Time For A Mary Poppins Giveaway....

I was really flattered and overwhelmed to have seen not long ago that I had reached 6,000 fans on my facebook page Polka Dots And Posies  Although, and not wanting to blow my own trumpet ( not my style ) I feel I have worked hard to reach audiences online and connect with like minded people. It genuinely still surprises me and brings a smile to my face that many people may actually 'like' the pretty things I make. Inspired and encouraged by many lovely people on a craft forum that I joined a long time ago now, I went on to enjoy sewing, loved searching for ( mostly pink ) fabrics to make pretty things and after not too long found my comfort zone. The extra pocket money I earned from selling items that came into our household money pot was purely an added bonus, though helped immensely. Probably sounds a bit wet, but it truly makes me happy knowing one of my pretties may bring a smile to other people's faces, especially children as I love making for special little people so very much. I also love to inspire others and if I can carry on the sewing bug that other people can then enjoy that makes me a very happy lady. 

So, as thanks for the lovely support and encouragement from friendly folk, who keep me heading towards that sewing machine, especially at times when I doubt myself, I wanted to offer a little giveaway....

Being me, there is rather a lot of pink in there ;) 

A brand new 'Keep Calm And Eat Cupcakes' pink tea towel.... 

I made one of these personalised mini lavender pillows for someone and liked it so much I couldn't help whipping one up for myself with an 'M' for the personalisation. It looks really quite sweet next to the bed and with the lavender, is known to aid sleep. I would make this up with your chosen initial should you be the winner of the giveaway....

Of course you have to have a coordinating lavender heart....

I love sending and receiving handwritten letters so have included a pretty floral themed handwriting set....

I just love the little stickers with this set....

Using some of the left over fabric from my Abakhan Craft Challenge I have made this little colourful tote bag, i imagine a little girl would love to put her little girly treasures in it....

It has a very sunny yellow gingham lining too....

There is also a little keyring for all those keys....

Always handy to have spare tissues, especially when they are as pretty as these Cath Kidston ones and I have made a little cosy for them too....

And finally some super, duper, retro, stripey straws....

I shall probably pop a couple of little surprises in there too. Please feel free to go in the hat and as Facebook has 'em competiton/giveaway rules am linking this post on there too so everyone gets a chance to go in. I shall therefore submit any names from there also. Very simple rules here, please just leave a comment on this post you don't have to 'follow' 'like' or whatever. Shall keep the giveaway open until midnight August 7th, and then get the birthday boy to choose a winner on his 6th birthday, August 8th. Please feel free to share with anyone who you think may like to jump in the hat. Overseas welcome. 

Good luck and as ever thanks for the lovely encouragement I have received. Life isn't always rosy in the Poppins house but I like to share that part of my world that makes me smile, that pretty, pink, colourful part. Each and everyone's lovely comments here and on my Facebook page really do lift the spirits.

Thank you, a winner has now been picked and shall be announced shortly....

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Trunki Comes To London With Us....

This week I have been in London with Master Poppins for company and a fair bit of our time was spent on tubes and trains. I knew I would need some super and practical luggage for all our odds and ends and so I would like to introduce you to the Trunki Ride-on Trixie   

As during travel all our belongings would have to be with us, I thought this ride-on children's suitcase that was sent for us to see what we thought of it ideal. I just love the hot pink, and I may had a little influence in helping the children decide which Trunki we would try out ;) Actually even Master P doesn't mind a little  pink accessory here and there and loves his cool hot pink boys belt....

So we packed up everything we would need for our two days ( one night ) stay over and shared the little case with a side for him and a side for me....

I couldn't believe how generous the inside was and everything I needed for our little jaunt fitted in quite comfortably. There are even fabric pockets for all those little things. Of course the most practical reason to use this super this little case for our journey was that Master Poppins could ride on it, I could pull it, and it comes with both handle straps and long straps which made carrying it if I needed to so easy. Master P just loved riding on it but zoomed past so fast I couldn't get a decent photograph, he especially loved pulling it himself too.

Here he is on our first day in London....   

He loved Trixie so much he didn't really want to let her go....

And she even came to play with him at Rainbow Park which was so pretty with all it's different coloured sand....

She behaved herself on the tube, though during crush rush hour on one of our journey's at one point she did get trapped in the doors as they were quickly closing on her. I gave a yank to set her free and she seemed quite unscathed by her ordeal....

