Happy Halloween!

We've been going for it chez luxe" and here are the results.

Like my Kahlo tache?!

I carved a pumpkin for the first time in my life!

Oooh spooky!

Hairy Fun

I hope that you have a lovely Halloween too.


Kxxx

Queen of Chat?

Well, guess who's been shortlisted to become the First Cape Cafe Collection Queen of Chat? Me!


I entered First Cape Wine's competition early on with the intention of getting my hands of some free wine (first 10 videos would win this). At no point did I think that my vid would make the final cut as I did it in 1 take without practicing or thinking about what I was going to say and just had a bit of a ramble on camera.


Shockingly, I received a call last week saying that Alesha Dickson (lol - brand ambassador) had chosen me and 9 others as the final 10. Unfortunately this means harassing friends and family for votes........oh no.


Now, I hate voting competitions and try not to get sucked into the seedy world of cheating, vote buying, backbiting and so on. It's just not in the spirit and is generally a waste of time.
However, when a grand prize of 2k cash is up for grabs (woah!) and a meet and greet with Alesha Dixon it's time to really go for it isn't it?

If any of you kind friends and followers would like to assist me on my quest for riches (it would pay for an aromatherapy course which is my newly discovered wonderful path in life alongside competition hobbying, photography and film) then PLEASE do click here and vote for me!

Many kisses from your embarrassing friend.

Kx

Go The F**k to Sleep

Long time no blog. Life seems to have gotten in the way of blogging!
This evening Christopher decided to go to sleep at 9.58.
Evenings have been a bit of a nightmare with lots of rolling around making noises, escaping from the bedroom, crying, laughing (me included) and general restlesness.
Please let it be a phase.





I do a bit of baby massage after his bath, then a story in bed and sleep but it's not working!
Has anyone got any sleepy time tips?


Help.
Kx

The Joy of Quidco!

In a 1970's hairy, sweaty, 'love to love you baby!', sexy way....I love the joy that is Quidco.
Seriously. For those of you (ie. all of you) who shop online regularly this is the way to go.

Since joining it in May I've had nearly £150 in cashback for just getting on with my normal shopping!

With very little effort you can earn an average of 4% cashback on many of your purchases, including hotels, holidays, ebay auctions, takeaways, betting, groupon deals, all types of insurance, clothes and lots lots more!

Benjoy Review

I'm currently on the look-out for healthy snacks that my lactose intolerant toddler can enjoy and sometimes share with his wheat/gluten/oat intolerant mother.
I'd read about Benjoy on another blog and contacted them to see if they might be up for letting me do a review too.
And they agreed....

Benjoy make a range of healthy Munchcups that are designed to be a nutritious and delicious, take-anywhere snacks for kids.
As my little boy is lactose intolerant I often struggle to find different snacks for him to eat, and share with me as I'm gluten and sugar intolerant - what fun!

Nakd Review

As I'm on a strict diet for my endometriosis I thought I'd blog my search for interesting and tasty snacks and cooking ingredients. this is my first review!
Earlier this month I contacted the people at Natural Balance Foods about their Nakd bars. They very kindly sent me a selection of bars to try.

Nakd avoid the refined, additive packed ingredients found in most cereal bars by making them with raw fruit, nuts and other natural ingredients.
They are wheat, dairy and gluten free and best of all....count as one of your 1 a day!

Hotels.TV Competition - Southside and Old Town Edinburgh

Last week I made a very last minute entry to Hotels.TV's facebook competition.

They're giving away £500 to the person chosen as winner. I'd love to win so that we can double our car fund since Steve's just passed his test. Road trip!


I made this on my own in and around my local area using just a camera tripod and mini HD video camera.
This was a fairly embarrassing task but I really enjoyed doing it, even though the local 'characters' were edging closer and closer and the same pair of mums kept passing me time and time again with their prams, shaking their heads. I do have a natural cheesy side which is best shown off with me doing thumbs up signs on my own in the street.....


