Does Dad like a beer? Check out these cool Father’s Day gifts from Treat Republic!

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(Answering my own question) Yes. Yes he does. And sadly, so does mummy. Not in a horrid alcoholic way, but we are a significantly younger version of the couple on Gogglebox (minus the stately home in the background, rather our sofa is surrounded by a mass of Fisher-Price and Barbie). When our babies are in bed, we become tv critics, politicians… even exotic dancers!… thanks to a few gulps of the good stuff.

So this Father’s Day, I’m abandoning ties, socks and naff paintings by our toddlers, and getting right to the heart of it; Craig wants (maybe even, deserves) beer, so that’s what he’s getting. And he’s getting it in this rather awesome personalised trug from Treat Republic.

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The trug can be personalised with up to 35 characters on the top and bottom line, but a simple “hands off” seemed most appropriate for my Craig (I have a habit of nicking his when the wine runs out!).

It’s made from sustainable walnut wood and is incredibly sturdy. As you can pick it up with ease it would make an ideal gift for someone who likes to camp / fish, or just a decorative item for home. Naturally, Craig hasn’t seen this yet, but I imagine it’ll make him giggle when I pull it out on a Saturday when he’s having a “sofa day” with Sky Sports (a.k.a his mistress).

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We’ve popped Stella bottles in ours which I realise lumps us firmly in the working class bracket, but your trug will also take cans and bigger real ale bottles if you have less / more to spend - trust me, I took this with me to the alcohol aisle in Tesco to test it for you.

Yet Treat Republic understand that not every dad likes beer (I’m yet to meet one that doesn’t - but I guess this says more about who we socialise with than anything else!) and have a number of cool Father’s Day ideas if you’re stuck for something special. Their site is simply rammed full of unique gift ideas - handily broken down by recipient, occasion and the sort of thing they like to do. It’s easy to search and constantly refreshed with new bits and bobs.

Check out these cool other Father’s Day gifts from Treat Republic:

TreatRepublicFathersDayPersonalised Multi Tool Money Clip £17.99 / What Dad Means Slate Keepsake £12.99 / Engraved 14 Piece Scredriver Set Tool Kit £14.99 / Man Tray, Hands Off £24.99 / Personalised Definition Cufflinks £29.99 / Worlds Best Dad Engraved Photo Frame £26.99 / Personalised Business Card Box £12.99 / Personalised BBQ Tools Set £39.99 / Engraved Executive Ball Point Pen and Stylus with Laser Pointer £24.99

I’ve reviewed many times for Treat Republic and am always impressed with the quality of their gifts. They have something for all budgets (including cash-strapped teens and piggy-bank raiding tweens) so there’s bound to be something perfect for the dad-shaped person/s in your life.
For a whole raft of other luxury personalised gifts for any occassion, head to TreatRepublic.co.uk or head to Facebook and Twitter for a wealth of comps and news of new lines. If you’re stuck for something special, Pinterest will also give your thousands of ideas to suit the fussiest of recipents – from kids, to grumpy old men, to the mother-in-law.

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Win 1 of 3 copies of Lola Pug by Carina Lagnado (CD: 01/07/2015)

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We love a good book in this house. I’m surgically attached to my Kindle, and Dexter is never further than a few metres away from a children’s book. As he’s taking longer than many to talk, we credit books for the few words he can manage. There’s lots to be said for learning through repetition, and thanks to the variety of books on his bookshelf he’s able to familarise himself with more of the world around him.

When we were asked to review Lola Pug, a new children’s book about (… you guessed it) a pug, we agreed immediately. “Doggies” or “Dude-ez” as he calls them, have been a real hit with Dex. When we go to the park he’s fascinated by them, and I know all the words to the theme tune of Clifford the Big Red Dog as it’s so frequently requested on Netflix. As far as I know, he hasn’t seen a pug before so I knew his reaction would be interesting.

What is it about?

Lola Pug is a beautifully illustrated children’s story about Lola, an adorable little pug dog, written by Lola’s real-life owner Carina Lagnado. Carina is originally from Geneva but now loves in Somerset with her husband and two children and of course, Lola the Pug - having previously worked in PR, this is her first children’s book.

The Adams family live in a country cottage, surrounded by their pets and the farm animals, who munch the grass in the orchards. Isabel really wants one more pet – her very own puppy. Big? Small? Hairy? Bouncy?

They choose Lola, an adorable pug – but sometimes it’s hard being a little bit different. The village fair gives Lola a chance to shine and, before long, everyone loves her!

Our thoughts

Carina has seized upon the opportunity to transform Lola’s story into a morality-tale - about how looking different makes you special. At first the other animals on the farm weren’t sure what to make of Lola “a cute, funny little dog, with big, googly black eyes, a little button nose, lots of wrinkles, floppy ears and curly whirly tail” and are quick to dismiss her as odd. Yet her antics soon win her friends and she becomes something of a celebrity. It’s clear this is written from first-hand experience and the real Lola’s integration into village life looked similar.

The book is aimed at children 5+, and I’d say this is fair if you’re wanting for your child to read the book themselves. Owing to the message about not judging on appearance, it’s also lends itself beautifully to a child’s transition into school-life. Dexter however is 3 years old, and will happily sit still when we read the book to him - the 28 pages take approx 8 minutes to get through so it’s the perfect length for a quick bedtime story.

Thanks to some fabulous illustrations by Emily Colenso, there’s plenty for him to look at too. The mix of watercolour and pencil is very reminiscent of Quentin Blake so there’s lots of intricate detail for him to point out as we read. With pictures of horses, pigs, sheep and more, it reinforces some of the work he’s done at nursery (and home) on farmyard animals, it’s a neat step up from the cartoons he’s used to.

Overall, this is a lovely read with a worthwhile message. Dexter will ask me to read it a few times a week and will often study the illustrations on his own during quiet time. I’ll keep my eye out for more from Carina Lagnado and wish her the best with her very book.


Published by Book Guild £8.99 / ISBN: 9781910298183 / Available in hardback HERE

Want to win a copy?

If you fancy giving your child a bedtime treat, you can win 1 of 3 copies of Lola Pug by entering below. Good luck everyone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and conditions
UK entrants only – you must be over 18 too (sorry)
The winners will be contacted by email and must respond within 3 days of having been emailed (I’ll try all known avenues to contact them) or a new winner/s will be drawn
When the giveaway is closed, Rafflecopter will select the winners completely at random
The winners names will be published on this site
There is no cash alternative

Free competitions at ThePrizeFinder


GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Win Rock of Feather Designer Teething Jewellery (CD 19/06/2015)

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Teething really is the pits. Your baby’s senses swoop into overdrive making it a particularly distressing time for both mum and baby. Baby will scream, struggle with sleep, writhe around and refuse milk. Worse still, teething manifests itself in psychical symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting so anxious new mums can feel like they’re fighting a losing battle. It’s one thing to stockpile teething gels, cold toys and Calpol, but these aren’t easy to administer and aren’t always effective.

My weapon of choice is silicone teething jewellery. Heidi enjoys chomping on it when her gums are swollen and the dreaded new toothy pegs pierce through - which feels like every other day at the moment!. Not just for babies however, Dexter (3 years) also loves wearing my necklaces and, given he still has the odd suck on them, it’s good to know that any beads are BPA ,Phthalates and PVC free, and therefore perfectly safe for him to pop in his mouth.

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But let’s face it - as convenient as it is, if silicone jewellery isn’t attractive, it’s pretty useless. I’ll admit it took me awhile to get onboard with the trend as early designs were, for me, a little dull and uninspiring. Now however there are some stunning designs out there - stylish pieces that coordinate with your outfits, make a statement and invite comments from other mums.

… Rock of Feather are the perfect example of this.

ROFFounders

Our jewellery range stands for practicality, safety and baby wellbeing because, let’s face it, it has to. But that doesn’t mean we stand for being mumsy. We believe that mothers are individuals too. People who, dare we say it, might like to look cool now and again. Rock of Feather simply bridges the gap and combines the two. Founders of Rock of Feather Amelia and Natasha

ROFLifestyle

New kids on the teething jewellery scene, Rock of Feather offer timeless easy-to-wear jewellery in bright and versatile palettes. There’s something for every occasion and style; from the office to evenings out - not simply for when you have a mini person hanging around your neck! Team any of these chunky oversized pieces with jeans and tees to liven up an otherwise dull outfit, or pair with an evening dress for a pop of colour that makes a real statement.

Yet not just for mum - bright colourways also mean baby is able to route them out with ease when teething strikes. Oversized beads and vibrant colours also help sustain babies interest and focus their attention when pain plays havoc with their senses. I’m also pleased to see Rock of Feather necklaces are adjustable in length so you can wear them long (just beneath your boobs) so baby can self-soothe whilst having a cuddle with mum - let’s face it, we all need one of those when we’re feeling poorly! There’s also a clever hidden safety catch that will pop open when tugged. This is a fab idea if your little one gets a little too rough when having a chew.

RockofFeatherJewellery

Hummingbird Bracelet (Rose Quartz) £15 / Mockingbird Necklace (Turquoise) £24 / Turtle Dove Pendant (Onyx) £15 / Quetzal Bracelet (Turquoise) £12 / Nightjar Necklace (Oynx & Granite) £26 / Kittiwake Necklace (Cream Jasper and Granite) £24

Heidi presently has six teeth and is downright dangerous with them! Having access to a teething necklace means she’s less likely to bite me so I’m very happy she’s taken so well to my new Kittiwake necklace. It dangles and captures the light beautifully, is lightly textured, and is perfectly positioned for Heidi to enjoy when I’m cradling her to my chest. What’s more, despite being given a daily chew by Heidi, a quick wipe with soapy water and it looks as stunning as it did when I first received it.

The subtle whites and beige hues look great with the majority of my wardrobe. Contrasted against darker vests it really pops out and takes attention away from the bits of me I’m not so happy with!

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Each item of Rock of Feather jewellery is beautifully gift-wrapped. A sweet little pouch makes it a really thoughtful gift for a new mum, or indeed a really unique christening pressie. Not limited to parents however, they’d also be perfect for boisterous teens who seem to break everything you give them! Silicone jewellery really is the way forward for the style-conscious woman, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it.

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To discover the brand for yourself, head to rockoffeather.com or follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for offers and all the latest designs.

*** GIVEAWAY TIME ***

Know a little monster or madam that could use a little relief? Well to give a trendy new mummy an extra special treat, enter via the rafflecopter below for your chance to win an item of Rock of Feather designer teething jewellery of your choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and conditions
UK entrants only – you must be over 18 too (sorry)
The winner will be contacted by email and must respond within 3 days of having been emailed (I’ll try all known avenues to contact them) or a new winner will be drawn
When the giveaway is closed, Rafflecopter will select the winner completely at random
The winners name will be published on this site
There is no cash alternative

Competitions at ThePrizeFinder

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