How I’m saving for my kids (and myself) with Beanstalk
If you are anything like me, then the thought of doing any kind of financial admin, like sorting out your kids’ child trust funds (CTFs) or even your own ISA is enough to bring on a cold sweat.
Well, thanks to Beanstalk* it need not be so daunting.
I had been putting off getting to grips with my kids’ accounts for years. The hassle of rummaging through paper statements and a clunky online portal meant I wasn’t that aware of how much we had saved for them or what fees were being charged. Plus, it was almost impossible to allow my partner or the grandparents to contribute.
But the onset of the pandemic focused my mind, like I’m sure it has for many families to consider ours and our kids’ money. I also wanted to involve the kids early in the saving process to teach them to look after their money, too.
As a bit of background I set up my older children’s CTFs with OneFamily (or Family Investments as they were known back then) and I had been saving between £10 – £20 a month.
In 2019, my first girl was born. I set up another Junior ISA and during this year I started using apps, like Moneybox, Plum, Chip and Tandem for myself – although I soon forgot that some of them charged a monthly fee – whoops!
In 2022 I found Beanstalk after being invited to try the app by the co-founder of Beanstalk, Cem Eyi, a father who had gone through a similar experience with OneFamily and wanted to simplify saving and investing for his family in one easy-to-use app – hence Beanstalk was born.
His daughter’s Child Trust Fund was also with OneFamily and after struggling with their interface and the 1.5% annual fee, Cem wanted Beanstalk to be an easier experience for parents.
And it is.
So what is Beanstalk?
Beanstalk* is a simple app that makes saving for children (and yourself) easy. The app is packed with tools; including money back on purchases and rounding up your change.
I opened my children’s Beanstalk Stocks & Shares Junior ISA and ISA for myself in minutes – handy for a busy mum like me. There are no regular contributions I had to commit to, making it friendly to my sometimes-volatile finances.
Launched by the team behind KidStart, Beanstalk has been helping parents save for their children for over 12 years and has helped thousands of families save millions for their kids. You can join them today by clicking here*. Please remember, your capital is at risk as with any investment the value can go down as well as up.
Is Beanstalk free?
Downloading and using Beanstalk is free with no fixed monthly or minimums fees. There is an annual fee of 0.5% of account value, however, which beats the 1.5% fee charged by some other Child Trust Fund and Junior ISA providers at the moment.
Some of the tools I used to help me save
Beanstalk has some handy tools to help me save little and often. I have found it easy to save on “auto-pilot” using their round up tool, for example. Also, I have invited hubby and extended family to be linked on the app. They can see their contributions and send messages with any gifts, which is nice for the children to see how their family has been saving for them over the years.
I also use their sister app, KidStart*, when shopping online to receive money back on my purchases – for example Sainsbury’s give up to 10% back which goes straight into my kids’ Beanstalk accounts. Conveniently, you can access it directly from the Beanstalk app or use the same credentials to log into the KidStart website or app.
What did I think of Beanstalk?
I found the Beanstalk app* very simple to use and I’ve pretty much used all the other apps in the online banking app space. Where Beanstalk stands out is that I’m saving for my ISA as well as the kids’ Junior ISAs and it’s all in one place, in front of your face.
With other platforms, I had to log onto the PC and check my account details, statements, and documents. It was overwhelming. What am I saving with? What are the fees? Where am I supposed to go to find out how much I’ve saved? With Beanstalk, it’s in one easy-to-use app, all in one place and you can share and invite people to contribute in just a few clicks of a button.
I found the information on the app valuable because I’m coming from a newbie standpoint and learning about the basics so that I can teach my kids to save and invest too. So having those kinds of tools available to me is vital.
We need to teach our kids to save what they can, when they can. They need to learn how to make their money work harder for them. This is the aim of Beanstalk, and my aim too.
This is a paid collaborative post with Beanstalk. As always with investments, your capital is at risk. The value of your investment can go down and up, and you may get back less than you invest. This information should not be regarded as financial advice. Links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links, which means I may mean earn a small commission at no extra cost to you when you click through and buy. Capital at Risk. See Beanstalk’s website for more details.
Help toddlers play, learn and grow with the HOMER Learning app
Did you know 85% of the brain develops before 5 years old but 98% of education spending focuses on after the age of 5?
This means children are not achieving their full potential because we are under-investing in a time when it really matters.
During the pandemic, parents were thrown into the role of educator and this period led to a heavy reliance on technology, specifically through apps. But even now, parents need more help than ever to keep their children on level pegging with their peers, with competition ramping up through SAT scores, the dreaded 11+ and ultimately finding a job after university.
But kids, especially before the age of 5, love to learn. Combine this love of learning and empowering parents to help enhance kids’ learning at home with the HOMER Learning play, learn and grow app* and you get kids who will continue to love learning through to adulthood!
The HOMER Learning program was created by cofounder and president Stephanie Dua, who didn’t know where and how to teach her then 5-year-old child, Anya, to read. Stephanie felt helpless when her child felt she was the only one in her class who hadn’t grasped reading yet.
Stephanie reached out to experts across the US and found there was an enormous gap in the market for expert research-backed enhanced tools to help kids with their learning. She figured, if she had this problem, maybe others did too. Thus, the HOMER Learn and Grow app was born.
What is the HOMER Learning method?
The HOMER web app is on a mission to build confident kids and lifelong learners from ages 2 to 8 years old and understands that early learning isn’t just about readiness, but to prepare kids for their unique journey in school and in life too. So the app focuses on the HOMER Method, and achieving progress rather than perfection, which encourages individuality and motivation through each stage.
HOMER Learning’s expert-designed, four-step approach teaches children essential skills so they can transfer that knowledge in a different context. It’s a research-based framework for kids that goes beyond rote memorisation (dabbling at a skill) to deep understanding and building confidence, promoting problem-solving and enhancing the love of learning.
This beginning step introduces a skill or topic to the child to get them excited to learn and facilitate learning, articulate the relevant vocabulary, and support the child’s emerging schema development.
Practicing the skill/topic
The practice stage helps the child reinforce and review the skill or topic with fun practice. Practice helps to boost confidence and create background knowledge on the skill.
Applying the skill/topic
It’s really important the child can apply what they know in context. The application stage shows the child is ready to move on or transfer to a new skill and provides opportunities to show understanding in a familiar environment.
Transferring that skill in real life – ‘I did it!’ moment
The transfer stage is the gold standard of education. If a child can take what they know and transfer it to another context, then they’ve cracked that skill. For example, once they’ve finished playing a game with shapes, if they can point to a plate at the dinner table and say that’s a circle without the aid of the app, then that’s an example of transferring what they learned from the learn and grow app to the real world – which is what HOMER calls an ‘I did it!’ moment.
How do kids aged 2 to 8 learn with the HOMER Learn & Grow app?
HOMER’s signature app, HOMER Learn & Grow, builds across subjects with thousands of activities personalised to kids’ age learning levels, including reading, math, social and emotional learning, thinking skills and many more 21st century skills that children need.
The HOMER web app grows with your child’s learning and starts the journey with a questionnaire to gauge which stage your child is at, so HOMER places that child at the right learning level.
The HOMER Learning app is ad-free so kids can learn with HOMER and enjoy safe screen time too!
HOMER Learning has proven results
Reports and feedback have shown that Homer Learning has increased early reading scores by 74% with at least 6 weeks of usage just 15 minutes per day[1].
What does HOMER Learning teach?
The categories HOMER teaches are:
Knowledge
Knowledge includes maths, literacy, science and more.
Thinking skills
This includes executive functions, problem-solving and more.
Social and emotional development
This includes awareness of self, self-management skills, relationship skills, and more
Physical development
Movement, sensory skills, healthy development and more
After you’ve downloaded the HOMER reading web app, you need to create a HOMER Learn and Grow login.
What does the HOMER Learn and Grow app include?
Included in your trial you get:
Unlimited access to all content in the Learn & Grow App
Up to 4 child profiles
Offline activities and printables
Resources and tips from learning experts
Once you’ve set up your child’s profile and completed the questionnaire, you will be taken to a screen which has eight categories and a special circled category. We will go through each category briefly.
What is HOMER Reading and how does HOMER Reading work?
Reading is one of the most unnatural experiences for a child because it isn’t innate. Reading requires a systemic approach, from learning the alphabet, to sounding out phonics, to blended reading. This process takes time and practice.
When reading with HOMER, you have a learning path which takes you through reading. The pathway is personalised, so your child can read with HOMER and learn the right skill at the right time in the right format.
Your child will explore:
Recognising letters as special symbols
Exposure to the alphabet
Identifying uppercase letters
When singing the alphabet becomes second nature, the child is then ready to learn the foundations of reading. They will explore:
Identifying letters
Practicing letter formation
Auditory and visual memory
Developing language skills
Start learning phonics
Your child will connect the letters and sounds and begin the process of reading and spelling. They will explore:
Reading short words and sentences
Spelling short words
Learning essential sight words
Beginning fluency
Your child will build on these reading skills and then use the tools to discover the world through reading. They will explore:
Developing more advanced fluency
Sounding out complex words
Reading books from their interests
Making connections with other subjects
Math
Counting
Numbers
Shapes
Stories that add up
Create with Sumville friends
How does HOMER Learning Math work?
