Today the nation take to the polls and whoever gets your vote, there will inevitably be changes; for me a general election is a chance to stop and take stock of where you are and plan for the future.

I’ve always been a fan of a five year plan and funnily enough I made one back in 2010 – at that point I was still at university, childless and having loads of fun. Looking back I’ve in theory achieved my goals: I wanted to be back in London, which I am. I wanted to be settled in a career, never thought it would be blogging but it works perfectly and I love every minute… Oh and now I have a Boo – the cherry on the cake!

The last five years have been eventful, probably the most formative of my adult years. Becoming a mother is such a monumental (not forgetting hard but oh so rewarding) part of your life that for me there won’t be any major plans – instead I find my aspirations for the next five years to be much of the same; by that I mean stability for me and Boo. As I approach thirty there are of course the inevitable questions from friends and family as to when I’ll find Mr Right (Jeez I sound like Bridget Jones!) but I know things like that can’t be forced they simply happen when the time is right. Anyway I’m more focused on continuing to grow my blog and career to secure my family’s future.

I’ve made no secret of my hopes to move abroad and I’d like to think that if it does happen it would be within the next five years; a decisions as big as moving continents is one that takes time and lots of planning.

I have lots of friends who regularly have Psychic, clairvoyance, and astrology readings to try help map their future. Whilst I’ve never had a reading I can’t help think how much clarity they can give people as they’re helped to understand what the future holds for them. People are increasing turning to online services as they fit in with their busy lifestyles, whilst still offering the spiritual guidance they want, with a popular destination for many being TheCircle.

Overall my hopes and dreams for the next five years aren’t really related to material gain or career – whilst they are deeply important to me, what really matters is the happiness of Boo and as long as she’s healthy and happy then I’m on plan.

Post in association with TheCircle.

Roald Dahl was everything when I was growing up and along with popular classics such as James and the Giant Peach and Witches I loved Esio Trot, what can I say I’ve always had a thing for tortoises; they’re just too cute!

To celebrate the release of Esio Trot on DVD we were invited along to the Roald Dahl museum in Great Missenden – Boo and her friends Poppy had a great time and I absolutely loved being reminded of all the great characters who played such a big role in my childhood I can’t wait for Boo to fall in love with them as she learns to read.

The familiar tale of Esio Trot has been brought to life by director Richard Curtis with the iconic Dustin Hoffman and wonderful Judi Dench; not forgetting the hilarious James Corden.

Mr. Hoppy lives alone in his little flat in London. He has two main passions in life, his garden and Mrs. Silver who lives in the flat below. The pair often exchanges niceties but after five years shy Mr. Hoppy has never even dared to ask Mrs. Silver round for a cup of tea. Until one day when everything changes…

On the happiest day of Mrs. Silver’s life she adopts a tortoise named Alfie. Only a titchy tortoise, she fears that she will never truly be happy until Alfie gets bigger. Mr. Sliver devises a plan to help Alfie grow, and in doing so hopes that Mrs. Silver will grow to love him. He presents Mrs. Sliver with a Bedouin chant that must be read morning, noon and night. It starts to work and Alfie, slowly but surely doubles in size, or does he?

Esio Trot like all of Dahls’ tale is a wonderful world of imaginary fun and the film adaptation has done a great job in bringing this classic to life.

I’ve been given a copy of Esio Trot on DVD to give away. For your chance to win just complete at least one option on the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

Esio Trot is available now at Amazon.

Disclosure: We received a copy of Esio Trot on DVD for the purpose of this review, all opinions are our own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not a day goes by when we don’t hear of it being national something day – from bacon to golf there always seems to be a meme (or 800) that encourage you to get involved. However when I saw Vogue celebrate National Sibling Day, I felt it was fashionably safe to jump on the bandwagon.

You may already know that I have a sister, Grace who is younger than me – goodness knows the level of smugness she’ll feel not to mention demonstrate when I hit 30 before her!

We’ve been a #sistersister double act for more than twenty years, whether it’s been busting our moves in our swimsuits in the garden during summer circa 1995, or taking Monopoly way too seriously (I’m talking full blown feud level) to cruising down the Nile taking a ridiculous amount of selfies!

Grace is more than a sister, she was my first true friend, my first enemy – we Corriettes are stubborn! And as the years have gone by I’ve learnt to let go any teenage anger I still held over having to share a bedroom and now the ultimate friend and no doubt companion on retirement holidays when we’re silver and senile.

If I was to sum up what a sister meant to me, it would be like an alternative reflection of yourself in the mirror: me but different. The voice of reason when it’s needed but not always wanted and the kick you need to sometimes take the plunge. Plus who else can I legitimately terrorize with inappropriate voice notes on Whatsapp?!

So thank you Grace for being the Pam to my Rita, the ever annoying little sister and the friend and sister I love and admire.

For us Easter wouldn’t be Easter without a scattering of Lindt Gold Bunnies, and up until the 19th April you can head to some of the UK’s most beautiful parks and gardens nationwide to join in the hunt for iconic Lindt Gold Bunny, and discover the magic of Easter.

I love watching Boo enjoy chocolate hunts especially at Easter as she joins in with all the other children looking for clues that lead to the elusive chocolate!

The lovelies at Lindt treated us this Easter with a bumper hamper of Lindt goodies just in time for chocolate overload.

Believe it or not I’m not the biggest chocolate face at Easter, however I always make time for a Lindt Gold Bunny; normally after all the excitement of Easter Sunday when Boo is in bed and best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a good film!

Boo has inherited my love for the gold bunnies and the mini ones have been perfect as little treats, as she really enjoy being able to open them all by herself – not to mention that they’re gobbled in a mouthful or too.

The large soft Lindt toy was the perfect centerpiece for Boo’s Easter gifts and was an instant hit, with his little bell he is a jingly addition to Boo’s playmates – the perfect distraction for me to scoff ahem I mean delicately sample the little chick eggs, ha!

Disclosure: We were sent Slimming Solutions TeaTox for review. No payment was received and all opinions are 100% honest.