Summer Lovin’ - #NicaSummerComp

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NICA recently called bloggers to action to share their favourite summer memory to be in with a chance to win a £100 voucher to spend on their stunning bags. Not one to pass up a challenge (and let’s face it, I’m a bag fiend!) I’ve decided to take part.

I have sooo many summer memories, choosing is tricky. Both my gorgeous children were born just before heatwaves and I’ve had the opportunity to spend those first weeks getting to know them in the summer sun. We’ve had some amazing family holidays, some precious (rare) date nights in riverside pubs… then there’s my days pre-children full of cheeky al fresco romps with my Craigy, childhood summer romances, even my first kiss (at 13 years old! I know, I must have been such a handful for my parents).

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But the one date that sticks out above all others, is my first ever date with Craigy. He’s made my current life possible, special and full of promise. He’s made me a mummy and supported me in everything I’ve done. Somehow, 3 years on we’re still together, still bickering and still very much in love. Despite the fact I’m still waiting for diamonds, I’ve already had the most priceless gifts a woman can ever have - Heidi and Dexter.

A little context…

We met again, after 12 years of doing our own thing and living hundreds of miles apart, in 2011. We’d known eachother when I was a lively 18 years old, and he was 30. I knew full well he had a crush on me, but I was off to university and due to spend ten plus years leading a fairly wanton lifestyle. It never entered my mind that this was the man who would complete me.

When I returned to Reading deflated, sad and totally broke all those years later, he said hello on Facebook. He messaged me, we exchanged numbers and he came over to cook for me one night. The next night he stayed over, and the next night, and the next… we haven’t spent a night apart since. Just 3 months later Dexter was conceived.

So here it is - my favourite ever summer photo. Me and the best man I’ve ever known, at Reading Festival in 2011. This was our one proper date before I fell pregnant.

Why do I love it? Because we look so happy. 299594_2127199254338_7755547_n

So now I have to pick my go-to summer handbag by selecting my favourite style from the NICA collection. It’s an easy choice to make. The shoulder bag is the perfect mummy-about-town accessory, great for date nights and even great for keeping your festival essentials safe… better yet, this bag is seriously scrummy and belongs on my shoulder.

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Thanks for a lovely comp NICA, loving your collections!

If you want to enter, you’ll have to quick as closing date for entries is 31/7. Good luck everybody xx


GENIUS Dental Products for Babies and Toddlers - Brush Baby Review

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I’m beyond pleased with my Brush Baby haul. I was sent the Chewable Toothbrush & Teether, and Dental Wipes to review and I’m pleased to report I’m now a brand-convert and would recommend them to everybody.

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Previously Dexter would gum his toothbrushes to death within days. Although he loves to brush his teeth and gets excited about it every morning and evening, in truth, there wasn’t too much brushing going on. Rather he’d just chomp on the brush-head and his back teeth were seeing very little action.

The chewable toothbrush is an amazing invention. Cleverly designed to be comfortably to hold, and made of silicone in a unique shape that fits little mouths correctly and reaches molar (back) teeth and gums, this gives you the reassurance that your child’s toothy-pegs are getting a thorough clean. It can be used with or without toothpaste and is cleaned in a matter of seconds with a quick wipe.

Brush Baby TB

Dexter has taken to this really well and didn’t need for me to show him how to use it. He slipped his finger through the little hole and set to work biting the toothbrush to bits. This time however I happy to let him as I could physically see the toothbrush enveloping his gums.

Even better, it doubles as a nifty little teether. It soothes sore gums and can even be cooled in the fridge or used as an applicator for teething gel.

Chewable Toothbrush

It’s 100% safe for your little to chew on as it’s made from the highest grade medical silicone and is BPA-free. It’s also dishwasher and steriliser safe for killing any bacteria. You can’t say that of a standard toothbrush so it’s actually much more hygienic and will last you so much longer too.

Finally, it’s a tiny £4.99. It’s made cleaning Dexter’s teeth so much easier and I’m chuffed to bits with it. He has his first dentist appointment in a few weeks and now I’m much more confident I won’t get my wrist slapped. The only thing I’d point out is that the website claims it’s suitable for children 0-36 months, but having tried Brush Baby before when Dexter was under 6 months, I feel this is much better aimed at children who can hold the brush for themselves.

For Heidi-Bum the Brush Baby Dental Wipes are also brilliant. Although she doesn’t have any teethies yet, I suspect she is teething. The Dental Wipes ensure her mouth is clean and healthy and she’s perfectly happy for mummy to have a quick swoosh inside her mouth with one.

