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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.
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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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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 -
Safe sleep for your baby
It’s 2am. I should be sleeping but I’m wide awake, my eyes fixed on my baby, who is sound asleep in his cot. I don’t want to a miss a thing! I mean, what if he stops breathing in the middle of the night?! What if the blanket isn’t as secure as I thought it was, and he ends up with a blankey over his face? What if he overheats? Is he warm enough? What if, what if, what if?!
Yep – I’ve been that psycho mom probably all four times, with each of my kids. I would check on them literally every half hour, and (here’s the “psycho mom” part) if they are sound asleep I would rouse them a bit just to make sure that they are still alive and breathing.
Have you been a psycho mom? Join me, friend! I have snacks. We can sit in a semi circle and sing kumbaya while staring at our sleeping babies, simultaneously.
Seriously though I am such a fiend when it comes to sleep safety. Not to be a bummer, but sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) aka cot death usually occurs during sleep, you guys. Although the exact cause of SIDS is unknown, factors that could come into play include baby overheating and accidental suffocation.
I was so excited when one of my fave brands, Tommee Tippee, introduced me to their sleep time products. From sleep bags to comforting toys and night lights, they’ve thought of it all you guys. I want to cry tears of joy! I probably did cry tears of joy. But let’s pretend that I am not still raging with post-birth hormones, shall we?
GrobagThe Grobag baby sleeping bag provides safer sleep and is a better alternative to loose sheets and bedding, in the crib. This product is recommended by The Lullaby Trust – the UK’s leading charity for safe sleep. Here’s why I love it: it keeps Ash warm, without overheating him (choose a grobag weight that will suite the temperature in your room for better sleep). According to a study done in the UK, 71% of babies slept for more than 6 hours at a time, when using the Grobag. It’s made of 100% cotton, is machine washable and the YKK zipper has a chin guard that prevents schaffing on baby’s skin.
These bags come in various weights, keeping baby at a safe sleep temperature. How flippen genius?! They include a nursery thermometer and what to wear guide.
Groegg2Okay, to be honest, when I first learnt of the Groegg2, I was like, “uhhh why would I need a fancy night light?!” And then I learnt that this “fancy night light” is actually a room thermometer and I was floored! You guys, the Groegg2 changes color, letting you know immediately when the temperature in the room has changed. Why is this helpful? Well, remember that you need your baby to be at a safe sleep temperature to, well, ensure safe sleep.
I mean, I too thought that piles of blankets and heat is just what a baby needs to thrive. But nope, studies have shown that high temperatures increase the risk of SIDS.
AND the amazing thing is that you can use your Groegg2 in conjunction with your Grobag, ensuring that baby is in the correct bag for the temperature of the room. I KNOW, RIGHT?! Somebody call Oprah! Also, I’m here for the color changing… hello lava lamp vibes!
Groegg Shell
You can personalise your Groegg2 and give it a bit of personality with this totally adorbs Groegg Shell. Choose between the Oona the Owl, Mikey the Monkey and Percy the Penguin egg shell companions. The shell simply fits on top of the Groegg2 and it gives your room thermometer/night light that little something extra, to make it even more of a cute feature in baby’s room.
GrolightAlso, while on that topic of “fancy night light”… you’d think that you won’t need a night light for your baby. And then you spend a whole night bumping into things, in a dark room, because your baby won’t fall asleep with the light on. (Based on a true story)
The Grolight is genius because it is attached to your light fitting. So yes, this means you can toggle between your normal overhead light or night-light, in one switch! I think it’s amazing because the night light glow then fills my entire room (and not just one little corner, ala traditional night lights). Also, I get to keep a (psycho mom) eye on my little one, without disturbing him with a bright overhead light. Win-win, really.
GrofriendsI was also impressed with the Tommee Tippee Grofriends… plush buddies that help your baby to sleep better by playing music and white noise when they wake up.
I mean, it’s practically a ninja, because your Grofriend can detect and activate when baby cries, soothing them back to sleep. The Grofriend sounds include a heartbeat, rainfall, white noise static and beautiful Brahms lullaby. What’s more, your Grofriend also lights up, acting as a gentle night light! The volume and light are both adjustable.
You can choose between the Ollie the Owl and Percy the Penguin characters (both equally adorable, in my opinion) and you can attach your new buddy to a car seat, crib or stroller thanks to the velcro fastening.
I must admit, I wish we had all these nifty gadgets and contraptions “back in the day” when Kyle was born. These are so helpful and help you to ensure that your child gets a SAFE, good night’s sleep. Also, I get to keep my “psycho mom” tendencies at a minimum. Kinda.Which of these Tommee Tippee Gro products are you keen to try out?
Disclaimer: This post was done in partnership with Tommee Tippee, but the opinions shared are my own.
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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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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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My favorite baby brands (and they didn’t even pay me to say so)
So being a blogger and a mama, all at the same time, means that I often get to test and try out new products and services in a bid to, you know, let you guys know if the product/service is worth your while. When it comes to raising tiny human beings, I love checking out new things that can help to make my parenting journey easier/better. (Call me the Debora Patta of the baby world.)
BUT this is my fourth baby and I kinda know which products work (for me) by now. Also, I’m tired, you guys and I have the added pleasure of raising a 4 year old and a 2 year old as well. Time is not a luxury right now.
So I made the decision to not try anything new with our next baby, unless I’m not 100% convinced that the product I currently use is doing the job that I need it to do. (Or if I didn’t even know that you get a product that can do that! Like, if someone designed a machine that made me coffee and fed my child all at the same time, I’m totally not going to say no to that.)
