The Valentine's Day Gift Guide

I know, I know, it's an over commercialised made up holiday in the present day, but the old romantic in me does see the cute side of Valentine's Day. Obviously we should love our loved ones the other 364 days of the year too yadda yadda...

Cruelty Free Natural Face Mask

Busy mums (and dads!) might not have time to head out to the beauty salon for luxurious treatments and me-time, but you can treat yourself at home. Get the babies in bed, pour a glass of wine, sack off the ironing and enjoy this.

Boozy Strawberry Smoothie

Summer calls for afternoons spent in the garden, barbecues with friends, and enjoying those last evening rays of sun when the children are in bed - perhaps with a cheeky tipple.

This smoothie recipe is definitely not one to share with the children! Refreshing, tasty, and very, very naughty...

Raspberry Pixie Cakes

I love baking. Fairy cakes are delicious and by playing around with the recipe you can soon make them even better. According to legend, fairies are good - but pixies are naughty.

Naughty Rhubarb Fool

Fruit fool is a decadent dessert, but so simple to make. I love to enjoy it in Summer, sat out in the evening sunshine with a cheeky glass of Prosecco, or even a cocktail. This recipe uses Little Red Berry Rhubarb Vodka, and also fresh rhubarb which is currently in season!

The Little Red Berry Co

I've been working with a fantastic local company; The Little Red Berry Co.

Based in Ripon, North Yorkshire, the company was set up by Rachel Jamieson in 2011. Their products are handmade, local, fresh, and they believe in putting a modern twist on a traditional product.

Healthy,easy pizza

As part of my healthy eating/diet plan, I've been curious to find a way to enjoy the naughtier foods that I love, without undoing all my hard work.

Chinese Salt & Pepper Chips

One of my biggest weaknesses is Chinese takeaway. Every so often I get a huge craving for it, as does Mr W, and all of our healthy eating ideals go straight out of the window as we stuff our faces like demented people. And then comes the guilt. Diet failure. Feeling the pounds piling on as we sit there with leftover sauce around our mouths and meat sweats. It's a highly attractive image.

Penleys - Richmond

A few weeks ago I was treated to a delicious meal out with friends at a local cafe/bistro, Penleys, in our local town of Richmond. It's one of two, with its sister restaurant being in nearby Leyburn, and I was a little nervous because having taken a look on TripAdvisor, it had some very mixed reviews.

A healthy kebab fix

I've somehow (ok, I know how *snaffles cake*) managed to pile on three stone in the last two years. I thought I was fine with it, but just recently I have been feeling rather like a baby rhino trying to get into a slim woman's clothes - it's just not working. I feel heavy and a bit gross, so have decided to start eating healthily (with the odd treat thrown in of course) and be more active, to lose a little of this weight. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel like I have to, I'm doing it for me - because I want to.

Slingsby Gin

I was given a bottle of Slingsby Gin as an early Christmas gift, and have to be honest, I had never heard of it! But I was so intrigued by the beautiful bottle, and the fact that it is made fairly locally to me - in Harrogate. So of course, I simply had to taste it as soon as responsibly possible (i.e. not whilst at work, driving or in charge of two small children) and tell you about it!