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fionachapman1 · 4 years

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#moneysavingtip! . Ok, joking aside, who else thinks stockings are a big money-spinner? . You want to stuff your kids’ Christmas stockings and so buy a few small bits. Only, because you’re trying to save money, the small bits only fill the toes. So you add some sweeties and some clementines/satsumas (as is the tradition), and it still looks crap, so you try to find something from the selection of “tree presents”, to add to said stocking and bulk it out. . Only, now, it doesn’t look like there’s enough under the tree. . STOP! You don’t need to go out and buy any more presents. . You have bought enough. . And to solve the stingy stocking problem, either do away with it, or make a stocking with your child out of an old adult boot sock, decorating it up for Christmas. . They get to spend time with you, to be creative, and they’ll love to hang their pride and joy on their door/end of the bed/mantelpiece for Santa to stuff. . . . #christmas #christmasstocking #christmasshopping #stockingfillers #stockinggifts #savemoney #craftwithkids #moneysaving #debtfreejourney #debtfreecommunity #debtfreeuk #debtfreecommunityuk #debtfreejourneyuk # #getoutofdebt #getridofdebt #everypennycounts #misspennymoney #debt #debtproblems #debtsnowball #babysteps #babystep2 #stopspending #nospend #reducespending https://www.instagram.com/p/B6FxTwVlO3z/?igshid=tngb8ddnkxfr

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fionachapman1 · 4 years

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Just got some Christmas gifts from Argos and just had an email from Quidco to say my Cashback has tracked. Nice! . Seriously, I don’t know why but I always forget to do my shopping through Cashback sites. When I think of all the money I could have got back over the years 🙈 . I’ve only ever used it for energy switches and stuff and I’ve seriously been missing out. . If you’ve never used a Cashback site, you’re seriously missing out too! . I have a referral code if you’d like to sign up and get some money back on your purchases too! . . . #cashback #quidco #savemoney #makemoney #debtsnowball #debt #christmas #debtfree #debtfreejourney #debtfreegoals #debtfreecommunity #financialfreedom #moneymotivation #everypennycounts #misspennymoney #blogger #moneyblogger #debtproblems #debtfreecommunityuk #babysteps #babystep2 #getoutofdebt #financialfreedomstartshere #expenses #moneyissues #takecontrol #getridofdebt #christmasshoppimg https://www.instagram.com/p/B6EL77ulk6u/?igshid=tlkbvtur2tbd

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fionachapman1 · 6 years

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Why I won’t be having a party for my 40th

When a friend posted on Facebook about her birthday, asking friends whether she should party or cry, I began to think of my own impending big 4 – 0 at the end of this year. Party or cry? Which would I do? How do I actually feel about turning 40? I think on a subconscious level, I’m not too happy about it. There’s this big thing about turning 40; a big taboo that says once you turn 40, you’re…

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#Baby loss #Cancer #Grief #Growing Up #motherhood #Self-Development #Turning 40 #working-mum

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fionachapman1 · 6 years

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Book Review: Haven, by Lindsay J. Pryor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ She’s done it again. It never fails to amaze me the incredible skill that Lindsay J. Pryor has for creating a world – a world that’s been in the making for a very long time. Settings and plot lines and districts and locales, full-bodied characters with enough history to fill a library. The dedication she’s made to her stories; her characters, and the world in which they are…

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#Blackthorn #Book Reviews #books #Haven #Lindsay J Pryor #paranormal romance #romance #Supernatural #vampires

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fionachapman1 · 6 years

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Haven.

The wait is finally over... Haven is here.

That one word is all we need. Because today’s the day that Haven – A Lowtown novel – is finally released. Haven is the first book in the new standalone series by Lindsay J. Pryor – the spin-off to the absolutely fantastic Blackthorn series. The build-up has been spectacular. The excitement, the suspense, and the sheer delight as we countdown the days until this amazing author has her first –…

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#Blackthorn #Haven #Lindsay J Pryor #Lowtown #novels #paranormal #paranormal romance #reading #romance #vampires

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fionachapman1 · 6 years

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Book Review: The Keepers: Archer, by Rae Rivers

The Keepers: Archer by Rae Rivers My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sienna. A powerful Beckham Witch, and her Keepers. And the forbidden feelings between Sienna… and one particular Keeper: Archer. Sienna and her Keepers (brothers Archer, Ethan and Declan) have grown up together. They’re blood-bound to protect her. They’ll do anything to keep her safe. But things get a little tricky when Sienna and Archer…

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#Archer #Beckham Witch #book review #Halloween #paranormal #paranormal romance #rae rivers #reading #reviews #the keepers #The Vampire Diaries #Witches

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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Book Review: The Writer and The Rake, by Shehanne Moore

The Writer and the Rake by Shehanne Moore My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love a bit of time travel romance, so I was looking forward to falling into this story and discovering how the two main characters would stumble across each other – or, in the heroine’s case, appear in the 18th century in the blink of an eye. Brittany is your classic heroine; she portrays a strong, don’t-mess-with-me,…

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#Book Reviews #reading #reviews #Shehanne Moore #The Writer and The Rake #Time Mutants #time travel #writing

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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The October half-term holiday.

That came around quicker than most of us expected, and if you’re like me, you probably haven’t made any solid plans yet. When it comes to work, planning is something I’m on top of. And yet when it comes to family life, we kind of fly by the seat of our pants. Well, you have to, don’t you? Who knows what’s going to crop up during the course of a day, or a week.

You could plan your days and weeks as meticulously as you dare, but it’s unlikely to stick.

But still, when it comes to the holidays, you find yourself wishing you’d set up a more solid plan and had a few days out tucked up your sleeve.

So, here’s a plan.

#WikiVentures!!

Are you on Instagram? If you are, you might be familiar with the various challenges you see crop up in your feed.

When Wiki Places For Kids mentioned a parenting/half-term holiday challenge to me and suggested that parents set their own challenge, I wanted to share this idea with all the other parents I know to join in the fun.

It’s a simple concept. Make memories, not stress.

To make your half-term holiday one to remember, rather than one fuelled with hair-pulling (that’s you, not the kids). A holiday to help you enjoy your children and cherish the short time you have with them. The short time before they morph into independent teens young adults who want to do their own thing, and think parents are embarrassing (sadly, it happens).

5 themes. 5 days. 5 challenges

Indoor Play

Forest walk

Park time

Animals

Culture

They can be anything.

Indoor play doesn’t have to be expensive soft-play. It might just feature den-building indoors with some cushions and blankets. Or you could use the site wikiplacesforkids.com for some pointers on where to go, if you need to take the kids to burn off some energy and love to get involved in the soft-play antics.

Round up the kiddies and take them to your nearest forest, to see how many different shaped leaves you can find.

Take them to the park at least once in the week.

Go animal-spotting at a zoo, an open-farm, or even on a woodland walk. You could even write a list of common animals for your children to spot, and have a prize for the winner (and something for the runners-up, because no-one likes to be a loser).

Experience some culture. Visit a museum. Your local library.

The linked photos are just a few ideas to kick-start your thought process.

It’s a simple process; make memories, not stress.

So go on, get involved, and share your adventures with WikiPlacesForKids on social media, hashtag #WikiVentures and be part of something fun!

This post was written for WikiPlacesForKids.com, THE place to go for epic days out, or that much needed hour out of the house.

Will you make it through the half-term? It's a simple concept: make memories, not stress. The October half-term holiday. That came around quicker than most of us expected, and if you're like me, you probably haven't made any solid plans yet.

#WikiVentures #Childhood memories #Days out #Days out with kids #Family Time #Get outside #half term #Halloween #Indoor fun #Mom Life #motherhood #Mum Life #parenthood #parenting #School holidays

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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A New Year, a new challenge (or 2!)

It’s a New Year, a new start, a promise of new beginnings and good intentions of success. After a hiatus of a few weeks, I’m ready to start the year with renewed ambition – together with perhaps one of life’s most challenging roles a person can undertake. Because alongside the rocky road to publication, 2015 sees the arrival of our third baby – having experienced the heart-breaking time of losing…

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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Haven by Lindsay J Pryor

Can’t wait to read this book, love Lindsay Pryor’s writing 😊

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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How's Your Handwriting?

How’s Your Handwriting?

I’ve just read a post on handwriting from a lovely lady over at Plutonium Sox and it’s inspired my own post out of interest in other writers and their habits. The post discusses the differences in learning how to write, and how handwriting can help with fine motor skills. It took me back to my own learning experience in Primary School; I specifically recall learning joined-up writing, and I…

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#creative #handwriting #writing

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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Mum, Me, More – Parenting Blog

Is it time to release the YOU in MUM? Hello…! Quite a few of my followers on this blog are fellow mums who have signed up based on a post I’ve written about Motherhood. Thanks to my recent marketing qualification, I thought it prudent to migrate all of these relevant posts to a dedicated parenting blog, aimed at us women who are looking for that something more – something more than being Just…

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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I am trying...

I am trying…

Trying

My mum once told me I was very trying. I’m not really sure what she meant, I try hard at everything I do, but I’m pretty sure there was a note of sarcasm in there somewhere.

