February 2020 Favourites & Dislikes

This is my first favourites blog post of the year and I sad to say that it is also a dislike blog post.

GIFT IDEA: New Baby (For Talia & Ben's Baby Boy)

Before I start I want to just say that I didn't pay for this gift by myself so at work when somebody leaves or goes on maternity leave we put money together to get a gift, I decided I will message everyone about the gift now this gift idea was something I wanted to do but it was actually one of the bosses Chris who mentioned doing a hamper so here it is.

I found this grey toned basket and thought it was cute, what I have heard of Talia and Ben's place it is very grey themed.

I decided to get some toiletries that I have seen my parents used on me and my siblings when we were younger:

• Pampers Nappies - size 1
• Pampers Nappies - size 2
• Pampers Change Mats
• Johnson's Gentle All Over WIpes
• Johnson's Cottontouch Wipes
• Pampers Sensitive Wipes
• Johnson's Baby Powder
• Johnson's Baby Shampoo 
• Johnson's Baby Oil
• Johnson's Baby Lotion
• Johnson's Baby Bath
• Sudocrem
• Dentinox Cradle Cap
• Tommee Tippee Brush And Comb Set

Joe & The Juice (Manchester 2020)

I went to Manchester and when I found out there was a Joe & The Juice I had to go, I became obsessed with this place when I was in Stockholm.

The Joe & The Juice is on the ground floor of Debenhams, it's small, quite hip and relaxing, dark but not too dark, the chairs are different levels so you have some bar tables and chairs as well as lower chairs. Very clean and the staff are very friendly with music playing at a great level.

TAG: The Resolutions 2020

Last year I did this blog post and thought maybe I could make this an annual thing.

Looking Back

1. Name 3 things you did in 2019 that you’re proud of

1. Moved away from the family for 6 months
2. Got a new job in a new industry to what I have ever been in
3. Went abroad (Stockholm, Sweden) on my own

2019 For Me #Blogmas2019

I did this last year, it's to recap what's gone on over the year, with highs and lows so here goes.

TAG: December #Blogmas2019

So last year I did this tag and thought it could be an annual thing and see how much my answers change.

1. What do you love most about December?
This year I have been loving the turtle-neck jumpers that I have been wearing, I love the cosy clothing.

GIFT IDEA: Christmas Eve Box 2019 (For Myself) #Blogmas2019

I have put together myself a Christmas Eve box, I have done it for my godchildren but this time I thought it would be for me.

If you want to see me using these products then check out my Instagram page @theblogofaliciamaude to see pictures.

GIFT IDEA: Christmas 2019 (For My Work Colleagues) #Blogmas2019

This year I relocated and changed jobs and have made some friends within the company I work for so wanted to treat them but also I work in a very male dominate industry and us women are looked down at by a few members of staff so this gift is also to say keep up the good work, they have all helped me in different ways if it have a personal chat or teach me how to do bits or even just make me laugh.

Here is a sneak peek of the carrier bags for Maude & Noah, I got loads of sample and decided I will use them, I know my packaging for this gift isn't very Christmas-y but it is me, the packaging is me.

Everyone has a little Christmas card which are old ones from Paperchase, I haven't written a Christmas card in years but to know who's gift is for who I thought I would write a little card.

Next is one of my candles, now only one member of staff that is receiving a candle knows I own this company, there is a mixture of candles: Berry Comfortable, Caramel Latte and Fairy Dust. I chose a flavour for each of them that I thought would be best suited to them.

After the stressful time we have all had I think they deserve a drink so I got them a mini bottle of Canti prosecco.

I got a few boxes of my favourite chocolates, Lindt, so I shared them out.

I want to say thank you to Claire, Talia, Tracey, Ginta, Jess, Hollie, Margaret and Maine, can't wait to work with you in 2020.

November 2019 Favourites

I haven't really tried a lot of new products because I was away for a while but then with the new year coming up I want to use up as many products as possible so I can start a fresh in the new year.

GIFT IDEA: Thank You For Hosting (For Jacinda & Scott)

Some of you may know the story or not and some of you may know who Jacinda and Scott are but here is a brief summary, so Jacinda has a son called Kyle who is the same age and best friends with my brother Ethan, they have known each other since they were three years old. Mum and Jacinda became good friends they both had another son each at the same time, Jacinda's is Logan, my brother is Louie and they are besties. Jacinda is my baby brother Mowgli's godmother. Now Jacinda is originally from Yorkshire but we all lived in Leicester, been on holidays together, partied together. Jacinda. met the love of her life: Scott from Scotland. They moved to Yorkshire, you will have seen that they have twins now, I have done blog posts on it before. Scott got me a job up in Yorkshire and it was a bit of a mad rush and I was offered their spare bedroom until I got settled. I really wanted to get them a lovely gift to say thank you but also a gift that is meaningful however what do you get so this is exactly what I got.

