Thanks to The Undomesticated Scientist for awarding us the lovely blog award!!!
http://undomesticatedscientist.blogspot.com/2010/11/loverly-blog.html
Monica xx
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Peppa Pig World is coming!
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| Visit Peppa Pig World's website to enter to win Golden Tickets!! |
Paultons Park is always looking for more ways to help you and your family have a fun day out and 2011 will see the family theme park launch a very special attraction when it unveils Peppa Pig World. Exclusive to Paultons Park, Peppa Pig World is a magical kingdom that will bring your children’s favourite TV characters to life and is guaranteed to raise a smile.
Tickets to Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park is a cool Christmas present for your child and a treat for them to look forward to. A truly unique stocking filler and family day out to remember, this is a Christmas gift that will not be forgotten. Visit www.peppapigworld.com/christmas
With seven magical rides, fun animated attractions, indoor and outdoor play areas and even a Peppa-themed toy shop, Peppa Pig World will keep your little ones entertained for hours. Peppa Pig World will even be home to a Muddy Puddles water play area and Daddy Pig’s Big Tummy Café! The only difficulty will be getting them home without a grumble but Peppa Pig herself will be on hand to help.
Peppa Pig World will open its gates on 9th April 2011 but you can register to buy tickets online now from the Peppa Pig World website at www.peppapigworld.co.uk to ensure you don’t miss out. The website is packed with fun activities to entertain your child such as maps of the park and pictures of its rides to get your children really excited!
Why not logon and enter their golden ticket competition which will enable you to visit Peppa Pig World first, on Saturday 2nd April a week before it is open to the general public.
Paultons Park, the family theme park in Hampshire, has been entertaining families for over 25 years. With 60 plus rides and attractions, thrills and excitement are the order of the day and now with its special Peppa Pig World addition there is even more fun to be had!
Monica xx
Thursday 18 November 2010
The Designer Toilet Roll Company - A Review
Seriously...did you ever think you could wipe yourself in designer luxury?!? Lol I didn't!!!
I was directed to www.thedesignertoiletrollcompany.co.uk to choose a product to review, I was really curious because I thought... "Designer toilet paper? Whoever heard of such a thing!?"
I sincerely imagined some "blingy" toilet paper with designer logos on it.... costing £20-£30 a roll!! hehehe
To my surprise I encountered a sophisticated website offering sophisticated toilet paper in a really cool range of colours and designs!!! So that is what designer meant!!
I was directed to www.thedesignertoiletrollcompany.co.uk to choose a product to review, I was really curious because I thought... "Designer toilet paper? Whoever heard of such a thing!?"
I sincerely imagined some "blingy" toilet paper with designer logos on it.... costing £20-£30 a roll!! hehehe
To my surprise I encountered a sophisticated website offering sophisticated toilet paper in a really cool range of colours and designs!!! So that is what designer meant!!
I chose the black and white design toilet paper (1st on the left), I was "forced" to really because my toilet has black/grey tiles, so pink or lime toilet paper would have looked weird but I sooooo wish I had a neutral toilet that I could have all the different colours and change them according to my mood!!!!!
They also have trendy kitchen roll and I must say that I also wish I had a kitchen that looked like the one below.... then I would buy matching kitchen roll for when I had friends over! ;) My kitchen looks like this except at the moment its very messy!!!
I had some friends and family over and absolutely everyone that used the toilet asked me about the toilet paper!! Definitely one to impress!! This is great for when you have dinner parties, friends over, special occasions...
Oh well if you can afford it why not treat your bathroom and bottom to designer toilet paper all the time?! ;) Don't forget the kitchen too!
Verdict:
The paper is beautiful and the designs are really well defined and printed, the choice of colours is amazing too. Although for me this would be kept more for special occasions as they are a bit over my budget but if you can afford it... why not?!
This gets a 4/5 from me for the sheer style and beauty of.... yes, toilet paper!
I forgot to say that they have other novelty toilet paper too... one of them looks like bank notes so you can wipe your bottom with money! hehehe
Monica x
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Generate Free Publicity for your business
For all the families working for themselves, I introduce to you Sue Papadoulis, here she gives you advice on doing your own pr:-
If you’ve already launched your own business, or are about to, there are some easy and effective public relations and promotional strategies you can employ to generate free media coverage.
1. Try public relations strategies before committing any money to advertising
A first-hand recommendation from a journalist can inspire potential customers significantly more than a paid advertisement. A positive story in the media represents a trust-worthy source of information about your product. A consumer is much more inclined to try it if it comes with third- party endorsement. It gives them a sense of safety – that someone else has already tried it out and enjoyed it. If your product or service is featured in the media it may also fall into the category of a ‘must-have’ product.
