Review: Where NOT to have a pub dinner....

Fantastic was my initial reaction when my friend Karen gave me her reservation for a meal for two at The Park View, a lovely pub just at the top corner of Preston Park (Brighton).

Justin and i had not been out on a 'date' for ages! So we looked online at their 'New & Improved' menu, online i had read that they are trying out the all new menu with improved service. Waiter service for the restaurant style experience, however my friend Karen had given me a voucher to get two main meals up to the value of £15 each for free, this was all part of their 'trail', but on this voucher it said to hand your voucher in when you order your food at the bar. Conflicting information already?

So the meal evening came and we dressed up and off we went. Arriving on time we didn't know where to go to say we had arrived, so we waited at the bar....and waited....It was Wednesday which is their quiz night, so it was busier than usual. However they hadn't seemed to have allowed for this and had only one member of staff serving at the bar. And what a joy she was, her face just said 'I wish i was at home in bed'.

At 8.10pm i managed to grab a waitress who was on her way to serve downstairs, i asked her where we supposed to be and she replied 'I don't know, i could check if you like?' Erm... Well yes please!

She came back and said 'Apparently your table's downstairs' and proceeded to walk off, so i followed her and said 'So are we to follow you then?' She nodded and carried on walking downstairs.

We got downstairs and she stood in front of our table and said 'There it is' and walked off again!

So we sat down and helped ourselves to the menus, we then waited again for about 15mins this time until we saw her again. I asked her if we are to order from her or the bar, she replied 'The bar' and wandered off.

Being 24wks pregnant and rather hungry i wasn't going to hang around any longer. I took the menu up stairs for another long wait at the bar! A couple of lovely ladies where stood there waiting and jokingly said to me 'You'dve had your baby by the time you get served!'

They weren't far off. Finally it was my time and happy came to me 'What do you want?' was her first sentence to me, i said I'd like to order some food and she looked blankly at me so i proceeded to tell her what we'd like and our table number. She walked off without saying anything or even asking how Justin would like his steak cooked! She came back and said 'Tell me again, I've forgotten'. After pressing a few more buttons on the computer she came over and asked if i wanted to start a tab or pay now, so i handed her the voucher to which she sighed and said 'Ohhh! You've got one of THEM!' Like i had three heads or something. She took the voucher to a guy at the side of the bar who looked like the duty manager in a shirt and tie, she asked him if what we had ordered was included. He threw his hands up in the air and shrugged whilst replying to her 'I don't know do i? Why don't you read the thing!' Lovely... Meanwhile the bar is filling up with thirsty/hungry customer who are getting more and more impatient.

She came over again and said 'I need £3 from you', i asked why and she said the chips i ordered where not included, I'm guessing this was just on her say so. I had to go back downstairs and get the £3, when i returned the bar was even busier. After a few minutes Happy spotted me through the crowed and called out to me, arm outstretched 'Can i have that £3'. I moved forwarded and handed it to her, she walked off and started serving someone else. So said 'Thankyou, I'll go and wait downstairs for me food then!?!'

The other customers seem to look rather shocked at how she ignored me once she got her £3. Another woman came to the bar and said 'Thankyou for my food, bye' This lady was also ignored!

So back downstairs Justin was waiting, he thought i had run away or gone to cook it myself!

Dinner took about 25mins to arrive, and a few minutes beforehand the waitress returned with some cutlery. When the food arrived the waitress asked who had the steak and if we wanted any sauce. I was shocked at how tiny Justin's steak was, it was £14.95 and no bigger than 4'' by 2'', Just enough for a small cat to eat! At £8.95 my meal was a Chicken Breast, Chicory and Citrus dressing salad. This consisted of smokey re-formed bits of chicken (yuck!), a few bits of satsuma, Apple, chicory and rocket leaves. Very odd, i thought salad had lettuce in it not fruit!?! The chips that i paid £3 for arrived a few minutes later and it was the smallest portion i had ever seen, referring to cats again, the bowl they were served in would've suited the steak or some milk for the cat in question!