So when I thought about the fit I thought I would get a personalised bag instead of a gift bag so I contacted an artist on Etsy called Minii Vanilla and asked for her to do a picture of their family, then got the picture printed onto two tote bags plus the wording 'One Step Closer' which is a tattoo on Jacinda's foot in a similar font but also it's their wedding song printed on the other side.

Card from Paperchase.

H&M Guns N Roses Sweet Child O'Mine t-shirts for Isla and Iona who are Scott and Jacinda's 1 year old twins, I have a Guns N Roses t-shirt so I thought we could match.

Edinburgh Preserve Hot & Spicy Sauce Collection is mainly for Scott, spicy sauce is a thing that we both have in common, we love them so when I saw in John Lewis this Edinburgh range I thought it was perfect for Scott the Scot.

Scott and Jacinda love gin and their favourite brand is Edinburgh Gin Distillery so I got them Edinburgh Gin Distillery Rhubarb & Ginger, I know Jacinda likes rhubarb.

I remember talking to Scott about Irn Bru and how they are getting rid of the original version so when I came across a pack of 8 I had to get them.

In their house they always have the Walkers Max Strong crisps as well as snacks so I got them a few, chocolates they can all share but Freddos for the twins, I know Jacinda loves Drumstick Squashies but also treated them to some Yorkshire Mixtures. I know Scott loves Reese's and I am sure both of them like salted caramel.

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to Scott, Jacinda and their kids for having me, for taking care of me and for being there for me, this year has been a big thing for me and without them I wouldn't have got such a good opportunity and grow as a person.

Travel Diaries (Stockholm 2019)

I thought I would write a little diary of everything I have done over the week (not really a full week) so I can keep and share these memories with other.

Why I Traveled To Stockholm On My Own? (Stockholm 2019)

Why did I travel to Stockholm on my own?
The honest answer is...I am selfish.

I was asked by work colleagues and friends why I would travel to another country on my own especially with my birthday being during the trip and like I said I am selfish. I got to go somewhere that I wanted to go to, do what I wanted to do, walk around at my pace, sleep when I wanted to sleep and eat what I wanted to eat.

Was I lonely on the trip?
No, I had my parents FaceTime me everyday, women at work were messaging me but also I got speaking to locals, that's a good way to not be lonely but also learn new things?

Why Stockholm, Sweden?
I have been a big fan of ABBA since a very young age and always wanted to go and visit, this year has been a big year for me and I thought I deserved a little holiday so chose to do this.

Would I do it again?
Hell yeah, I already have two trips scheduled for 2020 which I will do blog posts on it so keep an eye out.

Connect Hotel City (Stockholm 2019)

I used the site Hotels.com to look for hotels, I wanted a hotel not in the city centre but not too far out, I booked my hotel on 1st November and left on 12th November so there wasn't much notice.

When I first walked in it reminded me of Premier Inn in the UK. I had picked to have Economy Queen room without windows, I wanted this holiday to be relaxing and for me to sleep in and if there was a little light in my room I would have woken up straight the way. 

My room is number 7, pretty much out of the reception the first room in. Not a lot of room so if there was two of you then probably a little too crowded but perfect for just little old me. The bed was really comfortable, I setup the desk with my laptop, I did bring it to do some work for my own business. I never understand why hotels only have a few coat hangers but it was fine, I setup the luggage display thing and opened my case up and organised the wardrobe and the case so it was more practical for myself. I never turned the television on but it was a decent size for this room. The bathroom has a shower, sink and toilet, one thing I didn't like was when I showered the whole bathroom was wet, I didn't even notice the rainfall shower head as well as the normal one.

I had breakfast most days, there was bacon, meatballs, chicken sausages, scrambled egg plus what you can see in the pictures, coffee was decent and so was the food but I wish there was more of a variety.

The staff were lovely, the only issue I had was when I was in bed because my room was so close to the reception I could hear the phones ringing till ridiculous o'clock otherwise it was a nice place, about 20 minute walk to the city centre but not far from a mini shopping centre with H&M, Joe & The Juice, Coop, etc...

Hotel: Connect Hotel City