My Prime 5 baby names

With a new Princess in town there is lots of talk about baby names. It reminds me of that precious time when I had a tiny newborn that I had to give a name to, that they would be stuck with for the rest of their lives. I am always doing that thing of imagining another baby in the family and thinking of what I would call it, although I do not have any intention of extending our family, there is no harm in dreaming!

So here are my list of the top 5 boys and girls names I would consider for my own little Prince or Princess

Boys names

1. Taylor

2. Blake

3. Jenson

4. Harrison

5. Elijah

Girls names

1. Sienna

2. Rosa-Mae

3. Isla-Louise

4. Amelia

5. Ella

I tend to go with pretty names that may be classed as trendy but I believe would still sound nice into adulthood. My own children's names are a mix from different regions and so far they are all quite happy with the choice I made!

What type of baby names did/would you choose for your own little cherubs? Traditional, Vintage, popular or cute?

Come and link up below with your own list of baby names #myprime5

My Prime 5 - Things to look forward to in Spring

Spring is my Favourite season of all and here are the top 5 things I am looking forward to over the coming months...

Light - Waking up with the sunlight coming through the window makes me happy, I don't feel like I'm getting out of bed in the middle of the night and it seems like I've slept for longer, even though I always sleep for the same amount of hours! After school its like there is still the day ahead to do stuff, like go to the park for a run (yes eventually I will get round to it) and visit people rather than running home to shelter from the darkness.

Warmth - Yes I admit I'm one of those people that complain in the winter that its too cold and then I complain in the summer that its too hot, what can I say I'm like the three bears, I like things to be just right! I think it may be to do with clothes as well, I feel a bit exposed and uncomfortable in summer when I have to strip off to cool down so prefer it when it's not too hot!

Colour - Bare trees do nothing for me, they're just too twiggy and boring! I cant even go into the garden in the winter because it depresses me, so I'm looking forward to some colour appearing on my bushes and having a good clear out the back (not a euphemism)

Chocolate - Yes its Easter and the only thing stopping me from getting all the kids eggs is that I know I will eat them all before Easter actually arrives! Is it just me or does chocolate taste better in egg form.. it just seems to fit perfectly over the tongue!

Birthday - I know when you get to a certain age birthdays are not so exciting but I love being in my 30s, I feel all grown up... even if I do act like a 10 year old at times! I always go out with friends as it is also one of their birthdays around the same time, this year we are planning on going to a karaoke bar which means this year I will be getting very drunk (it usually takes me about 2 hours to get through one bottle of cider)

So what are you most looking forward to in spring?
Write a post and add to the linky below...

My Prime 5 - Pastimes

Time does pass us by way too quickly and it's nice to have a spare minute to do the things we enjoy at some point during the day. When I have spare time this is how I like to spend it....

Reading - I have not done as much of it as I would like this year but it is nice and relaxing to have a read before bedtime or on a lazy weekend afternoon.

Cross Stitch - It is very time consuming and sometimes takes me months or even years to finish a project but I love to watch the picture come to life as I am sewing each cross. I often wait until I know I have spare time, such as a school holiday to really get stuck in as it is easy to put the sewing away in a draw and forget about it.

Candy Crush - Unfortunately I am still addicted to this stupid game and have now started with the soda version too! I am currently on level 782 and would like it if they could stop making levels so I can move on with my life!

Social Media - When I am at work or college I am very good at not checking social media sites...okay it may have something to with them actually being blocked on the network so I am not actually able to connect to them! But when I get home I cannot help myself. If I am not on Twitter, then I'm on Facebook, then I may have a look at a few pins on Pinterest, then I may write a blog post or read somebody else's blog post and then It will start all over again like a vicious cycle, all while doing the laundry, cooking dinner and acting as referee between the kids fighting of course!

Art - I have recently got into fashion illustration, mostly looking at others work but I do like to draw and love working with watercolours. It is a great pastime to do with the kids as they can draw, paint or make whatever they like and do not need any specific skills to do so.

Those are my prime 5 pastimes,what are yours? 

Write a blog post with your top 5 pastimes and come and join in via the linky below, it is open for a whole month so no need to rush!

I am linking this post up to the linky linky over at Single Mother Ahoy! So if you would like to see what other linkys are open this month then click the logo!

My Prime 5 - goals for 2015

I haven't written a My prime 5 post for ages and I wanted to bring it back for the new year so what better way to start the new year than to set a few goals for myself.

Here are a few things I hope to do in 2015...

