'Grotto Off 2015'! First Stop Ards Shopping Centre

'Grotto Off' doesn't have a very appealing ring to it, I am aware of that, but just in case we end up visiting a selection this Christmas, we might as well post about our visit today, at  Ards Shopping Centre.

Ards Shopping Centre always put on a good show. Their yearly 'mountain' display is immense. There have been DJing elves and the infamous 'Puffing Billy' who I captured in 2010 on video.

We pitied those working in stores in earshot of that song, on loop, all day, every day for over a month. The woman at the till of the butchers' definitely had a thousand mile stare on the go. I could imagine coming in one day to find her with a kebab skewer in each bloody ear due to her aural torture. 

Apart from being impressive, the whole grotto set up is hard to beat. Free visit, free chocolate lolly for each child, and one free photo printed instantly for you. So no monetary outlay, and no having to wait around for an hour, or even call back another day to claim your Santa photo. 

Ards' grotto was actually the first ever Santa visit had, December 2007, a month and a bit after he was born. 

Baby Smix 2007

What a little Christmas pudding! 

So we were in the centre after school today, and the queue for Santa was tiny, so we both paid him a visit. 

Smix's smile betrays the fact that I was the one keener to see Santa! He was just after the lollipop! 

So yes, first grotto experience of 2015, how did it weigh up?  Score is out of five snowmen.

Display- ⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️

Actual rating for Santa-  ⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️

Price- ⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️ 

Gift (free on this occasion remember)- ⛄️⛄️⛄️ 

Photo quality- ⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️ 

Photo Gift Option- ⛄️ 

Queue time- ⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️ 

Christmas 2015 Has Arrived in Marks & Spencer's Food Hall

Tis the season to eat all-y! Christmas has arrived in Marks & Spencer with  3 for 2 offers across party food as well as gifts & beauty departments. Stock up now, freeze and avoid the crazy rush in late December.

I called into the Belfast city centre branch to pick up some of the Christmas food that's just hit the shelves. 

There are lots of party food favourites back in store, with some cute additions like mini chicken buckets and chorizo cups. 

Again Marks and Spencer are partnering with Shelter with their Christmas lunch products. You can eat & be merry while also helping the Shelter charity. 

The orange and clementine juice tastes like childhood Christmases with a baby orange in your stocking from Santa. 

Christmas dinner is my all time favourite meal, so I'm glad M&S have a sneaky pre-Christmas roast turkey dinner for one. 

The glitter poinsettias caught my eye.  

That is one big walnut whip. The hot chocolate flakes are part of the 3 for 2 offer on Christmas trimmings. 

My favourite part, the party desserts. They are all mix and match on 3 for 2. 

This is a nifty little idea. Ice your own letter to Santa. I don't quite know the logistics of how Santa reads it if it ends up in your stomach, but we can put it down to Christmas magic. 

They've a range of Christmas crisps on a two for £2.70 deal. I have to be honest and say I wasn't keen on these parsnip ones. 

More from the lunch selection, very cute mini traybakes. 

Stunning macarons you have there, M&S. 

I wish I had picked up this parsnip drink now. Can't imagine what it might taste like! 

Could You Eat Reindeer This Christmas? Share a Lidl Magic

Tonight Michael and I went along to probably the most impressive launch night we've been to, as  Lidl NI showcased their range for Christmas 2015.

They had set up a replica Christmas market inside the Life Church in Belfast. Sparkly lights on Christmas trees and stalls brimming with treats. 

The entertainment came in the form of the Bugle Babes. 

So what can we expect in store? As usual Lidl's deluxe range is out of this world, with oysters, chowder and the finest meats. 

Have you ever made one of these gingerbread houses? I've tried. Never again. So thank goodness Lidl have a ready made one you can buy! 

These little desserts are so cute. One is chocolate orange and it tastes amazing. Good idea as a Christmas dinner dessert, when you're so full of turkey & trimmings that you couldn't squeeze a full size dessert in. 

And here it is, the infamous reindeer meat! Could you try it without feeling like you're chowing down on Rudolph? 

My Mum always does a buffet on Boxing Day, so I'm going to have to bring a pack of this and see what everyone's reaction is! 

I realised I had never tried oysters before. They were tasty. 

So there we have it. A little taster of Lidl Christmas 2015. I'm all in a Christmassy mood now. 

IKEA Belfast's Christmas 2015 Teaser

Available in store soon. Is there anything you've got your eye one?