Kids are born knowing how to do math! So HOMER for kids helps to build on your child’s math confidence and extend their innate skills. Developing early math skills now will help your child achieve much higher grades in maths later.
HOMER education allows your child to play with numbers and apply abstract concepts to real life. They will explore:
Developing a love of numbers
Building math confidence through positive experiences
They will then make connections and understanding math concepts beyond rote memory. They will explore:
Applying mathematical thinking to other subjects
Developing number senses through stories
Practicing counting in songs
Your child will build critical skills and explore:
Numbers and counting
Shapes and their properties
Developing spatial awareness
Applying math to life through play
Stories
Vehicles
Animals
Classics
Nursery rhymes
Dinosaurs
Read and play
Princesses
Space
Robots
Monsters
Holidays
Superkids
Thomas the Tank Engine
Angelina Ballerina
Bugs
Arts and crafts
Ocean
Sid the Science Kid
Sports
Practice
Vocabulary development
Meet the letter
Exploring letters
Letter puzzles
Letter dress up
Power words
Make the uppercase letter
What did we think of the HOMER learning app for kids
The HOMER web app is educational and fun at the same time. I struggle with the guilt of my toddler having excessive screen time, but research suggests educational screen time can still benefit toddlers at this age. I’ve noticed that she is more expressive when she talks and the app teaches life skills and lessons that perhaps I can’t articulate as well. For example, there is a section on entrepreneurialism, mindfulness, and movement. I’m often trying to figure out how to build on her life stills and the HOMER program for kids has a video to help!
We had an ‘I did it!’ moment when she tried out phonetically sounding words and her counting skills shot up from 1 to 10 to 1 to 20!
The topics are fun and based on life skills, like sorting the washing according to colours, so it’s not boring and it applies to everyday life so my toddler can understand the concept behind it.
What’s more, you get to see your child’s progress. So it’s not absent-minded playing but your child is actually working towards goals and milestones.
The HOMER software is very easy to use, so there’s no maze you have to get through or hundreds of passwords to crack before you get to the good stuff. It provides the perfect amount of child care because it keeps my toddler very busy and she gets to learn preschool skills from the curriculum before she starts nursery. Also the app is built so that the parent can engage with the child and you can play, learn and grow together.
You get a 30-day risk-free trial with unlimited access as soon as you create a HOMER login. My toddler focused on a few play and grow videos in the app like the dinosaur section (she loves dinosaurs!) but when she wants to enjoy other sections in the app, she can whenever she’s ready. The whole family can enjoy some videos like the stretching video, which I often got involved in because moving about is a nice way to spend time with the kids.
Cons of using HOMER Learn & Grow app
The app uses American English as it’s based in the US. So if you’re in the UK, your child will learn American English, which may confuse them at school. For example, the word ‘MOM’, is spelled using American English, but in the UK we spell the word differently, i.e. ‘MUM’. I’ve also noticed a slight American twang in my child’s accent. This isn’t a problem per se, but it just means that she will have to re-learn certain words and colours, which may confuse a child of her age.
It would be great to have an option to switch to UK English and have a UK native person speaking the parts where they teach certain words and skills, especially with reading and the alphabet (‘Zed’ rather than ‘Zee’ for the letter ‘Z’). Other skills don’t require the UK accent and can stay the same.
So, why try HOMER?
There are literally thousands of brain-boosting, playful learning activities to make screen time educational and fun.
The app has a kid-friendly design that builds confidence through independent play.
The games are research-based to build skills in reading, math, creativity, social-emotional learning, and more!
I’ve seen the results in my toddler – her phonetics, spelling and maths are really coming on and she hasn’t even turned three yet – it works!
If you want to learn more, Common Sense Media published a Homer app review which you can find here.
Yes, the reading section of the app is tailormade to your child and only progresses when your child is ready to move on.
How much does HOMER reading cost?
Questions also asked are: ‘How many does HOMER reading app cost?’ ‘How much is HOMER reading?’ and ‘Is HOMER reading app free?’ The reading section comes as part of the HOMER play, learn and grow app and you can access a risk-free 30 day trial here* with a special discount for readers.
How do I cancel HOMER reading?
If you want to know how to cancel HOMER reading app, follow the instructions below:
Visit the website and sign in.
Tap or click your email address in the top right corner.
Select ‘Settings’ from the dropdown menu.
Click on ‘Manage Membership’.
Select ‘To turn off, begin cancellation process’.
Click ‘Continue’ at the bottom of the page.
[1] A double-blind study by Dr Susan Neumann, former undersecretary of education and professor of early childhood education at New York University.
*This post is sponsored by HOMER learning, but all thoughts are 100% our own. Links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you click through to buy.
Group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide – the basics
By law, all children must be secured properly when riding in a car, as proper use of car safety seats can keep your child safe from unfortunate accidents on the road. However, the car seat industry is huge and nowadays you’re not just buying the standard car seat on its own anymore – tons of new car seats have a menu of accessories that come in the box and what even is a group 1/2/3 car seat Isofix bundle!?
If you’re new to car seats and have little to no expertise regarding car seat safety, then this group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide will touch upon the car seats available by age/weight and the typical car seat safety check each car seat needs to go through so your child can keep safe in the car.
This article will however focus on the car seat group 1 2 3 stages and how you can ensure ultimate child passenger safety in the car when your child transitions through each stage.
“Car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash, yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. That’s why it’s so important to choose and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car.”
Children aged up to approximately 11 years old or 36kg must travel in initially rear-facing car seats, transitioning then to forward-facing child car seats and finally booster seats.
But you don’t just fit and go. Your child’s car seat must:
Be properly installed
Conform to the United Nations standard, ECE Regulation 44.04 (or R 44.03) or to the new i-size regulation, R129. Look for the ‘E’ mark label on the seat.
Be appropriate for your child’s size and weight
Be properly fastened and adjusted to fit so the belt fits properly
Must follow car seat regulations
Choosing the right toddler seat can be even more challenging, as different products are available on the market, categorised by car seat groups.
There are four types of child seats for cars, and the size car seat relates to the age and weight of your child. This Group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide will briefly discuss the key features of each car seat but focus on the car seat 1 2 3 group to help you understand which one is the best fit for your situation.
Car seat weight chart
Below is an image taken from which.co.uk that shows the corresponding weight for children’s car seats, from infant car seat to booster seats car seats.
As you can see in the images above, car seats are categorised according to weight rather than age because weight can fluctuate. So it’s not safe to rely on your child’s age when choosing a car seat.
For example, my eldest is in the 99th centile for his age category, my middle boy is in the 25th centile, my middle girl is in the 50th centile and my youngest girl is in the 98th centile. So, following the exact age for all four of my children would be dangerous because my middle children wouldn’t be ready to move on to the next car seat stage at the same time my eldest transitioned.
Start with the infant car seat
When you come home from the hospital, you bring your newborn in an infant car seat. The infant car seat is particularly designed for newborns but can be used for kids up to 2 years old. It mostly depends on your child’s development as some babies (like two out of my four babies) can outgrow an infant car seat quickly.
Infant car seats need to be installed rear-faced for extra protection, so make sure you check the weight and height of your child before you purchase your first baby car seat (which is 0-10kg (22lbs) for Group 0 car seats and up to 13kg (29lbs) for Group 0+.) Also, the car seat’s instruction manual will include car seat safety tips for infants, so ensure you’ve read the manual thoroughly before use.
Group 1 2 3 car seat
This group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide focuses on group 1 2 3 car seats. But, what does group 1-2-3 car seat mean exactly? Group 123 car seat products are 3-in-1 car seats. They can also be called combination seats because they can be used from birth (when your baby is in an infant rearward facing car seat), convertible forward facing toddler car seat, and booster child seat.
It’s also called an all-in-one seat or convertible seat because it’s manufactured to achieve all the purposes combined in just one seat.
Much like travel systems which include carrycots and pushchairs, the best part about convertible car seats is they are used from your child’s birth until they reach the car seat’s maximum height and weight limits, which makes them budget-friendly too.
Are group 1 2 3 car seats safe?
This group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide includes a couple of group 1/2/3 car seat reviews, including the Cozy N Safe Excalibur car seat and the Icklebubba Solar Car Seat, where we reviewed the car seats extensively and found them to be very sturdy and safe.
Group 1 2 3 car seats are forward facing and generally fitted with an Isofix attachment which provides more safety, especially when used with the car’s seat belt too. Your little one is safest rear facing, so you should keep them that way for as long as possible before you transfer them to forward facing seats.
What is an IsoFix?
An Isofix as it is known in Europe and LATCH in the US (which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers or Tether for CHildren) is a mechanism which attaches to the vehicle’s seat via special anchors so you can use the car seat’s safety harness rather than the seat belts of the car.
Is Isofix safer than a seatbelt?
Independent tests show that ISOFIX mounted seats are extremely safe. Rather than relying on a belt, the car seat is fixed directly to the child seat base. That means there’s less movement in the seat in the event of an accident, particularly a side on impact. The real advantage to ISOFIX is that it’s so simple to fit.
https://heycar.co.uk/guides/what-is-isofix
What age is group 1 2 3 car seat products suitable for?
The Group 1/2/3 car seat age applies to children from 9 months to around 11 years of age, but remember, as per this Group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide suggests, weight and size are more important. So these car seats are suitable for children who weigh between 9 to 36kg (20 to 79lbs).
What are the different stages in a Group 1 2 3 car seat?
Group 0+/1/2/3 car seat products include newborn infant car seats, so they are suitable from birth and transition through to booster seats.
I haven’t found a group 1/2 car seat and I’m not sure whether group 2 car seats exist on their own, but group 3 car seats are booster seats without the back. A group 3 car seat can work in combination with a backed booster – this is also called a group 2 3 car seat.
A car seat group 2 3 is a high-backed booster seat and may use the car’s 3-point seat belt or ISOFIX . Seat belt installation – The car’s 3-point seat belt secures both the child and the seat. The seat will have guides through which the seat belt must be threaded correctly.
Boosters sit in car seat group 3 and are suitable for children above 8 years old. A good positioning booster can be used until the child is 13 years old and can come as part of the car seat group 123 products. Note that you should not purchase a booster seat unless your child has outgrown the previous car seat’s weight and height limit.
However, forward-facing car seat requirements suggest your child should be able to be big enough to fit into car seat booster seats, but if they don’t adjust properly, you can always revert to the group 23 car seat (car seats to booster seats). You can always try a backed booster for an easier transition to a booster.
Mistakes to avoid when installing car seats
Not researching before buying
If you’re considering a used child seat for your toddler, then make sure the car seat:
Has no missing parts or visible damage
It comes with a label showing the model number and the manufacture date
Comes with instructions
It hasn’t been recalled
It isn’t over 6 years old or expired
Has never been in a crash
The harness is in excellent condition and the seat belt fits properly over your child
Installing the car seat in the wrong spot
The safest place for a child’s car seat is in the back seat, as far as possible from the active airbags. Avoid placing the car seat in the front seat as the airbag could inflate and hit the back of the rear-facing seat – right where your child’s head is – and cause a serious injury.
Most vehicles should have Isofix mechanisms installed for Isofix car seats, so it’s important to follow your car’s manual for optimum seating positions for your child’s car seat.
Not reading the instructions
Before installing a car seat, read the manufacturer’s instructions and the section on car seats in your vehicle’s manual. The seat should be tightly secured – enabling only 1 inch of movement from front to back when clasped at the bottom near the attachment points – and facing the right direction. It’s important to read the car seat safety brochure and look at the car seat safety ratings so you’re well versed with how to ensure maximum safety when using the car seat.
Reclining the seat at the wrong angle
If you install a car seat in the rear-facing position, ensure you recline the seat according to the manufacturer’s guidelines so that your baby’s head doesn’t move forward. Infants must be semi-reclined in order to keep their airways open. The good news is that most seats come with angle adjusters or indicators to guide parents.
Wearing outerwear in the car seat
You should not leave a coat or thick clothing on when you fasten your child in the car seat because the outerwear leaves a hidden gap between the body and the straps. Remove coats and any other outerwear before you put your child in the car seat and tighten the straps so you can get just a two finger gap between your child and the straps.
Moving to a booster seat too soon
Some kids may need booster seats in cars to help an adult seat belt fit properly. You should opt for a good positioning booster seat when your kid has reached the highest height or weight allowed by the vehicle seat manufacturer. But don’t be so quick to move to a group 3 / booster seat. Try a backed booster first to see if that suffices to secure your child.
If you’re having a hard time finding the right child safety seats in a car for your little one, then you can ask for recommendations from other parents, consult online community groups, or a car seat manufacturer to ensure you have a proper child safety seat and you’re following the car seat guidelines. Halfords can answer certain car seat questions, so try them too!
*Collaborative feature post*
*Some links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission when you click through to buy at no extra cost to you.
Cozy N Safe Excalibur car seat review
*The Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat was gifted to us for review but all opinions are 100% our own.
Both our daughters are growing at an exponential rate and our eldest girl, being the bustling toddler she is, needs a Group 1 2 3 car seat Isofix bundle for travel, but which also fits along the back of our Vauxhall Zafira with another Group 1 2 3 car seat for our youngest girl.
Read on to learn more about the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Group 1/2/3 Car Seat, which you can buy here.
Claire Leach – 8th July 2021
Bought one of these when my daughter outgrew the 18kg harness. We still wanted her harnessed, so went for the Excalibur. I have to say we are so impressed with it. Our daughter loves travelling in it and often falls asleep. I was worried about her head flopping down, but the recline ensures she is very comfortable. Would recommend.
Cozy N Safe was created in 2006 in the Midlands and is a multi-award winning car seat manufacturer with their own manufacturing site. They identified an important gap in the car seat market regarding the affordability of travelling in comfort and safety without the added cost or compromise. Their Cozy N Safe Excalibur car seat was created by sourcing the best possible materials, research, and development of new technologies to ensure comfort and safety of little ones.
The car seat has even won awards!
What are Group 1 2 3 car seats?
Group 1 2 3 car seats are forward-facing car seats where the toddler uses the seat’s integral five-point safety harness initially or an impact cushion until they are 15kg (Group 1 Isofix car seat) and then uses the car seat’s five-point seatbelt to secure the child and the seat.
The seat then converts into a high-backed booster seat when your child is older/bigger and the five-point harness is no longer used. The car’s own seat belt secures the child to the seat.
Car seats can come with an Isofix base, which is clicked onto the car’s Isofix mechanism if they have one.
Multi-group car seats can be cheaper as they are convertible car seats and your child will grow with the car seat.
How much is the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and Isofix and where can you buy it?
You can get the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat in Black Grey, Red and Graphite for the recommended retail price of £129.99 here.
You can pay later with Klarna and there is a 24 month warranty attached to every purchase.
What can you get in the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and IsoFix box?
The Car Seat either in Black Grey, Graphite or Red
Isofix base built in
Cozy N Safe Excalibur Installation Document Guide, ISOFix Guides, User Manual and Car Seat Safety Guide
Removable Cushion/s
How long will it take to be delivered?
UK Standard Delivery 2 – 5 working days
FREE Mainland UK* Standard Delivery over £50
Order values under £50 will be charged at £6.00 up to 10kg.
Cozy N Safe aims to send your goods within 48 hours of receipt of order. In most cases, delivery takes place within 2-5 working days; you will receive an email when your order has been scheduled for dispatch.
Goods are dispatched using a courier service who will deliver Monday-Friday between 9-5.
*Free delivery is to mainland UK only. You can check your delivery costs at the basket stage of checkout by entering your postcode.
Delivery time will depend on the stockist from which you purchase the car seat. Please check the website’s delivery, shipping and return terms before buying. You can also contact Cozy N Safe’s customer service for more information here: +44 (0) 1902 494 905
5-point integral self adjusting harness up to 25kg (Group 2)
Side impact protection
Washable covers
Insert cushions
4-point recline to support child use for younger babies through to toddler stages
Car Seat Safety Rating – Is the Cozy N Safe Excalibur safe?
We couldn’t find a Cozy N Safe Excalibur ADAC rating but the car seat is ECE R44.04 Safety Certified.
Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Compatibility
To find out if your car has Isofix points, look for Isofix labels between the base and back of your car seats (the fitting points themselves may also be visible) or check your vehicle’s handbook or contact the manufacturer or dealer.
You prepare the ISOFIX if your car has the insert mechanism to support it. If it doesn’t, you clip the two insert guides included with the seat with the cut facing upwards on the two ISOFIX attachment points of your car. Pull the fabric loop to pull out both locking arms to the longest position. See below:
Adjusting the headrest in 5-point harness installation
The headrest (07) must be adjusted so that the shoulder belts are at the same level as your child’s shoulders (see fig. 3). The shoulder belts (08) must not run behind the back of the child or at ear height or above the ears.
You can adjust the shoulder belts by pressing the adjusting button and at the same time pull both shoulder belts forward. Do not pull on the shoulder pads too, but loosen the 5-point harness of the child seat as much as possible (fig. 4).
Press the button of the shoulder belt height adjuster (10) at the rear of the seat shell and tilt the shoulder belt height adjuster (19) towards you. Slide the shoulder belt height adjuster (1) to select the correct height of the shoulder belts (08) and engage it in the position that fits for your child by releasing the button (fig. 5).
Read more about how to correctly install the car seat here.
First impressions of the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Child Car Seat
Our first impressions straight out the box was that the car seat has a premium quality with comfortable and soft material. Our little one was very excited sitting in the car seat for the first time.
Was the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and IsoFix easy to put together?
Yes, it was really easy to put together. It comes in one piece and fitting the Isofix and safety strap is simple and quick.
Did baby seem comfortable in the car seat?
The soft padding for younger babies is excellent, as is the side impact protection which made our daughter feel very comfortable. She struggled to stay awake in the seat. She’s almost three years old and sits in the seat upright. When she falls asleep, we recline the car seat for extra comfort.
What are the pros of using the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat?
The car seat is very quick to fit into the Isofix and our daughter is extremely comfortable against the premium quality material. The seat looks fabulous.
What are the cons of using the Cozy N Safe Excalibur seat?
Fixing the Isofix is simple, however when you want to move the seat and release the fix, it can be a bit tricky to release the Isofix latch. This could have been made a bit easier to handle. The harness straps also get tangled at the back, making it difficult to adjust the tightness of the harness length.
What and who would the Cozy N Safe Car Seat and Isofix be useful for?
This car seat is a very useful investment for any family. Even if it stretches the budget a bit, it is a long-term investment that can last for many years. It is quite chunky, so not ideal if you have a narrower car and/or two kids that need child seats in the back.