Go to University - I applied to university in December and wasn't expecting to get any feedback so soon so I was shocked to get a reply from one offering me a place for September! I still have others that require portfolios and interviews but I am quite happy with the offer I have so I think I may save myself some stress and accept that one. Just have to get through my current course first...fingers crossed!

Lose 1 stone - Last year I lost some weight but the pounds have slowly crept back on. I have joined a health club at work (with weekly weigh-ins) so hopefully that will keep me motivated. I do not intend to give up anything because life's too short for that but everything in moderation and a healthy balance is the plan.

Go to a blogging conference - I have been blogging for 2 years now and although I really enjoy it I haven't been able to spend as much time on it as I would like. I love reading other blogs and getting inspiration and would really like to meet some bloggers, learn some new techniques and get fresh ideas for Tantrums and Glitter.

Take the children away - No I'm not just trying to get rid of the children! I would love for us all to have a little holiday somewhere, I don't expect to go anywhere abroad (although it would be nice) but would love to go to Centerparcs or a pretty cottage in Cornwall for a break.

Decorate the hallway - I know it's not very exciting but I have lived in my house for 5 years and have wanted to change the hallway since I moved in. It needs a new carpet but with 3 floors I expect it will be pretty expensive and as there are no windows up the stairs it looks very dark and dingy and could do with a clean, light colour to brighten it up.

So those are my prime 5 goals for 2015! Have you written yours yet? If not why not join in, grab a badge on the sidebar and add them to the linky below. It will be open for a month to give you plenty of time to join in.

Check back next month to see what the new My Prime 5 topic will be.

My Prime 5 - Smells

The sense of smell is probably seen one of the least important of all the senses but it is actually a vital part of our lives. Studies have shown that 75% of our emotions are triggered by smell and it is the most sensitive of all the senses. It is in fact the first of all our senses to develop and humans can smell even before they are born!

There are obviously times when we wish our smell wasn't so great... walking past a rubbish truck or changing a baby's dirty nappy, but then there are the smells that bring us joy or bring back fond memories.

So here is a list of my favourite smells:

Nail varnish - I paint my nails regularly and cannot resist having a sniff from the bottle every time. I know its one of those chemical, addictive smells and I shouldn't but I cant help myself!

Vanilla - Whenever I buy room spray or candles I always look for the vanilla variety, it's just so sweet smelling and reminds me of cake.

Eternity perfume - I have loved this Calvin Klein perfume since I was about 14 years old and although I always remind the man that it's my favourite he never seems to buy it for me! I bought myself a limited edition version of it a few years ago but it just wasn't the same as the real thing.

Talcum powder - The only time I ever use powder is when I have tiny little babies, once they get bigger I don't bother with it. This means that whenever I do smell powder it takes me back to those days when my kids were sweet and innocent, and who doesn't love the smell of babies?

Freshly baked bread - Most food smells get me excited and tickle my tastebuds but the smell of fresh bread just seems so homely and comforting.

 So there are my prime 5 smells, what do you like a sniff of? Come and link up below #myprime5

My Prime 5 - guilty pleasure TV shows

I am a complete TV addict and can watch almost anything if I get into it, this means I often have to stop myself from watching certain TV series to avoid getting sucked in otherwise I would never get anything done!

Here are some of the shows that I just cannot miss

Coronation street - I love all the soaps and although I grew up in the east end I do find Eastenders quite depressing at times! I love the humour as well as the drama in corrie and I think I was actually named after Tracey Barlow so it's only right that it's my top show!

Mr Selfridge - This is the only period drama that I have ever watched (yes, I am one of the few people that never got obsessed with Downton Abbey) I love the costumes and the fact that it is based on a real life person as I find it intriguing to get a glimpse of what life was like in the past.

60 minute makeover - I am very nosey and love to take a look into other peoples homes and when there is DIY and home decor involved then I am hooked. The transformations in the houses in the space of 60 minutes is amazing, and no I don't watch it just to see Peter Andre!

Big Brother - I watch this every year and get completely absorbed by all the characters. It is actually really interesting how people can get so involved and emotional over the relationships of 16 strangers locked in a house together but I always do! Not sure who I want to win this years series as yet but I am enjoying the evictions every Friday.

Broadchurch - All the best dramas come on TV over the autumn and there is nothing I like better than to snuggle on the sofa with a blanket as the evenings are getting darker and watch a good drama. Most of them are two or three parts long but as Broadchurch was over a longer period a lot more people really got into it. It totally deserved the awards it received as it kept the audience captivated throughout and wasn't as obvious as some crime dramas can be.

So that is my top 5 list of guilty pleasure TV programmes what are yours? Just write a post and come and add it to the linky at the bottom of the page...

