49. That’s the amount of days until Christmas and like previous years I finished my Christmas shopping a few weeks ago and are all ready to get wrapping this weekend. Now before you set out to lynch me I have very good reason for being organised; as a full-time blogger it’s not all about press events and snapping your latest poolside selfie. Being self-employed means I’m responsible for planning ahead both schedule wise and financially – that includes allowing for costs and taxes but also planning affordability throughout the year to spread the cost of Christmases, birthdays etc.

Alexander & Co accountants in Manchester have come up with a nifty guide of top tips for Christmas: budgeting and saving. I’m pretty disciplined when it comes to the festive period but since having Boo I must admit to indulging my fair share of “Oh, but she’s so going to love it” moments aka lets panic buy an extra four presents in the dying days before Christmas because I’m convinced Boo has secretly been wanting X, Y or Z and it will just complete the day. Word of advice: Children aren’t toy snobs, sometimes the simplest of gifts can bring the greatest of joy.

I’m loving the cutting out of unnecessary Christmas presents; as far as I see it, the less presents you have to buy means more festive Prosecco and I’m yet to find someone who wouldn’t be in favour of that idea.

I’m always slightly dubious of people who at the beginning of December start moaning that they haven’t begun their Christmas shopping and are concerned at just how much it’s all going to cost. Planning ahead, spreading the cost and doing some research into the gifts you want to buy really does help you to stay ahead of the festive game.

Fabulous festive family fun doesn’t have to come at a high price or level of stress; all that’s needed is some clever financial planning; after all Prosecco tastes all the more better when it’s been planned for a few months in advance.

Disclosure: A fee was received for this post.

If you were to ask me what one of my best features were, my teeth would be up there. I’m was/am a serial thumb sucker so my teenage years were spent with train tracks, head brace at night and a retainer for many years afterwards. I worked hard for my teeth and as I get older I’m always looking for ways to prolong the whiteness of my teeth without damaging them; this is why I was excited to try HiSmile.

HiSmile is a peroxide free teeth whitening system that can be done in the comfort of your own home; no nasty chemicals mean it’s safe to use and won’t strip or damage your teeth. And with HiSmile being 100% clinically proven and abiding by the ADA and FDA rules and regulations you know you’re buying an established and trusted product.

The HiSmile peroxide free teeth whitening kit comes in this lovely box which includes: 3 x peroxide free gels, 1 x LED light, 1 x mouth guard, step by step instruction manual plus a teeth whitening shade guide – everything you need to boost your smile.

I found the instructions really easy to follow and I was all set up within a couple of minutes. For me one of the best things about HiSmile is the mouth guard and LED light being connected; makes it so much easier to use and you only need to whiten for ten minutes per session – even I can find ten minutes once a day!

After using HiSmile for a few days, I can see a noticeable lift in my teeth whiteness and I still have a few sessions to go. HiSmile is clean, convenient and clinically safe; the perfect product for a perfect smile.

Disclosure: We were sent a HiSmile Teeth Whitening Kit for the purpose of review. All opinions are 100% honest.

To say Boo has a penchant for fashion would be the understatement of the century; ever since she’s been able to walk she’s enjoyed shopping, so last month when I was invited to Jacadi’s Westfield store opening, I felt a tad guilty going without Boo as she was at school –rest assured the ridiculously delicious cake pops soon made up for any guilt I was feeling!

Jacadi is a brand I am very familiar with, I was dressed in Jacadi as a child, and it is just as effortlessly chic now as it was then. Founded in 1976, Jacadi is a quintessentially French children’s brand who offer the chicest of classic clothing for babies and children from 0-12years. Their simple designs with superb attention to detail make them a go to for fashionable mothers who want to key pieces for their little ones throughout the seasons.

Jacadi very generously asked me to pick out a couple of key pieces for Boo from their AW15 (watch this space for outfit style posts from Boo!) and I couldn’t resist their timeless and effortlessly chic dresses; perfect for the little girl about town.

I was surprised to learn that Jacadi have an impressive footwear collection with beautiful shoes from pretty pumps to leaf kicking worthy boots. Excitingly Jacadi are set to launch their online shop meaning French chic fashion for children will soon only be a few clicks away.

Jacadi is a firm favourite in Boo’s wardrobe and with the new Westfield store I have a feeling there will be many more additions to her growing collection.

Disclosure: We were gifted key pieces from Jacadi’s AW15 collection: All opinions are 100% honest.

Halloween is such a fun time when you’re four years old. Boo really gets ‘it’ this year and add to the pot a bunch of friends to meet up with, have fun and trick or treat and there you have a Boo Cat in the making.

Boo wanted to dress as a cat, but let’s face it if you know many four year olds, that the reality of fancy dress hardly lasts more than 3 minutes, 46 seconds before they declare that it’s ‘itchy’ and start and impromptu strip down wherever you may be. So this year I decided that we would do Halloween in style: key pieces from AW15 with some seasonal props (read nail stickers cat cape and obligatory feline ears). Velvet leggings (Marks and Spencer) happened and they made me so happy as it reminded me of being a child especially when Boo exclaimed just how soft they were as she rubbed the top of her thighs. And how could I resist this Boo t-shirt (also Marks and Spencer) for the ultimate Boo Cat.

We’ve been getting in the mood for tonight’s Trick or Treating by snuggling up and watching My Little Pony Spooktacular Tales. Gathering the round the city equivalent of a camp fire (hot chcocolate with far too many marshmallows) for six mysterious tales, as adventures unfold in the special new collection featuring all the pony favourites who come together for some ghostly escapades.

So now we’re suitably fuelled with hot chocolate and My Little Pony Spooktacular Tales it’s time to hit the streets for an evening of fun with trick or treating (my fun will come when Boo’s asleep later and I get to edit aka raid her sweetie haul). Whatever you’re up to this evening, have a blast and beware as there’s a Boo Cat around…

Disclosure: We were sent a copy of My Little Pony Friendship Magic Spooktacular Tales DVD for the purpose of review. All opinions are 100% honest.