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Christmas Gift Idea: The original Magic 8 Ball
Q: What’s better than giving your kid the latest fad toy for Christmas? A: A really cool classic game that we probably played when we were growing up! I mean, I don’t know about you guys, but I kinda enjoy gifting my kids with things that I’ve mastered before. Those novelty toys of yesteryear are the bomb!
The original Magic 8 Ball™ is one such toy… right?! This novelty toy lets anyone pretend-seek advice about their future! And no, it does not work with voodoo… it’s actually for “jokes”… and it can get quit silly. All you have to do is simply “ask the ball” any yes or no question, then wait for your answer to be revealed.
Turn the toy upside-down and wait for your answer to appear through the window. Each pack contains 1 Magic 8 Ball novelty toy. It’s a really fun way to replace your dice, on a board game!Back in my day (look at me pretending to be really old when I’m only semi-old) we would use things like Magic 8 Ball and other such frivolities (paper predictors) to help us determine whether our school crush has a crush on us. (Yes, I too would like to give younger me a hug).
`Since then, I’ve become older and wiser (I’d like to think) and I don’t rely on hocus pocus and “what ifs” to determine my future. Although, come on, that first cup of coffee kinda helps us to decide exactly how great our day is going to be #amIright?You can grab your Magic 8 Ball from Takealot for only R169.This post was sponsored by Brand Alley -
Wanna win a cool R25 000 in Uber Credits? {Giveaway!}
How does a cool R25 000 worth of Uber Credits sound? Like music to your ears, right? Well, you could be the lucky winner, taking home R25 000 in Uber credits to be used on the Uber Eats or Uber Rides app!
As you guys know, I am an avid Uber patron. Honestly, without the Uber Rides and Uber Eats apps, I would probably be stranded, daily. I appreciate that safety is a priority at Uber Eats. All stores, merchants and restaurants follow the strictest of hygiene protocols.
In fact, the Uber app has included enhanced COVID-19 safety features which require all delivery-partners to wear a mask before being allowed to pick-up and deliver. All delivery bags are also sanitised before and after every order.
Users are still able to track their order in real-time and have access to in-app support via the app for any queries.
Well, guess what my friends, Uber would like to give you the opportunity to win a lekker R25 000 in Uber credits! All you need to do is order from the app for R60 or more between now and the 20th of December 2020. Yep – that’s it! Users have an unlimited amount of entries, so the more you order the greater your chances of winning.
Competition GuidelinesTo enter, simply:
1. Open the Uber Eats app and select “account”
2. Tap on promotions and tap “enter code”
3. Enter ‘WIN25k’ and tap “add promo”
4. Order your favourite foods, daily essentials or any other much-needed item from any of the merchants available on the app (Minimum basket order must be over R60 to be eligible)
5. At checkout the competition code is automatically applied so simply place your order
The competition closes on the 20th December and the winner will be announced 23 December 2020. The competition will be overseen by Eversheds Sutherland (SA) Inc. T&Cs apply. The winner is subject to authentication by Uber Eats and must be of 18 years or older to enter. All orders must be to the value of R60 or higher to be eligible for the competition. The winner will be selected by an external auditor using a random function on their UUID. The winner will need to acknowledge the winnings before a payout is made. Uber Eats reserves the right to adjust the terms if necessary. Full competition rules can be found on the Uber website.
This post was paid for by Uber.
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Christmas Gift Ideas: Hasbro’s Great Gifts 2020
It’s no secret, we have many children. Like, many. And, although Christmas gift-choosing may be a headache for some, I quite enjoy it nogals. Even thought we have many children. (Like, many).
Brands, like Hasbro, make it that much easier to find cool toys and games for your kids during the festive season. Hasbro even has a “Hasbro’s Great Gifts” list, which compiles all the best toys of 2020 for you. I know. It’s kiff.
