Reviews
-
My Cadbury factory experience made my heart pump chocolates!
When the best snacking company in the world invites you to make your own chocolate, you reply with a very firm “heck yes!” I mean, making your own chocolate is probably second only to eating that same chocolate. Needless to say, visiting the Cadbury factory was on my bucket list, you guys (a woman has to have goals, yo). And when I learnt that they also wanted to introduce us to their four NEW limited edition chocolate slabs, I was literally giddy with excitement! I mean, seriously, how cool?!
Our trip to the Cadbury chocolate factory was an eventful one! For starters, my blogger friends (see them below… so pretty) and I got to see exactly how they make our fave Cadbury dairy milk chocolates. Did you guys know that the Cadbury factory in Nelson Mandela Bay is the third Mondelez factory ever built and is 80 years old! The factory produces 950 000 slabs of chocolate per day. It was pretty cool to see how strict they are with regards to hygiene and safety. The machines were also very impressive… some producing thousands of chocolate bars in an hour.
My favorite thing though, out of all, was obviously the chocolate making AND the chocolate tasting. We got to visit one of the chocolate labs (seriously… a lab… where they experiment on chocolate) and each got to experiment and design their own chocolate slab. Mine had a dash of coconut, some popping candy and a bunch of other good stuff in it.
We were also so excited to learn that the Cadbury Martians are back, complete with four NEW limited edition Cadbury slabs AND an exciting augmented reality experience. The new Martians – Cosmo, Cupido, Buzz and Luna – each come with their own special slabs inspired by four of South Africa’s favorite chocolate bars namely, Cadbury Dairy Milk 5Star, Cadbury Dairy Milk Astros, Cadbury Dairy Milk Crunchie and Cadbury Caramilk P.S.
But wait, there’s more! From 15 June each new Martian will come to life on mobile phones through a super cool augmented reality (AR) experience, via a free app and your limited edition Cadbury slab wrapper. The Martians – each with their own lively personality and special dance moves – show off their moves and even interact with each other, when two or more wrappers are scanned together.
To get your hands on these Martians, simply purchase one of the Cadbury Dairy Milk slabs (with on-pack promotional visuals), between 1 June to 31 August 2018 and find the promotional sticker inside each pack. Four stickers gets you a Martian figurine at any participating petrol station store, using your completed pamphlet.
Which of these limited edition slabs are your fave?
-
What my kids are playing with: Fisher Price
When it comes to keeping our smallest (and arguably, our cutest) child busy, we’re willing to pull out all the stops. I mean, the kid is inquisitive for days! He usually guns for TV remote controls or a cellphone when we’re not looking. Thankfully, Fisher Price has sent him two of their latest gadgets to try out (big brother Kyle says thank you for that… the remote is no longer being held hostage) and it was so cute to see baby Jo inspect each toy in true Sherlock Holmes style.
Fisher-Price baby’s first activity book
With big sister constantly pretend-reading her own story books, baby Jo was pretty pleased with himself when he got to turn the pages of his own book. The Fisher-Price baby’s first activity book features a variety of different colorful textured fabrics and elements, to stimulate his sensory, cognitive and motor skills. It has a squeaker, crinkly page, peek-a-boo, plastic rings, a rubber teether attached and Jo’s fave – a round mirror. This boy is too clever! He is also a biter. Seriously though, and he only bites me! And now, he also bites his activity book. Winning at life.
Fisher-Price Chime Bell Rattle
Another fave is this Fisher-Price chime bell rattle, that features colorful textured fabrics and elements to stimulate his senses. Well, for starters, it looks pretty cool! I mean, I would totally brag on the play ground if I had this baby. Also, I love the design and that the plastic rings encourages him to work on those motor skills. I’m totally sold on the fact that it can attach to his stroller or baby carrier. I’m tired of looking for toys on the floor of our car you guys. The fact that it’s a rattle impresses him so much, that he bashes it against objects, just to hear it make a noise. Yes, sometimes the object is me. Again, winning at life.
Jokes aside, when it comes to choosing toys for my little one, I always check for SAFETY first! And, let’s be honest guys, it’s worth it to spend that extra few rands for the guarantee that your kid will be safe. Play is the way children learn best. Hands-on play is what Fisher-Price is best known for. With your kid’s development in mind, they develop and design baby gear and toys that will help you give your child the best possible start.You can check out the latest in toys and baby gear on the Fisher Price South Africa website.
