Mummy Alarm Review : Stokke® PramPack - protect your pram when flying with babies

I love my pram. I love my pram so much that I couldn't bear the thought that something might happen to it on our flight to Germany. So you can imagine that I jumped up and down in excitement when Stokke got in touch after overhearing a conversation with another mummy on Twitter and asked me if I wanted to review the Stokke® PramPack. Of course I did, what a question!?

I might be slightly exaggerating but I am not lying when I tell you that the Stokke® PramPack is the most clever travel bag for pushchairs that I have ever come across. It is designed to protect 99% of all ordinary strollers and 30% of all twin strollers against bumps, knocks, drops and all the other scary things that can happen to a pram when it goes traveling. At around £140 the Stokke® PramPack is not as cheap as other travel bags, but if your buggy cost nearly as much as your car, then it's definitely worth the investment.The

Stokke® PramPack™ is airline approved, super padded and has lots of straps that stop your pram from moving around. On top of all that, it is more than simple to use. We had one trial run before driving to the airport and can truly say that it is easier to wrap up your pram than Christmas presents. Big Mummy Alarm promise!

The Stokke® PramPack™ comes rolled up for super easy storage and only needs unclipping and unrolling for you to start packing your pram up into this cleverly designed travel accessory. Once unrolled, you simply fold out the wings to both sides, put the pram in the centre of the pack and secure it with 2 straps on the top and one on each side to make sure that your pram is not moving about. Finally, you pull the top over the pram and secure it with two more clips and fasten them according to your pram's size.

The Stokke® PramPack™ comes with two wheels that allow you to pull your safely wrapped up pram behind you and has two padded handles that even give baggage handlers at the airport some comfort. There is also a little pocket for an address slip and a big caution print reminding airport staff to be gentle with your fragile cargo.

All in all, the Stokke® PramPack™ is a very impressive product that is not only good value for money but also an absolute must-have for all globetrotters. To check if your pram fits into the Stokke® PramPack™, simply visit Stokke's PramPack checker.

Disclosure: Mummy Alarm received the Stokke® PramPack™ free of charge for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by Stokke.

Toy Review: Zoobles - play & collect

When I was asked if I wanted to review Zoobles, a new toy and collectible for girls around the age of 4 years, I did two things: First, I checked Google because, being the mum of a 5 month old girl, I am really no expert for pre-school toys, and when seeing their cute little faces, I jumped up and down in excitement thinking they'd be the perfect toy for my niece Ellie. 

Zoobles are small fantasy animals that come as a little ball (about 3cms in diameter) but magically spring alive when you place them on their 'happitat'. A happitat is the Zoobles' unique living space where they can curl up and sleep if they are tired or transform into cute little animals that blink, wag their tail or wink. All this happens with the help of a little magnet that sits on top of the happitat.

We received Zooble Icetasia and her daughter Iceabella for our review and we both agreed that they are just super cute. Icetasia and Iceabella look like fantasy teddy bears and come in a pale lilac colour and with a cute little snowflake motif that gives them a wintery feel.

I personally think that they are reasonably priced with £5.99 for a single Zooble and £9.99 for a double pack. I can imagine though that it might get pricey, if your little darling decides she wants to have all Zoobles in her not so little collection. What I really liked about them is that they come in such a great variety. There are not only the normal Zoobles but also Hair Zoobles with hair extensions to style, light up Zoobles that glow when you place them on their happitat and special edition packs all costing between £7.99 and £9.99. They would make great birthday presents for friends, stocking fillers or even a reward for when your little one has collected enough stickers on her reward chart. The larger play-sets cost about £20 and are fantastic present ideas for Christmas or a birthday.

Overall, a great toy and collectible that can improve children's role playing skills and helps them use their imagination and creativity.  

Disclosure: I was provided with a Zoobles double pack for the purpose of this review. All my words are my own and have not been influenced by Spin Master.

Review: Organic Monkey Bumfluff Nappy Balm and Hello Mellow Massage Oil

I love trying out new baby products and if they are as good for soft baby skin as the products from Organic Monkey, then it is even more fun. Recently, I was kindly sent two products from the Organic Monkey range to review and after having tried them over a good period of time, I would like to give you my verdict on them. 

The first product we received was the Organic Monkey Bumfluff Nappy Balm. It comes in 50 ml tub and is made with a blend of organic oils and fairtrade Shea Butter. Although Amy is lucky enough not to suffer from nappy rash, I still used the nappy balm quite regularly on her because I like the way it nourishes her skin. It is easy to spread and is soft and gentle to little bottoms. What I really like about this product is that you only need a little of it to cover the area you want to protect, so a 50ml tub will go a long way. Also it doesn't smell clinical like other comparable products which is a real bonus. With £10.50 for a 50ml tub, Organic Monkey's Bumfluff Nappy Palm is a bit on the expensive side however it absorbs much quicker than other products I have tried and it doesn't leave any grease stains on baby's clothes.