Here it is on Youtube

If you'd like to give me a thumbs up to give me a boost then please click here and VOTE. You need to like the Hotels.TV facebook page in the process of doing this. Worth doing as they have great offers. I had a look around the website in order to write this post and their prices are very competitive.


You can click VOTE once daily up until the 9th sept. Judges are choosing the winner but I'm sure that they'll appreciate people bringing in more fans!


Read below about 'My Edinburgh'.

Endometriosis & Nutrition

I have stage 4 endometriosis. It's a shitty, painful condition that is invisible to strangers and generally involves lots of surgeries and crazy hormonal treatments in order to, just, keep on top of the symptoms.

If I try to explain it in my own words it'll just come out as quite a lot of swearing, so here's the official NHS line:-

Endometriosis is a common condition in which small pieces of the womb lining (the endometrium) are found outside the womb. This could be in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, bowel, vagina or rectum.

Endometriosis commonly causes pain in the lower abdomen (tummy), pelvis or lower back. It may also lead to fertility problems (see Symptoms of endometriosis for more information). However, some women have few or no symptoms.

The cause of endometriosis is uncertain, but there are several theories.

Endometriosis affects around 2 million women in the UK. Most of them are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40.

There is no known cure for endometriosis. It is a chronic (long-term) condition that can cause pain, lack of energy, depression and fertility problems. However, symptoms can be managed and fertility improved with pain medication, hormone treatment or surgery, so that the condition does not interfere with your daily life.

After years of laparoscopies, being put through an early menopause for 3 months, pills & disciplinaries for absence from work I was told it was hysterectomy time or try to get pregnant, if I could, which was doubtful.

What do you know? I got pregnant very quickly and was given nearly 3 years of respite from pain until I stopped breastfeeding and the dreaded hormones kicked in again.

I've since discovered that my adhesions are so widespread that a hysterectomy would not bring me full relief of symptoms anyway. Stage 4 is the final stage and a lot of women have it much much worse than me.

This time round it's back in my life but I'm not going down the NHS route until it's totally necessary.

Elevenses With Kirstie Allsopp

The week before last I was wrangling my toddler into the pram outside the supermarket when I received a call from a lovely girl at Persil informing me I'd won a years worth of Persil Small and Mighty and was being shortlisted to win a £1000 family holiday for 4 and could I manage down for a meet and greet with Kirstie Allsopp.

A nightmarish pose...but don't I look happy? bless.

5 mums across Britain were being chosen to win this treat for performing mini miracles every day. Some wee nominated by family and somehad entered themselves. From what I remember I'd written about how I like to have a project. That when we go out for the day  to the museum, park etc we use it as a theme back home, doing drawings, making things & singing songs.

I was so shocked, and distracted by Christopher, that I didn't have much of a chance to take it in but said yes, that would be no problem.
All weekend I couldn't relax , telling myself not to be stupid, of course I wasn't going to win.


Well, I didn't hear anything and got on with my week. This time I was trying to coax Christopher down from the top of a slide where he was refusing to move, hitting all other children who came near away! 
The call came and I was told I'd won and could I come down just a few days later.

Garofalo Pasta Challenge!

Garofalo Pasta have launched a lovely range of kids pastas and a culinary challenge on facebook to go along with this.

We emailed to have some sent to us and were delighted when it arrived because we got the classic Pazzielli (scoobidoo!) consisting of dogs faces, little vans and spooky ghosts.

Christopher enjoyed his pasta, particularly the pesto!

Christopher's birthday falls around Halloween and is the day after mine so from now on until I'm too embarrassing we're having a big joint birthday party each year.

Last year we did Mexican food but I fancy a change this year and have been looking for something affordable and tasty to make instead of chilli, especially so that the kiddies can eat it too.

I was struck by inspiration and decided to separate the 3 shapes out and make an Italian Tricolore Pasta that can be mixed together on a kids plate with colours and flavours that compliment each other.

Photos Of The New Museum

I LOVE our National Museum of Scotland!

Anyone that's thinking of visiting Edinburgh, with or without kids, must visit.

Here are a few pics of the opening ceremony.