I wouldn't recommend doing this as at the end of a day it is a child not an adult ride on, but I just had to park my derrière on it during a very busy train journey to London Bridge and she coped remarkably well....

We were on our way to a photoshoot for Master Poppins and Trixie Trunki made her way over Waterloo Bridge and onto Covent Garden. I happend to have been invited to a Christmas press event held in Covent Garden ( more about that soon ) so on our way to Master Poppins' photoshoot we did a little detour, again Trixie came with us. I especially enjoyed meeting celeb hairdresser Lee Stafford....

As we were a bit pushed for time we didn't stay too long and we made our way onwards again. More tube journey's, more overground train journey's and more walking. I have to say this super little case did us proud and made what could have been a very awkward journey had there been lots of different bags etc to carry very easy. When away again I shall definitely take her. Of course I have to remember it is for the children but would love one for my very self too, such fun little things. Master P made one little point that he would have liked little retractable foot rests to pop out of sides of the front wheels so he could rest his feet whilst I pulled him along. I think he is getting a little diva-ish in his old age but actually I can see his point, that would be a super idea for the children. The Trunki gets a definite thumbs up from us, and I would heartily recommend a Trunki for your little ones travels. 

I couldn't help but share this snapshot with you that I took of Master P 'off set' on one of his photoshoots whilst we were in London. His pretend sister was just the sweetest little thing....

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Disclosure :  We were provived with one Trunki child's suitcase for the purposes of this review. all words and opinions are my own.

Kitchen Cupboards....

Whilst sorting through my kitchen cupboards the other day, I couldn't help but take pretty photographs of some of the things I found. Like this lovely Cath Kidston boats set I have for Master Poppins, I really love the little porridge bowl and think the boats is one of most favourite Cath Kidston designs....

I even found some more crush mugs, oops I forgot I had these....

Then hiding in the back was this set of four little cocktail holders that I picked up from the poundshop, and yes you guessed it, for just £1. I love the candy colours....

Having white kitchen units I like to accessorise with soft, pretty colour and the blue of these Nigella Lawson items I bought in the sales really took my fancy. They have been in the kitchen cupboard for yonks and I must get round to actually using them, or perhaps I could give as gifts....  

I love it when my children get pretty presents from friends and family. I adore this baking set Miss. Poppins was given as a gift....

And I love this butter dish again I got in the sales....

Oh dear what a chore sorting through my kitchen cupboards, ah well someone has to do it I guess....

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Dress for Less....

I love shopping we all know that, but mostly it is house-y type shops that you shall find me in, or funky children's wear stores picking up clothes for my little Poppins etc. Clothes shopping for myself can often take a back seat and it seems so long ago when my Saturday's were spent shopping with the girly friends, then getting ready that evening trying on our newly bought clothes, having a glass of wine whilst watching Blind Date ( those were the days ) The online world has taken off, much can be bought online, and however much I like shopping in shops and trying stuff on, I just never seem to get the time or inclination to clothes shop these days....

Anyway this weekend there was an opportunity to grab an hour to do a little browsing in the fashion shops so I thought I would take it. I saw a pretty little Miss. Selfridge floral dress in the sales which caught my eye. Seeing 'much younger than me' girls trying the same dress on didn't put me off and in the changing room it came. 

Here I am taking a little snapshot of me trying it on....

      

It fitted really nicely and comes with a little pink leather bow belt that nips in the waist. After a little twirl I decided yes it was a cutie and I would have it. Then I saw some shoes. Oh I love shoe shopping, shoes have always been my thing and if I won the lottery I would be spending some pennies on a pair of these As it is I shall probably have to make do with doing this with my cheapo ones ;) I loved these five inch Dotty P numbers. I had a little practice walk and soon got the hang of it so these came home with me too....

I just love the spotty heels and as it is quite a block effect heel, I find them easier to walk in than many of my lower height heels, they feel more stable somehow and are actually quite comfortable....

I also like bags, not the ones that seem to frequent under my eyes but pretty ones that a girl can put all her stuff in. I saw this metallic snakeskin effect clutch bag whist I was queuing to pay for the dress and shoes. It is really shimmery and in the sales too. Yes, I shall have it....

I was more than happy with my little haul and what bargains I found too....