I know I need to pick my subjects for school, but I have no idea what I want to do. I mean, who does? All the while I try to decide, the only thing I can see is his eyes, watching me, waiting, expectant for my kiss.…

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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Corfe Castle is as its name suggests; a castle nestled high on the hill in the village it dominates and lends its title to. As a child, on our way to Studland Bay, I’d gaze wistfully at its majestic beauty, my forehead pressed up against the window as I dreamed of lords and ladies and princesses of yesteryear, always dreaming of visiting one day with my own gallant knight. Corfe Castle had me entranced, and I knew my first experience within the castle grounds had to be with someone special. Not just anyone, but the man I was going to marry.

View of the castle from Corfe Castle station

Access to the castle is granted by The National Trust; which my husband and I eagerly joined during our first visit to the castle… on our honeymoon. Our daughter calls this the Broken Castle, but it’s the most beautiful broken castle I’ve ever had the privilege to view, walk around, and touch.

It’s been eight years since I first stepped foot inside the grounds, and I was as captivated by its beauty as I ever expected to be. So much so, I’ve now visited this intriguing part of British history three times, yet I wish it were more. During peak season, there are often events running alongside the usual day-to-day activities; you might try on some old ‘peasant’ clothes, or gather to hear tales of days gone by.

There will always be a guide on hand to share stories of how the people of Corfe lived, and how the Castle came to be in the ruined state it is today. But if you’d rather explore at your own pace and saunter through history – picture folk treading the same paths as you; engaging in conversation, laughing, dancing, and eating – you can always draw inspiration from the information boards dotted around the castle, and be captivated by your own imagination.

The romantic in you might imagine a past rendezvous within the hidden depths of the castle, in the days long before the stone walls crumbled away; the whispers of history echoing its secrets amongst the masonry.

Outside the castle grounds, there is a selection of olde-worlde establishments; shops selling trinkets and gifts, a bakery selling traditional Dorset pasties, and an entrance into Corfe’s very own model village – a fantastic place for the children to unleash their own imaginations as they walk like giants through the houses. They’ll encounter fairies – some not so inconspicuous, while others are sleeping, nestled within the trees. The magical garden trail ends with an enormous game of Draughts and a colossal Connect4, perfect for the young ones to calm down and practice their strategy skills while the grown-ups enjoy a cream-tea. This model village is a remarkable miniature replica of the castle and village itself – right down to the farmer and his sheep grazing on the castle hill.

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If the opportunity permits, the Swanage Railway is a must, with the railway line running alongside the castle. A traditional steam train travels the route from Swanage – to Norden (the end of the line) – and back, stopping at Herston Halt and Corfe Castle in between. Day-trippers from Swanage often use this mode of transport to visit Corfe, or to simply take a ride on the train.

The village itself is home to a selection of pubs – perfect for some refreshment after a day of gallivanting around Purbeck’s star attraction. The Bankes Arms Hotel has a wonderful beer garden, where you can sit and watch the steam train chug home to the coastal town of Swanage; the inspiration for Time for Love. Be sure to sample some local cider or ale with a delicious Ploughman’s lunch, as the smell of the soot from the coals and the ‘wooh-oot!’ of the passing train becomes embedded in your memory as one of nostalgia – a memory to make you want to return again and again.

You want to believe you’re the only person in the world to discover Corfe Castle; a truly magical place. It’s responsible for captivating the hearts and memories of many, and will be certain to do so for years to come. ♥

Corfe Castle: Purbeck’s very own treasure Corfe Castle is as its name suggests; a castle nestled high on the hill in the village it dominates and lends its title to.

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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Book Review: Hard to Protect, by Incy Black

Book Review: Hard to Protect, by @IncyBlack ♥ #RomanticSuspense #BlackOps @entangledpub

Hard to Protect by Incy Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Incy Black delivers once again!

Our third hero in the Black Ops Hard to… series, Will Berwick, is about as penetrable as a rock, and his therapist, Dr. Angel Treherne really doesn’t like him with his egotistical alpha-male temperament, even if he does have a grief-stricken past.

Then there’s the rather awkward matter of Will’s orders from The…

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#book review #books #Entangled Publishing #Hard to Protect #Hard to series #Incy Black #reviews #Romantic Suspense

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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Are you an early riser?

Ahh… morning. The start of a new day – filled with promises of productivity, and a list as long as the path to the castle in the beginning of Labyrinth – waiting for your eager-self to breeze through. You bound up out of bed, stretch, smile and shine…

And then there’s reality.

The good intentions are there; every night, you go to bed early; you set an alarm, you tell yourself with…

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#bloggers #lifegoals #motherhood #mumlife #pbloggers #sahm #wahm

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fionachapman1 · 7 years

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Do NOT read the next sentence... #reader #writing

#reader #writing

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