How to be an Allergenius with AO.com

Earlier this summer, we were invited by AO to meet with them and learn about allergies and how to combat them in the home, I was at work so I sent my hubby and the kids to find out more. 

The event took place at the Think Tank science centre in Birmingham, an ideal location to learn about these biological threats. As many as 1 in 4 of us suffer from some form of allergy, with the most common being to pollen, dust mites and mould. The ladies from AO had first organised a treasure hunt for the children to find cartoon allergies hidden around a typical home, once they found them, these had hints or tips on how to limit the impact of bugs around the home. The kids loved this and the adults found it informative too, even if some of the tips sounded like hard work!

Once we had learned about the allergies and what we could do to fight against the cause of them, we hopped over to speak with a Hotpoint representative about the new features they are adding to their products to help. These include, additional anti-allergy cycles on washing machines at 60ºc  with extra rinses as well to kill bugs, anti-allergy cycles on tumble dryers and also a new range of vacuum cleaners with washable HEPA 13 filters to help contain as many allergens as possible.

After the informative part, we spent some time crafting and made some flowers from pipe cleaners and tissue paper, with a little help from the AO life team.

To finish of the day, we spent a few hours discovering what the Think Tank has to offer. Everything from an outdoor science play area, complete with water experiments, a human sized hamster wheel and a cart with a square wheel (it really worked!), to some enormous steam trains and a model of a spitfire with WWII dressing up. The children particularly loved the Kids City, which had a doctors, dentist, cafe and even a TV studio, they really enjoyed role playing in the various areas.

Thanks to AO for inviting us to this informative and fun day out.

Disney on Ice Tour - 100 Years of Magic

You may have seen on the telly recently about the new Disney on Ice Tour, 100 Years of Magic. This is billed as, a celebration of 100 years of unforgettable characters and beloved stories bought to life on the ice, a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you'll remember forever.

I don't think there are many of us that haven't enjoyed a Disney movie at some point in our lives, and all of us will have our favourite characters. My daughter loves all of the princesses and my son, well probably a mixture of everyone, he used to adore Mickey and even now will sit and watch him. 

Me, I love Aladdin, it has wonderful characters, singing and my favourite of them all, Genie.

The tour is heading to some great cities around the UK so why not stay in a hotel close to the venue and make a weekend of it, here is my guide to a few of cities on the tour.

How about Birmingham for shopping at the Bull Ring, jewellery quarter and dinner at one of it's many restaurants. Or Manchester for it's fabulous museums and culture, if you haven't been to the Museum of Science and Industry, it is well worth a visit, and free as well!

For those further north then how about a trip to the wonderful city of Glasgow with it's Botanical Gardens, beautiful art and architecture. Then top the day off with a memorable evening watching the Disney On Ice, 100 Years of Magic with your family.

With a short journey back to the hotel you don't have to worry about travelling home,  refreshed after a night’s sleep, you can be ready to enjoy the next day and more sightseeing or should you prefer shopping.  A great way to make special memories for you and your family and maybe visiting and falling in love with a new city and all it has to offer.

The Disney on Ice Tour will be appearing around the UK at the following locations:

Glasgow - Braehead Arena - 26th September - 5th October 2014

Newcastle - Metro Radio Arena - 7th - 12th October 2014    

Manchester - Phones 4u Arena - 15th - 19th October 2014  

Birmingham - National Indoor Arena - 22nd October - 2nd November 2014

Sheffield - Motorpoint Arena - 5th - 9th November 2014  

London - O2 Arena - 24th December 2014 - 4th January 2015           

More information on dates, locations etc can be found at http://www.disney.co.uk/disney-on-ice/100-years-of-magic/index.html

This is a collaborative post, however all words are my own.

Sainsbury's Birmingham Grand Prix

This weekend sees the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix event happening, an IAAF Diamond League meet which takes place at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on Sunday 24th August. 

This thrilling meet will welcome global stars including double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah and world 400m gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu, as Britain’s greatest take on the world’s best as the Sainsbury’s Summer Series comes to an exciting climax.

 

Straight after the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix, a number of Paralympic and world champions will also line the track and field for the Sainsbury’s IPC Grand Prix Final. Six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir, Paralympic, world T44 gold medallist Jonnie Peacock and T34 200m Paralympic and world champion Hannah Cockroft were among the names to star at the event last year.

