were a bit out of date (Easter LEGO, anyone?)

1. Neatorama (www.neatorama.com)
My new favourite time wasting site. Looking for etiquette tips from the 1950s? Or what about a little medieval trivia for the next quiz night at Ye Olde Fighting Cocke? (or whatever medieval pubs were called). Or maybe you're just looking for a replacement Bob Marley magnet and finger puppet. It's all here.

 
2. Steve Backshall
Deadly 60 is my new favourite Sunday night programme. Not only does it afford me quality time with the kids, it's informative and entertaining. Apparently Steve is also smoking hot very fit, not that I tend to notice that sort of thing. But I've noticed been told you can see his six pack through a wetsuit. Apart from the frequency with which he removes his shirt, I enjoy his show because he's so darn enthusiastic about pretty much everything. I spend half my time thinking that he's nuts (he wades through alligator infested marshes, swims with sharks, and generally puts himself in a position I would run a mile from).

3. Florence china from Whittard
How gorgeous is this china? (Answer: very, obviously). I want it all and then some. I love, love, love Whittard's clipper style mugs because they are the perfect size and really stylish. They're nice enough to use for guests without being so precious that you worry if they get broken (£6 for the mug, but keep an eye out for sales). I adore the polka-dots and the colours of the Florence Range, which includes mugs, cups and saucers, tea pots, plates, and pasta bowls. Check it out at www.whittard.co.uk

4. Vibe Watches 
I am seriously debating treating myself to one of these build-your-own Vibe Watches, as seen here at Funky Watch (www.funkywatch.co.uk). Choose the colour face, band, case and bezel you want to create a completely unique and fairly robust looking watch. Parts cost from £2.50, with faces costing £19.50.

5. That's Nerdalicious
This is another timewasting informative website (www.thatsnerdalicious.com) I have bookmarked, but I can't remember when I did it, or what post prompted it.
Maybe it was this Japanese McDonald's French Fry holder for your car?

More than likely it was something to do with LEGO, like this customisable LEGO mug...

... or this incredible Ninjago cake (how clever!)

Anyway, if you have nerd tendencies or small boys to amuse, this site is a handy bookmark

Disclaimer: I have not been paid for, or asked to promote any of this stuff. It's purely things I have seen and liked in the course of my expert procrastinating very important work. I'm not saying I'd be adverse to a little something, and if Steve Backshall arrived on my doorstep bearing cake, coffee and a six pack I wouldn't turn him away, because turning someone with cake away is both a) rude and b) insane unless it looks like this, in which case slamming the door in their face is the only rational option

 

What You Truly Can't Live Without This Week (... or not)

Haven't had a "random likings" for a while. Here are some bits and pieces I have seen on my online travels.

1. Leopard print Converse
I saw these ones at Office...

 ...but when looking for a suitable pic to use I found these ones in the States with a zip, with just a leopard tongue.
Then there are these sparkly beauties for those who think leopard print isn't enough on its own, and that it could use a little bling

I, however, am a woman of simple tastes and the top pair have been added to my Christmas wish list.



2. Folding Water Bottle 



This one came thanks to Mrs Thrifty when she posted about her favourite Money Saving Handbag Essentials.  I thought it was a great idea and ordered one for myself. Anything that reduces the amount of crap I seem to forever be lugging in my handbag is a good thing and this has proved to be great.


3. Arthur Christmas!


Not exactly random as this has been on my radar for a while and I pre-ordered it last week. I loved Arthur Christmas and have been waiting for it to come out on DVD so it can be added to my growing collection of Christmas films. It's currently £9.99 at Amazon but am sure it will be on offer in the supermarkets as well.

     


4. LEGO Sweets
You can tell what direction my online searches have been heading recently - first Arthur Christmas and now LEGO sweets.You can get these from various online retailers including Sweet Greetings and Amazon (I love browsing all the imported sweets and food on there!) But look at these awesome gummy LEGO sweets.
Unfortuately you can't buy them but if you want to make them the instructions are at Sweet and Nerdy.

 If you were keen then you can either make a silicone mould or buy one from eBay. Actually, while I was searching I turned up this gem: a Hans Solo in Carbonite mould so you can munch him in chocolate, jelly, ice - whatever takes your fancy.