Here are some of my faves:
Play-DohPlay-Doh officianados will vrek for some of Play-Doh’s latest releases. I mean, from slimey to color burst to super stretchy, Elastix Play-Doh… these new options are so cool! My kids love the Play-Doh Color Burst, with speckles of one color mixed into another. The Play-Doh Elastix is another fave. It has a fun pull-apart texture, for new ways to play. It’s perfect to stretch and mould and makes creating even more fun and exciting!
Peealots & Poopalots
If your kids love the the furReal furry friends, you definitely should check out the Peealots & Poopalots Big Wags Pets collection, another expansion of the brand’s successful pet-walking line, with a range of feisty pups and kittens to choose from.
Each Peealots pet comes with a leash system that allows you to take them for walks and a water bottle so you can give them a drink. Of course, after quenching your pet’s thirst, they’ll need to go! Just lift its tail and watch as your pet lifts its leg and pees – but be sure to clean up after them – it’s the polite thing to do!
Frozen
I mean, need I say more? Elsa and Anna are like celebrities in my home. So why not a cool Elsa fashion doll for Christmas? Kids can sing along with the Musical Adventure Elsa and Anna fashion dolls (each doll sold separately) as she belts out a song featured in Disney’s Frozen 2 movie.
Doll includes batteries so the musical fun can start as soon as kids open the box. All they have to do is turn on the switch on her back and press the button on her bodice to start the catchy tune. Kids will also love her movie-inspired dress with its elegant design and glitter accents.
Power Rangers
So Power Rangers are still a thing. Remember how we grew up watching them (I’m the pink ranger… I’m always the pink ranger, okay?). Well our kids love the Power Rangers too. I was so impressed to see the cool range of Power Rangers toys available from Hasbro.
IT’S MORPHIN TIME! The Power Rangers Beast-X King Morpher is inspired by the Power Rangers Beast Morphers TV show (as seen on Cartoon Network), with light up lion eyes. When kids strap the morpher to their wrist and move around, they will hear show-inspired sounds and phrases. Plus, when they use the included Morph-X key in the Beast-X King Morpher, the Beast-X King mane will flip out and the morpher will enter Beast-X mode, for even more sounds and phrases!
Find these toys at Takealot, Toys R Us and ToyZone.
WIN one of two Hasbro toy hampers valued at R700!Want to score yourself a lekker Hasbro toy hamper for Christmas? Sure you do! To enter simply find specially marked posts on Instagram and Facebook and follow the instructions. One winner will be selected from each platform and you may enter on both platforms – giving you two chances to win!
Terms and Conditions
Giveaway closes on 18 December at midnight. Competition is open to SA residents only. Competition is not affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. T&C’s apply. Decision is final and we reserve the right to disqualify winners should entry mechanisms not be followed. Products are not redeemable for cash. Winners of any Hasbro competitions in the last 6 months will not be eligible to win.
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Toy Story brings the magic! {Toy Review}
Hands up if you’ve watched your kids favorite movie over and over and over… I mean, let’s be honest, we are able to quote those movies word-for-word already, right? Heck, I even have my favorite scenes, and even though it’s, like, the gazillionth time that it’s on, I find myself glued to the screen. Don’t look at me like that Martha… I’m not ashamed to admit it.
When it comes to kids movies, one of the absolute faves is Toy Story. We love the adventures of Woody and Buzz! (I’m here for Lil Bo Beep, to be honest). So I was super thrilled when we received a Disney Pixar Toy Story 4 action figure to review. Jo is so big on dinosaurs right now (which helps when planning his birthday party, not gonna lie to ya!) and he was chuffed to find a Rex figurine in the package!
This particular collection of “road trip figurines” includes six action figures altogether. Each figure is highly posable, for big action play, helping your child recreate the movie’s vacation scenes at home and on your next holiday. You can pick up Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Rex, Slinky, Jessie or Forky.The giftset is well priced (Christmas gift idea, yo!) and it comes in true-to-movie RV packaging.
You can pick these up at major retailers such as Takealot, ToysRUs, Toy Kingdom, The Kid Zone and Loot.The post was paid for by Brand Alley. -
Cooking up some fun with the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Magic Color Mixing Bowl
When it comes to pretend play, my kids are expert chefs. I mean, I would know, since I’ve had to pretend sample all of their – errr – delicious foods, brought to me on tiny saucers and in tiny cups. My baby boy has since learnt the art of throwing together a bunch of invisible ingredients into a bowl and turning it into an invisible masterpiece. It’s wonderful to watch, no really.
When we received the Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn® Magic Color Mixing Bowl I knew it would be an instant hit! Your baby can mix up lots of yummy pretend food with this magical mixing bowl.
This light-up musical mixing bowl ‘magically’ knows when little bakers place the ingredients inside and rewards every put-and-take action with colorful lights, music, sounds, and learning phrases.It has six removable ‘ingredient’ play pieces, two buttons that activate more fun songs and sounds, and an adorable light-up face… Asher was beside himself!
I love that the toy introduces him to the alphabet, colors and numbers. It also helps to develop those fine motor skills through grasping and moving the play pieces in and out of the mixing bowl, helping to strengthen his dexterity and hand-eye coordination. It also encourages those thinking skills by introducing him to the fun of cause and effect as he figures out how to activate the lights and music by placing the ingredients in the bowl or pressing the two buttons.
If you’re looking for a cool Christmas gift for your baby (it’s perfect for babies aged 6-36 months!) or maybe you’re just really hungry for pretend food and would like to enslave your child to cook for you – you should totes consider investing in the Magic Color Mixing Bowl. Fisher Price is known for their quality toys.Oh AND the best part (for me, atleast) is that it comes with 6 removable play pieces, including rattle egg, milk bottle, set of 2 measuring cups, pretend cherries, BPA-free teethable chocolate bar, and spoon for stirring.
For more information check out the Fisher Price website.
You can purchase Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn® Magic Color Mixing Bowl from Toys R Us
Disclaimer: This post was paid for by Fisher Price
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2020: Four funerals and a wedding
It’s been the best of times, it’s been the worst of times.
I mean, besides for learning how to bake our own banana bread, 2020 has been showing us flames.Our “best of times” included the occasional Zoom wedding (which is pure genius, btw…). As human beings, we have somehow mastered the art of staying connected, without being in the same room. I dig that.
Our “worst of times” involved losing many loved ones over a short period of time. And, honestly friends, death had always been a far off notion, for me, until this year. We’ve become heavily acquainted with grief.
You don’t fully appreciate your time on earth until you’ve witnessed a life snuffed out without warning. Or until you’ve made plans with someone for the future, and then had to pencil in their funeral on the same calendar. So yes, experiencing loss has been something spectacular.
And I don’t use the word “spectacular” loosely.
It’s the best way to describe this glorious circle of life – a grand design that God had gifted to us, with the intention that we’d end our race well.
It made me relook at what I value most and how I spend my time. Will I end MY race well?
I mean, YOLO isn’t a hippie term reserved for people who matriculated in 2010 – a romantic notion reserved only for gangsters and those who enjoy sky diving. You only live once, Charles! That’s it!
What type of legacy are you leaving behind?
I’ve started to ask myself questions such as:
What will my children know about me? How have I left my mark – and God’s mark – on my family and on the world? Am I chasing the right things, or am I too focused on instant gratification, titles and material obsessions?Am I walking in my God-given purpose? Do I even know what my God-given purpose is? And how will I know what my purpose is, if I don’t pay attention to my relationship with God?
I should be nicer to my husband. I really need to be more intentional with my marriage. How can I honor my husband? I should bake him a banana bread tomorrow.
(Disclaimer: These are actual thoughts that run through my head at 2AM, when I should be sleeping)It has been a year of introspection for me. I mean, besides for learning how to bake banana bread (and then baking it, like, one time). And while the “worst of times” may feel kinda, you know, overpowering at times, I’ve vowed that it would not leave me untouched.
