Plutonium Sox

Reviews

Christmas gift guide for primary school children

Christmas gift guide for primary school children

Is there a ‘right’ thing to buy primary school age children for Christmas? Do you limit how much you spend or buy as much as you can afford? I’m not one for vast numbers of presents piled under the Christmas tree. I tell my girls they can only ask Santa for one thing. As long as it’s reasonable that’s what they get, along with a few stocking fillers. A couple of years ago, the four gift rule started to make its way around social media. The four gifts are something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to…

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Our Thursday Photos

Thursday photo #236

Thursday photo #236

It seems that Christmas creeps earlier every year. We’ve got to a point already where we drive around in the evenings and the girls spot Christmas lights. They’ve asked several times whether we can put our Christmas tree up now and I’m not even close to being ready. This week I published a Christmas gift guide for mums who run. This is my second gift guide, in addition to my What’s on West Midlands Christmas post. So, it may appear on the face of it that I’m ready for Christmas. But I’m far from ready. A quiet weekend After hot…

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Health and Fitness

Christmas gifts for mums who run

Christmas gifts for mums who run

When you enter the London Marathon ballot, you don’t find out that you’ve got a place until October. At that point, you are plunged into six months of Winter training. It’s tough, and it’s all-consuming. So, if you know a runner who will be training through the Winter for any reason, here are a few Christmas gift suggestions they will love. Running clothing The Poppy Shop Running Leggings: Last year I highlighted how the Poppy Shop supports the work of the Royal British Legion all year round, not just on Remembrance Day. This year, they’ve introduced a gorgeous range of camouflage fitness…

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Being a work from home mum

I’m a Twitter troll and I’m not even sorry

I’m a Twitter troll and I’m not even sorry

Social media trolling is one of the worst forms of bullying. The perpetrator can be anonymous and for the victim, there’s no escape. Public humiliation from an account with thousands of followers can be horrific. It’s an abuse of power, using your influence for all the wrong reasons. But what if the same technique could be used for good? What if it could redress the power balance between a multinational company and an individual? The scenario A few months ago, I agreed a big contract with a lovely apartment company. It wasn’t blog work, but freelance writing. I’ll be honest,…

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Lifestyle

Quirky Christmas gifts for the older generation

Quirky Christmas gifts for the older generation

As people get older, they seem to become more difficult to buy for. It may be because you reach a certain age where you have all you need, or because you’re trying to cut down on clutter. Either way, here are a few ideas on what to buy for the person who has everything. Keepsakes Sentimental keepsakes are often the gifts we appreciate the most. Something to remind you that the person who bought it is thinking of you. Personalised hip flask: This hip flask from prezzybox comes in a personalised leather sleeve. Choose up to three initials to engrave…

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Our Thursday Photos

Thursday photo #235

Thursday photo #235

When you have children, it’s true what they say about needing a week off to get over your holiday. With the children in school Monday to Friday and doing so many extra-curricular clubs, we make the most of school holidays. That said, last week was probably the most manic one we’ve had. Luckily, the girls are old enough to cope with it these days, and they’re good company too. London, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and home Last Thursday, I caught the train from my sister’s house in London back to the Lincolnshire Wolds. A bracing walk along the coast as the weather…

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Holidays

Dog friendly family adventures in the Lincolnshire Wolds

Dog friendly family adventures in the Lincolnshire Wolds

Rolling hills, unspoilt countryside and long, sandy beaches. The Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of Britain’s hidden gems. Located in the East Midlands, it’s easily accessible by motorway. Rail links with London are excellent, and yet it feels a bit like stepping back in time to when England’s landscape was dominated by greenery rather than houses and industry. Where to stay in the Lincolnshire Wolds Canal Farm Cottages are a collection of holiday homes located in a tiny hamlet near Louth in the Lincolnshire Wolds. We stayed in the adorable Barn Owl Cottage, which sleeps up…

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