Create a World Review & Giveaway

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Many thanks to all who entered.  The winner picked at Random by No 1 son is

ZOE ARTHURS - Congratulations !

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We were recently sent a Create a World to review.  Unfortunately my twins felt it was "for babies" and were not interested in it.  Luckily I know another mummy of twins who was more than happy to receive it for her boys. 

Julie's Review

Review of Simply Good – “Create-a- World” – soft imaginative game offering endless playtime fun.

Suitable for 12 months plus

(My kids are 3 ½ boys(twins) and 7 year old girl)

Younger product than I would buy for this age but they did have good interactive fun with it for about 20 minutes or so.

Having researched the price I felt it was a little bit too expensive for what it was. (Approx RRP £45ish??) Would probably pay around £20 if buying as a present for younger children. 

Size of product did mean that more than one child could play with it.

Equally great for mummy and me time as the play mat is big enough for you and child to sit around on the floor.

Great detail on the fuzzy felt pieces, great bright colours to capture younger childrens imagination.

Promotes interactive play between older and younger children (or mum and younger toddler) as there is simply so much to talk about. Colours, people, make up stories etc. and it can really encourage children to chat about what they are creating.

Opportunity to link animals or people to settings and then talk about it. Giving children good language skills.

My older child took the lead and the boys followed her and they were imagining what would happen between the characters etc and what would link with what. Eg princess with castle and dragon etc. Never heard my boys talk so much!!

Think as a child gets older it would be nice to have wall mounted and then they could create a scene as some wall art.

My kids biggest disappointment was on the box it showed a beach scene and a sun. They searched endlessly for these pieces to link with their scene and story and could not find them. We counted the pieces at the end (there were 61 present as stated on the box) but not all of the ones depicted on the exterior of the product. I found this a little misleading as they felt short changed by it. (Perhaps they should state on outside “may contain only some of the pieces depicted”). (On Amazon it says comes with 90 pieces so this may have been rectified…??)

To summarise I would say a great product for say 12 mths – 2 ½ years old but a little expensive and misleading packaging. 6 out of 10??


Julie's review is complete and unedited in anyway.  I think she (and the children) did a great job of reviewing this set.

Create a World available to buy from Whitestep 

GIVEAWAY

I have a brand new and boxed "Create a World" to giveaway if you would like to be in with a chance of winning it.  Please follow this blog and leave a comment below, making sure you are contactable either through google, twitter, email or facebook.


Giveaway is open to UK residents only (sorry)
Will close on Monday 14th May at 8pm
Winner will be picked at random

We received the item to review and keep, no payment was received and all views expressed are Julie's : )

THANK YOU & GOOD LUCK

Sea Band Giveaway

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Many apologies for the delay in drawing the winners.

The winners picked at random by Jarvis are :

LucyRobinson - Child Sea Band
Hannah Batram - Adult Sea Band
Ness - Child Sea Band
Maria - Adult Sea Band
Sarahmumof3 Adult Sea Band

I am so sorry I only had 5 sets to give away and as there were only 11 combined entries (7 individuals)  I will contact the company and see if I can get two more so that everybody is a winner !

Many thanks for taking part and another giveaway will be coming soon.




Do you or members of your family suffer from feelings of nausea, travel or sea sickness ?  If so this weeks giveaway is for you.  I have two sets of the adults and two of the childrens to giveaway. 

The Sea-Band Story

The natural way to fight feelings of nausea.

The Sea-Band is an elastic wrist band, which applies pressure on the Nei Kuan acupressure point on the wrist. This is a natural, effective and drug free solution to alleviate even the worst feelings of nausea.

Sea-bands are clinically tested and proven to work for –

 Travel Sickness

 Morning Sickness

 Chemotherapy Induced Nausea

 Post Operative Nausea

How Do Sea-Bands Work?

The plastic stud on the inside of each Sea-Band applies acupressure to the Nei Kuan pressure point on the wrist. This naturally soothes the stomach and eases nausea.

Since Sea-Bands are all natural and drug-free, they can be worn at any time by anyone with no adverse side effects (making them especially useful for ladies suffering with morning sickness).

Sea-Band Features

 The only clinically tested wristband

 No drugs, no side effects

 The natural alternative to drugs

 Used by doctors and in hospitals

How to wear Sea-Bands Place your middle fingers on the inside of your wrist with the edge of your third finger at the bottom of your hand, at the crease of your wrist. Underneath your middle finger, you will find the Nei Kuan pressure point, in between two wrist tendons. You will be able to feel it by pressing down in this spot. Place the Sea-Band on your wrist, with the plastic stud toward your skin on the Nei Kuan pressure point. Do the same with the other wrist band. Both Sea-Band wrist bands must be worn at the same time for them to be effective.

You should begin to feel relief within five minutes. If nausea worsens, apply pressure with your finger to the plastic stud.

* I was given the seabands for the purpose of this giveaway. I was not paid for this post.

To enter the giveaway :

Leave a comment below telling me who in your family could benefit from the Sea Bands.

For an additional entry pop over and like the Sea Band Facebook page (don't forget to leave a comment so we know you have visited them).

Open to UK residents only I'm afraid

Giveaway ends on Monday 12th March at 8.00pm

Winners selected at random

Thanks and good luck

My Phonics Kit Giveaway

THIS GIVEAWA IS NOW CLOSED

Many thanks to all who took the time to Enter.

The winner is:

CATHERINE @Mummylion   - Congratulations

More Giveaways coming soon xx

Much-loved characters Biff, Chip and Kipper offer helping hand in run up to the Government’s new phonics check for year 1 children.

 

‘My Phonics Kit’ includes a CD-ROM with eBooks and phonics support; reward chart; sticker sheet; tips for parents; and 3 phonics workbooks. It has been created by educational experts, to be totally in line with how children learn to read in school. The Kit combines decoding practice with engaging stories and interactive features – making learning to read a fun and exciting journey.

Independent literary consultant, Laura Sharp, who led the development of the Kit, said: “The Oxford Reading Tree is a well-established programme and a trusted resource used by teachers across the UK. We have developed ‘My Phonics Kit’ to give parents this same level of support and enable them to provide as much guidance as possible to their children with reading activities at home.”

‘My Phonics Kit’ is now available to purchase at an RRP of £9.99. It is the latest addition to the wide range of Oxford University Press phonics resources for parents, which includes the free eBooks and advice on www.oxfordowl.co.uk, the ‘Read with Biff, Chip and Kipper’ books available on the high-street and the ‘Songbirds Phonics’ series by the Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson.

I have one new and sealed  copy of the My Phonics Kit suitable for 5/6 yr olds in year one to giveaway.  Just leave a comment below to be eligible.

You can get an additional entry by following this blog.

Giveaway ends on Sunday 12th February at 8pm

Winner will be selected at random

Thank you and Good luck !

All About The Boys - Cyber Monday giveaway

Many thanks to all who entered this giveaway.

The winnner picked by Birthday boy Jarvis this morning is :

CONGRATULATIONS -  Karen from @missingsleep

This Giveaway is now closed.   Another one coming soon xx


If we are to believe all the hype that is "Cyber Monday"  i.e the Monday that follows Black Friday in America, all to do with Thanksgiving and the start of shopping for Christmas.  Everybody will be online shopping like mad today.

I thought it might be a good day to offer a giveaway from my own online shop All About The Boys instead.

I sell discounted authentic designer clothes for children.  All upto 60% below the UK RRP.  Stock sells fast and new items arrive on a regular basis.  I buy direct from trusted suppliers in America, who I have been trading with for over seven years.

To take part in the giveaway, just pop over to my website All About The Boys  have a little look around and leave a comment below telling me what item you would like me to send you if you win !  Simple as that.

You can have one additional entry for each of the following :

Follow this blog & leave a comment

Tweet the following  :  I've entered @allaboutheboys designer clothes giveaway

Facebook the following  I've entered All About The Boys designer clothes giveaway

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Monday 5th December.  Open to UK residents only.  Winner picked at random.  No cash alternative.

Thank you and good luck xx

Boys' Autumn/Winter clothing Trends & John Lewis Giveaway

Many thanks to all who entered.  The winner picked at random by a spooktastic No1 son last night is :

DONNA @littlelillypadco

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED .  More giveaways coming soon ......



Boys’ autumn/winter clothing trends

Dressing your lads in the latest trends doesn’t have to mean spending a packet, using up the money they’d rather you spend on toys, or kitting them out in impractical outfits. Here, guest blogger Jo-ann Fortune highlights three affordable looks that will work with any little boy’s wardrobe.  

I am also really pleased to be able to offer you the chance to win a £50 gift voucher courtesy of John Lewis.   You can spend it online, in store at any John Lewis or Waitrose store !  Fantastic prize just in time for Christmas.

 To be in with a chance of winning please follow this blog and leave a comment in the comments at the bottom of the page telling me what you would spend the voucher on if you won.

Arctic explorer

Fur trims, ski wear and Alpine knits were championed on the catwalks as key design details for boys this winter. Parkas, worn over chunky knit jumpers and cardigans are season staples, and look great paired with checked lumberjack shirts and durable cords. Accessorise with fur-trimmed footwear – Ugg boots are still huge – trapper hats and mittens or cosy woollen toggle hats and scarves, but as with all kids’ accessories, don’t spend a fortune as they’re likely to be the first thing to get left behind on a day out…

Protective padding

Padding or ‘quilting’ is central to two of the biggest boys’ trends this season: heritage and urban. With the fashion focus on the English gentry look filtering down from the men’s clothing catwalks, smart country wear is a big hitter in kids’ clothing ranges: Barbour-style riding jackets adding statement style to any outfit. In the city, padding is just as cool, with bold bomber jackets and colour block quilted gilets clashed with stripes and prints for a fun yet functional look.

Urban layering

Many of the big name kids’ clothing designers have used checked shirts as a base for urban layering this season, creating a wide variety of easily achievable looks. Build up an outfit with a classic denim jacket and jeans, hoodie and Shemagh-style scarf for a cool street vibe, pair a chunky cardigan with knee-patch trousers and over-sized specs for a bit of geek chic or keep him warm with a waistcoat, long scarf, trapper hat and chunky boots for a look that works just as well in the country as it does the city.

What key pieces have you invested in to keep the little ones looking cool while wrapped up warm this season?

All images courtesy of MPDClick.com

This is a sponsored post - I received clothes for my children and the voucher to offer in a giveaway.  

Competition closes on  Monday 31st October at 8pm.  Winner  selected at random.  Open to UK entrants only.

Precious Memories - Giveaway

Many thanks to all who entered.  The winner of the gorgeous personalised silver necklace selected at random by Jacob is

MULTIPLEMUMMY  - CONGRATULATIONS

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

A new month and time for a new giveaway. 

The lovely Glenda, founder and owner of Precious Memories has offered one of her gorgeous Stirling Silver Personalised  name pendants as a prize for the winner!  This would make a wonderful christening, birthday or christmas gift for someone special in your life.

Precious Memories are dedicated to helping everyone capture their most Precious Memories by creating stunning bespoke gifts of 3D Casts, 2D Impressions, Belly Bump Castings and Silver Hand, Foot and Fingerprint Jewellery & Keepsakes.   You can now also have your beloved pets immortalized.

TO ENTER :

Just pop over to Precious Memories facebook page HERE  and like it, leave the following comment 

 "All about the boys sent me over, I'd love to win a personalised Silver pendant"

You can have one additional entry for each of the following

Like This blog (down there on the right)  and leave a comment below

Follow me on twitter  HERE   and leave a comment below telling me

Follow Precious Memories on twitter HERE   and leave a comment below telling me

Follow me on Facebook HERE and comment    "All about the boys sent me over, I'd love to win a personalised Silver pendant"

Giveaway is open to UK residents only.  Winner will be selected at random on Tuesday 13th September at 8.00pm.  Winner notified via twitter DM or facebook message.  Prize will be sent direct from Precious Memories.

Thank you and good luck xx

Vosene day out at London Zoo

MANY APOLOGIES FOR THE DELAY IN ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THIS GIVEAWAY.

THE Winner picked at random was KATE - (What katie did next)

MANY CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO TOOK PART.  MORE GIVEAWAYS COMING SOON XX


FOLLOW UP TO VOSENE LONDON ZOO POST

We were delighted to receive a box of scrummy hair products from Vosene in the post last week.  It included :

The activating Tonic
The activating shampoo
The extra shine detangling shampoo
The original medicated shampoo
and The Two in One Gentle Action

The twins wasted no time trying out the two in one gentle action and as you can see from the pic NO TEARS!  I have to mention that it is also the softest shampoo I have ever felt.  Its an amazing texture, it almost feels like you are touching silk!  Difficult to explain, try it yourself you will see what  I mean.  I am definitely hooked on it and will certainly be buying it !

As we have no long haired people in our family, we are giving away the extra shine detangling shampoo, which I am reliably informed works wonders on curls and long hair for both boys and girls.  There was some discussion at the event that the packaging may need improving (i.e the princess theme) but apart from that it got a massive thumbs up for effectiveness.

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

Just scroll to the bottom of the page and leave a comment telling me who in your family would love the

extra shine detangling shampoo  

Giveaway closes at 8pm on Thursday 28th April

winner picked at random

item posted at my own expense so sorry only open to UK residents xx

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When I set up my blog last year I thought I would just use it to showcase my business website.  I was not expecting to be bitten by the blogging bug! and certainly not prepared for all the wonderful opportunities to attend days out and events that would come our way as a family.

Last Saturday we were thrilled to be invited by Vosene to an all expenses paid trip to London, including an overnight stay in a hotel so that we could really make the most of the Mother's Day weekend. 

We arrived early in London, which gave us plenty of time to get to the venue at London Zoo.  We decided to hop on the underground to Regents Park and have a walk through the park to the zoo.  We walked, whilst all around us people ran! We were in the middle of a charity run!

When we arrived at the zoo were waved through by the gate guard ticking us off a list like we were celebrities!  I could get used to this.    Meeting up with Jen and her Mad Family from MumintheMadHouse and the other bloggers some we knew and some we didn't it was a really nice mix of families.

Vosene went to a lot of trouble to set the venue up in the Mappin Pavillion.  There were tables set out with facepainting, card making, cake decorating, a magician, dressing up, space hoppers, hand painting,even nannies to take care of the children.  A lot of thought had gone into entertaining everyone.  By far the biggest hit with the twins was the magician, squeals of laughter and amazment as he performed close up magic to everyone. 

Space Hopper (or rather Vosene droplet racing (I may or may not have had a go, there is evidence somewhere, but I seem to have mislaid it at the moment ) !

Nannies to watch over and entertain the children, this was the Handpainting onto canvas. A lovely thoughtful touch which gave us a great reminder of the day to take home and keep.

Erm ! Facepainting and dressing up.  Jarvis got right into the spirit of things, Milo was a bit more reserved (just like his mother) xx

Lots of lovely scrummy food and cake ! Lots of gorgeous Cupcakes!  I may have eaten one or maybe two, could have been three......

The back of my head and the back of Jacob's head !    The big Vosene Boss chatted about the range including : new vosene activating range  my husband and Jen's husband were particularly interested in the activating tonic  can't think why !  Bless. 

I love the packaging of the Vosene Kids Range  its certainly come a long way since I was a child and mum used to scrub my head with it *cough* 40 odd years ago!  It has a natural head lice repellent and items in the range like Mega Hold Styling Gel and Extra Shine Spray. Products to suit even the most demanding little darling. 

We were privvy to some information on the the new products currently in development and one in particular really made my ears prick up, but you will have to wait a while to find out what they are.  In the meantime why don't you pop over to the brand new vosene website HERE  take a look at all the new products now available, you might just be surprised how far Vosene have come and while you are there take part in the Fab family competition  HERE   Its an amazing opportunity to win a family holiday worth upto £10,000.   The competition is open from April to October with a new chance each month to enter based on family values of Sharing, Belonging,Time Together, Traditions, Fun and Trust.

You might also like to know that Vosene are in partnership with the wonderful NSPCC Charity who were also at the event on the day.  I personally couldn't think of a better charity to support.

We had a wonderful time with Vosene, thank you all so much for the opportunity and a really big special thankyou to possibly the nicest PR person EVER who came to our rescue at the hotel and later on Sunday !

Wearing a particularly fetching pair of glasses -  HOLLY