-
Music Monday: Jeremy Camp – Christmas:God With Us
For those who prefer your more tradish Christmas sing along songs, you need to check out Jeremy Camp’s totally rad Christmas offering called Christmas: God With Us. Jeremy is a really cool contemporary Christian artist and his festive album is very rock meets pop meets U2.I really appreciate that he’s stayed true to the traditional Christmas songs, not altering any of the classic melodies or words. He has, however spiced up the music and arrangements a bit. But in a really great way. In fact, I almost feel like he’s somehow added an element of fun to these age old classics.
All the faves are on here. Namely Jingle Bell Rock, Joy to the World, Away In a Manger, the works. If you’re a contemporary rock fan, and you like to get your Christmas music on, this is definitely one for you! You can check out more on Gateway News, where I did an official review for Christian Art Media.
Win your own set of Christmas albums!But wait… there’s more! Remember I said that I’m giving away a collection Christmas-themed albums to one of you (thanks to Christian Art Media)? Well, that’s definitely still happening! Whoot whooot! I’ve changed the entry mechanism, to give everyone more of a chance. Simply complete the rafflecopter below! Giveaway closes on Tuesday, December 19th!
Find the rest of the reviews here:
Lauren Daigle – Behold -
Fat Attack Beach tours make summer a little bit more exciting
If you want to be the cool parent this summer, then this post is for you. I totally scored cool parent points last weekend when I introduced our boys to the Fat Attack beach tours. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism invited a bunch of us to check out this totally rad new offering to the bays summer itinerary, thanks to Red Cherry Adventures. And guys, it’s totally legit.
So the fat bike is basically like a normal bike, except that it has larger tyres and is ideal to use on trails or to ride in the beach sand. Yep, that’s right! Ride in the BEACH SAND! Romantic ride on the beach, anyone?! Thought so!
Kyle enjoyed the bikes more than I did, well mainly because I’m such a nerd and I don’t do well without a roof over my head. I did, however, appreciate that they were able to give me a “smaller” bike, compared to Christophers. It made me feel as if I’m not going to fall on my face anytime soon. Okay, even though I almost did. But that’s not the point here.My blogger friends (see below (left) Odette, Venean, Lorelle and Laurina) totally kicked some fat bike butt though!
I love my hometown, yo. Nelson Mandela Bay is gearing up for an action-packed summer for visitors and locals who will be in search of activities and entertainment this holiday season.We all know that we have some of the best beaches this side of the coast. The retro fat bike is a cool way to get to those “hard to reach” remote locations and the Red Cherry Adventures trail packages offer fun and excitement for 2 to 3 hours.
Some of the popular offerings include a 15km Lightouhsoe trail to Cape Recife and a 12km Sacramento trail. All activity begins and ends at the popular Something Good Roadhouse, making it the ideal place to plan a refueling session, before you go on to explore more of the bay. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism also offers the public really legit pass cards, which will give you free and discounted entry into a variety of attractions and activities.for more information, you can visit Nelson Mandela Bay Tourisms website. To book your first Fat Attack beach ride in Nelson Mandela Bay contact Red Cherry Adventures via email or visit the website.
-
2017 trends that are blowing my mind
I don’t know if you’re aware, but it’s the 1st of December today. Yep girl, take it in. December is upon us. And as summer goes, there are a bunch of new trends that all the cool kids are running with. Well, in general, 2017 has given us a whole bunch of trends that have totally blown my mind. Some of them are legit. Others have left me more confused than I usually am. And the rest, well, I’m just over here trying to figure out how I feel about them without ugly crying. You guys know what they are:
Off the shoulder tops
As much as I love the off-the-shoulder top, I also don’t. Mainly because the thought of exposing my shoulders to the free world makes me want to shudder. These are totally in this summer though… which you probably already knew, judging by the amount of collar bones and shoulder blades I’ve seen in Spar just this past weekFidget spinners
Are these still a thing? And if so, why? But then again, what do I know. I’m the “give them books and love!” aunty of the family. I do believe that fidget spinners have been a big help to mama’s with kids who are battling with ADHD, so despite the weird contraptions strange name, it actually serves to accomplish a greater purpose. More power to it.
