The Star Name Registry is the UK's no.1 online star registry. Naming your star is as easy as filling in a really short form and it will be added into the Star Name Registry within 24 hours. You star will be visible from the UK and their gift sets are ideal for just about anyone. We've been sent the Extra Bright Star Gift Set to review.


The Extra Bright Star Gift Set comes in a plain presentation box. Pretty and protective, I was able to just tie it up with a ribbon to give it as a gift - and my partner had no idea what was going to be inside, nor would he ever have guessed.

I spotted Penguin Pile Up on the Ravensburger stand at Blog On Conference and really wanted to try it, so I pestered the poor man until he handed it over. A balancing game which can be played solo or by up to 6 players aged 5+, this is one I knew my 7 year old would love.


Everything fits neatly inside the box and there's no waste packaging or plastic aside from the outer plastic wrap and the bags for the separate penguin parts.

Our latest review for Meccano is the Chevrolet Corvette Car Model. A 279 piece model for age 10 and over, this gorgeous bright yellow vehicle is the most grown-up oldest-rated Meccano model we've reviewed so far.


Inside the box you have the all-important instruction booklet plus 3 bags of parts. One of the bags contains 6 smaller bags, including one housing the Meccano tools.

Last week I was invited to the Bury branch of Hotter Shoes to take a good look at their Summer collection. A huge array of sandals, pumps and lighter shoes in a fabulous variety of colours and all with the Hotter Shoe 'Comfort Concept' sole.


I first visited Hotter Shoes almost 3 years ago and took home a gorgeous pair of blue shoes. I still love them. I've worn them a lot and they've been reliable and comfortable. No frays, holes or loosening seams and miles of walking. I even went so far as to protect and waterproof them last year in my Liquiproof review.

Waterside Arts Centre is host to a lovely intimate theatre, workspaces, studios and galleries. Literally 'waterside', alongside the canal in the heart of Sale it really is a lovely venue to visit with family. We were invited to an after-school 5pm performance of The First Hippo On The Moon.


Despite worries about traffic, we arrived in plenty of time to enjoy the artwork around the cafe. They have a huge list of drinks of offer - both alcoholic and not - as well as a few snacks.

The First Hippo On The Moon is based on the book for younger children (aged 3+) by David Walliams and was presented by Les Petits Theatre Company using puppetry. One costumed actor plays the lead and the supporting cast of 4 actors played all of the other animals.

There are fabulous events and activities for families this half term all over Manchester and the Northwest. People have spent months planning and putting together shows, workshops and theatre. Why not try something new...

 Here are some of our favourites - if you have anything to add, please email it to me..

Don't forget your local museum and library, entry is usually free and they arrange all sorts for the holidays - here is a great post by Jollies And Jaunts with 10 quirky items you can find in Manchester Musems.

MANCHESTER AREA

I'm an incomer to Manchester. I've been here 10 years. There'll always be a part of me that belongs back in Derby, but Manchester is my home and it's where I've raised my children. I've felt welcome here from the start and that famous Manchester Pride is contagious. It's even more prevalent than the persistent rain...



I feel heartbroken this week that the city I love so much has been attacked. The city, the people, the kids, the Arena, the love of music. Manchester is the only place you can stand in the queue at little Tesco between a pensioner in a Stone Roses t-shirt and a kid in a Smiths t-shirt and know they chose their own clothes. Music is everywhere, everyone I know has been to Manchester Arena. We've all stood where that bomb went off. And we all know of someone who has been injured or killed...

I feel so desperately sad and angry for the people who have lost their loved ones. The families and friends who will spend the rest of forever standing beside an empty space. The parents who lost their children, the children who will have to navigate their lives without a parent. All the lost hope.

I'm broken for the teenagers just launching into adventures without an accompanying adult - doing what young people are meant to do. What my children do. Dating and falling in love, enjoying that precious carefree time. For the children at their first music gig with their parents. For the parents having a night off. Not one of those injured or witness will be able to just pick up and carry on. None of those people's lives will ever be the same again.

We did it! Yeeay! I've been quiet on the blog because I was incredibly busy helping to prepare for BlogOn Conference at the Museum Of Science and Industry in Manchester, but it's all over for now (4 months until the next one!).


Huge thanks to everyone who attended - I hope you also thought it was friendly and welcoming - as well as hopefully a good laugh. It was awesome to see so many PR's, brands and bloggers in person.

I checked people in with Sim when you arrived, and handed out goody bags at the end, but in between I did manage to take some photos...

Last year a small black kitten appeared at our door crying one morning. I've never been a big fan of cats, in fact the opposite, so believe me when I say I tried REALLY hard to find his owner, much to my family's annoyance. When he turned out to be very poorly, we guessed he had been dumped on purpose.

Gary's medical problem was a little delicate and involved the girth of his manhood, but an operation could give Gary a full and healthy life. Unknown to us, at least at first, a lot of Bloggers gave away the price of a cup of coffee or paid 50p to have a go on the Blog On Lucky Dip.


Those pounds were enough to allow us to rescue Gary and still have food for my children to eat. Eight months later, it's only fair that he gives everyone an update....and a pretty huge Thank You x

Share a recent picture of you (if you are an anonymous blog, a drawing is fine).


Describe yourself in three words. I'm a cat.

It's the 15th of the month and time to share the smiles again. Hopefully everyone has had some of that glorious sunshine - although it's tanking it down here just now! Thank you to everyone who shared their #tbcsmiles photos over the last month - they are genuinely such a pleasure to see and picking the handful to show you is now my children's job because it takes me hours to choose...

This month has been easier for us and I can share the fantastic news that our young person has been discharged from hospital. It's been their home from home for most of the past 2 years, but now they are so well that in fact they have already got a job and plans to return to education in September. They've also honed some pretty mean cooking skills and I had my dinner made for me last Friday. It was the best curry I could ever eat in my life because it was not only delicious, it meant so much. I really couldn't be happier and prouder.