Bedtime Routine & a GIVEAWAY

For a while, my son's bedtime routine at my house involved listening to an audio book after we had read a few stories together. However the Fireman Sam audio book was a bad choice on my part as it got him too excited and I needed something a bit more relaxing than the high action stories of fire fighting in Pontypandy. The concept was genius though as it did encourage him to stay in bed as he focused on the words as they floated round his little bedroom.

Now he's a bit older, instead of a star reward chart we are keeping tally of points on the blackboard in the kitchen. He gets 10 points if he goes to bed on time and a bonus of 5 points if he stays in bed until 7am. There are minus points if he gets up!! He is highly competitive, so this seems to work as he competes against his little sister for the top spot each week. The reward is a treat of some form... I'm yet to decide what this will be, but perhaps it could be a Lego minifigure, or an ice cream (where has the sun gone though!?).

Anyway, step in Vicky Arlidge with her 'Lullabies for Children' CD. The CD is 45 minutes of relaxing lullabies that have captivated both my son and daughter. Unlike some children's CDs, I am able to listen to this also without it annoying me! We read our usual bedtime stories and then I press play on the CD player in our hallway... hey presto, the kids lie and relax and listen to the vocals and I can crack on with the housework (or perhaps put my feet up and chill myself!).

Want to try the CD for yourself? I have three CDs for my lovely followers to win! All you need to do is enter the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

UK entrants only please
There will be three winners, each receiving one CD
No cash alternative
Competition ends on 2nd August
Good luck!

Thank you to Vicky Arlidge for providing this prize. Her CDs can be bought on Amazon here for £2.99 with free delivery.

What's On: Foodies Festival, Edinburgh plus a GIVEAWAY

Next month the Foodies Festival is back at Edinburgh's Inverleith Park on 7th, 8th and 9th August. We had a brilliant time there last year and are super excited to be returning. It was such a fantastic weekend - you can find my previous post here and below is the vlog I created from our weekend antics. This year I'm taking my wee sister Ali & her other half Robin along with us - it's going to be so much fun.

For the 10th Anniversary Celebrations, the event is going to be 50% bigger and there are loads of interesting demos, an extended Producers Market and a huge selection of street food to feast upon...Japanese, Thai, Brazilian, Argentinian, Indian, Mexican, French, African...

There are some hands on masterclasses that sound intriguing... bee keeping, oyster shucking and foraging. There is going to be food and drink pairing masterclasses in the new Wine, Champagne and Craft Beer Theatre; daily cocktail competitions between local bars to find Edinburgh's Best Mixologist and cake modelling and sugar-craft workshops in the Cake & Bake Theatre. It all sounds brilliant!!

For the kids there are Picnic in the Park themed masterclasses in the Children's Cookery Theatre where they can learn to make finger sandwiches, jellies and chocolate bugs (all children under 12 years old go free when accompanied by an adult).

There is also a Chilli Eating Competition that I'm sure Rick will be up for.. can he win the Chilli Eating Crown?

And guess what? I have three pair of tickets up for grabs!! All you need to do is follow the Rafflecopter instructions below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don't win the tickets, then you can buy yours online at www.foodiesfestival.com or by calling 0844 995 1111.

Competition runs 15th July to 29th July.
There will be three winners; picked at random.
Each prize is one pair of tickets; no cash alternative available.
Thanks to @LanyardMedia for providing this prize

Giveaway Four - Beauty Hamper from House of Fraser

I would absolutely love for you to vote for me in the Clickstay Mummy Blogger Awards. It takes 2 seconds and you can vote here up to once daily. I'm currently in third place, but I would be over the moon if I made it into the top spot as the prize is £1000 towards a villa in Portugal which would allow me to go with the kids on our first family holiday in the sun. Thanks so much for your ongoing support - it's much appreciated. Sarah x
Yesterday was the official birthday of the Glasgow Mummy blog! I have been writing on these pages for four years now... can you believe it? 

No, neither can I!!

I have a final giveaway to share with you to thank you for your support over the years... House of Fraser, Glasgow have very kindly made me up a Beauty Hamper for one lucky reader. If you're aren't the lucky winner, then HOF have the Big Brand Sale running just now with up to 50% off; definitely worth checking out.

So what's in the stash I hear you ask? Well, there is...

A zebra print Roberto Cavalli clutch bag

Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Body Wash, 50 mL

Azzaro Pour Homme, £30 mL

Yohji Yamamoto Eau de Parfum, 10 mL

Yohji Homme Eau de Toilette, 10 mL

Nails Inc Snowflake, Whitechapel 14 mL

Clinique Clarifying Lotion, 30 mL

Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover, 30 mL

Clarins HydraQuench Cream, 5 mL

Clarins HydraQuench Mask, 5 mL

Clarins Men Super Moisture Balm, 5 mL

Plus samples of the following:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Jean Paul Gaultier Madame EDT

Jean Paul Gaultier Fleur du Male EDT

Davidoff Cool Water EDT

Vivienne Westwood Cheeky Alice EDT

Elie Saab le Parfum Couture

Elie Saab le Parfum Intense

Paisley Etro EDT

And then I threw in a few things from me too:

Molton Brown Heavenly Ginger Body Cream, 100 mL

Origins GinZing refreshing eye cream (sample)

Origins GinZing refreshing scrub cleanser (sample)

cK 3-in-1 face make-up (sample)

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (sample)

Priori Skin Renewal Cream (sample)

Prior Barrier Repair Complex (sample)

All you need to do is enter the rafflecopter below... easy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There is only one prize.
UK entrants only please.
No cash alternative available.
Good luck :-)

Have you voted here? Thanks again!!!! Apologies for all the spam, it'll stop soon!

Giveaway: Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair

It's no secret that I absolutely adore Christmas. This wasn't always the case, but I think with the addition of the little ones, Christmas is once again magical and I love the run up to the big day each year. (However the shops are getting earlier and earlier at introducing their Christmas stock and I think September is far too early for Christmas!)

Anyway, if you haven't been already, then you really must check out the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair, which arrives at the SECC Glasgow on 20th - 23rd November 2014. It's a must for all Christmas fans like me!

There will be almost 300 stalls under the one roof, selling gifts, decorations and festive food; and in addition to the stalls there are three informative theatres - cookery, lifestyle and craft & create - each offering advice and demonstrations. The art demo on 'painting a stag' intrigues me and I would love to get along to the 'creative gift wrapping and styling' session.

Ticket details can be found here, and if you insert the code Blog14 then you will be given a discount of £1 off the ticket price. This offer is valid until the day before the fair, at all three fairs - Glasgow, Harrogate and London.

I do have two tickets up for grabs however and all you need to do is follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter below. Huzzah!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck everyone!

Giveaway ends on Wed 12th November, which will allow me enough time to get the tickets sent out to the lucky winner.
UK residents only please.
Prize is two tickets for the Glasgow fair, there is no alternative prize.

{Giveaway - £50 Aldi voucher and a hamper}

Following on from the huge success of my Peanut Butter Brownies that I made with the littlest to celebrate National Baking Week, we decided to try another Aldi recipe.

Have a look at our vlog where my sister, Auntie Ali, is making Cherry & Almond Cupcakes with the eldest.



I am delighted to offer a £50 Aldi voucher and a hamper of 'The Pantry' goodies as a competition prize so you can create your own sweet treats.

All you need to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

UK entrants only please.
There is only one prize and no cash alternative is available.
The giveaway ends on 23rd October 2014.

Good luck :-)