                                                               

2012 Great Western LEGO Show Review

6-7 October saw the 2012 Great Western LEGO Show at STEAM in Swindon. You can read my review of the 2011 show here. This year was no less awesome than 2011, with plenty to see and do and tonnes of fab LEGO inspiration that left our boys buzzing with enthusiasm that had them heading straight to their rooms to build as soon as we got in.

The layout was the same as last year so we knew what to expect and, as planned, we hit the shops first to avoid the crush of last year. The boys (10, 10 and 5) had pretty specific ideas about what they wanted to buy and I think they found it. I picked up a few stocking fillers (shh!) Interestingly, my 5 year old had gone off LEGO about 6 months previously and hadn't intended to buy anything (saving his pennies for an iPad... dream on kid) but he was infected by the surge of mania in the room, with children and adults alike shoppng with Purpose, whether it was to buy the one Minifigure from a series they needed to complete their collection, or just stock up on rare items. There was also an official LEGO store stand this year, which had a great selection.

Enjoy about the shopping and onto the models. Where as 2011 was all about Harry Potter, 2012 was about the Olympics. Personally I preferred last year's models but no one could fail to be impressed by the spectacular Olympic Stadium which had something like 4,000 Minifigures in the stands, and the city was pretty cool as well. It was a relief to see some tables with velvet ropes around them to prevent children from getting too close, and the tablecloths which were such a hazard last year were mostly shorter or missing altogether which made it much less stressful and more enjoyable for me.We spent around four hours in there and all of us left happy (via the outlet stores opposite - the adults reward)

Here is a video STEAM have up on their site that was filmed on Sunday and gives a good overview of the models, the atmosphere and the *ahem* exceptionally good looking visitors


 

Barring flood or famine I can't see a reason why we wouldn't go again next year. From someone who hasn't touched LEGO to play with for ages, my 5 year old spent an hour building with the bricks at the back of the hall, before getting stuck into rebuilding his own city when he got home. It's a fantastic event and if you like trains, STEAM is a brilliant location with so much to see and experience hands on. If you have any interest in LEGO then put it in your calendar for 2013, when it will be on 5-6 October.

Random Likings For Children

Because what mother doesn't want their son to be advised by Bart Simpson?

Blackboard wall stickers from Wallnutz

Wizz Fizz. So impressed they still make this stuff.

H&M children's clothing: practical, good quality, and bright colours all year around. I love H&M.

Back to the Future replica hoverboard - Oh yes!

(but you need to pre-order by 20 Mar for December delivery)

Top Christmas toys for boys

Forget the lists that are being hyped by the media. This is what is on the list in my house.

Lego

The Hogwarts Castle would be particularly well received, as would any pick and mix building blocks and this series 4 hockey player Minifigure.

Nerf

 The bigger the better as far as my boys are concerned. Keep dreaming kids... it's never gonna happen

Music vouchers

 Like Amazon, to download such classics as Sexy and I Know It and Make You Sweat

Activities/Experiences
A family outing to somewhere is on the cards for Christmas but where is still being debated.

Books

Sports equipment
Mine got hockey sticks last year but if they need equipment then now is a good time. Footballs are always received well here as the level of accuracy doesn't always match the level of enthusiasm.

Power Rangers
I honestly thought I'd seen the back of Power Rangers when my eldest grew out of them 3 or 4 years ago. Apparently I haven't. I've been told these are different but I can't see it.

The Making of Harry Potter tour at Warner Bros Studios

This has definitely caught my eye this week, and is something I will be investigating further!

I am an avid Harry Potter fan. I've loved it ever since the first book and remember watching the first film in a
cinema packed with enthralled viewers, transfixed by how everything on the screen exactly matched the images JK Rowling created in my head. Every detail is just amazing and I rate the Philosopher's Stone as my favourite of the films. I love that it's such good escapism but contains enough real life detail to make it feel to a little bit of my brain that it's possible that maybe it might be true. The day I stop liking to let my imagination free is the day I die.

