supergolden88

I found these free short dowloads today from Leah Sarago who has developed the Ballet Body Signature series. I downloaded them (the longest one is an intense ten minute thigh workout). I actually ordered her exercise DVDs but think they have been lost in transit from the US.

http://leahsaragofitness.com/category/giveaways/

If you do any of the adult ballet classes I would be interested to know what you think. While I would love to join some local classes as well I find the cost rather prohibitive. There's a lot of exercise dvds out there that are very effective for toning provided you do them daily. But if you have toddler at home not always possible to do!

I second Battlestar Galactica - one of the best. Plus it has finished you can catch up on 4 seasons. Hours of viewing.

The library is a good place you can rent entire series.

Veep is very funny - comedy side of West Wing, sort of

Love New Girl but may not be for you

Parks and Recreation

The Killing and it's ilk if you like the genre

Latest series of Mad Men is absolutely brilliant

Well I think some days he gets back from nursery hungry - they have tea at 4ish. He gets a meal at 6.15 when he gets home and more ofter than not will have a portion of food (hot meal) plus/or toast, yoghurt, fruit. And a full bottle before bed as well.

I think he is rather picky about what he eats at nursery and will not have the tea if he does not enjoy it.

I will try a chicken rice dish and a few others to see how well they are received. Am off work as of today anyway so in theory more time to cook stuff fresh (*not that I intend to do that daily).

I went from 32D to insane sizes while pregnant and breastfeeding back to 34D after stopping and now a 32C - if that. My boobs look awful it's like they have lost their 'stuffing'! If I were braver and not terrified of surgery (and had money to spare) I would seriously consider a breast lift.

I have not been doing any exercise lately (too busy, kids have been sick, freelance work, you name it). A couple of weeks ago I went power walking every day for 30-40m but now it's back to nothing. I miss running terribly and have cheated a couple of times by speeding up my walk to a kind of running shuffle with ankle weights on to keep me even more grounded. Plus even worse I have not been doing my pelvic floor exercises given by physio.

I know they muffin top can go - managed to get rid of mine in the end. But the skin over the tummy area looks rather crepey and horrible and there's loose skin. YUck. I 'm depressing myself now. And I have been BANNED from doing ab crunches. Sheesh

Anyone else find the first place to lose weight is their boobs? I have lost at least one cup size if not more.

The first place to gain it is the saddlebags on my hips. Completely hateful. If anyone has any ideas to tackle that area with exercise let me know!

I think Crocus is actually one of the better ones. Thompson and Morgan etc. tend to sell small (plug) plants you have to repot and then plant once they are big enough.

B&Q has lots of plants at the moment and they are good sized. Not a vast selection but some nice stuff.

Depends a little on what you are after. Some online companies are very specialised (tropical plants etc) and they have lovely plants but are very pricey. Ebay and Amazon have plants too.

I am stuck in a food rut where feeding my 19m old son is concerned at least. I have to prepare and freeze food in advance as don't have time to cook fresh on weekdays.

So far he has been mostly having bolognese with lots of veg thrown in (with either mash or spaghetti) and lamb stew with lots of veg on cous cous. He used to have a kind of thick vegetable soup (with/without chicken) but think that he is outgrowing the very mushy food stage. He enjoys a roast dinner but most of the food that is not chicken ends up all over the floor. He has funny ideas about vegetables on their own as well - loves it to chew but does not swallow it and again it ends up on floor. He will eat egg whites but not egg yolk and no scrambled eggs.

Don't know what to make at all. Ideas welcome.

Tips...

Bring blackout lining to put on windows. Although usually there are shutters/curtains they don't block out the sun and kids wake up super early...

Avoid going out when sun is very hot 12-3 pm - do as the Greeks do and have a siesta (I used to HATE that as a child). We usually go swimming at 10 am and then again at 3.30 - spend most of the day on the beach.

If you are using formula the brands available in Greece may be slightly different. Use bottled water to make it. Drink bottled water in general when you are on the island. Bring water whenever you go out.

Beware that most Feta cheese is not pasteurised - having said that I don't know a single Greek mum who stopped eating it during pregnancy and that includes myself.

You may need a certificate from your doctor that you are ok to fly. I was only 4 months along when we went once and the staff at Gatwick were being very suspicious when I said I was only four months (I was showing early). Take your notes with you.

Sure you will have a good time - enjoy!

Think have moved on from Hello Kitty to this - so pretty

http://pinterest.com/pin/234257618087927357/

Hello Kitty cake tin or number 6 cake tin or cookie cutter?

Have caught baking fever ahead of my little girl's sixth birthday

many thanks!

My daughter had a trial music lesson last week (thanks to recommendations on this forum!) and she loved it. Now we need to rent or buy a violin for her. The teacher said she needs a 1/8 one if that makes sense.

Where can we get hold of one? Suggestions please

Not only do all (most?) mums feel that way sometimes - men/dads do as well. I think communicating these feelings with your partner/husband if you have one is very important. As long as both parties don't wobble at the same time generally you get out of phases like these ok. Confiding in friends/family/the forum also helps!

I have had a few attacks of the wobbles myself generally when I was alone at home with baby. Hope you are feeling less wobbly hellosailor xx

Well done to the organisers of the Fun Run. It was a great event - thank goodness the day was sunny!

Well done to all the parents running the race (wish I could join in!) and all the very enthusiastic kids. Hope the event raised a lot of money for the school.

I have been looking at recipes and really want to try a red velvet cake. Has anyone made one?

have been posting ideas here http://pinterest.com/supergolden88/birthday-party-ideas/

and this one in particular looks amazing (although not as a four tier cake!)

http://iambaker.net/red-velvet-strawberry-shortcake

To all you bakers out there: any fool proof amazing cake recipes you wish to share? I want to bake a birthday cake for my daughter. Leaning towards this one which I have made before but other ideas welcome

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3092/ultimate-chocolate-cake

My daughter has requested these for her 6th birthday. Not sure about it - she tends to be absent minded and has already fractured her ankle earlier this year (though it was not her fault).

Does anyone have these - would you say they were safe to use? Any brand recommendations/retailers welcome

the other option is a skateboard...