Persil Pass On the Love Picnic Hamper Winners....

Thank you so much for taking the time to pop yourself in the hat to win a wonderful Persil Pass On the Love Picnic hamper. I so wish you could have all won one, though 3 winners is pretty good going don't you think, and I am very very pleased to announce the 3 winners who were picked from the pretty hat are....

The lovely, lovely Lydia, who blogs over at Twelve I can't really put it into words how much I love reading Lydia's blog posts, there is always something that touches me in every post of hers I read, and I often feel very moved by her words and photographs. Well done Lydia, and I just dig your camper van!!

And then onto Gem who blogs at the delightful  Dreams Of A Life In The Country Gem dream's of one day buying her own house in a quaint little village in the country, and being able to play her part in country life. Gem loves almost all things crafty ( my kinda gal ) and is always trying something new. Well done Gem, good luck searching through your teddies ;)

The lucky 3rd winner is the lovely blog Peonies And Pennies where its lovely author writes about her relationship with Little Miss. They live in their ideal home close to family and friends, and they love spending time together and enjoy having great days out. Like me, Peonies And Pennies also happens to love cute things, for example, kitsch, retro, vintage, nostalgia, jumble sales and car boot sales. We would certainly have a fun shopping experience together ;)

So, well done ladies, good luck in your Persil Pass On the Love experience....

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Persil Pass On The Love Picnic Hampers Giveaway!!....

To prove just how soft Persil 2in1 with Comfort is, Persil have launched with the help of celebrity mum Jo Whiley Pass On The Love Picnic's  at this year’s Camp Bestival. Families fom all over washed their old cuddly toys in new Persil 2in1 with Comfort, and brought them along to the event to be swapped with other festival families or donated to Oxfam. Here is a little taster from Jo Whiley herself of how it works....



 Persil 2in1 with Comfort is ideal for washing fluffy bunnies and furry teddies – making them softer, cleaner and more fragrant than ever before. So they can be extra snuggly for their new owners. The day at Camp Bestival was a huge success – Jo popped over to the picnic area where everyone enjoyed snacks, games and puppet shows – and of course the kids had loads of fun swapping their newly-washed toys.  Here at the Poppins house we certainly have quite a pile here we could pass on/donate.

So when I was offered the chance to join in, myself and the children couldn't resist saying yes and in turn help to find new homes for their once much loved toys. I had no idea what would turn up to help us in our quest to spruce up the teddies and send them on their merry way to pastures new.  

Well, what did turn up was a very lovely and vintage esque picnic hamper....

 

And in it...


* A lovely and soft picnic rug

* Cute Picnic cups

* Napkins

* Money off vouchers for me to hand out to friends and family

* A cute soft toy rabbit

* A bottle of Persil 2 in 1 with comfort

As I wanted to get washing the toys I decided to give them a wash and see just how soft and clean they would come out using Persil 2in1 comfort with Passion Flower fragrance. I adore the fragrance, so sweet and summery. I was very pleased with how they came out, soft, clean, and with with a lovely delicate scent. 

And with only one capful needed per wash you get approximately 25 loads for your bottle which makes it quite good value too I think. We are going to be having our own Poppins Persil Pass On The Love Picnic over the band holiday, sort out all the now clean and soft teddies etc and donate them to Oxfam.

 If you would like the opportunity to have your own cute vintage esque Persil Pass On The Love Picnic hamper with all it's contents, Persil are offering 3 lucky readers of my blog one. The wicker hamper I have to say is just divine, and would look so sweet on the back of that wished for vintage/classic car. If you would like to go in the hat to be one of the 3 winners chosen at random, feel free to leave a comment on this post and I shall pop your name in the hat, so not 1, not 2 but 3 Persil hampers to give away. I shall get one of the Poppins children to pick 3 winners out of the hat at tea time on Tuesday 30th August. Persil shall then forward onto the winners your very own hamper to host a little picnic to Pass On The Persil Love too. Good luck if you decide to go in the hat.

