Mother’s Day is just eleven days away and I bet some of you are like me and haven’t actually got anything yet…oops! After a fantastic competition with Higher Nature for Valentine’s Day, I am so glad to be back today with a competition to win the Aeterna Gold Collagen Crème Serum which retails at £29.75 for two months supply and £57.55 for six months supply.
Our collagen levels drop from the age of thirty which leaves our skin prone to fine lines and wrinkles. The formula of this product has been specially created to give skin back its bounce with a dose of marine collagen extract, aloe vera leaf juice, sweet almond oil and vitamins E and B5.
To use the product, you apply sparingly on the face, neck and décolletage at night before using our usual nightly moisturiser for the best results.
Would you like the chance to win? If so, just fill in the Gleam widget below. This giveaway is UK only and ends at 23.59pm on the 27th of March 2019. Good luck!
Smyths is a shop I spend a lot of time in. We have a store the next town over and I could easily spend hours in there. Forget all the toys and stuff for my kids, there’s plenty in there that I want. The majority of Jack and Olivia’s birthday and Christmas presents came from the store and they are one of our go to places when Jack needs to buy a present for a friend’s birthday party.
The brand have just released their Baby Room catalogue which is filled with gift inspiration for kids under three. I’ve been checking it out – seeing what products they have to offer and making a mental list of some items I plan on getting Olivia in the near future. Why not take a look and see if any products take your fancy?
As is to be expected in a baby catalogue, there are plenty of pushchairs, strollers, car seats and other baby accessories. There’s also plenty of nursery furniture available too. I knew that you could get these items from Smyths but did you? So many think of the brand as just selling toys and games! There’s even products for sleeping, for weaning, for potty training and for when they are on the move. Smyths really have covered all bases when it comes to every stage of your child’s life from birth to age 3.
I loved going through the catalogue, making notes of products I know Olivia would love and seeing some old favourites such as the Big Steps Play Musical Activity Cube (which I reviewed here). There’s a great selection of brands available such as Big Steps, V-Tech and Fisher Price and gifts that suit every price point.
There’s also a variety of indoor and outdoor toys. If you are looking for a scooter or a trike for your child, there are plenty to choose from and if play equipment for your garden is what you are searching for, there is plenty of that too.
What I also love – and didn’t actually know that they offered until today – was the note about free car seat fitting on the back of the catalogue. You just need to ask their certified Baby Experts for free advice and a free car seat fitting in-store. I was also made aware of their new Facebook group ‘Smyths – The Baby Room’ which I also didn’t know existed until today. Both these things fill me with confidence that Smyths are totally a brand to consider when it comes to all things baby.
It seems that Smyths have plenty to offer families who have children between the ages of 0-3. Not only do they have a vast selection of toys and games for this age group but they also have an amazing selection of baby safety products and so much more. With the ability to get a free car seat fitting in store and be able to buy all your baby needs in one place, it sure would be difficult to make the decision to go elsewhere.
Did you know Smyths had all this to offer? Do you shop with Smyths – whether in store or online?
Now Olivia is two years old but she received this before she turned two – we received all the Baby Clementoni items together for staggered reviews. Despite this being 6 months plus, I didn’t find that this was too young for her by any means – in fact if anything it has helped her with her learning. She is getting so good at her numbers, letters, shapes and colours and I definitely think educational toys such as this help.
What features does Sandy have? It is a soft talking teddy bear with five interactive buttons. It talks and helps children to learn letters, numbers, shapes and colours with a big bright central button on the bear’s tummy. The bear also comes with lots of happy nursery rhymes and songs. It helps with visual perception, hearing perception, tactile perception, eye hand co-ordination and language which is great from a toy.
.What is also great is that there is also a free app for the toy so you can play with Sandy in augmented reality as well! The app is available on the app store and on the Google Play store and has plenty of games and activities that are specifically designed for younger children.
Olivia absolutely adores her Sandy and whilst she may be on the upper end of the ages he is specifically catered to, I definitely feel like she has learned a little from him. I’m passionate about my kids having educational toys alongside their non educational ones – it is so important that they learn even when having imaginative play.
With multiple friends having recently given birth and a few due very soon, I’m definitely considering getting their children a Sandy in a few months time. He is so soft and cuddly, made from non toxic material and would certainly make a great gift.
I’m yet again really impressed by an item from Baby Clementoni – Olivia really loves her Sandy and it isn’t hard to see why.
Tenerife enjoyed an incredible 6.18 million visitors in 2017- it was by far the most popular of all the Canary Islands and it’s easy to see why!
The island caters for holiday-goers of all ages, making it the perfect destination for families. If you’re looking for a spot to take your little ones this summer, here’s three reasons why you should put Tenerife at the top of your list:
Sun, Sea and Sand
Many regard the beaches in Tenerife as some of the best that Spain has to offer. There’s plenty of them to choose from and three of the most popular family-friendly ones are Playa del Duque, Playa de los Cristianos and Playa Puerto Colón.
