Try as I might to ignore the fact that winter is coming – the start of October signals the arrival of Autumn. Whilst I long for hot summer days the one good thing to come of the leaves turning orange is that over the next five weeks we have plenty of fun planned. From half-term fun and Halloween right through to Bonfire night we’re jam-packed.

We’re really fortunate to live opposite a large park in the suburbs that every year puts on an out-of-this-world fireworks display with a massive (and I mean massive) bonfire afterwards. The real perk for us and everyone living on the surrounding roads is that we can enjoy all the magic from our front garden.

Each year lots of neighbours decide to sell food and drink from their garden wall to the thousands of people who attend the park. Up until now, I’ve kept our hot chocolate with far too much cream on top and marshmallows to ourselves – yet each year friends and family suggest I join my neighbours in selling food and drink on the night.

A fair few years as part of the school PTA has taught me that even a child’s lemonade stand seen in Hollywood movies takes so much planning; throw in food and the list gets even longer.

BBQs see a resurgence in November after winning the dinner prize throughout the summer; food hygiene is paramount whenever handling and cooking food but becomes even more important when you’re selling it to the public.

Being safe starts with making sure that your equipment is safe, fit for purpose and clean. Next up is ensuring that the food you’re cooking is in date and being stored appropriately until ready to be cooked. The biggest culprit of germ trails with food is humans; wearing Brosch sterile gloves is one of the single most important actions you can take to reduce the trail of germs which can ultimately affect food safety. Good hygiene doesn’t stop at just wearing gloves when handling food – it’s important to think about the journey of the gloves. Remember when your parents told you not to put coins in your mouth ‘do you know how many people have touched that coin!’. As always they were absolutely right – cash contamination happens when someone who is touching food wearing gloves handles cash and then touches food again; creating a germ trail. I’ve always found it easier if possible to have one person preparing and serving food whilst wearing gloves and another who doesn’t wear gloves to help avoid confusion who handles cash.

The truth is that whilst I’m confident of food hygiene I’m not ready to share the secret of our amazing hot chocolate with the world so for this year at least we’ll stick to clinking our mugs while watching the fireworks from our front garden.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

Sometimes holidaying in the UK can seem unexciting, especially if you’re used to exotic weeks away in faraway places; however, you don’t need sun, sea and multicultural cities to have a holiday you’ll never forget. To prove it, here’s a list of ways to make your UK trips a little different.

Home Swapping

Home swapping does exactly what it says on the tin. Instead of booking a hotel for your two weeks away, you can agree with a family that lives in your desired destination to exchange houses for a set period. They live in your house whilst you live in theirs.

Over the past 20 years, home exchanges have sky-rocketed in popularity not only because of the unique experience they offer but because of the money you can save in the process. Let’s be honest with each other, travelling is expensive; and most of that money goes into comfortable, clean accommodation for your time away. Well with home swapping your accommodation is free so there’s no need to include that expense at all.

And the best part? The welcome gifts. This is far from the usual way of holidaying in the UK.

The Caravan Lifestyle

Many people think that caravan holidays are boring, too old school or a lot more hassle than they’re worth but that’s far from the truth. Whilst on traditional holidays you have a base of operations that you explore from and come back to, caravans give you unprecedented freedom to explore; moving your home as you go until you find a place you’d like to relax in for a few days. On the other hand, holiday park homes are stationary, but they’re also located in beautifully idyllic pockets of British countryside; places that you would never usually see.

On top of the great experience, there’s also a good chance you’ll save money with a caravan holiday because the cost of renting a holiday park home or paying for petrol, is usually less than the price of weeks in a four or five-star hotel. So whilst it might seem like an unusual choice if you’re looking for peace, quiet and the chance of discovering hidden gems, there isn’t much better than a caravan holiday – just make sure you pack properly for the trip.

Camping or Glamping?

Camping is an age-old holiday experience that many still take part in. The campsites where you can pitch your tent and inhale the crisp fresh air make for a wonderfully different way to experience the UK. Those who don’t like the idea of camping usually avoid it for fear of being too cold or uncomfortable and whilst there are many ways of ensuring you’re warm in your tent, there is also an option for those who want a little more luxury.

Glamping stands for ‘glamorous camping’ and has really started to pick up traction over the last ten years. Designed for those who want to enjoy the outdoors but without sacrificing home comforts, most glamping accommodation includes a bed, electricity, nice décor and kitchen equipment so there’s no need to lug lots of heavy equipment around. Furthermore, glamping venues can greatly vary on price and services offered, giving you the option to customize your glamping experience based on your budget and the exact luxuries you can’t live without. It’s the perfect balance and a great way to get a taste of the British countryside.

