Reviews
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A “real baby” for Christmas: BABY Born soft touch doll and bath range
Last year my daughter requested that Santa bring her a baby sister for Christmas. Cough cough. (I’m coughing to divert attention. Did it work?) She reckoned that everyone else (referring to her brothers) has a sister except her.
Lo and behold, I fell pregnant not long thereafter but, as you all know, Asher is NOT a sister. I mean, he IS the cutest noodle in all the land, but he definitely has boy parts and not girl parts, if you know what I mean.
Kari isn’t too cut up about it (I mean, did you read the part about him being the cutest? Totally makes up for it.) But every so now and then I see the gleam in her eye when she spots a baby girl.
So I was super thrilled to be able to make her wishes come true this Christmas. Uhh no, not with a real baby. There shall be no more real babies coming from this real mommy (because this mommy is real tired… haha see what I did there).
I figured that the next best thing, you know, to a REAL baby girl would be a BABY born® baby doll.
No, I haven’t lost my mind. This is the perfect alternative, I promise. Why? Well, because the BABY born® So Soft Touch Girl doll is just like a real baby. (I mean, minus the lack of sleep).For starters, it is perfect for cuddles thanks to the now extra soft body. The doll boasts these really rad life like functions, which all work without batteries (and the crowd goes yay), making it easy for your kid to play with.
The arms are legs are movable and the body is just right for cuddles and pretend play. The eyes also move and when laid on her back, they shut. I know! (If only my actual baby did this too).
But that’s not all folks! BABY born® can eat special porridge from her own plate (with a spoon nogals) and drinks real water from her bottle.The doll also cries real tears when she’s sad (you squeeze her upper body) and she really dirty’s her nappies (with the squeeze of her tummy), making those pretend diaper changes even more exciting for your little one.
How legit, right? Come on, even I want one, and I have an actual baby at home who does all of these things in real life!
BABY born® Soft Touch Girl comes with a bodysuit and hat. Includes 1 potty, 1 nappy, 1 plate with spoon, 1 portion of porridge, 1 bottle, 1 dummy with dummy chain, 1 birth certificate and 1 friendship bracelet each for the kid and the doll.
I love that you’re able to pick up really cool accessories, making play even more exciting!The Baby Born Bath Toothcare Spa is a great example. I mean, who wouldn’t want to encourage your kid to brush their teeth. Dental hygiene is so much fun with the Toothcare Spa.
The set includes a Bruno the Bear BABY born® toothbrush (which makes teeth brushing noises), a cute tooth mug and a patterned towel! I was so impressed to find that the mirror lights can turn on and that you can fill the little sink up with real water from the little tap!
I love the idea of gifting your child with something that promotes learning AND long-lasting fun through play.And, double score, no more wondering what to get them on birthday’s or when you want to treat your kid. (Hello easy gift ideas!)
BABY born® Soft Touch Girl and Baby Born Bath Toothcare Spa retails for R1200 each and is sold at Hamleys, Takealot and Toyzone.
This post was done in collaboration with Prima Toys and Captive Conversations.
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Girltivity: helping to restore the balance of girl power, one box at a time!
My favourite thing about raising my daughter is that I get to show her that the world is her oyster. I mean, growing up as a girl child I felt very limited. You could blame it on my own personal misconceptions, my upbringing, society or the mindset of the community I was raised in… point all your fingers or just one, either way, you won’t be wrong. And I say this as politely as I possibly can.
Now, I don’t know about the rest of my girlfriends, but I’ve always felt as if it were my fate to find a nice office job, marry a nice boy and, you know, settle down. Nicely. It was only later on, when society and the media celebrated the successful woman more openly, when I realised that I don’t HAVE to be a receptionist or a teacher or the lady who did the books. Not that there’s anything wrong with those vocations… but, I mean, I finally saw that there are MORE OPTIONS.
I know that I’m not the only female who has felt restricted… limited… unable to reach her full potential because she wasn’t given as many options as boy kids had. According to UNESCO statistics, women make up only 23% of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent globally, and this inequality is often felt in South Africa’s science, technology and engineering industries. Meh.
Geared to tackle this daunting problem head-on is an Umhlanga based mom, Romona Mahadeo, and her daughter Kiara, an ambitious kidpreneur. Together they have built the Girltivity™ brand – to inspire and empower girls aged 3-12 through a monthly subscription ‘STEAMED UP’ box. How rad, right?!‘STEAMED UP’ stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Design, Understanding and Practice. The Girltivity Box is thoughtfully designed by educational experts to encourage creativity, curiosity and support literacy development.
Each box includes a 20-page Girltivity™ activity book highlighting a Female role model and her unique story, with 10 to 15 hands-on ‘STEAMED UP’ activities. Also included is a creative play prop, a featured character trait that helped her succeed and 2 to 3 practical tips for parents to easily nurture that trait, experiments, games, collectibles plus so much MORE.
I love the Girltivity™ mission: “to restore to the balance of girl power everywhere!” Yasss queen! I see this as more than just a subscription box… it’s a phenomenal way to invest into a girl’s future, inspiring her to be confident, brave, fearless and to… well… do it like a girl!These boxes are filled to the brim with gorgeous and interesting activity and, friends, a box like this will be a BOMB Christmas or birthday gift as well! There is an option to subscribe to receive a monthly box and I love that there’s an option to gift it too! Your gift will include a personalised message. Very, very cool. The Christmas orders close on 16 December, so visit the website now to place yours!
Disclaimer: The Girltivity box was sent to me and some of the pics in this post was taken from the Girltivity website.
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‘Breastfeeding 101’ points out the myths and truths of breastfeeding {Giveaway!}
My introduction to breastfeeding was an unwanted one. I was only 18 years old and I remember being so thankful that the challenging pregnancy and pain of childbirth was over.
Finally my life (and body) will return to some sort of normal, right?
But no… this was not the case. The nurse (probably shocked at my age) sternly instructed me to feed my baby. I felt a range of emotions. My body was still not my own. I had already given up 9 months of my youth to house another life. Do you mean to tell me, I now have to give up my flesh yet again, to feed the culprit too?!
The disappointment was quickly replaced with feelings of guilt (I mean, how dare I feel this way) and an overbearing sense of finality. In that moment, the young, immature, 18 year old me quickly fell away, as I realised that my life will never be the same again.
No more a girl, I had graduated into motherhood. Someone’s mother. Someones carer. I was my baby’s nurturer and sustenance… and he was my responsibility. This was my new normal.
Breastfeeding 101
Maybe your breastfeeding story looks a lot different to mine. Maybe there are similarities. Whatever the case, I know that the reality of breastfeeding can hit you right in the jugular, without you even preparing for it!
This is the very reason why I was so drawn to Leah Hawker’s phenomenal new book, Breastfeeding 101. Friends, you need to read this one! In it, Leah shines a spotlight on 101 women, telling their often surprising stories about their journey with breastfeeding.
With gorgeous portraits, accompanied with candied stories as told straight from the “mamas mouth”, Leah explores personal truths, myths and attitudes towards the subject of breastfeeding, inevitably raising topical questions about how women feel about themselves, how they are seen by others and how they are marketed to.
I was so drawn to each story – relating to each on a different level. There is beauty in the difference and I love how Leah unpacks the multiple facets of breastfeeding, by creating a space where we can connect, as women and share a “wow, me too” moment as we page through her book.
The incredibly beautiful images, that accompany each story, paints a picture of what it means to be proudly and diversely South African AND united by the overwhelming task of Motherhood, all at the same time.
Leah says: “This was an important project to me because the subject is a central axis for current debates and highlights the current influences and outside factors affecting women, breastfeeding and infant health,” says Hawker. “The book tells unique stories and reveals surprisingly uncommon knowledge. My interest, as an image maker, is looking at women’s entire identities and the multitude of facets that these can be composed of.
Now, after photographing 101 portraits, I realise there is still so much we don’t know about the subject and even about what women experience when they become mothers.
The current influences and outside factors affecting women, breastfeeding and infant health are substantial. The stories told in this book are therefore important ones.”
My friends, if you’re a book lover, or you’re looking for something fascinating to add to your coffee table, trust me, you want this book! It is a stunning collection of work by one of our own and I highly recommend it! It is available for purchase via Exclusive Books, The Book Lounge and directly from the author at R385. You can contact Leah Hawker via email or visit her website.
About the author: Leah Hawker is a South African professional photographer. Her work covers birth, nudes, documentary features, art-based and editorial projects. Her most recent diptych titled “60 days (Pen & Hlomla)”, a reflection on motherhood and infant mortality, showed at the 2018 Sasol New Signatures Awards in the Pretoria Art Museum. The images exhibited were created during her Breastfeeding 101 project, which has taken three years.
Win a copy of Breastfeeding 101!Leah Hawker is giving away a copy of her gorgeous book, Breastfeeding 101, to one lucky reader!
