Carries Versatile Fashion

Sorry for no post last week. It appears the Nora Virus is in fall swing and I was struck down by it last Wednesday. All I could do was lay down and couldn’t even contemplate posting a blog.

My little boy Henry was struck by it on Monday and my mum on Tuesday.

What I would say is, clean all areas and once it has passed, make sure everything is washed, cleaned and sanitised just in case.

I have posted more videos since my last post two weeks ago, and are available to watch at:

http://www.carriesrealworld.com

I posted a new video today on my Filofax and Planner page on the above site too, this is available to watch via this link below:

http://www.carriesrealworld.com/filofax-and-planner

I have completed my Christmas shopping HOORAY! So it is just filming a few more gift guides and home decor, get those up and then put out my decor to then continue to look forward to the festive day. Christmas.

So if you are needing some inspiration then here are some great money saving ideas:

• Make a CD for your love ones. Gone are the days of when we used to record songs on tapes, now you can do it all in the comfort of your own home. You can even make a personalised DVD of some favourite photos with some of your love one’s favourite songs.
• Buy a hamper and then separate the items into different gifts. You have Lakelands, M&S, Freemans even, or Waitrose, who all do hampers. Or why not make your own from purchasing items from your local supermarket
• Make your own chocolates. I did a video on how to do this a while ago, please see video below. It is so easy that I am making some more this year aswell.

• Make a scrapbook for someone special in your life, great way to go through all your photos and collaborate them. Let’s face it, I bet there are many of us who have tons of photos yet we have no idea of what to do with them. I have done this for both my brother and my mum for their birthdays. You can do it as a Christmas gift too.
• If you know someone who has just had a baby then why not create them a hamper of all the essential items they may need and some next sizes of vest and sleep suits, and don’t be shy about using ones you may already have which are in good condition. It isn’t about the piece or where it came from, but the meaning behind, and remember children grow up fast, so using second hand items saves you and them money too.
• Create a children’s saving account and why not create a certificate to say you are going to give them £50 for example to their account to use for something special. I know from experience that Henry doesn’t need a lot of toys as he has so many so donating money into his account, will not only save us money on another toy he may grow out of but save him money in the future. He has money in his account ready for when he truly goes out into the big wide world. You have to plan for the future aswell as the present
• Do secret Santa amongst friends or family. Or do a lucky dip and create a theme and remember to create a limit (budget) ours at my work this year is £5.00.

So I am going to get on with the rest of my day, but there will be more to come soon, so keep reading guys and thank you all for your support.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

It is Thursday evening and I can’t believe how fast this week has gone. Tomorrow it will a week ago since my husband’s mum and dad came down for Henry (my son’s) birthday.

Also a week ago since it was my brother’s birthday. I stayed in today waiting for a delivery. I really don’t like it when you get a text from the delivery services some retailers use, saying “Delivery will be before 9pm”. I really want to apply, “I hope so, any later you’ll disturb my son sleeping and usually I am in bed by then, watching TV”. Tonight I watch DIY SOS (when it is on) and The Apprentice.

As if any company would deliver up until midnight. Well I would hope not anyway, and it doesn’t help anymore knowing that you may have to stay in all day, because as luck has had it, as soon as I leave the house, it will be delivered. I can guarantee that, so it is good you get a text knowing that the delivery will be today, but it would be nice if they said between 1pm to 4pm  for an example, then you have more idea of when it will arrive and then I can plan to go out for a couple of hours.

However it gave me a chance to upload a video I edited yesterday, and do some cleaning.

Plus I am reading a really good book called “The Gospel According to Drew Barrymore” A brilliant read. I will do a review on http://www.carriesrealworld.com soon.

I haven’t watched I’m a celebrity get me outta here yet. I haven’t really had a chance with it being a busy time of year. I hope to catch up soon.

I still got to catch up on Strictly come dancing from last Saturday. It really is a busy season and I have almost got all my gifts for this year. I have bought some gifts from Very.co.uk as like Freemans too, are doing 3 for 2 on many of their items. However I do find that Very is a lot more cost effective than Freemans. Some items I do find are too expensive in price, and many of their items are no different to what they sold last year.

