Alexander House Christmas Shopping Event

I was very lucky the other day due to a very kind friend's husband who sent us for afternoon tea at Alexander House Hotel & Spa. It is set within 120 acres of the most amazing Sussex countryside. It is a fabulous Manor House & boasts many restaurants, Utopia Spa & luxury bedrooms. Great location got Gatwick & London.

My friend & I have been here many times before & this time did not disappoint at all.

A festive menu was served. We could chosen the Champagne of Mulled Wine option but were very good & just had tea & coffee.

Our Menu ...

The delicious food offerings including Turkey & Cranberry sandwiches & warm apple & sultana scones

Clotted cream, Clementine Marmalade & Mulled Wine Jam - this last was beautiful! 

I did not take any photos of our surroundings apart from this one. You get an idea on how sumptuous the hotel is.

Our other reason for visiting on this particular day was for the Christmas Shopping Event.

There was a glass of complimentary of mulled wine ( for my friend ) & orange juice ( for myself) before we entered the main room for the talks. There was a guest speaker from Temple Spa.
I thought the talk was very informative, with information on many of the products that are used within the spa as well as the products that would be on sale afterwards with 20% of everything. It was a great talk by someone who knew their stuff, loved what they were talking about but you did not have any hard sell.
You can find out more about Temple Spa here.

One of the stands within the talk room.

Just a selection of the products for sale on the evening...

Amazing packaging... I know I am not alone in loving the packaging as much as the product at times!!

1 of the products I bought on the night. Its called Ta Dah! Whats not to love about that for starters? I tested it & it not only gives a lovely subtle sparkle to your skin, it smells blooming fabulous too...with essential oils of Bois De Rose , Tagette , Sandalwood, Rose Oil & Jasmine.

The other item I bought. I love a neck cream & do love my Clarins one very much but it costs a fortune so whilst the Temple Spa Exalt Firming Neck Cream is still  pricey if you don't have the pennies to spend - I don't usually either really but the 20% on this instance was a huge help - i am really keen & interested to give this a try.

Overall , we had a fab few hours. The staff within the hotel & the event were beyond welcoming & lovely. We could not have asked for more.

Apparently it is an annual thing - see you next year then Alex House!!

Thanks for reading. See you soon
Amanda XX

PS :- I was not sponsored by anyone to write this post - all thoughts , however small are my own.

Weighing Things Up

Now that Xmas is almost upon - its December now so I am allowed to say that - it has also got me thinking about those pesky New Years Resolutions. Yes, they are always more miss than hit, with many of us making those resolutions that are broken with January barely starting. I actually rarely bother - the last one I made was a couple of years ago & that was to keep on top of the ironing more. A boring one but actually I did well that whole year!! So I have not bothered since

However, one thing has got me thinking seriously about making one for 2015 - my weight!

I have never ever been thin - that is never stick thin. Until a few years ago I was pretty much a size 10 to 12 in clothing. Whilst my tummy has always stuck out a bit I was always pretty happy with body image - a few inches taller would have been nice , still - & my weight was always at a figure I was happy with. 

This past year though it has crept up to around a stone & a half over my recommended weight - which should be roughly 8 & a half stone I believe.

Because of the Stoma bag I already had to size up a little to accommodate it with some clothing which was still OK. Now though depending on the shop I can be anything up to an 18!! Which is just not on at all!!

I know what half the trouble is. Whilst I think I can easily blame my medication ( because actually my problem areas beside my stomach & hips is actually my double chin - in fact I feel like doubling that figure too- its awful, ) it cannot all be put down to that.

Before Fin was a twinkle in Daddys eye - tmi? sorry - I would go on long walks with Barney as well as go to an exercise class or 2.
Oh & I ate a bit healthier too.

This meant that whilst I never lost weight, I was keeping steady at around 8 stone. I felt better for it too.

Along came Finley & doing much exercise - although we walked to most group  did a half hearted buggy fit with friends , when we always ended up at the coffee shoo with a nice fattening cake undoing all that work. As I was thinking about going back to an exercise class - dog walking was still hubbys domain at that point - I was struck down badly with a Crohns attack landing me in hospital.
I did try the Wii Fit now & then but working it around Finley was so hard. I did also think about going to an exercise class once Fin started pre-school - thinking has been as far as I have got to be honest.
The pup would be the best form of exercise for me right now but I don't seem to have the energy to take her more than round the block. 

So, simply I need to get that dog walking started properly , find a class to go to AND look at my diet. The diet is the hardest bit though as I am not a salad or veg person at all & have to watch a lot of what I eat too die to the stoma bag. By cutting out the crappy snacks though I would do a huge amount on its own.

Until I get moving I have no idea how much of it can really be blamed on my meds - however I firmly believe when I was doing the classes I felt so good about myself anyway that any weight loss would be a bonus. 

For 2015 then I NEED to make myself sort this out. I am so determined that this will happen .

Can I do it? Time will tell.

From January 1st I will keep you updated from time to time how I am getting on.

So, are you making any resolutions yourself? If so, what is it? 