To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
3. Comment below and let me know what you think of the book, to grab 1 entry.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 6 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
(EDITED: This giveaway has been extended! Winner to be announced on 16 December.)
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with Leah Hawker. All images in this post was supplied by and is the property of Leah Hawker.
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Hasbro’s Top Toys & board games has something for the whole family {Giveaway}
Shopping for Christmas gifts can be a tedious affair. I mean, how is one to know what “kids these days” are really into? Someone needs to tell us these things! Aaack! (Freaking out on the inside, smile and wave on the outside).
Well, Hasbro has made it considerably easier by releasing their Top Toys and board games list. (And the crowd goes yay). My favorite thing about this list is that it’s filled with nifty little gifts that would make for perfect stocking fillers. You know, the type of stuff you want to throw in your handbag, when you’re on your way out and you need something to keep your kid entertained.
I’m also a huge fan of the Hasbro board games. You guys, it’s no secret, board games are my jam. I love everything about a good game!Board games make for such cool Christmas gifts too! I mean, put together a little snack hamper, a scoreboard and matching buffs, and you have the perfect FAMILY gift! (JustEllaBella actually does this, so yes, I’m totally stealing this idea from her).
Some of my fave Hasbro board games include:
- Speak Out brings friends and family together for laugh-out-loud entertainment as players try to say different phrases, while wearing a mouthpiece that won’t let them close their mouth. Their teammates need to decipher what they are saying to earn points.
- Pie Face is another game for the whole family filled with fun and suspense, and somebody’sbound to get splatted! Just add some whipped cream or place a wet sponge on the ‘hand’ of this hilarious game unit and start turning the handles.
- Still a firm family favourite, Monopoly Mzansi, featuring 22 local locations, makes a perfect gift for the festive season. A definite must have for travellers, Monopoly Mzansi provides an opportunity for family and friends to come together and enjoy some quality time, Mzansi style.
- Add a twist of classic fun with Twister, the game that ties you up in knots and gets everyone moving.
- Try the fun block-stacking, stack-crashing game of JENGA that questions how you will stack up against the law of gravity?
If you’re looking for fun stocking fillers, your kids would probably go ga-ga for these latest top toys fads:
Play-Doh, always a fave, continues to captivate and capture kid’s imaginations. This time with Play-Doh Color Burst – a cool new addition to the Play-Doh range. It’s quite enchanting, watching the colors swirl and change, as the speckles of colors fuse for a cool marbling and blending effect. The pack contains 4 cans and a roller.So unless you’re living under a rock (the metaphorical rock of “no kids”) you would know that the Disney Frozen 2 movie will be released soon. If your kid is a fan like
I ammine is, you would totally make her Christmas with one of the cool Singing Elsa and Anna Fashion dolls. These come with Frozen 2 inspired outfits, light up dresses and they even play snippets of an original song from the movie! Want to score even more Mom Points? Well, then you definitely should grab a Fold and Go Arendelle Castle too. This castle has two floors and fun accessories, to decorate the rooms. How rad?!
The Lost Kitties Mice Mania milk carton singles are fantastic stocking fillers and I enjoy that there’s a bit of a mystery to it. It comes with a figurine, meme stickers, two hidden accesories and a collector’s sheet. And, best yet, you can store it in the resealable carton, so your kid can keep discovering over and over again.Everyone’s favorite rescue birds-in-training, the Top Wing crew, is a sure fire way to get your kid smiling on Christmas morning. These Top Wing figurines are 7cm high, poseable and includes a snap-on wings badge that the kids can wear.
My Little Pony, well known in the kiddy world for it’s magic, messages of friendship and overall coolness, has a gorgeous range of figurines and dolls. The Equestria Girls collectibles make for rad stocking fillers. You can even pick adorable My Little Pony baby dolls, that features moulded diapers, removable bibs and bottle accessories. I mean, I wouldn’t mind getting one… for myself.
And then this one is for all the Marvel fans… these Marvel figures are amazing! The Marvel action figures will give your child the inspiration to recreate scenes from the Marvel Universe, or imagine their own incredible adventures. This assortment includes Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man and Thor.If figurines are your – uh, I mean, your kids – thing, then check out the 15-cm Power Rangers Beast Morphers figures. I really love the size and that with the included Morph-X key, kids can imagine unlocking hero powers in the Beast-X Morpher toy (sold separately).
My favorite one yet is this Monopoly Deal Card Game! If you’re a Monopoly fan, you’ll enjoy this quick-playing card game that comes with 110 cards, including Property Cards, Rent Cards, House and Hotel Cards, and Wild Property Cards and ideal for on-the-go fun.Hasbro products are available from leading retailers including: Takealot.com, Makro, Toys R Us, ToyZone, Toy Kingdom, Game and Checkers.
Win a Hasbro Top Toys hamper!We’ve partnered with Hasbro to give away a cool Top Toys hamper to one lucky reader! The hamper will include a Hasbro Gaming family game, Nerf Micro shot, Lost Kittie Collectable and a Play-Doh item.
To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
3. Comment below and let me know which of the Top Toys your kids will be excited about, to grab 1 entry.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 6 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with Hasbro.
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Tommee Tippee’s Perfect Prep machine makes the perfect bottle! {Giveaway!}
It’s 3am and I hear Asher waking up for a feed. My heart is saying yes, but my body says no as I try to rise out of bed to see to him. I mean, I had literally just closed my eyes. Need sleep… can’t function. I nudge Hubstopher… it’s a silent “tag you’re it” and he grunts as he tries to escape my plea for help. I decide to grab baby, prepare his bottle and kinda just, you know, deposit him into his father’s arms, as one does.
The boy is a giant. And I’m not just saying so because it sounds like a fun thing to say. He is heavy. Juggling him, his blanket and bottle, while not stepping on toys, as I creep towards the kitchen, is probably what ninja training is made of. Once I reach the kitchen, I switch on the kettle, trying to shush him and prepare the bottle at the same time. It takes forever. The shushing is now accompanied with a little dance, as I try to keep him quiet. If the other
monsterskids wake up my dream of getting some rest tonight will be just that – a dream. The water is finally boiled and I now have to figure out how I’m going to get it into the bottle, and get the bottle made AND cooled, without upsetting my hungry baby even more. I silently mouth a prayer, while wondering how much Hollywood would pay me for my life story since it pretty much feels as if I am living in a sitcom. Baby starts crying again. This time, it’s loud enough to wake the others up. Jonah cries. Karis cries. I cry. The end.Okay, okay, my evenings aren’t thaaat dramatic. Well, not all the time atleast. And especially not since we got our hands on the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Perfect Prep machine. Now, I know what you’re thinking… it’s the same thing my mom said when she realised that we use a whole machine just to prepare our baby’s formula bottles: “Seriously Luchae, do you really need a machine for that?!”
And the answer is yes. The biggest, fattest yes!
The perfect bottle… every time!Because I combo feed my baby, I may not always have a readily prepared bottle on hand. I mean, sure you can prepare your formula bottles ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. But even then, it would probably need to be heated up, before baby would take it. Heating a formula bottle in the microwave is not advisable since it might heat unevenly, creating ‘hot spots’ that would burn baby’s mouth. So doing it the old school way is probably your safest bet. And yep. that takes time.
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Perfect Prep machine prepares the perfect bottle in under two minutes! And friends, I’m talking perfect temperature, correct amount of water, in under two minutes AND you can operate it using only one hand… which, in my opinion, is the biggest score!
Your bottle will be the correct temperature for your baby pretty much immediately! No wait time. No screaming children. No headaches.The Perfect Prep has a filter system that removes impurities from the water and it’s initial “hot shot” kills any bacteria that may be in the formula.
And, my favorite thing about it is that it’s so easy to use, I even have my teenager prepping bottles! This machine is great for when you’re leaving baby with a babysitter or a helper and you’re concerned that they may not prepare their bottles correctly. There is no way they can get it wrong! Perfect Prep gives you the extra peace of mind that comes from knowing your baby’s bottle will be perfect every time.
Win a Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Perfect Prep machine!We’re giving away a Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep dream machine to one lucky reader! To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
3. Comment below and let me know what you think of this amazing machine, to grab 1 entry.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 6 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with Tommee Tippee.
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Christmas gift idea: CUM Books daily planners for the whole family! {Giveaway!}
If you’re looking for that perfect gift idea for someone who, like me, gets a little thrill at the mere thought of having to plan something, well look no further friend! Us Polly Planners love stationery… and we go gaga for really pretty and clever bullet journals, wall calendars and daily planners. I mean, you could call it an obsession, but not to my face.
Anyways, I recently received a bunch of fabulous daily planners and devotionals from our friends over at CUM Books and I pretty much went mental! Everything is so gorgeous! And there is something for everyone!
For her
I’ve always been so impressed with CUM Books wide variety of gorgeous daily planners. In spite of the digital era (and yes, I do have a digital calendar) I find that jotting things down in a planner (even thoughts and prayers, yo!) brings me to an immediate place of calm.
In fact, going into meetings, or simply planning my kids birthday party, is made so much easier when I know that I am storing information in one place, for easy reference. But besides for that, a beautiful daily planner makes me feel way more organised, even when I’m not! I know, I’m pretty loony toons sometimes. If you’re just like me (welcome, friend), then you totally should show this post to your husband and ask him to get you one of these:
Daily Planner For Women 2020 Large Grace And Glory Rose Gold/Zip (LuxLeather)You guys know (because I speak about it all the time, like a crazy person) that I am a sucker for the stunning CUM Books, luxe leather, zip up daily planners. In fact, I’ve had one every year for the past five years and it goes EVERYWHERE with me.
I was so chuffed to get my hands on this rose gold detailed 2020 planner… I’m all set for next year, friends! Besides for the weekly scripture and inspirational quotes that I simply LOVE reading, I also appreciate the ample space for daily appointments, prayers and priorities. I use the monthly planning to scope out my whole month and I enjoy the “page a day” styled lay out, for my day to day planning.
There are a bunch of handy info kits in the planner, such as a list of public holidays, international dialing codes, measurements and conversions, and a wedding anniversary gift guide. This would make a perfect Christmas gift and it only costs R200. Bargain.
Daily Planner For Women 2020 Living Life Well Floral (Hardcover)If you’re a busy lady, wanting to make sure that you’re keeping your priorities in check, then this is the daily planner for you! Complete with space for daily appointments, prayers and even a space to jot down your daily priorities, this hardcover is the perfect hand bag addition! I like that it also offers you a monthly planner and that you’re able to plan ahead for 2021 in it, as well.
And friends, you KNOW I’m here for the scripture verses and inspiring quotes, strewn through out the planner. I mean, sometimes it’s exactly what you need to read on that specific day. God is intentional like that, yo. The Daily Planner For Women 2020 Living Life Well retails for R190.
Wirebound Daily Planner 2020 His Mercies (Wirebound)
If you’re looking for something a lot more lightweight, to quickly jot down appointments and notes in, the CUM Books selection of wirebound planners are perfect for you. Unlike the “page a day” planners, this one will help you to get a brief overview of what your week will look like, in once glance, and provides space for priorities and even a shopping list.
Oh and, yep, the designs are beautiful! These are such a bargain at only R49 each!
For him
My husband is not the most organised person in the world. There, I said it. And this is not me bashing him… the man has other strengths and that’s okay. I found my greatest joy (I’m such a simple folk) in teaching him how to use our shared digital calendar. This way we both always know what is in each other’s diary’s. BUT, I’ve discovered that he also needs to have a physical calendar/diary with him each day.
These are usually filled with day-to-day doodles and important information (written on the wrong date… sigh). He also enjoys having a handsome looking diary to take with him into important meetings. Because of this, I always make sure that he has one of the beautiful CUM Books daily planners with him. There are a range of diary’s available for men. Take a look at these!
Angus Buchan Daily Planner 2020 (Hardcover)Renowned author and evangelist, Angus Buchan, features in this stunning hardcover planner. With sepia-toned text, ample space for notes, addresses and personal information and inspirational verses and quotes from Uncle Angus himself, this makes for a really rad Christmas gift! Retails at R190.
A Year of Grace Large Print (Hardcover)
Pair your planner with a faith-filled daily devotional, like this ‘A Year of Grace’ hardcover, also by Angus Buchan and you kinda have the perfect gift! These retail at R250.
For the kids
I recently shared about the new Christmas gift trend that is encouraging parents to not overspend when shopping for their kids, this Christmas. So the mantra is: “get them something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.” I simply love this!
I think that a great school diary is definitely a “something they need”. CUM Books has a range of trendy devotionals, inspirational school diary’s and daily planners that would definitely have your kid’s eyes gleaming on Christmas morning. Check out some of my faves:
My School Diary 2020 (Paperback)This funky daily planner is designed to help young learners stay on top of their school work, while doodling their way through the year. Some of the features include an assignment planner, grade tracker and exam timetable template. I also really love the addition of a list of multiplication tables and a list of tricky words and how to use them correctly. Seriously, how clever?!
As always, the diary comes complete with encouraging scripture verses and inspirational quotes, to keep your young learner inspired and thinking positively. This is an absolute bargain at only R49!
The One Year Mother-Daughter Devotional (Paperback)If you’re a mom of a pre-teen or teenager, you will find such reward in this breathtaking ‘One Year Mother-Daughter Devotional’. Firstly, I am so inlove with the idea of walking through a devotional with my daughter.
This one, in particular, is designed to strengthen the relationship between a mother and her daughter, as they spend time with God together. The “girl gab” section will help the pair to better understand scripture and their personal relationships with God. Topics for the devotions include modesty, purity, self-esteem, handling emotions, witnessing, living the faith. This one retails at R200 and is also available in Afrikaans under the title Die Eenjaar Ma en Dogter dagboek.
Win a CUM Books 2020 Daily Planner hamper for the whole family!
We’re giving away a stunning 2020 Daily Planner hamper, compliments of CUM Books! To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
3. Comment below and let me know which of these planners have caught your eye, to grab 1 entry.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Duplicate entries will not be counted. Winner announced on 6 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with CUM Books.
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The four gift rule: why giving books is a must this Christmas! {Giveaway}
We all love a good Christmas gift (or two… or three) and, sure, we get a kick out of seeing our children’s eyes light up at the sight of a gazillion gifts under the tree. But, friends, the days of going on a spending spree to satiate my children’s need for a gazillion gifts is over.
I recently heard about the four gift rule and I love this concept so much! So basically, parents are pledging to give their kids just four presents this Christmas. AND (here’s the plot twist) they can’t all be toys. (Mind blown)
So, the rule is: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read.
This works for us because, seriously, they have a ton of toys sitting at the bottom of their bottomless pit of a toy box, that they do not play with. Why add to it?! Also, pajamas is on my list of things to buy anyways… giving it as a gift would be a double score.
Lastly, I freaking LOVE giving books as a gift! And if you’re going to give them a book, why not one written and published in South Africa?
Kenny the Kudu and Ozzie the OstrichWe were recently introduced to Kenny the Kudu and lovable Ozzie the Ostrich – both characters in the stunningly illustrated children’s books by Grahamstown native, Victoria Mallett.
Victoria shares that she and her business partner and illustrator, Riëtte Basson, are passionate advocates of instilling confidence and essential life skills in children. With captivating illustrations and clever rhyme, the duo are focused on sharing stories that help to raise happy, well-rounded kids who believe in themselves and have the confidence to pursue their dreams.
I mean, Victoria and Riëtte even took the decision to not sign with a top South African children’s publisher, choosing instead to pursue their passion project themselves, a 5 book animal series with powerful themes and messaging, and they haven’t looked back.
The story line in both books are rather entertaining (I read them to the kids and actually wanted to see what would happen next #momlife). The illustrations are really gorgeous… my kids were captivated! (Even 2 year old Jojo, who only stops moving when he’s asleep).The story lines:
Ozzie the Ostrich, an awkward ostrich with a gammy leg, struggles to fit in with his very intimidating peers. And then one day a chance meeting with a flock of flamboyant flamingos changes everything!Kenny the Kudu contends for a position as a Santa-sleigh-puller (why should only reindeer’s have the honor, anyways?) This book shares about the power of believing in and never giving up on your dreams.
Both books would make such great Christmas gifts. In fact, the Kenny the Kudu book is perfect to add to your Christmas Eve box!
They retail at R150 each and you can pick them up at one of the following stockists:Blume and Co – Cnr 9th Ave and Main Rd, Walmer, Port Elizabeth
Fogarty’s Book Shop – Walmer Park Shopping Centre, Port Elizabeth
Lighthaus – 23 Bowls Rd, Arcadia, East London
Noom – Rautenbach Road, Grahamstown
Nuts about books & toys – 3 Mare Street, Howick
Cape Mohair – 35 Kendal Road, Diep River
Cape Mohair – Monkeyland Road, The CraggsFor more information about the books, author & stockists visit: www.vbinkstudio.com or contact Victoria – victoria@vbinkstudio.com or 083 633 1486
Win a Kenny the Kudu and Ozzie the Ostrich book hamper!We’re giving away a cool Kenny the Kudu and Ozzie the Ostrich book hamper to one lucky ready! To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
3. Comment below and let me know which of these two characters your kid would love, to grab 1 entry.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Duplicate entries will not be counted. Winner announced on 6 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
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Your awkward moments could score you a prize with Clorets SA’s ‘Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer’ game
I’m probably the most awkward person I know. This awkwardness is severely highlighted when it’s my turn to talk to a room full of people. (Like that one time, when I went for a job interview and tried to crack a joke at the end, saying “no hard feelings if you don’t pick me, but pick me”. No one laughed, you guys.)
Do you ever find yourself in situations that take longer than you expected? Moments that require confidence to help you push through them in hopes of a better outcome. Those “I think we should talk” moments or simply an interview which took longer than you had anticipated.
Clorets, the #1 fresh breath expert, believes that in moments like these we all need a little more confidence and a boost that will make us Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer.
This is why Clorets will be calling game-time on life’s awkward moments as it sets out to create Mzansi’s first limited edition board game this summer.
Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer – The Game, will be a culmination of SA’s best awkward moments, that when played, will embrace, tackle and eliminate all those awkward moments through a boost of confidence and laughter!To create The Game, Clorets will need your help and they will be calling on you and fellow South Africans to share stories where you needed that extra bit of confidence to keep going.
To participate and help drive the collection of these stories, tune into Hot FM, Algoa FM and Smile FM from 18th to 22nd of November 2019 during the breakfast shows. Hear top South African comedians Chris Forrest, Ndumiso Lindi and Glen Biderman-Pam share their stories on air and participate by submitting your own funny awkward story via Whatsapp voice note on 084 221 2919 (Hot FM), Telegram voice note on 0617 940 940 (Algoa FM) and on the Smile 90.4 FM app or via their SMS line on 35904. Data rates apply.
The fun doesn’t end there, listeners who submit the best stories, will stand a chance to win instant prizes worth R3000 per day.
Also spreading the word and helping to collect more side-splitting stories for The Game are comedians Kurt Schoonraad and Dave Levinsohn who will be embarking on a comedy roadshow with Clorets.
The comedy roadshow kicks off on the 14th of November 2019 in Johannesburg from where the funny duo will road trip to perform in Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Pringle Bay and Cape Town. Consumers stand a chance to win tickets to their live shows in those respective cities. All consumers have to do is follow Clorets Facebook and lookout for the competition post to win tickets to the shows.Join Clorets with Kurt and Dave on;
- 15 November 2019 at 20h00 – Protea Marine Hotel Venue in Port Elizabeth
- 16 November 2019 at 19h00 – Knysna Yacht Club in Knysna
- 18 November 2019 at 20h00 – Hangklip Hotel in Pringle Bay
- 20 November 2019 at 20h30 – Cape Town Comedy Club in Cape Town
Clorets will also be collecting your stories at the following activations across the country;
- Johannesburg
- 30 November 2019 – Soweto Comedy Festival
- 13-15 December 2019 – Fourways Mall
- Pretoria
- 22-24 November 2019 – Menlyn Mall
- Durban
- 15-17 November 2019 – Gateway
- Cape Town
- 29 November-1 December 2019sss – Cape Town festival of Beer
“Clorets SA wants to enable people to show up and show off with that extra confidence in whatever moment they’re in. We also want to involve South Africans in the creation of this exciting game, because it will allow us to share a lot of human truths that we can all relate to. We want to reassure South Africans that it’s okay to find themselves in those awkward moments and serve a reminder to everyone that with Clorets, you can help make it better.” says Nadia Matlala, Category Brand Manager for Gum at Mondelez.
Clorets 40 Minutes, with its active ingredients of extra Actizol and Chlorophyll, is the only gum that not only masks bad breath, but eliminates it, helping you Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer. Available nationwide in Green Mint and Eliminator.
Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer with Clorets and be part of The Game! Simply tune in to the participating radio stations, pop in at any of the Clorets activations and Comedy Roadshow performances. Like and follow #BreatheOutProudlyForLonger on the Clorets Facebook and @CloretsSA Twitter pages for more information.
T’s & C’s apply.
This post was paid for by Clorets. Press release provided by Platto Comms.
Header image: Woman photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com -
Get sun smart with Oh-Lief’s organic sunscreen {Win!}
Guys, we love Summer! We are water babies and would do anything to be in the pool for, like, the whole month of December. I’m hoping that this love of swimming and sun-soaked pool days will rub off on my kids.
To kick start this communal – uh – love affair with Summer, I made sure to get my smallies some funky swimming gear and sun hats. I also knew that I had to stock up on sunscreen because sunburn is no joke. So I was quite keen to try out Oh-Lief’s new range of organic sunscreen.
I mean, this local family business has been around for more than 9 years. If you’re big on earth-friendly product, that boasts 100% natural, raw and organic ingredients, then you need to give Oh-Lief a try. (Plus #proudlysouthafrican – did I mention that yet?)
One of my favorite things about the Oh-Lief range of sunscreens is that it’s made using non-nano zinc oxide… which sounds like a bunch of clever words to say. But what this actually means is that the natural soft mineral sits on the skin and isn’t easily absorbed. So it acts like a real sun BLOCK, protecting your skin, without absorbing into your bloodstream. Super important, especially when you consider the fact that your tiny humans will be wearing this cream on their skin.
The Oh-Lief sun care range contains body sunscreen, face sunscreen and a face stick.
Oh-Lief Natural Body SunscreenThe body sunscreen is lightweight on the skin and is fragrance free. I like that it is SPF30 and water resistant… I mean, we plan to never be out of the water! It provides UVA and UVB protection (which means it a broad spectrum sunblock) and won’t irritate your skin, dry it out or clog your pores. This is perfect if your kid has sensitive skin.
Oh-Lief Natural Face Sunscreen
A special sunscreen for your face is a thing and yep, it’s so important, you guys. This one contains green Rooibos which is a powerful anti-oxidant that is apparently 200 times more effective than vitamin E. This means its super good at protecting the skin and it even repairs existing damage! You can wear it directly on your skin or under make-up.
Can you believe it took about two years for them to formulate this special sunscreen? They’ve put only the best stuff in here… including non-toxic ingredients such as beeswax, carrot, zinc oxide and pomegranate extracts.
Oh-Lief Natural Face Stick
And while we’re on that topic of the face, the Oh-Lief natural face stick is such a must have! The compact tube is perfect for your beach bag or handbag. The unique formula, containing beeswax and coconut oil is so beneficial for your skin and contains an SPF30.
Win with Oh-Lief and Mom Says!You can win the entire Oh-Lief baby range (including the entire sunscreen range) and R500 cash compliments of Mom Says. The prize is valued at a whopping R1479!
To enter, simply pop into your nearest Dischem and purchase any Oh-Lief product. Share a pic of your product on social media and tag @momsaysa and the hashtag #MomSaysOhLief. Competition closes 10 November at midnight. Opened to South Africans only.
Hot tip! You get a special 20% Oh-Lief products (all except the sun care range) if you shop at Dischem before 8 November!
(This competition is not endorsed or sponsored by Instagram or Facebook. Winner is chosen randomly by
MomSays.) -
Tech Deck makes finger boarding gnarly, dude! {Giveaway!}
I’m a “books – give them books!” kinda mom… which doesn’t always make me the most exciting gift-giver. I get it. Even though my intentions are good (I promise), kids want to play. Which is why I’m always on the look out for funky gifts, especially for my older boys, who are a tad bit more difficult to shop for. I mean, shopping for a pre-teen or a teenager is a lot more complicated than you think (no, Luchae, you can’t just buy them airtime). So I was really excited when I learnt about Tech Deck the other day.
I mean, I don’t know if you know but finger boarding is a thing (says our 13 year old). Yep – skateboarding with your fingers is a thing (it’s okay, friend, I too am feeling extremely old and outdated right about now). Tech Deck brings you the raddest, most hippest finger board designs with graphics from the biggest skate companies in the world such as Blind, Baker, Primitive, Finesse, Santa Cruz, Plan B, Sk8mafia and Toy Machine.So the cool thing about Tech Deck is that the range is pretty awsome… there are a ton of accesories to collect! From Build-A-Parks, 96mm finger board multipacks and 96mm single boards, it’s pretty easy to pick out your kids birthday and Christmas gifts. The Build-A-Park set includes all the goodies you’ll need to build a custom park, including a trash bin, kicker ramp and grind bench. It even has a concrete looking finish, you guys. What an amazing way to encourage creativity and the use of imagination (guess they don’t always need books after all).
My boys enjoyed playing around with the Tech Deck finger boards, testing out their skills on their custom park. You can check out the online tutorial videos on the Tech Deck website to learn how to recreate your favorite tricks and expand your finger boarding skill.Check out more about the range over on the Just Fun website.
Win a Tech Deck hamper valued at R1000!Want to score a funky Tech Deck hamper for your kid? Sure you do! Stand a chance to win a Tech Deck Starter Kit, Build a Park Ramp, Tech Deck 4 Pack Multipack and Tech Deck single finger board compliments of Just Fun Toys and My Spreadsheet Brain. Enter via Instagram following the prompts on the specially marked post.
Please note, giveaway ends on 31 October and the winner will be announced on 1 November. Prize will be couriered to you by Just Fun Toys. Giveaway only open to SA residents.