Just got a few more to buy and I am going to be making a Christmas Cake this year to take up to Southampton to my In-laws, I would say always plan to do this a month ahead.

When done I will post a picture.

I wrote a new blog on my website below, about Loneliness, which you can check out on my WordPress site https://everybodycanbuildacastle.wordpress.com 

There will be a lot of people who will feel lonely this time of year. Christmas is about sharing love with others and if you know someone who is lonely then give them your time, have a coffee with them or a drink, just knowing that there is someone who does care for them, can mean an awful lot.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

I have a new blog post on my website  https://everyonecanbuildacastle.wordpress.com/

I wanted to write about About those who scam. It is that time of year where they will be waiting on the surface so do be careful on the high streets and online.

I was writing this blog yesterday to be posted yesterday but I was not able to get onto the Internet to finish my midweek blog, so writing this now.

Yesterday morning I was so tired I could have slept on let daddy take Henry to nursery. The working late evenings and early mornings do really catch up. I decided to listen to one of my favourite types of music by Enya. I just needed to hear it whilst I got some more rest after dropping Henry off at nursery.

However I didn’t go back to sleep as by then I was awake, but it was worth a try. It isn’t always easy to sleep when your baby or toddler is sleeping. I find I am tired and can sleep at the wrong times like when I am at work at the weekend. So I just have to try whenever there is a free gap of time.

I wish I had a button that would help me to switch off and drop off to sleep. I admire those who can just turn over and then be in snooze-land .

I watched the final of The Great British Bake off, and I did predict it would be Candice to win as she became strong in the last 4 episodes. I was getting a bit fed up though, there’s always someone who is in tears after they get criticism especially from Paul Hollywood. I know it isn’t nice to get criticism at times but you have to be tough skinned. You don’t go on these programs to get praise all the time. The reason why it is a challenge.

I am a bit sad it is the last episode though, not sure what I will be watching now on a Wednesday evening. A good excuse to get more work done or an early night I suppose.

Today my mum and Sister-in-law with my son and nieces, went to London Zoo. First time for Henry, and I haven’t been there in years. We couldn’t workout where it was once we got to Regents Park Station, so we jumped in a cab who knew.

I ALWAYS SAY IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING ALWAYS ASK A CAB DRIVER.

CHOOSE A BLACK CAB THEY ARE ALWAYS LICENSED.

I will do a blog about tomorrow on http://www.carriesrealworld.com on My Tales of My Travels page. (Please click on link below):

 http://www.carriesrealworld.com/the-tales-of-my-travels

I love sharing my days out and trips to places. I don’t always get a chance these days so when I do, I do make the most of them.

I also wrote an article on my Hubpages Articles yesterday about Paranoia as I do support Mental Health as it can effect so many people. I do think that more help and support should be given to those with emotional issues. Paranoia is one. It can effect relationships with people and your life, if you allow it to take control.

So I wrote the article to help and give advice to those who feel paranoid a lot of the time, from my own experience of what I have done and do to help me, when I feel paranoid.

I will let you know once this is published, I in the process of editing this now.

I will be doing my end of the week blog tomorrow too. It has been an eventful week and have packed in so much. So I am going to close this blog here, but thank you to all whom have read my blogs so far  and have a good rest of the week.

Carrie X

Hey all, it is Wednesday and posting a bit late on my midweek blog. I was going to write it whilst Henry had his nap after I had written on my other wordpress sites, see my recent posts on:

https://everyonecanbuildacastle.wordpress.com

https://sportsandfitnesspassion.wordpress.com

However as children can be unpredictable and their naps reduce as they grow, Henry woke up earlier than expected and was Mr Grumpy for about half and hour.

It is amazing what a bit of food and music can do, to change a child’s mood.