Merry Kitschmas from The World of Kitsch

This year, especially the past two months, has been terribly hard for me and my son in our personal life, and so many of my PR contacts for various big brands have been absolute angels this Christmas sending us little notes & gifts to brighten our day. 

I've been so busy with real life problems I haven't even sent a single Christmas card, or managed to buy any for my closest family either, so this post is a big, all-encompassing THANK YOU card to everyone who has worked with me and supported me this year.

The brand PRs who send me wonderful treats (Jane xo), or set up collections of products from local stores for me (Nadine xo), everyone who takes time to vote when I've entered yet another blog competition, and the people who RT my links to blog posts and those who hit 'like' on my Instagram photos.

Have a very wonderful, merry Christmas and here's to a prosperous 2015 and all the blogging it brings. 

Make Your Garden a Winter Wonderland

Christmas is just around the corner now folks and it’s the same question on the tip of everyone’s tongue; will we have a white Christmas? The chances of snowfall this year may not have us all shopping for sleds just yet. But snowfall or no-fall, your garden can still be a magical winter wonderland.

If you have young children who dream of Santa and the North Pole, or you are a keen gardener who would appreciate a winter lawn, here are some tips to create an enchanting garden no matter the weather.

Plant Some Winter Flowers

Winter Jasmine

Whilst the rest of your garden goes to rest during the winter season, winter bloomers such as Helleborus Niger or Helleborus x Hybridus only come to life when the weather turns cold. These stunning flowers are irresistible when they open up in winter and their pinkish white hues really add to the magical feel of your white Christmas garden. Add a splash of festive red with seasonal Poinsettia planters and you won’t believe how easy the transformation is.

Use Outdoor Christmas Decorations

If you want a true winter wonderland, you simply cannot forget the outdoor decorations. Transform your garden as well as your home to create a truly enchanting festive atmosphere for the whole family. If you have a fir tree, decorate it with outdoor lights and make sure you make your front and back door welcoming with wreaths, hanging planters and garlands.

Turn Your Shed into a Grotto

For a true flavour of the North Pole (this is great for kids!), a grotto is a must. Anyone with a shed can transform a basic wooden structure into something spectacular. All you will need is some artificial snow and some pretty Christmas lights. 

Artificial snow comes in either sheet, spray or a powder form; use the sheet to decorate the roof / floor of the shed and dust off any nearby plants and trees with the powder or spray. Add some holly and ivy garlands to the front, along with some Poinsettia planters and you can make the grotto a welcoming place for the little ones.

Bring the Outside In

For anyone looking for a long term solution for enjoying their garden in winter, use frameless glass curtains to bring the outside in. Let the indoor and outdoor festive decorations come together to create a fantastic winter wonderland feel for the entire family. You can enjoy a white Christmas (fingers crossed) from the warmth and comfort of the indoors – or you can enjoy unobstructed views of the spring bloom come 2015. Whatever the season, frameless glass doors are a great investment if you want to enjoy your beautiful garden all year round. Visit FGC Frameless Glass Curtains Ltd to find out more.

Retro Futurism ArtPrint Takeaway in Bangor

One of my favourite, local artists Neal McCullough will be taking part in the art pop up shop at Bangor starting this week. Stuck for a present for an awkward to buy for someone? Come see Neal!

Marks & Spencers Winter Warmers to See You Through to Christmas Party Food Season.

Your local M&S is no doubt bulging with Christmas treats. Serving sizes for more than just your nearest and dearest, but to feed granny, the little cousins & your chatterbox Uncle who will turn up on Boxing Day expecting a feast! That's a situation you can take care of with Marks and Spencer's three for the price of two over the entire party food range.

My Sprucefild visit this month was to pick up some winter warmers, rather than festive themed novelties. Hearty, rich food for the shortening days. 

Yet, I couldn't resist these party foods. Who's child wouldn't be excited about tiny hotdogs for a Tuesday tea time?

M&S also do a range of min burgers. This includes brioche baplets, a tomato salsa, cheese slices and the burgers. We added in our own pepperoni and plum tomatoes.

The third party item I tried this week were these Sticky Lollipops. If you are from Northern Ireland I can tell you these are as delicious as something you'd get from Zen.

These smoked salmon pâté snacks are part of the range that donates a preparation of profit to Shelter.

Finally, I couldn't resist trying out their Turkeh sandwich either.

And Santa's grotto at Sprucefield looks beautiful.