Valentine's Day Gift Ideas: Bunches

Next up in my Valentine's Day gift series, we're going traditional with flowers and where better to go than Bunches.

Bunches are an online flower delivery service with deliveries available all over the UK, surrounding islands and Northern Ireland.

Their Romantic Pink Roses bouquet is the perfect way to show that a loved one that you care as the pink roses represent grace and adoration. It is an exquisite arrangement of 12 pink roses surrounded by delicate white Gypsophila.

The flowers arrived boxed but are easily removed. As they'll be a bit tired after transit and out of water, you are advised to cut the stems diagonally about 2-3cms up, place them into one inch of boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove and place them into a vase. Your vase should be half full of lukewarm water and the sachet of flower food that is included should be added.

These flowers are still sitting beautifully on my kitchen windowsill and they smell gorgeous too! They are sure to make your loved one happy on Valentine's Day. They retail at £30.99 and they come with a free box of chocolates.

Bunches also sell other Valentine's bouquets that you can browse here. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter too.

(Disclaimer: I received a bunch of flowers free of charge in exchanged for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas: Patchwork Pâté Hamper Giveaway

As part of my Valentine's feature I'm so pleased to be able to offer my readers the chance to win a fabulous hamper courtesy of Patchwork Pâté!

Patchwork Pâté stock a range of hampers that contain a selection of scrumptious jarred pates, unbelievable relishes, spelt organic oat fingers; all homemade and they are free from, additives and preservatives. Patchwork use only the highest quality ingredients in all of their products all of which are shelf stable and can be stored in the larder without need for refrigeration. They have hampers for everything in many different price ranges so you're sure to find something to suit your needs!

Patchwork Pâté have very kindly offered one of their Way To The Heart hampers to be won - it a chocoholics dream! The hamper contains:

• A chocolate dunker
• A mini pot of yummy fudge
• Spelt honey fingers 
• A chocolate flavoured beer

It's all presented in a beautiful heart-shaped crate too!

All you need to do is fill in the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway will end on the 10th February and is open to UK residents only. I cannot guarantee that the hamper will arrive by Valentines Day but all efforts will be made. Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com - See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas: Jules Destrooper

Sometimes I feel that boxes of chocolates dominate Valentine's Day. They are probably one of the most expected gifts to receive. Why not treat your loved one to something a little different?

Jules Destrooper are a luxury Belgian biscuit brand and we were given the opportunity to try out two of their biscuit types as part of my Valentine's feature. 

First up, the Almond thins. These biscuits are so light and delicate. They're made with butter, sugar candy and soft almonds. They almost melt in your mouth.

Secondly, we tried the Crocante. These are hazelnut Florentines with crispy rice and are covered in milk, dark and white chocolate. Anything chocolate-covered is a winner in my eyes! I was surprised that they were hard to bite into but they are delicious. The chocolate is scrumptious too! 

Neither of the biscuits are too rich, which I generally find with most brands. I could probably eat a couple of boxes in one sitting!

These biscuits are definitely a sure-fire way to show your loved one that you care. 

The Almond Thins retail at £1.54 and the Crocante retail at £3.29.

You can find out more about Jules Destrooper at their website and follow them on Facebook & Twitter.

Aldi's Baby & Toddler Event

I love taking advantage of supermarket Baby & Toddler events as they are a great way for expecting or experienced mums (and dads!) to stock up on what they need. Aldi's Baby & Toddler Event begins in stores nationwide on the 29th of January and you can snap up some lovely pieces at amazing prices.

Firstly, you can ensure your baby is as comfortable as can be with Aldi's range of blankets and towels. Their hooded towel is only £3.49! Their blankets are £2.49 for either the cellular or fleece version. We received one of each style and they are so cosy. I love cellular blankets as they are warm yet breathable. The fleece blanket is very snuggly and soft on E's skin.

Aldi's essential range of clothing consists of baby fleece jackets (£4.99), 3 packs of baby bodysuits (£2.99), zip front baby sleepsuits (£3.49) and 3 packs of baby sleepsuits (£3.99). E has tried out the 6-9month size which are a little big for her at 4 months old but they are supersoft and I can't wait til they fit her. You can also pick up baby character t-shirts (£3.99) with Mr Happy, Mr Bump, Superbaby, Hello Kitty and Little Miss Princess designs. Don't forget the necessities - their 5 pack of baby socks are £2.49 and tights are £1.99.

Bigger items include the Mamia baby monitor for an amazing £19.99. It's wireless up to 300m and it features clear sound, noise alert sensor and a soft nightlight so you can keep a close eye on your little one.

Gift-wise, you can pick up a very cute The Very Hungry Caterpillar Gift Set at £14.99 which includes a party plate, photo frame & money box, egg cup & soldier tray, mug & snack plate, bowl & mug or ice cream bowl & plate.

Finally, you can snap up some smaller items and accessories for next to nothing. Story books at 99p, 2 packs of long sleeved bibs at £2.99 and the ultimate essential - a 3 pack of muslin cloths at £3.29. I adore muslins and these are absolutely perfect to drape over myself and E when she is being fed.

The Aldi Baby & Toddler event launches in store on January 29th and items are available while stocks last.

(Disclaimer: I received the items pictured in exchange for this post.)

Shifting the Baby Weight with Diet Chef

I was in two minds whether or not to post about this topic but decided to because maybe it would motivate me. I don't want to have to write in my follow up post(s) that I'm a failure!

Just before I fell pregnant with E I weighed 9st exactly which was perfect for my height. At the end of my pregnancy I'd gone up to 11st. I now weigh 10st. 

Realistically, I want to get down to 8st. I was never comfortable with my body between my pregnancies but now I'm determined to be at ease with myself again. For me. No one else. 

I have a sweet tooth and I love chocolate and crisps. Chris and I were partial to a takeaway almost every week so that's got to change. We are buying a lot more fresh fruit and veg than what we were used to. We'd usually have more meat with dinner so we've swapped that around and are piling our plates with veggies. We don't keep chocolate, crisps or any other unhealthy snacks in the house. If we do fancy something sweet, we'll opt for fruit or low-fat yogurts. We have decided that we'll do one takeaway a month which will be on the last Friday of the month. 

Starting today, I'm embarking on Diet Chef for the next 28 days. Diet Chef will be providing me with a breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack for each day. There are a huge amount of options to choose from which I'll go into as the weeks go on. Diet Chef claim that their customers lose 50% more weight that those on their own self-directed diet because they make losing weight simple. 

I'll pop back with an update at the end of every week. 

Wish me luck!