Bio Sculpture invited me to the Mondrian, London last week for an afternoon of pampering and to learn about their technician training opportunities.

Bio Sculpture like me is celebrating their 30th birthday this year and were the first to offer gel manicures in the UK; developing their collection over the years to be the only brand today that is free of Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, DBP or Camphor, is strictly animal cruelty FREE and 100% VEGAN.

The afternoon began with a delicious afternoon tea and a talk by Claire from Bio Sculpture about the career opportunities available – it’s important to add it wasn’t a sales type pitch instead it was really informative and highlighted a realistic avenue available to women looking for a work opportunity that is truly flexible and adapts to the busy demands of family life. It was great to learn that even their training program is flexible and laid out over three separate days; much more realistic when it comes trying to plan days away from young families.

As a mother it’s often hard to carve time out of our hectic schedules for pampering. One thing I don’t compromise on is a mani and pedi – I invested in a gel manicure set last year and I will tell anyone that listens it’s the best thing I’ve done, however having experience at Bio Sculpture gel manicure I’ve learnt that there’s a difference between applying gel to your fingers and toes and real nail care using carefully sourced ingredients just like Bio Sculpture. A brand that people recognise and trust making it an easy family to join that promotes and supports flexibility.

Manicure time came and I enjoyed learning about all the different steps in addition to a regular gel treatment that ensure your nails are strengthened and nourished while wearing the gel colour. I chose number 10 and as an avid Chanel fan I think this is the closest to the timeless Rouge Noir shade I’ve managed to find – the quality and depth of pigment makes it an easy wear that works hard for you having not dulled since applied.

After my manicure it was time for a massage in the Aqua Spa (trust me you NEED to book yourself a visit) it’s not often that I feel truly relaxed but I can hand on hear say that at the end of my massage as I lay on the a relaxation bed with a heated cover and camomile tea I felt calmer and more rested than I have in a long time.

10 days on and my Bio Sculpture gel manicure is still going strong drawing plenty of compliments with the added knowledge that my nails are being nourished at the same time; beauty that’s kind to you – now that’s something I can get behind.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Bio Sculpture at the Mondrian.

In a week of love hearts and quite frankly some weird looking cuddly toys I prefer to focus on celebrating the friendships that raise you and nurture you 52 weeks of the year. AO agree and challenged both me and Heledd from Running in Lavender to take part in their Valentines gift swap. Believe it or not me and Heledd live on the same road – although it took us bumping into each other on a  cruise to realise this.

The challenge was simple: we were both given a list, from which we had to pick a gift for the other – all the while waiting for our own surprise to arrive.

We try to meet every couple of weeks for tea, and a catch up. Every time I visit Heledd will ply me with some of her delicious baking and cooking and each time we’ve chatted about how I enjoy baking with me  always been envious of Heledd’s stand mixer. Well it would seem that Heledd was listening because a few days later I was absolutely blow away to open up my surprise package to discover she had chosen a Kenwood Chef Titanium Stand Mixer. First impressions were just how big the box was – surely it would be full of packaging with just a small mixer; oh no, I couldn’t believe just how weighted the stand mixer was and how sturdy the structure was.

With a 1500w motor and endless combinations and attachments available there really aren’t many culinary challenges that the Kenwood Chef Titanium Stand Mixer can’t make light work of; from milling your own flour to knocking up fresh past for dinner, there’s so much you can do.

The Kenwood mixer is one of the best available on the market but that doesn’t stop it being easy to use which is great when you’re baking with children. It didn’t take long until we used it for the first time; Boo’s school has a bake sale before each half-term and we’re known for making a batch of Martha Stewart’s chewy chocolate chip cookies – they’re simple, a real crowd pleaser and are one of those cookies that tastes just as good even if a little burnt!

Massive thank you to Heledd and AO for the gift of hassle free baking – and proving that when it comes to friendship Galentines is the perfect time of year to show people just how much you care.

Disclosure: The Kenwood Mixer was a gift from AO.

There will be many considerations to make when buying a family car, as you need to look beyond the vehicle’s aesthetics to ensure it accommodates your needs. Find out how to pick the ultimate family car.

Identify Your Vehicle Priorities
What do you most need from your car? For example, space might be paramount if you plan to go on long road trips with all the clan, meaning you might require plenty of seats and legroom. You might also need to think about fuel economy so that you can make great savings on gas.

The Right Vehicle for Your Budget
Running a family is far from cheap. There will be so many things you will need to pay for each month, which is why you will undoubtedly want to pick the best car for your budget. For this reason, you should identify the pros and cons of buying a new or second-hand vehicle against your needs and budget. Visit a Lexus Glasgow dealer to find the best cars at the best prices.

Consider the Future
Think about the future before you invest in a family car. For example, do you plan to own the car for as long as possible? Do you plan to add another son or daughter into your growing family? If so, you might need to opt for a car with additional seats or more space. You must also ensure the car offers at least two ISOFIX points for a child’s car seat. Fortunately, most cars manufactured since 2002 will feature two fixing points.

Choose the Right Body
The body style you choose can determine accessibility within the car. For example, a three-door vehicle might not be ideal for a big family, as you will not want to climb over seats to strap your children into their car seats. A five-door hatchback might, therefore, be a more practical solution and will provide plenty of space for all the family.

The Best Sized Boot
Don’t underestimate the importance of a big boot, especially when picking a car for all the family. A good-sized boot will provide ample storage for various belongings, such as shopping bags, suitcases and toys. It might also be ideal to opt for a vehicle that features bag hooks or nests to utilise as much space as possible. You’ll be glad you chose a big boot when heading off on a family road trip.

Innovative Technologies
There is always another task to complete or a problem to worry about when raising children. That’s why it’s important to pick a car that takes the hassle out of driving. It might, therefore, be a smart idea to opt for a vehicle that features innovative technologies, such as GPS navigation, rear view parking and Bluetooth technology. A smart entry and start system will also mean you’ll never need to fumble with your keys during the morning school rush.

Do you have any helpful tips on how to pick a family car? Write a comment below.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.