EDIT: Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, 3 winners have now been picked from the pretty hat.
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HOP DVD Event....

Last week myself, and the family were invited along to a screening of HOP (released on DVD & Blu-Ray on Bank holiday Monday) a film about a cute little Rabbit named E.B who has serious attitude and a remarkable talent for the drums! A film if I am honest I didn't really know too much about and never got round to seeing at the cinema. As the event was being held at CadburyWorld , and I love, love, love chocolate of course I had to pop along....

I was sent a little something before the screening itself to help get me in the HOP/Chocolaty mood....

I could smell the chocolate from a mile away, and the pretty basket was rather sweet....

And HOW much yummy chocolate....

As you can imagine I was certainly in the mood when we arrived at Cadbury World to watch Hop. So, what is HOP about? Well, in brief, when the time comes for little E.B. ( Voice of Russell Brand ) to take over the reigns of his dad's business, he decides it is all too much so runs away to seek out the bright lights of Hollywood. However, right from the start Hollywood isn't exactly what E.B had in mind. He bumps, literally into a character called Fred's ( James Marsden ) car who decides to take him in to look after him. When Fred realises E.B. is the very same Easter Bunny he glimpsed as a child, they from an unlikely friendship....

Fred decides to help E.B realise his rock 'n roll dreams and takes him to appear on "Hoff Knows Talent" and in return E.B. teaches Fred what it takes to be an Easter Bunny. Meanwhile both are oblivious to the royal ninja bunnies, who have been sent on a mission to bring E.B.back home. Back on Easter island, head chick at the Easter factory, Carlos ( Voice of Hank Azaria ) See's E.B. escape as the perfect excuse for him to take over the position of Easter Bunny and he even attempts to take over the Easter factory.

So what shall become of E.B and his rock 'n roll dreams? Shall Carlos take over the factory? All shall be revealed when Universal pictures HOP is released on DVD from Monday 29th August 2011. There are all-new bonus features on Blu-Ray & DVD too.

•A look at the Candy Factory

•A look at E.B.

•A look at Fred

•A look at the Easter Bunny

•A look at Carlos and Phil

•A look at Sam

There are many additional features exclusive to Blu-ray. Head over to I Want Candy to find out more. I can't wait to see it again, and is a perfect bank holiday treat for the children, you can also join in the conversation over at the HOP Facebook Page I for one shall be grabbing the pop corn again to watch it. The little Poppins were treated to a little bag of treats which has to be said they were very thankful and pleased to get especially as it involved chocolate.

E.B. himself even gave us a little visit, and yes, that is my hand on his knee...I couldn't resist a little pat of the sweet bunny!

We were also treated to a smashing tour of Cadbury World, whilst we were there.

 A very popular attraction it has to be said, and needless to say much chocolate was eaten by moi, I even got to look after even more chocolate in my bag as we walked round....

I was of course a good girl and handed it back out once the tour had finished. I couldn't resist a little moochy around the shop too....

And the delicious warm melted chocolate you could go and taste was just Yum! So thanks must go to the HOP DVD and Cadbury World Press team who gave myself and my family a lovely day. We have had no holidays away this summer as such, so to be treated to a lovely day out was just lovely.

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SwingBall Pro....

If you are as old as me you shall certainly have fond memories and remember the days of playing swing ball in the back garden. Oh my, I used to love that game, though I always ended up playing against my brother who would always whack the ball SO hard I would practically fall over. The Poppins children and I were sent the new SwingBall Pro to have a play with and see what we all thought.

Now obviously I am not as young as I was in those swingball playing days I remember so fondly, though I know it was indeed a favourite game I used to play as a child, and was pretty confident my own children would love it as much as I did. The pro is aimed at 6+ yrs and a super, ultimate Swingball, which is perfect for older children and adults who enjoy hitting a real tennis ball. The all surface base, which also has markers to enable players to keep score as you play, allows you to play on any surface. Simply fill the base with water or sand and you're ready, literally anywhere. As the swing ball pro packs away neatly in the all surface base with carry handle, we think would be a super duper item to take on holiday, especially in our little retro caravan and where there is water, and sometimes even sand, always on tap.

So, how does SwingBall Pro compare to the classic Swing Ball?

SwingBall Pro is taller and faster....

It has stronger power bats....

It also has a real tennis ball....

And a more stable all surface base....

Well, what can I say, there were four pairs of hands eager to get the swingball pro out of the box. As an old player I kind of got the idea on how to set it up and get playing, though I did have a little read of the simple constructions ( as Master P calls them ) as I went. Although aimed at 6+ I was more than happy for my just turned 5 year old Master Popps to have a gentle go with adult supervision. So we got it set up quick flash and got playing. So some actions shots of the little Poppins....

You can have a lovely browse over at the Mookie Toys website, where you shall find a wonderful world of play. So, even though the weather looks like it needs a little cheering up, am off to play some Swing Ball and get those aging muscles of mine working....

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Pretty Storage....

I love pretty storage, and super handy if it is transportable too. Whilst I was having a little moochy at the Cath Kidston sale I saw this, and along with some other little treats came away with it, a pretty Sweater Storage Bag....

I don't really own many sweaters, and this is too pretty to be tucked away in the cupboard, or under the bed.

For me, makes a much more useful little suitcase, and as I am going on a little jaunt soon, thought it just perfect :) And if one packs as much as I do, everything sits nice and snug inside.

Gotta love the florals in life :)

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A Year Older....

Thank you so much for the lovely birthday wishes, a year older and hopefully a year wiser ;)

I had a lovely greeting when I walked into the kitchen in the morning....

My husband really knows me well, hence the Keep Calm I've Kept The Receipt bag, ha ha. Also he knows I love cake, and so pretty looking was the birthday cake I didn't want to cut into it, so flowery, glittery and pink.

As for pressies, well, I NEARLY got an ipad....Mr. Poppins went on a little search for one though came away without, the thought was there though and I love him for it.

A little taster of what I got....

I had used up my most favourite Daisy perfume and all I had left was an empty bottle....

Though I always have a spare....

I had seen the new perfume in shops and just adored it's delicate, pretty scent. Well I had a lovely surprise when I unwrapped the floral Cath Kidston wrapping paper....

Of course you can't have a birthday without chocolates....

Or pretty jewellery, and I loved the sweet heart watch my lovely sister got me....

As it was I spent much of my birthday on a train with the Poppins children, Master Poppins had a photoshoot with a well known catalogue retailer, and we are back again here next week for an on location photoshoot for one of my favourite retailers. He has had quite a busy summer, here he is looking rather lovely his confidence has blossomed, and I am very proud of him. So if anyone knows of any lovely shops or things to do near the park, do let me know. Well done too to PennyBlossoms who was picked out of the hat to win the whoopie pie book, and thanks for popping yourself in the hat if you did.

Have a lovely weekend.

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Vintage Love....

 I always know deep down, really and truly, one does not gain happiness from *things* but from people, family, friendships, love, relationships etc etc. Though *blush* hands up, when I found this little beauty, I found oh so much happiness....

Oh it is just so cute....

And like me, vintage 70s ;) All the lovely little and original, things inside. Cups and saucers, plates, cutlery, flasks, sandwich boxes.... I love playing with them like a little girl would, who enjoys playing with her toys....

I love, love, love the little salt and pepper containers, so cute....

And as for the basket itself, just beautiful....

I love it!! And well tis my birthday today, so if you can't treat yourself on your birthday, when can you ;)

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Feather & Black....

With the refurbishment of our home sweet home moving forward, the time has come to start decking out the children's attic bedrooms with some proper storage and furniture. They both have wallpaper in their rooms, and I really love the shabby chic/vintage look. It has to be said there is a wonderful range of children's bedroom furniture over at Feather & Black and was certainly worth a browse I thought.