My Prime 5 - Things to do in the sunshine

This week has been gloriously sunny and it has made me think of all the things I would like to be doing other than working. I am quite fortunate that I get to go out in the sunshine and top up my tan while at work but it is not very relaxing when there are 300 children to supervise while I'm out there! So this is what I will be daydreaming about...

1. Barbecue - There had to be something that involved eating on the list and I love how BBQ's are so much more than just eating...there's drinking too! No seriously it's a very social thing, relaxing and chatting in the garden with the smell of the food tingling your tastebuds. I fancy one right now except I don't actually have a BBQ!

2. Gardening - Nobody wants to go out into the garden and enjoy the sun when it's a mess but personally I steer clear from doing anything out there in the cold winter months! It is lovely and can be quite a workout to go out and mow, trim, plant and generally clear it out but as I have found out from experience it is very satisfying to sit and admire all the hard work once it has actually been done.

3. Swimming - Another thing I hate to do in the winter is swimming, it is just too cold to plunge yourself into a big pool of equally cold water and have any chance of enjoying yourself. In the hot sun however there is nothing more refreshing and we spent nearly our whole holiday last year just lazing about in the pool.

4. Sunbathing - The first day back at work after last years summer holiday we had our photos taken for our identity badges. At this time I had a glowing tan and looked very healthy. I know this because a few weeks ago a boy from my class was looking at the picture on my badge and actually asked me why I was brown in the picture but I was grey in real life? I mean really, grey??... definitely time to get my tanning on!!

5. Reading - I love reading at anytime but on those long sunny afternoons there is nothing better than sitting down with a good book and an ice cold drink and just relaxing.

As you can see from my list I am quite lazy and don't like to do anything too energetic but I am sure there are some adventurous individuals out there who have lots of exciting activities planned...or maybe you are already doing them! So come and join in with #myprime5

Just write your top 5 list of things you like to do in the sunshine and link up. It will be open for 2 weeks so no need to rush your post!

My Prime 5 - Pet hates

What better way to start my prime 5 than by having a good old moan, it's better to get it all out in one go so we can move on to better and more positive things!

 I am quite an easy going person, I don't let too much bother me but like everybody I have a few pet hates, these are the top 5 things that bother me...

1. Buses - At the moment I am not driving so I don't have much choice than to get on the bus but everything about them annoys me! Waiting for one to turn up, when it turns up it's packed and you have to squeeze on, when they are so packed that the driver skips right past your bus stop without even a wave! Smelly people, the passengers that hold the bus up looking for their fare/oyster card, the ones that leave their kids to mess around and play on the stairs, the ones that sit on the outside seat leaving the window seat empty and the worst are the ones that put their bag on its own seat like its paid for it when they can see others want to sit down! I think I actually prefer walking, plus it is more healthy.

2. Shoppers -  I shop in most supermarkets but I have to say Iceland have the worst shoppers, you know those ones that fill their basket and then get into the queue only to put their basket down by the conveyor belt and carry on their shopping.This is always happening in there, I had an incident once where the woman in front of me disappeared, all the customers in front of her had gone and the checkout guy called me over, then out of nowhere she pushed past me with her extra food and muttered under her breathe 'don't let me start an argument in here today' I was shocked at her rudeness and felt like slapping her but I like to be the better person and ignored her, karma is a bitch!

3. Tagging - I hate it when Facebook friends tag me in pictures or statuses. It's bad enough when you are in the picture (usually drunk and looking really rough) but its when they tag pictures of themselves or their kids and put my name on it, why?? I am not in your picture and the rest of my fb members do not want to see it! Also those family members that want to tag themselves in all of my pictures, leave them alone, they are my pictures!

4. Alarms - That ringing sound in the morning when you are in the middle of a nice dream, it's just not natural! I am definitely not a morning person but will happily wake up to the sound of birds and sunlight shining through the window, instead its usually a really annoying beeping sound that I have to constantly snooze....Zzz

5. Smoking - I have never smoked and have never seen the point of it. My mum has smoked since she was 9yrs old and even now at 54 and with a lung disease she continues to do it. Growing up some kids will follow what their parents do and start smoking but others like me are completely put off. Most adults I know that smoke actually want to give up and I think more needs to be done to help them. What actually are the good points to it because I struggle to find any yet so many people start?

So those are the things that get on my nerves, what really irritates you?

Write your own post on your top 5 pet hates, add a My prime 5 badge and link up at the bottom of this post. The linky will be open for 2 weeks to give you plenty of time to join in