Subscribe to blog via Email

Raisie Bay

Christmas Gift Guide From Etsy

by 2 Comments

It’s that time of year when the Christmas ads have hit the television and we are all trying to say, hey it’s too early, while at the same time knowing that it really is time to start preparing. For those who make handmade goods to sell at Christmas they probably started months ago. I’m an affiliate for Etsy and I love to showcase some of the lovely items you can find there. I may earn some commission if you click through and purchase something, but it won’t cost you any extra. Thank you and I hope you find my Christmas Etsy gift guide useful.

You will find links to my Christmas gift guides for items on Etsy, I try to keep all my choices affordable.

Christmas Gifts for Her from Etsy

Here are just a few gifts that I have chosen for the females.

Pearl and Bead necklace £11.40

Pressed Flower necklace £16

Custom Family Portrait £49.36

Gin and Tonic Socks £12

Christmas Gifts for Him From Etsy

Here are my selection of gifts for him, although saying that, I know a special girl who would love the personalised guitar pick!

For more Christmas gift for Him from Etsy- check out my list here.

Secret Santa Gifts

I love a Secret Santa, here are some fun things I have found. You can see many more on my Etsy List Here.

Bee Socks £10.95

Pressed Flower Key Ring Trolley Coin £4

Gift Boxes for Her, Stocking Fillers £10.95

Secret Santa rude/funny mug £8.95

Christmas Gifts for Kids

Let’s not forget the little ones!

Christmas chocolate sweets gift boxes, personalised hamper for kids. From £4.99

personalised kids baking set with apron £8.95

personalised kids mason jars with straws £6

Personalised football night light £20

See more gifts for kids on my Etsy list.

If you are still stuck for choice then why not take a look at the Editors Picks from Etsy? Here are some of my favourites from The Christmas Shop.

Pink Gin Advent calendar, personalised £12.76

5 scented tea light candles £5.49

personalised Christmas Eve Box £26

sage green and natural wreath £12.50

My Etsy Halloween Guide

Word of the Week 46 – Drained

by 5 Comments

Hello and welcome to the home of Word of the Week. A nice and simple weekly linky, with everyone welcome to pop by and share. The idea of the linky is to reflect back on your past week and share it with us. It’s great if you can sum it up in a word or phrase, hence giving us your Word of the Week. My word this week is ‘drained’ and you can read more about that below.

I’m not totally strict on using just a word or phrase. But please try to stick to the theme of summing up your week. There are not too many rules with this linky, just remember to read at least another couple of posts in the link up after adding your link. I will read and comment on all posts and tweet them out for you. I also have a Pinterest board devoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts to Mix Please add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK – Drained

This week is going so slowly and I’m mentally drained. I have issues with both my girls and school and college. After the visit to the college last week we were asked to make the decision on whether Star should continue on her course as her attendance has been so bad due to ill health. This week she went in happily on Monday, then something horrid happened to her and now she’s refusing to go back. Boo is also suffering with her health which is not like her. She had two days off school, last Friday and Monday, then went back on Tuesday. By Thursday she was off again. There is more going on which I can’t really disclose but I’ve had to make a referral for extra help for her.

I think we are all feeling drained. I thought the half term would have been the chance to recharge, but with Star and myself being poorly (As well as other family members) it was a really difficult week that past in blur. Let me just say, it’s handy having a house with three bathrooms.

My treatment is wearing off, I’m back at the hospital in just over 3 weeks, so I’m feeling physically drained. Dealing with my kids is so difficult for me. Maybe the little booster infusions will keep me going until Christmas.

The Little Man is my sunshine, he goes to school every day, deals with whatever is thrown at him (Which can be a lot sometimes) and only complains when it comes to homework.

I have about six blog posts sitting in draft waiting to be finished but I just fall asleep at the computer. Even blogging is draining me.

Maybe if my consultant gets approval for the increase in my treatments the only things that will be drained are the bottles of immunoglobulins.

Now its over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

My Sunday Photo – This is Me and My Dad

by 9 Comments

I’ve used this photo before, but today I just wanted to mention my Dad again as tomorrow is the 46th anniversary of his death. I wrote a post about my Dad earlier this year on what would have been his 100th birthday had he survived. He died younger than I am now! Here is my favourite photo of me and My Dad.

I think I was about 3 years old here

I always had a dummy stuck to my face, before I was born my Mom had worked in a dummy making factory!

Or maybe I was just a moaner and they wanted to shut me up!

Family for Me and My Dad

It’s funny sometimes how history repeats itself. My Mum had two children and then 14 years later she had me, then my little brother. Both myself and my eldest brother did the same, we had two children, a huge gap and then more children. My Dad was 44 years old when I was born, I was 44 when I had my youngest child.

