Apparently the recession won’t stop us splashing out this festive season. A report in the News of the World says the average family will spend £665 on Christmas this year, which is more than 20% up on 2008.

Not that everone will be spending as if there’s no tomorrow though. I also stumbled across a survey on moneysupermarket.com that revealed that the average amount we splash out on our children’s Christmas presents is a bit more modest. The most common answer given is that we will spend about £50-100 per child and with most kids expecting a sackful of presents these days, that means bargain hunting is a must.

This Christmas Get The Label has a dedicated section for Christmas presents under £10 from designer brands including Adidas, Playboy and Bench. In fact, there are gift ideas for every budget with something available for everyone. Menswear, ladies’ fashion and children’s clothes are all included.

Some of the clothes are only available in selected sizes and there is limited stock of some items so, if you’re looking for the widest choice of designer labels at discount prices this Christmas, it would be best to get your order in early. There’s only five weeks to go!

Bathtime…ahh a time of bliss, relaxation and transportation to a world of no stress! As you might guess, I love buying the latest monthly glossy, putting on some relaxing music and taking a long soak in a steaming hot bath. It really helps me to unwind and relax my muscles, a god send when its coming to the end of a hard week at work.

Now i know that i have this love of baths in common with a lot of my friends, both mums and non-mums, so i thought i’d put a post about how to achieve the perfect bath for optimum relaxation - just in time for this weekend! I’ve had a look at some holistic books, living magazines and listened to advice and below are my top tips. If you have any which you think would enhance the experience then please let me know!

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Just when the christmas shopathon starts to kick in we have a fab competition you can take part in to help you fill those Santa Sacks easier (and cheaper!)

Look and Now magazines online have teamed up with Get The Label to give 5 shopaholics (at each website!) the chance to win £50 to spend on the site, ideal for the run up to Christmas.

This morning was the first I’ve seen of Jack Frost and its made me really aware that Mr Hectic Mum and Kian aren’t as wrapped up as much as i’d like, so I’m checking out the jackets section at Get The Label to treat them sooner rather than later (before they turn into frozen snowmen!)

All you need to do is click on these competition links and answer the questions, easy peasy!

Look Magazine Competition

Now Magazine Competition

Good Luck!

I’m not a big fan of gyms. Or running. I like the odd swim but I find that quite boring. I do bits and bobs here and there to keep in shape, and I’m quite lucky in that having Kian means I don’t always get to eat properly and I’m always on my feet, which also helps to keep the weight off!!I’m glad I’m not a celebrity having to worry about whipping my body back into shape in the blink of an eye - I read the other day that Nicole Richie had her all her baby weight in two week! What?!

there is now so much pressure from celebritries who drop the baby fat in a blink of an eye. For example I was reading the newspaper the other day and saw that Nicole Richie had shed all her baby weight just 2 weeks after giving birth!! What?!

I was recently talking to a friend about the things we do to keep in shape and how we lost our baby weight, so I thought I’d share a few of our ideas. I’m interested to hear what other hectic mums do and how you shed the baby weight. What do you have the time to fit in? What do you actually enjoy?

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I love Bonfire Night! Wrapping up warm (in my lovely new jacket!), playing with sparklers and stuffing my face with treacle toffee, whilst watching fireworks is my idea of heaven! What’s not to love? With 5th November nearly upon us it’s time for some safety tips in preparation.

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