We’ve been to Pizza Express before but not for a while and after a lovely half term week I fancied closing the kitchen and having dinner out so we were delighted to have been invited by Pizza Express to enjoy the new fun-packed Paddington experience at our local Pizza Express in Wilmslow.

The restaurant was busy with lots of families on Friday evening, I always find it more relaxing to know we’re in a family friendly environment and one where I can feed the family and not then have to tidy the kitchen and get a glass of wine is a bonus! I really like the open kitchen at Pizza Express, there’s something reassuring about the quality of the kitchen and freshness of the ingredients and food sharing the full process with all customers.

The kids ordered from the Piccolo menu having dough balls with cucumber and Salad to start, followed by their choice of pizza or pasta dishes and dessert and Bambinoccino. Mr L and I both ordered Romana Pizzas, Il Padrino with a side of polenta chips for him and a hot and spicy Etna with a side of coleslaw for me. Orders placed and drinks arrived the Mr H and Diva G focussed on the activity sheets. There was plenty to keep H aged 7 and G aged 5 occupied drawing, colouring, word searching and puzzling.

The dough balls landed, were split and spread with garlic butter and quickly eaten up. Our main courses arrived and our Romana pizzas were so much bigger than the Pizza Express pizzas I recall from previous visits, thinner, crisper and certainly my pizza of choice now. Diva G enjoyed pasta and Mr H pizza and then returned to drawing their Paddington competition entries having ordered our desserts. A lovely vanilla cheesecake, Tiramisu, chocolate brownie and ice-cream sundae arrived, followed by a coffee to wrap up a lovely family supper out.

Thanks very much for having us for dinner Pizza Express we were very well looked after, the food was great, Mr H and Diva G loved the activity sheets it kept them occupied for the whole meal, we all had a great time!

Having watched loads of beauty haul videos and with a large box of goodies from my Arbonne business landing for my lovely clients in January 2015 I thought I’d get my Vlog on and share the loveliness …

• RE9 Wrinkle filler – currently sold out (16/02/2015) sorry! Will update when available!
• RE9 Advanced skincare
• Arbonne Intelligence Genius Skin Resurfacing Pads
• Arbonne Calm Sensitive Skin Range
• Setting Pretty Translucent Loose Powder
• Lips – Lipstick and Lip polish
• SeaSource Renewing Body Gelée

So what do you think of my step into vlogging? Let me know your thoughts!

https://www.arbonneinternational.co.uk  Consultant ID 441264686 

It’s a simple blog post title but one with big meaning.

Why do I do what I do? I work to provide my family with security, lifestyle, good things, nice things, fun things. My freelance contracting, PR and social media business is going well I have a family friendly, term time-ish work life balance but there is a but. The but is, I am one, I am not scalable and if I don’t work I don’t get paid and whilst that’s all manageable as long as my not working is on my terms but when that not working is caused by an illness, mine or one of the smalls, then it’s not so fine. I need that plan B before I need it, that’s what I need a plan B, if that makes sense.

I’ve looked at different options over the last year including moving back to an employed role, looked properly at that right down to having a job offer which I declined because I like what I do and how I do it I just need an additional income stream. Easier said than done, or so I thought. Then I discovered Arbonne, introduced to me by a new mummy pal at school. I’ll be honest I was dubious, but I’ve never been one to turn an opportunity down without understanding it first and having taken the time to understand the business and having already fallen in love with the products I decided to get involved at the end of last year. And you know what? It’s going well, really well and I have some confidence in what I am doing and that I will get the financial security and time freedom I desperate crave for my family and I. You might have seen some of posts on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and this post hopefully explains the new string to my bow. I know where do I find the time? I find the time because the end game is worth it and I want and deserve the end game!

So now you know why I began my journey with Arbonne International, I’m just two months in and I think I will always kick myself for not looking closer at the opportunity five years ago when someone first tried to introduce Arbonne to me – better late than never, all aboard the Arbonne train to health, wealth & happiness! I will be hosting regular virtual spa’s online, the first will be later in February, so if you are interested in joining in, trying the products and learning more I would love that. Just tweet me @Cheshire_Claire or email me: lancaster dot claire @gmail.com

Consultant ID 441264686 

You may have noticed a new badge on my sidebar, I am really excited to have been invited to be an ambassador for a brand new festival for 2015, Geronimo. Geronimo will make its debut over the May Bank Holiday weekend (Sat 23 – Mon 25 May) a long weekend of organised mayhem just down to the road from me at Tatton Park in Cheshire. 

Making the most of the beautiful woodlands at Tatton Park, the Adrenaline Zone will challenge even the bravest adventurers with a high ropes course, tree climbing, den making and a thrilling zip line that will reach speeds of up to 60KPH!

For those who like things a little less fast paced there’s also plenty of storytelling and the chance to picnic with characters from Alice in Wonderland.

Geronimites are also invited to join a host of big names on the Geronostage. Already signed up to appear are CBeebies favourite Mr. Bloom, who will be performing live twice a day.  CBeebies ‘I Can Cook’ presenter, Katy Ashworth, will also be making three live stage appearances daily, along with daily meet and greets. More live acts to be announced soon.

Creative kids can join in the many craft workshops in the Funky Junk Zone.  From cookie decorating to buggy makeovers, festival-goers are also invited to take part in Geronimo’s live art project throughout the weekend. Be prepared for a glitter overload!

Gasp in awe at the breathtaking aerial trapeze artists or laugh out loud at the clowns in the Circus Zone with regular shows taking place throughout the day. Fancy learning a skill or two? Head to the circus skills workshop and learn the tricks of the trade or catch the family classic Punch & Judy shows that will be taking place daily – That’s the way to do it! And keep your eyes peeled, you might spot a mini circus act roaming throughout the festival!

Other activity confirmed includes a pop-up petting farm, giant sandpits, camel rides, marvelous bubble shows and a super bouncy inflatable village in the 3ft & Under Zone.

For kids who love a dance the Groovy Zone offers great activities including zumba workshops, dressing up areas, dance classes with Baby Ballet and even Geronimo’s own disco – playing all the favourite party tunes!

Geronimo is aimed at families with children aged between 2 and 12 years old.  Geronimo Early Bird tickets go on sale on February 2 priced £16pp, with family passes starting from £75. To purchase tickets and for more information visit geronimofest.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

I’m going, hope to see you there too! Claire x

One of my favourite local haunts is The Botanist in Alderley Edge. I’ve shared here before their fabulous children’s menu, their ale tasting and cocktail masterclasses are big fun. I bet you didn’t know that my pals and I are the 2014 champions of The Botanist pub quiz? Well you do now and the monthly quiz was a good night planned on the calendar most months.

There’s something quintessentially British about a pub quiz, and very therapeutic to put the brain cells to task rather than putting the question into Google. So once a month at least four of us booked babysitters, enjoyed a lovely meal, turned off our phones and unleashed our competitive sides. The questions challenged us on topics such as celebrity, entertainment, botany (well it is held at The Botanist), geography and general knowledge. The music rounds are always our favourite as The Botanist has live music every night the “questions” to complete song titles, lyrics, artists are played live by the pianist in residence.

The Botanist Quiz night rocks – great food and cocktails, live music, challenging questions, £50 bar tab for the winning team, a prize which we have enjoyed at least five times in 2014 and some cracking team names. One of the best thing about pub quizzes is hearing the names at the end, team names that have made me smile and gasp over the year have included “rock paper quizzers” and “Oscar Quiztorius”! Ours is the best, obviously, “The Fact Hunt” … think about it!

Do you fancy your chances at beating the 2014 champion pub quiz team? Get some pals, head down to The Botanist quiz night, switch off your phone and get quizzical. Stay connected with The Botanist on Facebook and Twitter @TheBotanistAE to ensure you have the next Pub Quiz dates in your diary.

Claire x