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.

It’s been three years since I finally ditched the habitual new years’ resolutions – I was done with the yearly new year new me that inevitably would fall by the way side before the end of January. I’m not the biggest lover of winter, I was made for all year round warmth and with Christmas stripped back it’s plain old dreary. However starting last year I decided not be sucked into the negativity of January – no blue Monday for me; instead I chose to focus on all the things that January brings: productivity, purpose and new starts.

Now before you collectively roll your eyes at me, I promise I’ve not gone completely new age on you. For me it’s abut not allowing the mass negativity of the new year to drag me down. I look for all the opportunities that the fresh calendar brings; after the joyous but inevitably manic month of December there’s something calming yet energising about a quieter month.

And now I’m going to completely contradict myself: One of the best ways to start your year with as much positivity and productivity is to plan ahead. Knowing that I struggle with January it was great to have a bloggers retreat booked, which saw us fly up to Inverness for a breathtakingly beautiful couple of days – leaving me refreshed and recharged ready for the remaining winter months.

Big thank you to Mel for this snap of me from out recent trip to the Scottish Highlands

As cliche as it sounds, January is also the perfect opportunity to take a step back and take the long/wider view – be it professionally, personally or simply trying to find the illustrious balance between the two. Looking ahead to the year shouldn’t fill you with dread instead, with excitement as to what the year may hold.

January isn’t about changing the story of who you are, it’s the chance for a fresh page, a brand new chapter on the most exciting story… you.