Another huge plus is that Tenerife enjoys glorious weather all year round. That means you can enjoy a swim in the ocean and a spot of sunbathing even in December and January and the weather gets even hotter when it comes towards May, June and July!
Kid-Friendly Activities
The beaches of Tenerife are all great spots for exploration and if the kids fancy a break from building sandcastles, there’s also playgrounds, shops and water sports (like diving and jet skiing) to entertain them.
However, if you want to try something a little bit different there’s also the opportunity for exciting activities like star gazing and whale watching, which is sure to keep the kids of any age happy!
The entire island is an incredibly family-friendly destination. There’s even resorts that cater directly for kids, like Green Garden Resort which has tropical gardens, sparkling blue pools and toy zones (adorably named ‘Tots Boulevard’) that are all included in the price of the stay.
Delicious Cuisine
Sampling the local cuisine is one of the best things about going away on holiday. However, for families with young children, fussy eating habits can make this a potential problem.
However, you’re sure to find meals that your children will love too! There’s plenty of tapas on offer and your kids can sample mouth-watering dishes like papas arrugadas with mojo (a Canary Island specialty) and churros de pescado (the local version of battered fish).
For guaranteed sun, access to family-friendly facilities and delicious food, Tenerife ticks all the boxes. No wonder it’s so popular with tourists all around the world! If you’re stuck for ideas on your next summer holiday spot, this island is sure to have something for every single member of the family.
Having a baby is said to be the most exciting time of your life. It’s a dream scenario for many women – have a baby so that your family is complete. However, how does it affect your working life? Regulations including the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulation of 1999 are in place to protect a person who requires a career break to look after a new born. In some unfortunate circumstances, people may find that they are discriminated in their workplace and any career progression is also affected. Elsewhere, some discover that their priorities change, and they want to take a different career path. Then, there are those who simply require more money during their leave.
In this article alongside Babythingz, who stocks the double buggy, we take a look at what options expectant and new mothers have to work at home.
Why work from home?
The idea of working from home appeals to many in Britain. In fact, flexible and remote working are two of the most sought-after benefits for people looking for a new full-time role. Surveys have found that the nine-to-five regime is disliked by nine out of 10 workers in the UK. The concept of remote working can give you control over your schedule and allow you to avoid the long commutes, both of which can improve your work/life balance.
So, other than requesting remote working to their current employers, what ways are available to parents who want to work from home?
The writing industry offers a great opportunity for a wordsmith to work from home. Those who are journalists or PR experts can continue to work in a freelance environment thanks to technological advancements and the internet.
Journalist and blogger, Davina Gordon, said: “Freelancing while on maternity leave enables me to express myself as a creative individual while also boosting my income. I plan to be a working mum and I believe it’s possible to be both a great mother and have a great career. The happier and more fulfilled I feel, the better mum I’ll be, and my son deserves the best version of me.”
Social media is rife with specially created freelance groups to help editors reach out to freelance writers. Sites like Fiverr can also provide great opportunities with subscribers able to bid on work projects.
Graphic design
In a similar fashion to freelance writing, graphic designers can continue to pick up freelance work during their maternity leave. Many small businesses can’t afford to hire a full-time employee for this role so continuously look to outsource any work they need completing. Once again, sites like Fiverr can be a great place to pick up projects.
Buying a franchise
This may sound like hard work, but it doesn’t have to be. Many parents hate the idea of being away from their new addition. While franchises, such as McDonald’s, Subway and other huge brands may be out of the question, why not look a little closer to home? You may find that you have attended, or will be attending, baby classes with your child. Did you know that the majority of these ideas are actually small franchises, meaning you may be able to run your favourite class?
This means that you’ll be able to run as many classes in your selected area and also be available for party hire, meaning you can earn while also taking your little one along with you!
Set up your own business
It may be seen as the riskiest of options. Setting up a business can financially be tough at the start. In fact, eight out of 10 new companies cease to exist within 18 months. However, with the correct idea it can be a great option to staying at home for work.
Kate Greenhalgh, founder of date-night suggestion company A Year of Dates, set up her own business when her daughter was nine months old following a Christmas gift her husband had made her. Originally, the work was completed during nap times and in the evenings. However, she had decided she didn’t want to go back to making the hour-long commute to her account manager job, or be required for last minute late-night work, so had a lightbulb moment to set up the company.
While she admits that her day is still jam-packed, she realises that the benefits outweigh the negatives. “My time is my own,” she says. “I can go to meetings and networking events which has been great for opening important doors. I can also pick my daughter up from nursery, take her to gymnastics and spend quality time with her.”
Online customer support
Many start-ups and established companies look out for someone to be able to connect with their customers. You can work at home to respond to incoming emails through online systems, and reply to support requests, especially on social media.
Of course, there are more options available, but the above are a few great examples of how to achieve that all-important work/life balance following your new arrival. While money is an extremely important factor when you have a child, it’s important to remember to cherish the memories while you can and working at home can go a long way to achieving this.