2. Learn how to think like a journalist
The biggest secret to generating free publicity is to think like a journalist.
If you can hone your mind to think like a journalist you’ll master the art of generating tens of thousands of dollars worth of free publicity. This is done by taking an objective look at your business and coming up with a newsworthy story angle that will interest the media.
A journalist will only respond to you if what you’re providing makes their life easier. They are endlessly harassed by public relations people and business owners wanting coverage. If you can provide a good story that is of interest to their audience, and submit the material in such a way that is simple to understand and well written, then they will happily return your calls, maintain regular contact and become very interested in your products.
3. Separate real news about your business from promotional-speak
When preparing a media release or any other written material for the media, don’t get caught up in marketing speak and clichés. It’s not enough to simply copy content from a brochure or your web site. Write a media release in the same manner as a news article.
If you’re not a good writer, hire someone to write a media release for you. A well written media release can achieve publicity, while a poorly written one is likely to be discarded.
The proof of a well written media release is when you read your media release word for word as a news story in a paper or magazine.
If you’ve already launched your own business, or are about to, there are some easy and effective public relations and promotional strategies you can employ to generate free media coverage.
1. Try public relations strategies before committing any money to advertising
A first-hand recommendation from a journalist can inspire potential customers significantly more than a paid advertisement. A positive story in the media represents a trust-worthy source of information about your product. A consumer is much more inclined to try it if it comes with third- party endorsement. It gives them a sense of safety – that someone else has already tried it out and enjoyed it. If your product or service is featured in the media it may also fall into the category of a ‘must-have’ product.
2. Learn how to think like a journalist
The biggest secret to generating free publicity is to think like a journalist.
If you can hone your mind to think like a journalist you’ll master the art of generating tens of thousands of dollars worth of free publicity. This is done by taking an objective look at your business and coming up with a newsworthy story angle that will interest the media.
A journalist will only respond to you if what you’re providing makes their life easier. They are endlessly harassed by public relations people and business owners wanting coverage. If you can provide a good story that is of interest to their audience, and submit the material in such a way that is simple to understand and well written, then they will happily return your calls, maintain regular contact and become very interested in your products.
3. Separate real news about your business from promotional-speak
When preparing a media release or any other written material for the media, don’t get caught up in marketing speak and clichés. It’s not enough to simply copy content from a brochure or your web site. Write a media release in the same manner as a news article.
If you’re not a good writer, hire someone to write a media release for you. A well written media release can achieve publicity, while a poorly written one is likely to be discarded.
The proof of a well written media release is when you read your media release word for word as a news story in a paper or magazine.
4. Match your target audience to the media outlet’s target audience
It’s no use pitching a story about a new financial planning product to a hit music radio station that reaches teenagers.
Make a list of media outlets that your consumers read, watch or listen to. Familiarise yourself with these outlets and determine which segments would be interested in a story about your product, and then investigate the journalists who write for these sections. For example, if you’re selling a health product find out if your local paper has a regular health section and who edits it then send your information specifically to that person.
Consider trade magazines or business association publications and newsletters that relate specifically to your industry. These reach a niche market and may be much more effective than mass market publications where you’re fighting for space with other businesses from a range of industries.
5. Find a newsworthy angle that is of real interest to the media outlet’s audience
Newsworthy angles relating to home-based businesses could include the launch of your business, the development of a new product, or a major achievement such as an award, a jump in sales, a new web site and the like. But, what if your business has been running for a while, there are no new products and you haven’t reached any major milestone recently? I can guarantee there will still be newsworthy angles you haven’t considered.
Begin by coming up with some major topics that interest consumers in your target market. In general, consumers and many mainstream media outlets are most commonly interested in the following key subjects: health issues, lifestyle (travel, charities, children/babies/families, holidays, beauty, clothing, fashion), education, personal lives (love, romance, sex) and money (how to make it, keep it, protect it). How can you generate a story angle that fits into one of these categories and relates to your product?
Think about trends – what’s in the news right now? Are environmental issues, carbon emissions, the economy, interest rates, teenage drinking, or cosmetic surgery making headlines? Can you offer a comment on any of these issues and relate it back to your product?
For example, I had a client who was a financial planner. She promoted herself as offering:
A wide range of products
It’s no use pitching a story about a new financial planning product to a hit music radio station that reaches teenagers.
Make a list of media outlets that your consumers read, watch or listen to. Familiarise yourself with these outlets and determine which segments would be interested in a story about your product, and then investigate the journalists who write for these sections. For example, if you’re selling a health product find out if your local paper has a regular health section and who edits it then send your information specifically to that person.
Consider trade magazines or business association publications and newsletters that relate specifically to your industry. These reach a niche market and may be much more effective than mass market publications where you’re fighting for space with other businesses from a range of industries.
5. Find a newsworthy angle that is of real interest to the media outlet’s audience
Newsworthy angles relating to home-based businesses could include the launch of your business, the development of a new product, or a major achievement such as an award, a jump in sales, a new web site and the like. But, what if your business has been running for a while, there are no new products and you haven’t reached any major milestone recently? I can guarantee there will still be newsworthy angles you haven’t considered.
Begin by coming up with some major topics that interest consumers in your target market. In general, consumers and many mainstream media outlets are most commonly interested in the following key subjects: health issues, lifestyle (travel, charities, children/babies/families, holidays, beauty, clothing, fashion), education, personal lives (love, romance, sex) and money (how to make it, keep it, protect it). How can you generate a story angle that fits into one of these categories and relates to your product?
Think about trends – what’s in the news right now? Are environmental issues, carbon emissions, the economy, interest rates, teenage drinking, or cosmetic surgery making headlines? Can you offer a comment on any of these issues and relate it back to your product?
For example, I had a client who was a financial planner. She promoted herself as offering:
A wide range of products
Great service
Great value for money
There is nothing newsworthy in this information so it would be of no interest to a journalist. After some probing, I also discovered she offered:
- A mortgage reduction program in which participants signed up for a 12 month course from which they could be sacked if they didn’t follow her advice.
- A home budget program which applied a business budgeting model to a household.
These two programs would be of interest to a journalist if they were packaged in the right way. I promoted the mortgage reduction program as a “Budget Boot Camp” to beat the “Home Mortgage Blues”. The media release caught the attention of the major Sunday newspaper and a local radio program both of which interviewed my client and ran the story. A local television station saw the newspaper report and also picked up the story.
6. Be concise and consistent
Writing a media release or submitting material to a media outlet shouldn’t be seen as a one-off activity. Regular and consistent contact will develop your image as a reliable media source and will ensure journalists take note of you and your business.
It’s therefore important not to include every element of your business in a single media release. You are more likely to receive ongoing media coverage if you provide one news angle per release and make the copy short, sharp and concise. Come up with 12 angles for the year and send out a media release per month. Even if you don’t score coverage immediately, a journalist will begin to notice that you’re being consistent, creative and innovative – and they will eventually respond.
7. Send media material that matches the outlet
Many media outlets run long features, as well as short news pages. Determine which area you want to target and write the copy accordingly. Your target media outlet may regularly run lists such as a column of Top 5’s (for example, a city’s Top 5 places for breakfast, Top 5 baby web sites etc), or new product items. Count how many words feature in these lists and then write your information in the same way. If a journalist can simply copy what you’ve provided for use in their own format it makes their life easier, which is one of the biggest factors in securing media coverage.
8. Make a great pitch
Many media outlets prefer email contact but there are rules to follow when making an e-pitch. In the body of the email include a personalised greeting (“Dear Jane”, rather than “To Whom It May Concern” or nothing at all), your story angle and where it fits into the media outlet (such as a new product section), details about the product, and a call to action for the journalist (would the journalist like a sample or set up a time for interview?).
When sending a media release, copy the text into the body of the email. Never send an attachment as they won’t be opened. In fact, some media organisation firewalls prevent attachments from being received.
If you’re contacting the media by email you’ll also need to maintain a database of email addresses.
9. A professional approach
Approaching the media needn’t be an intimidating proposition. You need to be armed with a well-written media release featuring a great news angle, and a professional outlook that is centred on helping the journalist (this is a very important point – treat them as you would your very best customer).
When contacting a journalist be sure you know your angle, have plenty of back up information, have images to provide (or be available for photographs to be taken of you), and consider your timing. Think about if it’s a convenient time for a journalist to take your call. A major pitfall is calling right on deadline – you can expect zero response if you pick the wrong time. For example, it’s never wise to contact a radio newsroom in the last 10 minutes before each hour as the news bulletin approaches.
It’s also important to always be on hand to provide additional information as soon as it’s requested. It may be the case that the journalist has left the story to the last minute and if you’re not available to help meet the deadline, they will simply find someone else who can.
10. Develop an ongoing relationship
Once you’ve made a media contact, it’s important to keep the flow of information and communication going. It doesn’t mean hounding the journalist every day, but simply keeping them regularly informed about product updates and developments. This may be as simple as sending a monthly media release or asking a journalist if they would like to be added to your database to receive a regular e-newsletter.
You know you’ve succeeded when you become a regular reference and contact point for the media. Establishing a solid relationship with a journalist is a win-win. They access relevant and reliable information, and you reap the benefits of ongoing media coverage. Remember my financial planning client? By following my advice on how to approach the media and behave professionally, she now has a regular weekly radio spot. She’s become the station’s expert on the topic and is regularly contacted for her views on financial matters. Once you’re viewed by the media as an expert in your field, you can expect consumers will also see you that way.
© 2008 Home Biz Chicks
Online entrepreneur Sue Papadoulis publishes the popular e-newsletter Smart Biz Chicks. If you’re ready to jump-start your home business to make more money and have more fun and free time, get your FREE tips now at www.homebizchicks.com
There is nothing newsworthy in this information so it would be of no interest to a journalist. After some probing, I also discovered she offered:
- A mortgage reduction program in which participants signed up for a 12 month course from which they could be sacked if they didn’t follow her advice.
- A home budget program which applied a business budgeting model to a household.
These two programs would be of interest to a journalist if they were packaged in the right way. I promoted the mortgage reduction program as a “Budget Boot Camp” to beat the “Home Mortgage Blues”. The media release caught the attention of the major Sunday newspaper and a local radio program both of which interviewed my client and ran the story. A local television station saw the newspaper report and also picked up the story.
6. Be concise and consistent
Writing a media release or submitting material to a media outlet shouldn’t be seen as a one-off activity. Regular and consistent contact will develop your image as a reliable media source and will ensure journalists take note of you and your business.
It’s therefore important not to include every element of your business in a single media release. You are more likely to receive ongoing media coverage if you provide one news angle per release and make the copy short, sharp and concise. Come up with 12 angles for the year and send out a media release per month. Even if you don’t score coverage immediately, a journalist will begin to notice that you’re being consistent, creative and innovative – and they will eventually respond.
7. Send media material that matches the outlet
Many media outlets run long features, as well as short news pages. Determine which area you want to target and write the copy accordingly. Your target media outlet may regularly run lists such as a column of Top 5’s (for example, a city’s Top 5 places for breakfast, Top 5 baby web sites etc), or new product items. Count how many words feature in these lists and then write your information in the same way. If a journalist can simply copy what you’ve provided for use in their own format it makes their life easier, which is one of the biggest factors in securing media coverage.
8. Make a great pitch
Many media outlets prefer email contact but there are rules to follow when making an e-pitch. In the body of the email include a personalised greeting (“Dear Jane”, rather than “To Whom It May Concern” or nothing at all), your story angle and where it fits into the media outlet (such as a new product section), details about the product, and a call to action for the journalist (would the journalist like a sample or set up a time for interview?).
When sending a media release, copy the text into the body of the email. Never send an attachment as they won’t be opened. In fact, some media organisation firewalls prevent attachments from being received.
If you’re contacting the media by email you’ll also need to maintain a database of email addresses.
9. A professional approach
Approaching the media needn’t be an intimidating proposition. You need to be armed with a well-written media release featuring a great news angle, and a professional outlook that is centred on helping the journalist (this is a very important point – treat them as you would your very best customer).
When contacting a journalist be sure you know your angle, have plenty of back up information, have images to provide (or be available for photographs to be taken of you), and consider your timing. Think about if it’s a convenient time for a journalist to take your call. A major pitfall is calling right on deadline – you can expect zero response if you pick the wrong time. For example, it’s never wise to contact a radio newsroom in the last 10 minutes before each hour as the news bulletin approaches.
It’s also important to always be on hand to provide additional information as soon as it’s requested. It may be the case that the journalist has left the story to the last minute and if you’re not available to help meet the deadline, they will simply find someone else who can.
10. Develop an ongoing relationship
Once you’ve made a media contact, it’s important to keep the flow of information and communication going. It doesn’t mean hounding the journalist every day, but simply keeping them regularly informed about product updates and developments. This may be as simple as sending a monthly media release or asking a journalist if they would like to be added to your database to receive a regular e-newsletter.
