Maria's Journey.....

As some of you will know, SincerityGifts is run by Mon and Maria. Those on Twitter and Facebook, may or may not realise that its Me, Monica that you are all interacting with.  This is not because Maria is shy, on the contrary Maria is the bubbly one and I am the shy one! But its easier and less confusing, if just one of us interacts with everyone. 

So i'd like to introduce Maria to you all and her journey......

Maria is a mother of 3 beautiful children, and godmother to my twins. One year ago, a part-time hairdresser, life was good. Then she found a lump in her breast. Her whole world turned upside down. Tests confirmed Cancer. A single Mysectomy quickly followed. A reconstruction was performed at the same time, using microvascular flap from her abdomen. However an infection and two bloodclots that followed, meant she was in hosptial for many weeks. But Maria is a fighter, and in true spirit she was determined to get better. With the   help, support  and encouragement of her husband, family and friends, Maria was up and walking again within 3 months, and determined to join me to walk 5k in the Race For Life. We were all immensly proud of her. 

Maria and Mon with a Nivea Sponsor

Maria didnt stop there, she wanted to start a new business and in October 2010 our SincerityGifts was born. With 7 children between us, It has been an interesting and eventful journey, juggling home, children, and work, but one we wouldnt change.

Maria has shown that its never too late to learn something new, even when life throws challanges at you. 

In January this year Maria was given the all clear and was due to join me once again in the Race for Life - however, complications from her first operation meant she had to have another operation a few weeks ago, and will not be able to walk with me yet. But she continues working hard in the background, taking care of her family, her hairdressing and SincerityGifts. 

I will be running in the Race for Life  on the 19th June 2011 for the 4th time. Why? because I  lost my dear mother on the 19th June 2007. Last month, we lost a dear friend to Breast Cancer. We have lost many friends and relatives along the way to Cancer, but there are many more who are Survivors, which is why we need more research to be done. And my dear friend Maria? well she is one of those survivors, one year in remission. I am running for all these people and more. 

If you wish to donate please visit my page Race For Life Any donation big or small is appreciated and helps

Thank you

Mon and Maria xxx

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Posted on Wednesday Jun 1 19:52:00 BST 2011

'Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.' 

Discover some great gift ideas for Dad's this Fathers Day 19th June 2011

British Stamp Bookmarks

             A genuine British stamp mounted on a Mahogany wood Scrabble Tile attached to a Silver Plate Bookmark by Robins Return

Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter how tall I've grown.  ~Author Unknown

British Stamp Cufflinks

A pair of cufflinks made with wooden scrabble tiles with genuine recylced  British Stamps, mounted on silver plated back. 

A father carries pictures where his money used to be.  ~Author Unknown

Caught Short

CAUGHT SHORT Limited Edition Print .This is a limited edition print from a run of 850, and is signed and numbered by the artist Oliver Preston and mounted with washlines. A perfect gift for any man and keen skier

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.  ~Clarence Budington Kelland

Best Dad Mug

Make your dad feel really special with this beautiful bone china mug from East of India and comes in its own wooden presentation box. The mug has a picture of a father with his family. The lid of the box has a raised picture of a family and a plaque with the words 'Best Dad'

"Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad." -- Anne Geddes 

My Dads No Mug

Fifties range collection "My Dad's no Mug" mug. A mug with a retro fifties slogan, in an american diner style. Great for Father's day gifts and dads everywhere.

Father's Day Quotes:

4 years: My Daddy can do anything!
7 years: My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.
8 years: My father does not know quite everything.
12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either.
14 years: Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned.
21 years: Oh, that man-he is out of date!
25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much.
30 years: I must find out what Dad thinks about it.
35 years: Before we decide, we will get Dad's idea first.
50 years: What would Dad have thought about that?
60 years: My Dad knew literally everything!
65 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.
 by: Unknown

Easter Fun and Competitons

Happy Easter everyone!


Hope everyone is having an enjoyable long weekend in this glorious sunshine. 


Don't want the Easter fun to end?  Then join in with the Online Easter Egg Hunt Egg-stravaganza on 27th April 2011! You could win yourself a brand spanking new iPad2 ! 

The Easter Egg Hunt is run by www.create.net. Some eggs have been  cleverly hidden away on some of the Create members websites for you to find on the 27th April.

 hmmm I wonder if our website www.sinceritygifts.co.uk  is with Create?

To join in the fun go to www.create.net/easter/ to register You can even watch some fun videos of the Easter Bunny and Easter Egg on You Tube www.youtube.com/createdotnet

Join the facebook event page here http://on.fb.me/hER101 & follow @createdotnet on Twitter for the clues coming up all through the week

Look out for more updates on Facebook and Twitter 

The Easter fun doesn't end there. For our new Easter Compertition

We are offering this beautiful

Heart Cookie Box by Savonnerie

To enter all you need to do is one or all of these: 

• Look out for the #EasterComp Link on Twitter @sinceritygifts and Follow and Retweet 
• Like us on Facebook and leave a comment
• Follow our blog and leave a comment

Winner will be announced on 30th April 2011

Good Luck!

