I've been lucky enough to review all sorts since I started blogging but when Prestige Hampers got in touch to review one of their luxury Christmas hampers I couldn't believe my luck.

Unwrapping the box I was greeted with the most stunning wicker basket. The leather detailing throughout added a touch of luxury and when I released the clasps I was stunned at how much was included from wine to chocolate, biscuits, preserves and so much more. I quickly snapped a photo on my phone and sent it to Tom as I was giddy with excitement but I knew we couldn't touch anything until I had photographed it for this post.

For me, food hampers are my favourite gift to give and receive. I find it's a great gift for a couple or family and oozes a wow factor that you just don't get with your standard bath set.

This is where Prestige Hampers come in to their own. They provide hampers for every occasion and all budgets from a chocolate fuelled Letterbox Hamper for only £14.99 through to their ultimate Luxury Hampers from £49.99.

We aren't flying home to Belfast for Christmas this year as we have decided to enjoy Dylan's first Christmas as a family of four but I have had a look on Prestige Hamper's website as I might post something back for the family to enjoy as let's face it, who doesn't love a hamper for Christmas?


I was kindly sent the Elegant Christmas Hamper to review and I was amazed at how much was included. There were so many goodies for Tom and I to enjoy including Chocolate Coffee for this sleep deprived mama, Sticky Toffee Pudding Biscuits and Yorkshire Crisps for my Yorkshire husband.



Initially we wanted to tuck in to a few treats but we've since decided to put the Hamper away until Christmas and enjoy it then when we have visitors or when we have date night. I seriously cannot wait for the Lily O'Brien chocolates though, I've had them before and they are immense!

I'm really impressed with this Hamper from the quality of the wicker basket through to the products included. The basket can be used for storage in the future (I'm imagining picnics in the summer) and there are so many goodies that we can both share and also enjoy individually.

Thanks so much to Prestige Hampers for brightening up a rubbish week, it was exactly what I needed.

I'm back and I've got a delicious little festive recipe to share with you all.

I'm finally starting to feel more human now I'm out of the first trimester so I decided there was no time like the present and I needed to get back in to my happy place and baking again.

I actually spotted this recipe on Brown Eyed Baker's blog and apart from reducing the quantity, I left the recipe as it was. If it's not broke why fix it right?

In these final few weeks before Christmas time is precious so you don't want to spend ages in the kitchen when you could be inahling mince pies or watching Love Actually for the 100th time. Thankfully this Snickerdoodle Fudge can be whipped up in 10 minutes and all you need to do is leave it to set in the fridge for a couple of hours - easy!

Snickerdoodle Fudge

1 tin of condensed milk

550g white chocolate

1.5 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp sugar

½ tsp cinnamon 

Line a 20cm quare tin in clingfilm
Melt the milk and chocolate in a pan over a low heat. As it melts it will become thicker but keep stirring.
Add in the vanilla extra
Pour into the prepared tin
Leave to chill in the fridge for 2 hours or more
Once firm mix the sugar and cinnamon together
Scatter over the fudge
Chop into small pieces

Enjoy!

Tuesday was really hard. I got up at 6am, got myself ready and woke Ethan at 6:45am. I gave him a milk feed, got him dressed and Mr T   left at 7:15am to dropp him off at nursery on his way to work. I work in Bradford and I need to be there for 8am so there is no way I would make it in time so we decided to choose a nursery close to Mr T's school then I can do pick up on an evening. I had a little cry in the car when they left and spent the whole day thinking about Ethan while clock watching until 4:30pm when I knew I could leave the office and pick him up.

Thankfully he has settled really well at nursery. There have been no tears and he was just a little clingy on Tuesday wanting lots of one on one attention. He's such a cuddly boy who loves to be held so the nursery staff have said they have happily obliged as the love babies who love cuddles.

Work wise for me I've slipped right back in to things like I had never left. My role has changed slightly with a bit more responsibility but I'll now be working 4 days rather than 5. I only wanted to work 3 but since we bought the house and have a large mortgage for the next 2 years due to a 5% deposit it's a need more than a want to work these 4 days. It could be worse, I could have to work full time therefore I'm lucky work agreed to this and an an early finish.

I still get to see my mum friends on a Friday but weekends are now very busy trying to fit in family time, housework, food shopping and maybe even a spot of baking but I'm sure after a few weeks we will find our groove and get into a good routine.

So... to celebrate week one back at work I thought I would share one of our Christmas Day desserts that I made. There were 14 people to feed and after the success of last year's traditional Pavlova I decided to put a festive twist on my Chocolate Pavlova. The photos aren't great as I quickly snapped them on my phone before we headed to the in-laws but the dessert was delicious! When time is not on your side I strongly recommend you make a Pavlova.