-
Mother’s Day: gifting with intention {Giveaway}
With Mother’s Day nearing, I’m keeping a keen eye out for extra special gifts for my moms. I mean, macaroni necklaces and paint bedecked cards are cute and all, but when the kid is in her thirties (me, I’m the kid), I’m pretty sure the mom expects a little something more. And I get. I totally do. Mom’s have the hardest and most important jobs in the world! And they deserve to be treated like the queens that they are. That’s why my motto this year, while gift shopping, is: Mothers Day gifting with intention!
If your mother is a super woman (I bet ya she is) or if you have any other super women in your life that you’d like to spoil, I highly recommend you pop on over to CUM Books to check out their latest best sellers. I mean, besides for their really amazing Mother’s Day related paraphernalia and gift ideas, they also stock inspirational reads. I love that Christian Art Media has a large foray of books that are both interesting and intentional – leaving the reader with a lot more than just an entertaining story. Here are some of my top picks, that would make really great Mother’s Day gifts. (Oh and I’m giving some of them away too!)
Adamant – Lisa Bevere
Lisa Bevere is a popular international speaker and New York Times bestselling author. This lady is amazing! She has spent nearly three decades on her mission to empower women of all ages, with a mandate to help women find their identity and purpose. I love this so much. You may recall her previous best sellers, Fight Like a Girl, Lioness Arising and Girls with Swords. Well, her latest book, Adamant, is definitely one to get your hands on. The book is described as “theologically deep yet intimately accessible”. In it, she provides you with the tools you need to navigate through a sea of untruths, as we push to find our own truths. A truth that is immovable, invincible, unshakable and the cornerstone of all we are and ever dream to be.
Unexpected – Christine Caine
Australian born Christine Caine is an activist and international speaker. If you know her name, you’ll know that she founded The A21 Campaign – an anti-human trafficking organization. In her latest book, Unexpected, Caine speaks about having peace in an uncertain world. She deals with issues of control (I mean, hands up if you have control issues) and shares about her own journey, giving us real-life strategies and biblical inspiration to help us move from fear and worry to hope and trust in God. Learn how to manage dissapointment, strengthen your heart and build your faith with this glorious read.
Mother Tongue – Leonard Sweet
Leonard Sweet is a professor, teacher and an author of more than sixty books! How is that for impressive? In his most personal book yet, Mother Tongue, he shares a story about an ordained minister and missionary, Mabel Boggs Sweet. This book is full of truths and teachings, and you’ll probably find yourself taking a moment, after each chapter, to let the wisdom sink in. Mabel’s story is one that will have you considering the call of God on your own life. With its focus on heritage and legacy, it will make for a really poignant Mother’s Day gift.
The Way of Abundance – Ann Voskamp
If you guys recall, I’ve reviewed the amazing Ann Voskamp’s previous novels on the blog a while ago. Her new York Times bestsellers One Thousand Gifts and The Broken Way are both amazing reads and I’m so chuffed to introduce her new book to you. In The Way of Abundance Ann tackles topics of grief and brokenness, talks about healing and how to allow it to be a part of your victory. She shares so much wisdom in these sixty vulnerable, soulful stories, and takes the reader through a journey of intimate soul searching and restoration. “Discover how surrendering in unexpected ways is the first step toward receiving what you long for. Discover the good news that your beauty is not in your strength but in your fragility.”
Giveaway!
Are you a mommy or are you looking to spoil a special mommy in your life? You’re in the right place, sister! Thanks to Christian Art Media, I get to give away a couple of these reads to some well deserved mamas, for Mother’s Day! To enter, simply rack up the points the following ways:
1 point – Comment below, letting me know which of these you’re most interested in
1 point – Visit this post on my Facebook account and tag a mommy friend
1 point – Visit this post on my Instagram and tag a mommy friend
1 point per share – Share this tweet:
“Eek, I’m so excited about the #myspreadsheetbrain Mother’s Day #giveaway over on @luchae’s blog! @cartmedia #bloggiveaway #bookgiveaway”Winner’s announced on Friday, May 11th.
-
What my kids are playing with: Enchantimals
I always feel like I’m winning at life when I find a toy that keeps my precocious 3 year old busy for long periods of time. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love the little bugger, but she constantly needs to be entertained! And I don’t always wake up feeling like Beyonce, if you know what I mean. So when I received a special Enchantimals blog drop from Mattel the other day, I gave myself a metaphorical high5!
Well, for starters the cute Enchantimal characters are really pretty and their unique features and outfits are simply fabulous, dahhling which means Kari will be instantly hooked. But (and this is the winning part) they also each come with an animal bestie! That’s right, each of these rather whimsical half-animal, half-girl characters has a quirky animal best friend. I love this so much!
The Enchantimals story lines encourage friendship, compassion and harmony, and its “Caring is our everything” slogan sums it up rather nicely. Each doll shares a ritual with her animal friend that celebrates their unique traits and personalities. Together they work to create balance, peace and harmony among all living things.Some of the Enchantimals characters include:
Felicity Fox and Flick – Felicity is a nifty, curious little character, who loves exploring with Flick
Danessa Deer and Sprint – These two love racing through the forest to see who is fastest
Sage Skunk and Caper – A great problem solver, Sage loves music and she and Caper are always working on new songs together or planning a clever prank
Bree Bunny and Twist – This DIY duo has a penchant for creating things and are like twin fountains of bubbling creativity
Patter Peacock and Flap – Patter is a fashionista extraordinaire, and she and Flap enjoys singing together
The Enchantimals are available at selected retailers nationwide. Product princes range from R129.99 to R719.99. The play sets are super cute and your little one will enjoy collecting the various dolls and their matching accessories. You can following along on the Enchantimals journey on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. -
What my kids are playing with: Mega Bloks Treehouse Adventures
When it comes to raising actual human beings, there’s so much that one has to consider. I sometimes feel as if I would make a pretty good policeman, yo! I mean, I basically police what they eat, who they play with and what they watch on TV. I investigate every bump and scratch on their bodies. I even check and double check to make sure the toys they are playing with are kid friendly and safe. I take their “toy-playing” very seriously, you guys! Toys, like the Mega Bloks Treehouse Adventures, that provide an educational benefit is a must!
A clever parent (me.. I’m talking about me…) will sneakily use playtime as opportunity for their child to learn. The best type of toys are the ones that engage senses, encourage interaction and spark imagination. The Mega Bloks Treehouse Adventures from Fisher Price helps with this!
This 120-piece play set includes colorful building blocks and special parts such as a moving swing and a window that really opens. The easy-to-build tree house and cottage, with woodland decoration, makes for a complex construction site for little minds. I love watching the wheels in Kari’s head turn as she puts it together.
Her favorite part is when she gets to sit the 2 Block Buddy’s on top of her creation. I’ve probably seen 50 variations of her tree house design and yes, that means 50 over emphasized “wows” as I pretend to be utterly amazed at her sheer brilliance.
The Mega Bloks Treehouse Adventures is ideal for kiddies aged 1 to 5, but clearly our little boetie also wanted in on the action. I totally appreciate that the pieces are not hazardous or a choking risk. Do your kids enjoy playing with blocks as much as mine do?
-
How’s your oral health? {GIVEAWAY!}
Today has been lauded World Oral Health Day by the World Dental Federation and I’m just over here, counting my teeth, trying to make sure that my impending senior citizen status hasn’t caught up with me yet. But while I have you here, tell me, how’s your oral health? Did you know that senior citizens should possess a total of 20 natural teeth at the end of their life to be considered healthy? Children should possess 20 baby teeth and healthy adults (that’s us, yo) should possess a total of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities! A healthy mouth and a healthy body go hand in hand!
World Oral Health Day is an international day to celebrate the benefits of a healthy mouth and to promote worldwide awareness of the importance of oral hygiene. This year’s theme is “Say Ahh: Think Mouth, Think Health”, a message used to drive home the fact that 90% of the world’s population suffers from oral diseases. Many of these are avoidable though!
Oral diseases can impact every aspect of life… besides for personal relationships and your own self-confidence, it can even affect your enjoyment of food. The crazy thing is that many people are not aware of the basics to good oral hygiene.
Seriously, some of it is “no-brain-required” stuff. Things like:Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months
Flossing and brushing your teeth twice daily
Eating a balanced diet that is high in fruits and vegetables (and low in sugar)
Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smokingNon-prescriptive dental care products, such as the Andolex C range, is a really easy way to help prevent and relieve common oral health problems, like gingivitis. The Andolex C range includes products such as Andolex C oral rinse, oral spray, oral gel and the new Andolex C antibacterial mouthwash, which can be used for up to 10 days. These products contain Benzydamine which provides an analgesic (pain reducing), anesthetic (numbing) and anti-inflammatory effect.
Andolex-C also contains chlorhexidine gluconate; the gold standard in chemical plaque control, which has been proven to effectively reduce plaque by 33% and gingivitis by 26%.
Speak to your dentist or go to www.andolex.co.za for more information about how to prevent many common oral health problems.
Want to up your Oral Health game? You can win a legit hamper to help you do just that! Simply:
1. Comment below and tell me one way to ensure good oral hygiene
2. Subscribe to My Spreadsheet Brain (subscribe box is on the top right)
3. Check out Facebook on March 30th to see if you’re a winner!DISCLAIMER: This editorial includes independent comment and opinion of the author and is not necessarily that of iNova Pharmaceuticals.
References:
- World Oral Health Day 20 March. Say Ahh Think Mouth Think Health (http://www.worldoralhealthday.org/)
- Benefits of Good Oral Health. Pharmacy Times. 18 March 2013 (http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2013/march2013/benefits-of-good-oral-hygiene) Website
- Andolex-C oral rinse approved package insert.
-
All about my LG Sapience Top Loader with Smart Inverter
If you have small children or a large family, you’re probably intimately acquainted with your washing machine. My washing machine is my best friend. It helps that it’s a LG Sapience Top Loader with Smart Inverter though. I mean, I don’t mean to humble brag, but my best friend is pretty amazing!For starters, it has a bunch of really cool features that makes it so much MORE than just another washing machine. The Smart Inverter Technology eliminates wasted operation by efficiently controlling energy use. It also offers Smart Motion which offers 3 kinds of motions: ‘Agitating’ for powerful washing, ‘Rotating’ for tangle free washing and ‘Swing’ for a more delicate wash.
The Turbo Drum™ enables the most powerful wash and removes even the toughest stains and the Punch+3 washing power creates powerful streams of water to help mix laundry up and down repeatedly for even washing result.The Auto Pre Wash came in so handy, allowing me to soak my super dirty clothing, before automatically kicking in to ‘agitating’ power wash. This can actually be put on a cycle (soak – wash – soak – wash) for stubborn stains. And all you need to do is press a button! I must admit, I appreciated that the Smart Inverter Motor minimizes noise and vibration… especially when I’m doing washing at 11pm, after putting the kids to bed!
Water smart
In light of our current water crisis, be water smart when doing your washing! Here are some tips on how you can do that:
1. Make sure your machine is fully loaded, instead of washing small batches of laundry. If you only have a few items (hand wash?) adjust your settings to the smallest capacity.
2. Consider skipping the extra rinse option. Make sure you’re using the right amount of washing powder.
3. Wash more than one load of washing in the same water, by stopping the wash cycle before the rinse cycle starts.
4. Collect grey water in a bucket (or in your bath) and use it for the toilet, to water the garden etc.If you’d like to know more about my 15kg LG Sapience Top Loader with Smart Inverter, visit the website.
Disclaimer: The LG Sapience Top Loader was sent to me but all content and images are my own.
-
On the move with Opalescence Go
I was so excited when Opalescence Go sent me one of their teeth whitening kits. I mean, I love coffee. But I’m not a fan of the yellow-tinge on my teeth, after a few cups of java. Coffee, and other highly acidic foods and drinks, are the main culprits behind the discoloration of teeth. If you love sweets, fizzy drinks, red and white wine and citrus, this may not be good news for you. But, fear not! I come with glad tidings of great joy! Opalescence Go promises to restore your smile back to it’s former glory, one pre-filled whitening tray at a time!
Opalescence Go is a simple, quick way to start a whitening treatment. This ‘wake up and go’ kit requires no impressions or custom trays. I mean, besides for checking with your dentist if your gums are healthy enough to withstand a teeth whitening treatment, you literally can get those pearly whites, well, pearly white again, in the comfort of your own home.
The Opalescence Go kit contains ready to go disposable trays that you can use right out of the package. The disposable trays are loaded with the Opalesence tooth whitening gel which contains potassium nitrate and fluoride. These ingredients help to reduce cavities, minimize sensitivity and increases the enamel hardness of your teeth.
How you use it
So once you’ve found the Opalescence Go product that best suites your needs and budget, you simply apply the tray to your teeth (it adapts and is flexible) and gently bite down to help bond the gel overlay to your teeth. Once you’re happy with the fit, remove the tray, and you’re left with a snug cover on your teeth. I found it comfortable and I could actually still have a conversation while wearing it.
The kit I received required me to wear the tray for 60 minutes, for about 5 – 10 days, before I would see results. Opalescence actually has a bunch of different kits to suite your lifestyle and needs. They also come in a variety of flavors – peach, melon and mint. The kits are available in 10% and 15% hydrogen peroxide concentrations. I did notice a definite change in my teeth’s appearance. In fact, my teeth felt cleaner after the first application… I mean, if it’s possible for your teeth to feel clean. I used the Opalescence whitening toothpaste afterwards to maintain and prolong my newly found bright, healthy smile.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Opalescence South Africa.