You know you’ve succeeded when you become a regular reference and contact point for the media. Establishing a solid relationship with a journalist is a win-win. They access relevant and reliable information, and you reap the benefits of ongoing media coverage. Remember my financial planning client? By following my advice on how to approach the media and behave professionally, she now has a regular weekly radio spot. She’s become the station’s expert on the topic and is regularly contacted for her views on financial matters. Once you’re viewed by the media as an expert in your field, you can expect consumers will also see you that way.
© 2008 Home Biz Chicks
Online entrepreneur Sue Papadoulis publishes the popular e-newsletter Smart Biz Chicks. If you’re ready to jump-start your home business to make more money and have more fun and free time, get your FREE tips now at www.homebizchicks.com
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Baby's First Calendar - A fabulous idea!
I am always on the lookout for the next interesting product to offer to our customers over on www.myfunnybunny.com
When I saw the Baby's First Calendar, I had to have it, I thought how I wish this had been around for the first year of my son and daughters life!! I was given a Baby's Record Book for both of them, both times the books were put in a drawer or a cupboard and kinda of got forgotten, therefore I have a buch of little papers with different notes scattered all over the house and random stuff scribbled in the books.
Not very good, specially because our memory is not great either so we keep on bickering, my husband says my boy did something at xx months and then I say no... he did it at xx months! and then comes the endless looking at pictures (like I did just a few days ago) just to look at how many teeth my son had at 12 months!!! Seriously I could go on and on with the examples!!
I think life would have been much easier and organised had we had one of these... Afterwards you can look back at all your baby's milestones and also at all your appointments and stuff you did the whole year, like baby groups and other stuff. It will be great to look at all that the baby and you did years and years down the road when they have had their own baby :)
This is definitely a really cool pressie for mummies to be, baby showers and new baby presents!
Not very good, specially because our memory is not great either so we keep on bickering, my husband says my boy did something at xx months and then I say no... he did it at xx months! and then comes the endless looking at pictures (like I did just a few days ago) just to look at how many teeth my son had at 12 months!!! Seriously I could go on and on with the examples!!
I think life would have been much easier and organised had we had one of these... Afterwards you can look back at all your baby's milestones and also at all your appointments and stuff you did the whole year, like baby groups and other stuff. It will be great to look at all that the baby and you did years and years down the road when they have had their own baby :)
So here... I introduce our very latest addition to www.myfunnybunny.com, Baby's First Calendar, I am proud to say is owned by a small family business right here in England and the calendar is 100% made in the UK! Also a small donation is given to the FSID (Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths) for every calendar sold.
They have included everything they felt was useful for busy parents during the first year of your baby's life. Baby record books often get forgotten in a drawer, but with this fun, bright calendar poster and stickers on your baby's nursery you will never forget to record those important milestones that you won't want to ever forget!
A bright bold calendar with stickers for every special occasion. Simply stick them on to make recording those special moments quick and easy. Mark down appointments and notes to help stay organised - just like any ordinary calendar
It includes a thermometer which is an essential item in any baby's room to make sure the temperature is neither too cold nor too hot, so you can see it at a glance and make sure the room temperature is just right. They've also included some important advice from The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) to help keep your baby safe at night.
Also included are two spaces to put your favourite picture of your baby at birth and your baby on their first birthday. We've also added in an area to write down your baby's birth date, time, weight, name and more. This makes it even better as a memorable keepsake to look back on in many years time.
This is everything you need to make Baby's First Calendar an essential buy for you and your baby!
Your baby's first smile or clap could be weeks away, so have your Baby Calendar and Stickers at the ready!
Baby's First Calendar was created by parents for parents!
They have included everything they felt was useful for busy parents during the first year of your baby's life. Baby record books often get forgotten in a drawer, but with this fun, bright calendar poster and stickers on your baby's nursery you will never forget to record those important milestones that you won't want to ever forget!
A bright bold calendar with stickers for every special occasion. Simply stick them on to make recording those special moments quick and easy. Mark down appointments and notes to help stay organised - just like any ordinary calendar
It includes a thermometer which is an essential item in any baby's room to make sure the temperature is neither too cold nor too hot, so you can see it at a glance and make sure the room temperature is just right. They've also included some important advice from The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) to help keep your baby safe at night.
Also included are two spaces to put your favourite picture of your baby at birth and your baby on their first birthday. We've also added in an area to write down your baby's birth date, time, weight, name and more. This makes it even better as a memorable keepsake to look back on in many years time.
This is everything you need to make Baby's First Calendar an essential buy for you and your baby!
Your baby's first smile or clap could be weeks away, so have your Baby Calendar and Stickers at the ready!
For more information, pictures or to buy your very own Baby's First Calendar visit www.myfunnybunny.com
Monica xx
Thursday 11 November 2010
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Feeding Bottles Review
I am breast feeding the majority of the time but wanted to introduce a bottle as I wanted to combine feed so that I had the choice and flexibility of both. I started using the bottle once a day with expressed milk at 3 weeks old and have since also used formula on occasions when I haven’t been producing enough breast milk.
I used the Tommee Tippee closer to nature bottles and they do look like they mimic the breast, my baby took to them straight away and then went back on the breast for her next feed so she wasn’t confused or frustrated between the two.
The flow seems to be fine for her as she doesn’t totally glug it and it doesn’t let air back into the bottle. I can’t really comment too much on the anti colic easi-vent as my baby has had really bad colic whether on the breast or bottle and is on gripe water which still isn’t curing it, so for her they don’t seem to work but on the other hand they certainly don’t make her any worse when she is bottle fed. I think I just have an incredibly windy baby and the fact they don’t make her any worse than being on the breast must mean they are doing their job.
The bottles are BPA free and are easy to clean, they come out of the steriliser (I use the Tommee Tippee Microwave Steam Steriliser) looking bright and clear, unlike some bottles that have a dull look to the plastic. I like the shape of the bottles, they are easy to hold and use.
Overall I like the bottles and it has made it easy to combine bottle and breast with no latching on problems so I can rest assured that she is not going to reject the breast and I can be flexible with how I feed her. I would recommend to other mothers introducing bottles and combine feeding.
Emily x
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Taking Control
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| Pic courtesy of "Bridget Jones Diary" the movie |
I'll explain… I was advised to get a pair whether I had a natural birth or c section by a few friends who had been given the advice from their midwives, and after I had the baby the physiotherapist that visits and shows you certain exercises also told me to get a pair - and it really was the best thing I did.
Not only do they hold your tummy in and make you feel like you've got a more flattering figure but they help hold in the ‘sag’ you get after giving birth – especially after having a c section they seem to hold everything in place and stop your tummy from pulling making it less painful, they also help with the swelling and mean that you don’t have pants that sit on your scar line or pinch half way up your tummy.
I invested in a few pairs so I could wear them during the day every day. You don’t have to spend a fortune, I found pairs in Matalan for £6 which I think is very reasonable and they were the ones that come up to just under your boobs. They are also handy, as they come up so high, for hiding your tummy when you’re breast feeding so you can lift up your jumper and not expose any flesh.
Confidence in your figure after pregnancy is such a big thing as you haven’t worn your everyday wardrobe for 9 months and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be itching to get into your pre pregnancy clothing, it made me feel great when I went out 8 days after giving birth and a few people commented on how great I looked and that my tummy was hardly there, the control pants were helping hold everything in and create a more flattering, flatter stomach - just hearing someone complimenting you boosts your confidence. The pants have also meant I can get into clothes that I would otherwise be self conscious in so I have got back to normality quicker than I would have imagined.
I just wanted make other new mums out there aware of the benefits of control pants as not all midwives tell you about them and such a small thing made me feel so much better in a lot of ways – and if they’re good enough for Bridget Jones, they’re good enough for us yummy mummy’s!!
Emily x
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Tommee Tippee Explora ® Easy Drink Cup Review
Explora Easy Drink Cup Features:
Advance-flo technology for easy drinking
Unique soft-flex spout protects gums
Easy to hold handles
Hygiene Cap
Truly non spill & leak proof
explora® learning to drink the easy way
BPA Free
Easy to hold with non detachable handles
Easy to hold handles
Hygiene Cap
Truly non spill & leak proof
explora® learning to drink the easy way
BPA Free
Easy to hold with non detachable handles
I got one of these cups to try out with Boo Boo, I must say that I have quite a large collection of all different cups and beakers, mainly to the trial and error I went through... so I have many cups I don't like but I use them because I can't bear just throwing them away!
I in fact also have the old version of these Tommee Tippee cups and although they were good, these are even better and more mummy friendly. I say mummy friendly because they are easier to clean and most definitely easier to open! The previous cups and some of other brands have a "push in" lid which is all very well to close if you have a flat surface to put them on and do strength on but if you are on the go... not so good! The worse part is when you need to open them...you have to pry them apart and most of the time you get milk or whatever is inside them all over the place!!! Never mind if you have long nails :(
Well... these are screw lids, no not leaky screw lids, nice and leakless!! Nice and easy to close and open, so you can just stand anywhere you want, not next to the sink.
I like the fact that they are BPA free too, and it looks like all of their feeding products are, its great to know that my child isn't getting contaminated with rubbish chemicals.
Boo Boo tried them out and she likes them, they are easy to hold, drink out of and are quite easy for her to put them back on the table with no toppling over thanks to the rubbery "lip" at the bottom which also prevents them from being pushed off the table unintentionally.
Available in most supermarkets and on www.tommeetippee.com where they also have some videos and info to show you how the cup works.
Verdict:
I have very often washed this cup straight away to be used straight after despite having mountains of cups and beakers in the cupboard! I am definitely going to buy the Easy drink Beaker and going to investigate into the sports drinkers they have.
Pros:
- One of the most important things is that they are easy to use & clean!!!
- BPA Free
- Easy to hold handles
Cons:
- It would be great if manufacturers could have collection points or freepost address for the recycling of bottles and the like, because what do you do with them when you don't need them anymore? They just end up going in the rubbish. I think consumers would really like that, what do you think?
I give this cup a 9/10
Monica x
Tommee Tippee Explora Heat Sensitive Weaning Spoons Review
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| Explora ® Heat sensitive spoons in Pink |
Easi grip handles for little hands
Soft tip spoon for tender gums
Deep bowl spoon which helps hold the food on the spoon
Larger scoop - great as baby's appetite grows!
BPA free
Suitable for all forms of sterilisation
Available in Blue, Pink & Green
I have used these spoons since Boo Boo was about 3 and a half months old, my little girl with a big appetite was drinking loads of breast milk (and I produce it like a milking cow, trust me! lol) but it wasn't enough, from my experience with my boy I already liked these spoons so knew what to buy when I started slowly weaning my Boo Boo.
These are "totally awesome" as the americans say, they are shaped just right, you can't really see in the picture but the handle has a little "dip" just before it gets to the tip or spoon scoop... this makes it comfortable and easy to feed the baby as well as now 13 months on she is feeding herself with it comfortably.
I also like the fact that if the food is too hot the spoon turns yellow to warn you, I always check it myself anyway but this is a great little reminder or warning to check it.
The spoon scoop or tip is also soft and bendy which is great for when baby doesn't have teeth so it doesn't hurt their gums, but also easier for toddlers to feed themselves, my Boo Boo sometimes fails to get most the food off the spoon with other spoons as she fails to move her hand up or down in the motion we do to get everything off the spoon so some of it ends up on the floor or all over herself... but the tip of this spoon is soft and bendy which means that it moves in her mouth and she can use her teeth to get all the food off and at 16 months she has all her teeth let me tell you!! So that means more food in her tummy and less on the floor!
These are available in most supermarkets so you can just buy them along with your weekly shop, alternatively you can visit www.tommeetippee.co.uk to find your local stockist.
Verdict:
Totally awesome!
Pros:
- Great shape and comfortable for you to feed your baby and for older baby/ toddler to feed themselves
- BPA Free
- Heat sensitive so tells you when food is too hot
- Excellent value when you buy it at 4 months and its still useful at 3 years old!
Cons:
- Couldn't find any...
As far as baby spoons go, this one gets a 10/10!
Monica x
Dark and Dreary to Fun and Cheery?
Since the clocks went back two weeks ago it's been getting dark so early here! It hasn't helped that it's been persistently grey and rainy either. My go-to free activity with Blondie Boy used to be a walk at the country park or a walk around The Glasgow Fort to go window shopping, but now as it's getting bleaker, colder and darker I'm at a loss at what to do outside the home, but is still free.Any ideas of what to do with a very active 10 month old that doesn't cost anything? I guess I could just bundle him up and hit up the park if it is dry, but does anyone have any other ideas? Most I've seen are for older children.
Blondie
Tesco Super Fit Nappies Review
Using ultra-absorbent Maxi Dry technology, there is no compromise on absorbency even with a thinner design. They offer excellent protection against leaks and maximum performance which mean peace of mind for mums and dryness for little explorers.
They seem to work the same way as more expensive brands without the hefty price tag, I liked them just the same as the ones I normally use but my husband was more partial to our current ones. I think you should give them a try and see what you think.
With my boy (when he was a baby) we had a lot of trouble with leaks, no matter what nappies we used, it would just happen!! Changing sheets in the middle of the night wasn't great specially when it was the 2nd or 3rd time and I'd run out of clean ones!
Now with my little girl I have never had that problem, so for me these worked the same as the expensive ones but at around £2+ saving compared to the brand I use for the pack of 26.
So give them a try and see what you think, every baby is different in my experience, so if you really do have to use disposable nappies why not save yourself some ££?!
Available at your local (UK) Tesco or online at www.tesco.com
Verdict Summary:
Seems to work the same as the more expensive brand I use, for a saving of around £2.25 for a packet of 26! It all adds up. I say it gets a 8/10
Monica xx
Monday 8 November 2010
Bounce and Rhyme
Blondie Boy and I decided to go check out Bounce and Rhyme Time at our local library. Blondie Boy loves reading and singing so it seemed like a perfect fit! Plus it's free and was only a mile and a bit walk from our house.
There were lots of other Mommies and babies as well as some older toddlers and children, too. The session started with a "Hello" song to all the babies and then worked it's way through lots of nursery rhymes; the older children got to request their favorite songs.
Unfortunately for Blondie Boy I couldn't sing along to most of the songs-- some of them I'd never heard in my life (Wind the Bobbin up), some had different tunes (Baa Baa Black Sheep) and some had different words (Wheels on the Bus). I guess that's one of the downsides of being an American Mommy abroad and I had to wonder what a similar type of class would be like back home in the States.
I can't bring myself to sing "incy-wincy spider" instead of "itsy-bitsy spider" so poor Blondie Boy is going to grow up singing differently to all the other kids. Any other moms/mums have this problem?
There were lots of other Mommies and babies as well as some older toddlers and children, too. The session started with a "Hello" song to all the babies and then worked it's way through lots of nursery rhymes; the older children got to request their favorite songs.
Unfortunately for Blondie Boy I couldn't sing along to most of the songs-- some of them I'd never heard in my life (Wind the Bobbin up), some had different tunes (Baa Baa Black Sheep) and some had different words (Wheels on the Bus). I guess that's one of the downsides of being an American Mommy abroad and I had to wonder what a similar type of class would be like back home in the States.
I can't bring myself to sing "incy-wincy spider" instead of "itsy-bitsy spider" so poor Blondie Boy is going to grow up singing differently to all the other kids. Any other moms/mums have this problem?
Blondie
Saturday 6 November 2010
Audeo Perfect Bass PFE 022 earphones + Mic - A Gadget Dad Review
Audéo Perfect Bass earphones are fitted with specially designed, in-built filters that ‘tune’ sound waves to boost low frequencies and provide cleaner bass tones. The result is a punchier more exciting output, that doesn’t compromise on the overall sound quality.
Utilising their experience in comfort and fit, the latest innovation from Phonak includes three sets of interchangeable, silicone ear pieces – each ergonomically designed to sit comfortably in the ear, even after hours of use. As well as increasing stability and reducing cable noise, this extra secure fit reduces unwanted external noise by up to 23 decibels – the equivalent of ambient music in a restaurant or background conversation.
Like the first generation of Audéo Perfect Fit earphones, the new bass version allows the wearer to enjoy crystal clear sound quality at a lower, safer volume - reducing the risk of hearing damage. Experts predict that one in ten 30-year-olds could be wearing a hearing aid by 2020 due to irreversible hearing damage caused by continuous exposure to loud music from earphones**.
Audéo Perfect Bass Earphones are available in black from www.audeoworld.com, priced at £85 with a microphone and £68 without, also available at other retailers. They are compatible with all standard MP3 players, iPod and iPhone models with a 3.5mm stereo jack.
Gadget Dad Verdict:
Great sound quality with perfect fit.
After you have had a go at testing which ear tip fits you best, you get a secure and snug fit which helps blocking out the outside noise. Packaging looks great too which is always a bonus specially when giving as a gift!
Earphones are ergonomically designed, very comfortable to wear and look stylish.
This particular model has a microphone and this worked great, no complaints from people that called me either, they heard me nice and clearly.
They come with a 2 years warranty which I find great as normally these products come with a 1 yr warranty, this makes me feel much more confident about the quality of the product. On top of that Phonak are originally specialise a hearing aids... can't think of anyone better to trust in to put a pair of earphones in my ears... they definitely know what they are talking about!
Pros:
- 3 different sized earphone tips for a great fit
- Microphone - great for using with your phone
- Swiss engineering
- 2 years warranty!
- Look great
- Great sound
- Phonak actually specialise in hearing aids, so they know what they are talking about!
Cons:
- Would be great if they were available in different colours
Rating: 9/10
Gadget Dad
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