The second product we tried is the Hello Mellow Massage Oil by Organic Monkey. It comes in a 125ml bottle and has become an invaluable part of Amy's bedtime routine. The oil has a lovely subtle smell and absorbed really easily when I massaged it into Amy's skin after her bath. Other oils that I have tried before left a greasy film on Amy's skin and even soaked into her clothes. Hello Mellow however spreads nicely and is just a really lovely product to use on her skin. It has a nice smell and it really helps her to relax before bedtime. Similar to the Bumfluff Nappy Balm, the Hello Mellow Massage Oil is a very efficient product, so the price of £12.00 for a bottle really seems fair.

Both products are available in the Protect and Nourish Me gift set. It costs £20 and makes a lovely gift for a baby shower or the birth of a baby. All products are available from the online shop on the Organic Monkey website or a list of stockists that you can find online. 

Disclosure: Mummy Alarm was provided with the Protect and Nourish Me gift set free of charge for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced by Organic Monkey.

Like washing up? No, me neither...

... and also Persil's new range of washing up liquids hasn't changed this BUT it has made washing the dishes a little bit nicer. We do have a dish washer (Thank God for that!) but I prefer washing sauce pans and frying pans by hand, simply because they need a good scrub in our house - you know, men in the kitchen and things like that. So having a fab range of nice smelling washing up liquids to chose from really boosts my spirits when I am on washing up duty. The new Persil range comes in four yummy fragrances: Apple Fizz, Lemon Burst, Pink Blush and Orange Crush, with vibrant colours to match their fresh and fruity aromas. 

 

 

We have been sent all four fragrances to try and although washing up isn't on top of my favourite-things-to-do list, these washing up liquids bring fun into your kitchen. I really liked that they are brightly coloured (always gets me in a happy smiley mood) and their smell is absolutely fantastic. My usual washing up liquid smells like exactly that - washing up liquid. The new Persil range, though, is really fruity and smells like you could drink it - I obviously won't do that but it's nice to be surrounded by non-synthetic smells, don't you think? My favourite is Pink Blush which reminds me of fresh pink grapefruit with lots of sugar... nom nom nom. I'm sure you would have guessed it sooner or later, but the new Persil range does not only smell nice but it is also antibacterial, which is always a plus when you've got a baby at home, and cleans your dishes really nicely. But what other would you expect from Persil. They aren't at the top of the market for nothing, are they?

Review: SnoozeShade Plus - sunshade and sleep aid for strollers and prams

Do you know the feeling when you are out and about, the sun is shining and your little one just doesn't want to go to sleep? Thought so. Well, lean back and relax because Cara Sayer has come up with the invention of inventions: The SnoozeShade Plus.

The SnoozeShade Plus is the ultimate sunshade and sleep aid for strollers and prams that allows you to maintain your child's sleep schedule while you are out and about and also protects them from the dangers of sun rays. The SnoozeShade Plus is the further development of the SnoozeShade Original and comes with a new 'lookout' window for your little one to see out. Once they are asleep or you want them to settle for a nap, you can easily zip it up to create a darkened and cosy environment that helps nosy toddlers and babies to switch off and have a snooze. Closed, the SnoozeShade Plus offers one of the highest levels of sun protection available on the stroller sunshade market with UPF50+. But don't worry about your little one overheating. The SnoozeShade Plus is made of a double-layer of soft breathable fabric that allows air to circulate so that your little passenger stays comfy throughout the entire journey.

What I'm thinking about it? For me the SnoozeShade Plus is an absolute must-have during the summer months. Amy is a brilliant sleeper once she is asleep but when we are out and about she always struggles to switch off and relax. The SnoozeShade Plus was a great help with keeping up her sleep routine. Amy wasn't distracted by her environment and could relax and eventually drop off to dream land while still hearing our voices and being protected from the sun light. It also provides protection against mosquitoes and other nasty insects you don't want anywhere near your baby or toddler - brilliant if you like to travel. The lookout window is a great feature to reassure you that your little one is alright and as if the whole idea behind the SnoozeShade Plus wasn't clever enough already, it also fits all popular 3- and 4-wheeled prams, strollers, pushchairs and buggies with a single hood. We are using it with the Mamas and Papas Sola and I am impressed about how easy it is to attach to the pram with its elasticated Velcro straps - it literally takes seconds and even daddy can do it.

