What a week! Not a bad week, just a busy week!!
Here are my reasons to be thankful this week.



Firstly, we had a wonderful half term last week, it was really nice to have a break from the school routine. And to spend time with the little's. I really enjoy having them home, I miss them dearly when they are at school. I am however grateful that we are back into the school routine. I really DO love routine a lot, especially our school routine. I thought it would take us a week or two to get back into it but not the case this time, the kids fitted right back into it! I do not like the early mornings, I must admit but all is good :)

I'm also thankful that I have my fitness mojo back. Not gonna lie, I lost it for a few days and got a bit lazy. I still worked out - half heatedly but none the less, I am back to enjoying it again! I've been eating really healthy too. Lets hope I can reach my goal by the summer!

I am happy that it's my birthday this weekend. The big THREE ZERO! Still can't believe I'm going to be 30 years old, haha. It will be nice to have a relaxing weekend though. To be honest, I'm more excited that I get a child free night tomorrow night! The boys will be at there dads house and E will be at her friends sleepover. Woohoo. I'll indulge in a nice, long, hot bubble bath with one of my beautiful bath bombs and a good book! 


What are you thankful for this week?

Sarah xXx

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Now, one of my goals for this year is to make more of an effort with myself. That includes make up and making myself look presentable. Just because I'm a mum doesn't mean I can't make more of an effort with myself! I get so wrapped up in getting the kids ready and rushing around doing this, that and the other, that I actually forget or don't have time to bother with myself. Me of all people know how hard it is to find time to do hair and make up but if getting up a little earlier means I can make myself look nice, then so be it! It also makes me feel better about myself and more confident when I've made an effort with myself, you know? So when Direct Cosmetics asked me if I'd like to review some make up, I of course jumped at the opportunity.

I was kindly sent the W7 cosmetics in the buff natural eyeshadow palette.


I really like the packaging of this eye palette, it's a metal case with a foam inner section which the eye shadows sit in. The palette contains twelve eye shadows with a combination of shimmer ones and matt ones, too! Personally My own personal favourites are the 'Earth' and 'Dust' shades.The palette includes the shades 'Buff, Camel, Sand, Dust, Chocolate, Topaz, Earth, Storm, Silk, Wave, Thunder and Oynx' There is also a small eyeshadow brush that comes with the palette. This fits perfectly in place and is perfect for applying the eyeshadow.


This is a really lovely natural palette that creates a natural look. The eye shadows seem to stay on the eyes for a good few hours without coming off and fading. This product is currently priced at £4.99 (at the time of writing this review) and I'd say it is worth the money.


The 'Elizabeth Arden Advanced Eye-Fix Primer' is an eyeshadow primer in a natural colour, which means it can also be worn on it;s own, for a natural look. I find a little bit goes a long way. I applied a thin layer to my eyelids and then applied the eye shadow. I did find that the eyeshadow was easier to apply after priming my eye lids with this primer first, I also found that the eyeshadow blended easier, too! My eyeshadow stayed on my eyes a lot longer than usual! It also Also provides a barrier to prevent moisture loss. This product is Dermatologist, allergy and clinically tested.



I was also sent the 'Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara' in the shade 02 black brown. Which is currently priced at £10.99 on sale. The first thing I noticed was the packaging, I love the packaging a lot. I also like the bottle the mascara comes in, it's a really pretty gold and has a metallic look and feel to it. The mascara itself is a really smooth texture and comes with an amazing brush. The mascara goes on so, so smoothly, it separates my eye lashes really well and has a very natural look in my opinion.


This mascara is infused with Ceramide Triple Complex and Keravis which helps to lengthen and strengthen eye lashes. I really, do like this mascara very much and would totally recommend this mascara. 



I also really liked the L'Oreal Visible Lift Instant Lift Foundation. I've used this foundation a few times now and I do find it DOES give an instant lift, it also leaves my skin looking more smoother and younger. The foundation also contains an anti wrinkle formula which is always a plus. However, personally I think this shade (130 golden beige/natural dore) would suit my skin tone better when I have a tan, I'd probably find that it leaves my skin looking more radiant if I had a tan, with it being winter, I am quite pale at the moment. It's quite a light fluid textured foundation but I do like the texture and how it leaves my skin feeling. Again, I find a little bit goes a long way but then I don't like to wear too much foundation any way. I'm confident that I'll be using this product a lot during the summer, when I have a tan.


Again, I really like the packaging. The foundation is contained in a glass bottle with a gold plastic rim. I like the fact that it has a pump, which makes it much easier to pump out of the bottle.


Overall these products gave me a lovely natural look. I am not one for going all out there with colours, mainly because I've never really tried. Nor am I a makeup expert. I really do like these products, especially the mascara.

Direct Cosmetics sell a very wide range of beauty products and fragrances. They are all very, very reasonably priced, many on sale at the time of writing this review.
You can also follow Direct Cosmetics on Twitter.

What is your favourite make up product? Let me know in comments, I am always looking out for new products to try! Especially as I'll be making more of an effort with myself this year. :)

Sarah xXx

I was sent these products/samples for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own, personal, honest opinions. I was no paid to write this review. All photos were taken by myself! Please ask permission if you would like to use them.

We had such a lovely half term last week. We managed to get out quite a bit and enjoy the mild weather. I am so thankful the weather was really mild during half term. We went to the park and for a long walk through the meadows and on a different day we took a lovely bus ride to a different area! We enjoyed a small walk in the words and fun on two different play parks.






 The little's also enjoyed a game of football on the big field and then we stopped for a snack! Yummy.




We also took a lovely stroll along the river bank and saw the swans and ducks! It's such a beautiful place! We can't wait to go crabbing here again in the summer time. Charlie found the boats rather fascinating!


The swans decided they were going to cross the road which Ellie thought was dangerous but hilarious at the same time! "The swans are holding the traffic up" she giggled. She thought it was so funny that the cars had to wait for the swans to finish crossing the road. Thankfully there are warning signs to alert the drivers.




 We spotted half of an old water pump the other day when we went for a walk but this time, it's fully intact, the kids and I found this very fascinating and talked about how in the 'olden days' the local people would use this pump to collect water! 


By the end of the day we were all tired and ready to get the bus back home! It was a very lovely day though and we hope we can do it again soon!
We are all so, so excited for spring and the better weather that comes along with it! :)

We spotted some flowers to remind us Spring isn't far away!

I hope you all had an enjoyable half term. We sure did!

Sarah xXx

This is the kids meal plan for this week! I'm on a 'diet' so I won't be having the same as what they eat.
I also have bits that need using up in the freezer.. like chicken! 

Monday - Sausage, egg and home made chips with baked beans.

Tuesday - Home made Lasagne with turkey mince, fries and garlic bread.

Wednesday - Chicken curry with rice and naan bread.

Thursday - Beef stew (slow cooker!)

Friday - Pizza day! (A selection of pizzas)

Saturday - Chicken Korma with Pilau rice and naan bread.

Sunday - Sunday roast dinner.

What's on your meal plan this week?

Sarah xXx