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Baby’s First Christmas: 5 gifts that are totally legit
Okay, so a serious topic popped up at the dinner table the other night. My kids (mainly the most dramatic one) wanted to know if baby Asher will be receiving a Christmas gift from Father Christmas. They firmly advocated for their baby bro, explaining why our four month old shouldn’t be left off of the Christmas gift list just because he’s still little.
They made fair points, I must admit. And I totally could get the kid a small gift just to, you know, have his name on something under the tree. But then I had a brain fart you guys. (Yeah, flexing Genius Mom muscle).
My brain wave is this: I’m going to give baby Asher a useful gift that will benefit me too. Woohoo! *raises hand for a high five*
Don’t leave me hanging. Do you think this is a brilliant idea, or what?
Well, fortunately for me, my friends over at Chicco and Prima Baby usually have us parents in mind too, when devising all their nifty kids toys and accessories. These are my top five Chicco finds, this festive season and would make totally legit Christmas gifts… uh… for your baby.
1. Chicco First Dreams Mobile I didn’t know how much I needed one of these until I installed Asher’s mobile and found myself baby-free for a good while! He was so fascinated by the four removable plushies and, the soothing classical music made bed time that much more calmer. It also has a diffused nightlight and can be attached to wooden and travel cots, as well as co-sleepers.
My boy permanently wants to be in my arms, so it really helped that I am able to lay him in his cot for a tad bit longer, while I see to my other kids. It also gives him something to focus on (other than, you know, crying) when he wakes up and I’m not around. Double score, in my opinion.
2. V-Tech Baby My First Gift Set I love the idea of the V-Tech Baby hamper. I mean, it has four really legit tech toys that can serve as entertainment (uhh, aka mom hands-free time) all while helping your kids reach his/her milestones. The boxed set includes a soft hippo teether, a rattle and a cool musical piano that has three light up music buttons, introducing your child to animals, numbers and colours.
3. Chicco Move and Grow Tummy Time Pillow A tummy time pillow fascinates me because, to be honest, tummy time makes me nervous. I mean, who else hates laying your baby on a flat service while they strain to lift their heads to find you. There is usually lots of tears and crying involved (baby cries too)… so I’m not a fan, but I know that it IS important for baby’s development. The Move and Grow makes tummy time a bit more pleasant. It’s made of memory foam and has lots of entertaining accessories attached. The book, mirror, textures and colours are designed to keep their developing minds busy and active. I also like that the pillow was made by Boppy – leaders in the nursing pillow market.
4. Disney Baby Mickey and Minnie First Abilities 25CM PlushWhat’s better than a cuddly soft toy? A cuddly soft toy that keeps your kid busy for long periods of time, giving you a couple of minutes to enjoy your coffee while it’s hot. Right? These Disney Baby plushies are designed to do just that, friends. It features various activities to keep your baby engaged, while developing those fine motor skills. It’s a great cuddle buddy too!
5. Chicco Move and Grow Happy Hippy Walker I love the colourful and interactive Happy Hippy Walker from Chicco. With fun colours and activities designed to stimulate, the walker is a fun way to encourage your child to take their first steps. The walker also serves as an activity station and is perfect for kids aged 9 – 24 months.
Find these toys at selected stores including Babies R Us, Takealot.com, Loot.co.za, Thekidzone.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, Hamleys, Lilliputs and others.
This post was done in collaboration with Prima Toys.
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Make bath time oozy, gooey fun with Zimpli Kids! {Giveaway}
Our kids are going crazy for the Zimpli Kids Gelli Baff and Slime Baff products. And this is me being nonchalant about it. When I say they are “going crazy” I mean they are totally freaking out!
I always try to keep my small ones out of the pool when it’s super hot outside, simply because I’d rather them not be in the sun for too long. The baby pool is fun, for a while, but I soon have a pair of hot, bored small people who are driving me cray cray.
Enter: Gelli Baff and Slime Baff! (Yes, this is me flexing my Genius Mom muscle again). My friends, you’ll thank me for this bit of information. Simply add this amazing product to your baby pool water to turn it into fun goo! This instantly turns the boring ol’ baby pool into a super cool gooey, oozy bath of gunk!Slime Baff turns your bath water into a gunky bath of slime. By just adding more water, the slime can be diluted into coloured water that can be safely drained away. I hide small toys away, in the slime, to make a fun interactive sensory game fit for most kids and toddlers!
Gelli Baff is a totally unique fun bath time product that lets you turn water into goo and back again. By adding Gelli Baff powder to water, you create a thick colourful goo. Add a ‘dissolver’ powder, to turn the goo back to water. Pretty darn clever. I mean, if your kid isn’t into bathing, you could totally use this as a draw card.The Glitter Gelli Play is super fun and, yep you guessed it, glittery. My daughter is obviously a fan of this one.
These amazing products have been designed with bath time in mind. So, because of this, they are non-irritant and 100% safe on skin, stain free and non-toxic. Pick them up at Want It All, Takealot and Toys R Us.
Win a Zimpli Kids Gelli Baff/Slime Baff hamper!
Zimpli Kids would like to give one My Spreadsheet Brain reader a cool Gelli Baff/Slime Baff hamper!
To enter, simply follow the prompts below find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instructions!
Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 27 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with Zimpli Kids.
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Christmas gift idea: Roly Polyz for the win! {Giveaway!}
Since it’s Jojo’s first Christmas as an actual person (aka he’s old enough to know that it’s Christmas) I knew that we had to make it extra special. An extra dollop of festivities and a special Christmas gift is a must!
Festivities and cheer, I can do. I mean, come 1 December, I pretty much jingle as I walk. But I wasn’t really sure what type of gifts to get him. I don’t know about you guys, but I always find gift buying for boys a lot more challenging than it is for girls.
Jonah loves music and sport… so getting him a musical instrument or a ball is kinda… I don’t know… obvious. I wanted to add something else to the mix.
When I spotted these super cool construction and monster trucks from Roly Polyz, I knew that they’d be a legit finishing touch to his gift!
The Roly Polyz monster trucks come in a variety of colors and you are even get a monster truck launcher that propels the truck and makes fun monster truck sounds. Build your own ramps and set up your own off road adventures, then use the launcher to propel your truck over the obstacle course.They come in a variety of designs and colors and are super sturdy, making it perfect for outside play.
The Roly Polyz construction range features construction vehicles AND a construction worker uniform and tools, making imaginative play that much more interesting for your little one.
My kids enjoyed using the construction trucks to really dig up and transport dirt (so fun for me to clean up afterwards). I love that it’s more than just a pushing around of mini cars. They really get into it!
I love the idea of these novelty trucks because, well, they are flippen cool! But also, I like that there are various items in each range, making it a great gift that you can add on to for birthday’s and special occasions.When it comes to Christmas gifting and toddler boys, I never spend money on toy/pretend weapons, simply because I don’t want my kid to grow up thinking that a gun is fun or something to be desired.
I also don’t want to spend copious amounts of money on intricate toys that they will probably lose interest in or rip apart after a while. Also, while I am a firm believer in books and puzzles, I know that my two year old is a rambunctious scallywag and he needs a bit more than a good ol’ book to keep him occupied.
So the Roly Polyz construction diggers and monster trucks kinda hit the mark for me! They are available from Toys R Us at a sweeeet R70 each! How’s that for a great deal?
Win a RolyPolyz trucks hamper!
RolyPolyz would like to give one My Spreadsheet Brain reader a cool trucks hamper complete with 6 monster trucks and 4 diggers!
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.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 27 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with RolyPolyz.
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Show Your Style with MRP x Barbie! {Giveaway!}
My daughter has an eye for style! (Must get that from her mom… cough cough). She loves to show off her (sometimes interesting) outfit choices and I enjoy letting her do just that. (Mom’s who allow their kids to put together their own outfits – hollar!)
I see clothing and fashion as a way for her to get creative and express herself. And I love that her choice in clothing often represents her mood for the day. But, no matter the mood, the girl insists on looking fabulous at all times. So she was absolutely smitten when she received a gift containing some of the stunning new MRP x Barbie pieces.
Yep, you read that right, friends! Our favorite fashionista – Barbie – has released hot new items which can only be found in MRP stores.
Yes, you may “aaack”, I’ll wait.
In case you’re wondering, we’re aaacking because MRP always brings the hottest fashion at affordable prices! And with Christmas around the corner, it’s cool to know that we can pick up our fave Barbie styles, from one of our fave retail stores, and not break the bank doing so.Kari and I decided to play around with some of the MRP x Barbie items (because being extra is the new chilled). I love the easy to wear denim pieces. The fabric is perfect for a hot South African summer, while not losing the chicness that only denim can bring.
Another fave is the printed fringe vest, that my girl insisted be worn over her swimming clothes, as she lounged at the pool. The slouchy fit and bright coral makes it kinda perfect for the beach, don’t you think?We also adore the MRP x Barbie range of bags. The duffle bag is great as an overnight OR for trips to the beach. The sling bag is kinda cool, you guys. You could fill it with funky accessories and sweeties, for a fabulous Christmas stocking gift idea. I know, I’m a genius.
In true Kari style, my girl wanted to show her cousins her fabulous new outfits. So we decided to put together a few flat lays.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: you probably have to be a Pinterest Mom to get your flat lay just right. Well, friend, I’m here to share with you some of my easy flat lay tips. I mean, it’s so easy even I could do it (with a baby on my hip, no lie).
Here are a few flat lay tips:
1. Always use natural light. Stand in front of a window for the best results!
2. Try to stick to one color pallette or theme
3. Choose one item to be your focal point and add props that complement that item, but does not steal the show.
4. Move around props after every few frames, to ensure that you have a nice amount of pics options to choose from.
5. A white background (or anything with a solid color) works best because it is not distracting.
Win one of two MRP x Barbie hampers valued at R1000 each!
We are giving away two gorgeous Barbie hampers valued at R1000 each! We’ll choose one winner from Instagram and one from Facebook. To enter, simply follow these prompts:
Instagram: Find this post, on Instagram and follow the prompts! (Entry prompts have been changed to give more people the opportunity to enter)
Facebook: Find this specially marked post on Facebook. Take a snap of your little one rocking her Barbie outfit and upload it in the comments section, using the hashtag #MyBarbieStyle. Make sure you’re following My Spreadsheet Brain on Facebook to check if you’re a winner!
Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 27 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with MRP x Barbie.
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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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SnuggleRoo and the benefits of baby carrying {Giveaway!}
My baby doesn’t want to leave me alone. And I say this with all the love in my heart. The kid wants to be in my arms like, 24/7, you guys! It’s kinda draining. I’m not okay.
I eventually realised that I needed help of a baby carrier to literally help lighten the load of carrying a 8kg baby in my arms the whole day. To be honest, the idea of wrapping or tying my newborn to my body didn’t exactly thrill me. I wasn’t 100% convinced that I could comfortably tie my giant child to my body, without, you know, breaking something or hurting my back. I also had these really scary visions of the wrap breaking or untying, and baby dropping to his doom, as I shriek in panic and despair. (I know, sounds like a movie).
But more than that, I thought that baby carrying was detrimental to my baby’s growth.
Anyways, I eventually got my hands on a SnuggleRoo Baby Carrier and found some interesting information in the package. I learnt that baby carrying IS safe and it’s actually great for babies who suffer with reflux, since they should be carried upright, for atleast 20 minutes after every feed. (Did you know this? I didn’t!) Colic babies will also benefit from this since there is a lot less over stimulation and very soothing.Moving with baby helps to stimulate the brain (another thing I didn’t know) and having baby in chest to chest position protects the C-shaped curvature of baby’s spine.
OT and baby expert, Meg Faure, explains that carrying your baby helps to imitate the movement and hug of the womb. It promotes bonding and trust and reduces stress levels. It is for this very reason that she endorses the SnuggleRoo Baby Carrier!My first experience with my SnuggleRoo went down well. For starters, it’s easier to put on than I had imagined. In fact, it slips on like a shirt and is easily adjustable for a perfect fit every time. I like that it has an extra support band that you can position over baby’s back and under the nappy. It provides extra support and gives the feel of a snug fit. The support band later converts into a carrier for your baby carrier. How nifty?
And friends, for some reason, my baby falls asleep so quickly when he is in the carrier. I figured that it’s because it mimics the comforting tight hug of the womb.
The SnuggleRoo carrier can be used in various positions, such as forward facing and even in a hip hold. And if you’re a hands-free kinda mom, like I am, then you’ll appreciate that you can get so much done while having baby close to you. This is essential for a busy mom.
Win a SnuggleRoo Baby Carrier!SnuggleRoo is giving a baby carrier 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 16 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with SnuggleRoo. Some of the images in this post was taken from the SnuggleRoo website.
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Curb your World Cup withdrawal with The Springbok Monopoly board game {Giveaway!}
As for me and my house, we WILL play the board games… ALL the board games! We love a good family game (because we’re all hella competitive, but don’t tell anyone I said that) and we get super excited when a new, interesting game hits our coffee table.
So you can imagine the squeals of delight (no, seriously, there was actual squealing) when we received The Springbok game collection, including a limited edition Springbok Monopoly! Say it with me: Aaaaack! The Rugby World Cup excitement is still strong in our house, you guys. The boys (Springboks) brought the cup home and now we get to contend for the Springbok Monopoly cup… woohoo! We’re all still dealing with W.C.W.S (World Cup Withdrawal Syndrome) over here and we need to get our fix!