The New Museum of Scotland opening

Tomorrow is a day I've been waiting for for over 4 years.
At 9.15pm, Chambers Street in Edinburgh will host a Tenko Drumming, abseiling, animatronic T-rex fest with Chinese firecrackers signalling the opening of our wonderful victorian museum after it's £47 million pound makeover.

I think I'm going to cry. Seriously.

My mum took me there most days when I was wee and it's just a wonderful, inspiring, exciting and elegant place.

Kxxx

My Entry to the Redtedart Blog competition with Thomas Cook Kids Club

I regularly check out http://www.redtedart.com for art ideas and was delighted when I came across this great competition.

With my full intention of making an entry I let the month slide, as well as my blog and forgot about it until a rainy day came up again, today, and I realised this was the perfect opportunity to get crafy, entertain my wee boy and maybe win a lovely prize!

We had tried this great playdough recipe last week, forgetting about the cream of tartar and colouring with turmeric, using gluten free flour. It worked out very well and is still chilling in the fridge, ready for a bored moment later this afternoon.

Moving onto the competition...
Red Ted Art is running this great giveaway alongside Thomas Cook Kids Club to win a brilliant Trunki, camera, headphones and more!

The Kids Club site provides great tips for flying and holidaying with plenty of stories, craft ideas, colouring sheets, language learning and games to keep the little ones entertained. Although most activities seem to be aimed at kids from 3 upwards I think that they could be adapted easily for littler ones so that everyone can get involved.

The legend based stories are print-off-able (as are all of the activities) and provide a limitless source of inspiration to keep the kids distracted.

We decided to go for the legend of the Ghost Island and made a beach scene, complete with potato print sea and sand, anchor, palm tree (i'll admit to doing those 2 all by myself as I got a bit carried away!) and a brilliant treasure chest full of rubies, coins and a necklace.

Christopher is only 22 months but with crafty parents just loves painting, printing, drawing and sticking so managed to do most bits all by himself apart from construction and cutting out.

Treasure Chest

Tatties

Potato Printing in Progress

Filling the chest with rubies and colouring the coins

The final result - tropical!

Needless to say, he has not yet learned the vain sense of pride in his work that older children possess and has now shredded the whole scene up, scattering it all over the house. Double the value in fun, time consumption and creativity I say!

We had a great afternoon in our dark dingy house making the place look tropical with colour and singing songs as we went along. Daddy even played guitar.

So why not have a project day yourself? Pick a theme, any theme, or look at RedTed Art for some inspiration.

Time to go and play with our playdough now...

Kx

(P.S - I hereby swear to blog weekly at least and be a proper blogger from now onwards. So there.)

Adele's Cafe Afternoon Tea Win

Last week we went to Adele's to enjoy the Gluten Free Afternoon Tea for 2 I'd won by submitting a gluten recipe.


Here's what we had:
Rustic Brown Bread sandwiches (also homemade) with ham, mustard mayo and salad
Sundried Tomato Bread sandwiches (homemade and so fluffy) with fresh mozzarella and pesto
Lemon & Lime cupcakes
Rhubarb and Apple Tart
Chocolate Orange Truffle tart
Carrot cake
...and some fresh tea, which was topped up regularly.


Adele's is not big but the interior is well arranged so that it easily fits a 2 tables of 4, 1 table for 2, sandwich counter, till, coffee machine, welsh dresser and small table for displaying things for sale.
There were a variety of people who came and went during our visit. Workmen demolishing the old McEwans brewery opposite, ladies who lunch, neighbours and executives.
Chatting to Kerrie, who runs Adeles (named after her daughter), revealed a lot about her idea behind the cafe. A sign outside says 'we love coeliacs' but also boasts special offers for cheap lunches.
Kerrie didn't want to make the place exclusively gluten free as it was so niche and might put people off.
Right enough, there were people we got chatting to who were on a strict diet and so happy to have found somewhere they could eat normally, another chap came in for his egg roll and tea to take away back to the site, lunchtime workers ordered sandwiches on gluten free and regular bread and locals sat for over an hour snacking and drinking tea as people they knew came and went.


