flowers

How to Celebrate Your Anniversary While Social Distancing

June 25, 2020 by Anne Sweet Leave a Comment

2020 has been a very strange and eventful year so far. We’ve all come to learn all about how to behave when there’s a deadly pathogen on the loose, and keeping two metres distant from those around us has become almost second nature. In fact, we may find it uncomfortable, or even anxiety-inducing, to be in close quarters with other people even after the lockdown has lifted and we’re all able to resume our previous lives.

Of course, this all makes celebrating those special moments a little bit tricky. Weddings have been called off, funerals have been delayed, and birthday parties have been scaled back.

Anniversaries, however, are a little bit different. As they’re usually celebrated by two people who might be cohabiting, or even sharing the same bed, the social distancing rules don’t apply.

With that said, not all couples found themselves in this happy situation. If you were just at the early stages of a promising relationship when the lockdown kicked in, then adhering to the rules might have prevented you from spending time with your partner.

two wine bottles in the background with two glasses in front, celebrate

At the other end of the spectrum are couples for whom lockdown has been a particular strain. While you might have been cohabiting with a partner for years, being forced to spend every moment in the same building with them might have been a new experience. Familiarity, as the saying goes, can breed contempt. Throw the stress of housebound kids into the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for serious disquiet.

In either instance, an anniversary can represent an opportunity to remind each other exactly what you’re getting out of the relationship. If you’ve gotten into the same routine, then there are some ways you might use the occasion to break things up a little. So what can you do?

Recreate Special Moments

You’re not allowed to return to that restaurant where you went on your first date, or enjoyed your first meal as a married couple. But you can recreate the significant elements with a little bit of imagination and an online cookery instruction. Break out the best cutlery and light some candles. The nostalgia effect can be powerful, perhaps even encouraging you to spend time reminiscing about the past, and rediscovering why you’re together in the first place.

Invest in Gifts to Celebrate

Buying something for your significant other will help you to demonstrate just how much you care – especially if your gift is an unexpected one. A chocolate hamper will reliably go down well, especially if you’ve been eating well throughout the lockdown. Bunches of flowers tend to be similarly reliable – and it’ll help you keep your local florist in business, too.

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy your special day.

This is a collaborative post

How to make that perfect garden the whole family can enjoy

September 2, 2018 by Anne Sweet Leave a Comment

A garden should be enjoyable for those who tend to it, but also for the entire family to enjoy the ‘green’ outdoor space together. So, how can you create an inviting space for everyone to make use of this summer? Consider some of these simple tips.

Add pop and colour

Choose flowers, plants, and arrangements which stand out. You don’t want a garden which is dull or is lacking something vibrant which sets it apart from your neighbour’s garden. So, consider a distinct floral arrangement, some fun garden ornaments, or other decorative pieces, so your garden will stand apart from the rest. If you are not a keen gardener and would like some assistance you could get a local gardener to come and help you. I would recommend looking on a trade directory like myjobquote.co.uk.

Add a spark of fun

Consider adding a swing set for the kids, a walking path, or even a jacuzzi or slip and slide area for them to play. If you have the space, add an attached deck or fire pit. The more interactive the space is, the more it is going to be enjoyed by the gardener, and the entire family. And, the easier it is going to be to bring everyone together, when you want to spend some quality time with family and friends.

Add a fountain

A water fountain or water pit, with surrounding gnomes or garden ornaments, will really stand apart from other gardens where you live. It is going to have a distinct look and feel, it is going to add a decorative flair to the space, and it can easily bring the entire garden area together, especially in a larger home, with large outdoor (or separate garden areas) space.

Photo by Alexandria Courtney on Unsplash

Your garden should bring enjoyment to everyone who sees and experiences it. These are some simple tips to incorporate to ensure it is enjoyed by yourself, as well as your family and friends who come to visit your home as well.

For further ideas on garden transformation please see my former post on how to make the garden a fun filled space for kids.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post

My Sunday Photo – 29th April 2018

April 29, 2018 by Anne Sweet 10 Comments

What do you see when you look at this photo?

Do you see the pillars with their uneven stones, standing tall and inviting the the still leafless branches to crawl and caress them. Soon, they will blossom with new life and the stones will contrast their bright summer colours.

How about the fresh green grass, a canvass for the tiny flowers, playing peek-a-boo. The tiny yellow petals adding a certain vibrancy to the pallet.

Then there is the white washed building, pale and grey with bursts of colour from the blue-green window frames and roof edges, leading your eye away and seeming to sink into the grass.

Does your eye follow the stone path, leading upwards and turning just out of view. Do you wonder where it goes to next, where does it lead?

Maybe you notice the barn in the distance. Old but warm and inviting. Perhaps you’d like to go there, find out what that light is shining in the window.

Do you notice the big tall green tree brushing the edge of the barn’s roof with a rough caress. Or the tall barren trees in the background waving their arms in the pale blue sky.

So many things to see, such a story to tell.

Do you want to know what I see?

Steps!

Arrrrggghhh! Not the most welcoming sight for a wheelchair user!

My Top Picks for Celebrating Easter 2018

March 21, 2018 by Anne Sweet 1 Comment

I love celebrating Easter, and I’ve been browsing the Internet for ideas. So, if you are looking for eggs or something a little different then hopefully I can help.

