Features
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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.
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C-Section tips: 10 things you want to know before
If you’re a soon-to-be mom preparing for the arrival of your baby, and you’re freaking out just a little bit, know that you are safe here. This is a safe space. I mean, this here blog is where I “freak out just a little bit”, like, ALL the time. So welcome, friend! I come with c-section tips! I know, I’m SUCH a good friend, right?
Now, if your “pre-birth freak outs” are anything like mine was, you’re probably finding yourself scouring the internet for every drop of information that would give you some insight into your possible birthing experience. I mean it’s practically science: you always feel a bit better when you know what to expect.
In fact, knowing what to expect has helped me through the birth of my boy via c-section. After reading numerous online articles and chatting to a few fellow moms who have been there (done that, got the bikini line scar?), I found myself more at ease and a lot more in control of my mental state.
And now that I’ve experienced it for myself, I thought to share my c-section tips with you! (My toddler says that “sharing is caring”, so theresit.) Here are 10 c-section tips that you might want to know before going for the cut:
1. Going in mentally ready is the best gift that you can give yourself. (Well, that and the sushi post-op, once baby is out.) Some of the things that I mentally prepared my mind for was the spinal block injection and the insertion of the catheter. Here’s what you need to know about those:Catheter: This is a soft hollow tube, inserted into your vagina, and passed into the bladder to drain your urine. It’s not eina, but the insertion can be uncomfy. The trick is to take a deep breathe, as the nurse inserts, and don’t clench! The catheter is inserted before you’re wheeled into theater and is removed a few hours post-op.
Spinal block/Epidural: A spinal block or epidural is administered, via your spine, when you’re in theater. The purpose of this is to numb the lower part of your body so that you are fully awake during the birth of your baby. Yes, I did say “spine”. And yes, it’s an injection. But, again, not necessarily eina (it’s a pin prick). The key is to NOT FLINCH. You flinching means they may have to redo it… which is a lot worse than just inhaling and exhaling for like, 2 seconds, so that they can get it right the first time.
2. Even though you’re aware that a c-section is actually major surgery, one can’t help but feel daunted as you lay on the operating table, draped and ready for action (so to speak). Again, make sure you’re in a positive mental space (having a fat chat with my Hubstopher, during the procedure, helped to distract me). Expect to feel tugging and pulling, during the surgery. Don’t panic – this doesn’t mean that you’re going to feel pain. Your pain sensors are deadened/numbed. But you probably will feel your doctor doing his thing, as he removes your baby from your body. It’s a weird sensation, but not uncomfortable (well, for me, atleast) and very short lived.
3. Once baby is born, you are told to remain laying flat on your back for a few hours. Do not try to sit up at all! This will cause excessive headaches which is a side affect of spinal anesthesia. No jokes guys, I’ve been told that these headaches are worse than someone hammering a golf tee into your eyeballs. Exactly. Trust me. Stay down until the nurse tells you to sit up. No worries though, you’re still able to hold your baby, which is all that matters anyways.
4. If you plan to breastfeed, remember that you will need to latch your baby to your breast immediately after birth, while you are in “flat down” position. This may making latching a tad bit trickier… BUT make sure that you get baby to latch correctly from the get go. Tip: because you’re laying down, you may need to sandwich your nipples and “feed” it to baby, to ensure that they scoop enough nipple. Rather do this and avoid possible incorrect latch which could result eina nips. (Eina nipples is probably worse than having a golf tee hammered into your eyeball.)
5. Your first walk is the pits. There, I said it. No sugar coating here. Expect: dizziness, cold sweats, ears ringing. This lasts for a few minutes only but it can feel overwhelming. The trick is to sit up in bed for a couple of minutes BEFORE getting out of bed. Then put your legs over the edge of the bed and remain seated that way for a while BEFORE standing. Once you’re ready, get onto your feet and remain in that position for a while etc. (You may need to sit down again, if the dizzy spell is intense).
My point is that easing into that first walk is the best advice I can give you. Oh and don’t wait until you need to pee, before getting up for the first time. You might not make it to the loo on time. Do your first prance BEFORE you need the loo, so that you’re an experienced walker by the time you need the toilet.
6. Placing pressure against your wound (some people use a pillow, I just held it with my hands), as you walk, will greatly assist you to move around those first few times. The pressure offers support and helps you to not feel as if your insides are falling out. You might want to do this when you cough/sneeze/laugh too.
7. At this point you’ll want to opt for comfy oversized underwear that covers your wound. Full coverage underpants, that does not rest on your incision is a must! Most women also reach for a belly wrap or under garments that provide tummy support which helps to reduce swelling and makes you feel a bit more held together.