The standard of the food was just brilliant. Kerrie makes the sandwiches but, with a young family, buys in the cakes from a few bakers as she just hasn't the time to do everything.
All the things that we sampled were delicious, moist, light and not too sweet.
The standard is fantastic and it was a pleasure to while the time away there.


Why not visit?
Adele's Cafe


Adele's Cafe

162 Fountainbridge

Edinburgh
EH3 9RX


Mon-Fri: 07:30-15:00Sat: 10:00-16:00 

Show Us Your Shoes!

Well, this is me, becoming a proper blogger by taking part in my first Meme!!!!
I have been tagged by SuperLuckyDi, along with InsideTheWendyHouse to show you our shoes.


Now, normally I'm a converse girl. That, or my denim Nike Hi-Tops. But as today is such a special occasion I'm showing you my all time favourite, longest lasting, cheapest ever bargain shoes.

They are so comfy and are retro, sexy and best of all...black. So they go with everything.

Not only are they a budget brand - George at Asda, but I bought them in the Salvation Army for £1. Get in!

They are the perfect addition to a pencil skirt/twinset outfit with stockings a la 1950's Vivienne Westwood chic and also go beautifully with jeans and a shirt or top for an easy option going-out look.

I do have a bunion like a proper old lady and years of walking in trainers has destroyed my 'walking sensibly in heels' stamina so it takes a little lady petrol (wine to those who don't know) to get me walking less like a tranny in them. But I feel like a real woman and that's all that matters.

Now.....to think of someone to tag.....I love Mellow Mummy and her brilliant 'Prizes For Parents' weekly roundup and am so enjoying Kelly's lovely updates on wee Piran and Kate (don't know if she'll find time for this with a new baby!)

Kxxx

Zipper Act

I've entered this brilliant competition over at North Face Glasgow to win £175 of North Face products.
With only one other entrant I stand a great chance but they're in the lead with 27 votes....

Photo and video competitions give you a great edge when it comes to being able to win on merit, but not so easy when it's down to votes, which this one is.

If you'd like to enter yourself or vote for me (xxx) then click here http://apps.facebook.com/zipperactglasgow/media/397/all

Kx

Cheese Couture

Cheesy Royal Wedding Tiara

'What's that on your head?' I hear you say. Why it's a tiara hand carved from cheese of course!
The geniuses over at Pilgrim's Choice have set up a fabulous competition, ending 5pm on Monday the 6th, to win £250 shopping vouchers or 2 runners up cheese hampers if you submit a winning fashion accessory made from cheese.....and here's my attempt. There was many a LOL in the photographing process.
Why not have a go?

Adele's Cafe Win

The other evening I received a very lovely surprise text from Kerrie at Adele's Cafe in Fountainbridge in Edinburgh, informing me that I've won a Gluten Free Afternoon Tea for 2! Imagine my delight.


It's so boring being on a gluten free diet with very few places that you can go to and not have to ask loads of questions and explain what does and doesn't contain certain things.
I'd heard rumours of Adele's and quickly googled them, instantly coming across this competition http://www.edinburghshogmany.org/venues/restaurants/adelescafe, which was closing a few days later.


Because it was Coeliac Awareness in the uk there were actually loads of great giveaways, competitions and promotions going on but I'd missed this one as it wasn't heavily publicised and was quite specific being local.
The challenge was to submit your own gluten free recipe so I quickly made up mine for mini victoria sponges with a dairy and sugar free option too, and some little drawings and mini-tips along the sides.
I hoped that this would give me a winning edge and clearly did!


I can't wait to go along and enjoy my lovely prize soon.


Adele's Cafe

162 Fountainbridge

Edinburgh
EH3 9RX


Mon-Fri: 07:30-15:00
Sat: 10:00-16:00 

Hello!

First post, like a blank sheet of paper on the first day back at college.
Lets just get it over and done with and move on. The next post will be far more interesting I assure you!
Here are some rather attractive lightshades to look at.