How to make a sucessful New Year's Resolution

How to Make Successful New Year’s Resolutions – more about ‘why power’ than will power.

Answer 5 questions to make your 2011 resolutions successful.

Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution? Maybe you resolved to lose weight, stop smoking or get fit. Did you see it through? The vast majority of people do not and by the end of January they will be back into their old habit patterns after promising this year would be different.

Sound familiar? Ian Henderson, coach and professional speaker, says to make your resolutions stick you need to answer five big questions:

What do you want?

This must be specific (measurable) and focused on what you want to do or have rather than what you don’t want or don’t have.

Why do you want it?

This is the biggest question and gets to your real motivation. You need a big why or your efforts will fail at the first test. Your why might be that to continue causes you so much pain that there really is no alternative. It may be that what you are looking to achieve is so powerful for you that you will do anything to get it. The bigger your why, the easier the how is. Without a big enough why, the how becomes difficult.

Does your goal fit in with who you are as a person?

To be successful it must connect with who you are as a person and what you strongly believe in. If it doesn’t, you will find ways to sabotage your efforts to change and you will be making the same resolutions again next December 31st.

How will you do it?

This is about taking committed action. The good news is that your actions don’t need to be revolutionary. Break a big goal into smaller, achievable targets. Lots of small successes built on each other can make a big change over time.

When will you do it by? 

As soon as possible does not appear in any diary. Putting a date on your goal increases your focus.

Ian says that, "With so many people giving up on their resolutions it seems that they look forward to the New Year to make a new start on old habits. Don’t let this happen to you this year.” 

Weekend Offender Exclusive Dealer Jacket - A Gadget Dad Review

Bring On The Rain?

Weekend Offender just launched their exclusive "Dealer" jacket, which is like all their jackets is looking very sharp, stylish and lightweight. But this one's got a hidden talent...

The Dealer jacket has a clever and unique transparent "Dry View" viewing cover to the front of the pouch pocket. This unique dry view pouch allows the wearer to clearly see the inside of the pouch pocket, thus enabling them to read text messages or to play games in the pouring rain.

Weekend Offender - The stylish Dealer Jacket

Features:

• Specially coated, micro-ripstop fabric in airforce blue.
• Unique double zip neck opening.
• Unique "Dry View" window.

Unique Dry View Window

Check out the review video

(for HD viewing view directly on our YouTube channel)

RRP £80 Available from www.weekendoffender.com

Gadget Dad Verdict:

Weekend offender offers "bad boy" british style clothing. Their web site is cool and their blog is up to date with new products and celebs wearing their clothing range. Also had some funny YouTube videos!

Coming back to their new "Dealer" jacket, the jacket itself looks great and stylish. The 'clear view' pocket was a great idea, but while doing the short video outside for 10 minutes in light rain I came to realise that it had a few short comings.

First thing I realised was that it as a bit difficult to close the unique "clear view" compartment while in the rain without getting your device wet. What would have made this a clear winner to me would be elastics around the area for your hands to go in, so that you would push your hands and device through and the elastics would then "close" around your wrist. This would also make the 'clear view' area less prone to getting wet. The jacket itself also let water in after only 10 minutes in the rain. It seemed to seep water through as if the water repellant coating had come off.

I did like the idea of the double zip neck opening which made it a breeze to take off and put on without messing up your hair style.

Pros:

• Really stylish design.
• Unique 'clear view' window.
• Specially coated micro-ripstop fabric in airforce blue.
• Unique double zip neck opening.

Cons:

• Clear view pocket could have done with some elastic openings for ease of use and more protection agains rainy days.
• Water repellant coating could have been better.

Gadget DadRating: 6/10

Till the next rainy day!

Gadget Dad

Magical Santa Review - A Letter From Santa

My son is 4 and a half and I have been doing everything I can to keep the magic of Christmas alive... that and fairies and everything magical out there. I reckon it's a much more interesting world while we are little, we believe in magic and everything is possible.

So it is my goal to keep magic alive... because the world becomes that much more interesting!

I told my son that he should tell me what he wants for Christmas  and that I would write a letter to tell Father Christmas. He promptly went to give me a long list including a new ipod (yeah right! Talk about anything being impossible!) but amongst that he wants some Disney Cars Monster Trucks, so I told him he should stick to that because Father Christmas has lots of toys to get for everyone so he shouldn't be greedy.

I then went on to www.magicalsanta.co.uk and personalized a letter from Father Christmas for my Funny Bunny and had it sent.

Magical Santa offers four distinct letters, which can be tailored to each child (brilliant if you have more than one child so that they don’t look as though they’ve got the exact same letters as each other!).  Each letter has been written by a published children’s author, and each is written for a specific age group and gender. You can add your child’s name, gender, friend or relative’s name, what they’ve achieved this year and what present they really want. You can even choose from four different designs of decorated letter paper.

The other day the letter arrived in the post in a beautiful envelope with a picture of a Father Christmas on it, it was addressed to my little boy (as I had entered his details), I showed him the letter and he read his name on the front... his eyes lit up and he said "a letter for me?!?" with a smile on his face, he then went on to jump around asking me who it was from!!!

I told him it was from Father Christmas and after even more jumping around he eventually stopped to open it, After he opened it himself I read it for him, it was a bit long but it was written in a way that he understood it and was extremely interested and excited so he listened all the way until the end!!

This letter brought much joy to my little boy and my heart warmed with happiness seeing my little boy so happy and excited... but most importantly it keeps the magic of Christmas alive in our house.

Now he is excited for Christmas Eve when Father Christmas visits us at midnight, we are very impatient and very special in our family, Father Christmas actually sits down and we get our presents directly from him, we even get a photo of us sitting on his lap with him giving us the first present! I'm not sure if it's a family tradition or a Portuguese tradition but it's what we do... and it's magical for the kids!

Rating: 10/10 for making my boy so happy!

The letters normally cost £2.99 (including free delivery* within the UK) when ordered directly from the site. But if you click on http://www.magicalsanta.co.uk/ref/mfogg, the rate is further discounted price to only £1.99!

Monica x

Jessops Launches Beautiful Baby Competition 2011

Your tot's chance to star in Jessops' spring 2011 catalogue.

Jessops, the UK's leading photographic retailer, and parenting publisher Magicalia are pleased to announce the opening of their Beautiful Baby Competition 2011.

Launched to find the cutest cherubs and loveliest little-ones in the UK, one lucky winner will star in Jessops' spring 2011 catalogue. The winning baby will also become the face of Jessops' Kiddies Photobook which will be displayed in all Jessops stores.

As well as the knowledge that their little angel will put a smile on the face of thousands of shoppers around the country, there is also the chance for parents to win up to £1000 of photography equipment.

Twenty-five runners up will also be chosen to star in Jessops' Kiddies Photobook on display in-store, and each will receive a £25 Jessops voucher. To ensure no one gets left out, Magicalia will be showcasing a selection of the entries via an online slideshow in February.

To enter, simply click on the 'win & free' tab on the ThinkBaby or MadeForMums websites at www.thinkbaby.co.uk or www.madeformums.co.uk and upload your fabulous photo.

Best of Luck!

Monica xx

Baby's First Calendar Give Away Winner

Congratulations to Carolin M. from Bristol who won our Baby's First Calendar Give Away!

The winner was picked at random by my 4 year old :)

Monica x

The Christmas take over

PaperTigerNStitches Baby's 1st Xmas Ornament

This Christmas is my little girls first, she's not going to remember all the fuss at 3 months old but I will, and that's what's bothering me.
She’s the first grandchild for my parents and I can't help feeling that everything I'm trying to do to remember her 1st Christmas is being taken away from me.

My mum bought her a Christmas outfit, we'd already decided on a little dress we liked but not bought it yet, we then saw the perfect advent calendar with little doors to open that would last her years but through the post arrived an advent calendar made by my mum that she can keep every year instead, then we decided that instead of big presents this Christmas because she would get so much we would start a charm bracelet for her so that when she's older she'll have something to remember each birthday and Christmas by, along with that we'd get some books which the lead character has the same name as my daughter, they come in a series so would be a great addition and we could build those up every year, but on telling my sister our plans she announced that my mum had found those books and bought them already, my sister incidentally is making her a stocking which she will keep year after year. So now what is left for me to do?

This is my first child, my first Christmas with her and I want her to have a memory of one thing that mummy and daddy got for her first Christmas that she returns to every year, but instead we'll just have photos of everyone else’s presents.

I know they're all meant well and I love that she is being thought about and loved and I understand that she is a long awaited grand child but I just think we could have been consulted?

My partner thinks we should go ahead and get her the things we were going to and she'll just have duplicates but I'm reluctant as it isn't really the same. I think I'll just roll over like I usually do so I don't upset anyone and keep the peace and I am really grateful for everything anybody does for her so it's not like anyone’s done anything terrible! Plus I love Christmas and don't want anything to spoil it.

Having said that if my mum finds this blog (which is unlikely) I know she'd take it the wrong way and feel I'm unappreciative but all I want is to do just 1 thing for my daughter for her 1st Christmas.
Any ideas of keepsakes that I can make or buy for Christmas?
 Emily x

Attempting to plan ahead...

Yes, anyone that knows me knows that I am not too much into planning ahead... planning ahead to me involves writing something on my calendar and leaving it at that.

Not because I can't do it, it's more to do with "I never know what will happen tomorrow" syndrome... so I only plan ahead in detail when I absolutely have to.

Eating on a budget and with not much time to cook, lately we have been falling into the evil ready meals route far too many times than I have liked and this has resulted in particularly me and Booboo not having as many healthy stomach "turns" as is appropriate.
After having 2 kids that is not great for me as my digestive system is sluggish so I put on unhealthy weight and have trouble going to the loo, and then comes the "I am too tired to do anything" attitude too!!! So I need to get back in control and do the right thing.

Another thing is we have been eating far too much meat and not enough vegetables, we all know about animal cruelty and how cows massively contribute to global warming, but realistically I know that we can't be vegetarian, so I just want to cut down on our meat intake and really increase our vegetables, pulses, and other good stuff.

In my attempt to "fix" all of the above and I came up with a "Menu" for the week ahead, a menu that I hope we will achieve eating healthily on a budget.

For lunch we will eat left overs from dinner, I will make more to accommodate as I don't have the time to be cooking lunch and dinner.

Dinner Menu for a Week

Wednesday (today): Chilli con Carne with carrots & Rice
Thursday: Meat Free Sausages with caramelised onions & Fine Green Beans
Friday: Portuguese Pea Dish with Chorizo and Egg ( Ervilhas com Ovos Escalfados ) 
Saturday: Garlicky Potato, Carrot & Ham Bake
Sunday: Tomato & Red Lentil Soup with bread on the side
Monday: Salmon & Onion Fishcakes with Tomato Salad
Tuesday: Portuguese Dish - Gay Chicken (Frango a Paneleiro)
Wednesday: Tuna Nicoise Salad

So I will try to stick to the plan and tell you what happened next week!!
Hopefully a fresh pre planned menu will also restore my enthusiasm for cooking because I have been so bored and fed up with cooking!

What do you do to keep your "menu" fresh & on budget?

Monica xx

Compact Baby Changing Solutions

Busy mums on the move will love the handy baby changing solutions offered by Koo-di, including the latest b.box®, which carries all of baby's changing essentials in one compact case and can conveniently be popped into a handbag.

Complete with a wipe clean changing mat which folds into its storage compartment; a built in refillable wipes container which can be accessed from the outside for sticky fingers and inside for nappy changing; plus room for two small nappies and a tube of cream, mums have everything they need for that emergency nappy change, without needing to lug around a huge changing bag.

The colourful, trendy b.box® is made from durable polypropylene plastic which ensures it holds its compact shape even when fully packed and a flexible arm within holds everything snugly into place.
So whether you are popping out to the shops or on an outing to visit friends, pop your b.box® into your bag or glove compartment and you can relax and know you are prepared for every eventuality.

With slightly more room, but still compact and ideal for travelling is the Koo-di Handy Changer which fits everything little one will need on a journey including nappies, bibs and a change of clothes.
Mums will love the cheerful polka-dot design of this bag plus the two removable matching pouch pockets (great for cotton wool and creams). It also includes an elasticated strap to hold bottles or food jars in place as well as a large wipe clean changing mat.

Koo-di Handy Changer fits under your pushchair!

Ideal for almost every occasion, the Handy Changer is extremely versatile and can double up as a baby toiletry bag!

All available now from www.myfunnybunny.com

Monica xhttp://www.myfunnybunny.com/ourshop/cat_286038-KOODI.html

Jeep Boy's Cotton Rich Socks Review

Jeep JB701 Boy's Contrast Heel and Toe Cushion Sock

With he demands of school wear, sports training and that all important social life, it's no wonder that on average boys between the ages of 3-13 can get trough a whopping 50 pairs of socks every year!

Synonymous with the Jeep heritage, each style from the 4x4 leader has been designed for peak performance. perfect for keeping feet as comfortable as possible, these reliable and hardwearing socks are fashionable, reasonably-priced and long-lasting saving his parents bank balance!

Perfect for everyday 'back to school' wear, these socks have been designed for comfort. Each pack contains a black, charcoal and grey pair of socks to offer stylish choice every morning. They are available in sizes 6-8.5, 9-12, 12,5-3.5 and 4-6. The JB701 is made from a combination of 70% cotton, 20% polyester, 7% Lycra and 3% Nylon that's breathable and suitable for every day use.

Verdict:

Face it, boys will be boys and they will always go through everything faster than expected. That's why these rugged socks from Jeep will make them stretch their normal sock wear and tear limit to the brink of their "wooly" existence. These socks are good quality and at £4 for 3 pairs you can't go wrong, at just over £1 a pair they are good value considering the quality.

They are so padded and thick that my son even wears them around the house instead of slippers! Also nice and warm to wear with his slippers in these cold snowy days we have been having!

Pros:

• Each pack comes with black, charcoal and grey pairs
• Very thick and comfortable
• Breathable
• Great for everyday use as well as sports

Cons:

• Could have done without the Jeep tags as stitching seems to come off with time. ( Could have done with the branding being embedded in the sock as it has on the sole)

Rating: 9/10

Until next time

Gadget Dad

Jabra Street BT3030 Bluetooth Stereo Headset - A Gadget Dad Review

Music and talk meets the streets!

The white Jabra STREET is a stylish Bluetooth hands-free system that plays music from any enabled device such as mobile phones and Mp3 players.

Not only does it look good, it sounds great, finally a product that lets you listen to music from your mobile - without damaging your style!

Play, pause, skip - remote control your music without touching your mobile. Yep, that’s right - no wires!

No need for phone envy - keep it in your pocket! When a call comes in, your tune pauses and the call connects. A microphone in the dog tag picks your voice up, loud and clear, no hands, no missed calls.

The dog tag design keeps the wearing style simple, just wear it around your neck, but if that isn't your style, use the optional clip, clip it to your belt, your bag, your pants - you choose the look, you choose the style. You can also stash it in a pocket!

Great for those who are always on-the-go!

Features

• Up to 7 hours of music playing
• Up to 8 hours talk timeCreate your own style
• Exchangeable earphones
• Optional lanyard and clothing clip
• One device for music and mobile

Check out the cool video presentation on their website here!

Also available in black with an rrp of £49.99 and available from most good retailers.

Gadget Dad Verdict:

Jabra specialise in bluetooth headsets and again came up with a great design to make yet another headset look cool.

The set up was a breeze and i had no problem pairing it with my smartphone. I also had no problem playing music on this and the sound was great. Music was paused when there was an incoming phone call and continued after the call.  The in call sound was very clear and if your phone has voice activated dialling this unit supports it.

I have the white one but a black one is also available. This should also be a great stocking filler!

This is especially great as you don't have to have your phone on show, so hoodnickers* don't get tempted to steal you or your kid's phone.

I liked it so much I bought one for my brother in law as a Christmas gift! (I have 3 brothers in law so even if they read this they won't know if it's for them or not!!)

*Gadget Dad slang for thieves! lol

Pros:

• Setup made easy enough for a little monkey to do!
• Comes in Black and White
• Can wear it around your neck or on a clip (even fit it in your pocket)
• Comes with one year warranty
• Can be used with iPod touch

Cons:

• couldn't find any!

Rating: 9\10

Till next time and steer clear of the hoodnickers!

Gadget Dad

New on Kids Stuff: Paper Toys

If you haven't noticed yet we have a new page called Kids Stuff, where we and other readers share with fun and educational stuff you can do with your kids that can be found around the web.

To find the page just click on the link on the left hand side blog menu and you can see what else we have!

Today we have added Paper Toys, a website where you have hundreds of templates for paper toys that you print out cut, fold & glue!! Absolutely stunning templates like this festive one of Santa's House.

Santa's House is great for older kids to build by themselves or for the parents to build with younger kids, a good activity that daddies will enjoy too!

If you do build it, take a picture and show us!! We will post it up for you ;)

Don't forget to pop back to our Kids Stuff page for other activities for your kids, no matter what age!

Let us know if you want to share anything with us and other readers :)

Have fun!

Monica x

A "shared" wedding...

In April it's my 10th anniversary, me and my husband got married 10 years ago here in England and only his parents and sister got to attend.

His family is scattered all over the world now but mainly in South Africa which is where he is from, he was very sad that the rest of his family didn't get to be at the wedding and we always wanted to renew our vows over in SA so his family could be present when we renew our promise to be each other's forever.

Yes it's corny but its true, after 10 years I still shriek of happiness when I think that my husband is gonna be off work and with us at home on his days off, I sometimes even shriek with excitement when he calls me from work saying he is coming home, I still get all lovey dovey when he shaves just for me and not because he is going to work and we still call each other more than once a day when he is at work or we are apart for some other reason.

I truly believe that we are still in love even after 10 years, I don't mean we just love each other, I mean we are still madly in love with each other... I will proudly declare on my renewal of vows my love for him.

So, enough of the lovey dovey stuff....

Last year when we were on holiday over in SA, my sister in law got engaged, after that, she and my mother in law suggested why don't we set a date for us to go over again and do our renewal of vows too?!?

We discussed it and thought it was a great idea, the family would get invited to one event, at one location but with my sister in laws wedding on one day and our renewal of vows on the next day :)

Great so it was decided, now all I have to do is organise all our bits.... with 4 months to go and us totally skint!!!


We have the venue... http://www.assegaaibosch.co.za absolutely stunning nature reserve, but I need a dress for me, a dress for my dolly BooBoo, something for my hubby and something for my FunnyBunny. Invitations for the family and whatever else....

Monica xxx

Baby's First Calendar Give Away!!!

For your change to win a Baby's First Calendar go to this page here where you can find the question you need to answer!!!

 Good Luck xx

Competition closes at midnight on 12th December 2010

UK residents over 18 only, one entry per household.

We were featured on Mummy Loves...

We were featured on Mummy Loves... Blog a nice interview about the business and myself and how I got to start My Funny Bunny Ltd!

 Oooh and a discount code too, so go and have a read! M xx