I’m not sure about my family line continuing. My eldest don’t seem keen on having children and neither do my youngest. Maybe my Little Man will, but that’s going to be a pretty long wait for me. My eldest brother already has grand children and even a great grandchild. He’s recently become a grandad again at the age of 70! So I’m not giving up hope just yet. But, at least it means my Dad’s blood line will be continuing into the future.

I can’t imagine my Dad at 100 years old!

What Are the Common Questions to Ask an Architect?

by 1 Comment

So, what are the common questions to ask an architect? When you meet an architect who you intend to hire for your project, make sure you have a list of questions to ask. Well, such a meeting can involve dozens of questions depending on the available time, but do not forget to ask the following questions in particular.

This is the only way to determine the quality of work the architect will deliver and gather the information to make important decisions. So, read and take notes. 

Questions to Ask an Architect: Why You?

Of course, you need to know more about the architecture firm and why they think they are the best for your project. Hence, this should not be missed from your questions to ask an architect. Here, you will be looking for strengths such as resources, skills, expertise, and commitment to projects. 

If there is a problem, you will identify the red flags from the response to this first question. Also, you need to make the conversation as friendly and free as possible especially when asking this first question. 

What Are the Expected Challenges in My Project?

When making a list of questions to ask an architect, this is among the first ones. You should understand the expected challenges so that you can work with the architect to try to prevent or address them. Although reputable firms have the expertise and resources to work on any project, being ready is very important.

This will also help you know where you come in and what your input will be to make the project as smooth as possible. It will give you an assurance that the architecture firm has the capability to tackle any challenges.

Do You Have References and Endorsements?

Whether you choose an experienced architecture firm or not, you need to know for whom they have worked in the past. Therefore, you should simply ask for their contacts and do some follow-ups. 

Endorsements by big companies are an assurance that you are likely to get professional and high-quality services from your architect. Humphreysandsons, for instance, has listed some of the big clients they have worked for so that potential clients can check and confirm. You may also ask them about this when making an inquiry.

How Much Time Do We Need to Commit?

Architects are planners of building projects. Because this is among the important questions to ask an architect, you should get an answer with an estimated amount of time that the experts will dedicate to your project.

You also should know the time they need from you, especially time for meetings and other important discussions. 

Questions to Ask an Architect: How Much Do You Charge?

Although it is often asked last, it is one of the most important questions you should ask your architect. They should discuss the fee structure and explain some of the costs you do not understand. 

Most importantly, this is the opportunity to negotiate and understand whether you will get a good value for your money. So, when listing the questions to ask an architect, do not leave this one behind. 

Conclusion

With the above questions, it is easy to know how your architect will perform. So, carefully listen to the answers they give as you converse. With a talented and well-qualified architect, your project will be off to a great start. 

Please read my disclosure policy here.

Word of the Week 45 – Exhausted

by 7 Comments

Hello and welcome to the home of Word of the Week. A nice and simple weekly linky, with everyone welcome to pop by and share. The idea of the linky is to reflect back on your past week and share it with us. It’s great if you can sum it up in a word or phrase, hence giving us your Word of the Week. My word this week is ‘exhausted’ and you can read more about that below.

I’m not totally strict on using just a word or phrase. But please try to stick to the theme of summing up your week. There are not too many rules with this linky, just remember to read at least another couple of posts in the link up after adding your link. I will read and comment on all posts and tweet them out for you. I also have a Pinterest boarddevoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts to Mix Please add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK – Exhausted

This week I am tired, no, more than that, I’m exhausted. I can’t even blame the kid’s going back to school because this exhaustion has been creeping up on me slowly. I think I’m just exhausted with life, with dealing with the day to day. I could sleep for a week and that’s for sure. But who can sleep when there is so much going around in your head?

I had to go out on Wednesday, we had a meeting at the college for Star. It was exhausting, even in my wheelchair I found the journey from the car park to the college, then to the meeting room exhausting. I found the meeting exhausting, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy having Star at college, but I didn’t realise just how hard it was going to be. We talked until we exhausted everything, and hopefully came up with solutions. Fingers crossed.

I’m falling behind with all my household jobs. I’m not good at asking for help, but when I do all I ever get is ‘I’ll do it later’ but I’m impatient. If you can’t help me now, then I’ll do it myself. And I’m exhausted. We haven’t even done the Little Man’s bedroom yet. I feel so bad.

I’m exhausted with dealing with everyone else’s problems when I have so many of my own.

I’m exhausted before I’ve even started the day and sometimes I feel to exhausted to go to bed.

I’ve tried to cheer myself up by doing one of my favourite things of all, Christmas shopping! Some may think it’s too early, well don’t blink because it’ll be here before you know it. I’m not a last minute person, I like to be prepared. Even online shopping is exhausting sometimes, but I feel a little sense of achievement in knowing that my family will have at least one present each this Christmas. Now I just need some extra work so I can buy more. Yes, I’m exhausted but losing myself in writing feels like a holiday!

Now it’s over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter