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Panasonic Blu-Ray player and Freeview recorder – review

January 12, 2016 by Bel Leave a Comment

I recently got a brand new Panasonic Blu-Ray player and I wanted to tell you all about it! It’s a Panasonic DMR-PWT550EB (if you care about that type of thing!). It plays Blu-Ray discs (as well as regular dvds) but not only that, it has built in Freeview AND recorder. This beautiful looking dvd player has fantastic functions, all-in-one and for anyone who doesn’t have Sky (or something similar) this is a great idea for watching freeview channels and being able to record them – as well as the obvious – watching blu rays and dvds.

As all our TV, stand, X-box One etc are black, this dvd player fits in perfectly. It’s stylish and modern in design, light weight but still feels sturdy. Nearly all functions are via the remote control, with the box itself being very simple. The DVD/Blu-Ray functions are fairly standard, but having the built in freeview, really gives this box something special.

The Freeview Play menu and interface is really simple and easy to use. You can watch programs from the last 7 days, as well as the current live shows. You can record programs, both from the box itself or even via the internet while you’re out. There are loads of great features and while my TV isn’t 4K, it supports this and full HD. Again, my TV doesn’t support it, but I believe it’s also suitable for 3D dvds and can even convert 2D ones into 3D.

This Blu-ray/dvd/freeview/recorder is really everything in one and with a nice look, simple use and good brand, it really is one to recommend!

Week 22 – Monday Round-up

June 1, 2015 by Bel Leave a Comment

Hello, me again! It’s Monday round-up time again. A fab week this week, largely because it was filled with birthday celebrations, but also because it was both bank holiday weekend and half term, so loads of family/kids time! After a weekend away, Monday kicked off with a bank holiday day. The girls were both going to their dad, so Chris and I drove over to Lincoln to meet their dad at McDonalds and do the passover. We missed McDonalds breakfast sadly but after dropping off the kids we instead headed over to get Starbucks coffee and then wander around some stores together. I ended up buying a sewing book and a very early stocking filler gift for my mum! Chris bought us some new bedding for our bed. Chris and I then headed home and I spent the day relaxing and watching TV, while he made quiche! We didn’t really do an awful lot useful (except change the bedding and soft furnishings of course) but it was nice to spend time together without the kids around.

Next morning, Chris was at work early so I got a bit of a lay-in and then went to pick the girls up from their dad. On the way back we went to do the weekly shop and also picked up some food for my birthday murder mystery at the weekend. We came home and really just chilled out (same as most days to be honest) but it was nice having nothing to do for the first time so far in the half term break. On Tuesday night I convinced my two best friends into getting a tattoo with me on my birthday. I sorted out pics of what they wanted and contacted a tattoo artist for prices. I booked our appointment and got everything sorted.

Wednesday was a lovely day, spent completely at home. During the majority of the day, I worked on a new business idea, texting back and forth with Amy and doing research on the internet. I also spent some time working on and thinking about my blog. However in the afternoon I actually did some DIY in the house, with the help of the girls, laying some lino in the doorway. I was fairly impressed with how it turned out and the girls were so helpful, also helping me tidy and hoover around downstairs. I spent the evening having a bath and enjoying a new bubble bar called Big Bang which I’d bought from Lush at the weekend.

The next day was MY BIRTHDAY! It started off early as Chris had to go to work, then the girls brought me breakfast in bed which was lovely. Eventually we got up and went downstairs, the two of them having a bath while I relaxed and spent some time online. Once the girls were out of the bath, I got them dressed, straightened my hair and did my makeup. We then headed out to pick Amy up from the station, popped back home briefly and then went out to my mum’s for lunch. Mum made steak sandwiches with onions and mushrooms, she even got a cake. My sister was there so it was nice to see them both on my birthday. Afterwards we headed to Lincoln and to the cinema to see Tomorrowland. This was my main birthday treat and event, spent with Amy and the kids.

After the cinema, mum came to pick the kids up as Amy, Nat and I were going to get a tattoo. A little while ago I posted on Twice the Mum about wanting another tattoo and that it would be Disney themed. Shortly after the post I made a decision to have one of the ones I’d picked out in that post. I then decided it would be great if I had it done on my birthday. Knowing both Amy and Nat were wanting tattoos as well, I convinced them both into getting one that day. Amy and I headed down to the tattoo studio and met up with Nat, going in together. Amy went first as she was nervous – it was her first tattoo and she was obviously worried. Luckily it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as she’d thought. I went next, my Beauty and the Beast tattoo already being printed out and ready to go. It took much longer than my last tattoo (though still not long) and hurt a little more. I was quite proud of myself for being okay with it, since I’m awful with pain too. Finally Nat went last and after about an hour, we were all done.

Nat gave Amy and I a lift down the road and then we walked the rest of the way back to my car. Chris had finished work by that point and so met us there. We picked the kids up from my mum, popped via the storage unit for the murder mystery decorations and then headed home. The girls got ready for bed and I ordered takeaway. Nat came round after a little while and Amy, Nat and I spent the evening hanging out until eventually heading to bed.

Friday was a fairly busy day, starting with food shopping for my murder mystery that night and then cooking and tidying the house. At 4pm we headed out, dropping the kids with my mum and then going on to the cinema, where Amy and I met up with Nat again – this time to see Pitch Perfect 2 (it was awesome). Nat and I always go to the cinema together, as I’m sure you know, and since Amy was down and child-free it seemed like a good idea to cram it all in. Once the movie finished however we all rushed to go our separate ways as we still had a murder mystery to get ready for.

When Amy and I got back to my house, we quickly set the table and put some of the food into the oven. We then went to get changed, people arriving every now and again. By 9pm everyone was here and we settled in for photos, eating and then the murder mystery. It was a fun evening, even though the murder mysteries are fairly dull, and I was so glad I decided last minute to have the party. It was well past midnight by the time everyone headed off and we all went to bed. In addition, Nat wrote about Thursday and Friday in her blog post today.

As Amy was leaving early in the morning, I got up a bit earlier than I might have, just to make sure I said goodbye. Chris and I had a cup of tea and then he left for work not that long after either. I spent the morning still in my PJs, waiting for mum to bring the kids home. She stopped for lunch so we all sat down and enjoyed salt and pepper tiger bread sandwiches, followed by cake. Mum stopped for a while into the afternoon and eventually headed off. At that point none of us felt like doing anything so we just hung out, not doing much, though I did work on my new business idea. Chris came home eventually and we watched some TV together before heading off to bed.

Finally it was Sunday and the end of half term, sadly. We made the most of one more day of doing nothing, though I did work on a new website/business idea which is still in progress and can be found at www.ClosetGeek.co.uk On top of that I sorted out washing, tidied the dining room etc. In the afternoon the girls did their homework and I worked on a cosplay outfit for Amy – ordering a pattern and, later in the evening, ordering some material. Around teatime, Chris, the girls and I all watched The Emperor’s New Groove and ordered takeaway. We then watched Wolverine. Once the girls were both in bed, Chris took a bath and I watched some TV. After he was out of the bath, we watched some TV together and then headed to bed.

It was a good week, lovely to spent time with the girls and Chris, but also because Amy came over and I got time with Nat too. A night with my friends was just what was needed and all in all it was a good birthday week and a week off school. Looking forward to what the coming week brings as I have a lot of stuff planned for my new site.

A Life Update

January 7, 2014 by Bel 2 Comments

So as of tomorrow, everything pretty much returns to normal. I say pretty much because Chris is still technically off work sick until 14th. Anyway, as of tomorrow I’ll be back at work (I have been for the last two days anyway) and the girls will be back at school. Since I knew everyone was feeling a little on edge about the end of Christmas break, I decided that tonight would be a good chance to have a movie night.

I was heading to Tescos after work anyway, so within my shopping I picked up a pizza, some dough balls, prawn toast, popcorns, doritos, along with a few sweets and chocolates. Yes, I appreciate that makes for a terrible dinner overall, but that’s sort of the point and the fun of these very rare movie nights that we have.

Anyway one of the girls got Monsters University for Christmas (along with Despicable Me 2, Smurfs 2 and Tinkerbell and the Secret of the Wings) and it was the only movie they were bought which we hadn’t already seen at the cinema. So at about 5pm we settled down to watch, all four of us sharing the same sofa – eating, chatting occasionally and enjoying the movie.

Not going to lie. I cried. I always cry at movies though so its really no big shocker. It was a good movie though and a lot better than I had been expecting, despite my deep love of Disney. Afterwards I put the girls to bed and as expected there were tears. Wishes of not having to go back to school, wishes they could always be with me, etc. etc. It was sweet but at the same time heartbreaking. Luckily I know that them going to school is just something that has to happen, not like when I get upset about going to work (that isn’t the law!). It was still sad anyway though so we spent quite a long time chatting and snuggling in bed before finally I said goodnight and turned off the lights. I still have lunchboxes to pack and PE bags to sort but come tomorrow everything will be back as it was.

I’m not going to lie, I’m glad its only a 6 week term as I’m already looking forward to February break. I think we’ll be going away anywhere this coming school holiday but I definitely want to do at least one really special thing as a family.