Retailing at £29.99 the SnoozeShade Plus is good value for money. It is made of a robust yet light material and offers sun protection and sleeping aid on the go. If you would like to buy a SnoozeShade Plus or Original, check www.snoozeshade.com for the latest offers and a list of stockists.


Disclosure: I have been provided with a free SnoozeShade Plus for this review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by SnoozeShade.

Mummy Alarm Review: Leap Frog Twinkle Twinkle Little Violet

Amy is a great sleeper, don't get me wrong, but getting her to settle down for bedtime can be a real struggle sometimes. She is just too interested in everything happening around her that she just can't switch off and relax. We have been thinking about different ways to help her wind down, e.g. taking her for a walk in her pram, sitting on the swing with her or giving her a calming bath. None of it did really work, so I was delighted when the lovely people from Leap Frog offered to send us a toy called Twinkle Twinkle Little Violet.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Violet is a soft cuddly toy that has two functions: a) it helps children to explore first words and counting and b) it gently teaches them to settle for bedtime.

Amy absolutely loves her new fluffy friend and I can't believe just how quickly she has got used to settling with Violet. As soon as she listens to the lullabies, Amy calms down and you can't believe how cute she smiles when Little Violet tells her "Night Night". It's just adorable. Her absolute favourite, however, are the environmental sounds that are the second sound setting that the toy comes with. You can hear a train, the ocean, a carrier bag in the wind (at least that's what I identified it as) and many more sounds which all send Amy to dreamland within minutes. How good is that? You can choose between two settings for sounds and music and either let them run for 10 or 20 minutes. We usually have Violet set for 20 minutes and in general, Amy doesn't need any longer to fall asleep, however, we sometimes have to give her an extra ten minutes to make sure she really is fast asleep. Unfortunately, this is where I can find the only little thing to moan about. Violet obviously does not know that Amy is almost asleep and gives her another cheerful "Night Night", so it can happen that my baby girl happily opens her eyes and gives Violet another big smile before settling again and cuddling with Violet's soft blanket.

Twinkle twinkle Little Violet is available in Leap Frog's Online Store as well as in all good toy stores and costs around £15 - in my eyes an absolute bargain because this toy is an absolute life saver and must-have for all parents of little ones that struggle going to sleep.

Mummy Alarm Review & Competition: John Crane's High Tea Shape Matching Set

Some toys are almost too pretty to play with. One of them is John Crane's High Tea Shape Matching Set that we were sent to review.

It consists of a gorgeous wooden two tiered cake stand and 15 different types of beautifully coloured and decorated cakes that look so yummy that little mouths might want to try them. Amy is still a bit young to be able to match the shapes but she loves looking at the beautiful colours and touching the cakes. In fact, when I opened the parcel that the lovely people from John Crane Ltd had send us, I was (for a very short moment, of course) tempted to keep the High Tea Set for myself. Not to play with it obviously but to put it up for decoration. It really is that beautiful!

The small wooden cakes can be matched to their places on the cake stand either by their shape or by number. This does not only allow little ones to develop hand/eye coordination but also to improve their shape recognition and to practice their first numbers. The High Tea Shape Matching Set does also make a great toy for pretend play. I can already see Amy and her cousins and friends having their own little tea parties. I just hope Mummy gets an invitation too.

The High Tea Shape Matching Set is available from all good toy stores including Dillon’s ToyBox and retails at £23.95 - brilliant value for money, if you ask me. It is easy to assemble (all you have to do is screw the tiers on to the stand) and Amy will be able to play with it for years to come. Given the fact that both the cake stand and the cakes are made of wood, I am sure that even a little sister (no, nothing is planned) will be able to play with it in a couple of years. Also, you can combine it with many of the other toys from John Crane Ltd. - I already have my eyes on the Tea Time Set and the Daisy Tabletop Kitchen.

If you want to be one of the first to know when new John Crane Toys are hitting the shelves, why not follow  John Crane on Twitter and 'like' their Facebook page? Want to see what the team is up to behind the scenes? Check out the John Crane Blog. 

 Win 1 High Tea Shape Matching Toy with Mummy Alarm and John Crane Ltd.

How to enter the competition:

1. Leave a comment telling me what your favourite cake is - required

For extra entries:

3. Comment on one of my non-competition posts and let me know which one you commented on

4. Subscribe to Mummy Alarm's RSS Feed

5. Follow @caro_mad on Twitter and tweet "Win a High Tea Shape Matching Toy with @caro_mad and @johncraneblog. Enter here: http://bit.ly/ntMjAI - Pls RT #win #comp"

6. Like Mummy Alarm on Facebook

7. Use the +1 button below and share on Google+

Please, use separate comments for each entry. Failure do to so will result in only one entry per person.

The closing date of the competition is 12/08/2011
The winners will be chosen at random.
The winners' names will be shown on this page.
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The prize is non-refundable and cannot be transferred. No cash alternative is available.

ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions

Mummy Alarm Review: Personalised Clock from Precious Parcels

A couple of weeks ago Amy was sent a gorgeous personalised clock from Natalie, owner of online shop Precious Parcels. Precious Parcels offers a unique selection of handmade gifts and home decorations such as handmade plaques, new baby gifts, room plaques and more...

The clock we were sent for Amy is absolutely gorgeous and fits perfectly with the theme of her nursery. It's in fact so popular that lots of our friends have complimented it and asked where they could get one for their little ones. 

The clock itself measures approximately 23cm's in diameter, is made of really light but sturdy wood and is painted in a lovely pale pink (or pale blue for boys) with cute little white polka dots. To add decoration to your battery run clock, you can choose between little white butterflies or stars when placing your order. There is also a field on the order page that you type your child's name in. It really is easy as pie.

The clock being of a light weight is another great plus point because it saves you from having to drill deep holes into your wall. All in all, the clock is a fabulous product that Amy will be able to enjoy for a long time and with a price of £11.99 it really is good value for money.

To check out all of Precious Parcels' products visit their website. For exclusive offers and to keep up to date with new products follow Natalie on Twitter or Facebook.

Mummy Alarm Review: New Rowntrees Sharing Bags

A couple of days ago, we were sent the newest members of the Rowntree family. Normally, it takes us a while to thoroughly test the products we are asked to review but, if you know me, you'll know that this one was a quickie. Sweets simply don't survive long in our household, mainly because of me, and if they are as nice as these ones they are gone even quicker.

Rowntree’s was created when the first tasty tube of Fruit Pastilles hit the shelves in 1881. After that came Fruit Gums (1893), Tooty Frooties (1963) and their famous Jelly Tots (1967). Less than 3 years ago Rowntree’s Randoms were introduced to the UK public and now Rowntree's have given birth to three new family members that I'm proud to introduce to you: 

Jelly Aliens, Sour Faces & Very Berry Jellies!

Jelly Aliens are much less scary than their friends in the famous Aliens Triology and oh so delicious. You could even say they are out of this world - get the joke? Rowntree's Sour Faces & Very Berry Jellies are the company's fruitiest sweets to date, each being made of 50% fruit juice - so much healthier than other fruit gums! All three sweets come in 185g bags and are the perfect size to share them with the whole family or, if you are a greedy bone like me, to eat yourself. My absolute favourite were the Very Berry Jellies. They are really fruity, come in my favourite flavour and aren't as hard as for example wine gums. The Sour Faces have a great fizzy taste to them and the Jelly Aliens were on top of Ben's list. I liked the fruitiness of them but they have a marshmellow layer on the bottom and if you have read my blog right from the start you'll know that white food and I have a bit of a tricky relationship. But that's just me being funny. 

Altogether, the new sharing bags make a great addition to Rowntree's range as well as your sweet tins. Especially as they are very reasonably priced with an average price of £1.55 per bag.

If you want to find out more about Rowntree's range or play games like the Bouncing Maiden, visit www.rowntrees.co.uk

Review: Sock Ons or the Sock Monster strikes

Today was the first day that Amy did not wear a baby grow. I dressed her in a grey top saying "I love cuddles, milk and smiling", some cute pink leggings and the most adorable pink socks that, can you believe it, had been eaten by the sock monster within minutes of Amy wearing them.

 

I only carried Amy from our bedroom into the lounge to find out that when I arrived downstairs, one of her socks had gone. How could she lose a sock on a short way like that? I had heard from lots of mummy friends that babies and toddlers are experts when it comes to getting rid of their socks, but I surely didn't think it was that easy for the little wrigglers to make mummy go on the big sock hunt. After a good search in the lounge, hallway and bedroom, I found the missing sock and remembered that the lovely Kezi from Sock Ons had kindly sent me a pair of her brilliant invention shortly before Amy was born. Sock Ons are made from a softly woven elasticated material and promise to ‘lock’ babies’ socks gently and firmly in place. 

Do they work? Yes, they are easy to put on and Amy's socks are still where they are supposed to be: on her little feet. I do also swear that Amy hasn't even noticed that she's wearing them. They are very light and come in a great range of classic and bright colours, making sure that you can get a pair for every outfit in baby's wardrobe. Also, they are really great value for money retailing at just £2.50 per pair and making sure that you don't have to buy new socks every week. Big thumbs up!

Review: Philips AVENT DECT 535/00 Baby Monitor

Product: Philips ADVENT DECT Baby Monitor

Price: £100 (RRP)

Available from: Philips, Amazon and other retailers

Suitable from: birth

Initial reaction: We first thought a monitor was only for checking on your baby. Little did we know that a baby monitor can come with so many useful functions as the Philips AVENT DECT 535/00. Brilliant!

Pros: crystal clear sound, long reach (330m), eco-friendly, no interference with other electrical gadgets, humidity and temperature control, long operating time, plays lullabys

Cons: buttons on baby unit aren't lit so you either need to memorise them or switch ceiling light on, night light is not very bright and lullabys just run for abour 2 mins

Value for money: Yes

Overall reaction: This is our first baby, therefore we are not really experienced when it comes to baby monitors. I even have to admit that I was a bit worried that the technical side of them would be slightly overwhelming, but you can lean back and relax. The Philip Advent DECT 535/00 is so easy to set up that we didn't even have to look into the manual to figure out how it works. Easy peasy! As we live in a three storey house it is really important for us that the monitor has a long reach and doesn't interfere with any other gadgets around the house. We took the parent unit into every single room of the house and it passed our test with an A*. There was no interference with any other electronic devices and we could here all noises coming from the nursery loud and clear. An added bonus of the monitor is its lullaby function. The songs are slightly short and only play for a couple of minutes but they are brilliant if your little one just needs a little soothing without you wanting to interfere. Another great feature, that is especially comforting for us as first time parents, is the integrated humidity and temperature control that allows you to check if baby's room is warm enough whenever you need that little bit of reassurance. The only thing we have to criticize is that the night light is slightly too weak and that the baby unit doesn't come with any lighting that is strong enough for you to distinguish between the different buttons. If you don't want to wake baby up by putting the ceiling light on, you'll have to find some alternative light source such as a mobile phone or something similar to it. Overall, the Philips Advent DECT 535/00 is a brilliant product though, that will allow us to sit back without being overly careful first time parents.

Review: Thai Taste's Green Curry Meal Kit

We love Asian food and we love experimenting with different flavours, so when I was contacted by Thai Taste's press office, I jumped at the chance to test some products from their new and revamped range. We were sent the Thai Taste Green Curry Paste, a Thai Taste Green Curry Meal Kit and some Thai Taste Sweet Chilli Sauce and I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I couldn't wait to try the products. 

 

We are always looking out for new products that bring original Asian flavours into our house but unfortunately many of them don't live up to my expectations. Not long ago, we tested a Thai Green Curry Kit that promised exactly the same as Thai Taste's product: a quick and easy Thai curry with an authentic Thai taste. Well, let me tell you something: It was quick, it was easy and it tasted absolutely horrible. Thai Taste's Green Curry however was absolutely gorgeous. As it contains curry paste, coconut milk and Thai herbs, all we had to add was the meat of our choice and some coriander. We decided to use Turkey fillets as they are lean and a tasty alternative to chicken breasts and also threw in some chopped onions (simply because we like them). The curry turned out absolutely amazing and was done in no time. Preparing a curry from scratch is great if you are a passionate chef (daddy is) and have a lot of time, but with a newborn baby the Thai Taste Green Curry Meal Kit is a real life saver that allows you to serve a delicious meal in just 15 minutes and at £1.99 the price is more than fair as well. 

If you are a fan of Thai cooking, do not forget to visit Thai Taste's website for some delicious recipes and more information on their new revamped product range. 

Review: Dark Choc Florentines

Product: Belgian Dark Choc Florentines by Fudges

Price: £3.32

Available from: Fudges Online, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda

Suitable for: every age although probably more for older kids and adults

Initial Reaction: The florentines come in a lovely packaging and the picture on the front shows them covered in a thick layer of dark chocolate. How couldn't you want to have them all at once?

Pros: They are a delicious treat: chewy, light and with a layer of indulgent Belgian chocolate.

Cons: I couldn't find any, although they are a bit expensive if you want them as a daily treat. Well, at least if you like them as much as I did.

Value for money: Average

Overall reaction: I was sent a package of Fudges' Belgian Dark Chocolate Florentines and couldn't wait to try them. Their packaging looked really inviting and I wasn't disappointed when I opened the package to try what truly is a divine chocolate treat. The florentines are made of the finest ingredients, combining roasted almonds with fresh ginger and indulgent dark Belgian chocolate. They make a perfect treat and go rather well with a nice cup of tea or coffee, but don't worry they're also really nice if you have them on their own. The only thing that would stop me from buying them on a daily basis is their price. They retail at £3.32 and there are only eight florentines in a package. So if you want to offer them to guests when you have a full house or eat them on a daily basis, it might get a little expensive for you. For a special occasion they are absolutely fine and I'm sure I'll treat my family to them when we are meeting for our Easter get-together.