8. Unlike natural birth – which affects the constitution of your lady parts – giving birth via c-section is thankfully kind to your vagina. Because of this, using the loo was way easier after c-section, compared to natural birth. So don’t let fear stop you from “going”… it may feel a bit weird the first time around, but trust me, you won’t be ripping out any stitches by going to the toilet. Also, the longer you wait, the more uncomfy it will be the first time around.
9. Pain meds are your best friends. You should be receiving pain medication every 4 hours. And hey, even if you don’t feel pain, make sure you pop dem pills every 4 hours! Don’t wait for the pain to kick in, girl. Making sure you take your medication on time will dramatically increase your quality of life, those first few days.
10. My least favorite thing to do, post-op, is move around. But going for short walks helps to shorten your recovery time! In fact, it’s important to walk around within 24 hours after your c-section. Tip: don’t lift anything heavier than your baby and avoid bending and stretching.
Have you given birth via c-section? Please share your c-section tips in the comments section below!
P.S. Find another interesting read on the topic here.
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My top 5 wedding guest dresses for Spring/Summer 2019
If you’re a Summer baby, like I am, you’re probably counting down the days until you get to pack away your polo-necks and winter jammies. I especially love that the warmer weather brings with it my favorite time of year: wedding season! Wearing a pretty frock somehow just complements a celebration of love and romance. So stocking up on wedding guest dresses just makes sense!
I’m always so eager to do my Spring/Summer outfit shopping at the end of Winter, when our favorite online stores are jam packed with their latest offerings. This year, I peeped some really stunning warm weather dress styles, perfect for that Spring wedding, on the Superbalist online store. Flowy, romantic cuts and flattering, bare-shouldered styles seem to be the trend right now. Check out some of my favorite looks below.
Here are my top 5 wedding guest dresses for Spring/Summer 2019:
The lace cocktail dressI love everything there is to love about a gorgeous lace dress! This cocktail mini dress is both glamorous and flattering, it’s high neck and cap sleeves adding just the right touch of sophistication. I’m a sucker for the detail! How chic is the back slit? This is probably one of my favorite wedding dress picks! Pick this up for R749.
The flare dressAdd a touch of class to your wedding look with a gorgeous fitted flare dress. I fell inlove with this classic silhouette dress and sleeveless design. Also, how gorgeous is the print?! The v-neck and keyhole back detail gives it that grand 80’s look. Pair it up with gorgeous strappy sandals and a matching clutch bag, and you’re wedding season ready! Pick this up for R549.
The ruched dressOverly aware of my “mom bod”, I found myself drooling over this square neck ruched dress. It has a comfy, yet flattering cut, and the ruch detail complements most body types. This color is giving me life and I am obsessed with the square neck and padded shoulders. By the way, this is a perfect inbetween dress, for those rainy Spring days! Pick this up for R499.
The little black dressEvery girl deserves to have that flattering little black dress that she can slip on confidently, knowing that she looks bomb! I found that it got a bit harder to find a flattering dress, after the addition of every baby added to my growing family. So I was quite chuffed to spot this strappy frill fishtail dress on Superbalist. I love the shoulder and frill detail, that helps to draw attention away from that mummy tummy. The maxi length gives it a touch of sophistication and the length of the slit is both sassy and comfortable. Definitely adding this one to my wish list! Pick this up for R479.
The wrap dressThere are a range of gorgeous flowy dresses available on Superbalist, perfect for a day of celebrating love and romance. But this hanky hem midi wrap dress stole my heart! What’s not to love about the flattering frill detail?! I appreciate that the wrap details creates a leaner silhouette and the soft shade of pink makes the dress suitable for just about any Spring soiree. Pair it up with strappy heels and soft curls and you’re sure to be the belle of the ball! Pick this up for R499.
Which of these are your faves? Hit me up in the comments section below to let me know!
Disclaimer: This post was done in partnership with Superbalist.
Header image: Stocksnap
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What you really need in your hospital bag
Now, given the fact that I’ve been pregnant thrice in under five years, I’m kinda immune to the over-catering of things, when it comes to preparing for my pending birth. I mean, call it what you want (efficiency, wisdom, “she has two small kids and no time”), I’ve just decided to not be extra this time around and it’s giving me life.
With that said, when I started packing my hospital bags the other day, I realised just how much nonsense I packed when I gave birth to my other
minionschildren. I mean, have you tried rummaging through a bag filled with stuff, while trying to care for your freshly squeezed out (haha) newborn? Let’s just say I learnt a hard lesson in keeping my bags light and filled with necessities.Anyways, needless to say, I’m keeping things easy this time around and I thought that maybe you guys would want to know about it. (How presumptuous of me). So here are my mommy and baby hospital bag check lists… please, hold the applause:
What you really need in your hospital bag (for mommy):
Practical pajamas (because calm down Sophia Loren).
Seriously though, chances are you’ll be messing on your pretty silky pj’s anyways, so keep it practical and if you’re choosing to breastfeed, opt for button down tops, for easy access. You usually labour in a hospital robe, so your PJ’s are for afterwards, just fyi.You definitely want to take along a comfy gown as well.
Maternity undies and pads
Bless the person who was like “you know what, these maternity pads cannot fit into our teeny tiny delicate undergarments, so I’m going to create underwear that is big enough to accomodate it AND make it disposable too because aint nobody got time to wash that.”Seriously though, stock up on disposable maternity undies (The Carriwell brand is top notch, but the Clicks brand also does the job and is much more affordable) and maternity pads. You would need more than one pack. Just saying.
Socks and slippers
You want to take along your favorite comfy pair of slippers (again, let’s not get too fancy) and for some reason, your feet always gets cold during labour (I don’t understand it, but I embrace it) so take along a pair just in case you’re a weirdo like I am.
Breastfeeding gear
Comfy cotton breastfeeding bras are a must, if you plan to breastfeed. I know you get the cool, semi-padded clip ones. That’s nice. But when you’re introduced to your newborn, while trying to navigate your new body sans child, from a hospital bed, the last thing you want to worry about is clipping your bra. I love these cotton crossover bras for those early days. Simply pull down, to feed your kid. Ta daaaah! (BTW you could probably pick these up at a fraction of the price, in sports shops)You also want to take along your breast pads and nipple cream (remember, I swear by Lansinoh! Yes, it’s safe for baby.)
A towel
Some hospitals will usually provide a towel, but if you like your own stuff, you would want to take your own towel along with you.Toiletries
Most hospital’s also provide hospital-grade soap, in their showers, for you to use. To be honest, with my previous births, I found myself opting to use that instead of the fancy body wash I brought along with me. (Mainly because I’m not standing in the shower, lathering myself up, ala TV Advert moment. It’s an “in and out” kinda vibe, when you know your baby is waiting for you).Oh and you definitely need to pack your own toothpaste and toothbrush, Harriet.
Things I don’t take with: shampoo and conditioner, lotions and potions (unless you really need it), bucket loads of make up (if you must, maybe just the bare necessities?)
Frivolities
I use the word “frivolties” but these are the (often forgotten) little things that kept me sane:
– A set of earphones (if you are wanting to watch TV)
– A cellphone charger AND a 2 point plug (tip of the day: your plug point could be at an awkward spot, so consider taking along a portable charger and extra cable as well, so that you can toggle between the two)
– A few hair bands and grips to pin that hair back
– A packet of tissues
– Chapstick is a must
– Extra snacks… so very important! I’m not even joking. I’m always SUPER hungry after giving birth. Remember: breastfeeding requires that you stock up on resources (food) since your body has to create milk.Going home outfit
Now, I know that we see something else when we watch The Bold and The Beautiful. Our friend, Brooke Forrester, is selling us lies, ladies. Your body does NOT bounce back to it’s original state a day or two post-birth. So I usually take along a comfy pair of maternity pants and tshirt along, for my going home trip. Also, one year I forgot my shoes and exited the hospital wearing slippers. Don’t be like me. Do the right thing. Shoes are important.Important documents
Did you know that you can register your baby’s birth at the hospital? No jokes! This definitely helps with not having to stand in those long Home Affair’s ques! So don’t forget to have you and hubby’s ID cards on hand.
What you really need in your hospital bag (for baby):My baby bag is usually a lot less involved, but it looks a little something like this:
3 little onesies and vests
A hat and socks
A receiving blanket and a warmer blanket
Newborn nappies (I like the Huggies brand because it accomodates the belly button area)
Wet wipes and a gentle bum cream
Surgical spirits and cotton buds
Top to toe baby wash
Baby towelI don’t take along any other baby toiletries because, honestly, I just don’t feel that they need it.
Most hospital’s provide you with a baby bag filled with goodies. I usually send that home with Hubstopher, because everything that I need is in my perfectly curated bag that I brought along with me. I’m not going to give myself a headache trying to juggle between a gazillion different bags.So that’s it you guys. How efficient am I? (Read: Tired)
What other necessities did you add to your hospital bags? Please pop me a comment below, to let me know if I’ve forgotten anything.
