We all know we need to protect our skin from the sun but with so many different products available it can be hard to avoid the dreaded ‘let’s cart 8 bottles with us for a family holiday’ look. That’s where Boots Sultan come in with their family suncare pack.

Since having Boo I’ve made much more of a conscious effort to protect our skin as a family. Gone are the days of factor 2 tanning oil while on holiday in Egypt (yes that is 100% true – how I didn’t crisp up like a roast potato is a mystery to me!) Now sun protection is part of my wider skincare, it’s important that we think about how our skin is exposed to the sun all year round. However let’s be honest, the bulk of our tanning is done while on holiday so when Boot’s sent us their family suncare pack it was the first time me and Boo would be using sun lotion from the same range. Previously I’d never thought that one range could offer us both protection while still meeting our different needs.

Boo is pretty simple: she needs a high SPF that is easy to apply and kind to her skin; so the Kids SPF50 was perfect for her. For me it’s all about protecting my skin while I develop a dark tan – being half Iranian means I’m lucky that I tan very easily and rarely burn, so the SPF 15 was perfect for me. Both sun lotions were really easy to apply and had the perfect consistency.

The complete Boots Soltan range has been awarded a maximum five-star rating against deep-down skin damage caused by UVA rays – because whilst I may not burn I’m aware that real skin damage is often invisible to the naked eye so it’s great that the whole range offers the highest protection available.

The family pack also contains a moisturising after sun lotion, which is perfect for post beach day evening; easily absorbed and non greasy, Boo was soon in charge of applying her own aftersun and loved it so much has asked if we can use it now we’re back home.

And let’s not forget about the handy zipped pouch they came in, this seemingly simple clear pouch soon became my best friend on holiday – out went the sun lotion and instead I used it for keys, phone, purse. It’s the perfect size for keeping your valuables (not to mention tangle teezer) free from sand and water.

The Boots Soltan range is perfect for family holidays, as it offers something for everyone and with unbeatable 5 star UVA protection, that’s one less holiday prep to worry about.

Disclosure: We received the Boots Soltan Family Pack for the purpose of this review.

One of the best parts of being a blogger is getting the opportunity to work with so many amazing small startups; often they approach me in their early days as they realize the value of a blog collaboration as part of their marketing campaign. Many of the companies go on to grow with great success and we often keep in touch, I’ve become friends with a fair few people that I met through blogging.

One of the biggest steps to take as a business is when you make that transition from working at your kitchen table (hey don’t knock it – I’m currently sat in the kitchen keeping an eye on the muffins in the oven while I write this) to realising that you need a much larger commercial space to run your business from.

You know the saying, ‘all the gear and no idea’ well this is massively applicable to moving into your very first warehouse; you’ve paid for this gigantic how ever many thousand square foot space yet somehow it seems like a big empty cold box that is so not what you wanted your brand spanking HQ to be feeling like. Like any space, a warehouse needs organising and the bigger the footprint the more important it is to get it right. Pallet Racking by WSSL in Harrogate have pretty much every type of warehouse storage solution you could every need. Mezzanine floors, internal and external racking – Warehouse Storage Solutions has something to suit every storage need. One of the biggest problem faced with maximizing warehouse space is that pallets are literally everywhere and it can soon become hard to sort through stock. Pallet racking systems are brilliantly simple in terms of their construction but allow you to configure your storage space with such efficiency and versatility. It doesn’t matter on what space you have or how you want to use it, with pallet racking there are a number of choices from live racking, narrow aisle, drive in and double deep pallet racking with something for everyone or should I say every pallet.

It may all seem rather alien at first but like all business progression decisions: knowledge is power when it comes to making the best choices for you and your company.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

Ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you I’m constantly looking ahead and planning throughout the year – Boo’s birthday party planning starts in January for July and I bought my first Christmas present back in late May. I don’t know if it’s because I’m on my own with Boo or if I’m self-employed but keeping on top of my financial planning is something I’m always thinking about.

No matter how much you plan your finances and household spending, there will always be those unexpected costs or bills. A prime example for us this year was our washing machine breaking down, it had been a bit temperamental for a week or so and then suddenly it just died a death. Anyone will tell you that living without a washing machine is no fun – add to the mix school uniforms, swim kit and press event outfits and you’ve got a laundry nightmare on your hands. I was lucky to avoid the launderette while waiting for my new machine to arrive thanks to the ever faithful washroom of mother dearest (some of it even came back ironed, winner!)

Not everyone has the money to deal with those unexpected costs and short term loans are just one of the lending options available, as are overdrafts. However a recent report by Which? Found that unarranged overdrafts could in fact be costing consumers more than short term lending. Online lenders such as Vivus are the first to stress that short term loans are in no way intended to replace long term financial solutions and exist to help out with those unexpected costs.

Our washing machine dramas are very nearly just a distant memory, leaving me free to concentrate on Christmas preparations… Last year I’d finished my shopping by mid November – let’s see how early I can get done this year!

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.