December Degustabox

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Last month you may have heard me mentioning Degustabox, which is a monthly food and drink subscription box service. For those of you who are unsure of the concept of subscription boxes you basically just sign up for and pay the monthly fee which is only £12.99 per month including posting and packaging and then once a month you will receive a box delivered to your door which is packed with between 9-14 surprise food and drink products. 

Each month the items in your box will be completely different and it is a great way to try out lots of new foods and drinks you may never have tried before. There is no long sign up commitment, you can cancel your box any time you like as long as it is before the 10th of the month. It really is as simple as that.

Review: Bright Starts Nest And Sing Pots

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Hand's up who still has Christmas shopping to do? I do. Every single year I say that I will get organised for Christmas early and every single year I am still doing some last-minute present shopping. One gift that I always find hard to buy is presents for young children, as a mam to two very young children I know that there is a huge selection of baby and toddler toys on the market, but to be honest a lot of them kind of do the same thing. So I am always on the look out for something a bit different when I am present buying - as I don't want to buy a gift that someone else will buy for my children.

So when Bright Starts asked if Sophia (18 months old) would like to try out the Nest 'n' Sing Pots of course I agreed. When Sophia was younger we had a Bright Starts bouncer and play mat for her which she loved. I never knew that they also made toys for toddlers and I had never seen the Nest 'n' Sing Pots before so I was really interested to see what they would be like.

Review: Tommee Tippee Gingerbread Gift Set

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I love Tommee Tippee, I really do, they are without a doubt my number one baby product company. We have a house full of Tommee Tippee products from steriliser and bottle warmers to nail clippers and cutlery. Tommee Tippee is a brand that I have been using with all three of my children over the last twelve years of being a mum, they are a company that I know and trust as they make great baby products.

I Was A Mother And Baby Magazine Award Tester

At the start of the year, I was browsing Facebook one day when I saw an announcement from Mother And Baby Magazines Facebook page saying they were looking for parents to be testers in the 2014 awards. So on a whim, I filled in the application form and applied, I never in a million years thought that I would get picked as I had never reviewed anything in my life, it was before I even set up this blog.

My Interview With Myleene Klass

 

I recently attended the Mothercare Team Valley Gateshead grand re-opening as one of the VIP bloggers, along with Hannah from Mums days. You can read all about the fabulous new look Mothercare store here. The store was re-opened by celebrity and fashion designer Myleene Klass, as she designs her award-winning BabyK nursery and fashion range for Mothercare.

So when I was asked by Mothercare if I would like the opportunity to interview her I was a little hesitant at first as 1.) I am fairly new to blogging 2.) I have never interviewed anyone before in my life, never mind a celebrity! 3.) I had no idea at all what to ask her.

But I need not have worried at all as I was free to ask her whatever I wanted. The first thing I noticed about her was just how gorgeous she was and the second was just how friendly she was greeting everyone who entered the store, especially the children. She was happy to get photographed and mingle with the shoppers. I had asked my Facebook friends and also other bloggers on Twitter and in Facebook groups what I should ask Myleene and here is how I got on ......

When it came to my turn to interview Myleene my baby son decided that it was time to be fed so with baby in my arms I began my interview, Myleene greeted me by asking if I would like to find somewhere to sit to feed baby as I was interviewing her in-store surrounded by her beautiful range of children clothing. She also asked about Jacob and could not believe my chunky little monkey was only two months old, she happily chatted about her own children Ava and Hero throughout the interview. It really was just like talking to any other mum.

 So here is what I asked Myleene

A Monthly Treat With Teen Parcel

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Update teen parcel is now called pink parcel and I am unsure if they still offer these boxes. 

 If you are a parent to a tween or teenage daughter then please do read on, as I have just discovered the perfect product for them, the Teen Parcel.

So what is a Teen Parcel you are probably wondering? Well, it is a monthly subscription box (you all know I really love subscription boxes) aimed at teenage girls and it is packed with everything they will need for that time of the month. Yep, its a period box, it comes packed with pads or tampons whichever you select when you sign up and also in the box is a special little box of treats to try and cheer the teen in your life up a little bit.

Review: Degustabox

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I recently discovered Degustabox a monthly food subscription box service, I love food and I love subscription boxes so I was rather excited when I heard about this. I was even more excited when I was offered a one to review, as I had been planning on buying a one as they looked rather good.

Review: Jellycat Soft Toy

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Jellycat was established in London in 1999 and now has a huge range of animal soft toys that are so cute and different, from Bashful Bunnies and Fabulous Fillies to Frederick Frog and Larry Lizards. Some even come with super cute little outfits their really is a Jellycat to suit everyone.

Review: Lapland Mailroom Letter From Santa Claus

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Now that it is halfway through November I think that it is safe to mention the C word - CHRISTMAS.

 I love Christmas, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Most of my treasured childhood memories are of Christmas time and spending time with my family. Now I am a parent myself I love Christmas even more, as watching your children get excited is truly priceless.

Every family has Christmas traditions and I am sure that the most popular one is without a doubt sending Santa Claus a Christmas letter asking him for longed for gifts. 

Mothercare - Team Valley Re-opening Event And A Tommee Tippee Giveaway *Closed*

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Mothercare has now closed. 

As a mum of three, I have spent a lot of time in Mothercare over the year's, I have brought all of my baby things there from prams and cots to baby baths and baby clothes. Mothercare sells it all. I even remember visiting Mothercare as a small child with my mum, many years ago, when it used to be in Newcastle's Eldon square. Mothercare is a shop that I have grown up with and a shop as a family with small children we genuinely love.

Mothercare have got a new CEO Mark Newton-Jones and they are having a bit of a company revamp at the moment, one of the things they have been doing is redesigning some of their stores. The huge Team Valley Gateshead store was one of the first to get a makeover.

So imagine my utter delight when I got an invite from the ever so lovely people at Mothercare to attend the official re-opening of the Team Valley store as one of there VIP bloggers! Oh and I would also get the chance to interview Myleene Klass - who designs award winning children fashion range BabyK for Mothercare, as she would be officially re-opening the store with CEO Mark Newton-Jones. Amazing!

Book Review : Falling By Emma Kavanagh

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 I was recently sent the book Falling to review. As soon as the book dropped through the letterbox I had a quick read of the first few pages to see what the book was about and that was it, I was hooked. I literally could not put this book down and read it within a day, I was reading it while my baby was asleep on me, I read it in the bath. I even stayed up late at night to finish reading it, and as anyone with a new baby will tell you staying up late is often a thing of the past as sleep is so precious when you are shattered off sleepless nights with a baby. 

Sassy Bloom Subscription Box

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Edit I think Sassybloom have shut as the website no longer works. 

 

For those of you who do not know Sassy Bloom is a monthly subscription box service especially for babies. They are suitable for mums-to-be in the final trimester of pregnancy up until children are two years old. You just visit the website www.sassybloom.com and choose your subscription option. You can buy a monthly box which costs £29.00 a month and you can cancel at any time or you can buy 3, 6 or 12-month subscriptions, the boxes can work out as low as £22.15 a box if you do this option.

 Once you have chosen your subscription option you then fill in a form with your child's details things such as there name, date of birth and gender. Then the lovely people at Sassy Bloom handpick items that are suitable for your child based on the details that you provided, they then wrap them in a beautiful box and deliver them to your door once a month. 

When the box arrives it is addressed to your, child which I think is a nice touch. The contents of each box will be worth at least £40. I really love the idea of these boxes as they are a nice surprise each month. 

Heroes Of Olympus The Lost Hero - Book Giveaway * CLOSED*

I have four copy's of Heroes Of Olympus The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, which is part of the Percy Jackson book series to giveaway.  It is perfect for older children, teenagers or adults to read.

Review: Theraline Wynnie Nursing Pillow

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 I recently had my third baby and as you can imagine my house is full to the brim with baby paraphernalia. But one baby item that I had never tried out before was a nursing pillow. As any parent to a baby will tell you even though babies are tiny they do start to feel rather heavy, your arms begin to ache when you are feeding them.

When Jacob was born I was very kindly offered the chance to try out a Theraline Wynnie nursing pillow . Theraline is a company who specialise in maternity and nursing pillow's, but they also sell other products such as baby pillow's - to help prevent flat head syndrome, neck pillows, for children to use on car journeys and maternity products.

Theraline Wynnie Nursing Pillow

Babies R Us Babyologist Baby Monitor Review

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When you are having or have a baby there is so much choice available when it comes to what baby items to buy, especially when it comes to baby monitors. There are so many different makes and models on the market all with different features. As I am a bit of a worrier I have always wanted monitors that detect baby's breathing -  as I am forever up checking on my children multiple times during the night. 

 I had heard of so many people that their monitors kept going off for no reason during the night worrying them. So, in the end, I did not buy any and just brought normal monitors instead which turned out to be a bit rubbish if I am honest as they were really crackly.

However, a few week's ago I was very lucky to be selected to be a tester for Babies R Us and they sent me some new baby monitor's to try out that had babysense movement monitors included. This was perfect for me being a mum to a one-year-old and a newborn.

We were sent the Motorola MBP16 baby monitor and Babysense bundle. 

What we got

Review - Baby Natal Newcastle Practical Baby Care Workshop

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When I had my first daughter Chloe I attended NHS ante-natal classes and read every baby book and magazine that I could get my hands on, when Chloe was born I was shocked that I did not have a clue what to do with her. I had never been around a newborn baby before so I was frightened to pick her up, I did not know how to feed her or change her nappy or dress her and I felt totally clueless for those first few weeks while I figured out these things. Even when I had my second daughter Sophia I was still a bit unsure of things, as so much had changed in regards to baby care in the ten-year gap between my children. I bet I am not the only new parent who has felt like this, so this is where Baby Natal come in.

Mumkind Giveaway *Closed*

I have now been blogging for six month's and I am pleased to be hosting my very first giveaway on the blog from Mumkind. One reader can win two of the 'Ginger Me Baby Lozenges' and two of the 'Water Our Way' water enhancer's, which contain vitamins to help any mums to be or new mums feel less tired.

Review- Pop Goes Your Name Children's CD

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Update - Pop Goes Your Name is no longer trading. 

When I was a child I used to love receiving gifts with my name on, now I am a parent I love buying personalised gifts for my children as I feel they are more special. Since starting my blog and joining twitter I have discovered some rather lovely company's who make personalised children's gifts and one of these company's, Pop goes your Name contacted me on twitter and kindly asked if I would like to review a personalised children's CD.

Review - Bakerdays Letterbox Cake

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Recently Bakerdays asked me if I would like the chance to review a one of there letterbox cakes and of course I said yes, what pregnant woman would turn down cake! I went on the website and was impressed with all the different designs and types of cakes on offer they do everything from birthday cakes, new baby cakes to cupcakes and if there is not a ready-made design you want you can even just send them an image of what you would like and they will make it for you.

The cake we received

My Real Mum All Bran Challenge

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If like me you think All Bran is a bland, boring cereal, that only your parents eat then you will be surprised to find that actually it is not like that at all, as I have recently discovered for myself when I took part in the #RealMumsAllBranChallenge. Brit Mums recently teamed up with All Bran to challenge some bloggers to try the new All-Bran cereals for five consecutive day's to see what we thought, here is how I got on. 

Review: The skeleton cupboard by Dr Tanya Byron

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I have always loved reading ever since I was a child I have loved nothing more than getting lost in a good book but now that I am a mum of two soon to be three, I find that I rarely get the time to indulge in my passion for reading books. However, I was recently lucky enough to be sent a copy of The skeleton cupboard a new book by Dr Tanya Byron by Mumsnet book club and I couldn't wait to have a read.

Penwizard - Personalised Children's Book Review

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The people at Penwizard kindly give me the chance to review a Peppa Pig My Daddy And Me book. I had never even heard of Penwizard book's before so I had a look on their website and was very impressed with what I saw. Penwizard offers a range of children's character book's which are suitable for both boy's and girls that you can personalise with the child's details, so that your child becomes a part of the story and is featured throughout the book.

Ordering the book was very easy, you simply click on the book that you want and fill in your child's details and then you can customise your character with the same skin tone, eye colour, hair style and colour etc .You can also customise your child's daddy character too, so that they look like your child and their daddy which was fun. Then you create an account and go to checkout and that's it. Super easy and very quick it took me less than five minutes.

Puddle Ducks Baby Swimming Lesson Review

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A few week's ago I was contacted by the lovely people from Puddle Ducks Newcastle to ask if my 12-month-old daughter Sophia would like to attend a free trial lesson at one of there baby swimming classes. We had tried taking her swimming at the local leisure centre a few times in the past but she just cried and did not enjoy it.  However I had a look on the Puddle Ducks website which you can view here and I was impressed by what I read, as they have lot's of classes for different age's and ability's and tons of good reviews. 

May Bank Holiday As A Morrison's Mum

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A few week's ago I received an e-mail from Britmums inviting me to be a Morrison's mum for the May bank holiday weekend, which meant I would be sent £80 worth of Morrison's vouchers to do my grocery shopping and then write about my shopping experience and the quality of the food. Of course, I jumped at the chance as I love shopping at Morrison's, it is actually where we always go for our food shop. I even use to go to Morrison's every weekend food shopping with my own mam when I was a child. Morrison's have recently announced lots of new price cuts on everyday items so I was keen to see if I would notice a difference in my shopping bill. 



Why Write A Blog?

Hello I am Lindsay, just a average mam from Newcastle. I have two daughters and I am currently pregnant with baby number three. I am currently on maternity leave from my job as a learning disability support worker - a very challenging but rewarding job. I will be honest and say that I am a little bored being home all day on maternity leave so thought I would give blogging a go. 

By chance I came across blogging, someone I know has a family blog and I always thought it was a nice idea to have a record of places you have been, I have even visited a couple of places recommended on the blog. Then by chance one day on twitter I came across lots of other family-related blogs and I started to think maybe it was something I would like to do one day.