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Raisie Bay

Competitions and Reviews

Friendship Friday with Elmer and Sockshop

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I was reminded about Friendship Friday, which this year is 8th November, by Sockshop my favourite place to buy socks. They sent me a pair of Elmer Socks to celebrate.

brightly coloured Elmer socks from the sock shop celebrating Friendship Friday
Elmer Socks from the Sock Shop

Elmer and Friendship Friday.

This year Kidscape are using Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, from Anderson Press to highlight Friendship Friday and the start of Anti-Bullying Week.

Friendship Friday with Elmer from Kidscape
Image from Kidscape for Friendship Friday

Elmer is an elephant close to my heart because he was a big favourite of Star’s when she was little. She loved all the books and had (Still has) the soft toys of the loveable, colourful elephant. Elmer is different to all the other elephants because he’s not grey, he’s a patchwork of bright colours. At first he tries to be like the others, but eventually he discovers that being different doesn’t mean that you can’t have friends and fit in.

Star was always different and found it difficult to fit in, so Elmer was a great help to her in her younger years.

The Sock Shop sent me a pair of Elmer Socks which I’m giving to star. They are soft bamboo socks that are skin kind. Star suffers from skin problems so we have to be careful what she wears. We’ve had lots of pairs of bamboo socks from The Sock Shop now, both gifted and bought. As a family we all love them. The Elmer socks come in all sizes from kids to adults and they are all £4.99 a pair. The Sock Shop are offering 10% from the price of every pair of socks sold to Kidscape and their anti-bullying work. Please consider going along an buying a pair or two. You won’t be dissapointed with the socks and you’ll be helping a good cause.

Anti- Bullying Week

My children will be taking part in events at school for anti bullying week. Kidscape offer a school resource pack to help with this.

All three of my children are really happy at school right now, but they have all had problems with bullying in the past. Star was bullied because she is autistic and different from the other children. The school stepped in and helped and now she has a lovely circle of friends, both on the Autistic spectrum and not. She is in her last two years at school and works hard and attends every day, unless she really is sick.

Boo was bullied at school in year 4 by some girls that just took a dislike to her. Her teacher stepped in and helped and by the end of the year Boo was friends with one of the girls, and the others tolerated her. Moving to Secondary School, Boo also has a lovely group of friends and is very happy.

The Little Man’s problem’s were a little more serious. Being autistic himself he found it difficult to deal with his bullies. He was only seven years old and although we’d brought the problem to his teacher her efforts to solve it didn’t work. Cutting a long story short we took him out of the school after his bullies had found him hiding from them under a school table and kicked him repeatedly, injuring his back and head. He was taken to A&E after another incident, which we were told was his own fault as he fell back off his chair resulting in a fractured arm. When the doctor at the hospital examined him he told us of the injuries to his back and we spotted the bruise on his head. It was then we discovered what he was going through at school.

We took him out of the school instantly as they claimed it was The Little Man’s fault for hiding instead of going to the teacher. He is now at a new school and is doing fine. They are more understanding of his special needs and he hasn’t been bullied since he moved there.

Friends

We surround ourselves with people who think similarly to ourselves and that understand us and are there for us when we need them. Our friends also expect the same from us and that’s how friendship works.

I always say that I don’t have many friends. But the ones I do have, we can go for ages without seeing each other, then when we do it’s like we’ve never been apart. Over the years, friends come and go, but we always remember the ones who had the biggest impacts on our lives. Friend’s may not always have the same views and opinions as us, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t be our friends.

Do you have lots of friends? Is there someone you’ve not had contact with lately, why not reach out to them today and say “hello, how are you?” Celebrate friendship day by letting those that you care about know that you care. And have a lovely day my friends, those I’ve known for years and those I’ve only just met x

Disclosure: I was sent a pair of Elmer socks but all views and opinions are my own. I was not paid to write this post and it’s written from the heart about something that is really important to me.

Goodbye Tangles – Avon Give Away

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As you may, or may not, know I am now the proud owner of an Avon Store. I am trying to build my business online as it’s not so easy going around the neighbourhood when my health is not so good. So, as I need a little boost to my business I’ve decided to run a give away.

Here’s the Prize

I’m thinking that if my business does take off then I’ll be showering you all with lots more give aways, but for starters here’s a fab prize for parents.

photograph of a colourful detangling comb and a bottle of detangling spray.
Avon Detangling Spray and comb

My Avon give away of a Mangificent Mango detangling Spry 200ml and a colourful Detangling comb.

Now any parent with young children knows how tangled kid’s hair becomes, and how they complain when you try to detangle it. I know, I have two girls with long hair, and one boy who runs at the sight of a comb or brush.

How to Win

Of course I’m looking for more people to join me on my Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter. But I would also like some more people to sign up to my Avon online Store. You don’t have to buy anything but you will be sent promotional e-mails from time to time. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The great thing about Avon is that you can order online from anywhere in the UK. If you order using my shop link then I will earn some commission and my work is done.

did you know you can order from my Avon Shop anywhere in the UK?

Facebook Party

Once I’ve built up my following I’m hoping to be holding a Facebook party where I’ll be giving away lots of goodies as well as presenting you with lots of super bargains and we’ll be playing games too! So Please make sure you like my Facebook page for my Avon Store

Avon Give Away Rules:

  • Uk Entries only
  • There is one prize of a detangler spray and comb for kids
  • Winner will be chosen by the rafflecoptor widget
  • Competition will run on two blogs but the widget will be the same on both
  • Winner will be contacted by e-mail collected by the widget
  • No information collected by the widget will be saved after the end of the competition.
  • I will be responsible for sending out the prize to the winner, Avon is not affiliated with this competition.
  • Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are not affiliated with this competition
  • Compeition starts on 8th October 2019 and finishes on 28th October 2019
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Previous Avon Post

The Lovely Bones – The Play

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When my daughter said she had tickets to see The Lovely Bones at the Birmingham Rep. I was really excited. I remember reading the book, by Alice Sebold, years ago and it had remained with me for a long time. In fact, it turned out to be a very long time because it was much later that I realised I’d read it 16 years ago when my eldest daughter was the same age as the main character Suzie Salmon. Where does the time go?

That may have been why it had such an impact on me. Because Suzie Salmon is dead, killed by her neighbour at the very beginning of the play. I’m glad this part was not too detailed on the stage. The neighbour, Mr Harvey, was a really nasty character.

The Story

The focus of the story was not about the murder, but the aftermath on a family after the loss of a child. Suzie left behind her parents, her younger sister and brother and her beloved dog.

Suzie watches her family from her part in heaven and can’t do anything while they fall apart. She wants them to know where her body is and who killed her but it’s not possible. She has to learn to accept what she can and can’t do while watching her family fall apart without her.

It’s not for the feint hearted, and although I found the book more intimate and moving, the play did a real good job of making you feel all the emotions too.

The Stage

The Stage

I loved the stage. Apart from a few props it didn’t change much at all, but it was truly amazing. I too this sneaky photo to show you how plain it was. But see the background, its mirrored all the way. (You can even see the audience seats right at the top.) This enabled the producers to provide the magic they needed to create Suzie’s heaven amongst the goings on she could observe on Earth.

It was an incredible way of bringing it all together. There was also puppetry which could have easily have been played by actors but by using the puppets it put a completely different feel to the story.

This is Suzie’s story, told by her and the play helped to keep her as the main attraction despite everything else that was going on.

Here is a video I found about the making of the Play, it’s a short but interesting watch.

Final thoughts

The Lovely Bones is not an easy story. It’s incredibly sad and involves triggers for child abuse, rape and murder. It’s also very tough on anyone experiencing any kind of grief.

But overall the message is a good one. Life goes on even when someone dies, and even if you fall apart it’s possible to pick up the pieces.

As for Suzie, she continues to live in her heaven, forever 14 years old. She can’t be part of her earthly family but learns to accept that as she watches them get on with their life.

Romeo + Juliet – Are You Mad!

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Last night I went see the Ballet, Romeo + Juliet at The Birmingham Hippodrome. However, it was not your usual story or ballet though because it was a Matthew Bourne production.

The cover of the program for Matthew Bourne's Romeo+Juliet featuring the two young lovers in an embrace.

It was not the first Matthew Bourne ballet I have seen, I wrote a post on Cinderella last year. It was the familiar(ish) story but set in the 1940s during the war. The Prince was actually a soldier and the ball was an underground venue that was heavily bombed. You’ll have to read my review if you want to know more.

Romeo And Juliet

This reveiw comes with lots of spoilers so be warned. However, it doesn’t matter how much I tell you, it will be nothing like actually seeing the performance!

The Music

The score was Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet, one of the most well-known ballet scores. When it was written Prokofiev had a lot of trouble with it as the music was considered un-danceable due to it’s symphonic nature.

Mathew Bourne chose to create his version on a more intimate scale than usually found in traditional ballet. The score was re-created for a smaller chamber ochestra of 15 players. This new version was not a reduction of Prokofiev but a re-imagination of the orchestration.

One of the things my friend and I noticed was that it was not the usual musical perfomance of Romeo and Juliet but it really did work with the dancing.

The Dancing

Which brings me to the dancing. This was a New Adventures Production and includes a young cast from local dancers. It’s definitely more of a modern style of ballet, if you are expecting the twirls and lifts like in the Nutcracker you will be surprised. If you think more along the lines of the dancer in the video for Sia’s ‘Chandelier‘ You’ll be closer to the mark.

The Story

Act One

The ballet begins in the Verona Institute (for the mentally unstable) in the not to distant future. We see the inmates both behaving and mishbehaving and the guards keeping them in order.

Juliet is one of the patients in the institute and she is picked out by one of the guards, Tybalt, and taken away and raped. (this happens behind the scenes but it’s quite obvious what has happened.)

Then we are introduced to Romeo who is brought into the institute by his parents, the Senator and Mrs Montague.

My friend and I were confused as to who where the Montagues and the Capulets but we concluded that the Montagues were represented by Romeo, his Parents and the guards, whereas the Capulets where the patients in the institute. (a bit different, eh!)

The ball is actually a disco set up by Rev. Laurence complete with disco ball. This is the first time we see the patients of the instute in other than plain white clothing. They party all night but the main focus is the meeting of Romeo with Juliet.

After the party there is a really romantice dance seen with just Romeo and Juliet. I found this pretty emotional, beautiful and amazing. My heart melted and I’m not really a romantic type.

Then Tybalt the guard gets angry because he wants Juliet to himself. He sets about killing Romeo with a gun but during a scuffle, partly off stage, it’s Mercutio that gets shot and killed. Then Romeo retaliates along with the other inmates and strangles Tybalt. End of Act One and a stunned audience.

Act Two

The instute wants to get rid of Romeo so his VIP parents are called in. But they don’t want to take responsibility so write a cheque for them to keep him in. Romeo doesn’t want to leave his precious Juliet so he’s happy to stay.

Meanwhile we see Juliet distressed and feeling suicidal because she believes she has lost her beloved Romeo. She is hiding a knife under her pillow but is thwarted from her suicide attempt by the arrival of a guard to check on her.

When Juliet realises that Romeo is still in the instute The Rev. Laurence arranges for the young lovers to spend the night together, and we believe we are in for another romantic scene.

It starts off romantic but as it gets more heated Juliet has flashbacks to her rape and Romeo is replaced by Tybalt. She grabs her knife and stabs him. It’s only when Romeo is dying that she realises what she has done so she stabs herself. The show ends with the two dying lovers and lots and lots of stage blood.

Final Thoughts.

Matthew Bourne’s ballet is not for everyone, but it’s a truly stunning experience to go and see one. He’s not afraid of expressing a lot of taboo subjects and throwing them straight at you, homosexuality, sex, violence, mental health, rape etc. And it’s all displayed by the form of dance in a captivating perfomance. He takes a traditional story with traditonal music and puts a completely different spin on it all.

I can’t wait to see The Red Shoes next year.

The program comes with a disclaimer.

If youre affected by any of the themes in Matthew Bournes Romeo and Juliet, you may find help and support form the following organistations: Mind at mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393. Young Minds at youngminds.org.uk or call 0808 802 5544. Childline at childline.org.uk or call 0800111. For further information and signposting visit Heads Together at headstogether.org.uk.

This is a review because I wanted to record my experience. My friend paid for the tickets.

