Thursday 30 April 2015

I'm Going to BritMums Live 2015

The I’m Going to BritMums Live 2015 Meme

Name:  Gillian but everyone calls me Jill

Blog: www.jollyjillys.blogspot.com

Twitter ID: @jollyjilly52

Height: 5ft 1 but wish I was 5ft 10 lol

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Blue

Is this your first blogging conference?: yes my very first everat  the age of 56 lol

Are you attending both days? Yes

What are you most looking forward to at BritMums Live 2015?: Looking forward to meeting some of the lovely cyber friends I have made and learning much more about blogging.

What are you wearing? (Want inspiration? Check out our What I’m wearing to BritMums Live Pinterest board); I will be comfortable I hope not thought about it before open to advice lol

What do you hope to gain from BritMums Live 2015?: I hope I gain friends and a better understanding of the blogging world

Do you have any tips to pass on to others who may not have been before?: No as i am very new to this and I need tips lol

Should add I am coming with my daugther Natalie who is 29 and a new mum we are team
Jollyjillys lol
Look forward to meeting everyone

I’m going to BritMums Live

Wednesday 29 April 2015

Wordless Wednesday


Monday 27 April 2015

Best Friends

As its Monday its my day for looking at something or someone who makes me feel positive with life. As we grow we start to make friends. When I was at school I had a few who we were sure would be friends for life! Sadly most seem to slip away as we all go our own way. If you are lucky you may hang onto one or two. I have been lucky that I have had some very good friends and also in the last few years some lovely cyber friends who I love to connect with.
When I was five and started school another little girl was there. Her name was Debbie and she was a wee frail little thing. Even at that young age I felt like I needed to look after her lol. She quickly became part of our life, not only for me but my parents as well. At one point my parents even wanted to adopt her. As the years went on she had her family and I mine, we didn't live close and at times lost touch. Over 50 years later we are talking still, it may only be a message or a phone call but we are still in touch. She is a special person who has had it tough at times but she is not that frail little girl any more, she is a strong woman with a lovely family. Thank you Debbie for being an also lifelong friend.

I should mention my cyber friends but there are so many it would take so many blog posts, hopefully you know who you are! People like Jaime, Cathie, Emma, Brigitte, Tina, April, and Janie and Darian  gosh I bet I miss someone lol.  The blogging world has brought me so much and I thank my niece Emma at The syders for giving me that.
Dancing friends who I spent hours with sitting watching our children dance, doing hair and making costumes Joy, Susie, Kim, Denise and the wonderful Clare and Helen. How I miss those dance days lol.
My sweet young friend Heather and all my cake friends like Claire too many to mention xx

So that brings me to someone I have saved to last as she is the best!
When my daughter was five she had a party, she had invited all her guest but at the last second she asked if she could invite one more. I was not impressed and was thinking this child would live miles away , and I would have to walk her home. My daughter took me to our window and pointed across the road and told me that was where she lived. So along came a sweet little girl called Lindsey.
The next school run Natalie ask to walk with her and also her mum. So that was the day I meet Susan who would go onto to be my best for the last 24 yrs. She is the sort of friend you don't see all the time, you may not even speak to all the time but she is there.

We feel that yes we are friends, but we class ourselves as sisters. I love her and her family like they were my family and I miss being able to live so close to them. I moved 16 yrs ago so face to face meetings are rare sadly these days. I feel very blessed to have her as my "sister" and love her very much.
So I hope you have had many friends who bring lots to your life.




Monday 20 April 2015

Magic moments and family

Its been a busy few days which with one thing and another. I do find life a bit of a challenge at times as I am not as physically able as I used to be. I get so exhausted at times its just not fun. This week was a nice end as we had the family over the lunch on Sunday. We are all busy these days and as our children get older and get their own families its hard to pin everyone down to a day.
My daughter Natalie came prepared in her Christmas slippers she forgot she had lol nothing like being comfortable is there.



We had a lovely lunch dinner made by Granddad and dessert by me which was a salted caramel and chocolate tart yummy. The children were very good for us and granddad and Nathan were having lots of fun.




Not so sure our cat Daisy was having so much fun and took to sitting under the baby walker lol.



Auntie Karen and Uncle Matthew got to have a cuddle before home time which was nice for Grace.
And Nanny Jill got a to have a cuddle with Nathan as well as Grace.



It was lovely having the family together for the day and I think we all had a good time. Looking forward to many more.
Linking up with The Oliver's Madhouse



Saturday 18 April 2015

Go Freestyle Challenge

So I was asked recently if I wanted to take part in the Go Freestyle Challenge to come up with a great sandwich using Lurpak products.  I was delighted to try as I really do love Lurpak butter and spray's.
I am the cake maker in the family and my husband Kevin is the cook really so I left it to him to come up with a great idea. The whole idea being we all tend to stick to the same sandwich and maybe it was time to think out of the box. So here is our challenge creation.

A Lurpak JalapeƱo chili and three cheese bread, sandwich with sliced chicken breast,mozzarella,
avocado, spinach and rocket salad with a balsamic glaze, sea salt and cracked pepper.



I have to say I was worried it may have been too hot but it was fine and really tasted yummy. It made me think Goodbye to boring ham or cheese and taking this challenge means I am going to try out other things as well.
So challenge yourself today and come up with your sandwich . #Freestyle food

Please note I was not paid only receiving a sample of the product

Monday 13 April 2015

Review of AllergieBlock

I had the chance to try and new product to create a invisible barrier for indoor and outdoor allergies. I have lots of issues with allergy and no one seems to know to what or why. So getting to try this in my case was great.
So let me start by telling you some facts about the product.

AllergieBlock is drug free way to alleviate mild allergy symptoms like sneezing, including pollen, ragwort, dust mites, pet dander and house dust from entering the nasal passage.

AllergieBlock is a unique topical get that is suitable for children, pregnant ladies , non-drowsy and has no known drug interaction if take with medications,

AllergieBlock is preventative solution for allergies. It is not a treatment for allergy symptoms. Since it is a preventative treatment it is recommended to use before allergy symptoms begin.

Its only a small tube so I was thinking to myself it really would not go far. I was wrong as you have to use such tiny amounts. It went on smooth and left no after smell. I was dry quickly and sat under make up with no issues at all. It is in fact great value for money.

So I think its early days for me. Saying that I have had two colds and illness for nearly three months. Soon as I stated using the product my cold all but disappeared . When you have a cold and the show must go home is so hard. So as I said early days and fingers crossed it still does.


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Any Questions please go over to 
www.alergieblock.co.uk

Please not I was not paid for this review , only getting a sample of the product

Magic Moments and Old Time Love


Its Monday again and this year seems to be flying (or is it just me getting old lol) and its time to link up with The Olivers Madhouse for Magic Moments. I was looking through some old pictures just the other day. My daughter-in-law Karen is filling in a book with lots of family facts and she need some pictures. I have my parents pictures as they have both passed away now, so it is nice to look through them.
The one that really struck a cord with me was the one below. It was taken in the early 1940's and it is my parents on their wedding day. It was during the second world war and my dad as you can see was in the Army.
My mum had been engaged to a Canadian Air force officer but sadly he got killed on a bombing raid, so she never did get married to him.
My mum's cousin was best friends with my dad and they all went out just as a group for fun. Then one day my dad said " I fancy a party , we should get married!" and they did lol. Money and fabric was short and i believe mums dress was made from parachute silk!
Just after my dad went away and did not come home for four years which was tough for a new married couple. They stuck together and by the time my mum passed away far to early at age 63 they had been married over 50yrs.
I myself married a service man at age 20. We had been pen pals for a year and we got engaged about 4 weeks after we met. We married 6 months later when I was 20. This year will be our 37th anniversary, and at times its been tough but we made it through and we are still together lol.
It made me smile to see how happy my parents look in the picture and its looks like a great party to have been at.











Sunday 12 April 2015

Birds Eye Wholegrain Fish Fingers Review






I don't know about you but I love a good fish finger. I have so many happy childhood memories of tucking into a big plate after school. So when a new generation of fish fingers arrives I am really keen to try.

So the famous Birds Eye brand have just announced an exciting new range, and best part with a new Wholegrain Fish Finger. Made to fit in with everyone the wholegrain fish fingers are perfect for parents (and grandparents) seeking yummy dinners for the family.

The are made with 100% fish fillet and a tasty, sweeter coating that is made with 100% wholegrain breadcrumbs. Parents will be pleased to know they contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
Kids love them and so do I. I thought they tasted yummy and loved the new coating which was nice and crisp . The fish inside also tasted great and they made a great meal. I even got my husband to try them and he had to admit they were great lol.

So why not give them a try this week. Available in all the supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisions , waitrose and iceland.
If you need further information Birds Eye have a very informative web site  over at



please note I was not paid for this review only receiving a sample of the product

Silent Sunday:12/04/15




Friday 10 April 2015

Ozeri WeightMaster II Review





I have been lucky to review a few products from a company called Ozeri. I have to say they have all been excellent quality and really smart products. So when I was asked to try their new weight scale I was delighted. The Ozeri weightMaster is a very smart weight scale. Smart in what it can do but also smart in the way it looks. So first the science bit as they say...



BMI with Weight Differential Detection -- Instantly displays your BMI (Body Mass Index), current weight, and your net weight change since your last weigh-in. It also calculates your net weight change from the average of your last 3, 7 and 30 weigh-ins to help provide a comprehensive understanding of your weight.
Accurate Weight Tracking with 30 Day Memory -- By measuring your weight once a day, the Ozeri WeightMaster II empowers you to instantly see how your current weight changes from the previous day (e.g. -0.3 kg), the average of the last 3 days (e.g. -0.8 kg), the previous week (e.g. -1.1 kg), and the previous 30 days (e.g. -2.4 kg), all displayed on an intelligent LCD with color alert technology.
Smart LCD with Color Alert Technology -- For users who want to focus on their weight trend instead of the actual numbers, this scale displays your weight change in color, with a GREEN illumination for weight loss and RED for weight gain, providing a visual form of intuitive feedback so you can see if your weight is trending up or down day to day, over the last 3, 7, and 30 days.
Immediate and Flawless Results -- Performs and displays all calculations on the scale's LCD without complicated synching or data connection failures common to more expensive wireless and Bluetooth alternatives
Robust Construction, Industry-leading Capacity and Built-in Intelligence -- Weighs up to 200 kg with auto-recognition technology for 8 unique users at home, at the office, or at the gym. Automatically calibrates with StepOn technology and auto-powers off. Features a slip-resistant grooved ABS exterior reinforced with a tempered glass interior, and non-slip scratch-resistant feet that won't damage flooring. Treated with Microban® antimicrobial product protection that disrupts the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria and helps maintain surface cleanliness.

I was impressed but how light it was and slim so easy to store if you do not want it out all the time. Simple to set up and being able to store weight records is great as well. I also liked the light change of green you lost weight or red you gain, so I am hoping for more green lights!
My only slight negative was I although you can change from kg to pounds I wish for the UK market it was in stones as well. I found it a bit of a pain working out how much I was in stones from the pounds on the scale. As I said that is a tiny negative and maybe thats just me being lazy lol.

Its available over at Amazon 


please note I was not paid for this review only receiving a sample of the product

Breath pure breath spray review



I was asking recently to review a new product on the market called Breath. It claims that
One spray completely eliminates embarrassing bad breath and kills the cause of bad breath. Also clinically proven to kill periodontal bacteria.
Same formulation as OraMD Original, 100% pure - no chemicals, sugar, alcohol, or additives.
Leaves a really fresh, clean feeling.
I was thinking when it arrived that this wee bottle would not last long but hey I was proven wrong. You only need a teeny spray and it last all day, and so its great value for money something we all look for these days.
I have to say the only negative for me was it did have a very strong taste and not being careful the first time I sprayed far too much lol. I warned my husband who then tried it and found it fine as long as you only spray a small amount. As the bottle is tiny its very easy to carry in your bag or pocket and it will go a long way.

You can find it on Amazon


Please note I was not paid for this review only receiving a sample of the product

Procrastination






I am loving The Prompt link up today as the theme is

Procrastination

Now I have to say its it something I am guilty of at times. I guess in our busy lives most of us are. 
We procrastinate about little things like empty the dishwasher or change the beds or bigger things.
I do wonder what the difference between men and woman are in the procrastination stakes lol.
To me my husband is so guilty of it in the DIY department. I make lists of jobs to do and I show him all the time. He reads and thinks and then a plan is made. Tomorrow we will start and I will do XYZ for sure. The tomorrow comes and do they get done no would be the answer!!!

For me the biggest procrastination in my life is my weight. I lost a lot of weight back in 1995 and I was so lovely and slim. I promised myself I would never ever gain it back. Then a few pounds crept back and a few more. It was always " OK next week I am going to get back on my diet" but I never fully did. So the years passed and a few more and a few more until now I am heavier than when I started sighhhhh
Plus over the years I got older and things drop you know as you get older !!! and I have a few health issues which mean my mobility has got really bad. So gone are the hours at the gym and all those fitness classes I used to love. Oh how I long for those step classes I used to do.

I have to stop procrastinating as time slips past so fast the older you get. You used to think you had all the time in the world to do everything. Now I am think gosh get on with it before its too late.
So I did good today I did not procrastinate about writing a blog post I sat down and wrote this and joined in, so I am patting myself on the back.

As for the diet I am back on it and it may be slower than it was but slow and steady wins the race !




Thursday 9 April 2015

The Prompt:Yellow Cake


I thought I would have a last min jump in to the link up The Prompt with the theme of "Yellow". I was going to find lots of yellow flowers or sweet chicks but then I thought no I will be a proper show off and let you see my yellow cake. I only got into cake decorating in the last few years and while I do not always enjoy the baking part I love to decorate. I also love Royal icing which is not the normal these days. This cake is a mix of fondant and Royal and one of my fave colours of .... you guessed it Yellow! Hope you like it and have a happy yellow day.


Wednesday 8 April 2015

The Gallery: Show me your teddy




This week I thought I would join in with The Gallery over at Sticky fingers. This is a picture of my teddy in support of Birmingham Childrens Hospital. A little boy called Finlay was told he has a malignant brain tumour. The type is very rare in children. He wants to say a huge thanks to everyone who has helped him by raising money. He also would love to break the Guinness World Record for the most teddy bears in a row.

When I read this is really did stike a note with me as this was the type of cancer has affected me, as my mum had two brain tumours. So I so wanted to take part and help him out.
So I have shown you mine , will you show me yours? Take a picture of your teddy or you with your teddy and a piece of paper with the hashtag #Opteddybear to show your support for Fin.

I am taking part in sticky fingers The Photo Gallery: Show me your teddy.


Tuesday 7 April 2015

Britmums Live Advice Please




So if you read my blog you will know this year I am going to a blogging event in London, called Britmums Live. I have wanted to go for a few years but never really had the courage to do so. Its a place to meet up with other blogger and also a place in which I can learn more about blogging.
Last year I thought I would attempt to get sponsorship to attend. I felt that I had something to offer a brand or company, and would do a good job for them. I tried a few of the companies I had spoken to in the past but they were already settled. Then by chance I started to use a company called
Lifestory bank. I came across it and thought it was a wonderful idea. As I am now in my 50's recording my memories is something I feel I need to do. I am the keeper of my mother's memories as well, and as she had been gone a long time its very important.
Lifestory Bank allows you to do just that. I love the idea of my family being able to have access to memories I have recorded for them when I am no longer around.

So you can imagine I was delighted when they offered to sponsor me to attend. I plan on doing a good job for them but I am nervous as well.
Having never been before I have no idea what to expect or what really happens day by day.
So have you been before? and more important what advice can you give me to enjoy the weekend to the full.
I really am a novice so any advice or help would be wonderful. Pretty please lol.
Please do check out my wonderful sponsor at their web site.

Monday 6 April 2015

Cake story

Its Monday and I am attempting to get my normal blog post up for this day. Last week I was just so worn out I could not find the energy to put finger to computer lol.
So this week I thought I would tell you about something that makes me happy.
I few years ago I was given a cupcake making course as a gift, I knew how to bake a cake but it was not a hobby that I really enjoyed.
However after the course I got more and more interested and after two college courses and a few short ones I am hooked.
I still don't enjoy the baking side as much but i love the decorating side. I am very creative so its great to make something from sugar that people love.
I have been very lucky to go on some great courses and hope to do more of those in time. My only regret is I did not start it when I was younger. Hope you are having a great Easter and I will finish with a couple of my cakes,