So yes, when it comes to baby products, I have a bunch of favorites. They are pretty stock standard, and by that I mean that they are tried and trusted household faves! (I mean, I’m not going to win a Millennial Mom of the Year award for this.) But I’m here to be totally transparent, and in all honesty, these are the things you’ll find my Hubstopher searching the aisles for, when I send him on a frantic shopping expedition at 19:50 on a Sunday night.
These are the brands and products that I spend money on… the stuff that I reach for, no questions asked, without me needing to do Debora Patta styled research on them first. Can I share them with you? It’s a rhetorical question, Susan, I’m totally going to share my list with you. Here it is:
My favorite baby brands (and they didn’t even pay me to say so)
Bath time
When it comes to bath time, I have a whole series on this here blog, and I often try out new products on my other kids. But when it comes to my newborn I’m a little more fussy and I prefer to stick to what I know and love and that, without a doubt, has to be Johnson’s Baby! The Johnson’s Baby Newborn Top-To-Toe range was my go-to product when Jo was born. It made his (and my) skin so soft and I was inlove with the gorgeous scent. So I’m very keen on the new Johnson’s Baby Newborn Cotton Touch range. I mean, get this, the wash and lotion are made with real cotton, purposeful ingredients, and no parabens, phthalates or sulfates. And again, the scent: heavenly!
Disposable diapers
I’ve tried out a bunch of different disposable diapers over the past few years. Mind you, as my kids have grown, I’ve often opted for the cheaper options! (But that’s another blog post for another day). But when it comes to my newborn’s bum-bums, Huggies is my diaper of choice. You guys, I don’t know if I’m doing it wrong but the other big name in disposable diapers leaked a lot, when I tried it out on Kari and Jo. When we eventually transitioned to Huggies, we had a lot less leakages and we felt it to be a better fit. We also prefer the Huggies pull ups, compared to, well all the other pull ups. It’s a brand that just works for us. Oh and guys, the Huggies Gold New Baby diaper is designed to accommodate the umbilical chord and (get this) also has a special runny poo pocket at the back of the nappy, to help prevent little accidents.
Wet wipes
So you know the saying “wet wipes make the world go ’round”? Well, you probably don’t because I made it up, but that’s not my point. My point is that wet wipes make the world go ’round… AND a lot less stickier. If you take a stroll down the baby aisle in your local shopping center you’ll probably find a ton of wet wipes brands all promising to do the same thing. But, for price (because we go through the stuff like coffee at the office) and value, I’ve always preferred Cherubs. The value packs are really so cheap and I love that the newborn range has a clip-lid, is pH balanced and is alcohol and paraben free. Unlike other more cost-effective wet wipes, this wipe is still considerably thick and is soft enough to remove the make up from your face on a lazy night.
Bum creams
If you’re a mom and you don’t know about the wonder that is Sudocream, then come a little closer my sister, let me fill you in! This antiseptic healing cream soothes sore skin, treats nappy rash, eczema and acne. In fact, when Kari suffered from that terrible teething dribble that caused a rash on her chin and lower cheeks, good ol’ Sudocream (spread lightly) cleared it up after one application! When my baby’s bums are red, one application of Sudocream is enough to speed up healing. I keep a small tub of the stuff in my hand bag… it’s just that good! And don’t let the price scare you my friend. The beauty of it is that you’re not lathering it on… a thin layer of the cream is enough to immediately promote healing. I know!
Breast pumps
So we all know that Medela is like GOLD when you’re on that breastfeeding journey. Well, I’m just here to reiterate that yes, my Medela harmony manual and mini electric pumps are the only things that kept me sane when I had to pump in a locked bathroom stall the size of Harry Potter’s room under the stairs. Investing in a solid breast pump is a definite must if you plan to take this breastfeeding journey seriously. (BTW, did you know that you can actually hire one from Breastpumps and Beyond?) I doubt I would ever change my mind about the rewards of owning a Medela pump!
Nipple ointment
So, with the beautiful, wonderful miracle of breastfeeding, comes the toe-curling pain of cracked nipples. I mean, your nipps go through something similar to a World War, during those first few latches. My nipple ointment of choice has always been Lansinoh. I’ve often applied one pea sized dollop of Lansinoh to eina nipps and (I kid you not) felt immediate relief! That’s how good this stuff is. Also, I totally use it as a lip cream, for sore winter lips, as well. By the way the cream is 100% natural, with no additives, preservatives or parabens.
Baby feeding
As I’ve said over and over and over again (you know, like a 7de Laan Omnibus on a Sunday arvie) I’ve only ever used the Tommee Tippee brand on my kids. That’s because I choose to combine feed them (boob and bottle) and I’ve found that the Closer to Nature bottles are the best for this. The original extra wide teat is very “breast like”, which makes it easy for baby to latch on, as if he were breastfeeding. Tommee Tippee also has an excellent range of soothers, toddler safe cups and even tableware. It’s pretty much a one stop shop and I’m very much devoted to the brand and it’s products.So that’s my list of faves, and some of the stuff I’ll be stocking up on, while preparing for baby Williams to arrive. Do you have a list of faves? Share them in the comments section below!
Disclaimer: I’ve received press drops from a few if these AND other baby brands, in the past. But the ones mentioned in this article are the baby brands that I prefer when caring for my newborn. This post is not sponsored.