Dental Wipes

Perfectly safe to use from birth, these banana flavoured wipes are fluoride-free and formulated with Xylitol to combat decay-causing bacteria. They’re also individually wrapped and sterile for hygiene purposes.

The wipes are actually little finger-puppets so you don’t have to worry about tears or wrapping it around your fingers. They feel dry to touch and obviously work using your babies saliva. You simply slip your index finger inside and gently wipe over babies gums, tongue, cheeks and baby teeth at least once a day.

Dental Wipes Baby

Given Heidi hasn’t responded to any new tastes particularly well (Calpol is met by hysterical screaming) I did think she might reject my finger. Instead she was happy to chomp her gums down and seemed incredibly relaxed about the experience. Given that clean gums can also help prevent teething pain, early oral hygiene is definitely worth adopting.

Sold in boxes of 28 with each box costing just £3.99 (if you buy 5, you get a 6th box free of charge), this is a perfectly accessible price point, and one I’m more than happy to pay for such a fantastic product.

What are you waiting for? Get onto the website now or seek them out in Boots, Sainsbury’s, Tesco or Waitrose. To find out more about the full range of products (suitable from birth, right the way through their school years) you can also check out Facebook and Twitter.


Stokke Flexi Bath Review.

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Stokke has garnered quite the following from well-heeled British mummies. Their products, particularly the Xplory and Tripp Trapp have taken on cult-status with parents proudly tweeting and instagramming box shots. We’ve all come to expect that their products will trump all high street equivalents. So when I was invited to road test the Stokke Flexi Bath (the foldable baby bath) I thought I’d give it whirl.

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My regular baby bath of choice is the Acqua Two Stage Ergo Bath with integrated neck and back support for newborns. It’s robust, gives you added peace of mind, you don’t need to purchase additional inserts, and its been excellent for both Dexter and Heidi as a first-stage baby bath. My only issue with it, and I really mean only, is its size. Although its width is really nice and roomy for baby, its a double-edged sword as it makes it a real faff to store. It doesn’t fit in standard baths and is oval-shaped so you can’t lean it against a wall.

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The foldable element of the Stokke Flexi Bath therefore really appeals. There’s no denying this bad boy folds well. It stows away nicely in your bathroom cabinet and is equally great for taking away on holiday or weekends away. It’s incredibly lightweight and fits perfectly in a suitcase or your hand luggage. This is not to be downplayed - you have no idea how frustrating it is to trip over our mammoth baby bath everyday. We’ve had some pretty significant accidents.

Another great feature is its non slip rubber base which makes it the perfect option for tiled or laminate floor, and also for popping in an unfilled bath.

It’s also worth pointing out its eco-credentials. The Stokke Flexi Bath is made from soft plastic without any harmful materials - even the packaging is made from recycled paper.

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It’s also much sexier than our bath! The two tone pink and grey looks uber stylish and far more exciting than conventional baby baths.

The product specification states it’s suitable from birth to four years but I’m not quite sure I’d agree with this. When Dexter was able to sit up confidently, we popped him in a bath seat in the bath with us. At two years old we’ve now ditched the bath seat and he splashes around contently with me. If we popped him in the Stokke he’d kick up a fuss as he’d feel too constricted.

Price-wise, the Stokke weighs in at £35 RRP - I have however found it on sale at Peppermint at £31. Newborn inserts will set you back a further £12-15. Would I pay this for it? Possibly. It’s a tough question. I really appreciate the folding mechanism and can this as a really durable and practical solution for the style-conscious or frequent traveler.

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But is the foldable option enough for me to ditch the Acqua Two Stage Ergo Bath? In short, no.

Surprised? So am I!

I just can’t recommend the integrated neck and back support of my current bath enough.

I just think we’ve struck gold with the bath we already use, and at £22.80 (sale price) at Mamas and Papas it’s cheaper too.

That said, I also regularly bath with Heidi and would have loved an option that can make this easier. Unfortunately, the Stokke baby bath isn’t an option for this as it’s so lightweight it’ll float in the bath making it dangerous for baby. Perhaps therefore in hindsight, the Stokke Flexi Bath just isn’t the right choice for us - but will be for others…

To find out more, head to www.stokke.com, or join the tribe on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.

Don’t hate me Stokke!!!! I still love your Tripp Trapp!!!

I have been sent a free baby bath for this Stokke Flexi Bath review .

 

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