My eldest son is also a Harry Potter fan. Back in the days when he still wanted bedtime stories, I read him the entire series. Some nights we had to start bedtime an hour early just to fit 2 chapters in before he went to sleep. He's currently fixated with Harry Potter LEGO, partially due to the amazing models we saw at the Great Western LEGO show and has built some of his best models recently. 

To me the films are magic (no pun intended) and I was really excited to hear about the Warner Bros studio tour that's opening in spring 2012. Just hearing the music on the website gives me a thrill of excitement. It's certainly not cheap, at £83 for a family ticket. It costs less than a day at Legoland, but then it only lasts around 3 hours. I'm also not sure how suitable it will be for my 4 year old. I would hate to miss parts because he's bored and whingy and needs taking out.

We were planning a joint outing for the boy's birthday next year and this could be ideal. I just wish I lived closer and could sneak off and see it on my own while they are at school.

Review - Great Western LEGO Show

Last weekend was the annual Great Western LEGO Show. It's where members of the Brickish Association can display their models, and is the largest event of its kind in the UK. I found out about it when randomly searching for LEGO events earlier in the year. Having 2 LEGO mad children made it seem like the perfect outing. I stored the details away in the rusty old filing cabinet that is my memory and thankfully remembered a few days beforehand.

The venue is the STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon. I've never been there before, having no interest in steam trains and (thankfully) having children who are not fussed about them either. I was really  impressed with the size and layout of the museum. It's definitely a place you want to go if you like old trains. It's right next to a designer shopping outlet so there's something for everyone... well, everyone who likes old trains or shopping. Oh, and parking is plentiful, nearby and just £1 - bargain.

The show itself was really good. I went with a friend and our 3 children, aged 9, 9 and 4. I have not seen my 9 year son as excited as that since we took him to Legoland for his birthday when he was 8. The first group of models we saw were mostly of Harry Potter scenes and they were just incredible. One woman told us her model took a year to build and I can well believe it. The attention to detail the builders gave their models, and their imagination and innovation when building them was impressive. It impressed me, and I don't 'do' LEGO, so you can imagine what the kids were like. The builders were very friendly and happy to talk to us about how and why they had built things they way they had. The boys got some great ideas.

The main hall had a huge array of all sorts of different types of models and they were all fantastic. There was also the chance for the children to make a mosaic panel and do a bit of building of their own. My favourite model was the Yoda with the light sabre that lit up, but the robot that moved and the massive cathedral at the front (sorry, can't remember which one it was a model of) also stand out. The introduction of LEGO minifigures adds a good dimension. Where else will you see a cowboy, a clown, and a cheerleader in church with an alien, a detective and an explorer?

Lego mosaic. Our panel is up in the top left somewhere.

 





The last part of the show was, of course, the shop. It's not your usual LEGO shop, but independent retailers selling LEGO. There's a good mix of used and new LEGO and the kids were incredibly happy with their purchases. I was happy as both of mine spent less than £10 each and got a lot of different bricks and pieces they put to use straight away.





If you're planning on going next year (it's on 6-7 Oct in 2012):

• Book your tickets in advance if you plan on getting there when it opens. We arrived about 10 minutes after the doors opened and walked past a queue of over 100 people. Well worth the £4 booking fee.
• take a camera
• don't expect to sit down for a few hours. There's no real seating as you go around. My 4 year old got a bit overwhelmed with all the people, colours and noise in the main hall, so we had to sit on the floor in the corner for a while with a restorative Mars bar. I don't mind sitting on floors, but you might.
• Talk to the people who built the models. They are justifiably proud of their creations and happy to share building tips and details with visitors. 
• Visit the shop first. It was uncomfortably full by the time we got there at around 12pm, and there were places where it was impossible to move.
• Watch out for the tables and cloths in the main hall area. The tables were not always sturdy, particularly with hoardes of enthusiastic children trying to get as to the models as possible without touching. They were also covered in cloths that were too long and puddled on the floor. It was easy for children to tread on them, pulling the cloth towards them and threatening the models.
• Be prepared to watch younger children like a hawk. Consider recording the phrases "Don't Touch!!" and "Stand BACK!" to replay at frequent intervals

The only drawback (apart from the hovering and watch the tablecloth-ing) was that we couldn't find any of the advertised building workshops and expert talks. The boys would have loved those.