This looks to be a fantastic festival of athletics as well as some great activities taking place around the stadium too, with picnic areas and soft play it is sure to be a great day out for all the family.

Tickets are on sale now! Click here for tickets or call 08000 556056

Click here to view the spectator guide and what is on around the stadium, it really does look to be a great day out.

NB I have been given a family ticket for this event.

Fleet Street Kitchen Review

A couple of weeks ago my family and I were invited to a preview lunch at a gorgeous new restaurant and bar in Birmingham.

The Fleet Street Kitchen is one of the most unusual restaurants I have been too in a while, with the Barbacoa grill being the main focal point of the room.

In a relaxed environment you can enjoy fabulous fresh food cooked to your liking, as neither of us were drinking we had virgin Mojitos.

As we went on a Sunday I opted for the Sunday lunch, the meat was cooked perfectly and the vegetables were divine covered in the all important gravy which tasted great.

My husband chose a 35 day dry aged Dexter beef rib eye with coffee chipotle BBQ sauce, the sauce was tasty and had a really lovely spicy tang to it.

Although they don't have a specific children's menu you can have any of the mains half portion and half price so we chose the chicken and chips for my son and daughter.

Starters were all great sizes too so you could just have a couple of those for the kids, we chose the baby back ribs and potted duck which were both fabulous.

High chairs were available and at no point were we made to feel uneasy about children wanting to go and look at the kitchen and a general walk around.

The whole atmosphere was wonderful and it felt like a kitchen come dining room with a modern twist.

Finally pudding, personally I would go for a pudding over the starter but since we were there to try everything, I went for the whole 3 courses. I decided to have the Eton Mess, my husband had the chocolate pot and my son went for ice cream. The manager sent over some melted chocolate and raspberries for the children which was a lovely touch.

And finally the downstairs, although it wasn't in full use yet the vibe we got from it was elegant with an edgy feel from the spray paintings on the wall.

The booths were great and the range of spirits suited mine and my husbands unusual and sometimes expensive tastes.

You can't tell from the picture but this door is huge!

Spray painted ladies on the walls.

Gorgeous chandeliers offered a luxurious feel

I really loved the kitchen feel and it's the great setting place for a lunch with friends or a post work meal and drink.

The staff were friendly and helpful and overall we had a great meal.

NB. The meal was given to us free of charge in return for our thoughts on the restaurant, all words and images are my own.

Exciting New Resturant in Birmingham, Fleet Steet Kitchen

I love food and we very rarely get to go out as a family. Next month we have been lucky enough to be invited to visit a new restaurant in Birmingham before it opens, I am super excited as it sounds like it is going to be a wonderful experience.

This is what they have to say about the Fleet Street Kitchen

Cooking with Fire: The Barbecoa Experience: All core ingredients will be given the chef’s equivalent of a hot stone massage from Fleet Street Kitchen’s custom-designed Barbecoa grill, the first of its kind to be installed in a UK restaurant. Barbecoa is a pure charcoal indoor barbeque grill, heavily utilised in Northern Spain where it is widely used as a traditional method for cooking meat and fish to its most delicious potential. Positioned at the heart of the Kitchen, the Barbecoa grill will take centre stage as diners enjoy the theatre of its flame.

The menu at Fleet Street Kitchen will be a celebration of British meat and produce. Handpicked breeds from flock and herd will be cooked on charcoal to lock in flavour and ensure an intensely juicy experience with every mouthful.

Steak is the star with a generous selection of rare-breed cuts hunted and gathered from respected British producers and given the ultimate grilling courtesy of the Kitchen’s almighty Barbecoa grill. Rotisserie chicken and poussin, whole fish and burger sliders are exposed to the same fiery treatment while abundant deli boards and a generous helping of naughty puds round-off a deliciously comforting menu.

Sunday lunch will conclude the week for Birmingham’s urban ramblers in search of a home-cooked, family-friendly vibe.

I will be taking my two young children which is always a good test for our family, looking at the pictures of the inside I am hoping the location will be enough to keep them happy. If not then most certainly me.

Look out for my verdict at the end of next month :)