-
Bath time with Bubiroo
Bath time around our parts are quite a mission. I mean, for starters, there are now two squirmy little bodies to clean and the two-year age gap means nothing because the littlest one is just as active as the bigger one is. They just don’t sit still! We still have fun, none the less. Kari loves introducing Jo to our “lotions and potions” regime. She got really into it, the other day, when I added Bubiroo to our regular pamper session.You guys, Bubiroo has really impressed me! I mean, besides for the fact that owner, Dorae, is an actual qualified Naturopath and Homeopath (so she knows what she’s doing, yo). The Bubiroo product is 100% natural, handmade with love, and free of all the junk you would find in commercial baby products. That’s right, it’s preservative free and does not contain chemicals, artificial fragrances or coloring, mineral oils, parabens, petroleum sulfates or nut oil. And guys, I know you usually expect to spend a lot on all natural products but these are really well priced!
The baby wash and shampoo contains marula, mandarin and may chang and smells really clean. (I know, I’m so descriptive). What I mean is that most baby washes has a sweet scent, but I liked that the Bubiroo wash is almost fragrance free. It also doesn’t foam like normal washes because it does not contain sodium laureth sulfate. 100% goodness! I haven’t tried it out on Kari’s mop of curls, but it did the job on Jo’s hair. His hair did not feel coarse or sticky afterwards (as I expected it to).
The baby wax is the best thing in the world! It contains a whole bunch of amazingness such as coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, calendula oil, ylang ylang, marula seed oil (and the beat goes on). The consistency is a bit hard to the touch (because of the coconut oil), so you would need to warm it up by rubbing some between your hands, before applying. It’s such a great product for baby massages and rubs. I am a huge fan! Kari enjoys digging into it and rubbing the wax between her little hands. It’s actually a double score for me, because I don’t have to worry about copious amounts of lotion being slathered all over my bedding!
The baby bum balm is probably one of my favorite Bubiroo products. Jonah has fortunately been nappy rash free so I’ve never felt the need to cover his little bottom with thick, overly medicated bum creams. I mean, I want his skin to breath, while still being protected. This is the perfect product for that. And again, because it contains coconut oil you need to warm it up first before application, but once applied it goes on like a thin layer of ointment and smells great!Talking about ointment, Kari refers to the Bubiroo products as her “ointment” because she loves the smell and she says it makes her “better”. And how right she is! If you’d like to get your hands on some Bubiroo products check out the Facebook page for more information or drop them an email. Moms, if your kids have overly sensitive skin, chat with Dorae. She’ll put together a product tailor made just for you and your kid!
-
Get cybersmart and win R1 million in Bitcoin or cash
How cyber safe are you? This is a question I had to ask myself a few months ago, when someone tried to hack into my website, causing it to crash and be totally unresponsive for almost 2 weeks!
I mean, you wear a safety belt when you travel by car, you lock your security gate when you enter your home, and you have insurance to protect your valuables, but how are you protecting yourself against cyber attacks… Because they’re REAL! Ask the gentleman who proposed to me online, after finding a fake profile hosting my name and pics on a marriage site. It’s time to get cyber smart, friends!
If you’re a business owner, there should be an urgency to making sure that your computer systems, software and data are covered. King Price’s cybersure (cyber insurance for businesses) does all of this, and then some! I mean, cybersure includes cover for cyber liability, cybercrime, data breach expenses and even damage to computer systems and data, and associated loss of income.
With the massive spike in cybercrime, it’s time to think ahead friends. In just a few clicks, your business could lose everything. Cybersure can offer assistance in the event of fraud, hacking, phishing and scamming. And hey, if a cybercriminal tries to threaten you and hold your business’ info ransom, cybersure will cover the cost for a professional team to check if the threat is valid and will also help you pay the ransom demand if it needs to be done.
Want to win R1 million in Bitcoin or cash?
Cybersure is giving away R1 million in Bitcoin or cash! No jokes. Have a go at the super fun (and super addictive) cybersure game to enter this sweet giveaway! The final round will be a LIVE knockout game, and you want to be there! Just head on over to cybersure.co.za and start playing!Get cyber protection for your business! Contact your broker or call 0860 21 00 00. Check out the King Price Insurance website for more.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by King Price Insurance. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash .
