Sunday, 11 September 2011
Thursday, 8 September 2011
For richer, for poorer...
I usually steer clear of politics on my blog, but yesterday's news has got me really riled.
There's no reason why you would or should know this, but I'm not married. That's right, I'm an unmarried mother. I'm living in sin. I have a child out of wedlock. And any other labels society wants to land at my feet.
Myself and my partner are in our 9th year together. We have shared a home for 8 years. We have a child. A mortgage. A dog. Yet, since the government decided to abandon plans to give co-habiting couples the same rights as married couples, in the eyes of the law should our relationship end, it will be as though it never existed.
On the other hand, the government will cease to allow me to receive child benefit next year because my partner and father of our child earns over their threshold.
I am not entitled to receive tax credits or help with childcare if I want to return to work because my partner earns too much to qualify.
Fair? I don't think so. I'm not saying that means-testing is wrong, but what I am saying is if the state recognises a relationship when making one policy, how can it be so hypocritical not to recognise it in other policies?
Yes, I'd love to have my day in a big white flouncy dress. Yes, I'd like to publicly declare our commitment to each other, but sadly my other half seems to have a morbid fear of weddings. I don't know why, I mean, who wouldn't want to marry me?!
But if there's one thing I do know, being told by the government we should get married is only likely to make him dig his heels in further!
There's no reason why you would or should know this, but I'm not married. That's right, I'm an unmarried mother. I'm living in sin. I have a child out of wedlock. And any other labels society wants to land at my feet.
Myself and my partner are in our 9th year together. We have shared a home for 8 years. We have a child. A mortgage. A dog. Yet, since the government decided to abandon plans to give co-habiting couples the same rights as married couples, in the eyes of the law should our relationship end, it will be as though it never existed.
On the other hand, the government will cease to allow me to receive child benefit next year because my partner and father of our child earns over their threshold.
I am not entitled to receive tax credits or help with childcare if I want to return to work because my partner earns too much to qualify.
Fair? I don't think so. I'm not saying that means-testing is wrong, but what I am saying is if the state recognises a relationship when making one policy, how can it be so hypocritical not to recognise it in other policies?
Yes, I'd love to have my day in a big white flouncy dress. Yes, I'd like to publicly declare our commitment to each other, but sadly my other half seems to have a morbid fear of weddings. I don't know why, I mean, who wouldn't want to marry me?!
But if there's one thing I do know, being told by the government we should get married is only likely to make him dig his heels in further!
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
No more arm twisting at teeth brushing time!
Arm & Hammer have just launched their My Way!™ Spinbrush™ to make tooth brushing fun for kids!
Like most kids, Ruby often gets stroppy about brushing her teeth and it has become something of a twice-daily battle of late.
When Arm & Hammer asked me to try this new product, I knew it would appeal to Ruby for several reasons.
First off, there's stickers!! You get to design it exactly as you want with the huge range of waterproof stickers.
Secondly, like a 'grown-up' toothbrush, it's battery powered brush.
Arm & Hammer ambassador, Dr James Goolnik said: “As a dentist, I know the importance of establishing a good oral hygiene regime from a young age, but as a parent I appreciate that children can sometimes require a great deal of persuasion to clean their teeth.
“The Arm & Hammer My Way! Spinbrush is a great product for parents as it appeals to children’s sense of fun, and allows kids to associate their twice-daily brush with enjoyment and playfulness. Not only does the My Way! Spinbrush ensure young teeth are given a thorough clean for healthy teeth and gums, it can also give parents a helping hand by making the all-too-often bathroom battles hassle-free.”
Studies have shown that kids brush up to 38 percent longer with the Arm & Hammer My Way! Spinbrush . So, while your children look forward to brushing with their customised My Way! toothbrush™ each night, you can rest assured their teeth are in good hands.
Ruby had great fun customising her toothbrush and is very proud of it! She loves her new grown up brush and it's certainly made the morning and bedtime routine a lot easier!
After 2 weeks of use the stickers are all still firmly in place (for safety reasons stickers should not be placed on any part of the gadget which goes into the mouth) and the novelty of using it is showing no sign of wearing off either!
My Way! Spinbrush is available for £5.99 at Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and ASDA.
Sponsored post: We received this product free of charge for the purposes of this review. However, any opinions expressed are my own. No financial reward was received for my views.
Like most kids, Ruby often gets stroppy about brushing her teeth and it has become something of a twice-daily battle of late.
When Arm & Hammer asked me to try this new product, I knew it would appeal to Ruby for several reasons.
First off, there's stickers!! You get to design it exactly as you want with the huge range of waterproof stickers.
Secondly, like a 'grown-up' toothbrush, it's battery powered brush.
Arm & Hammer ambassador, Dr James Goolnik said: “As a dentist, I know the importance of establishing a good oral hygiene regime from a young age, but as a parent I appreciate that children can sometimes require a great deal of persuasion to clean their teeth.
“The Arm & Hammer My Way! Spinbrush is a great product for parents as it appeals to children’s sense of fun, and allows kids to associate their twice-daily brush with enjoyment and playfulness. Not only does the My Way! Spinbrush ensure young teeth are given a thorough clean for healthy teeth and gums, it can also give parents a helping hand by making the all-too-often bathroom battles hassle-free.”
Studies have shown that kids brush up to 38 percent longer with the Arm & Hammer My Way! Spinbrush . So, while your children look forward to brushing with their customised My Way! toothbrush™ each night, you can rest assured their teeth are in good hands.
Ruby had great fun customising her toothbrush and is very proud of it! She loves her new grown up brush and it's certainly made the morning and bedtime routine a lot easier!
After 2 weeks of use the stickers are all still firmly in place (for safety reasons stickers should not be placed on any part of the gadget which goes into the mouth) and the novelty of using it is showing no sign of wearing off either!
My Way! Spinbrush is available for £5.99 at Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and ASDA.
Sponsored post: We received this product free of charge for the purposes of this review. However, any opinions expressed are my own. No financial reward was received for my views.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Magpie Monday - Lush Linens
I'm back steering the good ship Magpie Monday.
Huge and undying thanks to Molly for keeping her on an even keel in my absence - she did a marvelous job. Thanks also to all of you who offered to help out - sorry I was so disorganised I didn't even have the time to thank you. I have slapped myself on the wrist and promise to try harder.
We're still not in our new house, and are now squatting at the in-laws while they're on their hols, but hopefully things have settled down sufficiently for Me and My Shadow to get back on track.
We've just returned from a week on the south coast. If you haven't visited, I can thoroughly recommend Hastings. After a bit of exploring, we discovered the Old Town, and what a treat it was to wander up and down the lanes and secret passages. Full of vintage shops, boutiques, antique stores and galleries - I think you'd love it! There were old school haberdashers stuffed to the gunnels with ribbons and buttons, bohemian cafes and independent stores - I was in love!
Mooching around St Leonards, Hastings and the neighbouring town of Bexhill on bank holiday Monday, I had high hopes. I don't know if there's ever been any research on which town has the highest proportion of charity shops per square mile, but I reckon this area is a front-runner!
However, returning a few days later when all the shops were open, I was sorely disappointed. Gutted in fact. Most of the shops were full of tat. I mean, un-buyable tat (for me, that's saying something!) There were clothes with holes in, broken toys, games with pieces missing... Really, I know it's for charity but this just isn't good enough!
I did eventually manage to track down some treasures. I spotted this embroidered cushion cover and snaffled it, happily paying the £1.99 asking price.
It was only after getting it back and examining it I even noticed it was only part completed! Oh well, a little project for me. I just hope I can track down the silks for it. I love the Art Nouveau design and it will have pride of place once finished.
I found these pretty handmade place mats in an antique store. £5 for 8 of them. Some of them are stained, but I'm thinking I can re-use the appliqued flowers in some project or other. I think this must have been some kind of kit as my Mother-in-law has a book bag in an almost identical design, passed down from her mother-in-law. When I asked if she'd sewn it herself, my mother-in-law spat her tea out and declared that 'granny' couldn't even make a bed!!
Next up, I seized this gorgeous double sheet adorned with pretty yellow tea roses.
I love it! I suspect it will now mean I re-think the decoration of our new spare room...greys and yellows?
Finally, this piece of fabric which I picked up for £1.50. I love the contrast between the mint green and the scarlet red. Not sure what I'll use it for yet, but I'm sure it will find a home - just as soon as I do!
I hope you've all been treasure-hunting and you'll link up and join me here.
It's good to be back. x
Grab my button
and link to my blog
Huge and undying thanks to Molly for keeping her on an even keel in my absence - she did a marvelous job. Thanks also to all of you who offered to help out - sorry I was so disorganised I didn't even have the time to thank you. I have slapped myself on the wrist and promise to try harder.
We're still not in our new house, and are now squatting at the in-laws while they're on their hols, but hopefully things have settled down sufficiently for Me and My Shadow to get back on track.
We've just returned from a week on the south coast. If you haven't visited, I can thoroughly recommend Hastings. After a bit of exploring, we discovered the Old Town, and what a treat it was to wander up and down the lanes and secret passages. Full of vintage shops, boutiques, antique stores and galleries - I think you'd love it! There were old school haberdashers stuffed to the gunnels with ribbons and buttons, bohemian cafes and independent stores - I was in love!
Mooching around St Leonards, Hastings and the neighbouring town of Bexhill on bank holiday Monday, I had high hopes. I don't know if there's ever been any research on which town has the highest proportion of charity shops per square mile, but I reckon this area is a front-runner!
However, returning a few days later when all the shops were open, I was sorely disappointed. Gutted in fact. Most of the shops were full of tat. I mean, un-buyable tat (for me, that's saying something!) There were clothes with holes in, broken toys, games with pieces missing... Really, I know it's for charity but this just isn't good enough!
I did eventually manage to track down some treasures. I spotted this embroidered cushion cover and snaffled it, happily paying the £1.99 asking price.
It was only after getting it back and examining it I even noticed it was only part completed! Oh well, a little project for me. I just hope I can track down the silks for it. I love the Art Nouveau design and it will have pride of place once finished.
I found these pretty handmade place mats in an antique store. £5 for 8 of them. Some of them are stained, but I'm thinking I can re-use the appliqued flowers in some project or other. I think this must have been some kind of kit as my Mother-in-law has a book bag in an almost identical design, passed down from her mother-in-law. When I asked if she'd sewn it herself, my mother-in-law spat her tea out and declared that 'granny' couldn't even make a bed!!
Next up, I seized this gorgeous double sheet adorned with pretty yellow tea roses.
I love it! I suspect it will now mean I re-think the decoration of our new spare room...greys and yellows?
Finally, this piece of fabric which I picked up for £1.50. I love the contrast between the mint green and the scarlet red. Not sure what I'll use it for yet, but I'm sure it will find a home - just as soon as I do!
I hope you've all been treasure-hunting and you'll link up and join me here.
It's good to be back. x
Grab my button
and link to my blog
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Monday, 22 August 2011
Magpie Monday - temporary move
As you know, I'm in the middle of a particularly nightmarish house move.
Our house fell through when the vendors decided to pull out of their purchase, but we continued with our sale hoping the vendors would find an alternative house. They didn't! This effectively turned us into nomads, staying with various family members, with our belongings scattered across the county.
Needless to say Ruby isn't adapting well to this change and is being...what shall we say...demanding?!
Because I'm in such a pickle I haven't been able to blog or tweet for a while.
The lovely Molly and the Princess has offered to help me out and host Magpie Monday for me this week. Thank you, thank you. Please head over there this week and link-up.
When I eventually get back on my feet, I'd love to find Magpie Monday still going strong.
I'm also on holiday next week, so if anyone fancies volunteering to host next Monday, please let me know.
That just leaves me to announce the winner of my blog birthday Magpie Monday giveaway. Thanks for all your entries, Mr Random Generator has chosen the gorgeous Dotty Maria as the winner of the Flea Market Finds Journal. I hope you enjoy using it Maria. x
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