Thanks for reading
Amanda x

Christmas Decorations 2014

 That time has come again for me to decorate the house for Xmas - yes its only just December but I DO NOT CARE!!! I love the decorations me & think maybe some people might be more flipping cheerful if they kept them up year round!! A good dose of Xmas spirit - not of the Gin kind ,although that is good too - would do some the world of good.

Anyway I am nattering , getting on my soap box etc blah & really I am just here to show some pics of our decorated house. Now whilst I love the decorations , I would win no prizes for actual; presentation. However, I am more than happy with what we have & apart from a few tweaks left to do - the wreath is not up at the door yet & I am bound to decide that I have missed some places with the baubles.

I have over the years had several themes I have followed. I went through a white lights only phase with jewel coloured accessories.I have long since gone back to a traditional look of reds, greens & golds though as with my green lounge it actually works very well indeed!!

So first we have the....

...photos... boxes everywhere - no this really was not all of them. Excuse the wonky picture in the background - January sales I am hoping it find something to change it with as after nearly 5 years I am bored of it anyway.
And now for a few after shots...

We usually have a 6 ft fake tree but I love a real tree & every now & then Hubby lets me have a real one. With pup this year we needed to put it up a little higher & so went for this 4 ft tree from a local garden centre. I'm pretty happy with it , although I am sure in the coming days it will be fiddled with ( oo-er missus) here & there.

We don't have many counter tops to decorate but I try & make what we do have look nice. Most of these ornaments will have been seen before , just maybe in different places. The white tree & the angel are actual candle holders that I bought a couple of Christmases ago from Partylite...!
The Santa ornament was a gift several years ago from Hubby's parents. Every time it comes out of storage it reminds me of my late M-I-L. The mini trees are from Waitrose. They were £4 each.

You may notice I have a thing for the Nutcracker! Some have been bought by us & others have been stolen given to me by my Mum when she was having a sort out last year. I think I do have room for many more though!

Lastly , here are a few individual ones. The Star & the Santa in the window look so much nicer in real life - both came from Notcutts garden Centre in Ditchling.. The Merry Xmas plaque came from Wilkos. The stockings are another Wilkos buy from many moons ago. The baubles are a new buy also Wilkos & I got a set of 32 ( I think) for just £5. Usually £10 but I am assuming it was for the Black Friday weekend only.

Are you already decorating for Xmas or do you always leave it til much later? What colours do you follow?

Share your photos with me too!

See you again soon

Amanda 

Clara - An Update

We have had Clara with us now since the end of August & I think it is very safe to say she has settled in her new home.

She is 7 months old now, having come to us around 4 & half months old. Still loads to do with training but I am hoping in the new year to go to some puppy classes - she is pretty good but likes to bark at EVERYONE on her walks - in a friendly way but still - oh & she HATES anything with wheels which can be fund around our way with lots of scooters & bikes!!  But time & patience will sort that out especially when I go to classes too.

I am sure that puppy's are not for everyone so if you don't want a photo fest then please click out now :-)!

The rest of you come with me - if you know me on Facebook though you will have seen these!!

Making herself at home on the sofa...

Looking very pleased with her head gear after being spayed - NOT!

I thought she might appreciate a jumper now it is getting colder - her face suggests otherwise & check out that tongue she is poking out...

I did manage to get one shot of her sitting very nicely with it - literally the only 2nd she wasn't trying to rip it off!

She does like to pull a few faces. I think these ones means she is happy...

This one was definitely a smile after Eldest came home from school...even if the same level of love is never reciprocated - usually all we ever hear of an exchange between them is " Clara - get out my room..,"

She likes to make herself cosy on any item of clothing you may leave on the back of the sofa - yes I wore something else for the school run ... well look at those eyes...

She is very much a Mummy ( or Daddy's) girl.. at least she is a good size to have as a lap dog.

lastly, BAD pic , sorry but here she is with he partner in crime best friend.

Expect more photos soon. I am happy to bore to death on my little baby girl!!!

Thanks for stopping by. See you soon
Amanda 

It's Been A While

It's been a couple of months since I posted here. I stopped mainly because I got a bit bored & struggled to think of things to say. I have also been trying to more into my other blog " What Maddie Wore" instead. Which is fun to do but I have missed what this "Ramblings" blog is all about. Which was a place for me to ramble about anything at all. Time then to get back to it. I did think about deleting both blogs & starting back over as an anything goes blog. However, I decided actually to keep the fashion blog as is & use this one for everything else.

Once again I have no idea when I will post & what subjects will be. But as always stated many times before this blog is a hobby for me not a job! 

Hopefully you will all join me once again for the ride.

Product Empties #14

It possibly does not look it here as I seem to be doing my Empties every month but it has to be said this month has been quite a bit slower. I still have 11 products ready to be binned so lets get going.

I got a bit fed up of the Tropical scent Batiste Dry Shampoo & thus fancied a change. I find so many just don't do as good job as the Tropical & the smells can be hit & miss too. With the Cool & Crisp fresh I will say it was a nice subtle scent that I carried round with me. However, I don't think it helped my hair much. Whilst I can go a good day maybe 2 with the tropical one, with this one it made my hair looking like it needed a good wash within a few hours. back to Tropical it is then! 

I love everything about the Gentle Eye Make Up Remover from Clarins. It does a fantastic job of removing even the stubbornest of mascara. It does not sting my eyes & it smells beautiful. It will be a repurchase at some point in the future!  

St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Mousse is for sure my go to Fake Tan. Considering until this year I didn't do fake tan at all, to go & find one I can't live without is amazing.It doesn't streak, which was a major factor for me & so easy to apply. I use a mitt because I know without giving it a go using my hands would be a disaster. The smell is not great but comparing it to others its actually quite subtle.

I got this nail polish remover ages ago from Space NK I think. I cannot find it anywhere now other than in tissue form. HERE. Its a really great remover but actually no better than much cheaper ones ( this was something like £13 if I remember.) Its one of those where you press the cotton round down on the nozzle, which did make me use less each time. It's Acetone free which is a huge plus for many. The packaging is great too.
I did find some on eBay which is less than i paid. I don't think I would get it again. Whilst it ticked a lot of boxes , it didn't impress me anymore than my cheap Boots one! 

This Caudalie Beauty Elixir came in a set with other items. Its a 30ml bottle & I certainly would not have paid for the 100ml as I didn't think it was that great. I tended to use mine as a face spray for the warmer weather. Not impressed at all though.

This has to be my favourite foot cream. The Body Shop Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue does a fantastic job & I miss it now it is gone. I will be getting some more very soon I hope as I am totally not liking the Origins one I am currently using.

Nivea Soft Refreshingly Soft Moisturising Cream . Hmm. It came in a gift bag. I doubt I would use it otherwise. It was not bad, just not for me. Smelt a bit old lady to me...sorry! 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder. This is my current go to powder. Mine is in Warm Beige. I have another not opened yet as I am making myself use another from Bourjois ( which was my old favourite.)  

This came in a big set at Xmas. I can't say No7 Body Wash blew me away though. I am known for using shower gels quickly but this seemed to only cover not even a weeks worth. Smelt pleasant enough & I would use it if it was bought for me but I can't say I would rush to buy it for myself.   

The Body Shop Olive Shower Gel . This is 2nd of the small bottles I had. As before it smelt nice enough & washed well. I wouldn't buy it again for myself though. Like the No7 this particular scent I would only use if someone bought it for me. 

I am GUTTED this is finished. I got mine from eBay. Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Sea Island Cotton Shower Gel. IT SMELLS AMAZING! I need more. It washes really well & the scent lingers for hours.

Anyway, that is all my empties for this time. I am sure I will be back soon with more!

Amanda x

Puppy Accessories Haul

Sadly on the 10th July 2014 we lost our beloved Westie. He was 17 years old & really not in a good way. The time had come to make a very sad but right decision. This left me though not only without Barney but also without that companionship that only comes when you have a dog . We had our holiday on the 14th August & I was determined when we came home that our search for another dog would begin.

 

So, I had in mind it would be nice to take in a rescue dog. However, with Fin being just 4 years old this did limit us to what we would be able to re-home. We filled in forms for a couple of places & on Monday morning we got a phone call from Raystede to say that had some puppies that needed re-homing & would we like to take a look? Er.. yes please I said! We were told they are a Chihuahua, Pomeranian & Jack Russell mix. Whilst a toy breed was not really what we were looking for we still wanted to take a look & then would could take it from there.

I was besotted from the 1st. There were 2 puppies & whilst I would actually liked to have re-homed both, I had to make a choice due financial reasons! There was a boy & a girl. We chose the girl as we felt she settled much quicker with us & there were other reasons too ( including for me being told she was the runt of the litter!!)
It also meant I could buy a pink lead - to Robs disgust meaning I will be the only one walking her :-D!

At time of writing this we do not know when we can collect her but you can be sure I will update you with a photo when we do! I am though sharing with you a little Pets At Home haul!

Smallest came with me & it was he who chose the toys, the bowl & mat as well as the bags of treats.
I had recently joined their card scheme so also had a 10% off everything voucher too.

I forgot to take a photo of the bed. HERE. It was £10 which I think was £5 off. So with 10% too worked out quite nicely.

Matching bowl & mat! You can tell he is my son as I would make them match too!

Pink lead!! Oh yes! At least ,after all these boys I can bring something girlie in the house with reason!

She will come with a collar that they put on her  but it was cheaper to buy this than it was a lead on its own. I expect I will change it to this anyway - hopefully it will fit OK. I went for Toy Dog size as that is what they class her as.

The only thing which I am expecting to change. I could have got the X- Small but went for just small. I can exchange if I need too. 

Choosing toys is a bit event. Whether she will want to play with any of them remains to be seen. These though were chosen by Smallest. 

We are all set then apart from her food which we will get when we know what she has at the centre. Patience is not a trait of mine!!

Thank you for stopping by
Amanda xxx