Christmas Gift Giveaway #7 - WIN a Children's Christmas Eve Box

This lovely hamper of goodies for the little ones in your life is ideal for 24th December and preparing for the arrival of Santa!

The Children’s Christmas Eve Gift Box contains:

• A milk chocolate Santa lollipop
• Santa’s Magic Key
• Reindeer Food
• A variety of festive treats
• A personalised wooden stocking, perfect to hang on your tree

How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Vision?

 

 

Pregnancy is an incredible experience. Feeling the first flutterings of movement, watching your bump grow week by week and welcoming a precious bundle of joy into the world is truly magical. Your body can change considerably during these 9 months, often in ways you wouldn't imagine, and your sight can surprisingly be one of the things to be affected.

 

Vision Direct questioned Mumsnetters to find out if they noticed any alterations with their eyes while preparing for motherhood and discovered that 70% noticed some changes! The below infographic shows the break down of the statistics teamed with some facts from the experts which may be particularly useful if you're trying to conceive or already have a child on the way.

Ditch The Tech... And Get A Dog!

 

 

Most people will have been mid conversation at some point when a beeping phone has interrupted the chat, someone has glanced away to check their social media accounts on their tablet or they just haven't paid attention at all due to game play on the latest console. Technology can have a big impact on family life and it may be a real distraction on a daily basis.  You might even find it a struggle to shift your children from the sofa to stretch their legs out at the park in the sunshine but Dogs Trust have now suggested that getting a fluffy companion might be the answer!

 

 

Educational Apps for Kids - Pora Ora Review

 

In a technology based world it's not uncommon for our little ones to play on our phones and tablets from time to time. It can actually be really beneficial when it comes to their education with plenty of fun apps available to improve their reading, spelling, maths and other important life skills. Pora Ora, a collection of inter-connecting games for primary aged children (5-12), has some great downloads which will certainly help when it comes to their learning, often without them even realising!

We've been reviewing a few over the summer holiday too so we can share our thoughts.

Pora Pal HQ is the downloadable virtual world for desktop computers which brings the great features of Pora Ora together into one place. This is where children can personalise their home, play a variety of games, interact with classmates and friends outside of school while collecting Pora Pals (pets) to care for as rewards. It brings learning and socialising together in a safe way.

The games are also available separately for mobiles and tablets to allow play on the move and that's how we have been accessing both Spellfire and Leapfrog.

Toilet Roll Bird Feeders - Mini Makes

Keeping the children entertained during the summer holiday can be expensive for parents but never fear. There are many free (or incredibly low cost) activities you can try including these recycled cardboard toilet or kitchen roll feeders for our feathered friends!

 

It may be a little messy but it's great fun and if your little ones love animals just as much as the Mini Mes do they too will enjoy watching the wildlife they attract.

 

 

 

 

Equipment

 

Cardboard rolls

Knife

Peanut butter

Plate

Bird seed

Ribbon (optional)

 

 

Method

• Thinly cover a cardboard roll in peanut butter using the knife (you can use a plastic one if you wish). You may want to put some newspaper, kitchen tissue or plastic sheeting down over your work surfaces before you begin to make clearing away easier.
  

Celebrating the Arrival of Princess Charlotte (PLUS Your Chance To Win)

 

It’s no big secret that children can become a little jealous when a new sibling arrives in to any family. Sharing toys, attention and parents is a new concept to little ones, and it can take some time getting used to.

 

To help embrace the birth of his new little sister and to prepare for her arrival home, Zapf creation gifted Prince George with his very own Baby Charlotte doll. Mimicking the weight of a real life baby, Baby Annabell is the UK’s number one nurturing doll and with a number of very realistic functions, it’s easy to see why.

 

 

Baby Annabell’s lifelike features include responding to touch and sounds, crying real

tears, giggling, sucking on her bottle or dummy and being gently rocked to sleep. Baby Annabell is the perfect doll to get Prince George up to speed on baby holding techniques and help have him ready to bottle feed Baby Charlotte in no time.

 

Bennetts for Babies (PLUS Your Chance To Win)

With more and more companies adding different chemicals to their lotions and potions, it is hard to know just what we are putting onto our baby’s skin. With the Bennett's brand having stayed true to the original formula created by a well-established pharmacist, you can be sure your baby is in the safest of hands. After all, Bennetts is the brand helping you care for your baby.

 

Formulated over 50 years ago by a father and independent pharmacist, Basil Bennett became famous for his baby care products, compounded on demand in his own pharmacy. As a member of the Royal Society of Chemists of Great Britain, he utilised his vast experience to create this range. With his expertly formulated products that effectively treat dry skin, eczema, and help to prevent and heal nappy rash, Bennett’s has been a firm favourite of Mums and Dad’s for decades. Trusted and reliable, Bennett’s is a house hold name and one of the best-selling baby care brands in South Africa.

The full range includes baby bum crème - easy to rub in, preventing as well as healing nappy rash, the nipple cream - allowing you to breast feed without the need to wash off, aqueous cream – absorbs quickly and suitable for moisturizing all over, bath drops – keeping the skin silky smooth, and the one of a kind bum buddy traveller – perfect for mums and dad’s on the move.

Father's Day With Braun

When it comes to Father's Day gifts I often struggle with ideas. Socks and chocs are a little bit boring
whereas I worry that expensive or quirky gifts won't be appreciated; his tastes are forever changing and I want to make a purchase that won't be left to gather dust! Opting for something practical is therefore my plan this year and the Braun Series 3 Shaver will be ideal.

The Mr received one recently and he dumped his old razor rapidly and replaced it with this sleek machine. He has only used it a few times so far but it does such a great job on both his hair and beard (even when in the shower) that he won't be switching back. He has even packed it for the Isle of Man TT this week!

The Mr doesn't shave daily (more so because I prefer the rough and rugged look than him being lazy) yet this shaver glides through thick stubble with ease. It is shaped nicely for great grip and with adjustable blades it moves around the contours of his face comfortably. It has a locking head however for upper lip precision which he has said is useful too. Braun really have thought of everything!


"It's a seriously good bit of kit" - The Mr

4 Mini Wins of Parenthood

With parenthood comes highs and lows, that's all part of the package. But even when your day doesn't go to plan with a 4am start, explosive nappies, toddler tantrums in Tesco and your home being redecorated with baby food, there are (nearly) always things to celebrate. 

These are a few mini wins you may experience as a mum or dad. It's all about being positive.

Your keys are nowhere to be seen. They aren't in your bag among the wet wipes and overflowing Tupperware pots of snacks, they aren't hanging in the hallway above your child's latest wallpaper doodles and they aren't in the door where you vaguely remember leaving them. A feeling of panic overcomes you and after ensuring they haven't been posted out through the letterbox you head to the bathroom to peer around the door. Surprisingly they aren't in the toilet or floating in a bubble filled sink with Barbies so you don't need to go fishing! You eventually discover them deep in the depths of the toy box, after activating every musical item possible in the process, which makes you incredibly late to leave but you are filled with joy that they aren't dripping wet in pee and poop and in need of some anti-bac spray. You can moonwalk your way to the car while fist pumping.

WIN a Voucher for Swimshop

Summer is fast approaching and whether you’re thinking about your holidays or a bit of splashing around in the garden, we could all do with some new swimwear! From costumes to goggles and toys to everything in between, you’re sure to find anything you need with Swimshop.

We have a voucher up for grabs to celebrate the sunshine!

For your chance to win a £25 voucher for Swimshop you can enter via the Gleam entry form below.
The giveaway ends at 11.59pm GMT on 7th July 2015.
Leaving a comment is mandatory but there are additional entry methods available also.

Good luck!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Toys

When parcels arrive in the post from Flair Jamster gets incredibly excited as they are the brand behind some of his favourite toys - The Trash Pack, Tom and Jerry and of course Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

We received a Power Sound figure and a Combat Gear Set to play.

Each Power Sound FX figure is 5.5" tall and is suitable for children aged 4+. We just happened to receive Leonardo; the turtles leader and Jamster's favourite character! By pulling the right arm or left leg of the figure, which feature an activation system, you can hear some battle phrases and sound effects to make play just that little bit more exciting. 

If you hold the limb for longer it reverberates the phrase too. 

Project 365 - A Photo A Day #7

Unfortunately it has been a very boring week due to a back injury and my photos reflect that. Hopefully with half term here and 23 tablets a day I'll soon be on the mend and producing some more exciting pictures to share!!

Sunday - Jamster and I went to an advance screening of The LEGO Movie while Minxy went shopping with my parents. I managed to damage my back by simply bending over to pick up something up and I have been unable to walk (or move very much) since. 

Monday - It took me 53 minutes just to get from my bedroom to the loo so I ended up borrowing my Grandma's zimmer frame for the week... stylish!

Tuesday - I sent some cake to some bloggers as my Random Act of Kindness and I received one for myself also. It certainly cheered me up.

Wednesday - Spartan has been very protective of me this week and has sat by my feet at all times to make sure I'm OK. He is such a little sweetie.

Thursday - A bonus of being stuck at home - people bring you food. Lots of Oliver Adams and a Subways this week. Not looking forward to my weigh in!

Friday - For Valentine's Day the Mr got me a bottle of Raspberry vodka and a lovely box of chocolate scented bath bombs. I'm very much looking forward to using both when I'm able to drink and get in the bath again.

Saturday - A new charm for my bracelet (silver one with lots of hearts on) that I won in a competition.

What have you been up to this week?

Decorative Accessories For Families

It's the personal items that transform a house into a home and I really like to display the kids artwork and photos in each room. It brings back memories of good times we have shared as a family and also shows how quickly they are growing up into bright and beautiful little people!

These are both great ways to display pictures...

Photo Height Chart

This great value item from Presents For Men not only measures how tall (or small) your child is but it stores up to 10 6"x4" photos inside too. A quirky yet useful gift idea. 

You can share an individual child's development and have one situated in each bedroom or simply use it for all children within the household and share pictures of everyone!

The height chart comes with handy hanging holes, measurements in both inches and centimetres and is suitable from birth to 155cm.

Minxy, at age 9, is 134cm which goes to show just how long the item will be used. It was nice to add her photos into the slots so we could see just how much she has changed since being born. It left me feeling quite nostalgic (and broody!). 

A lovely keepsake and ideal for a new parent to put up in their nursery.

Children's Art File and Frame

The fridge and kitchen walls soon run out of space when your little ones get creative with pens and paint so the double display frame from The Handpicked Collection is a great alternative. You can hang it on the wall like an ordinary frame but the great thing is that the top/side is open so you can slide artwork in with ease. 

If the kids make another masterpiece you can slot it in front or remove the previous picture in a matter of seconds. It can be used as both a frame and file to store work away. There is no glass panel so you can even add 3D images your child makes without any restrictions!

Being double A4 in size makes it great for those with two children like myself and this is a far more attractive way to show off what your children have been doing at home and school. You can hang it either vertically or horizontally and it's great for displaying certificates you are proud of too.

How do you display photos and pictures?

TomTom Hands-Free Car Kit

We all know it's illegal to drive using a hand-held device and doing so can result in 3 penalty points and a £100 fine, something we really don't want. But there are some calls you just need to make or take while on the move. 

Getting yourself a decent hands-free car kit is therefore essential and we recently received a TomTom version for smart phones that does the job perfectly.

What's included:

• Smart phone Mount
• 3 Adhesive cable clips
• Microphone sun visor clip
• Microphone a-pillar clip
• Microphone extension wire
• Fast Car Charger
• Adhesive Disk
• Installation poster

The Mr had a quick read through the instructions (boys and their toys!) and after that installation was quick and easy to do. The clips supplied ensure the cables are tidy and we had no difficulty using the extension wire to place the microphone in the best position for us and our vehicle - above the drivers door. 

The dual mounting system enables you to select whether you want to attach your kit to the windscreen or dashboard and the adhesive disk or suction pad will keep it firmly in place. You can also choose whether you wish to angle it in portrait or landscape positions which is particularly good if you have mapping apps in use. Once your phone is in the mount it will also conveniently charge your handset for you so you don't need to worry about having a flat battery while you travel - It's a very useful product to have!

To use the hands-free calling feature you don't actually need your phone to be within the universal holder, you can in fact have Bluetooth switched on and leave your phone in your pocket or bag. When the engine is switched on the kit will announce that it is or isn't connected and you can use the buttons on the holder to answer or end your call and alter the volume level with ease.

I was really pleased with the quality of the sound both while in the vehicle making calls and when at the receiving end while the Mr was out. There was no annoying echo like with alternative versions we have tried and the speech was very clear. 

It is such a great quality hands-free kit and it has meant I've been able to receive calls while driving rather than waiting until I reach my destination or having to pull over to answer. Having an iPhone I am also able to use the voice control to ring people which has been really useful and the same applies to the Mr with his Samsung Galaxy. We are also able to connect out iPods to the holder to play music and access track lists while travelling, the only small downside I've found is that the buttons on the holder don't light up which could cause issues for those driving at night.

I would highly recommend this product.

Do you use a hands-free car kit?

*We received a TomTom Hands-Free Car Kit for the purpose of this review. The opinions given are honest and our own*

Green Bee Toys *Review and Giveaway*

It can be difficult to find products that are both great quality and created ethically for kids, so we were thrilled when Green Bee Toys got in touch and provided us with some lovely items!

They have some key principles that more toy companies should really think about taking on board!

 - Their products are from natural materials (organic, wood, recycled materials)

 - Their products comply with sustainable production

 - Their toys are painted with natural colours

 - Their toys are of high-quality construction

 - Their toys are easy to clean & repair

 - Their toys have a positive influence on your baby’s development skills


Some of their products...

Eco Crayons - £7.99

Unlike standard crayons these are shaped like rocks making them easy for toddlers to grip! They are made from 75% fruit plant with vegetable extract and 25% bees wax meaning they are 100% natural.
The Mini Mes (and I) found that these were great for shading in particular and they never go blunt which is certainly useful.
Our box contained 6 colours; red, orange, yellow, blue, green and brown.

Toolbox Workbench - £24

This wooden set will help to develop your child's imagination and motor skills through play. It includes a hammer, bolts, ruler a wrench and more for great role play fun. Although it's suitable for children as young as 3, Jamster at 7 has really enjoyed 'fixing' everything from beds and doors to his other toys! The set itself is storage for the tools so you don't even need to worry about bits going missing.
It's great value and great quality.



Baby Toy Bunny - £13.99

A soft and cute rattle for newborn+ this grasp toy helps to stimulate your little ones senses and build hand eye coordination. The soft fabric, 100% organic cotton, is perfect for delicate skin and the different textures creates variation for your little one to enjoy.

The website was easy to navigate and delivery was swift! I was really pleased with all of the products and I'd happily order from Green Bee Toys again. What's even better is that your purchases can earn you points and with 10 equaling £1 you can save money when you shop. Bonus!

*** WIN ***

For your chance to win 1 of 2 £25 vouchers for Green Bee Toys you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes at the end of 17th January 2014

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
*We selected this three products for the purpose of this review and giveaway. The opinions given are honest and our own*

Fairy Frolics

Minxy hadn't lost any teeth in quite a while so the moment she noticed one was a little wobbly at the weekend she decided to tug at it until she pulled it out, despite my best attempts to persuade her not to. Ouch!

I think she was a bit shocked once it was actually in her hand and she felt a little bit guilty for being impatient and not allowing nature to take its course.

Her note to the tooth fairy is proof of that...

She was rather apologetic and even provided a gift for the fairy!

The fairy didn't have any cash to hand, possibly due to the fact a tooth loss was quite unexpected, so she wrote a tiny letter back, left a new book (she raided Santa's stash hidden in my wardrobe, oops) and added some sequins and glitter to the pile. 

Minxy was very pleased that Felicity Fairy prefers the cello....
Funnily enough that is the instrument she plays too.


Does your child write letters to the Tooth Fairy?

I'm linking this with...

 

Tesco Clubcard Christmas Boost

Christmas is fast approaching and the Tesco Clubcard Boost is here - such great timing!

It's the opportunity to exchange every £5 of your clubcard vouchers for £10 of boost vouchers to spend in store or online.

I've got my eyes on a few goodies for the Mr, the Mini Mes and myself!

1. Jamster is after a Furby Boom for Christmas so boosting my clubcard vouchers to get one will definitely save some pennies. Tesco have a variety of styles available but the Sweet Waves version is his favourite.
2. The Tesco Hudl tablet would make a great gift for the Mr, for both work and play, and it is seriously great value! With 16MB of memory and around 500,000 apps it will certainly keep him occupied.
3. This cute pink Teksta is a lovely alternative to a real pet dog which should keep Minxy happy. It comes complete with ball and bone too.
4. I fell in love with this camera as soon as I saw it - red is a fav colour of mine and with 42x zoom it's bound to take some amazing pictures. I'm in need of a decent one and Nikon is a fantastic brand.
5. I grew up with Playmobil and the Mini Mes are just starting to enjoy it too - this pirate set looks like great fun for them, and I, to share.

You can find out how to boost your Tesco Clubcard vouchers here:

You can find out more information and view which categories are included here:

http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/boost-at-tesco/#which-departments-are-included

What have you bought for Christmas so far?

*Sponsored post*

WIN a Mini Lalaloopsy Loopy Hair Doll #ChristmasGiftGiveaway

Looking for some stocking fillers? Look no further. 

These cute Mini Lalaloopsy Loopy Hair dolls have fantastic hair to groom and come complete with hair accessories and a brush to style them!

The cute new Mini Lalaloopsy™ Loopy Hair dolls have amazing yarn hair, which you can curl, twist, braid, brush and straighten into loads of different styles. The dolls are miniature-sized versions of the larger Loopy Hair dolls, which can fit inside the palm of your hand. They each come packaged in their very own houses, which children can keep to help recreate the magical world of Lalaloopsy™ land for themselves. The sweet dolls have moveable arms, legs and head. Each character is individual, making them perfect to collect. 

*** WIN ***

For your chance to win 1 of 4 Mini Lalaloopsy Hair Dolls you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 10th December 2013.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mini Lalaloopsy™ Loopy Hair dolls are priced at around £8.99, suitable for ages four plus and available from all good toy retailers nationwide.

Make sure you enter the previous competitions and return tomorrow for our next #ChristmasGiftGiveaway!

You can find out more information here: 

http://www.theminimesandme.com/2013/10/christmas-gift-giveaway-2013.html

WIN a Best Wishes Gift Set from Lush #ChristmasGiftGiveaway

This box of bath time delights from Lush is beautifully presented and would make a great gift solution this Christmas! 

The Best Wishes set contains a trio of goodies and it's a steal at £13.50 complete with wrapping, ribbon and tag.

Luxury Lush Pud

With lavender, tonka absolute and ylang ylang this bath bomb will help to melt away the stresses of the season and relax you. The pastel colours are really pretty and your water will soon turn purple as you lay back and enjoy! I'm not a great lover of lavender in general but the scent was pleasantly sweet and it really helped me to unwind.

Golden Wonder

This bath bomb is layer upon layer of colour and filled with paper stars that float to the surface as the product dissolves - if you shake it you can hear them rattle about inside! It's a very festive treat featuring gold lustre and shades of blue and green. It bubbles away under running water like champagne and the air is filled with scents of orange, lime and cognac oils - Minxy indulged with this one and she loved the little parcel style presentation.

Snowcake

I adore the sweet scent of this soap. It's compared to fruit and marzipan and I would totally agree. It lathers up well for hands or body and it doesn't dry out your skin. 

The fragrance of rose absolute, cassis absolute and benzoin resin lingers nicely for hours.

*** WIN ***

For your chance to win a Best Wishes gift set from Lush you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 10th December 2013.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure you enter the previous competitions and return tomorrow for our next #ChristmasGiftGiveaway!

You can find out more information here: 

http://www.theminimesandme.com/2013/10/christmas-gift-giveaway-2013.html

WIN a Set of Fun Christmas Bandana Bibs from Zippy Suit #ChristmasGiftGiveaway

As your little one tucks into their Christmas dinner this year you are going to want to keep their cute outfit dribble free and the bandana style bibs from Zippy Suit are ideal for the job!

We received one to review and after I managed to retrieve it from Minxy, who had decided it was great for her Minnie Mouse, it was put to purpose!

The bib is 100% cotton on the front and 100% polyester on the reverse which makes it soft against delicate skin, absorbent and easy to clean. It really helps to keep your child's neck dry and free from dribble rash while they feed and chew throughout the day. The bibs are all pretty stylish when it comes to feeding and teething essentials and I particularly like the snowman and reindeer designs -truly adorable!

The fastening, which is poppers rather than velcro, prevents rubbing and is adjustable so it grows as your baby does. They are really great value at £10 for a pack of 4 and I'm thinking about buying a few as stocking fillers for my friends babies this December.

"It fitted my son really well and kept his neck and top dry. I was worried it might stain with all the bright coloured food he consumes but it all washed out!"

*** WIN ***

For your chance to a set of Fun Christmas Bandana Bibs you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 10th December 2013.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure you enter the previous competitions and return tomorrow for our next #ChristmasGiftGiveaway!

You can find out more information here: 

http://www.theminimesandme.com/2013/10/christmas-gift-giveaway-2013.html