Being attic bedrooms, I really want to portray a lovely, homely country style to their rooms and I guess not many four year old boys have a pretty chandelier fitting in their room, but yes, in mine they do. When he gets a little older he may take umbrage to it, but for now I can assure you it is staying. So, when I browsed what Feather & Black have to offer in their children's bedroom department for inspiration, I was greeted with some lovely products, and the high quality just shines through in my opinion....

Gorgeous Bedside table that would be lovely for Miss. Poppins....

Oh and the lovely sky blue version for Master Popps....

They could even have the chic bedside lamps on them for some country charm....

A adore Feather & Black's antique style iron beds....

And their adorable shelves would sit right at home. One for Master Poppins....

And for Little Miss....

Also, my studious Miss. Poppins would work happily away at this sweet desk and chair....

Hmmmm I think Master P would happily play away on one of these for the time being....

So, I am having a very enjoyable time searching out some pretty, pretty things. Yes, even for the boys room ;) There really are so many places to find idea's and inspiration for children's rooms, however,  Feather & Black who also have 34 stores nationwide, is certainly worth a visit. Some stores even have their own clearance section with end of line items available at much reduced prices.

I really enjoy doing up the kid's rooms, it is one of my favourite places to let my creative spirit free and indulge my love of shabby chic/vintage etc etc. I shall share with you very soon their rooms after my little makeovers, and, being the nosy sort, I would love know what your children's rooms are like....

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Whoopie Pie Book, A Giveaway....

Oh my I love sweet things, I love pretty books and I love whoopie Pies!!  Bake Me I'm Yours....Whoopie Pies is just the prettiest, sweetest little book, and I couldn't wait to have a flick through the pages....

If the front cover was anything to go on, I bet I was in for a treat. Whoopie Pies are quite a new thing and I have to admit I hadn't really heard much about them till not long ago. We ( the children and I ) have had an attempt at making whoopie pies at home and I have to say are always delicious. Apologies though as I don't have any newly baked whoopie pies looking perfectly staged, with a delicious prop or too at their side for affect. Oh no, they get eaten far too quickly to faff about taking photographs ;) So, what are whoopie pies? A whoopie pie is a sweet baked item which is a cross between a soft biscuit, a cake and a pie. It is made up of two round pieces of cake-like biscuits, which are sandwiched together with a sweet, creamy filling. Apparently other names given to these sweet delights have included hucklebucks, gobs and BFOs (big fat Oreos). There is no set size, as big or as small as you like.

While they have been around in the USA for a long time, we are all kind of catching on. Traditionally, whoopies are chocolate flavoured with a marshmallow cream filling, but the basic recipe can easily be adapted for a wide variety of other flavours and fillings. Many whoopies previously had all looked the same, no real identity and dare I say rather uninspiring looking. Not so with this cute book, which includes fun ways to create new and exciting looks for whoopies, with each project having a difficulty rating at the side, so you can start with the easy peasy ones, and then move onto the more complex designs as ones confidence grows. Here are some of the designs that really took my fancy.

Country Garden....

Rose In Bloom....

One of my favourite designs, Daisy Chain....

Chocolate Temptation....

Over The Rainbow....

Love Hearts....

Birthday Balloons....

Prima Ballerina....

 
I really do love this book, and even though I have only tried out some of the simple designs am eager to get on with the more complex ones too, especially with one or two birthdays coming up. The peeps at RUCraft have kindly sent a book for me to forward on as a giveaway, so if you would like to be in with a chance of having your very own copy of Bake Me I'm Yours....Whoopie Pies just pop me a little comment on this post. I shall pop you in the hat and pick a winner on Friday, at cake eating time, which normally in the Poppins house is all day, but shall make it about tea time. 
 
So, good luck if you decide to go in the hat, it really is a lovely little book to have.... 
 

 
I have to say this book looks a goodun too.....

EDIT: Thanks for going in the hat, a winner has now be picked :)  
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