Is the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and Isofix worth the money?
Yes, it is definitely worth the money as it’s a premium car seat for an affordable price.
What is my overall opinion of the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat?
A very comfortable and premium car seat which our child loves to sit in. I would buy again,
4 out of 5
Ease of use
The car seat is easy to clip in via the Isofix, recline and clip together with the harness. The design is effortless.
4 out of 5
Fits the purpose
The car seat definitely fits the purpose of travelling with our daughter in comfort and style. She seems to be happy in it and has napped on many occasions.
5 out of 5
Style and comfort
The car seat has a very sort premium feel to it and there is no compromise on safety. The headrest offers an amazing 14 positions and removable inserts ensure the best fit for our daughter no matter her height. All the covers are machine washable at 30 degrees centigrade. Our daughter struggles to stay awake!
5 out of 5
Functionality
The seat clip is tricky to use. But compared to others, it is a lighter item with an easy to use Isofix clip and safety strap. The car seat reclines for younger babies.
3 out of 5
Kerry Acres – 19th March 2022
Seat belt clip is awful and extending to release the belt and then tightening was a work out and really difficult. But otherwise – the seat is lovely , kids are both happy and comfortable and both slept in seats. Overall happy just hoping I’ll get used to clip and tightening straps.
A note from Cozy N Safe regarding the straps
The Excalibur has 2 headrest adjustments, (one is for when you are using the harness, and the other is for when the harness has been hidden). If you use the wrong headrest adjustment it can cause the harness to be pinched making it difficult to tighten. This can be fixed easily by using the correct headrest adjustment.
Value for money
With the high quality material used, the ease of design and the lighter weight, this car seat is definitely value for money.
Very high quality with durable steel reinforced shell, side impact protection, four-position reclined and deep padding. This is definitely a great way for the little one to travel without compromising on quality.
5 out of 5
Safety and security
The car seta is safe and secure. It features all the newest added safety measures you would expect from a modern car seat and security is top of the range.
This really is fantastic value for money, I wanted a 5 point harness for my 3 year old and was surprised that there aren’t many on the market. We bought this one and the joie bold for our 2 cars, we expected to prefer the joie one (being the better known brand and more expensive) but hands down this one is our preferred one, super comfortable and easy to use, excellent product and would recommend to anyone.
Cotswold extendable 6 person dining table and chairs review
As a large family of six, we have outgrown our regular four-person Ikea dining set (we’ve gone through our fair share of dining tables over the years.) On the lookout for a sturdy 6-person dining table and chairs, we were gifted this rather luxurious 6-seater dining table from Cherry Lane Garden Centres*. Read on for a full review of the Cotswold Oak Medium Dining Table Set with 6 Brown Milan Chairs*, currently at 25% off!
What is included with the 6 person dining table with chairs?
1 x Cotswold Oak Medium Extending Dining Table
6 x Milan Brown Dining Chairs
First impressions of the 6 seat dining table set
Our first impressions of the dining table were how big, sturdy and high quality the chairs look. The solid hardwood feels strong enough to withstand active kids and the table has a lovely oak finish.
Was the dining table 6 seater easy to use/put together?
Yes, it was very easy. You lay the main table part flat and you screw the legs on with the screws provided.
The dining table is very heavy, so I struggled to move it across the rug in the dining room. The chunky legs came off the hinges slightly. Now, it’s a little wobbly, so I would always recommend lifting the table with two people and don’t be silly like me and try to drag it yourself.
How to use the 6 seat dining table
You can use the 6 person dining table and chairs for eating, studying, reading, socialising, whatever you want! The table is strong enough at least for a family of six with two extra guests.
Was the 6 seater table comfortable?
We’ve used the 6 person dining table and chairs for eating, dining, talking and resting and we felt very comfortable while doing so. Even our toddler can sit down comfortably on the chair to eat.
What are the pros of using the Cotswold dining table?
The dining table and 6 chairs is the perfect size to fit in a small dining room so you don’t require a massive dining space to house a table for 6 to 8 people. It’s quite compact and very sturdy with a lovely flat surface in which to dine, study and socialise. The chairs are comfy enough to relax at the dining table.
What are the cons of using the dining table and 6 chairs?
The legs gave away slightly when I tried to drag the table over the rug, which was entirely my fault. They’re a bit wobbly now, but as long as you don’t make the same mistake I can see real longevity with the 6 person dining table and chairs, especially the seats which are built to last.
What would the dining table and 6 chairs be useful for?
My eldest used the 6 person dining table and chairs for the bulk of his 11+ revision and it was a comfortable area in which to have his tuition too.
The dining table is also great for hosting, relaxing and of course dining with a large family like ours.
Is this Cotswold dining table set for 6 worth the money?
If you’re looking for a dining table for 6 with chairs to fit your home decor furniture, then this is the set for you.
You’ll be hard pushed to find an extendable sturdy oak dining table that’s under £1,000, especially with six good quality chairs like the soft Milan chairs. Yet this dining table and chairs set is just £659* which is 25% off from the RRP price of £889!
What is my overall opinion of the Cotswold dining table and 6 chairs?
I love the chairs – they’re so soft and comfortable and having six of them means everyone gets to enjoy dining in comfort. The oak table is large enough for a family of six without extending it, so you can fit the table in a nice snug area like our dining room area and still have space to enjoy. If you have a larger space, you can extend the dining table further for 8 people. I love the oak finish and it withstands my toddler constantly etching and scribbling as well, albeit there’s a little wear and tear.
Ease of use
The dining table is easy to dine on and study with, and there’s plenty of space for people to enjoy. The chairs fit comfortably under the table so there’s plenty of space for legs too and the table has a nice finish so you can write on top easily.
Fits the purpose
The 6 person dining table and chairs is now the main hub of our home – I used to love studying for my 11+ and later GCSEs on the dining table at home and now my kids are following suit. We paint, eat, socialise, chat and work on the table and so it has become our favourite space in which to bond.
Style and comfort
As far as kitchen dining table products go, I think this dining table, especially the chairs is one of the most comfortable I’ve had so far. The 6 person dining table size is perfect for our dining space – not too big, but big enough to enjoy plenty of space.
If you have the space, you can fit this dining table at the end of your living room or in its separate dining room and it will fit nicely because everything seems quite compact, considering the size.
Functionality
The 6 person dining table and chairs does what it says on the packaging. It’s very easy to put together and extend when you need it – there are no other gimmicks needed.
For under a grand price tag, this 6 person dining table and chairs are surprisingly good quality and perfect for what we need.
Extendable table usability
We have not needed to extend the table yet so we have only ever extended for review purposes. However, it’s very easy to do and it provides a nice bit of extension when you have guests coming over. It’s not needed though because the non-extended table is long enough as it is.
Chair quality
The chairs are the favourite part of this dining table set! They are comfortable, soft and sturdy, so perfect for kids of all ages!
This 6 person dining table is 180cm x 90cm by 78cm long but table lengths can change with the design and manufacturer.
What are good alternative uses for a Dining Room?
We used to use our dining room area as a playroom before we added our 6 person dining table and chairs.
How much does a dining room table and chairs cost?
A 6 person dining table and chairs, especially an extendable one with 6 chairs would cost around the region of £800 to beyond £1,000. This dining table set is just £659 at the moment, so I would jump at the chance of buying at this price before it goes back up!
*We were gifted the Cotswold dining table and 6 chairs for the review, but all thoughts are 100% our own
*All links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission when you click through to buy at no extra cost to you.
DIY divorce UK: The pitfalls of doing it yourself
The idea of managing your own divorce arrangements may lead you to believe that aspects such as child maintenance payments and the division of finances and property will all be taken care of. However, this is not the case. We walk you through the divorce process UK and the pitfalls of going it alone with a DIY divorce UK.
How to get a divorce in the UK
Applying for a divorce, either in court or via an online divorce UK (England or Wales) can happen when the following are true (there is a different process for ending a civil partnership):
You’ve been married for over a year
Your relationship has permanently broken down
Your marriage is legally recognised in the UK (including same-sex marriage)
The UK is yours or your husband/wife’s permanent home
Grounds for divorce uk
Per the website gov.uk, divorce can be started by either party when you can prove your marriage can’t be saved for the following reasons (also known as ‘facts’):
Adultery
This is where your husband/wife has slept with someone else and committed adultery. You can’t use this reason if you lived for over six months together after you found out about it.
Unreasonable behaviour
You cannot reasonably live with your husband or wife because of their behaviour. This behaviour can include:
Physical violence
Verbals abuse
Drunkenness or taking drugs
Refusal to pay towards shared living expenses
Desertion
Your husband/wife has left you for at least two years. You can still claim desertion if you lived together for six months total within the two years, but it won’t count as part of the two years.
You have been separated for at least two years
If you both agree to it in writing, you can apply for a divorce if you have been separated for over two years. It may be possible to show you’ve been separated while living in the same home, as long as you can prove you’re not living together as a couple. For example, you sleep and eat apart.
You have been separated for at least five years
Even if your wife or husband doesn’t agree, you can apply for a dissolution of marriage if you have been separated for at least five years.
To file for divorce, you will need your husband or wife’s full name and address, your original marriage certificate or a certified copy and proof of your name change if you changed it since you got married. A new divorce service will be available from 6 April 2022, so it may be better to wait until then. However, if you have already started an application, make sure it reaches the court by 4pm on 31 March 2022.
The UK Parliament passed the Divorce and Dissolution Act in 2020 and under the new service it will no longer be necessary or possible for either party to prove ‘fault’ to get a divorce. This is part of a new no fault divorce law intended to end the ‘divorce blame game’.
Once both parties have successfully proven divorce is the right step to proceed, the court of law issues a final order of a decree absolute officially ending the marriage so they can remarry.
You can also apply online for a divorce, but this is only available to those whose divorce case can be handled in England and Wales. A solicitor can also apply on your behalf.
How long does it take to get divorced UK?
It takes around four to six months for a divorce to be finalised, but it make take longer if you need to sort out any issues involving money, property or children. Do not use websites that promise cheap divorce packages, as you’ll still have to pay the divorce application fee.
How much does divorce cost UK?
The average cost of divorce UK is £14,561 according to Aviva. But it can cost less or it can even be free, depending on the divorce advice you get and whether you tackle the process of divorce in the UK by yourself.
You pay a £593 fee to apply for a divorce, but the way you pay depends on how you apply. Refunds are not offered after you are sent the notice that your application for divorce has been issued. If you are on low income or benefits, you can apply for help to pay these fees.
How to do a DIY divorce UK
Under Citizens Advice divorce can be applied with no solicitor, no divorce centre or the need to go court if you and your ex-partner agree to a clean break by divorce, and the reason you want to file divorce papers. But you should receive guidance on how to divorce properly, so the process is fair and you receive justice where you need it.
DIY divorce UK Pitfalls
A do-it-yourself divorce (i.e. not using legal assistance) means you are handling everything, rather than a solicitor. Here are some reasons it may be dangerous to handle the divorce on your own.
Not all divorces are the same
Divorces can often be complex and stressful. There is no one-size-fits-all divorce. Yours and your former spouse’s circumstances are unique and there are likely intricate details in your divorce that need handling carefully.
With an online divorce, you could end up unknowingly cutting corners that can cost you time, money and energy long-term. Even if you and your ex-spouse have had an amicable separation, there is still a possibility that things could turn more sour. Child custody arrangements are not included in a DIY divorce and decisions about children will need to finalised through the court. If they are not, matters relating to this could open up again in the future.
In addition, there could be choices available to you which you don’t know about, for example, for the specifics of dividing finances and property.
You could lose out financially
One of the biggest risks of taking the DIY divorce route is losing out financially. The legal terminology on the form can be off-putting for those without a trained eye. As an example of a worst-case DIY divorce scenario, you may not correctly confirm on the form that you would like to make a financial order (an agreement that sets out how assets are divided between two spouses). This can unfortunately leave you in a regrettable and sometimes complex financial position further down the line, long after your divorce.
It is important to remember that an online divorce does not deal with financial matters and child maintenance payments; it is a system designed purely to dissolve a marriage. Therefore, it’s important to get legal advice and financial advice on where you stand before.
Under-estimating a complex case
Filling in online forms is something we have grown accustomed to in the digital world. However, petitioning for a divorce takes a little more thought than the average box ticking questionnaire and you will need to be careful while doing this. Issues can be overlooked, and the courts can reject these petitions occasionally, leading to wasted time for all concerned.
Complex issues involved in your divorce, such as matters that have not been fully solved or agreed by both parties, are generally not managed well with a DIY approach. If money is concealed, or assets transferred without your knowledge, you can be left vulnerable to financial loss.
DIY Divorce UK – conclusions
The withdrawal of legal aid, potentially reducing court fees and increase in no-fault divorce has seen online divorces increase in popularity over the last decade, but the appeal is not necessarily in the quality of the results or the service. DIY divorces do not fully consider what arrangements will be for any children, the final financial settlement, what will happen to the marital home and who gets what.
Although the ease of doing it on your own when getting divorced is attractive, especially when the divorce process is arduous, there are potential long-term consequences you should at least research and consider before you begin DIY divorce proceedings. It’s always advisable to gain knowledge from a qualified family law expert or divorce service to get the support you need to make the best choices for you and your unique situation before you file a divorce petition.
*Collaborative feature post*
Paint your life – a personalised painting for your loved one
Sometimes you may feel you’ve given it all. Personalised mugs, canvas prints, teddy bears and picture frames. But have you given or received a personalised painting from Paint your Life* before? Hubby’s birthday was coming up and I had pretty much exhausted my go-to present list. Knowing I was stuck for ideas, Paint your Life gifted me an opportunity I’d never considered before – a personalised painting of portraits for my hubby to treasure and, wow, what an experience that was!
Tune in to find out how our painting of pictures turned out and what hubby thought of his personalised art from Paint your Life. I’ll also let you know how you can get your hands on one too.
Paint your Life is a platform which transforms digital photos into beautiful custom paintings. The innovative platform houses a group of 300 professional portrait artists from around the globe. You select from one of the Paint your Life artists who paints portraits and then you pick your medium. You purchase the order so your artist can begin to paint portraits from a photo you’ve supplied online. You can also put together a selection of photos of loved ones (family or friends) and the selected artist can create compilation portraits in paint with unlimited revisions.
Who owns Paint your Life?
Assaf Kostiner is the founder and President of Paint your life.
Who delivers Paint your Life?
The shipping team within Paint your LIfe ensures that your painting is wrapped in multiple protective layers and is placed in a hard-shelled protective shipping box marked as ‘fragile’. Then your painting will arrive between 13 and 27 days, depending on your choice of service, shipping, medium and size of painting. Click here* for more information on lead times.
How much are Paint your Life paintings?
How expensive is Paint your Life and is it worth it? The Paint your Life cost is determined by the size and number of people/pets (+£20 for each) and range from £169 to £499 (not including additional extras on top). This may seem a lot, but you’re paying for an artist to paint a portrait of your personalised photo, so it is highly personal and incredibly unique. You get free shipping if you’re based in the UK and if you’re not happy, you will receive a refund guarantee. Plus, there are loads of offers on all the time, including 15% off photo-to-painting by a real artist*:
We got the chance to enjoy our very own painted portrait. So we’re going to give you a quick rundown of how to order a portrait painting for your loved one after you’ve created a Paint your Life login. Note you will be given a temporary password by email, which you can change to something you can remember.
Make sure you use the promo link below for 20% off before you start!
The first thing you need to do is head to paintyourlife.com and click on the ‘Get Started’ link in the top right-hand corner of the homepage.
You then select on your subject, i.e. for Mother’s Day, you can select ‘Parent and Child’ like below:
Then select your Medium, i.e. do you want it to be an oil painting or acrylic? There are quite a few to choose from, so take your time on this bit. There are some notes on the righthand side of the page, which will give you more information on what you get with each medium.
You then select your artist and background. Check out the artists at work here* – so talented! You can even ask them to shoot a video of how your video is created (this costs extra) and sign the painting when it’s finished.
If you want a particular background, you can opt for either original or solid or you can let the artist choose what’s more suitable.
When it comes to choosing the artist, you can browse through the artists’ portfolios or let Paint your Life choose the most suitable artist for your picture.
After you click continue, you can select a photo or upload a series of photos which the artist can compile into one digital photo for your approval. Combining photos costs extra and you can ask your artist for advice on which photos will be best for your painting.
You can also include an extra note if you want your painting done in a particular way or if you want to help your artist see your vision. It’s entirely up to you, you get 2,000 characters.
After you’ve selected your photo(s), you can choose the size of your portrait. You get a visual guide and some Paint your Life examples to help you judge how big or small you want the painting and each size has a different price. If you have a particular size in mind, you can create a custom size, but please note, frames are only included in sizes up to 60 x 90cm. If you want bigger, you’ll need to frame locally.
You are then taken to a page where you can review your order. A 20% deposit is payable straight away. The rest you can pay after. This is a great way to ensure you are happy with your painting before you pay.
As soon as you have ordered the painting, Paint your Life will get to work with reviewing your requirements and briefing the selected artist. Check your emails as the next steps will be provided for you, which would be:
Confirmation email with approximate shipping and delivery dates
Compilation edited photo proof and confirmation if you selected the compilation portrait
Artwork process
Email requesting approval/modifications to the painting
Final confirmation of completion email with request to pay the balance
Confirmation of art being framed (if you chose to have your painting framed)
Shipping confirmation
Receive your wonderful painting – yay!
What we ordered
Hubby is a professional photographer, so he’s hardly ever in the picture, and as our fourth baby has just arrived, we have very few pictures of all six of us. So I went for the compilation option and chose the following images:
I was super impressed with how the artist compiled our photo. Our finished photo proof looked like this:
I framed the photo and gave it to hubby as an early birthday present, but he had no idea that a large painting of this photo would grace him soon for his birthday.
Our order
I chose an Oil, 60 x 90cm, 6-people compilation portrait with the artist’s signature but opted out on the video on this occasion (I wish I hadn’t!). I selected the Express Service and the painting arrived just under a month after I placed the order.
How did we get on with the Paint your Life journey?
The website was very easy to navigate and the level of detail when composing your order was impressive. We were kept notified every step of the way, so we knew when each stage was complete, with quick and simple prompts from Paint your Life when they needed our input to progress onto the next stage.
There were a few hiccups on a couple of parts in the painting, which were minimal (just a couple of revisions). They were picked up and fixed quickly and I was very happy with the final result. In fact, I got a bit emotional seeing our family as a compilation painting – I’ve made a mental note to surprise other family members with compilation paintings on special birthdays/holidays from now on.
How much did our Paint your Life painting cost?
With all the extras we added to our order, our painting cost £522 in total. Using the link below, we could have reduced this cost to £472. There are other coupons on the website, so keep an eye out as Paint your Life always has offers for first-time buyers especially.
Post your unboxing video and earn up to £400 credit
Did you know you can get up to £400 store credit, just for filming the unboxing of your painting? All you need to do is take a short video with your phone of the person receiving the painting for the first time, and share your #bigreveal video. Then post your #bigreveal video on:
Tag Paint Your Life (Set your post to public) -> get up to £80 store credit Submit it to our group Paint Your Life: The Stories (We choose posts based on our discretion. You will receive credit if your post is approved.) -> get up to £80 store credit tag paintyourlife.com and follow our page (Set your post to public) -> get up to £80 store credits @PaintYourLife and use #PaintYourLife in the caption (Only public posts can be credited) -> get up to £80 store credit Upload your video here*, allowing Paint your Life to use your video on their website and online ads (Credit will be given if they decide (based on their discretion) to use your video in their marketing materials.) -> get up to £80 store credit.
Promotion Terms and Conditions: Each action is credited one time per painting.
All posts must be public and accessible for at least 180 days.
Store credit will be granted 30 days from the date you DM Paint your Life.
Your eligibility to receive store credit regarding a purchase, is subject to the actual payment (not in store credit) of at least of 75% of your purchase.
We were thrilled with hubby’s painting and give it a rating of 5 out of 5. There were a few issues with the painting in that my eyes were slightly distorted and one of the facial features looked strange. But the artist fixed these issues without complaint and the finished picture looked amazing!
Paint your Life reviews
So, is Paint your Life expensive? The better question would be, is Paint your Life worth it? Judging by my husband’s reaction, I would say, yes, it definitely is. I find it amazing that these artists can compile a digital photo of the family and transform their portraits to paintings which are good enough to hang on the wall.
Here are some more reviews and Paint your Life quotes of what clients thought of their paintings from pictures.
This service is absolutely amazing! The painting itself was perfect. The review process is simple, and the artist had no problems specializing our image to help make it more perfect. We also used the video service, which turned out amazing as well. We had a small issue with shipping, it took much longer than expected, but when we called customer service, they expedited everything and were very friendly and apologetic. The customer service made up for the issue and kept this review at 5 stars. Thank you Paint Your Life!
I cannot believe how amazing this painting is. I’m so grateful to paint your life. Will definitely be getting another painting soon.
FAQ
Does Paint your Life ship to Canada?
Yes they do. They ship to any destination worldwide.
Where is Paint your Life located?
Paint your Life is based in California.
Is Paint your Life legit?
Is Paint your Life real? We used Paint your Life to ‘Paint my Life’ and the result was amazing! Check the review above and see how our portraits painter captured our compiled photo as a portrait in painting – it looked awesome! What’s great is the artists are paid above-average wages so clients can benefit from unlimited revisions on their painting portraits. Paint your Life have portrait painters that have worked with them for over ten years.
If you have any questions, just call using the Paint your Life phone number, which is +44 330 808 1413.
Head over to Paint your Life now and have your portraits painted from your digital photo. Guaranteed, it’ll be the best present ever!
*We were gifted a painting from Paint your Life but all thoughts and opinions are 100% our own
*Links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you
Small kids bedroom ideas on a budget
When you have a small kids’ room to work with, it’s difficult to summon up the vision to make it a safe haven for your child because real homes don’t always look like the ones shown in the magazines. However, what’s lacking in space doesn’t always have to mean lacking in style. Here are some small kids bedroom ideas on a budget (which can also work as kids’ shared bedroom ideas too).
Declutter
One of the most important ideas for small kids’ bedrooms is minimalism, i.e. get rid of the stuff you don’t need! A good way to make a room look smaller is to fill it with stuff. We will talk about storage later, but you can hide things you want to keep in cleverly positioned storage units.
Small kids’ bedroom ideas tip – Don’t throw away what you don’t want – either upcycle, give it away, sell for extra cash or put it on toy rotation!
Refresh, repurpose, and reposition furniture
Could you repurpose any furniture? It’s amazing how you can renew life into a bedroom, just by moving things around. If you have any usable items, keep them to one side because you can always revamp them with a bit of paint and some TLC.
In my boys’ room, we had mattresses leftover from race car beds that were too small and a cupboard with a door that was falling off its hinges. We flipped one of the storage shelves over and turned it into a bookshelf/toy storage area (more on that below). We also kept one of the IKEA wardrobes and bought another one, so both boys had the same wardrobes for storing clothes on either side of their bunk bed.
You can also look for old items on sites like eBay and Freecycle, which are brimming with old antique furniture that just needs a lick of paint to bring them to life again. You can even get old furniture for free on Freecycle!
Is your kid’s bed in the optimal position? Does your child need a larger bed or can they get away with having a small single bed in a small room? Repositioning the bed changes the whole look of the room and gets the creative juices flowing.
Rearranging furniture is completely free, so keep items you want aside and in mind while you’re planning how you want your room to look.
Kids’ bedroom ideas for small rooms tip – Don’t over clutter your child’s room with bulky furniture. Can you make do with one wardrobe rather than two? Can you combine uses for the storage shelf like we did?
Plan how you’d like the room to look
Children’s bedroom layout ideas often start with a sole purpose and a focus point, which would normally be the bed. There are really two ways to tackle the planning stage of a tiny kids’ room.
Clear the room and stand at the door. Envision what colours you’d like the walls to be and where your current furniture could go. What new items would you need to finish the room? Write them down.
Stand in front of the room with everything in place. What do you have already that you can embellish upon? Do you have items from other rooms that you could ‘borrow’ to add to the room? Or can you remove items from the room to open the space?
Small room tip – Only have one focus point and have other items pointing to it. Try to keep things to the walls and leave the middle part of the floor space open to give the illusion of a spacious room, even if it’s a small space.
Work with the floor layout
On paper, the furniture might seem perfectly mapped out, but in real life, it doesn’t look so perfect. Pay attention to the measurements of the room and the floor plan, as well as where you want the furniture to go. You want this room to accommodate as the child grows in their space.
You can change a room’s character simply by adding a rug to the floor. When choosing a rug, think about your floor type. For example, if you are opting to place a rug on a laminate floor, then you have more options available to you, as it’s relatively easy to use the laminate floor as a blank space to work from. Whereas, if you are looking to cover the carpet with rug, then you’d need to think about the pile of your carpet and look for contrasting textures. For example, if you have a thick carpet, go for a thin rug as a contrast.
Don’t be scared to venture outside of your comfort zone, though. Sometimes brightly coloured rugs can transform a bland space and even add depth of space to a small room. You can find high-quality cheap rugs from Land of Rugs and there are tons of options to choose from that don’t involve you forking out too much money for the aesthetic fitting. Small bedroom ideas for boys could include a racetrack rug, which my boys loved, and of course girls can love too,
To keep your child’s room accessories under a tight budget, create a list of what you need for the room. That way you will not get carried away by unnecessary and expensive items.
Have a theme in mind
As we know all too well, our children are prone to active imaginations that rarely switch off at bedtime. Having a healthy imagination goes hand-in-hand with creativity, which is why it’s so important to make sure we inspire our children every chance we can get. If you have a little one that’s adventurous and loves all things nautical, for example, then creating the ultimate pirate-themed room may be just the thing to feed their imagination – and it works for little girl bedroom ideas for small rooms as well as boys too!
Setting the scene
Let’s stay with the pirate-theme idea for your child’s bedroom. In keeping with the colour scheme, you could choose a wallpaper with a nautical style, such as an anchor pattern or treasure map print. Or if it’s easier, paint walls with block colours like blue, red and yellow, which will look great with the rest of the room’s pirate accessories.
Go for curtains with similar prints to match this nautical vibe, or find some with a brightly coloured striped design, which shouldn’t be hard to hunt down. If your child has a wooden floor or bland looking carpet, add some magic to the room with a pirate-themed rug. There are lots of children’s rugs available, meaning you’ll easily be able to find one that’s fit for a pirate’s abode.
The ship
It only makes sense for your little matey to have their own ship, so let them sail around the seven seas of Slumberland in a bed fit for Blackbeard himself. If you or someone you know is partial to a bit of DIY, why not have a go at customising a bed for your child? Don’t despair if you don’t have the skills or time needed because there are lots of great beds out there with cool bedding sets to match. If you require a kids’ room design for two kids, then a bunk bed would work well here.
Storage is your friend
Things you have accumulated over the years should be out of sight, so invest in some clever storage, which is also space-saving too. There are some great small children’s bedroom storage ideas out there – Google is your friend here.
You can also invest in some paint and repaint the storage and any other bulky items to a theme colour you have in mind.
Small room tip – Use the walls for storage so you’re not taking anymore space on the floor, which brings us onto the next point nicely.
Use the walls
Very small bedroom ideas could include mounting furniture onto walls, which will save space on the floor and cover up open wall space too. Installing sliding doors (you can find some great options at Barrier Components) will create more open fluid space in the room without burning too much of a hole in the pocket.