Image from: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=old+teenage+smoking+adverts+from+the+80%27s&biw=1365&bih=785&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjRmpCaw-fPAhXoJ8AKHVxIBrsQ_AUIBigB&dpr=0.75#imgrc=9dj9O16VBYhS_M%3A

As I was heading out to pick up Henry I saw these girls sitting on the public footpath smoking. I would say were sixth form, as they were sitting near the school where my husband used to work, but were in their own clothes.

Seeing the girl smirk as I saw her look at me whilst lighting,  it really reminded me of when I went to school, and girls would smoke whilst sitting up near the porter-cabins, which were temporary classrooms.

The same old look as if they are really cool and confident. It made me think those adverts you used to see in the 80’s, where a teenager would be smoking and then another teenager would turn around and I can’t remember the exact words, but it was on the lines of “Smoking isn’t cool”, and I do see the look still on some teenager’s faces like “Yeah I am so old enough to smoke”, in their uniform.

I to be honest was never into smoking, I did try it when drinking but it was never something that I liked the taste of. I never mind people smoking around me, but I just never liked it.

My husband smoked when we first got together up until our second year of marriage or so, and that was it, he hasn’t touched a single cigarette since, not even had a craving or anything.

When I worked on the cigarette counter at a Supermarket,  that was one of the main products sold everyday. In fact I can see why the cigarette industry has made a lot of money, as some people wouldn’t come into the store and buy one pack they would buy a 100 pack of 20 or 25 cigarettes.

My mum has always smoked, she did give it up after having an really bad ear infection and then suddenly she began again. To her it is her break from everyday and a chance to chill with a cup of tea.

I grew up with smokers, such as my granddad, who smoked until he very last day. He always said “If I die of smoking, at least I died happy”, which was the outlook upon smoking for some people. I used to envy the smokers sometimes at work places, as they would all be outside chatting, whilst I would be tapping at the computer keyboard.

However I don’t for the life of me think it is cool, but something people see as a release to have a chill and a chat with other people.

To some it is an addiction, and they want to give up but can’t. I would say to them is, do it for the right reasons, not for others but for yourself. My husband he did try a few times before to give up, before the very last time and failed. We even had a row over a plate of chips and draw, on one occasion.

Then out of the blue he said to me “This is going to be last cigarette” and it was.

Now I do notice how his skin on his face is a lot better, he has saved money and he has realised it isn’t something you do need in your life.

So too all those teenagers who think it is cool, don’t feel that smoking is, if you want to smoke then do so, but don’t think it will make people see you as grown up. NO.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Hey to everyone, halfway through the week. My son is at nursery and I am doing some catching up on my blogs and videos today.

I wrote a blog yesterday http://www.carriesrealworld.com/blog-tuesday

It was about making some changes to my website above, where I also post my blogs on my world and lifestyle. I am going to share the posts between that site and this site http://www.cazzachalloner40/wordpress.com

I will be changing my format of my site above and will be using my other WordPress sites too.

https://theparentingadventures.wordpress.com/

https://cazzachalloner40.wordpress.com/

https://sportsandfitnesspassion.wordpress.com/

https://everyonecanbuildacastle.wordpress.com/

I really am need of a change and so this is why I have decided to make this collaboration.

I will no longer be posting blogs or videos on Mother and Baby subjects and The Parenting Adventure blog, on my site Carriesrealworld.com these will be written on my WordPress sites

https://theparentingadventures.wordpress.com

I will share on the site above about the changes of my son as he continues reach different ages and stages of his development.

My other site https://cazzachalloner40.wordpress.com/

Here I will post tips and advice and sharing products used, and specific Mother and Baby Hauls, through blogs and videos.

I will be posting my other hauls, packing series, Planner and Filofax and my weekly blogs I write on Monday or Tuesday and Fridays, on carriesrealworld.com along with my book reviews and weekly Vlog videos too.

My Fitness and Fundraising events I take part in each year, I will post on my WordPress site: https://sportsandfitnesspassion.wordpress.com/

Anyway thank you so much to you all for reading my blogs and watching my YouTube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/cazzacheers1

Carrie X