Fluffy sliders
No, these are not slippers, yo! So the faux fur sliders (aka flat slip on sandals) is all the rage right now and my spreadsheet brain wants to understand why, but it just can’t. Look, they are cute, I’ll give it that. But I don’t get why they have to be furry (isn’t it summer… as in, hot… as in fur maybe isn’t such a good idea in the heat…) I say this with an unresolved heart, because who knows, I might just get a pair!Broken jeans
Thank you 2017. You’ve shown me enough knees and thigh flesh to last me a good few years. And while we’re on this topic, apparently it’s okay to walk into a clothing store to purchase a pair of jeans that has rips and tears in them. Try explaining that one to my granny. Exactly. Guys, the trend is way cool, if you’re doing it right. But come on, you have to admit, it makes as much sense as an episode of Jersey Shore.Bitcoin
I don’t know how this got here, but I just want to say that if another person tries to “bitcoin shame” me on Facebook, I am going to use my imaginary fists and beat them in the imaginary face! Yes, yes, yes, Paul. I get it. Bitcoin is not imaginary… it’s real and it’s a thing and surely I don’t want to be rich because I’m not investing in it and all of that. Let’s move along now, shall we?
Contouring
It’s no secret, my contour game is so not on fleek. In fact, it’s pretty much “off fleek”, if you want to be honest about it. I love make up but I’ve never owned enough or had enough know-how to make my cheek bones look as if they are sharp enough to slice through a loaf of bread. I guess the whole contouring trend is totally lost on me.Ombre/Reverse ombre
My hair has been one color for most of my adult life and it causes me to thrive. I’m such a bad-ass. Hahaha. *cough* We both know that’s not the truth. Anyways, the reason why I don’t get “ombre” or “reverse ombre” is because it means that the top half of your hair is a different color to the bottom part of your hair, and where I’m from, it usually means your roots are showing, Wilna, and you need to reapply your hair dye.So what do you guys think? Are there any summer or 2017 trends that you’re totally loving? Which of them are lost on you? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
-
Gary Chapman’s Conversation Starters made my family talk {Giveaway!}
Ever sat around a supper table and literally heard crickets, because the conversation was just that non-existent? Or do you find that one child is a chatterbox, leaving no room for any of the others to share? Or do you just want to get your family or spouse talking more? You and me both, pal! Which is why I literally squealed when my friends over at Christian Art Media sent me a parcel so amazing, I’m sure I heard angels singing when I opened it. Introducing: Gary Chapmans 101 Conversation Starters. If you love board games and group games, like I do, then this is right up your alley! (Stay tuned to find out how you can win a hamper for you and your family!)
So, for those not familiar with the geniosity that is Dr Gary Chapman: He is the brilliant psychologist (with more than 30 years experience, yo!) and the author behind the highly popular New York Best Selling Five Love Languages book. Dr Chapman says that each person has their own unique language, pertaining to their own, unique personality and characteristics. We all give and receive love in different ways. He explains that by knowing your partner or children’s love language, you can finally take the mystery out of what they really want and expect. Knowing your child’s love language can help you to understand them better and will give you the “cheats” on how to get the best out of them!
According to him, the 5 Love Languages are: Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Physical Touch. For example, my love language is acts of service. When Chris washes the dishes, or gives me a food rub, I’m like “woah, this guy really loves me!” His, on the other hand, is physical touch. So, if I’m upset with him for like, a week, and avoid contact, he really feels the burn!
Anyways, so based on the amazing Love Languages series, and together with Ramon Presson, Dr Chapman has developed the 101 Conversation Starters cards. This handy tabletop resource is designed to get you, your family and your spouse talking! With 101 probing questions, 101 Conversation Starters for Families blends just the right amount of fun and thought-provoking questions, to help develop a culture of meaningful conversation in your family! I simply adore the 101 Conversation Starters for Couples cards. These offer 101 probing questions for couples, with the aim to enhance the relationship and create a deeper intimacy.