Home swapping, caravans, park homes and camping. All completely different ways to experience this sometimes rainy, sometimes windy, sometimes cloudy but always beautiful island we live on. The UK is full of incredible places to explore, sometimes for very cheap, all you need to do is make the time and get organising.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

With summer coming to an end, there are many households around the world who are beginning to think about Christmas. From buying gifts to making plans for Christmas day, there is always much to be done in the months leading up to it. Preparing your home for this time is no exception, as everyone wishes to wake up surrounded by decorations and warm surroundings. This is especially true if you live with a large family. If you need help on how you should prepare your home for Christmas, it’s always a good idea to take note of some valuable tips.

Have a deep clean

It could be that your home is entertaining lots of people for the Christmas period, which means it should be clean and safe for everyone attending. With lots of other commitments to complete at this time, it can be a struggle to make the time to do a deep clean. This is often why some people choose to go with reputable cleaning services in Middletown NY(49 Woodlake Drive, Middletown NY 10940) to help them, as trusted companies like America’s Cleaning Service will guarantee your home is clean and de-cluttered in time for Christmas.

Prioritise comfort

Unfortunately, winter brings cold weather and dark nights. This means people need to feel cosy and warm at Christmas to enjoy the celebrations. Investing in some new soft furnishings is a good start, and some people even choose to make their own blankets, which they can personalise to suit the Christmas season. You should also consider buying some candles or softly glowing lamps, as these can create an inviting atmosphere in any room. In some homes, having a fireplace with crackling logs can bring a warmth that nothing else can, and having a perpetual pot of hot chocolate in the kitchen is also a great idea.

Buy a Christmas tree

No home is complete on Christmas without a Christmas tree. Usually the centrepiece of the main room, you can decorate them with tinsel and string lights in the days before Christmas arrives. Depending on when you want to put your tree up, you can choose to buy a plastic tree or a real one. While real trees have an unmistakable seasonal scent, they require a lot of maintenance, they last only for a short time, and they are not as good for the environment. With plastic trees, you can choose any colour, and they last for a long, long time, with some surviving several Christmases.

Don’t ignore outdoors 

It is easy to focus on the inside of your home when you are hoping to create a comforting environment. However, you should pay some attention to your exterior. Having lights on your windows and decorating your trees helps bring Christmas cheer to all passers-by, but it also prepares your guests for the welcoming scenes inside your home. Many people choose to have lots of lights every year, but it is better for the environment and your electricity bill to keep it understated, or to make use of solar-powered Christmas lights.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

If you’re reading this then give yourself a massive pat on the back and pour a large G&T/glass of champagne/insert your favourite tipple here. You survived the summer holidays – no easy thing when you have over six weeks in which to entertain/enthral and delight your child.

Instagram is where you’ll find me every day (if you’re not following me then you’re missing out, if I do say so myself) sharing what we get up to through stories – which have become my favourite thing as they allow me to show the good, the bad, and the quite frankly scary first thing in the morning selfie with my followers. Social media is brilliant for allowing us to connect and share our lives with so many people but with that comes the ‘insta perfect’ pressure.

It’s no secret that I’m much better suited to planning holidays than days out – give me a country and a budget and I’ll have a spreadsheet-heavy itinerary ready in no time; however, ask me to organise a day out for the kids and I’ll either come up blank or plan a day that costs more than a city break for two!

Groupon understands that being chief entertainer isn’t easy, so when they approached me about their #SummerUnfiltered campaign I was keen to get involved. The campaign is all about championing ‘realness’ on social media and encouraging parents to spend time with their kids without spending an arm and a leg. So, luckily for us, they planned a day out for Boo and I – and sent us for a fun-packed afternoon at Dinosaurs In The Wild in Greenwich.

I’m no newbie to Groupon – I’ve been using them for years for finding the best beauty deals and afternoon tea experiences, but I have to admit to not thinking of them for family days out… until now. I was really surprised at just how many experiences there are for all the family; from guided city walks to days out at theme parks, there’s something for every family and every budget.

Dinosaurs in The Wild was amazing, ever since we rode the Jurassic Park ride at Universal Orlando, Boo’s been obsessed with dinosaurs. The immersive experience was way better than I anticipated, with all of the attention to detail building such a believable experience for Boo – we had a brilliant time. Boo was so excited, that on our way there she asked me over 30 times how many stops until we arrived!  Something all parents have experienced…

The summer holidays are such a metaphor for parenthood: the pressures of ‘getting it right’ is as old as time, but with social media, the pressure to share the perfect pic has been ramped up. So here’s a (clearly unfiltered) snap of me losing my parenting mind after a full on, but absolutely lovely,  day out with Boo.

So as we start the new academic year, let’s make a parenting resolution to keep it real when it comes to expectation vs reality, regardless of the Insta perfection we scroll through on a daily basis… because keeping it real is the new hashtag blessed.

To find some great activities for you and the kids without breaking the bank – go to Groupon.

Disclosure: This is a collaboration with Groupon, a fee was received for my time