Miss. Selfridge Dress: Original Price £39.99 Sale Price £10.00

Dorothy Perkins Shoes: Original Price £40.00 Sale Price £12.00 

Top Shop Bag: Original Price £20.00 Sale Price £7.00 

So I saved myself a total of £70.99. So you really can dress for less and being the penny saving shopper I am, I always like to hunt out bargains in the sales. I heard the Next sale was on today and with many people I know getting to the store for 5am. I like a bargain it is true, and for little ones Next sales are fabulouso, but it has to be said I like my bed much much more. Having worked for Next many years ago, I don't always remember my time working there during the sales with fondness ;) It was hot, people were barging into one other, and I couldn't wait for my shift to end. Ha ha things are hopefully a lot calmer these days. 

Did you go?
   
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Why I love Dotcomgiftshop....

I have long been a fan of dotcomgiftshop with its pretty, quirky and very reasonably priced items. I often head over to their website for a little online window shopping, whilst making wish lists as I go. When I have some extra pennies I go back and buy one or two of my favourites.... 

I couldn't wait for this pretty candy stripe tape to come into stock, I just love it....

And as for light up rabbit, what joy this little £4.95 rabbit has brought to the Poppins home. I know there are many out there who feel the same about their light up rabbit's too....

I have in the past offered the occasional product review for dotcomgiftshop and when they asked again if I would like to review an item from their webiste, well you wouldn't have to twist my arm that hard ;) I decided I would like to review something for our kitchen table as it really is the hub of our family home. There are so many lovely table decorations available and many of which are especially pretty for wedding ideas too. As I love oilcloth on my country kitchen table, I thought I would try out and see how practical a choice their wipeable Paisley Park tablecloth is. It is so pretty....

  

And I also happened to have the matching bunting that I had previously bought....     

 

So, how did it fare? Well it really is a good size and it would comfortably fit our other bigger table ( that I kind of borrowed for my crafty work ) so I was really impressed with how generous it is. Also it has a pretty bias edging with I think gives it a lovely professional look....    

And it does wipe very well indeed, although it has creases in some areas where it was folded in the packaging am pretty confident these shall come out after proper use. It isn't as thick as my normal oilcloth bought off the metre so is a little thinner but then it isn't being sold as oilcloth and it goes perfectly with my table decorations....

We have had many a spillage, which has wiped away easily, I have kept it on all the time and it is wearing really well and I would certainly recommend it for family use, so thumbs up from me. 

Now I must run off and count my pennies, there is a wish list waiting for me over at dotcomgiftshop, and what with a sale on I think I need to go spend a couple of them don't you....

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Disclosure : I was sent one wipeable tablecloth for the purposes of this blog post.   

I Heart Instagram....

Many of you shall probably have heard of the Instagram app. I really love it, and like many I enjoy posting pretty photographs on there as well as nosing at everyone else's beautiful images. I find it a lovely social place and I like how easy it is to interact with people by just tagging them. I have found some lovely cyber friends on there too. There are so many social networks out there now and sometimes I think it all becomes a bit overwhelming at times. I don't think for example I shall ever get my head round Google+ so I have decided I am just going to stick with what works for me, what I love and enjoy. I have a busy family life and in reality I just don't have the time for any extras. So, here is a little selection of some my photographs and please feel free to have a nosey at some more here if you want to....

So here we have Master Poppins on some hot ( pink) wheels, he really doesn't care what colour toys he plays with as long as they are fast. I captured a pretty flower that had just bloomed, and I love the colour, so pretty. What with all the rain we have been having, it seems I no longer leave the house without my wellingtons or indeed an umbrella. And our adorable border terrier I love him with all my heart and he is a good friend indeed....

I think you all know I just love my florals and so when I spied this beautiful and bargaintastic bed linen in Tesco for Miss. Poppins' bed, in the shopping basket it went. It is really pretty and looks lovely with the Cath Kidston polka dot pillowcase. I may just pop back to get some for my bed too. Talking of Cath Kidston, I also made Miss. Poppins a pretty and very big cushion cover for her bed, using some old Cath Kidston floral fabric. It is a perfect size for lounging on, and sitting up to read. So perfect in fact I am now kind of borrowing it from her ;) And yes, even more rain, though Miss. P kindly lent me her pretty umbrella and I love this photograph I took of it in the rain....      

