Gifts

Usborne Books in North Hampshire

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Books, Gifts, Guest Posts 0 Comment

I LOVE Usborne books. I was bought up on them and still have my first cookery book and gardening book, both of which are Usborne.

If you’ve never seen an Usborne book, I totally recommend looking out for them. I love that they have books for each age range and I love the baby books, especially the bath books.

I’m probably going to shoot myself in the foot with this, but we always scour every baby and children market or nearly new sale for cheap Usborne books. We picked up a bargain with the Apple Tree Farm books for £5 and the Phonic’s Reader books for £10.

I’ve been reading both to my little one since she was 10 months old. She could spot the duck on most pages by the time she was 14 months.

I also love the children’s story books. For older children there are a huge variety of subjects. We bought the first dictionary for my little one and she’s loved it since she was tiny. I really hadn’t expected her to pick if up, but she loves sitting there and pointing to the pictures and saying the words.

When she was tiny I would point to the words and she would try to say them. I’ve recently acquired the Spanish version of the first dictionary, so I can practice my Spanish whilst my little one practices her English!

The Usborne team don’t advertise publicise what they do, it’s all done via word of mouth. There are several Usborne “lady’s” in the area. Each month there is a deal on the books.

One of the best ways to get access to the books is to ask one of the lady’s to come and do an Usborne party for you. I loved these as a child as it meant my Mum got the yummy chocolate biscuits in for the other Mums!

I really recommend having a look at the Usborne books. Once we’ve moved house and have some more space, I’m really looking forward to having an Usborne Party. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with my friends and have a good nose through the books and get some birthday and Christmas presents sorted.

You can’t go wrong with an Usborne book, I can vouch that they last for years 😀

www.Usborne.com

Princess Parties (Pirates welcome too…!)

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Birthday Parties, Gifts, Guest Posts 0 Comment

I met Sarah through NHM over a year ago and I’ve had several family photo shoots with her since. She takes fantastic photo’s that are very reasonably priced. The parties sound like great fun, and I love the idea of having photo’s to document the whole experience. If you would like more details about Sarah’s studio over at Viables, please see the related posts below.

Princess Parties (Pirates welcome too…!)

Princess Parties are aimed for little ones aged 3 – 7.  At the party, your child can dress up and be made up to feel like a fairytale princess or swashbuckling pirate.  Don’t worry if you don’t have party dresses – we can supply those too!

Hair and Nails will be done at the party.  The thing that makes this party unique is that the whole event has a professional photographer there to record every moment.  The mobile studio will be set up and once the princess or pirate has been made up, professional portraits will be taken. All your party guests will have a mounted photograph to take away with them and, within a few days, the party princess or pirate will be given a memory book and 10 x 8 image of the day

Prices can vary depending on your specific requirements – please contact me for further information!

Modelling Party

The Modelling party is a fun two hours.

Come and be treated like a model with five guests – party invites are included in the price and sent to you with the party booking information. You will be greeted with drinks (mocktails for under 18’s) and party nibbles.

The Shoot is held in a party atmosphere and, if the weather is nice, we go out in the local grounds and do some on-location shots. Bring along your favourite outfits and change as much as you like to work those Top Model poses!

Once the party is over and we have some amazing photographs, I will edit the photos (which is normally a ten-day turn-around) and place them on a CD. There will be a minimum of 5 photos per person, and a letter giving you permission to print will be supplied with each CD – meaning that the images can then be printed anywhere at your convenience.

Parties are normally held at the studio – but if another location is required, this can be discussed.

Please contact Sarah Dutton Photography for more information on the above two parties!

You can also find Sarah’s Facebook page HERE.

Luxury Afternoon Tea in Basingstoke

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Food, Gifts, Outings, Restaurants 1 Comment

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For those days when you really need spoiling! These are some ideas for Luxury Afternoon Tea in and around Basingstoke.

Audley’s Wood Hotel

Alton Road, Basingstoke, Alton, Hampshire RG25 2JT

At Audleys Wood Hotel we delight guests with our traditional afternoon tea in Hampshire. What better place to enjoy this fine tradition than in the grand drawing room of this historic country house. Gaze out the ceiling high windows whilst savouring each of our carefully prepared cakes, dainty sandwiches and the finest leaf tea, served to perfection.

  • Full Afternoon Tea costs £15.50 per person and Cream Tea costs £8.50 per person.
  • Upgrade to a Royal Afternoon Tea and enjoy a glass of Champagne for £24.50 per person.

Tel: 01256 817555

The Four Seasons Hotel

Dogmersfield Park, Chalky Lane, Dogmersfield, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8TD

Located in the Manor House, The Library has been restored to its former glory as an elegant, beautifully appointed residents’ lounge. Decorated in warm earth tones, The Library boasts an abundance of lush armchairs, supple sofas and coffee tables for relaxation and luxury.

  • Traditional afternoon tea, The Library’s speciality, is served daily from 3-5pm.

Tel: 01252 853000

Tylney Hall

 Rotherwick, Hook, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom, RG27 9AZ

Cream tea £15.00 per person –  Scones, preserves and tea (available Monday to Friday)

  • Full tea £22.00 per person – Sandwiches, cakes and scone (available Monday to Sunday)
  • Champagne tea£30.00 per person – Sandwiches, cakes, scones and a glass of Canard Duchene (available Monday to Sunday)

Afternoon tea is served from 3.30pm until 5pm from Monday to Saturday and from 4.00pm – 5.00pm on Sundays.

Tel: 01256 764881

Oakley Hall

Rectory Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG23 7EL

Afternoon Tea served between 2pm and 5pm, seven days a week, either on the Garden Terrace or in the Library.

  • Afternoon tea is priced at £17.95 per adult and £8.95 for children.
  • Full Afternoon Tea with a glass of Reynier Champagne £26.95 per person.

To Book please contact reception on +44(0)1256 783350 or reception@oakleyhall-park.com

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