Every single life lost – every tear shed – every premature goodbye… it can’t be in vain.
I just can’t continue to live my life the same way I had before. Where is the lesson in that? Where is the honor in that? What’s the point of surviving 2020 when we come out looking the exact same way that we did, at the start of the year?
So, yes… it’s been the best of times AND it’s been the worst of times. But we get another chance to try again. I’m thankful for that.
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Fisher-Price Linkimals: My baby’s new crew of talking, singing, light-up friends
When it comes to friends, one could say that I’m my baby’s bestie. I mean, it’s a no brainer… the kid wants to hang out with me, like, 24/7! And hey, I don’t mind at all – have you seen his cheeks? Best cheeks in all the land. But – not gon’ lie – I was super keen when I heard that Fisher-Price Linkimals were being launched in South Africa!
For those who don’t know, this toy is dubbed as “baby’s crew of talking, singing, light-up friends” (yes, just like in my title), because it’s loaded with exciting interactive play elements that are both fun and educational.
The fun lights and songs introduces baby to counting, colours and more! Pressing the Linkimals Musical Moose starts a totally rockin’ light-up learning party (one could say it’s “lit”) and, what’s even more fun is the synchronized music and light show when a bunch of Linkimals are hanging out together!
The Linkimal characters “recognize” each other and they create a synchronized music and light show. How legit?! So the more Linkimal characters you have, the better!
Where development comes into play:
Early Academics: Sung songs and phrases introduce your baby to colours and counting from 1 to 10!
Sensory: The moose’s light-up belly, playful songs and sounds, and soft antlers engage your baby’s developing visual, auditory, and tactile senses.
Curiosity & Wonder: Your baby can discover the fun of cause and effect as they press the belly button to activate music and lights or bat at the bobble head.This toy is perfect for babies ages 9 months and older. Fisher-Price Linkimals are available from Toys R Us.This post was paid for by Brand Alley. -
Recipe: Broccoli sprout pesto
What if I told you that some foods are like a superhero: They pack a punch AND protect your body from all the baddies, one bite at a time. Yes, I’m being serious.
Well, friends, microgreens do exactly this! Microgreens are the young seedlings of edible veggies and herbs. They are typically harvested less than 14 days after germination, are nutrition packed and have the flavour of a grown plant. But – get this – they contain four to 40 times more nutrients than their mature counterparts! (Read more about it here, if you don’t believe me.)
So yes they are baby plants/veggies… but, like, imagine they were ninja babies. Exactly. They help to reduce the chances of diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and certain cancers… so one could say that they are the Mr Miyagi of veggies.
These ninja foods use to be a thing that you would find in health shops and in the trolleys of the hip and health conscious. (So, like, not people like me then). But more peeps are incorporating them into their dishes now. Some even prefer them, over their mature counterparts, due to the added antioxidant and phytonutrients.
Anyways, I know I sound uber in-the-know about microgreens but I honestly only learnt about it about a week ago, when Eaton Greens asked me to try out some of their ninja microgreens. I was challenged to make a recipe using the power packed brocolli sprouts and cherry belle radishes. I mean, you obvz can incorporate them into basically any type of dish (salads, stews etc). But I wanted to be extra. And so here we are.
I give to you a DELICIOUS pesto recipe that is both yummy AND especially good for your body. What a score, right?
Broccoli Sprout PestoIngredients
2 cups of broccoli sprout (you can use cherry belle radishes too – or mix them together!)
Half cup of parmesan cheese
Half cup of sunflower seeds
3 cloves of garlic (crushed)
Half teaspoon of salt
Olive oil as needed
Lemon juice as needed
Method
Add everything (except olive oil and lemon juice) to the food processor and blend, stopping inbetween to add a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice until you are happy with the consistency. That’s basically it!
This pesto is very pungent and so devine! I stirred some into full cream plain yoghurt to make a creamy dip. Trust me, you want to try this! What a yummy way to get your nutrients in.