Now, not to fret dear friends, this first ever range of Springbok board and card games have hit stores nationwide (yep, just in time for Christmas!). I mean, who wouldn’t get excited about it?! (Unfriend that person immediately, you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life).We tried our hand at The Springbok Monopoly board game. It’s similiar to the classic board game, but with a lekker, South African rugby twist! Participants travel around the board and buy their favourite Springbok players and rugby stadiums. A rugby ball, boot, goal posts, whistle and trophy replace the original tokens. Will you play the goal posts like Handre Pollard? Or opt for the trophy to keep the winning streak going? (I spotted it on Takealot for R515)
A ‘Top Trumps’ card game has also been developed. The cards feature key facts on Springbok players. With Beast having one of his best ever performances in the World Cup Final, it’s up to you to decide if he has lived up to his Top Trump spot in the pack. (Takealot R91)There is also a Waddingtons 52-card deck of playing cards with action shots of the Springboks. My boys are going to love finding these in their Christmas stockings!
I could help but giggle when I read that the Boks took a couple of sets with them to play in Japan. Here’s what they had to say about it:“We are always busy looking for games to play while being on tour. This will definitely be our new favourite and I can’t wait to compete and play this along with my team-mates,” says Damian Willemse.
“Board games are really fun and interactive to play as a family. As for featuring in it, well I’m sure my kids will have a good laugh if they see their dad” says Warren Whiteley.
The development of the game is a collaborative venture, with SARU working closely with Epic Games to determine the features of the game and other aspects of game play. Stockists of the game include Checkers, CNA, Exclusive Books, Hamleys, Mr Price Sports, Musica, PNA, Readers Warehouse, Sportsmans Warehouse, Takealot, Toy Kingdom, ToysRUs, Independents and SA Rugby Shop.
Win a Springbok game hamper!If you want to WIN these official Springbok games including Springbok Monopoly, Top Trumps & playing cards all you have to do is find this specially marked post on Instagram and follow the instructions!
Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 16 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with Epic Games.
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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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Festive feeding: carb free tuna dish with KOO {Giveaway}
When it comes to festive eating, I only have 3 requirements: quick, easy and yummy! Oh and it would help if it’s good for my body too. Because of this (and because I like to work smart, not hard) I revised a delish Tuna Mornay recipe that I had spotted online. The recipe is CARB FREE (that’s right… call it a unicorn, I don’t mind) and the ingredients are basically 2 tins of tuna, some cheese, and as much KOO tinned goodness, as you’d care to add. That easy!
Fortunately, KOO’s ever expanding “bean family” comes with new flavours this festive and I ain’t mad at it! First of all, can we talk about the KOO Black Beans in Mexican Sauce flavour?! If you’re as big of a Mexican foods fan as I am, then your heart probably did flip flops just reading that, karnal!
I’ve also been eyeing a delish-sounding KOO Baked Beans in Chilli Wors flavour and I’m still crazy about the KOO Cape Malay Curry flavour.For my recipe today, I am using some of our fave KOO tinned veggies… you know, the ones you simply can’t do without. This recipe is kind of like a “choose your own adventure” book – you know, you get to choose which flavour journey you want to go on. And guess what, no matter what you choose, you’ll probably STILL enjoy this dish because it’s that flexible. It’s perfect for Summer feeding! Check it out:
Easy Peasy (no carb) Tuna MornayIngredients:
1 onion
2 tins of tuna (either in brine or water, doesn’t matter, because you’ll be draining it)
Cheese (as much cheese as your cheesy lil’ heart can stand)
1 tin of KOO Creamstyle Sweetcorn
1 tin of KOO Whole Kernel Corn
1 tin of KOO Garden peas
You can add any flavour of KOO mixed veg, but remember that too much sauce might change the consistency, so balance the sauce out with more whole kernel corn or peas.
Spice for flavour (I usually do without any! It’s that wholesome and good!)
Method: In a large pot, brown your onion and add your drained tuna and brown together for about 5 minutes.
Add all your “unsaucy” veggies to the mix. Cook together for about 3 minutes.
Add your binders (your saucy tins, i.e. the creamed corn). Allow to cook for another 3 minutes. You can add your spices now. Again, I don’t add any salt or spices to this dish.
Transfer your final mixture to an oven dish and stir in some grated cheese, finally topping the dish off with a layer of grated cheese.
Pop into the oven until your cheese is nice and golden/gooey. (I prefer gooey over golden).
And that’s that. A quick veggie based dish that doesn’t take a gazillion years to put together and it’s flop proof! As I’ve said before, I would add one of the KOO mixed vegetable variations, if i’m looking to change it up. You can totally make it your own!So what do you think friends? Would you try this at home?How would you make it your own, if you do?
Win a KOO hamper valued at R500!KOO wants to give you a festive hamper filled with some of their classic and newer product offerings, as well as some funky KOO branded items!
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 newer KOO tins you’d like to try, to grab 1 entry.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 6 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
(EDITED: The KOO giveaway has been extended! Winner to be announced on 16 December.)
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with KOO South Africa.
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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.