Twin Mummy and Daddy

Shop the Unique, My Pick from the Etsy Design Awards.

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Etsy Design Awards

The Etsy Design Awards are Etsy’s first-ever global award program. Honoring the work of creatives from around the world, #TheEtsies will highlight the best of Etsy and celebrate the talented people behind the winning products.

Selected from thousands of entries received from around the world, 160 global finalists are in the running for the $15,000 USD Grand Prize or the top prize in one of five categories: Inventive Decor, Signature Style, Festive Celebrations, Earth-Friendly, and Creative Collaborations. 

A selection of items that have been selected for the Etsy awards, personalised pictures at the top, in the middle, a girl with a handmade frock, a smiley colourful armchair, a miniature painting of three houses, on the bottom a swall decor with plants, a wedding and engagement ring and some glass straws.
Some Etsy Design Award Entries

My Picks from the Awards

Where do I start? There are 160 items to choose from and I don’t envy the judges one bit!

I’m going to pick one from each category and then a few more (Because I’m not a judge and I can.)

Inventive Decor

This was the most difficult to choose from. I loved so many items but I guess the one that stands out the most for me is the Smiley Armchair, Scarlet Love

You have to admit it really does stand out with it’s vibrant colours and patterns. It’s lovingly made with vintage fabrics and red velvet. It would definitely be a talking point in any home. But most of all, it makes me smile and it’s so inviting, I’d just have to sit on it.

Signature Style

Again, such wonderful pieces to choose from but this one caught my eye. It would be perfect for any pasta lover or chef. Farfalle Pasta Necklace Sterling Silver by Delicacies Jewelry 

silver piece of farfalle necklace

It’s so pretty and unique, I’d definitely wear it even though I’m not a big pasta lover. Other pasta pieces of jewellery are available from the seller.

Festive Celebrations

From printable wedding invitations to backdrops and dresses. This selection celebrates weddings. There are some lovely items but I fell in love with this unusual ring set. UNGLEICH & Rosé – Engagement ring wedding ring

Now, if only I was not already married!

Earth Friendly

I’m all for sustainability and we were only talking the other day while eating out, that it was good the straws were paper, but what a shame the coffee cups had plastic lids. It’s something we need to think about so I loved this section of sustainability made finds that look great and help the planet.

My choice has to be this lovely Bee Hotel

Not only is it pretty, it offers a lovely safe place for the bees visiting your garden.

Collaborative Creations

These are a selection of personalised hand crafted goods, made to order. Again there is so much to choose from but the one that I have chosen is this lovely family portrait made from paper cuts. Personalised family portraits.

I love the detail that’s put into each one, and they can be made for any family with details and photographs provided. You can tell a lot of care has gone into making them special.

Bonus Choices.

Personalised Love Stories illustrated Maps Imagine having your story lovingly presented in a map form with adorable illustrations. Magical!

2020 & 2019 DIY Printable Typewriter Desk Calendar How cute are these! And you can print them off and make them yourself. I’m so, so tempted.

Kids Doodle Design Dress Oh my, how adorable. This lady takes your kids drawing and reproduces them as decorations on a pretty little dress.



Do you Etsy?

I could spend hours (and I do) browsing the Etsy stores. There is so much to choose from and so many things that you just wouldn’t find anywhere else. I love shopping for those difficult to buy presents, those relatives that have everything already. But most of all, I love shopping for me, in particular the jewellery stores.

The girls are Etsy fans too as it’s a great place to buy the most unusual and fabulous slime creations. I don’t think they will ever grow out of slime. I have a ‘slime’ shelf in the fridge which is probably not like any slime shelf you would think of. (Yes, they all have their own little containers, they are not just dripping all over the food 🙂 )

I am working on some products myself so I can stock my own Etsy shop. I’ll let you know when it’s open and maybe you can take a peek. I can’t wait to join all the other creative Etsy shop owners.

In the meantime, please do take a look at this years entries for the Etsy Design Awards and let me know in the comments which you would vote for. (n.b. sorry but our votes don’t count.)

Disclosure: I am an Etsy affiliate and the links in the post have my affiliate codes.

See my previous Etsy Posts here: Gift for Mums from Etsy and Christmas Shopping with a Difference from Etsy