Mulled Cider Recipe, Bonfire Night & *Thermo Glasses Review*

I hope you all had a lovely bonfire night!

We celebrated Bert's first bonfire night at my inlaw's house which has become an annual tradition now. We had a bonfire, some fireworks (Bert was very brave!), sparklers, and a yummy dinner of sausages, jacket potatoes and beans (proper comfort food!). 

To go with all that yummy food I made a big pan of mulled cider, which really hit the spot - there's nothing quite like a warm spicy alcoholic drink for the cold winter season. 

Mulled Cider Recipe

2 litres of dry cider

1 litre of fresh pressed apple juice

3 shots of dark rum (or more if you're really feeling like a party!)

3 or 4 apples cut into slices (I used Braeburn)

1 orange cut into slices

7 allspice berries

8 cloves

4 cinnamon sticks 

3 star anise 

Let all the ingredients mull on a low heat on the hob - the longer it heats the better it tastes. Keep it on a low heat with a ladle at the ready for party guests to help themselves to. 

We devoured pretty much the whole pan last night between the 6 of us!! (hic hic!) 

Yum! yum! 

If you're looking for a glass to drink your mulled cider from then I have the perfect suggestion for you...

I used these brilliant thermo glasses from Ozeri...

Ozeri Moderna Artisan Series Double Wall 8 oz Thermo Glasses (set of 4)

Ozeri sent me these fab glasses to try out, and I just love them. 

Here's the deets...

• Set of 4 heat and shatter resistant borosilicate glasses that each holds 8 oz.
• Stronger and more durable than common glass, each glass features two opposing mouth-blown dimples that allow for a natural and effortless grip.
• Patent-pending double wall design that suspends drinks within an inner wall, creating an engaging optical effect.
• Designed to keep your hands cool with hot drinks, and free of condensation with chilled beverages.
• Completely dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe. Ships in an elegant 4 color printed box with a 1 Year Warranty. Satisfaction Guaranteed.

I absolutely love these glasses. Not only do they look fabulous, but they also do the job in terms of holding hot punches/mulled drinks without causing a hot glass. They are comfortable to hold and nicely warm on your hands without burning.

the cheesy pose! me drinking my mulled cider at my in law's house

Each glass feels very light to hold, they are made from tough glass, and each one looks slightly different as they are all made from hand-blown glass. I think this makes them really individual - you'll definitely receive compliments from people when you use them! I love the thumb print indents around the glasses which make them easy and comfortable to hold.

We all used the glasses last night for the mulled cider and everyone thought they were great! My Mother-in-Law said she loved how because they're glass and transparent you can see what you're drinking, see all the lovely pretty fruit floating in the top, and can see how much you've drunk/got left in your glass easily.

the hubby doing the obligatory pose! 

I cannot wait to use the glasses again for our annual Christmas party when they'll be used for mulled wine. 

Perfect!

The thermo glasses can be used for cold drinks as well; because they have doubled walls you won't get any condensation on the glass either. Bonus!

A great addition to anyone's kitchen - they would also be a great gift for a party-throwing person this Christmas. 

They retail at £29.99 for a set of 4, and are available on Amazon. 

I hope you all had fun on bonfire night too...

Mrs B 

xxx

Here's the firework/bonfire/sparkler shots....

Disclaimer: I was sent the Ozeri thermo glasses for the purpose of this review, however, all words and opinions are my own. 

The “Little Wins” and “Big Wins” of Parenthood *picture heavy*

So, I’ve now been a mummy for 10 whole weeks, and it is everything I could have ever hoped it would be, and more. Of course, at times it is difficult, tiring, frustrating...but most of the time it is full of so much happiness. 

I thought that today I would share with you some of the observations I've made of parenthood since becoming a mummy myself... the tiny moments that you cherish, and conversely the things you miss and then totally re-appreciate when you experience them again! 

I've broken them down into 'Little Wins' - those tiny moments that I've come to appreciate, and 'Big Wins' the utterly magical moments of being a mummy that I will never ever forget. 

Little Wins…

-drinking an actual HOT cup of tea or coffee

-eating a whole meal from beginning to end without having to pick up the baby, feed the baby, rock the baby in his bouncy chair with one foot while sitting at the dining room table.

-sleeping for the WHOLE night undisturbed (I have to admit, I’m so lucky on this front, as Bert has been sleeping through since about 4 weeks old).

-realising at the end of the day that your outfit isn’t covered in little white sick stains!

-going to the toilet without bubba watching you in his bouncy chair

-having a bath or shower without bubba watching you in his bouncy chair.

- sitting down to read a book/magazine/facebook or do some crafting for longer than a few stolen minutes undisturbed.

-leaving the house (without baby i.e. date night) and realising you can take a pretty handbag which doesn’t way a TON!

-actually arriving ON TIME for something (I still don’t think this has happened yet!)

-managing to get up, washed, teeth brushed, hair brushed and dressed before lunch time (this doesn’t happen very often!).

-painting my nails and not smudging them after 30 seconds.

-having a conversation that doesn’t involve poo/wee/sick/milk/labour/nappies! (a rarity!)

As well as these ‘little wins’, parenthood is FULL of amazing ‘big wins’ too, that make the tough moments all worthwhile….

The ‘Big Wins’ of parenthood…

-snuggles with Bert at any time of the day or night, they’re always magical!

-seeing Bert smile at me properly for the first time, and then every subsequent smile after that!

-When he grabs hold of my hand, hair, clothes and snuggles into me.

-Hearing the cute funny gargling noises he makes, which are getting more controlled and more in response to us chatting at him, it is truly magical watching your baby learn and grow.

-showing Bert off to family and friends, it never gets boring.

- smelling his lovely baby hair, always makes me feel calm and happy.

-the funny nappy changes when he manages to either pee in his own face, poo on my arm, poo on the carpet – all of which have happened at some point over the last 10 weeks. 

Always hilarious!

- the compliments from strangers when we’re out about how lovely Bert is, always makes me super-proud!

-Bert’s first smile of the morning when I lean over his crib and say “good morning’ and he just beams at me – amazing!

-Capturing the 'perfect' photo of him...

-Witnessing any of Bert’s “firsts” – first time we took him swimming, first time in the baby bath, his first photo shoot, and his first time in the ‘big boy bath’ etc.

-Seeing my husband being so gentle and cute and amazing with Bert, any mum will know how much this makes you melt inside.

-dressing Bert up in a super-cute outfit….and taking zillions of photos of him.

What are your 'little win' and 'big win' moments of parenthood? 

I would love to hear them .

Bye for now!

xx Mrs B xx

*GIVEAWAY* From Tea & Ceremony

I have recently discovered this gorgeous little site - Tea & Ceremony - which is full of stunning paper goods - cards, prints, and cutesy gifts - perfect for Christmas, Birthdays, and any gift-giving occasion. 

All of the items are designed by the very talented Sandra Igbodo and all her orders are assembled, packed and posted by her at home. Her designs are bold and colourful, full of fun and inspired by Scandinavian design. 

I truly fell in love with her designs, and am so glad to have discovered this little gem of a website. I love to buy cards and gifts that I know aren't likely to be duplicated - there's something quite sad about receiving multiple copies of the same design card at Christmas/Birthdays, and I know that if I buy from Tea & Ceremony it will be something funky and different for the recipient. 

Sandra sent me some of her gorgeous Christmas cards, and I cannot WAIT to send them off to friends and family. On average I send around 50 Christmas cards each year, and I love them to be different, fun and sometimes personalised (that's another post for another day! watch this space..!). Sandra's 'Festive Food' cards are right up my street - I'm such a foodie, and as you know I love that vintage look - so this set of 4 cards really hit the spot! 

Tea & Ceremony's

Festive Food Christmas Card Collection £8.00

The designs are so lovely - here they are up close...

If you fancy sending some quirky cards this Christmas why not head over to Tea & Ceremony for a browse, you won't regret it ;-)

*GIVEAWAY*

Sandra has been extra-lovely and sent me a gorgeous print to giveaway to one of my lucky readers. The print is called 'Crafting Makes Me Happy' and is worth £10.00.

It measures 21cm x 29.7cm. 

The 'Crafting Makes Me Happy' print features an illustration of assorted sewing and knitting tools including knitting needles, vintage cotton reels, antique scissors and a decorative thimble. The illustration is digitally printed on smooth off-white 220gsm cartridge paper that is 100% acid free.

This print will be packaged in a protective plastic sleeve and shipped in a board-backed padded envelope to reach you in perfect condition.

The print is a perfect gift for the avid crafter, or lovely to keep for your own home. 

To enter just use the Rafflecopter widget below! 

Good Luck!

Mrs B

xxxx

a Rafflecopter giveaway