Hello weekend and hello blogging community.

 Okay, hands up. I have never got a beauty box before. Not because I didn't want to. But more so for the fact that I didn't really think it was worth it. That was until I saw an offer on Birchbox to get 3 goodies when I signed up and thought that for £12 it might be worth it for a couple of months.

• First up was the Model Co Party Proof Lipstick. To be honest I hate lipstick. I find it tacky, it doesn't stay on and it always feels really heavy on my lips. I prefer to use my chubby stick and lip scrubs. Having said that I actually really liked this. Maybe it was the cheap brands I was jumping on but this wasn't too in your face and stayed put longer than I expected. Even better? Not tacky at all!
• Next up was Laura Mercier Body Butter. Again I'm stuck in my way and used to using good old Soap and Glory body butter. Having said that this was a lovely alternative to use on the go in my handbag when I was at work (I've been working in a cold stock room so have been topping up with body lotion to stop my skin drying out). I don't think I would buy it again, only because I feel that it didn't do any different to my other stuff.
• I loved the Weleda Citrus Body Wash, it was light and fresh and a great wake up. It reminded me of a creamy version of Natural Source with the vivid smell. I do love the fact it's natural as my skin can flare up really badly but then again it is quite expensive for a body wash.
• The Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle didn't really seem to work too well. I don't straighten my hair anymore so it didn't really need any heat protection but it didn't seem to detangle as well as I would have hoped. Having said that it did smell gorgeous. 

I also received some Pukka Herbs teas which the other half snatched up as soon as I turned my back! A sample of English Laundry perfume which was gorgeous and has been definitely added to my christmas list and finally a pencil sharpener which came at just the right time as mine has suddenly disappeared.

So I've previously written about how I have been to see the Make It Bournemouth garden of lights. We decided we would head down one day after Scott finished work to show Max just how wonderful they are. Personally I think they are amazing for kids as each one is really sensory and is pretty educational as it teaches them about colours, reactions and most of all magic!


 Max's other favourite was definitely the one in the top photo, he spent ages running through the wall of lights and swishing the about to see what would happen. The fact they were fibre optic meant that I didn't have to worry about him hurting himself and by the looks of things all the other kids loved it too!

I'm still trying to work out exactly how the one on the left works. It seemed that the projection looked really geometric and it entranced Max to no end anyway.

The disco ball hut was amazing as the music was playing, the lights were going and the kids could really dance and watch the lights bouncing off the mirror balls into the room. It was fantastic to watch Max's eyes light up!

The Garden of Lights is open until the beginning of January, it's a fantastic place not just for kids but adults too. But the kids seem to understand the magic that Make it Bournemouth have created a bit more!

Hey everybody, December is upon us, the nights are getting longer and the temperature is dropping. Uplifting I know. Well this weeks post is food for thought.

I recently saw a friend post out about parenthood and how it affects friendships. They were explaining that since having children they don't necessarily have that lifestyle that friends without kids have. You prioritise differently, time schedules are pointless and your days are filled with watching Peppa Pig and the cbeebies programs (unless you own sky or virgin of course, then you can change it frequently).

The thing is we all know that this was coming. It's near impossible to balance your social life with parent life. It's too exhausting and your attitude to things change a little. Suddenly partying isn't as cool as it looks. You long that young carefree lifestyle your others friends live and envy the fun you think they must have.

What I think gets overlooked is enjoying and embracing parenthood with other parents. Parenting can feel like solitude if you are alone and sometimes you do feel like you need to stay confined. The thing is it's not true, you're not the only parent about and your child is probably capable of socialising themselves.

Parent friendships can spark nearly anywhere: it can be nursery and play school, stay and plays, soft play areas, parent and toddler events...even on days out. It's strange befriending new people, especially if like me you're younger than a lot of parents and your only initial point of contact is your children get along. There is a barrier I feel in people that it's too informal to make friendships like that. After meeting and greeting other parents at parks, nurseries and play areas I've realised there's little need to feel uptight.

The one thing I take great comfort in is how social and interesting my son can be to other kids and parents. He made friends at nursery and because of it gave us chances to meet other parents and talk about things adults do. Max made one friend from nursery who we have kept in touch with nearly a year separated from nursery. The boys parents are much older than us and have very different lives, but they're just fantastic company and great to just catch up with after a busy week. On top of that, their son is absolutely wonderful.

It's friendships made like that and making the effort to socialise that makes a difference both to my sons well being and mine. I urge anybody who does feel a little distant having children and doesn't venture to parent and child events to take that step. It's a tough step, don't get me wrong, but showing your face regularly, giving your child something fun and new to do will eventually get you meeting familiar faces.

Sure, those days going out and not having to sit through children's tv were great, but that was great. The quality time you get to spend with parents and their children is never alone and can lead to some very wonderful friendships.

That's it for today, but I shall be at the pbloggers discussion Sunday. If I go quiet, it will be because I'm flitting between NFL and this and NFL would be winning.

As always, have a great weekend!

 I'm not the best chef when it comes to eggs. To be frank I'm not a fan too much as I always get scared I will over or under cook them. Having said that when we do cook eggs we always make sure that the British Lion is stamped on them. That makes sure that we know that they are free from salmonella and produced to a high standard.

Last year alone the UK ate around 31 million eggs. So here is a great recipe for you to contribute to your share of the millions of eggs eaten!

1. Add water to a pan and bring it to the boil
2. Whilst the water is boiling, lightly oil a pan and start to grill or fry the burgers, turning frequently.
3. Grate or slice some cheese to top the burger. 
4. When the water is boiled, turn down the heat slightly so that it is just below boiling. 
5. Slowly and gently crack the eggs into the water, using a spoon ease the whites closer to the yolk.
6. Pop a lid on the pan, turn off the heat and leave it for 3-4 minutes.
7. Place the burger on the bun with some cheese on top.
8. When the eggs are white gently use a slotted spoon to scoop them out and top the burger with them.

• How to make an omelette
• How to boil an egg
• How to make a ham and egg cobbler
• How to make egg fried rice
• How to make a breakfast wrap

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