UPDATE 30/4/11 -The lucky winner of the competition is @EricaHughes - Well done! 

The competition is now closed. Thank you for all your entries. Look our for further competitons in the near future.

Celebrate the Royal Wedding with the Best of British Gift Ideas

With the Royal Wedding approaching, Join in the celebrations and bring out your Patriotic style with some of our favourite British products....

Take a look at these quirky genuine British stamp ideas from Robins Return. Most of the tiles have postmarks on them which add to their character.

We love these retro style Union Jack rectangular cushions from Heaven Sends.With a stamp and franking mark print on the corners it adds a stylish finishing touch.

                                     

Having a Royal Wedding Party? Then these pack of 6 Mini Union Jack flags and wooden Bunting  by East of India will make fabulous decorations. 

There's something for everyone. Celebrate being the 'Best of British' with Inch Blue's gorgeous made with love gift. 100% cotton footless babygro and shoe with Union Jack detail.

We just love these fridge magnets from Dots and SpotsThese fabulous magnets will give instant style to your fridge, filing cabinet, notice board or any metal surface.

All these products and more can be found on www.sinceritygifts.co.uk

A week of Celebrations

Posted on Tuesday Apr 5 17:58:00 BST 2011

Wow....What an eventful and exciting week it has turned out to be!

It started with the launch of our fabulous newly re designed  website by Amanda Farren at Qwerty Cow Design,

The week continued with my 'Big Birthday' Celebrations. With two wonderful surprises, one being my cousin arriving from Cyprus to be with me (which of course ended with the obligatory shopping trip to London the following day) and the second, a parcel on my doorstep wrapped in cellophane and a big bow (and a group of giggly friends hiding around the corner) - which on closer inspection I discovered was my good friend from Switzerland hiding beneath it, who had also come over to surprise me!

The evening and party that followed was made all the more memorable by the friends and family who made sure my Birthday was special . I feel blessed. 

 With Mother's Day approaching, I felt in a reflective mood as I remembered my dear mother who I had lost to Cancer 3 years ago. We shared a birthday and its always a difficult time of the year. However, on Mother's Day, my 4 children whose ages range from 22, 20 and twins of 14 showered me with love and reminded me what being a mother was all about. 

I didnt think the week could get any better, when that Sunday evening, We entered our Business on Twitter for@TheoPaphitis #sbs (Small Business Sunday).  Every Sunday between 5-7.30pm on Twitter you can enter your business  adding @Theo Paphitis  #sbs  He then chooses 6  Businesses to retweet and thus giving them great exposure. 

Well, you can imagine our great excitement and surprise to have been picked! 

So Mr Paphitis -  from One Greek-Cypriot to another ευχαριστώ πολύ !!  You have made two Mums on Mother's Day very happy indeed! 

Thank you also @ShelliBobbins for our screen shot,  @whoatemycrayons for our new badge! and to all the wonderful messages from all our twitter friends :) xx

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day. A day to honour Mothers and Motherhood -  

Mother, Wife, Mother-in-law, sisters and friends.

With Mother's Day approaching, we all know how daunting it can be to find a gift, whether its buying chocolates or flowers or a special gift,  here are some  ideas to make the process easier.

Let her know how much you care and appreciate her:

1. All women love to be pampered, so why not endulge her with a luxurious Pamper Set

Pamper Gift Set By Savonnerie

Handcare Set by B Organic

White Musk Bath Set

2.  Jewellery - Give her something special like this stunning resin heart pendant and earing from Watch This Space

3. Make it something personal. These luxurious 100% silk scarves with rose corsage are sure to be a hit!

Give your mum the most fabulous gift this Mother's Day, what ever you choose dont forget to give her the most important gift which is the gift of your time. 
www.sinceritygifts.co.uk

Venetian Masquerade Masks

Over the past few months, on our search for beautiful unique things, we have been lucky to come across some very talented people and amazing websites who deserve a mention

One of those is www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk. These beautiful Masquerade Masks are designed and crafted in the UK and the designs are unique to their site.
 The hosting of Masked Balls and the wearing of Masquerade Masks has gained popularity in recent years, with films such as 'Eyes Wide Shut' and 'Phantom of the Opera', and  can  often be seen in pop videos and on the catwalks. These beautifully sophisticated and elegant Masquerade Masks   are designed and crafted in the UK  and are perfect for any Masked Ball or event, from a Carnival to a Masked Prom or Hen Night. You will also find a selection of Masquerade Masks for men who require something simple yet unique.

Affordable Masquerade Masks which are high in style but low in price, are also on offer to those on a budget.

This beautiful Cat Mask suitable  for a Masquerade Ball or Fancy Dress is only £8.99

Their wide range of Venetian Masks are crafted in Venice by  Venetian Mask Makers and  at a time where products are mass produced and lack quality, you can be assured that the Venetian Mask  you receive is not only excellent quality but authentic.

 If you are hosting a Charity Event or Masked Ball or need further information contact:
e: info@venetianmasquerademask.co.uk  
web: www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk