Back to School

I thought if I wrote a post about back to school it might make the next few weeks move along a little !  Not that I haven't "enjoyed" having my little darlings home alone most of the summer holidays, but there really is a limit to how much you can entertain twin six year olds on a limited budget and without the use of a car.

Anyway, take a look at some of the great products I found from Independent Retailers.  No chance of them mixing up their bags, lunchboxes or stationery with this wonderful selection.

The Colouring bag is available from LeonandCoco  go take a peak, they have a great selection of handcrafted bags and backpacks all suitable for girls and boys to go back to school or nursery.

Cut down on the chance of loosing your pencil case at school. This great idea of a combined personalised pencil box and ruler lid should help. Available from GoodHeartGifts  they have a great selection of personalised items for back to school including lunchbags.

Gorgeous and affordable, PE, gym, ballet or you name it bags available from Missymoomoo  A wonderful selection of personalised and appliqued bags for boys and girls.

Seriously cool for when its cool ! How about this fantastic Lambswool pencil scarf ! Available from Saracarr

Looking for an ethical and reusable way to package their snacks ?  How about this great idea from Juicytots  the Ecosnackwrap.

If this coming school year means the start of school life for your child, take a look at this lovely Memory book.  Time really does fly once they start school. Store all their school firsts in one place.  Available from Copplestone and Brown

Please support Independent Retailers

School Summer Holidays

School Shoes - Terra Plana Vivobarefoot kids - Update

Its not often I revisit an old post for an update, but I am so impressed by the Terra Plana Viobarefoot shoes we were sent for the twins, I had to give an update.

The twins scoot to school everyday and like many children I see, seem to think their shoes are an extension of the brake.  This takes its toll on their shoes.  When Jarvis wore his Viobare shoes for the first time, my immediate though was "these soft shoes won't last a week".  Take a look at the picture below.  Jarvis' shoes are still going strong.  Milo's on the other hand (which are not Terra Plana shoes) have about a week's wear left ! 

Lets face it, school shoes are vastly overpriced, but this brand has a serious amount of technology and research that has gone into making the shoes do exactly what they say they will.  They are worth every penny.

Jarvis' shoes on the left, Milo's on the right.  Picture taken before I cleaned them .

Please read the rest of the original post below.  I cannot recommend these shoes highly enough.


We were recently really lucky to be sent new shoes for the twins from Terra Plana Vivobarefoot  Not a brand I was familiar with although I don't know why.  Described as The original barefoot shoe, after seeing and feeling the twins Rooty style I think they might just take over from my current comfy shoes too !

Established in 2004 Vivobarefoot became pioneers of the barefoot movement (for runners)  by launching the first shoe with a patented ultra thin puncture resistant sole. This revolutionary footwear was created in collaboration with podiatrists and footwear specialists and has since evolved to include a children's range.  Read the Facts  Make sure you watch the video, its fab!

The twins shoes are stylish and look and feel ultra comfy.  They arrived boxed and packed in their own shoe bags (very Jimmy Choo) ! The boys couldn't wait to try them on and ran around the house in them shouting "I'm NEVER taking them off" !  They even wore them sock less, which as most mums to young children will know, shoes can be a constant source of " too tight" " too loose"  "they hurt" " etc etc.  Also available in half sizes which makes all the difference when buying shoes. 

Also available for girls, The Pally would be perfect for school, available in a selection of colours including black below.

They don't come cheap, but then considering all the technology and research that has gone into them I certainly think they are up there with the high street brands who make a small fortune off the back of "school shoes", make you wait for hours and hours in hot, crowded shops full of screaming babies and grumpy kids.  Retailing for £49 definitely makes them competitive and worth asking Grandma to pay those few extra pounds for ! 

Available to buy online unless you are lucky enough to live in London or Brighton.

I was not paid for this post and all views expressed are my own.  I did receive two pairs of shoes to review and keep .

Keep it local - Supporting Independent Retailers

This month on my Supporting Independent Retailers post I thought it would be nice to feature some of the great local online stores I have discovered and become friends with during my two years on twitter.

First up a lady I have featured previously and who very kindly part sponsored me for Cybermummy this year.  Melanie who lives in Devon and owns the gorgeous luxury children's bedding and bath company  Babou  recently branching out to also include furniture, clothing, beachwear and much more for babies, boys and girls.  Pop over and take a look I am sure you will be smitten.

Harriet, Jewellery designer and owner of the beautiful Sea Sparkle online store was one of the first friends I made on twitter and who was also so generous with her time and advice in helping me get my own website set up.  Please pop over and take a look at the stunning fine silver and sea glass jewellery she creates in her studio in the West Country.

Are you one of these people who have boxes and boxes of your childrens first babygrows, socks etc sitting in the loft or stuffed under the bed ?  My next independent retailer has made a successful business turning your loved ones clothes into wonderful memory gifts.  The fabulous Ruth lives in Exmouth in Devon and owns Keepsake Critters  and lovingly makes all the critters by hand.  Do pop over and see how she could make a memory toy for you.

Don't forget if you are an Independent Retailer you can link up your online shop below.  In these tough times lets stick together and support each other. 

Touch of Silver - Giveaway

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to enter this fab giveaway.

The winners are :

JulieB

Dorothee77

More Giveaways coming soon.  Winners will be notified via email or twitter.  Congratulations and Many thanks once again xx

*********************  GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED *********************************


Meeting all the PR's at Cybermummy is major part of the event.  Although disappointed at the amount of baby focused companies I was thrilled (no seriously) thrilled when I saw a blast from the past in the guise of Touch of Silver.

 Many years ago whilst serving in the army, I decided to dye my hair from mousey brown to blonde.  It tended to look fab for the first few weeks but would gradually take on a washed out yellowy tinge.  On a visit to the army hairdresser I mentioned what a pain it was that this happened and she immediately suggested I try a twice weekly shampoo called "Touch of Silver" .    I dutifully purchased it and took it home to try it out.  The unbelievable thick purple/ blue shampoo initially took me  by surprise but I followed the instructions.  Within a couple of washes I was already seeing a difference to the tone of my hair.  With regular use I found the colour really did stay a lovely pale blonde, it even helped to pick up the varied tones in my hair.  I was often told how lucky I was to have such lovely natural blonde hair !  Most people to this day think my hair is naturally blonde ( more down to the extensive grey these days).

Newly branded and packaged but still following the same silver and purple theme. There are a host of products in the range :

Twice weekly brightening shampoo
Daily Maintenance Shampoo
Daily nourish conditioner
Silver Glamour hairspray
Silver Revitalising dry shampoo

Whether you have dyed, natural or hi-lighted blonde hair or like me are now mostly grey you will love these products I promise you.

The lovely people at Touch of Silver have given me two complete sets to giveaway !

TO ENTER

Leave a comment below telling me why you would like to win the range.

For one each additional chance to win (not obligatory )  :

Follow this blog

Follow me on twitter HERE

Pop over to the Touch of Silver Website and come back and leave a comment below telling me one of the five facts about blonde hair HERE

Two winners will be picked at random when competition closes on Tuesday 26th July 8pm.



This is not a sponsored post, I was not paid and all text and points of view are my own.