Eaton Greens stocks a variety of microgreens and they are so well priced at only R25 per tub. I love that their aim is to educate others on how to grow your own microgreens at home! In fact, they’ll soon be expanding their range and you will be able to pick up all goods (harvest trays etc) needed to harvest at home, straight from Eaton Greens. How cool, right? PE peeps can find Eaton Greens on Facebook or contact them via email or 064 902 1055.
If you try out my pesto recipe please drop me a message to let me know!
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Rummikub is 70! {Win!}
When I think of Rummikub, I immediately remember bunking class to play a few rounds of the strategy game with university buds, while chewing on whatever munchies we could forage from our backpacks.
Yep – I was that student – I totes bunked class. But also, I was thaaat student… I bunked class to play a board game. Call me a nerd, but not to my face.
Anyways, years later Rummikub is still a firm fave! My new opponents are unsuspecting family members who are often amused at my level of competitiveness when it comes to the game. Best moment is getting to shout out “Rummikub!” as I slap my final tile on the table! I mean, I can’t help it. Must. Outwit. Them. All.
The game basically involves using the numbered tiles, on your rack, to build sets (same number) or groups (running numbers, in same color). The player with the least amount or no tiles left, at the end of game play, is the winner.That’s the awesome thing about Rummikub though. It has the fun family element that most board games have. But it’s also such a cool strategy game… it keeps you on your toes.
So the fact that it is celebrating 70 years of bringing friends and families (and university students) together is definitely a celebration worth noting!
The range of Rummikub board games can be purchased from Toy Kingdom, Toy Zone, The Kid Zone and Takealot. Or purchase directly from the Prima Toys website: https://www.primatoys.co.za/rummikub
But wait – there’s more! To celebrate 70 years of fun, Rummikub would like to give one MSB reader a Rummikub Experience!
Win a Rummikub ExperienceTo enter simply find this specially marked post on Instagram, and follow the instructions.
Terms and Conditions
Giveaway closes on 31 October at midnight. Competition is open to SA residents only. Competition is not affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. T&C’s apply. Decision is final and we reserve the right to disqualify winners should entry mechanisms not be followed. Products are not redeemable for cash. Winners of any @PrimaToys competitions in the last 6 months will not be eligible to win.
Check out this reel for tips on how to play the game
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Uber Tech For Safety summit
We live in a world where safety is a necessity and sometimes, a luxury. I mean, we don’t always have the means to ensure that our homes and families are 100% safe. That’s why I get so excited when companies like Uber go above and beyond into investigating and researching ways that we can use technology to help create public spaces that champion social justice, equality, and safety for all.
Uber – in particular – hosts an annual Tech for Safety summit that is technology-safety focused.
The aim of the 2020 summit is to find technology-driven innovative solutions to some of the most pressing societal safety-related issues.
I love that the mission of the summit is to up the ante and bring to the forefront some of Africa’s biggest threats to personal safety while highlighting the opportunities that exist in leveraging technology.
I mean, let’s be honest, the world has changed due to COVID-19. Now more than ever, safety and technology is a key to survival for people and businesses.
Safety unlocks opportunities for growth. And I appreciate that Uber believes that safety should always be a priority. That’s why they are constantly striving to better the app.Anyways, the Tech for Safety summit, with its innovative speakers and panellists, will chat about COVID-19 safety, while equipping guests with the knowledge needed to use current and new technology to help create a safer future for all across South Africa.
The speakers and panellists will include thought leaders, corporates, start-ups and innovators and they’ll lead the summit by addressing the safety challenges faced by the pandemic and what solutions have worked
The Uber Tech for Safety 2020 summit will take place on Thursday, October 22nd.Is this something that interests you? Well, I’m sure it does. It involves the safety and well-being of your family and society, at large. So, if you’d like to sign up (it’s free) and join the conversation, register now by clicking here or alternatively by sending your full name and contact details to rsvp@ubertechsafety.co.za to save your free virtual seat.
This post was done in collaboration with Uber SA.
