I am a sucker for ebay. A sucker for the last minute thrill of bidding against a stranger and winning that item you have been watching for weeks. I love the auction process, even though it does bring out a terrible competitiveness in me. I almost fell into the trap the other day of just having to win something! (Even though I could have bought it new in IKEA for less - a circus play tent).

Here is my January watch list/wish list!

ONE - Over sized safety pin. Who wouldn't want one of those on the wall?!

TWO - Apple crates for a lounge project I have in mind. Watch this space.

THREE - Pirate storage bag. The boys were given a HUGE amount of playmobil including a massive amount from the pirate sets and I could do with a storage bag to scoop up the extra bits that they are not currently playing with. That way, when I rotate the sets it feels like new toys.

FOUR - A globe - another craft project idea for the playroom.

FIVE - Clinical waste bags. These would make perfect party bags for Ollie's Doctor Disco!

SIX - Vintage weighing scales another fab prop idea for his Doctor and Nurses party theme.

SEVEN - Candy peanuts. For Sammy's Circus party sweet table.

EIGHT - Silicone love heart moulds. I made an offer on these so that I can make a Valentines gift for my boys, because I just love them so much!

NINE - Clown noses. 25 of them. For the 'Clowning Around' jar at the Circus party.

I seem to buy a lot from ebay but never sell anything! That needs to change! Have you used ebay? Any selling tips?!

Earlier this week a friend of mine told me about a vintage fair in Weston. It gave us a welcome break from our snow escapades (which seem to always end in tears as one or both of the boys gets too cold/wet feet/falls over/falls off the sledge). On Saturday we had all of the disasters and Ollie is now nursing a dreadful black eye from slipping on the front step.

The car park by the Winter Gardens was like an ice rink but we made it into the warm and pootled around the stalls. There was a mix of china, nik naks, furniture, fabric, clothing and jewellery as well as home ware and a couple of craft bits and pieces.

My husband spied an old record stall with thousands of boxes of records and that kept him happy for half an hour. I was tempted with a beautiful selection of painted ladders, but with absolutely no need for any we moved on!

I tried on a beautiful antique baguette diamond ring, just for fun! The boys ate a snack and the iPhone came in handy as we had a final browse.

We walked along the prom and had lunch in one of the old, traditional hotels over looking Sand Bay and then had a quick play on the sand before Sammy's hands turned blue (he flatly refused to wear his gloves).

And what did we buy?! Well actually we were quite restrained!

Richard bought a Miles Davis record (dinner party jazz so he says, which will come in handy as we host so many dinner parties .... not!), some ribbon for 25p a metre that I need for a big project for my sister's baby shower (how lucky the basket was full of bee colours yellow and black), a rosette for 70p and a postcard for 75p. I am going to use it for a Valentine's craft idea which I will post on Friday.

I am really looking forward to going to an American flea market next month, I bet it will be huge in comparison! Have you ever been to a flea market or did you bag any bargains this week? If you are local to Weston and you missed the market then check out Vintage Von and Simply Gorgeous for vintage treasures.

 and A Living Space

Blogging. I am only 2 months-ish away from my first anniversary and I've realised in this short time, that you can help yourself when it comes to staying fresh, focused and motivated. I'm using my blog envelopes as inspiration this year but my obsession with blogging has resulting in me reading daily blogs from others.

On a daily basis I will check in on:

• A Beautiful Mess
• I Am Momma Hear Me Roar
• Simple as that Blog
• Emily Beale

I have some other favourites who I know will post every few days like

• Awesomeville
• See Vanessa Craft
• Totally Tates also better known at Mummy Daddy and Me Makes Three
• Meagan's Musings
• and I hope to read lots this year from Claire at Blue Daisy

I have got into a habit of posting everyday, which I love. Something new for regular readers to check in on and only one post a day that doesn't clog up people's inbox!

I have some golden rules for helping you blog that I try and stick to:

THINK BOGOF blog posts

Don't give it all away in one go! We are off to America next month and I will post the three days we have planned as three posts and a separate post for my holiday shopping list, a travelling without children guide and no doubt several afterwards documenting our visit.

At New Year we had to cancel our plans as Sammy was poorly but I still managed to talk about our cocktail ideas, upcycled mini bar and I'm still to post my How to do Tapas menu!

I have used our wendy house in lots of my posts but have never explained the reason we have it, which is worthy of a post in itself.

A blog is all about letting people into your life, so share!

USE YOUR PAST & PRESENT

It's easy to get caught in a trap of posting about the here and now, meaning more pressure to type up events as they happen and think of something new each day or week. But we all have great memories to share that happened way before we all discovered blogging. I am desperate to share my sister's hen weekend as a prelude to her baby shower I am planning for March. I have never posted about our wedding, her wedding or the boys births or Christenings, which if they were happening now would be all over this blog. If you are stuck - look back.

I posted recently about my 30th even though I will be 31 this year! Crumbs!

BE TRUE

I have stopped reading a few blogs which seem to only post reviews and giveaways. I never get a true feel for their writing style and it can sometimes feel like they would go to the opening of an envelope! Some people court publicity, asking for review opportunities and do great self promotion but as I started this blog with no expectations that's the way I'd like it to stay .... for now!

USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY

One of the blogs I read religiously joked the other week about their father not being able to breathe without the girls blogging about it!

I am in awe of the people who blog anonymously, whose partners are in the dark about their cyber world. I LOVE talking about this blog and adore hearing comments back, good and bad. Although constructive is better! I am amazed by the people who read my little on line adventure and I am so grateful. I am pretty sure my father in law reads it regularly, he reeled off word for word a comment someone posted at Christmas. For those of you that do, you are my inspiration!

I look at almost everything we do as a potential post!

BEST FRIENDS VS BLOG

The best tip I read was not ot use your blog as your best friend. If you need a moan ring someone!

I love reading about lovely things. Every post from The Start Up Wife makes me smile and keeps me reading more.

USE YOUR OWN WORDS

I never use the word however in real life conversations so I don't know why I have used it so often in blog posts. Starting now, I want to only type the words I say. Hopefully this will lead to more engaging posts with readers who will be able to identify and understand me. The virtual and real life me.

TRY A PHOTO A DAY

If in doubt post a photo. A photograph can be interpreted in a hundred different ways. These were my photos from today (and one blurry one from Sammy)!

Sammy's Photo

Today

Today

Today

Today - treat tea

Moose on the stairs

Moose sitting like a gentleman

Happy Friday!