Showing all posts in Family Time

In Family Time, Interior Design, Reviews / Sponsored, Women's Interest

Hotel Luxury Wherever You Are

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

I am a Mum. I have two fabulously cute boys who love mud pies, arts and crafts, Minecraft and water guns. One goes to school, the other to pre-school for two days and a child-minder for another two days. We have after school clubs and classes etc.

I am a full-time working self-employed copywriter and deputy editor. By full time I mean that I work 40-50 hours a week however I work these hours around the two mud-covered, giggling children.

I have a house. It is a beautiful house with a large lounge and dining room, a brilliant kitchen (with a Belfast sink no less), a large utility room (with magical washing baskets that refill as soon as you empty them), three big bedrooms, a bathroom to die for…. and it all needs cleaning and tidying regularly.

I also like to cook. In fact I love to cook and this means spending hours making everything from scratch, prepping foods, cooking and not forgetting the shopping!

I also insist on spending proper family time with the boys and my fabulous husband.

With only twenty four hours in the day you can see how I’ve become something of a juggling expert over the past few years. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore my life and how busy I am but sometimes, just sometimes I start to get that slightly frayed around the edges, a feeling so many parents and workers feel when they aren’t getting enough proper sleep.

In an ideal world I would pack my bags every six months, kiss the kids and the husband goodbye and book myself into a hotel for a couple of nights.

To sleep!

If you’ve ever stayed in a really nice hotel you’ll know that there is something quite special about hotel bed linen. It is clean and crisp and yet it feels special. Perhaps it is the fact that you haven’t had to wash and iron it yourself however I fancy that it has more to do with the quality and luxury of it.
SimplePolycottonPhoto credit: http://www.mitrelinen.com/products/bedrooms/bed-linen/

Sad I know but when I used to travel for work sometimes, for training, meetings or when I used to run accreditation reviews on services (a lifetime ago before the children and before I started running my own business) I actually used to get excited about opening the door to my hotel room and finding a beautifully made up bed complete with hotel bed runners and cushions.

Sevilla AutumnPhoto credit: http://www.mitrelinen.com/products/soft-furnishings/runners-and-cushions/ 

As grabbing a bag and running off for some R&R isn’t an option (and besides, I’d miss Roy and the boys too much) I am working to create my own hotel room at home. I’m not talking about dodgy wallpaper and a minibar (although….!); I’m talking about a room that is calm and quiet and oozing with luxury. Roy and I work damn hard at work and at looking after the home and the kids so when it comes to bed time we deserve a special place where we can relax and enjoy a proper rejuvenating sleep.

Thankfully it is now possible to enjoy quality hotel bed grade linens at home too and so all I need to get hold of is a Do Not Disturb sign for the door and I’ll be all set!

In Business & Blogging, Family Time, Reviews / Sponsored

Finding the Right Photographer 24/7

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

p2

When it comes to capturing those all important moments; the moment you say your vows, when you cut the cake at your wedding, that cheeky toddler smile or that proud moment when one of your children graduates it is essential that you choose the right photographer.

I speak from experience here as when it came to our wedding day I didn’t. I chose the first person in the phone book who was available. I was a bit green and I didn’t compare prices, I didn’t see who else was in my area and I didn’t think to ask for recommendations. The only thing I regret about our wedding day, even now eleven years on, is that we didn’t have a better photographer. The pictures were disappointing at best.

When looking for a photographer locally a tool like Photographers 24/7 could be just the thing for you. This site enables you to look for a photographer in your local area who offers what you want, who is available on the day you need them and who will do the job within your chosen budget. This personalised method of choosing a photographer saves a lot of wasted time on enquiry emails or phone calls only to be told that what you want or need isn’t available.

The site is easy to navigate, allows you receive no-obligation quotes from your chosen few and additionally helps you really think about exactly what you are looking for.

Of course there is nothing quite like receiving recommendations from those around you and using this service doesn’t stop you doing that. I don’t have a recommendation for a local photographer however if you want to know about a fabulous one in the Midlands I know just the one.  The chances are that having obtained quotes from local photographers that fit your brief that if you ask your family, friends and colleagues that they will have heard of some of them and be able to advise accordingly.

Probably the biggest perk when it comes to using Photographers247 is that you don’t have to pay. This site offers a quick and convenient way for you the cut the time it takes to put together a photographer shortlist in your area and ultimately find that special person who will capture your precious moments exactly how you want them to be captured so that you may enjoy timeless reminders for years to come.

You may find Photographers247 on Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus.

p247

All original content on these pages is fingerprinted and certified by Digiprove