Specs appeal

Firstly let me start by saying that this is not a sponsored or review post. I simply had to share the complete fabulousness that is Direct Specs - the online store specialising in prescription glasses and sunglasses.

I'm short sighted, so I rely on glasses for driving, watching TV and seeing the numbers on buses. Yes its rubbish, so when I lost my one and only pair a few weeks ago (my second pair to lose in as many years) I was not a happy bunny. I had a few pairs of contact lenses left over, so I was OK for several days, but when they ran out I had to plan my days around whether or not I'd have to drive in the dark, which happens to be an absolute no, no when you don't have 20/20 vision. 

Direct specs was recommended to me a few years back by a friend who had a really nice pair of glasses on and when she told me she'd only spent £35 when I'd spent a whopping ten times that on a pair of Armani prescription frames a few weeks earlier, I knew I'd be a fool not to get involved.

With the recent episode of yet another lost pair of glasses I was stumped. I couldn't find my old prescription and my two year check up was due, so I had to wait a few weeks to get my eyes tested before I could order myself a new pair. Frustrating.... 

I got my new prescription on Monday and late on Thursday I ordered my new specs online, it said they'd be delivered within ten days, but I received my glasses on Saturday morning. Very impressive.They were £19.99, with £5 for an anti scratch lense and £4.50 postage and packaging. Not to mention a free case. Bargain city or what? I am really pleased with my purchase. 

I have used Direct Specs twice before, the first time I got a pair of Burberry prescription frames for £50 (which I lost)  and my second purchase was a pair of non designer frames for £30 (that was the most recent pair I lost) hmm not quite sure what's going on with that. Anyway the quality is amazing, the service second to none, not to mention super quick and the price is unbelievable. I would recommend this company all day long. 

Their range, especially the selection of designer frames seems to have dwindled a little over the years, but what they do have is still great. Here is a pic of me in my new specs. I love them. Mostly because of the price, but they look good too (even if I do say so myself).

My new cheap & cheerful spectacles. Icy - Black cherry

Seriously if you wear prescription glasses check them out, or if you don't, what better than to recommend a friend who does? The amount of money they have saved me over the years can not be scoffed at.

Silent Sunday

Sleep I'm coming

Source

I daren't say anything  for fear of jinxing myself, but I think, deep breath, my son is finally grasping the beautiful art of SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT.

He has done this now for the past THREE NIGHT'S, each night getting that little bit longer. Last night for instance I put him down at 9.15pm and apart from stirring two hours later, which a bottle quickly fixed, he slept solidly, and I mean not a peep from him until 9.00 the next morning. Daddy actually had to go and get him, and even then he was only just beginning to stir. How good is that? 

 I've mentioned this before but none of my children have been great sleepers as babies. They were constantly up all the time, crying and whining, constant bottles, cuddles and co-sleeping. My girls started sleeping through the night at about 13/14 months and even then I'd have to sit by their cot, pat their backs and sing to them a little bit before they would finally drift off. 

My little man is much easier. He has his bottle whilst in my arms and when he falls to sleep I put him in his cot and that's it. I think all the walking he is now embarking on is well and truly tiring him out *air punch*. There is definitely a link between the two milestones. 

My little man is nearly 11 months, he has six teeth, he is walking and he is sleeping through the night (for good I hope) I don't know about you but I think that's cause for a celebration. 

Bring on the bubbly!! Not too much though, don't want a baby number four......

The art of giving

Seriously what is the deal with the explosion of charities touting for donations in the form of monthly direct debit payments? I'm all for giving and I donate to various good causes, but this constant barrage of charities putting workers on the high street to get you to donate via your bank account on a monthly basis is really beginning to irk me.

Wherever you go, no matter which high street it may be there is a generous smattering of ever so slightly annoying individuals donning their charity overalls and clipboards wanting to procure your sacred digits.













If it's not Sky or some utility firm trying to flog me a 'deal', then it's a PPI claim company or family portrait set up trying to pester me within an inch of my life for my custom. Is it me it does this way of doing things seem completely bizarre and inappropriate? In this day and age when identity theft and credit card fraud is rife who on earth would give a complete stranger their bank details and set up a monthly direct debit on their account?

 




The final straw for me came yesterday evening when a young man came to my front door with his charity vest and clipboard. Before he even started talking I asked him if it was about a direct debit. He said; 'Yes' I said; 'Sorry but I'm not interested' and he left. These people are EVERYWHERE....and although it is seemingly for a good cause the sheer number of charities doing this is ridiculous.

I'm sure the success rate for this method of marketing is zero because the number of irritated/completely disinterested individuals I see trying to dodge, avoid or swat these people away is huge. Who really signs up for these things anyway and how do you know if they are legitimate or not? 

If I've got this all wrong then please someone tell me. Because it just seems so intrusive not to mention pointless to me......

When I'm older

Source

My eldest who is four and a half said to her dad and I a few days ago;


'When I'm older I won't live with you and mummy any more will I?' 


Suddenly I had an awful ache in my heart and it really hit home.


I know it's obvious, but at that moment in time I had the realisation that by the grace of God my precious children are really going to grow up and leave home one day.  


Sometimes it's all too easy to get bogged down with the day to day chaos of being a parent and a stay at home mum, and lose sight of the fact that these days, no matter how difficult they can sometimes be, will not last forever. 


Time is whizzing by and there is so much I want to see and do with my children. There is so much I want them to see and do and experience on their own and with each other.


I feel so disorganised at times, because I have an array of activities I want them to get involved with. I must  get my head down and get things done.


After all, time waits for no man.

Three!

My beautiful little girl is three today!!


She is cheeky, fearless, brave, strong, defiant, funny, intelligent, confident, trying, brilliant......


She is born in the same month as her Mummy so I thought she'd be a lot more like me, but I guess being a middle child trumps that. Being the eldest made me cautious and sensible. My little girl is a free spirit.


She shares her birthday with the most handsome Mr David Beckham and new Mummy Mrs Lily Cooper nee Allen (birthday facts I thought I'd share - lol).


Happy birthday my sweet angel. I LOVE YOU. XXX

Back to the drawing board...

Source

It seems it'll be more tricky to get married in my dream church than I first thought. The vicar was really quick in his response to our enquiry and his letter was lovely, but from what I can gather, to get married there is looking nigh on impossible. Here is a quote from the letter...

"To be married in any Anglican parish church other than your own, as determined by residency by the so-called 'qualifying connection', you would have to demonstrate that you grew up in that parish previously or had lived there in the past for no less than six months or that the parents or grandparents of one or other of you has lived there for no less than six months in your lifetime (whether or not you lived with them) or that your parents or grandparents were baptised, confirmed or married there....'

I definitely don't have any family members who have lived in the parish or who have got baptised, confirmed or married at the church. I don't think the other half has either so doesn't look like it'll happen there.

It has got me thinking though, and there is a lovely church that is more local to us, not as lovely as my dream church but it is nice all the same. I sent an email via their website last night and the vicar replied an hour or so later stating that if we come to a church service one Sunday and introduce ourselves, we can take it from there, so it's looking very, very hopeful.......

Planning to go in the next two weeks to get things moving!