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We all need a little smile or a pick-me-up every so often.  Smiles come from different places and happen for many reasons.  A smile may come from somebody smiling at you - and you smiling back at them, receiving good news or even a lovely gift.  Whatever the reason, a smile is a good tonic and if a smile was a colour it would be yellow.

So, why yellow?

Yellow is the (perceived) colour of the Sun, provider of life to Earth and general picker-upper.  Without the lovely sun, Earth would be a lifeless lump of ice and let’s face it, when it’s out there are lots of people smiling!  So, it’s no surprise that the colour yellow symbolises warmth, happiness, optimism, inspiration and creativity.  As an added bonus, it can even stimulates the nervous system.

Yellow is also a colour often associated with bumble bees and it’s no surprise, not only because of their stripes, but the job they do (which is actually quite remarkable).  Why?  Like the sun, these guys are also important to life on Earth.  To be more specific, according to the WWF, a whopping 75% of leading global crops and 90% of wild plants are dependent on the pollination that bees provide.  Also, did you know that our lovely pollinators are responsible for providing one out of every three mouthfuls of food too?  So basically heroes, then.

A true creature of optimism, bees are often associated with messages of cheer and it’s not unusual to send a bee happy gift box as a gift to a friend in need of a smile!  Here at Ooh Box, we’re always looking for ways to make people smile, otherwise, what’s gifting for?  We’re hoping we can give a gift which reaches out in two ways, with the introduction of our bee gift box, “For my Bee-loved”.

Sure to give a warm buzz, this thoughtful bumble bee gift box contains a Needle Felt Bee Hive from Crafty Kit Co, a much needed distraction from life’s challenges and perfect for those moments of mindfulness.  What’s more, once made, this delightful little hive can be proudly displayed homes.  For refreshments along the creative journey included is a cheerful (and very tasty) salted caramel chocolate bar and a rather cheerful drinking vessel!

And for our pollinators?  Setting the Bee Hotel up in a garden or on a balcony provides shelter and much needed rest for solitary bees bumbling along on their travels.  It also provides an area of interest (and comes in a lovely, cheery shade of yellow, of course!). To attract those bees, we have included a tin of Bee Mix by Seedball.  A mixture of native wildflowers, each seed ball includes seeds from a mix of Birdsfoot Trefoil, Foxglove, Red Clover, Viper’s Bugloss and Wild Marjoram – all recommended as bee-friendly plants by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.  A tasty treat for bees indeed.

With food and shelter provided for the bees, there’s one more thing more to take care of - their wellbeing.  At times, bees need a pick-me-up too.  The Beevive Bee Revival Kit, included, will take care of that!  The idea for this inspirational little life-saver came from no less than a chance encounter with a tired bee by the founders, who carried him to the nearest cafe, where they fed him sugared water from a teaspoon…setting him off on his journey once more!

This tiny device is on a keychain, which can be fixed easily to a backpack or existing keychain when on your travels.  Inside a strong aluminium chamber sits a glass, corked bottle containing a magical mixture of ambrosia bee food syrup mixed to the perfect formula for your rescues!

Now you see how easy it is to pass on that smile…

Since the first airing of The Great British Bake Off in 2010, Britain has seen a surge in amateur enthusiasts of this (rather messy) hobby.  Messy it might be, but forget that!  Baking is incredibly fun too.

During the happiest times of our childhoods, play was messy, building mud kitchens, digging for worms - messy was fun.  Most remember baking with parents/grandparents with absolutely no mess to clean up… just the spoons - yummy!

When you get older, the mess is yours to claim.  The less of it, the better, eh?  In baking these days, there are so many gadgets to make life easier (and cleaner).  Our baking gift box set contains items which certainly make life easier… but, sorry, no promises on the cleaning!

So, how do you lay your claim on Domestic Genius status?

Invest in a stand mixer.  For a busy day of baking, a stand mixer is the ultimate kitchen buddy, making lighter (and less messy) work of mixing, kneading, whisking, everything!  For those things a stand mixer can’t already do, the chances are, you can buy attachments, such as pasta rollers, graters, choppers, mincers, etc.  Aside from being incredibly easy to clean (yes, they really are), stand mixers are also available to suit all budgets and tastes.

Invest in a Baking Mat.  The unsung hero of cleanliness, baking mats are usually made of silicone, a much more sea-friendly option than plastic (silica, it’s main ingredient, is actually found in sand).  The silicone material is fantastic for baking, keeping work surfaces clean, it’s more hygienic to use and can be easily washed in the sink, rolled up and packed away in a drawer once used.  A great worktop saver - especially when using flour.

It’s OK to make mistakes.  That’s what makes you better at what you do.  Mistakes in baking are something you learn from and don’t mean that you’re bad it it!  Being experimental with your baking and going off recipe every so often, really doesn’t do any harm at all too, and can produce some amazing results!  There are tons of well-reviewed recipes readily available online - why not adapt them to suit your own tastes?

Clean as you go along.  Free your time by cleaning up when your stand mixer is busy, or waiting for dough to rise, etc., and be prepared for battle with the next lot of dirty dishes - show them who’s boss!

Choose the right tools.  Start off on the right foot and at the very least have the most basic baking tools readily available.  Looking for baking gift ideas?  Check out our Baking Day Gift Box, equipped with those “forgotten about”, but valuable kitchen buddies.  With FSC approved wooden baking accessories, along with other essentials, such as matching apron and pot holder, ceramic measuring cups, mini whisk, cake tester and icing pen - not only is this baking gift box functional, but stylish too, with a nod towards vintage chic!

Bookmark those recipes!  If you find a good recipe, get organised!  Bookmark on your computer or tablet or invest in a recipe folder or book to store it for keeps.  For a touch of luxury to your baking essentials, why not try our Desk Mate, containing a luxurious Cross Notebook and Pen set in quality white leather, and embossed with a message of inspiration?  Also included is an elegant white water bottle for hydration, along withheld sanitiser and a wonderfully handy desk pad with sticky markers - handy for finding those pages in your new recipe book!  The gift box itself can double as storage too.

Now here’s the best bit.  Studies have proven that taking up baking as a hobby can alleviate stress and generally improve moods - perfect for those Mindful moments.  In the crazy world we live in today, it’s great to have such fun distractions - especially when there’s something tasty at the end!

Whatever you bake, however messy it gets, enjoy the journey!

This year is an historic year.

And for once it’s not because of the “C” word, but because of the “F” word.

Unless you’ve been sleeping over the last few weeks, you won’t fail to have noticed how well our boys have done this year.  Love it or hate it, footie fever is sweeping the nation and all due to come to a close on Sunday...

... But, did somebody say final?!!

It’s not been an easy ride for our lovely country these last 55 years, (not so proudly) holding the record for the longest gap between appearances in the final of any European team in history.  This year it’s time to make it right.  The “F” word puts to sleep that 55 year curse and however things turn out on Sunday, we should be proud of getting to the FINAL stage of the competition.  1966 was such a long time ago...

It’s been an emotional and somewhat, stressful journey - especially following the last two years of the “C” word.  Emotional for many reasons, not least because finally football can be played as it was always intended – with fans.  The nation will be coming together on Sunday whether you’re lucky enough to be there at the final, enjoying the game in a beer garden, or if you choose to stay at home with friends and family.

How lovely to see everyone together once more – and a very different picture to last year.  For those staying at home hosting a party (especially one like this) the ratio of kitchen/match time can sometimes be a little off balance and in favour of the kitchen – not good.  So, how do you get the most out of your time on this special day?

It’s a well-known fact that curry and football is a good partnership.  In the words of Fat Les (aka Keith Allen) during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, “… we all like Vindaloo”.  Well, some of us do – if we have the stamina to eat it!  Ghost Chillies aren’t for the faint hearted after all.

For the avid footie fan, we have the perfect gift – it could quite aptly be named “The Match Day Companion”, but then curries are to be enjoyed any time so The Spicy Night In is here for all those together times.  Previously hailed as “Gift of the Year”, the awesome Spice Tin in this gift box contains nine essential curry spices to allow you to cook a curry from scratch with as little or big a kick as you wish!  All that time spent grinding spices, gone!  Just add the meat and/or vegetables and you’re good to go – a total day-saver!

When busy cooking, a liquid refreshment is always handy.  The Curry Chef can enjoy the privilege of one of those with the inclusion in this gift box of a rather tasty Pilsner, sourced (literally) from the very popular brewery down the road from us!

For those watching outdoors (British weather allowing, of course), there is always a BBQ party to be had.  The perfect BBQ Buddy, The Sizzler is on hand to impress your friends with your cooking prowess!

Catering for all tastes, this gift contains rubs for Beef, Fish and Chicken, or why not mix it up a bit and add to vegetables?  There is a wonderful “Swiss Army” of BBQ Tools on hand to do literally everything for you (we don’t recommend waving this about in the air if we score!), an apron with a few handy tips and not one, not two, but THREE cans of liquid refreshment covering all bases.

However you spend it, enjoy this historical moment!

Have you wondered what journaling is and why it seems to be the thing to do at the moment?  Well journaling isn’t just about writing down your to do list, it has many benefits and can be therapeutic in many ways. 

•  It reduces stress
• Can help improve your mood
• Can boost your immune system

There are many reasons to keep a journal and unlike a diary a journal gives you the freedom to “freestyle” the way you record your emotions, your things to do, your fitness trackers or your work commitments.  It really is up to you.  Your journal can be full of doodles or pictures or you can keep it more formal.  The point is that it’s your journal and by allowing your thoughts to tumble out over time you will get a great insight into yourself.

By writing down how you are feeling, what you have been doing and what you need to do you can learn a lot about yourself and what makes you tick or sick!  By writing down your thoughts and your commitments you will become better organised and able to recognise and either embrace or avoid certain situations.  You’ll develop an awareness of self through your journal which will allow you to focus on the things that make you happy and will leave you better equipped to deal with the things that may leave you feeling a little below par.

If you are just starting out you’ll need some focus or you’ll likely manage a few days and then forget about it.  Consider why you want to keep a journal and what you hope to achieve from it and whether you have time to keep it up?

There are several reasons to keep a journal.  A popular one is for your Mental Health.  This may help with mindfulness and help to reduce stress and anxiety.  This is a time to focus on what has bugged you today, list everything and why it bugged you, then on the opposite page list what has made you feel good and what you’ve enjoyed.  It doesn’t matter what these things are, they are your thoughts and feelings and so are true to you.  Then write down how you can avoid or influence the things that made you feel bad and encourage more of the things that made you feel great.  Here is where you can add your doodles, lines of poetry and use language (even swear words), anything that brings your journal to life and helps you to express how you are feeling. 

You might want to keep a work journal.  Record ideas that you have, how you can bring them to life, will they work and do you need help?  By recording these moments of inspiration you can look back at where you have succeeded and which elements failed.  This will pinpoint the areas that need more work and will show your strengths and weaknesses which will help in your career. 

Pregnancy and Parenthood Journals are a great idea and are so good to look back on for subsequent babies.  As a Mum to Be it helps to record the changes in each trimester to your body, your mood and your relationships can help you to understand your body during this life changing event. We have the beautiful Baby Shower new baby gift box available which contains a luxury Cross Notebook and treats for mum and dad which is perfect to record your parenthood journey.  When baby arrives your journaling will be a great organiser for baby’s development with feeding, growth, language and a memento to look back on for the weekly milestones.   You could add photos, messages from friends and family and create a scrap book.  What a great keepsake or gift for when baby grows up and starts their own family!

Bullet Journals were brought to prominence by Ryder Carroll and are very popular, however bullet journaling is not for the faint hearted.  It will take planning but it does provide one place to record multiple areas of your life.  Within one journal you can set up “chapters” to record your daily chores, fitness goals and achievements, mental health trackers, study goals and much more depending on your lifestyle and personality.  This will need you to create a weekly or monthly table with your goals listed and the days across the top.  You might just want to tick the days you’ve achieved your goal or have space to write a few words.

So you want to get started and need some equipment.  The good thing is all you need is a basic notebook and a pen and you’re on your way but if you want to go all out you can get really creative with pretty fabric page markers, sticky notes, gel pens and coloured pencils for each section.  It’s a good idea to have correction fluid or erasers to keep your book neat or you might prefer to see your crossings out?  It’s up to you, it’s your journal.

Here at Ooh we have a number of gift sets that will be perfect as a journal gift for you or your loved one.  Our favourite is a bit special, the Desk Mate contains an embossed luxury faux leather Cross notebook and ballpoint pen. This lovely notebook gift comes complete with bullet markers and a stainless steel water bottle to keep you hydrated whilst you work.  As an alternative we have the Writer Gift Box which contains a Collins notebook with a soft feel cover and a pen with built in USB memory stick and if you’re looking for something a bit different we have an eco-friendly Bamboo Gift Set which is perfect.  With a sustainably sourced bamboo covered notebook and pen, we’ve also included a cute bamboo travel cup, extra strong mints and hand sanitiser. 

These are just a few ideas to get you started and there are hundreds of ready-made journals available for you to complete and if you're opting for a DIY version you can also find detailed guides to help you to set out your weekly trackers . We like the idea of DIY it's fit for purpose and will be more personal even if it does take a little planning.

Good luck and be sure to check out our selection of notebooks in the Practical Collection.

Becoming a new mum is a scary place and with advice coming from every angle, from health professionals, grandparents and friends it’s easy to feel confused and worry that you’re doing it wrong.  Whether you’re the mum to be or you have a friend or family member that has just brought a new life into the world here are a few handy thoughts from those who have been there and done it and are happy to share with the statement “I wish I knew then, what I know now”!

We’ve scoured the world of new mum guides to come up with a list of simple things that are in your control, even if you don’t feel that you’ll ever be in control again.

Don’t Stress About the Mess

Having a new baby is hard work but it is the best gift of all.  The chances are you couldn’t wait for the little bundle to arrive and now you have probably never known tiredness like it, and have you ever known love like this?  Embrace these early weeks and forget about the daily chores.  So what if the pots are piling up, they’ll get done, for now it is not your job, so ask your partner, a friend or relative to come and help in exchange for cuddles. Your job is to look after this new life that is probably just as bewildered as you.

Visitors

You’ll have visitors a plenty, don’t wait on them, allow them wait on you!  They can wash up whilst they are there too, but remember not to overdo it.  It’s not rude to say “Not today can we reschedule”?  You need your rest, so unless they are happy to mind the baby whilst you go and have a sleep make sure you are feeling up to it.

Food

Stock up on snacks.  Have a good supply of water, sandwiches and easy to munch goodies to hand. It’s a good idea to invest in a cool bag that you can keep at the side of your chair.  There are times when you’ll feel you can’t put baby down and you need to keep you’re strength up.  If you’re breastfeeding you need plenty of extra calories too so this is not the time to be thinking about getting into you’re pre-pregnancy jeans, that time will come but it’s not anything to worry about now.  You are beautiful and quite the hero!

Stuff

Babies don’t need stuff.  Don’t break the bank investing in the latest pram set, sterilisers and baby gyms.  There are lots of bargains to be had on-line most of which are barely used, babies grow quickly and develop at an incredible rate and so quickly outgrow their “stuff”.  We’re so lucky in the UK to have the NHS, so birth and healthcare comes free, but a baby can cost on average around £500 in the first month.  Nappies, first clothes, feeding equipment, toys and furniture all add up so make the most of good quality used items where possible.

Sleep

Sleep when baby sleeps.  It might only be for an hour at a time but you’ll need it.  If you can’t get off before baby wakes again for the next feed make sure you are comfortable, put your feet up, put on your favourite film or flip through a magazine.  Remember the three R’s - Rest, Rest and Rest.  It won’t be forever, and before long you’ll start to see the signs of some kind of routine but for now you will be baby led, relax and go with it.  Breastfed babies can often cluster feed which can be draining both physically and mentally so whenever you get a few minutes make the most of it and don’t forget the nipple cream!

Crying

Babies by nature will cry.  They might be hungry, they might need changing or they might just want a cuddle.  Remember baby is new to all this too.  They’ve had quite a journey and whilst in the tum they didn’t have to think about food or having a wet bum, they are learning too so be as patient as you can.  If you’ve checked the obvious stuff and still no joy, make sure baby is safe and leave the room for a couple of minutes.  Walk around the house, make a cuppa and breathe.  Practice mindfulness and remind yourself that you and baby are in this together.

Time

Time flies, and any parent will tell you that baby will soon be sitting, walking, going to school and before you know it they are all grown up.  Make the most of these precious early months in baby’s life.  Aim to keep a journal, like the beautiful Cross gift set in our Baby Shower box, to track how you are feeling, what baby has done today and take lots and lots of pictures, it’s amazing how much you will forget.  It will be a great thing to keep, not only as a reminder to yourself for future babies but also as a memento for the little one.

Meet Other Mums

Being part of a social group with shared interests can be a great support.  You will be able to share the highs and lows with other new mums and make long lasting friendships, not just for you but for your baby too.  Even if you have a caring and considerate partner it’s hard for them to know what you are feeling or what you’re going through, but other mums will.  Be a good listener to them and support one another, it will help you to cope and will give you more patience with those around you.

Here at Ooh we love baby stuff, in fact our first gift box was “The Softee” which we put together for a friend.  We now have the Mum to Be, Baby Shower and Nursery Gift Boxes as well as the range of Mini New Baby Gift Boxes and also the Mummy and Daddy mugs which you can have in any combination.

We hope you love our newborn gift boxes as much as we do.

Good Luck,

Ooh-Box

   x