If you’re looking for an affordable way to create a fun atmosphere, at home, during the summer period, then I highly recommend these! And hey, aren’t the ‘couples’ cards a really legit way to spend a date night indoors? The 101 Conversation Starters cards and Love Languages books are available online or at your nearest CUM Books store.
We played the family game, this past week, and learnt a bunch of really interesting things about each other. For starters, Kyle wants to leave the country. But we always knew that. Chris realized that he needs a dedicated day, in the week, to spend with the family (yep, the cards told him this!) and now everyone knows that the one thing I want for Christmas is to be 16 again! That last one was meant to be funny, but only I thought it was. Oh well, you can’t win them all. And talking about winning, I want to give one of you a hamper, as part of my Christmas Crazy festivities! Woohoo!
The hamper includes both the 101 Conversation Starters for Families, 101 Conversation Starters for Couples AND the 2 accompanying Dr Chapman Love Languages books, that will help you to work on building better relationships within your family and marriage! AAAACK! I know, right?!!To enter, simply follow the rafflecopter prompts below, and check out my Facebook page on Friday, December 15th to see if you’re a winner! Yep, there are hundreds (I’m exaggerating) of ways to enter… I wanted to give you as many chances and options as possible! This prize is that good! Good luck ya’ll!
-
Oh hi there, ridiculously overpriced festive season…
Look, whether you’re all “tis the season to be jolly” or not, December is only a few sleeps away. And with it comes the ridiculously overpriced festive season that probably has a few of us tossing and turning at night. I mean, the kids need new clothes and fancy gifts. My home needs to be refurnished and repainted to domestic perfection and my hair needs to resemble something out of a Tresemme advert, or else does it even count as hair? Then there are all the staff and ‘end of year’ parties that require you to pay per head. Secret santa gifts needs to be bought and uhm, you didn’t think that I was going to that, wearing this, did you? How does one even keep up?!
Well, I’ve decided that this year, I’m simply just NOT. That’s right. I’m NOT going to keep up. Why? Well, because you’re not a Kardashian… and girlfriend, neither am I. And hey, don’t get me wrong, I am all for big Christmases, but not this year, Patricia. It could be the newly added fourth child that suddenly has me more cash conscious than Scrooge McDuck on a budget saver, but suddenly all the unnecessary things just seem so… I don’t know… well, unnecessary.
For starters, do I REALLY need to buy new curtains for every single window in my house? And if I do, why get them all over the December period? I’m sure my guests aren’t visiting me, during summer, to check out my window fixtures.
And seriously, how many new “outfits” does one kid even need? And if I must buy them something new (which I must, at least, shame guys) there are many stores that make shopping for those summer essentials a lot more affordable. And as for summer entertaining… we’re going retro up in here, kids! I’m talking picnics, walks on the beach and playing Monopoly and Scrabble at the dining room table! (All of which costs a small fee of nothing! And I thank you for that.) Fortunately, I live in the most beautiful city on earth and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism has a really affordable pass that makes holidaying in our city a lot more affordable. #sharethebay
Then there’s the issue of food. I mean, guys, I get it, holidays means eating. But why. Why guys. Why why why why?! (that’s me breaking out my inner, mis-phrased Rihanna song). Why do we spend so much money on food, in December?! I’ve decided that we’re not doing takeaways every single night of the week (and the crowd goes mehhh) (and by “crowd”, I mean my children). Also, I finally understand why my mom buys in bulk for the festive season! It’s friggen genius, really! I mean, shopping for that bring and braai can be done in your very own refrigerator.
Then comes the issue of gifts. Look, I am a self-professed “Christmas Girl” and gifts kinda are my love language. I can’t wait to show you guys some of my fave gift ideas. I don’t know about you, but I’ve made provision (financially) for those cool Christmas gifts. I mean, I love presents, you guys! What is a Christmas tree without a foray of gifts underneath it?! This year, we’re sorted. Call it clever shopping (every other month of the year that is not December)… call it budgeting… as you wish. We don’t get emotional up in this piece. We think ahead. We strategise.
And talking about strategy… how often do you even wear the stunning heels you bought last Christmas? Or the “wedding outfit” you forked out a wad of cash on, two years ago? Recycle, girl! No one remembers, I promise you. You don’t have to wear something new to look good.
Okay, dramatics aside, how many of you can relate? It’s okay to admit that you’re not rolling in the dough this December. (Because, seriously, who wants to roll in dough? That stuff’s a disaster to get out of your hair). Anyways, I thought that this would be a great space to get some cool money saving tips going! Please share your tips in the comments section below because sharing is caring… and atleast we’re not asking you for money.
-
Music Monday: Matt Redman – These Christmas Lights
For those looking for a more contemporary listen this Christmas allow me to introduce your ears to all that is Matt Redman. Matt is a 2 time Grammy award winner, worship leader and renowned singer and songwriter in the christian music circles. I mean, I am all for putting “Christ” back into Christmas… and that’s exactly what he does on his festive album, These Christmas Lights.For starters, the album is filled with a collection of original Christmas themed songs … so if you’re preconditioned to “bleugh” at the mere sound of jingle bells, this one is for you! Secondly, as I’ve mentioned Matt is a really top songwriter and as a double score, he features the vocal prowess of Chris Tomlin, Natasha Bedingfield and the great Tasha Cobbs, on this album.
Some of my favorite picks include the duet with Bedingfield. I mean, the lady has a set of pipes on her! Cobbs also does her fair share of vocal wowing, on the duet ‘Glory to you in the highest‘, where she totally does justice to an amazing song that is kinda like a reprise of the traditional Christmas tune, ‘Hark the Herald angels‘.
Matt is a story teller. He has been gifted with the amazing ability to paint pictures, with words and music and I love that he has taken something that is often completed and utterly pulverized (I’m talking about Christmas, yo) and reinvented the way it’s told, in a way that is more personal and intimate.
There’s a whole lot more that I can say about this one… and I did, over here at Gateway News. You can check out the complete review there.
Win your own set of Christmas albums!But wait… there’s more! Remember I said that I’m giving away a collection Christmas-themed albums to one of you (thanks to Christian Art Media)? Well, that’s definitely still happening! Whoot whooot! I’ve changed the entry mechanism, to give everyone more of a chance. Simply complete the rafflecopter below! Giveaway closes on Tuesday, December 19th!
Find the rest of the reviews here:
Lauren Daigle – Behold -
So we made christmas tree ornaments in our LG NeoChef Microwave Oven
It’s no secret, I’m not exactly a domestic goddess. But when I got my hands on the new LG NeoChef Microwave Oven (with smart inverter technology, yo) I found myself all kinds of inspired! I stood there, staring at it’s sleek exterior, wondering what on earth I could make in it. And then I watched the LG NeoChef advert, where a very well spoken Daniel Les – world renowned ceremic artist – shows us how he bakes intricate hand-crafted pottery in his NeoChef. “Hey, I can do that!” I said out loud to no one in particular, because that’s how I roll. And that, my friends, is how I ended up making christmas tree ornaments in our LG NeoChef. Granted, it wasn’t an entirely smooth ride (because my cleverness forgot to remind me that an oven is an oven, so don’t put metallic bows in it maybe) but I am totally chuffed with the end result!
Here’s how we did it: Kari and I simply made a batch of salt dough with about 4 cups of flour and 1 cup of salt. After combining the flour and salt, we slowly stirred some water into it (key word: slowly!), kneading at the concoction until the dough is formed. Once this was done, we grabbed some of our cookie cutters and got a couple of really cool shapes for our ornaments.
You guys, so the recipes I found online told me to bake my ornaments in the oven for at least 2 – 3 hours. I put these in the NeoChef for 20 minutes and guess what… it was too long! We put the second batch in for only 10 minutes! How’s that for impressive AND a time saver?!Okay, here’s where my cleverness failed me. I thought that we could decorate the ornaments before sticking them in the oven. But alas, this did not work out quite as expected. But, all was not lost. I remembered what my very crafty pal, JustEllaBella, told me about using nail polish to decorate your tiny crafts. And that’s what we did!