Review: Love You Mum by Gillian Campbell

I'm not normally one for self-help books, I really don't like the guilt trip that most of them send you on, however when I was asked to review Love You Mum by Gillian Campbell I thought it might be a good idea to have a read through it. 

There are millions of books that tell you how to raise your children, how to get them to have the perfect sleep routine and and and. This books different: It tells you how to be a mum – a mum that is happy in her role, a mum that goes to bed with a smile on her face and a mum that is in charge of her life.

Love Your Mum is divided into several chapters like Understanding Who You Are, Building Habits or Parenting with a Truth and helps you to analyse yourself and your feelings towards motherhood using exercises that really get you thinking. After working through them, you will clearly be able to say what kind of mum you are and what kind of mum you really want to be.

We all are grumpy from time to time or think we could do better when we look at the 'perfect' lives of others, aren't we? But why don't we just change our habits? No motivation? No idea where to start? Let me tell you, Gill Campbell will give you a kick up the bum that will get you going. Regard her as a good friend or even better, your personal trainer: she'll hold a mirror in front of you and she'll show you ways on how to deal with the ups and downs of being a mum.

Gillian herself says: “The book is for Mums who perhaps end more days wishing they hadn’t snapped at their kids and their partners more than they had laughed and loved the challenges they faced. Those who dive into the escape of a glass of wine, an internet site or a reality TV show at the end of each day, rather than spending time with their partner or putting steps in place.”

If that sounds like you, pop into your local book shop or visit Gillian's website www.theonlymum.com to get your copy of “Love You Mum”. The book costs £12.95 but it might change your life.

Review: Diva Popcorn

Product: Diva Popcorn

Price: 85p per bag

Available from: Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Dobbies Garden Centres, Wholefoods, many sandwich, farm and health shops plus premium high street health chains

Suitable for: everyone who wants guilt free snacking

Initial Reaction: I absolutely love popcorn, but I am usually not really keen on savoury flavours. Things have changed during pregnancy though and I can honestly say that I could live on popcorn at the moment. You can imagine that I was really excited to try some new flavours.

Pros: delicious and healthy, only about 100 calories per bag and less than 0.4g saturated fat, ull of antioxidants, vitamins B and E, minerals and fibre and innovative flavours: Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar, Camenbert, Gouda & Brie, Rock Salt, Sweet Chipotle Chilli

Cons: bags are too small to share them and unfortunately the popcorn is not widely available yet

Value for money: Yes, they are a bit more expensive than your average crisps but they are much healthier.

Overall reaction: Our verdict is pretty simple: Diva Popcorn is absolutely delicious and the fact that it is low in fat and calories makes it even better to snack on. Before testing the different flavours I was slightly worried that the popcorn was going to taste artificial but all the flavours are really natural and don't leave any sort of nasty aftertaste. All in all, Diva Popcorn is a brilliant alternative to your sweet flavoured popcorn. That's why it's such a shame that it is not widely available yet.

Top Tip: Order your popcorn online via concierge@divallstars.com.

Review: DVD - Acupressure for Natural Pain Relief in Labour

If you are expecting a baby, the third trimester is probably the point in your pregnancy that gets you thinking more actively about labour and how you are going to cope with it. You will have read what feels like millions of pages about epidurals, gas & air or pethidine and other medications that can help you to deal with the pain of giving birth but what about alternative methods of pain relief? Especially during the last couple of months I have come across various methods such as hypnobirthing, homeopathy or acupressure. None of them made much sense to me though – but that's simply because I knew little to nothing about how they worked. 

 

You can imagine that I was delighted when I was offered the chance to review the DVD “Acupressure for Natural Pain Relief in Labour” by Debra Betts and Tom Kennedy. Ok, I am still not 100% sure if accupressure is exactly my thing, but I am glad that I know more about it now and we will definitely give it a go. We've got nothing to lose, do we?

The DVD, available for £11.99 from JCM online and Amazon, shows numerous acupressure methods for the different stages of labour and even explains different ways to cope with postnatal pains, nausea and breastfeeding problems. A 16-page-booklet that completes the package explains and illustrates the different techniques in more detail. Unlike acupuncture where needles are used, acupressure applies physical pressure to specific acupressure points using the thumbs, fingers, hands, elbows, or with various other devices applied to the surface of the body. So you see, the big advantage is that you can use it wherever you want, Furthermore, acupressure allowes you to actively involve your birthing partner in the labour process.

Having watched the DVD with daddy-to-be, I have learnt that accupressure is completely safe. The best thing is however, that daddy-to-be can now be more involved in the birth of our daughter. He does now know different techniques to help me deal with the pain and emotional stress of labour and said himself that he is happy that he's got something to do now. I have to admit that all the different techniques and pressure points are a bit overwhelming when you watch the DVD for the very first time but I am sure that with some practice, we will be able to use a great amount of them during the birthing process. We'll keep you posted...

Review: Dry Like Me

That's what Dry Like Me says:

Dry Like Me is a disposable toilet training pad that fits in a child’s own pants, designed to capture small accidents, and help parents and children manage the stress and mess of toilet training. The pad can be worn in a number of different ways to manage a variety of different needs: at the front of the pants to capture wee, at the back to capture poo, both ways together or layered up to increase surface area. 

Unlike a nappy, children are aware they have wet the pad as it feels initially wet for a short period of time, and becomes heavy making it more noticeable in their pants. If they are soiling it will protect clothes and help reduce the mess making it easier to clean up and less stressful for everyone. The patent pending tabs were initially designed to help parents remove the pad hygienically, but they also help older children remove and replace the pads themselves. Each box comes with a handy plastic pouch which helps lighten the load, can be carried in handbags or school bags, and is waterproof in case of times when there are no suitable bins for disposal. Dry like Me toilet training pads are suitable for children of all ages. They are ideal for children experiencing on going small accidents, or who are toilet training and need confidence to continue toilet training in their own pants. Our pad is ideal for use in a car, while shopping, on journeys, or at school or nursery. Dry Like Me is avaible in Morrisons, ASDA Living Store, Wilkonson and online via ERIC's shop and retails at £3.49 for 18 pads.



That's what Laura, mum of a two year old, says:

Dry Like Me is a fabulous brand new product that will really make a difference to the stressed out mums if potty training toddlers.

My daughter is two years old and got the hang of potty training quite quickly, except for the fact that she would persistently have small accidents. This meant that whenever she said she needed the toilet I felt very stressed and dashed with her to the nearest toilet - as I was pregnant with my second child this started to get harder and harder, it also meant that I couldn't leave the house without about 10 pairs of her clean knickers with me. Dry Like Me is fabulous as the small pads gave me complete piece of mind, she still knows when she's had a little accident but I don't have to worry or stress, or change her clothes all the time, if she leaks a little bit then it goes in the pad and she stays dry. The only things I would change is - the rigidity of the pads, we have to spend a couple of minutes crumpling them up before putting them in her knickers as otherwise they're a bit hard for her and she doesn't like them. The only downside is they won't catch a full accident but then they're not a nappy so why should they! Fabulous product - it's all we use now day and night, we've been getting them from Morrison's and just wish they were more widely available. I forgot how much I paid for them, but I don't really care as they are simply brilliant. Thanks so much for letting us try this product out, it's made a real difference to my stress levels and therefore our lives.

Review: Lotus Olbas Oil Tissues

Product: Olbas Oil Vapour Release Tissues by Lotus

Price: around £ 2.29

Available from: all major supermarkets and Boots

Suitable from: unknown

Initial Reaction: I love the smell of aetheric oils, so I was really looking forward to test this product when I was asked to review it.

Pros: The tissues are really soft and the capsules release just the right amount of olbas oil. Furthermore, they help you to breath in easier if you are suffering from a blocked nose.

Cons: The tissues are a little bit on the thin side and the packaging could be a bit more discret.

Value for money: Yes



Overall reaction: A couple of weeks ago we were asked if we wanted to test a pack of Olbas oil tissues by Lotus. Great, I thought, the flu season is just around the corner so we will have plenty of opportunity to rub our sore noses into some soft and well-smelling tissue. But well, the big wave of flus and colds missed us. We still used the tissues regularly and found out that both, daddy-to-be and I are big fans of the Olbas oil that is released whenever you crush the tissues. Furthermore, they are really soft and even suitable for sensitive skin - perfect, if you are suffering from a really bad cold and you don't want to end up looking like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The only thing that lets the tissues down abit is that they are quite thin. Therefore, we would suggest using two tissues at a time to make sure germs stay in the tissue and don't land on your hands. Also, if you want to keep the box in your living room make you better make sure you hide it well. Bright orange and green stand out quite a bit if the rest of your house is decorated in fairly neutral colours.

Our Build-A-Bear Adventure

Last week, the lovely people from Build-A-Bear were so kind to invite Ben (daddy-to-be) and I to visit one of their many workshops. On Wednesday we made our way to their shop in the Gallery Bristol where we met Jason, our personal Bear Builder.

Jason showed us around the shop and introduced us to the different stations before we started building our own furry friend or better said baby girl's furry friend. As we are both a bit too old for teddy bears, we decided to build a bear for our soon to be born daughter which made our experience that little bit extra special. 

Baby Bear in Baby Girl's cot

Altogether, there are seven stations you have to go through before you can take your teddy home. The first of them is called "Choose Me". As you might guess this is where all the fun begins. You can choose your favourite from over 30 stuffed animals (bunnies, bears, kitties, dogs and many more) before you go over to the next station: "Hear Me". We picked a lovely light brown teddy bear that does not only have a really friendly smile and cute little eyes but that is also hypo-allergenic, so extra friendly for newborn babies - a fact that we would not have even thought of considering if our Bear Builder had not told us about it. At the next station "Hear Me" we picked a funny little giggle for our bear before we went over to fill baby girl's furry friend with lots of white squashy stuffing. The next step was a really important one. Jason told us to both take a heart out of a litte box, shake it, kiss it and make a wish for our little girl before carefully placing it in teddy's tummy. We both kept our wishes secret - you've got to to make sure they become true, don't you?

As both, Ben and I aren't what you would call skilled needleworkers, the next station was Jason's time to shine. With a couple of skillfull stiches he sealed our bear's back and we were ready to give baby's furry friend a beauty treatment of the special kind: a Fluff Me-shower. Bear's fur came out nice and shiny and was even softer than before, perfect for little babies to cuddle with. To make sure that our new family member stays nice and warm, we went over to the Dress Me station of the workshop and I can honestly say that I have never even dreamt about there being such a big choice of clothing for a stuffed animal. There were lovely summer dresses, football kits, punky leather jackets and a lovely pink little baby outfit with a little hat, a top and a gorgeous little rattle and snuggle blanket - if that's not the perfect outfit for a little baby girl, we don't know what is.

But what is a teddy bear without a name? All my teddy's had names and although Ben's didn't we were sure that we couldn't take this little fella home without naming him properly. So we sat down in front of one of two computer screens, went through a naming book for stuffed animals and in the end decided that it was up to our little girl what she would like to call her new friend once she's a bit older. Until then teddy will have to listen to the name that we put in his official birth certificate - Baby Bear. 

We would like to thank Build-A-Bear for a great afternoon and experience. We had a great time and are really grateful that you took the time to show us around and explain everything we needed to know to make sure our little girl gets her perfect first teddy bear. We are sure she will absolutely love it and daddy-to-be has already mentioned that he'll definitely pop round for years and years to come.

Review: Shloer White Grape and Shloer Apple & White Grape

Product: Shloer White Grape and Shloer Apple & White Grape 

Price: £1.99 per bottle

Buy from: all major supermarkets

Suitable for: all the family

Score out of 5: 4 out of 5

Initial reaction: I was curious to try it, because if've never tried it before. 

Pros: no perservatives, artificial colours, flacours or sweeteners

Cons: quite sweet and a little too fizzy when you drink a lot of it

Value for money: fair price for a completely natural product

I've come across Shloer on a couple of occassions - usually when my nieces pretended it was wine while we adults enjoyed a glass of the real deal - but I have actually never tried it myself. Now that I am pregnant I am skipping the vino and just have a soft drink. The only down side is that soft drinks usually don't taste half as nice as a good glass of wine and look even worse – especially when everyone is having a fruity Cabernet Sauvignon while you are slurping on a glass of orange squash or coke. You can imagine I was more than delighted when I was asked to review Shloer for New Mummy's Tips and Mummy Alarm.

I started my test run last night and I have to admit that both bottles I tested are completely empty now. I had help from my better half, though, as we enjoyed it with a lovely dinner that Ben had cooked for us: Chicken Breast Filets filled with thyme and onions with garlic sauteed potatoes, fried asparagus and creamy mushrooms. The first bottle we opened was

the one with the White Grape flavour and although my personal Masterchef found that it wasn't really flavoursome I thought that it tasted really fruity. With a bit of imagination I could even see myself joining my nieces' “No, that's real wine” club. While I stuck mostly to the bottle with white grape flavour, Ben enjoyed the Apple & White Grape one, which I found a bit sweet and overpowering. Funny enough he really liked the strong apple flavour – quite a surprise as he he normally hates apples.

Altogether, I found Shloer a really tasty alternative to alcoholic drinks and I am sure I'll buy it more regularly now – it's refreshing, fruity, I'm curious to find out about other flavours and for my nieces it is much better than the “real deal”.