I have a sweet tooth, so I couldn't resist this salted caramel cheesecake, and it was just delicious. We have also had a special birthday in the Poppins house and as I often put things away and forget where I have put them, found the bunting decoration just in time. I had to take a photograph of a very inspiring corner I was relaxing in on a little afternoon out. I am doing my best to re-create its charm in my own home....

   

And lastly, my funny snack time concoction of strawberries and cheese on oatcakes. I cannot resist a little fruit accompaniment with cheese. I saw this adorable scarf at H&M in the sale at the weekend and at £5 I thought a real bargain. I think nude/natural is one of my most favourite fashion colours, the scarf is a lovely mix of cotton and lace. Miss. Poppins is enjoying reading Enid Blyton's Malory Towers and has taken  me right back to when I read them as a child, which only feels like yesterday.... 

I am so impressed with the camera on the iphone and can't remember the last time I used my digital, and having all these lovely retro filters to play with makes it extra fun. So if you are on Instagram do let me know would love to nosey at your pretty photographs too :)

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My Little Role: Style At Home Magazine....

Not so long ago I saw an advertisement in an edition of Style At Home magazine with the opportunity to win a day as a stylist with some shopping spends included too. I just had to forward my details as I would love to be a stylist for the day, my dream job, and we all know I love shopping ;) Anyway after a little sobbing into the pillow at not winning ( I like to think they picked out of a hat ;) I was contacted by the editor to ask if I would like to be considered to be a Stylist At Home, where in a future issue I give little comments, hints and tips on reader's homes and also on new product ranges. Would I, oh yes I would and I couldn't wait to have a peeky at people's homes and new interiors products....

So for a little while now I have been sent images for the September edition to comment on, and although is only a little line here or there I have had super fun and loved nosing at the homes ;) It is a little exciting knowing my little photograph shall be in next months magazine on the shelves in my local supermarkets etc....

    

I know there are many of you out there too who love stylish interiors and you could get involved by emailing if you want to be a future Stylist At Home....

It really is a lovely magazine packed with lots of scrumptious images and a bargain price too. I think this was just one my most favourite articles in a past edition. All that floral loveliness....  

I thoroughly enjoyed my little role with Style At Home and it has definitely got me itching to look into doing something within the Home Interiors/Pr/ Marketing world on a more permanent basis....

Watch this space....

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LEGO Batman 2 DC Super Heroes....

We are not really 'gamers' in this house and don't own any gaming devices at all, not even those little handheld things. To be honest I do think the fact the husband himself isn't really into computer games as such, the children have never been overly exposed to them. If the five year old had anything to do with it though, I know he would love a gaming device of some sort and does come back from friends houses who own xbox's etc asking if he can have one. I am not totally against computer games etc at all, I just see that possibly my children could ( especially the boy ) become a little addicted to them. They are allowed a little  time on the PC we have, and in fairness it does give me a little time to get on with that important telephone call I have needed to make all day. 

One of Master Poppins favourite characters is Batman and he really enjoys playing with all his little batman bits that we have bought him for birthday's etc. He has friends who have the batman games and I know he really enjoys playing them on their gaming devices when at their houses.

With us having a PC and yet no proper games as it were to play on it, I certainly knew Master P would just love to try out LEGO Batman 2 DC Super Heroes for the PC. Oh my, he could hardly contain himself when his little parcel arrived.... 

 

We were actually all on our way out as it arrived but seeing his little face light up, we let him and Miss. Poppins who supervises have a little go at playing the PC game. It was so easy to set up, just popped the disc in and away they went. You use the keyboard for all the controls, which did take a little learning but they soon got it, I even had a little go myself, what did I say about it being addictive ;) I really got into it, and is a good stress buster....

It is described as....

'In this sequel to the best selling LEGO videogame of all time, the dynamic duo this time join forces with other famous DC super heroes including Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern to stop the notorious Lex Luthor and The Joker from destroying Gotham City. Batman fans of all ages will enjoy a new and original story filled with classic LEGO videogame action and humour as players fight the bad guys.' 

Well we all had fun and Master Poppins just loved playing it. The game is a U rating in the UK for 360, PS3 and PC. In Europe it's a Pegi 7 for all platforms.

Disclosure: We were sent one LEGO Batman 2 DC Super Heroes DVD videogame, with Batman/LEGO related products for the purposes of this review.