Oh and also the music was so loud Justin and i had to pretty much shout at each other to be heard, or repeat everything. So annoying as i hate having to repeat myself!

That was it, knowone came to see how the food was, if we wanted anything else etc...

I don't think Justin and i had eaten so quickly due to hunger and to get out of somewhere quick enough!

So overall it was a bad experience of slowness, rudeness, unhelpfullness and over-priced food. The only good thing i can say about it is thank goodness we had a free meal that day!

Needless to say we WON'T be returning there again, which is sad to say as we used to go there for the odd drink and Lydia had her first birthday party there. Its seriously gone down hill, rather than up as it was boasting about! 

The Fonz, says it all!

Post by Lydia: My friend Tommy...

Last weekend Mumma and Daddy took to me to Bath for a holiday :) We we're to be staying with Grandad Peter and Grandma Julia. Daddy got a hire car on Friday morning and we set off...

Testing out Mumma's seat for her

Its hard work all this travelling, i had to have a quick nap before we stopped for lunch

Then it was a picnic at Rownhams service station. I've been there so many times now, i was disappointed that the playground was closed though :(

I of course took Dora with me, can't leave my baby behind can i! Here is a photo Mumma took of us...

We made another pit stop before we got to Bath. Mumma said it was because i was having a paddy and needed calming down, but i think she was just blaming me for something i didn't do. See it was Dora who was screaming and kicking her legs. NOT ME!

We arrived at Peter & Julia's house at about 4.30/5pm. It looked like knowone was in so Mumma went around the back and found Peter in the conservatory. 

Peter let us in and made us a cup of tea, Mumma and Daddy got all of our stuff in just before Julia returned home. Julia then made a gorgeous Thai chicken curry for dinner and we had ice-cream and raspberry's freshly picked from their garden.

The next morning i woke up to some presents. Julia had brought me 2 lovely outfits, a dress and a rain jacket. She'd also got me some shoes but because i have big feet like Mumma they didn't fit me :(

I decided it was time for a fashion show and tried on all my new gear whilst dangling the hangers from my wrists, its the new rage you know.

 

Shortly after the fashion show Julia took me into the garden to meet some of the neighbours and show me and Mumma what fruit and vegetables she has growing there.

This is Nanny....

And her two friends....

After the adults had a naughty breakfast of bacon and egg sandwiches we all headed off into Bath centre to do some shopping. Daddy brought me some lovely shoes, jeans and some winter accessories. Mumma told me i can share them with my sister, but she's not here yet. Silly Mumma!

After a coffee stop at M&S i decided to test the adults, lets see how far away i could run without them realising. I waited for Daddy to get his wallet out and i slinked off into the menswear section, i managed about 10metres before Mumma shouted 'Where's Lydia!?!'

Everyone was looking for me and Mumma got quite upset about it. I didn't like being told off so i decided to scream at her and hold my breath until i went blue, floppy and passed out in her arms for a minute or two.

I was OK though, don't think i will do that again anytime soon. I will wait until i am bigger then i can run faster!

So when we had all calmed down we headed off towards the river, we stopped to get some ice-cream on the way (apparently as i nodded off and was told i missed ice-cream!). Then we all got on the boat that takes you up the Wier, i only woke up just before we had to get off though. I was knackered from my tantrum!

 We then got off at the top of the Weir for some lunch.

We ate in the Bathampton arms...

Then we got a return boat ride before they finished up for the night. This time i was awake for the whole journey! I changed into another of my new outfits and watched the ducks swim by.

Back at our home for the weekend we all relaxed after a busy day. Mumma sat down and watched the horse's next door whilst i played with Daddy.

On Sunday i put my new dress on and went into the garden for breakfast, i heard a really strange noise. Funny, but very odd. I asked Mumma what it was and she told me they're sheep! What is a sheep? We went to have a look at them down the bottom of the garden but they ran away i we got there, don't think they liked me :( But i loved copying the noise, 'Bahhhhh'

When Peter woke up he said he would take us to meet the chickens and horse's. I had no idea what he was on about until i was handed over the fence and we walked towards this massive shiny black animal and a smaller grey and white one. Horse's!!! Oh i like them, the small one is called Tommy. He is my friend...

He gave me lots of kisses and let me sit on his back for a bit...

Then it was off to the chicken coop, whatever one of them is? Tommy and his mate didn't want us to go and followed us all the way down...

We kindly asked them to wait for us and we went on.

I really like chickens, they make funny noise's. I asked if i could get in with them, i was allowed and i petted some of them.

After the chickens we headed back towards home. Tommy and his friend were still waiting for us and walked us back up towards the fence. I told Tommy i would come and see him again later, we had another hug and kiss and off we went.

We went into the next field where there was another horse, a shy brown one. Now she was funny, she cleared her nostrils and made a really loud noise. The noise made Daddy jump, i was laughing, half at the noise and half at Daddy's reaction to it!

Julia had then woken up and said we could go to the park, she told me they had swings there, i LOVE going on the swings! When we got there i was so excited that i wanted a go on everything, the rocking motor bike, slide, roundabout, swings, steps and wooden bridge, all of it!

 But somehow i think the adults were having as much as me...

 

Then we carried on walking to a really old church, and i mean really old, it was older than Daddy! I got bored and nodded off at this point, when i woke up we were back at home.

The sun had come out and there was a barbecue on the go, i spotted the sun loungers had been put out. Time for a little relaxation me thinks!

It soon got really hot and people started taking their clothes off, so i joined in! Why not?

 After we had the barbecue Julia's friends came over, the people who live next door. Its their land and their chickens :) They brought with them their dog Rocky, i like dogs and this one liked me. He kept licking me and trying to steal my food! Cheeky pup. Here i am feeding him some of my sandwich..

I then had a lovely warm bath, i was quite dirty after rolling about with Rocky, he kept licking me,and i had been messily eating lots. Also i still had slobber on me from Tommy's kisses!

I felt a bit crinkly in the morning and asked Daddy to give me a pressing, he wouldn't though :(

So i settled for another visit to see my friend Tommy. I didn't have to go far as he was just outside the conservatory when we went outside. Tommy was hungry today and tried to nibble on my legs! I had green marks on me from where he'd eaten grass then tried to eat me! So Peter got Tommy a carrot to eat, as i need my legs!

It was then time to say goodbye for a while as we had to go home to Brighton. Peter and Julia went to work and Mumma and Dadda packed up the car.

We got a bit lost and ended up 3miles away from Bristol! But still Daddy said he had alot of petrol still left to use up so it didn't matter to much. Finally we arrived in Salisbury for some lunch, here's me pretending to drink a coffee...

I had another outfit change and we then headed to Eastbourne where we ate chips on the seafront.

After that i was getting pretty tired. So Mumma and Daddy got a Chinese takeaway for dinner and we went home. Home to Brighton.

I loved my holiday and i can't wait to do it all again next year, and by that time i will be a big sister! :)

Review: The Konjac Sponge Company ~ Konjac Baby Sponge

I received an email from Michele over at The Konjac Sponge Company asking if I'd be interested in their baby sponge. The sponge arrived with some useful information about their products, cute postcards and the lovely little sponge itself!


About the Company....

Michele Riley, is the founder and director of the Konjac Sponge Company.
She is a self confessed workaholic mother of 4 children. Michele Juggles motherhood and full time work, and endeavours to keep a "green" slant on all aspects of life. As always, she would never sell or promote anything she is not passionate about and will use for herself.

Having hypersensitive skin herself, Michele came across Konjac Sponges by total chance, and purchased one to try, she has never looked back! Impressed by something so pure, natural yet so effective she decided that the UK and Europe should have the opportunity to benefit from such a simple yet effective product.

Michele scrupulously investigated the product and the manufacturing process to ensure it was as green and ethical as first appeared. Once satisfied, she set about finding the finest most ethical and natural manufacturer in the world. Michele then quickly set to work, ensuring all the range was available for the UK and EU market.

Recently introduced to Europe the sponge has roaring success in places such as Japan, China, Korea and the USA. Made with 100% natural Konjac fibre, a food grade vegetable fibre from the root of the amorphophallus konjac plant.

The 100% vegetable sponge is naturally pH balanced, biodegradable, colouring free, vegetarian, moisture rich, compostable, naturally sustainable and environmentally safe. Ideal for use on baby's skin and also for applying make-up.

 

As the sponge is naturally moisture rich no further soap or body wash is required, however if you choose to still use some you can use much less as it will bubble more and go alot further than if it were on a 'normal' sponge or flannel. Thus making it better for your skin, your pocket and the environment!

 

The sponges were originally intended for use on children but people have grown to realise the benefits of everyone using them. The cleansing and soothing abilities make them ideal for all skin types and particularly good for those who are hypersensitive to some other products out there. 

The Konjac Baby Sponge is ideal for baby's or children (or indeed anyone) with sensitive skin or even eczema as no nasty chemicals or toxins are used. A baby's skin is more porous and can absorb harmful chemicals and pollutants into the skin 5x more than an adults, with this sponge you can safely and gently cleanse them without any damage or worry to the effect it may have.

Recently Lydia has had a rather sore bum, evil nappy rash due to her getting to hot after running around in her cloth nappy's in this heat we're having. Each bath time was a fight, the products we were using seemed to irate her sore delicate skin all the more. But what could i do? I couldn't just wash her in plain water after everything she gets up to in the day!

Lydia's first meeting with the sponge :)

So i didn't think twice and tried the sponge straight away. Using no soap or baby wash i cleaned her with the Konjac Baby Sponge and was so pleased to hear no screams this bath time! Amazing. Its soft and squidgy that amused Lydia how it felt, and it left her with really soft skin.

I like to squidge it squidge it!

I then had to sneakily use it myself when she wasn't looking, i washed my face with it. It has a funny vegetable smell but it doesn't linger or stay on your skin so that's OK, the texture freaked me out a bit but that's my own problem! My face was left really soft and i did feel cleansed and soft to touch, it certainly woke me up! Lydia then realised that Mumma was using her new best friend, and this is what happened....

....when the sponge was put away :'(

You can also use the sponge for washing baby's hair, as the sponge holds 10x its weight in water. So by gently squeezing it over baby's head you create a gentle and peaceful hair shampoo for baby :) Lovely. 

At £5.25 its only a few pounds more than a regular baby sponge, but you make your money back from all the shampoo and body wash you save.

Also being kinder to baby's skin and the environment is surely priceless?

Click here to order your Konjac Baby Sponge and view their other great products in their online shop.

Things are changing....

        

My beautiful girls :)

I can't help but feel sad, happy and scared all at the same time.

I am (always have been) a terrible worrier, now ask my friends and they'd say i am bubbly, confident and positive. Only a few people know the 'real' me, the side thats easily hurt and upset, the part of me that constantly worries and wants everything to be perfect.

Yes i usually do and say what i like, but i do worry what people think about me, what will happen to me and where i will end up.

This pregnancy has caused a whole new MASSIVE batch of hormones, a fresh batch of bitchyness, moanyness and unhappyness. Not to mention the heartburn, back ache and stress from a very tetchy toddler.

I do love being pregnant again, its great. So different from with Lydia, this time i am worring about moving, money and how all of this will effect Lydia. She is amazing and hugs my belly saying ''Baby'' then kisses it :)

I've been upset about how she will feel, how she will adapt to moving (if we ever move!?!)

Everyone tells me to relax and take it easy.

How can i!?! I have a toddler who acts like a teenager and i'm really stressed out on top of trying to remain ''normal'' to function in everyday life and move.

I wish someone would just come along and sort it all out for me. Someone to assure me Lydia will be fine, its just a phase afterall, someone to get me a new flat and sort out all the shit that comes with moving, someone to give me a wonderfull massage and a day off from everything.

But, i don't believe in god and miracles just don't happen to me.

Rant over and otherwise i am really happy. I have a beautiful happy daughter and she has a sister on her way. I always wanted a sister so she's getting what i always wanted, which is lovely :)

And i've managed to make the baby a few things for when she arrives. A soft play cube, hand stiched with a jingle bell inside. And a sock cat! Meiow....

I have always thought that i would'nt dress my two girls exactly the same. Maybe the same outfit/top but in different colours. However i have printed a vest each for the girls to wear, matching! :)

I've also brought two t-shirts, one each, Lydia's will say 'Big sister' and baby's will say 'Little sister' :) Yey!!!

Review: Thrist Pockets Multi Cloth

Harriet sent us some Thirst Pockets Multi Cloths, just what you need with a messy toddler about the house!

But you don't need a toddler to make a mess as we soon found out, clumsy daddy Justin decided to spill his coke all over the front room floor. Luckily its laminate flooring and i had these to hand!

Justin thought it was ''normal'' kitchen towel so he tore off about 10 sheets and started to mop up the mess, i came and took seven back off him! He only needed three, and he would've used less had he wrung them out in the sink. Needless to say the floor was super sticky so i used another one with some spray cleaner, super clean shiney and dry floor after that! Fab :)

The packet states you can use it all rooms of the house. Kitchen, bathroom, on glass and furniture. So we went on to use them cleaning the toilet, TV, Lydia's messy face and kitchen surfaces including the sink. The next challenge will be the shower.
Not just for cleaning though, you can use them for cooking, i used one sheet whilst making pancakes and eggy bread to soak up the excess oil. Fabulous!

 Another great use i found was when all my tea-towels were wet from the wash and i needed a plate drying, i tore a sheet off and watched it suck up the water. I left this sheet hanging off the tap to use later, it dried up lovely and had no holes!

They're made with Airlaid technology, ''Whats that?'' i hear you ask....

Airlaid is a specific process without water using cellulosic fibres but longer than what we use in conventional papermaking. Instead of mixing fibres with a high amount of water, and spraying the mix on a fabric to get a homogeneous web, the fibres are used dry, air transported and homogeneously laid down on a fabric. As the fibres are not wet, there is a need to add a binder to get a sheet with some resistance. In our case, this binder is a synthetic latex sprayed on both sides of the sheet. The amount of latex is around 15% of total weight.

This binder is not soluble in water which explains the specific property of Airlaid to be strong even when wet.
GP Airlaid is made with 100% virgin pulp called fluff (wood cellulose fibres) by a dry laying process (aerodynamic web formation). Airlaid is very strong, absorbent, offers the feel of cloth, and enables the product to be rinsed and reused.

And an introduction of the product from the company....

Behold…The NBF for Clean Fiends Across the UK

Thirst Pockets Multi Cloth - the innovative new household helper with a split personality.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a brand new product from Thirst Pockets - the Thirst Pockets Multi Cloth. It’s no surprise that this innovative little household helper is having an identity crisis - because it looks like a kitchen towel and performs like a cloth.
If, like us, your cupboards are overflowing with cloths and sponges – there’s the kitchen surface dishcloth, the washing up sponge and dozens of dusters – then you’ll be pleased to hear about the range of jobs that this new cloth can cover. The Thirst Pockets Multi Cloth will polish furniture, clean up the car, scrub the hobs, shine the windows and can wipe up spills.
Imagine how much simpler life will be with a single cloth to meet all your cleaning needs. Its concentrated fibres ensure a cloth-like feel so it doesn’t leave any nasty streaks across shiny surfaces - making it the perfect cleaning partner for your spring clean and beyond.

Versatile Thirst Pockets Multi Cloth can do it all, tackling any job – big or small - from wiping small spills, to cleaning your bathroom and polishing furniture and glass. It’s tough and durable, so much so that in tests it has proved to be the strongest kitchen towel on the market.
Multi Cloth is a hygienic cleaning solution – it performs like a cloth, but because it is disposable it removes the need to have dirty cloths hanging around the home.
The superior quality of Multi Cloth also means it is cost effective, because, compared to normal kitchen towels you have to use less to do more.


So if you need this fantastic product in your life, and lets face it we all DO! Then head down to your local supermarket to grab a pack, RRP £2.39 from Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Asda.

Make it part of your cleaning kit!

Right i'm off to scrub my shower now............