Life, Love and Dirty Dishes delivers award winning funny tales from the parenting front line delivered with humour and heart. We're all in this together.
I am a firm believer that stocking fillers should be under £5 each. But it can be a challenge to find gifts that aren’t just plastic tat in that price category. I would rather buy the kids things they can use, rather than something that clutters up the house or ends up in landfill. My […] Read more…
Now that the heatwave is over and the kids are no longer living in the paddling pool, I’ve been digging into the rainy day activities to keep them amused. I’m a huge fan of Baker Ross for craft stuff. Mainly because when it comes to crafts I have no idea what I am doing. I’ve […] Read more…
I’m not in a hurry to venture into the city centre now the shops are open again. I’ve been to a few local shops, some of which I am now actively avoiding because the social distancing was awful. However my local Wilko have been handling things really well. They keep the number of customers in […] Read more…
When I was a little girl my Dad would give some money in August and I would go to ‘Rules OK’ our local stationery shop and kit myself out with a new pencil case and supplies for the new school year. And thus began my stationery addiction. Big loves Smiggle, and I can see the […] Read more…
I thought this month’s five under £5 I would focus on some little bits I have picked up that are indirectly for the boys. I love me a tin tray. I don’t know why, and I’m not sure if it makes me slightly odd, but I do. They are great for when you have guests […] Read more…
I’m loving all the Spring things in the shops at the moment. Gorgeous pastel colours, and the obsession for unicorns finally seems to be disappearing. Although flamingos and avocados seem to still be on trend! That and cacti, but I can’t complain about that one because I love a succulent! So these are the bargains […] Read more…
I haven’t done one of these for a while, but I am bringing them back. I’m trying to focus on doing more things that I enjoy, and one of those things is shopping! Combine that with my love of a bargain, and five under £5 makes me very happy. Basically it is exactly what it […] Read more…
We’ve bought a tent. It’s huge. The aim is to be able to go away for weekends with the kids and enjoy family time together. I guess the enjoyment factor depends on how many bugs there are and how cold it is! Of course in my mind I’ve envisaged fairly lights and toasted marshmallows. Luckily […] Read more…
This post is not sponsored by Paperchase. It just happens that I can’t help but pop in when I’m in town, and I stumbled upon some sale bits that were too good not to pick up. Thus this month’s five under £5 is all about keeping the kids entertained on a rainy day with these […] Read more…
I love a bargain. I picked up a new handbag in the sales and The Husband told me to stop telling everyone how much it cost. But it was reduced from £45 to £12. That’s a bargain!!! You have to tell people about a bargain! I picked up quite a few bits in the January […] Read more…
I have a bit of an addiction to buying Christmas decorations. Every year when I try and pack all of the decorations away they never quite fit because I have accumulated more. And every year I tell myself next year I don’t need to buy any. But they are just so pretty. And these festive […] Read more…
Christmas time. Presents, decorations, family and friends, and of course the food. Arden & Amici kindly sent me these products for a five under £5 post and I think you will love them as much as I do. Arden & Amici use tradition methods and quality ingredients to bring you an authentic taste of Italy. […] Read more…
As Christmas is rapidly approaching I thought I would focus this months Five Under £5 on some useful buys. Things that aren’t there just to look pretty, but serve a purpose and justify the purchase. And as they are all under £5 they don’t eat into my Christmas budget. I have been waxing […] Read more…
I feel like I have just discovered the best secret. Only I’m not going to keep it a secret. I’m going to tell you. Did you know that Sports Direct sell more than football boots and sports stuff? They sell toys and gifts too! I had no idea, until they asked me to take part […] Read more…
I don’t wear a huge amount of make-up, but I love make-up products and beauty things in general. Over the years I seem to have developed somewhat expensive tastes for all of my various lotions and potions, but every now and then you come across a bargain beauty find that becomes one of your make […] Read more…
I always used to love September when I was at school. Why? Quite simply, new stationery! I love a browse round Paperchase. I would much rather be bought a shiny new new notebook than a bunch of flowers. So seeing as it is back to school time, I have dedicated this months five under £5 […] Read more…
This months Five Under £5 was really easy. I popped into Poundland for some crisps for Big’s lunchbox and got a bit carried away. Their summer range is really pretty and I couldn’t help myself! Therefore I present to you, Five under £5 – Summer Buys! The jug and bottles are plastic so great […] Read more…
So we had one day of sunshine and I got very over enthusiastic and bought some new toys for the garden. It has of course rained non stop since then and the kids haven’t played with them yet. But there’s still hope for some fun outside. Most of this months finds came from Flying Tiger. […] Read more…
It feels like I haven’t sat still since Christmas. Life is busy and and the past month I have been feeling it! I have very much been looking forward to some time to chill out. This months Five Under £5 is all the things I need to relax and unwind. I picked up some little […] Read more…
Easter has never really interested me that much. I looked forward to the long weekend and hopefully some sunshine. This year things are different. This year I foolishly agreed to give up chocolate for lent along with Big and The Husband. Me! A self confessed chocoholic. Miraculously I have made it this far and I […] Read more…