How to write to manufacturers

This is something I have been doing for a while now, I started by writing to a couple of companies with a compliant about the food. These were genuine complaints, so if you feel you have a complaint about a product why not pop the company an email or a letter and let them know. Please use genuine complaints though as we don't want to ruin companies kindness for others.

You can also write to companies of your favourite products to tell them how much you love them, the truth is the customer service staff like to have a happy letter once in a while.

I'll be honest and say I have done both and I don't write to them expecting results. Yes if its for a complaint I'd appreciate at least an acknowledgement of my compliant. So when I receive freebies or coupons its a great bonus. I'm a bit of a fan of getting post as you may know, so that's why I write to a company but admittedly sending an email may be cheaper.

If you keep an eye on my monthly postbox post you will see what responses I get. But please don't then go and contact all that I get a reply from, go through your cupboards and pick half a dozen products that you love and tell the company that. And you never know you may be lucky.

Have you ever complained about a product service? What reply did you get?

If you do contact any companies be sure to let me know!

Why I don't like kid's TV?

Am I the only parent who really hates some children's programmes?

I have a personal dislike of quite a few, the thing that annoys me most is the programmes I don't like are some that Amelie does. Sometimes I think the aim behind the programmes and what there teaching is good, its the way there put across, which sometimes I find pathetic. I don't know why kid's enjoy them, I really don't. Most of the shows Amelie loves involve music in some way, but's that's just because she loves to dance.

I'm not going to name which shows because the truth is we all have different opinions and the even bigger truth is tomorrow I may enjoy them, because I like to change my mind.

But there's a few I do really like and Amelie loves too:

- Topsy and Tim
- Mr Bloom : Here and There
- My pet and me
- Sofia the first
- Paw Patrol

We're big fans of them all in this house, and do you know what I'm going to admit we have these on most days.

Do you like kid's TV?
Which shows do you like?
Which ones don't you?

Samaritan Purse shoebox appeal

I have been making a shoebox to send via Samaritans purse for quite a few years, but this year Amelie has helped. We decided to make ours for a little boy aged 2-4.

 

What is Samaritan's purse?

 

The mission is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world. It's done by people like me in the UK filling a shoebox with lots of goodies from school supplies, non-liquid hygiene items and toys.

 

Our Shoebox

 

 

 

I let Amelie go through my box of goodies I collect from in the sales over the year to pick what she wanted to put in the box. I assisted a little but I think she picked well in the end and we hope the little boy who receive it like it. 

 

 

If you would like to take part and make a shoebox too head over Samaritans purse website to find out more. 

Slimming World - Week 4

So far I've lost 3 1/2 lbs which maybe not as much as I was hoping but I've lost so I'm happy. This week I've been pretty good, I even took a salad to work on Saturday night and managed to resist the chocolates, so I'm proud of myself. Didn't manage to stay on plan yesterday which probably had a knock on effect meaning I only lost 1/2 lbs this week, which has disappointed me a little if I'm being honest. I'm glad I stayed for image therapy, it has really given me some motivation for this week to come.

If your a slimming world member, today I realised the importance of staying at group and how I think it really helps weight loss, so if you don't already stay, start!

I've set myself a goal for the next week to lose 2lbs, so I'm going to be strict & on plan and try to do plenty of body magic. So hopefully I'll be able to meet that goal this week. Next slimming update I will post will be early Nov and I'll let you know how I'm getting on

Direct Shopping Companies

Are they worth it?
The truth is it really is down to an individual as to whether it works for them. I have a friend who is a body shop at home consultant and manages to make a full time income from it. Where as for me it's just not been worth it for any of the companies I've tried.

There are a lot of direct companies out there these days including

• Body Shop
• Phoenix Trading
• Neal's Yard
• Usborne Books 

just to name a few. All of these companies in some way or form require you to make some sort of investment whether it's buying a starter pack or just buying catalogues & business stationary. I'm not saying it's not worth it, because for some people it is, I've got friends who working for a direct selling company fits perfectly round there families and there lifestyles.

I guess my point of this post is to anyone thinking of joining a direct selling company, take your time to think about it and be prepared for hard work and lots of time promoting. I hope it works for you, as sometimes they really are great. Plus to anyone reading and you work for a direct sales / shopping company, feel free to send me a catalogue, pop me an email to get my address as I prefer paper copies.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Last night was one of my regular monthly trips to Norwich Theatre Royal, this time we saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. I hadn't heard a lot about the show before we went, but it was great fun and really comical. There was some really great songs in the show, my personal favourite was 'great big stuff'.

The show had a great all star cast including Noel Sullivan (formally in Hearsay), Carley Stenson (former hollyoaks star) and Gary Wilmot. Noel who played Freddie was awesome, as a child I loved Hearsay and I'm going to have to say I think musical theatre is a much better fit for him. The whole cast were fantastic, and it is a really well written show. I say this to you every time I see a show, but again I really do recommend if you can you see this show.


I'd love to hear what your favourite musicals are or what you've seen recently? Pop over to my facebook page to tell me.

My Postbox October - Part 1

I've been checking my postbox everyday to see what I've got. Free stuff is one of my favourite things to receive, yes you have to request it, but there so fun to get and most of it is really useful. If any of the freebies I get are still available to request I will pop a link under the photo, so you can request them too.

 

So far this month I have had:

 

1st - First was a letter all about Amelie's place at nursery in January, very scary my little girl has grown up so quickly.

I also had my 'your home that I get every month

 

3rd - I had quite a lot of post today, including a letter from coca cola thanking me for my feedback. The rest were all eBay purchases.

 

5th - Amelie had post today, a lovely letter from Bernard Matthews saying thank you for her picture and they even threw in a coupon too

 

7th - We've had a McDonalds open in town recently so I has some £1.99 coupons for there today

 

8th - Today I had a letter from Good Housekeeping confirming my free 6 month subscription, which is for Dec 15 - May 16, so I'm expecting my first issue some point in November

 

9th - Today was more post for Amelie, we wrote to Heinz a while back to say how much Amelie loves spaghetti hoops and today she got 2 magnets, a pen, some post-its and a personalised card as a thank you.

 

 

10th - First up today was another one for Amelie, as you probably tell Amelie likes to draw pictures and is always asking me to send them to whoevers made what she is eating. Today was a reply to a picture sent to Dr Moo milkshakes straws, she got a lovely letter and some packs of milkshake straws which she was very happy about when she opened it.



 

 

Also today was a freebie, a sample of envelopes from Blake envelopes, which when this was posted were still available here  http://www.blake-envelopes.com/sample-basket

 

12th - Today I received some samples from bestbuyenvelopes.co.uk which were unavailable as this was posted, but worth checking on.

 

14th - Today all I had was a postage slip from the post office to say they were unable to deliver a parcel, so i'll go get that tomorrow and tell you what it is in part 2 at the end of the month.