Celebrating Easter with Chocolate Eggs

You can’t have an Easter post without chocolate eggs so here are my picks.

The Entertainer have some fabulous personalised egg boxes containing six chocolate eggs. What I love about these is that they are available in some fabulous designs that the kids will love, like Jo Jo Siwa, Paw Patrol, Unicorns, Manchester City and West Ham United. Perfect if you are looking for something a little different.

For more traditional eggs then pop on over to Cadbury’s Gift Shop. Be quick and you can get 15% off your order by adding the code RABBIT at the checkout. (limited time offer.)

Thorntons are offering some great offers on a daily basis. Currently you can get two large eggs for £15

or you can buy 2 smaller eggs for just £5, and some you can even personalise.

Chocolate and Sweet Gifts

These gifts are still for those with a sweet tooth but are not the traditional eggs.

Prezzy Box is a site full of the more unusual but lovely gifts. Do you know someone who loves Ferrero Rocher? How about getting them a personalised sweet tree.

If Ferrero Rochers is not your thing, they also do Malteser Trees, Lindor Trees and even Liquorice Allsorts Trees! Plenty of choice.

Girly Gifts

You can’t beat Claire’s for some quirky gifts that girls will love. Their Easter collection features bunnies and chicks and prices range from £3.50 and go up to £15. Currently Claire’s are offering buy one get one free on almost everything!!

cute bunny notebook £6

Boy Gifts

Probably not very Easter like but you can always get the boys a box of Lego. At Geek Box they are currently giving away a lego gift with every £20 purchase of Lego.

A Tea Lovers Easter

know someone avoiding the chocolate and trying to improve their health who loves tea? (Just like me!)

How about this lovely Happy Healthy Easter Bag from Twinings.

Book Lover’s Easter

How about a book treat? There are lots of books for kids all about Easter and I’m sure the little ones would love this Peppa’s Easter Egg Hunt.

Or for the adults you could just browse the Books of the Month for March.

Flowers

Why not brighten up someone’s Easter with a gorgeous bunch of spring flowers. At Prestige Flowers they have a beautiful selection to choose from and lots of other Easter gifts starting from just £9.99

Easter Crafts

Finally, how about making your own Easter gifts and decorations? At Hobby Craft there are loads of ideas for adults and kids. You can get everything you need to help your kids make their Easter Bonnets, Easter Cards or decorate their eggs. You can also find a load of Easter baking goodies for making cakes or even having a go at making your own chocolate eggs or treats. (One of our favourites is Easter Bark, pretty simple and lots of fun.) Or if you fancy a bit of crafting yourself, how about making a gorgeous Easter Wreath?

Easter Egg Hunts

You can make your own Easter Egg Hunt at home, we often do, but at Easter Cadbury’s team up with the National Trust for some special Easter Egg Hunts. There are over 250 venues to choose from at National Trust properties. We will be going this year but you can read all about our adventures last Easter at Packwood House.

I hope my post has given you some ideas for celebrating Easter. Whatever you do, I hope you have a lovely holiday. Easter is my favourite time of year, the weather is warming, the kids have two weeks off school and there is chocolate involved. What’s not to like. 🙂

A Beautiful Bouquet from Prestige Flowers – Review

September 23, 2017 by Anne Sweet 7 Comments

When the flowers arrived the Lilies were still in bud but the bouquet still looked and smelt amazing.

I love flowers. I love them in the garden, in parks and in my home. There is something really special about a lovely bunch of flowers on display in the home. They look and smell beautiful and really brighten up your room and mood.

Prestige Flowers provide flowers by post for any occasion, from birthday to get well, new baby to anniversary and so much more. You can even buy corsages and buttonholes (boutonnierre.) Then of course there are funeral and sympathy flowers. Everything is covered, even you just want to sent a gift or be romantic.

You can make your flowers even more special by adding gifts like balloons, chocolates, a teddy bear or wine. Even a hamper of goodies if you wish. One thing is for certain, whatever you choose you will be certain to make an impression with Prestige Flowers.

In a hurry, or a last minute gift? Prestige Flowers offer next day delivery on a selection of flowers and gifts.

I was lucky enough to be sent a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from the luxury range. I was sent the Exquisite bouquet which consisted of gorgeous pink germini, white lillies and pretty lilac lissanthus along with some delightful smelling greenery.

This can be bought from £34.99 for standard, £29.99 for medium and £44.99 for a large bouquet. It comes beautifully presented in a black square bag. My flowers arrived on next day delivery and were packaged carefully in a large box, they arrived in perfect condition. The flowers stems were wrapped in a wet cloth to keep them fresh and then in black cellophane which was a stunning contrast to the pretty colours of the flowers.
The lilies where still in bud when they arrived but they still looked lovely. Once the lilies opened they were even more stunning.

The White Lilies opened their delicate petals to reveal bright red stamens.

My vase of flowers soon became full of pretty colours and delightful fragrance.

My flowers also arrived with a lovely glass vase, which can be added to your order for just £5.99.

I was really pleased with my delivery from Prestige flowers, and even though my flowers were delivered a week ago they are still looking lovely thanks to the little tip booklet that came with them and the flower food.

I’d love to know what you think of my flowers? Would you order flowers online?