Think about space-saving beds
For very small children’s bedroom ideas, bunk beds are great, but sleeper beds are even better because you can use the space under the bed for the homework/study area. Small bedroom ideas for girls can include a fairy princess sleeper bed, which has a lounge section for reading. And for kids’ bedroom ideas for boys, you can opt for a racecar sleeper bed which has a play section underneath.
Ideas for kids’ small bedrooms tip – Make sure not to position the bed by the door or else your child may struggle to get in and out of the room. And think about bed size – do they really need a double bed, especially if you’re looking for small kids’ room ideas that fit inside your child’s room?
Create a homework/study area
Motherhood Diaries took part in a ‘Back to School DIY Homework Makeover Challenge’ to makeover my boys’ homework area and, as they were then both in reception and year one respectively, a homework area was an important part of the bedroom.
We were given a budget of £40 to make over our children’s homework area and this is the room we had to deal with:
Small kids bedroom ideas – DIY Homework Station Makeover Challenge
The challenge was to makeover the homework area for under £40, which we kept at by buying the following from Ikea (we tried to steer away from the classic Ikea kids’ bedroom though):
Stuva Bench with White – £20
Children’s Stool – Mammut – £5 x 2
Sunnersta Container – £0.50 x 2
Grand total of £31!
We also had the two storage boxes and red and white pots from a previous purchase that we could repurpose. Rust-oleum offered us the opportunity to review the following paint alongside our DIY Homework Station Makeover Challenge so we could also jazz up our homework area with some cool paint too.
Satin Furniture Paint – Blue Sky
Mode Spray Paint in Blue Aqua
Glitter Sparkling Finish in Gold
Glow in the Dark – Aqua
Magnetic Chalkboard Paint (Brush) – Black
Doodle Wall – White
Brushes
The boys were super happy with their room now and spent so much more time in their new homework area. Now I have two girls, I am busy researching ideas for small bedrooms for girls.
So, there are tons of ways you can makeover your child’s homework area. Some great kids’ small room ideas can include recreating their school environment, like the classic wooden desks and Action Storage school lockers, or you can go for the classic homely look like we accomplished over the course of a weekend.
Ideas for kids’ rooms tip – Build up on your homework area rather than out and use a chair which fits comfortably under the table to save space.
The finishing touches
Now you’ve sorted out the main focal points of the room, engage your child’s imagination even more with some accessories, but keep it light for small rooms. A great kids’ bedroom idea is to opt for some fancy dim lighting and books on the shelf. Work with what your child’s interests are and keep it decluttered for that larger space illusion.
Room ideas for kids needn’t be difficult and unobtainable and there is no reason you can’t make your child’s small bedroom funky and cosy. Use the above small bedroom ideas to encourage the creative juices to flow and create a bedroom your child will love for years to come.
*Collaborative feature post*
*Links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Body Shop skincare routine – what to buy for Mother’s Day
I was 13 when I first bought makeup at the shop. It was the 90s, so makeup meant Heather Shimmer lipstick, matte brown lip liner and ghostly pale face powder. I looked like an extra from the Addams Family, but I felt like a woman, especially when I discovered skincare for the first time at The Body Shop. I didn’t have a Body Shop skincare routine or any idea what my skin type was – I had teenage skin and a paper round allowance.
A trip to the Body Shop was an aromatic trip to heaven, and it soon became my favoured visit with friends every weekend. I tried on the fragranced hand creams, different array of eyeshadow and lip liners and treated myself to body butter and bath bombs.
Then the noise of the naughties drowned out the brick and mortar brands with online shopping paving the way to a whole new selection of affordable skincare. Social media heeled the barrage of gimmicky skincare fads and with influencers plugging their own merch too, I quickly became overwhelmed. My thirties were my ‘baby years’ (I had four babies in my thirties) so my skincare routine took a nosedive and since then I have stuck to serums which help me look like I’ve slept for more than a few minutes in the last five years.
After a long hiatus, I found The Body Shop again and I truly forgot how amazing it is. The Body Shop online took me straight back to that 13-year-old bright-eyed brunette, searching for her own identity and immersing herself in makeup and skincare for the first time.
Now I’m in my 40s, I try hard to have a basic skincare at the best of times and even though I rarely get it right, I have tried to look after my skin over the years.
I would love for someone to do the research for me and gift me with a suitable skincare kit for Mother’s Day this year because it would be one heck of a present for a tired mum with minimal time to think for or look after herself. You can’t go wrong with a well thought out skincare set!
So, let me do the research for you – here is a step-by-step rundown of the different body shop skincare routines that could work for that special mum in your life, so you can make her feel like she’s glowing on Mother’s Day.
My everyday skin care routine at home
I have to admit; I am not the best at keeping up with my skincare routine, but over the years, there are a few things I do (almost every day/night) to ensure my skin doesn’t age prematurely (the fine lines have already got to me, though.)
I take my makeup off before I go to bed
I only started religiously taking my makeup off in my thirties, but doing so has helped to ensure I have softer, cleaner skin when I wake up in the morning. I don’t wear foundation and I only use concealer on certain parts of my skin (especially around my eye area), so it’s important I wash the concealer off to prevent pore clogging.
I use a cleansing wipe to wash my makeup off and a hot wet 100% cotton towel to wipe it off
I use a cleansing wipe which I can lather on my skin in a gentle circular motion to wash my eye makeup off, so I’m not dragging on the skin. The cleanse ends with a hot damp towel, which feels like a mini spa facial. I place the towel over my face and press gently for a few seconds (which feels amazing). Then I gently wipe and repeat until all the makeup is off.
I always use a serum on my skin
Using a serum before you put on your moisturiser just helps to keep things properly moisturised. Now that I always use a serum, I find it is not enough to put moisturiser on. I have combination skin, so some moisturisers are too drying and some are too oily. But the serum feels just right on my skin.
I do a mini facial workout before bed
I always make sure I use lip balm regularly
I try to keep my lips as moisturised as possible, and they’ve helped to stay plump in my forties. I’ve been doing this since my twenties and I feel like the work has paid off, although during this winter weather, they’ve taken quite a beating! (I always have parched skin in the winter).
Here is a video of my basic skincare routine before bed:
What I should include in my step-by-step skin care routine
I’m slack with SPF and often forget to add it to my skincare routine before I go out. The only way to get around this for me is to buy a moisturiser which has SPF* in it. I’ve found some great ones from The Body Shop, which I’ll list below.
What you should include in your steps for skin care routine excellence
So, being a mum of four with tired, aging skin, I’d love nothing better than to receive skincare that makes me feel glorious on Mother’s Day. So here are the top Body Shop skin care products for each skin care routine so you know what to get for your special someone on Mother’s Day.
What is The Body Shop?
The Body Shop International Limited started in 1976 as a little green shop in Brighton. Its founder, Anita Roddick, wanted to revolutionise beauty in business as a force for good and with over 40 years of campaigning The Body Shop has strived to smash beauty industry standards with ethically sourced and naturally based ingredients from around the world, as well as no-nonsense packaging you could easily refill. The products are made for everyone with all skin types – no discriminating.
“Business shapes the world. It is capable of changing society in almost any way you can imagine.”
Dame Anita Roddick, FOUNDER OF THE BODY SHOP
Best skin care routine for combination skin
Shopping for combination skin can be tricky because sometimes your skin will be oily and other times it’ll decide to be dry. Or parts of your skin will be a bit of both! So, trying to work out a skin care routine step-by-step leaves you feeling like you’re going around in circles. Click here* for more information on combination skin.
The ultimate Body Shop skin care routine for combination skin should comprise:
Morning Face Routine Steps
Cleanser
A cleanser removes any buildup that occurs overnight. A great cleanser for combination skin is the Seaweed Cleansing Gel Wash*, which is also suitable for oily skin, and rebalances and controls shine. It’s also vegan!
Seaweed Cleansing Gel Wash FOR COMBINATION AND OILY SKIN. REBALANCES AND CONTROLS SHINE VEGAN. Buy here*
“Good wash for oily skin. Leaves skin fresh and clean.”
A hydrating toner removes any oil that your cleanser doesn’t and balances your skin’s pH levels. A great toner from the Body Shop for combination skin includes the vegan Seaweed Oil Balancing Toner* which rebalances and revives your skin and gently cleanses impurities.
Seaweed Oil-Balancing Toner FOR COMBINATION AND OILY SKIN. REBALANCES AND CONTROLS SHINE. VEGAN. Buy here*
“A great toner that leaves my skin feeling refreshed. Perfect for my combination skin.”
I’m a huge fan of serum, especially those which contain hyaluronic acid because they hydrate and protect the skin. A great serum from The Body Shop for combination skin is the Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil* which is suitable for all skin types and provides 24-hour moisture.
Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil FOR ALL SKIN TYPES. 24HR MOISTURE. Buy now here*
“Vitamin E Overnight serum in oil is amazing. My skin feels so soft and glowing after. I love it.”
If you can find a moisturiser with at least SPF30, then you can combine the sunscreen and moisturiser in one. A great, highly protective sunscreen is the Skin Defence Multi- Protection Light Essence SPF 50 PA +++* which has a weightless finish and helps protect skin against pollution.
Then add your makeup, but make sure it’s lightweight. Foundation and concealer should be oil-free. Check out the Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation* which is lightweight and perfect for all skin types, especially oily skin.
Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation FOR OILY SKIN. FULL-COVERAGE. MATTE FINISH. VEGAN. Buy here*
“Beautiful creamy foundation giving great coverage.”
You should always remove your makeup to keep your pores unclogged and help your skin to breathe. Micellar water is one of the gentlest products and is great to use on sensitive skin. Use gentle make-up remover pads, like these Clean Conscience Reusable Make-Up Remover Pads* which are reusable and machine washable too.
Clean Conscience Reusable Make-Up Remover Pads REUSABLE. SUPER GENTLE. MACHINE WASHABLE. Buy now here*
“Amazing, use them every day. Great that you can wash them.”
A nighttime cleanser helps to remove makeup remnants and natural buildup. A good cleanser for sensitive skin is the Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter* which gently removes make up and impurities.
Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter FOR SENSITIVE SKIN. GENTLY REMOVES MAKE-UP AND IMPURITIES. VEGAN. Buy here*
“Best on the market, I wouldn’t use anything else now.”
Use a strong serum and emollient-rich moisturiser for dry areas to get to work during the night while you’re asleep. You could also use a treatment to help with certain areas that need it the most. A good nighttime moisturiser is the Hemp Overnight Nourishing Rescue Mask* which is suitable for dry skin and keeps skin quenched for up to 72 hours.
“WOW, WOW, WOW! This is the best Body Shop product I have ever tried. It is superbly moisturising! Smells divine and makes by skin baby soft. A must have essential in everyone’s bathroom cupboard.”
Using an exfoliant once a week is great for removing dead skin cells and keeping pores clear. It also relieves dry areas. The Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Exfoliator* is suitable for combination and oily skin and gently exfoliates away dead skin cells.
Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Exfoliator FOR COMBINATION AND OILY SKIN. REFRESHING AND CLARIFYING. VEGETARIAN. Buy here*
“Absolutely love this product! Would recommend it to anyone and everyone who struggles with oily skin or blemishes!”
Once a week, you could apply a different mask to different areas of the face. The Seaweed Balance Sheet Mask* works in just 15 minutes to lock hydration in for 24 hours. And it’s only £4.00!
Seaweed Balance Sheet Mask FOR COMBINATION/OILY SKIN. VEGAN. Buy here*
“A lovely treat for the skin. Help to clear up my spots and hydrate my skin. Will buy again.”
Oily skin is one of the most common skin concerns, with shiny complexion and acne breakouts being typical symptoms for acne sufferers.
Cleanse morning and night
A Body Shop skin care routine for acne should include a cleanser that contains salicylic acid. The best evening skin care routine for oily skin should include a double cleanse at night if you wear makeup.
A toner could help fight blackheads and blemishes. Try to find an exfoliating toner that contains either salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid. A mattifying toner like the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner* can help to purify, refresh and prep the skin so you’re ready to take on the world!
Tea Tree Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner FOR OILY, BLEMISHED SKIN. PURIFYING. VEGAN. Buy here*
“This is my go to product, day and night! Absolutely fantastic! Keeps my spots at bay!”
Treat your skin according to your specific skin concern. So if you’re prone to acne, use benzoyl peroxide or sulfur in the daytime to help curb oil production and prevent breakouts. In the evening, a retinol product can help to keep pores clear and skin glowing.
Tea tree oil for oily, blemished skin can be used throughout the day to target blemishes. Try Tea Tree Oil* which is suitable for oily, blemished skin.
Tea Tree Oil FOR OILY, BLEMISHED SKIN. PURIFYING VEGAN. Buy here*
“This product is amazing! It really helps to reduce my blemishes and oily skin. Can’t recommend enough.”
Even if you have oily skin, your Body Shop skincare routine steps for the morning should include moisturiser, but be more careful with the type you use. Look for a moisturiser that’s lightweight, free of oils and water-based.
When you have dry skin, the right skincare can transform your skin from tight and flaky to soft and glowing. But you need to start the day the right way.
The Body Shop skincare routine order for the morning should include products that keep moisture in.
Prepare your skin with a gentle non-foaming cleanser
A gentle cleanser removes oil and dirt without drying the skin. The Vitamin E Cream Cleanser* is suitable for dehydrated skin and removes impurities while leaving skin hydrated.
Vitamin E Cream Cleanser FOR DEHYDRATED SKIN. REMOVES IMPURITIES. Buy here*
“Love this cleanser, removes makeup so easily and the product itself lasts for a really long time.”
After cleansing, a good way to soak up moisture is to add a serum, especially one with hyaluronic acid. A good Body Shop serum for dry skin is the CBD Restoring Facial Oil*, which is good for dehydrated skin and leaves skin feeling soothed and smoothed.
CBD Restoring Facial Oil FOR DEHYDRATED SKIN. GREEN SCENT. Buy here*
“Love this oil, really soothes my skin, become a regular part of my skincare routine.”
Look for lightweight moisturisers that help to hydrate skin and form a protective seal over the skin’s surface. The Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream* offers up to 72 hours of hydration and is infused with hyaluronic acid to help lock in that moisture. Don’t forget to add an SPF to protect your skin further from the sun.
Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream FOR DRY SKIN. 72H HYDRATION. VEGETARIAN. Buy here*
“All my skin is consistently dry. This face cream has worked brilliantly for me since the first day I used it”
Cleansing is important to remove impurities and relieve parched skin, but moisturising is the key here to keep skin supple and hydrated overnight. The Vitamin E Sink In Moisture Sleeping Mask* is suitable for dehydrated skin and gets to work overnight to infuse optimum moisture levels for intense hydration.
Vitamin E Sink In Moisture Sleeping Mask FOR DEHYDRATED SKIN. Buy here*
“I leave it overnight and feel my skin softer! Great services of Body shop and very fast delivery! Great value for money!”
When creating a skin care routine for more mature-looking skin, you’ll want to plump fine lines, banish dark spots, and lift sagging skin.
Your Body Shop skin care routine for dry skin should include cleansing, treating and using sunscreen on your neck as well as your face. Choose a gentler exfoliant as your skin may be more sensitive.
Why not take just two minutes a day and give yourself a little facial yoga massage? I use Danielle Collins’ Face Yoga Interactive Journal which includes 53 exercises, motivational quotes and weekly wellness hacks to help you set your own goals, allowing you to get healthy, glowing, younger-looking skin just by dedicating a minimum of 2 minutes a day to face yoga.
It’s important to build a skincare routine that works for you and your unique skin. But the best face routine involves doing things in a certain order, so follow the above steps or find out what the recipient’s skin is like so you can buy the right Body Shop skin care set for Mother’s Day.
Check out The Body Shop skin care reviews on line too and see what others think of the products you’ve picked. There’s nothing better than a personalised Mother’s Day gift mum will actually use and it’s a great way to discover new products that are even better for your skin than you realise!
FAQ
What is your skin care routine that has changed your skin?
I found cleansing every night with an exfoliating wipe and moisturising with serum prevented me from getting spots. I used to have slightly bumpy and uneven skin, but that has changed since I have a good working skincare routine that works for me.
Does the order of skincare steps matter?
Yes, it’s important to cleanse and prep your skin before you moisturise so you lock in moisture.
What is Community Fair Trade?
Community Fair Trade was launched in 1987 and is the Body Shop’s bespoke fair trade programme, which helps their suppliers gain market access and invest in social and environmental projects that benefit their communities. You can find more information on the Body Shops’ Community Fair Trade programme here.
What can help with very dry skin?
Use the right cleanser, i.e. non-foaming cleanser, to clean your skin because some can be drying. Rehydrate the skin with the right moisturiser for dry skin. This article has additional helpful tips for how to relieve dry skin.
Do skincare products delay aging or worsen it?
Using the right skincare products can delay aging to a certain extent, but your genes and lifestyle will eventually catch up with you. The wrong products can speed up aging so make sure you’re using the right products for your skin.
What does it mean when someone says your skin is glowing?
“Glowing skin means different things to people. Many people use the term to refer to skin that looks healthy and “awake” rather than dry, dull, or unevenly textured. For some, healthy skin results in a natural sheen, or “glow.” Healthy skin is something that most people can work towards.”
Should I use cleanser and toner if I don’t use makeup? Is it optional?
“If you don’t wear makeup on your skin, you might be able to get away with just using a targeted toner on a cotton ball as a cleanser. However, the process of using warm water to cleanse the pores can help soften the pores and add radiance to the skin.
“If you have light skin and spend a lot of time in the sun, you’re more likely to develop age spots — areas of increased pigmentation. Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms.”
“We recommend adding a face mask to your skin care routine once or twice a week. Masking should follow cleansing, toning, and applying a facial essence. These steps clear impurities and excess oil, provide a base layer of hydration and prep your skin to better absorb the benefits of your face mask.”
Is there any way to cure a hormonal acne without taking pills? Are there any natural ways to deal with it?
Following a nutrient-dense diet, cutting out dairy, and limiting added sugars are evidence-based practices that may improve acne symptoms. Taking certain supplements like vitamin D and green tea extract, getting enough sleep, quitting smoking, and reducing stress are other healthy ways to fight this disease.
*This post is sponsored by The Body Shop (some pictures have been taken from their website)
*Links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission when you click through to buy. Prices are correct as at 11 March 2022
Tag 
tag 