All in all, I think they came out really sweet! What do you guys think? I am simply loving our LG NeoChef Microwave Oven. Here’s a few more really impressive things you need to know about it:– It has Anti-Bacterial EasyClean™ interior coating, which means it’s easier to keep your microwave oven clean and germ free. The coating gets rid of 99.99% of harmful bacteria from the surface.
– The inverter technology is a real thing, yo! Like a super power… but better! Basically, it enables more precise temperature control. (Which is why Mr Les could bake his pottery in it!) This also prevents overcooked food and unthawed areas on your defrosted foods.
– It has a legit interior LED lamp, which is three times brighter and more energy efficient than most premium microwave oven lights. This means it’s way easier to see into the oven – no more stopping to check, simply peek in through the window!
Totally impressed.
Disclaimer: The LG NeoChef was sent to me, but all the opinions and photos in this post are my own, I promise.
-
3 relaxing activities any mom should have time for
Once you become a mom, having time for yourself becomes more of a myth than reality. But everybody is entitled to a bit of relaxation at the end of the day, and this should include moms as well. Getting rid of all the stress you’ve accumulated during the day will get you ready for the following morning and will help you be there 100%, which is why it is essential that you do not skip this step. I’d like to tell you about three simple, yet highly effective strategies that could make a difference for you because they will help you relax.
1. Getting Proper Sleep Is a Must for Any Mom
A good night’s sleep can do wonders for you because it provides you with the energy you need to have every single day as a mom. During those hours of sleep, your body will have time to regain its strength and stay healthy. Adjusting your sleep schedule is something that you should have in mind for the long run because it is the basis of a sane mind. A recent study made at Warwick University has actually compared the effects of good sleep to how it feels to be an actual lottery winner. Imagine just how happy you could be after getting a jackpot. This should give you an idea of just how important sleep is for our day-to-day health. So, after you’ve put your little darling to bed, remember that it’s your turn to rest and charge your batteries for the day that awaits.
2. Having A Hobby to Turn to Can Relieve Stress
As any mom out there, I am sure that you want to do absolutely everything with your children, but keeping some things to yourself and yourself only is very important for your emotional state. Keep at least some of your hobbies active and make sure you allocate time to them periodically. Everybody has their own hobby, so whether you like books, films, or outdoor activities, save some time for them because it will help you let all of that stress out. At least once a week, take a bit of time for you and only you and watch your film, read your book, or take your run and you will see just how much it can do for you.
3. Establishing Short Rituals Will Work with A Mom’s Busy Schedule
Making the day longer is any mom’s dream, but, sadly, that is not a possibility, which means that you have to take your relaxation where you can get it. And not only is this possible, but it is all a matter of perspective. Cherish the short relaxing moments you get on a daily basis, like drinking your morning cup of coffee, taking your evening shower, or even taking a short walk on your way to work or picking up your kids from kindergarten. The secret to this one is to keep your mind channeled on what you are doing at that particular time, instead of worrying about the rest of the things you will have to do. Savor that cup of coffee, enjoy that shower, and take the time to notice the scenery as you take your walk. This will help you let out the stress and take in the beauty of the moment. All you have to do is pay attention to it.
Being a mom takes up most of your day, I know, but these three relaxation strategies will help you achieve some great progress. So, breathe in and take your day as it comes, one moment at the time. Make sure you respect the boundaries you set, even though they are self-imposed and you will see just how much this could do for you.
Disclaimer: This post was paid for by ICS Digital and all content belongs to them. Image Source: Pixabay
-
When a city honors it’s fathers
So apparently Sunday was International Men’s Day. Did you even know? If not, why not? No, seriously, why do we not know these things? We are living in the throes of an era where “who run the world, girls” is the theme song in most single parented households. And I guess there’s nothing wrong with having (or being) a strong single mother. Heck, I was one for a good couple of years! But ladies… females… can we be honest? Our children need strong father figures in their lives. Fatherhood needs to be celebrated in South Africa! It is with this in mind that the Fatherhood Foundation of South Africa decided to celebrate men with an annual ‘Dad of the Year’ awards ceremony.The event was launched in Nelson Mandela Bay this past weekend. Yo! Media, who helped to pull it all together, invited a bunch of us to attend a family picnic at the MTR Smit Children’s Home, where we would join in to celebrate with the award winners. The aim of the event was to honor men who contribute to the tremendous effort it takes to raising children in today’s society, and to elevate the role of fatherhood and encourage a legacy of responsible fathering.
Founder of the Fatherhood Foundation, Zane Meas (famously known to local TV soapie fans as Neville Meintjies), shared his heart and it totally hit home for me! Zane said that mothers are doing to much, referring to the vast number of single mothers who are responsible for raising a large portion of the fatherless youth in South Africa. He passionately shared: “It’s not her job to be mommy and daddy. Once we get men back into their rightful place, we’ll see change!”
Zane explained that in most impoverished communities, men who grow up without fathers end up having children of their own, who they in turn abandon too. He said that the #menaretrash social media trend totally broke his heart because it implies that all men are bad and that is not the truth. There is a perception that men aren’t good enough anymore, so women feel like they don’t need a man in their lives. He ended off with saying that all children want to know that they are loved. They need to know their identity, in order to find a sense of belonging and worth.So what are your thoughts on this, single moms? I know, all to well, the struggle of trying to be all things for my child. And even though my kid’s dad was very much involved, he lived in another city, which meant that a lot of the heavy lifting had to be done by me. It’s not easy, guys. Can we do it? Yes, we can. Should we be doing it? No. This new normal should not be the standard. I also found that Kyle seriously looked forward to spending time with his dad, because he needed that male bonding time. He needed a male role model… someone who “got” him in ways that I never could. (And thank God that Chris came along, but that’s another story for another day.)
I love the concept behind celebrating fatherhood and I am looking forward to the 2018 Dad of the Year Awards!
-
Why you need to attend the Vital Neonatal Conference
Moms of preemies, unite! Baby Preemie and Me will be hosting the very first Vital Neonatal Conference for Professionals and Parents, in Nelson Mandela Bay on 1-2 December 2017 at the Marriott Protea Hotel in Summerstrand.“The conference provides a platform for guidance to be shared on the best practice and advancements in Neonatal care, Preterm birth and care, Brain and Sensory development, breastfeeding, nutrition for mother and child, Neuroscience of Zero separation, Kangaroo care, Newborn Hearing screening and even Family centered care, with a pre-conference session on Infection control in the NICU.”
Okay that was a lot of words. In a nutshell, you want to attend this event because you want to learn from super clever experts on all things baby-related, with a magnifying glass specifically aimed at premature birth and how to help your preemie baby thrive! What kind of experts, I hear you say. Well, let’s just say they all have very fancy titles behind their name. See here:
Dr Jack Newman – Breast Feeding Clinic Founder: Toronto (and Queen’s Jubilee Award recipient);
Judy Moore – NATUS Medical Incorporated – Senior Marketing Manager, Clinical;
Dr Nils Bergman (Swedish)- Public Health Physician and Honorary Lecturer at UCT;
Mrs Jill Bergman – Author, Producer – specifically in the arena of “Kangaroo Mother Care” and;
Ms Chantelle Witten – Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences at UWC.The 2 day event is open to health care practitioners on 1st December and to parents, pregnant moms and child carers on 2nd December. Other major scoring points are: food, time to mingle with other moms and a legit goodiebag worth R1899 for the first 100 registrants.
Guys, tickets cost R350pp but if you book through My Spreadsheet Brain, you get 30% off! I know, right?! You qualify to only pay R245pp! Whoot whoot! Simply email me your deets, and I’ll hook you up.
For more information on the event, do check out the Baby Preemie and Me website.
