Carla's Blog Archives

Our Review of Tracy Keepsakes Bear

Baby Clothes Keepsake Bear – Tracy’s Treasured Keepsakes Review

16/03/2019/0 Comments/in Carla's Blog, Favourite Brands /by Carla Lett

Sometimes, it is all too easy to forget those precious little outfits your little one wore in their first year – you know which ones I mean, those treasured items you washed, neatly folded and put away in their untouched nursery, those baby clothes you nervously packed in to your hospital bag, those baby clothes you once held up and said “I love it but this will be way too big” and then, before you know it they are bursting at the seams.

Eventually you are folding all your favourite outfits that were once “too big” and sending them up to the attic with every intention to “do something with them one day” and then before you know it and as sad as it is… life takes over and we end up forgetting about those once loved clothes and then just like that our little one’s clothes are buried under old Christmas decorations, school books and CDS and never looked at again!

The fact is that, no matter how hard we reminisce, no matter how hard we try to picture those first days with our babies … they are just memories and no matter how hard we try, we will never get those days back… but, we can treasure those memories even more by creating something special, something everlasting, something that displays some of our favourite memories in a beautiful way.

Teddy Bears Made Out of Baby Clothes

Today we are thrilled to be reviewing the amazing Tracy’s Treasured Keepsakes, Tracy’s Treasured keepsakes is a fantastic business that creates beautiful personalised items for all the family including the much loved keepsake animals which almost look “too cute” to be displayed in your tantrumming two year olds bedroom – believe me I know!!!

Tracy’s Treasured keepsakes showcases stunning keepsake animals on their website. They have 4 animals to choose from, each animal also has a miniature version so if you think the large one maybe slightly “too big” for the window ledge, fear not – Tracy’s Treasured Keepsakes has thought of everything.

You can choose from the following animals;

Bear

Mini Bear

Bunny

Mini Bunny

Fox

Mini Fox

Elephant

Mini Elephant

We chose the Personalised Memory Bear for George’s bedroom

George loves bears so it made sense for us to choose the memory bear as our item. My husband headed up to the attic and we brought down the bag of our favourite and most memorable outfits of George’s. They still smelt of my baby George and I sent them over as they were. We sent a total of 7 items over to ensure Tracy had more than enough to use.

The Process

It was refreshing to receive constant updates from Tracy’s Treasured Keepsakes, it was clear to see that Tracy genuinely cares about customer service, from confirmation she received of the clothes we posted to the stuffing of our little bear we felt involved in every step and we had an instant bond for little Malcom the bear right from the beginning.

Delivery Day

We received an update from Tracy telling us that our bear was on his way, George and I were very excited and cleared a shelf in George’s bedroom ready for Malcom’s arrival.

Malcom arrived in a big white box and I waited for George to get home from nursery before we got him out.

I was memorised by Malcom the bear from the moment I saw him, it was very clear to see that Tracy is an absolute perfectionist when it comes to creating these personalised bears. The stitching, the buttons and the items she chose were absolutely perfect and I couldn’t picture a better keepsake bear if I tried.

Malcom the bear

Although Malcom is very cute, he is not to be used as a toy and George eventually understood this. I told him that Malcom sits on the shelf in his bedroom and that is where he lives. He has been happy with this and enjoys speaking to him at night.

As you can see Tracy included George’s full name, date of birth and birth weight on the bear which melted my heart.

How to Order your Keepsake Memory Bear

You can visit Tracy’s website or Facebook page and make an order, perhaps you would love one of these bears as a gift? Tracy’s Treasured keepsakes also offers vouchers which would be a fantastic baby shower or mother’s day gift.

Extra details can be added upon request, such as a jumper, a collar or even a voice recording or your baby’s heartbeat from an antenatal appointment. Additional charges may apply.

Recommended on Badge

We awarded Tracy’s Treasured Keepsakes with or recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.

You can follow Tracy’s Keepsakes via

Overall Review of Baby Care ABC

Her website is www.tracystreasuredkeepsakes.co.uk

Our Arbonne Review

10/03/2019/0 Comments/in Carla's Blog, Favourite Brands, Women in Business /by Carla Lett

Arbonne review – who they are, what they are about and what are their products like?

Many people, parents especially, are now taking the plunge in to self-employment and who can blame them? I mean seriously, with childcare costs on the rise and more self-employment opportunities than ever…. Why would you not want to work around your family and grow your own business in the comfort of your own home?

At MyBump2Baby, we speak to so many parents who are looking for alternatives to your usual 9 – 5 job and who can blame them? We love that there are so many opportunities out there for parents these days and as a parent myself, I think it is fantastic that we no longer have to choose between being a stay at home parent or your career, in fact many successful women began their incredible journey as new mums who wanted to simply work around their family.

Today we are reviewing a very well-known brand, a brand that offers those much desired, luxury products whilst giving amazing work opportunities for people that are open to building their business around a reputable and well known company. Today we are reviewing Arbonne products and sharing information about the company and opportunities as a whole. So if you are interested in discovering more about Arbonne then read on…

Arbonne was established in 1980 and has been described as PURE SAFE AND BENEFICIAL. Arbonne pride themselves on being vegan friendly and gluten free and in this day and age, who doesn’t have a gluten intolerance? Arbonne’s famous products include skin care, make up and nutrition. Arbonne is a worldwide company and is growing rapidly in size with thousands of consultants dotted all over the globe. Arbonne are currently in USA, Canada, UK, Poland, Australia and New Zealand and they have just partnered with Groupe Rocher (Yves Rochers company, massive in France and Europe) so will be launching into France very soon, then into Europe

The Products for review today are;

The Mascara

I personally have my lashes done every few weeks which as you can imagine adds up. I was keen to review Arbonne’s “It’s a long story” Mascara to see if it lives up to its name. I tried it on and it was lovely, as mentioned I have my lashes done so it was difficult to see length and thickness but it definitely gave definition and made my eyes stand out. I was impressed to see that it was still very much on when I awoke the next day along with the ultimate hangover…

The Mascara is priced at £31 and you can purchase it here or collect your free sample by emailing Catherine directly.

The Primer

Primer, to be totally truthful I am lucky if I use a baby wipe on my face at night let alone a primer before I apply make-up and I was excited to see what all the fuss is about. I have been told many times that primer is underestimated.

I applied it and my makeup went on smoothly and easily, it gave me a dewy glow. I would definitely add this to my makeup collection as I personally did notice a big difference, the primer is priced at £33 and you can purchase it here or collect your free sample by emailing Catherine directly.

RE9 Advanced anti-ageing kit

RE9 advanced has been talked about a lot by skincare bloggers and the reviews are fantastic. I was really excited to try out the samples myself and see if I find them as beneficial as other people do.

In the sample pack I received the following;

The Cleanser – only need a small bit as it foams up well and removes make up easily.

The Toner – The toner is very refreshing and makes you skin feel fresh.

Intense Renewal Serum – The renewal serum is amazing and very different to anything I have used before.

Eye Cream – The eyes cream was good but didn’t have enough in samples to make a huge difference.

Night Repair Cream – I really liked the feel of going to bed in this and my skin was very smooth and hydrated by the morning.

RE9 Advanced Aging Kit Overall Review

The overall experience of these products was lovely and my face felt very fresh and clean. I would be interested in possibly purchasing this as a treat but if my budget was a little tighter I would go for the serum and then the cleanser. You can purchase the full kit here or email Catherine directly.

Baby Care

We had no idea that Arbonne also specialised in baby care too, I mean come on!! Is there anything they don’t do? If you are searching for natural, vegan friendly and non-toxic products for your baby then look no further.

They have a fantastic range called Baby care ABC range which consists of;

Hair and Body Wash – Less sudsy than usual, fragrance free. Hair was soft afterwards. I really like this wash and love the fact it is an all in one.

Body Lotion – The lotion worked well on George’s skin, it is fragrance free and we used this after Georges bath, he really liked it.

Sunscreen – Who would have thought that I got to give this a try in February but believe it or not – it happened. This sunscreen glides on so easily and is easy to apply, a lot less greasy than other brands we have tried.

Nappy cream – smooth application and easy to apply.

This is a great gift to give to a parent, I do love the idea of using safe products on our babies but if money is a little tight then you could just purchase a couple of the products. You can buy the kit for £79.00 but clicking here or email Catherine for a free sample.

Discounts

We all love a discount don’t we, the great news is that you can pay £25 for a 20% discount for a year, or £30 for a 35% discount and your very own Arbonne business should you want it

Becoming an Arbonne Consultant

If you are looking to become a consultant and begin working around your family read on…

Many Arbonne Consultants started out by simply using the products, realising how fantastic they are, then wanting to shout it from the rooftops and then realisation kicked in…. if they were going to spread the word anyway, why not get paid for it?

To set up your Arbonne adventure the cost is only £30, a small investment for a potentially life changing opportunity.

Email Catherine for more information and to see the other fantastic products available click here.

You can email Catherine ctillbrook@ntlworld.com or visit the her shop via https://www.arbonne.com/Pws/CatherineTillbrook/store/AMUK/default.aspx

You can also keep up to date with the latest offers, products and opportunities by following Catherines page’s

You can buy the whole app for £44.99 which is the same as £1.30 per month for the whole 33 months.

An App To Make Your Baby Smarter

27/02/2019/0 Comments/in Carla's Blog, Favourite Brands /by Carla Lett

An App To Make Your Baby Smarter by using it for Just 10 Minutes a Day

From the moment you cast your eyes upon those two pink lines on the pee stick, your life, as you know it, changes forever! Your favourite goats cheese pizza, the doorstop sizes wedges of pate on toast and the bottle of red wine on a Saturday night are now just distant memories as you embark on your new journey in to the wonderful (yet somewhat challenging) world of parenting…. It can be pretty scary for first time parents and often scarier for parents with one child or more already.

From the moment the pee stick reads positive you can’t help but feel a little…. What’s the word?…. Responsible, vulnerable, scared… the list could go on!!!!!!!! The fact is, as parents we all want the very best for our little ones and we want to ensure we give them the best possible start in life. What if I told you there was an app designed to make your baby smarter by using it for just 10 minutes a day?

The Oliiki App – Designed to Make your Baby Smarter

I only wish the new Oliiki app was around when I was pregnant with George. The great news is that the Oliiki app can be used from the first trimester right up to the age of two which means if your little one isn’t two yet you still have time to join in on the fun.

What is the Oliiki app?

The Oliiki app is a fantastic resource for parents and parents-to-be with an extensive library full of suitable activities carefully selected by experts for each day, from pregnancy to right up to 2 years old. The Oliiki app is designed to support and encourage your baby’s development.

The Oliiki app has been created to make your babies smarter by simply using it for just 10 minutes each day, the first 1000 days of life are the foundation of all life learning!

The Oliiki app provides an activity a day from pregnancy right through until your little one reaches 2 years old. The Oliiki app has been written by professionals and is grounded in research.

Each activity simply explains to parents exactly what they need to do, why and how they should carry out each activity. Each activity is cleverly supported by research and once your daily task has been completed it is ticked off and you are ready to move on to the next one.

Our Review of the Oliiki app.

The Oliiki app is available from the first trimester right through to 2 years old. We feel that this app encourages positive bonding with bump and baby which ultimately leads to less mental health problems in parents.

The First Trimester with the Oliiki app

Although your baby hasn’t been born yet, the exercises and prompts give you things to think about and discuss with your partner that you may not have thought of. Each activity is supported by science and factual information about the benefits of the activity provided for that day.

Many of the first trimester pregnancy tasks are based around you as an individual and a couple. It encourages you to think about your own thoughts, feelings and even think back to your own childhood. The app gives you an understanding of the different things that can benefit your baby. I was really impressed and shocked by the impact you can have on your child’s development from bump to toddler.

This app touches on sensitive yet important subjects such as mental health, emotions and self-esteem. I was impressed to see subjects like “arguments” and one of the tasks is to speak to your partner about how you will resolve arguments once your little one comes along and the impact explosive arguments can have on your child’s future and wellbeing.

The Second and Third Trimester with the Oliiki app

Using the Oliiki app during the 2^nd and 3^rd trimester is fantastic for interacting with your baby, there are lots of activities in line with your baby’s development and these help create an everlasting bond between parents and baby before the big arrival. Many pregnancy apps out there tend to focus on the size of the baby (watermelon…. GULP) but I couldn’t find any that concentrate on your baby’s brain development and how you can interact with your baby during pregnancy and after birth

From Birth and beyond with the Oliiki app

Once your bundle of joy arrives the app has multiple activities depending on your child’s age the sections are as follows;

0 – 3 months

3 – 6 months

6 – 9 months

9 – 12 months

1 – 1.5 years

1.5 – 2 years

When you finally have your baby and all the visitors have slowly calmed down parents often have a “what now?” situation. This app is fantastic at giving you age appropriate ideas and tasks you can do together as a family. As previously mentioned, each task once completed is ticked off so you can ensure that you can move on to another activity to keep it new and exciting for you and baby.

Other Features of the Oliiki app

Week by week view

You can view your activities as a week view so you can see exactly what is lined up for the week ahead.

Subject View

You can view activities based on subjects, so perhaps you are wanting to focus on numbers for example, all the activities related to number come up and you can use the app that way too.

Activities by age View

It may be you are pregnant and you have a baby, if you have unlocked the full version you can use the app by age which is handy if you have visitors or you have 2 children under 2 years of age.

Favourite Activities

If your baby loves a particular activity or you feel you would like to work more on a particular activity you can by simply select the star and pin it to your favourite board.

How to get the Oliiki App

The Oliiki app is available to purchase via the apple and play store. You can pay monthly for your app or you can purchase the full app

Oliiki app Price

Oliiki have really thought of everyone when it comes to price, if you like the idea of using this app for limited time you can purchase it in 3 monthly – 6 monthly blocks. However you buy it, it works out as less then the price of a coffee a month!

1^st trimester £2.00 per month bought as a block of 3 months: total £6.00

2^nd trimester £2.00 per month bought as a block of 3 months: total £6.00

3^rd trimester £2.00 per month bought as a block of 3 months: total £6.00

0-3 months £2.00 per month bought as a block of 3 months: total £6.00

3-6 months £2.00 per month bought as a block of 3 months: total £6.00

6-12 months £2.00 per month bought as a block of 6 months: total £12.00

1 to 1.5 years £2.00 per month bought as a block of 6 months: total £12.00

1.5 -2 years £2.00 per month bought as a block of 6 months: total £12.00

*** FOR EACH APP PURCHASED OLIIKI GIVE AWAY THE FULL APP TO A FAMILY IN NEED ***

Overall Summary of the Oliiki app.

We feel the Oliiki app is the perfect friend from the day you see those two lines on that pee stick right until your little dot reaches 2 years old. You can relax in the knowledge knowing that you have given your baby the best start in life in terms of brain development as well as helping them on their lifelong learning journey. I personally feel that this app will encourage a strong and healthy bond between parents and baby and prepares you for parenting without overwhelming you. Unless you are an expert in building babies’ strong brains, it can be difficult to know where your bump or baby is up to in terms of development. This app helps guide you easily in the right direction.

Recommended on MyBump2Baby

We have awarded the Oliiki app with our “Recommended on MyBump2Baby” badge

If you would like to download the Oliiki app, click here.

Mama Bamboo – ECO Friendly Sustainable bamboo Nappies And Baby Wipes

09/02/2019/0 Comments/in Carla's Blog, Favourite Brands /by Carla Lett

8 nappies a day, 7 days a week, 30 months on average = That equates to 50,400 nappies thrown in to landfills, this isn’t including wipes and this is just your impact…..Now, think about how many friends and family members you know that are using disposable nappies and wipes…. imagine how many that would be? It is a scary thought isn’t it?

To be totally truthful – I have always used disposable nappies and wipes but when I did this calculation it did make me shudder inside. We should be looking after the earth for our children and for our children’s children and disposable nappies and wipes do not help!!! As I type this review, I can’t help but feel a little embarrassed about how little I have helped the earth this last couple of years.

As a busy, unorganised mum of one, cloth nappies and wipes (as lovely as they are) just don’t work for us but I was delighted to find out that there is a brand out there that has an eco-friendly nappies and wipes range called “Bamaboo”. The Bamaboo nappies and wipes are biodegradable which means that they are capable of being decomposed by bacteria ultimately avoiding landfill pollution. I was delighted to read that the Bamaboo nappies will be over 60% disposed in just 75 days and the wipes will be 100% composted in 6 months- how fantastic is that?

About Mama Bamboo Nappies and Wipes

The Mama Bamboo “Bamaboo” nappies use bamboo layers which feels silky on your baby’s skin. The bamboo fibres are moisture absorbing and the nappies are temperature regulating to keep your little one comfortable on hot and humid days. Bamboo also has an antibacterial property built in to them which reduces the chances of irritation and nappy rash. The packaging is also oxo-degradable which is good to see, it is clear to see that this brand cares about the environment which is nice to see.

Mama Bamboo’s promise

We love Mama Bamboo’s promise and how ethical the company is ;

“By choosing natural Mama Bamboo products you are giving your baby a more natural healthy start in life. In return we give you our word that our products live up to our values….

BEST for BABY – each product is designed with your baby’s comfort and health as a priority

BEST for YOU – designs are beautiful yet simple, pleasing to parents but without hefty ‘designer’ price tags. Products are tested and tested for practicality and durability offering you value for money.

BEST for MAMA EARTH – all elements of product and supply are chosen to be kinder to the environment.”

The Bamaboo Baby Wipes

About Mama Bamboo Nappies and Wipes

The Mama Bamboo “Bamaboo” nappies use bamboo layers which feels silky on your baby’s skin. The bamboo fibres are moisture absorbing and the nappies are temperature regulating to keep your little one comfortable on hot and humid days. Bamboo also has an antibacterial property built in to them which reduces the chances of irritation. The wipes are 98% water and plant based ingredients.

The Bamaboo Baby Wipes

The Baby wipes come in the usual size and can perfectly fit in to a nappy wallet.

You get 60 wipes instead of the usual 64 that we get from Aldi, comparing the two the bamaboo is a lot stronger which means that less wipes are needed with each change so although you get a couple more Aldi wipes your Bamaboo wipes should last longer.

The wipes are priced at £1.89 but if you bulk buy a pack of 12 they equate to £1.50 which are priced higher than Aldi but as I previously mentioned, if these are used correctly each pack should last longer than a standard Aldi pack.

If protecting your children’s environment whilst using good quality wipes is your aim Mama Bamboo is the brand. Click here to purchase yours.

We used the wipes on George for a week and found on average we used less wipes and one pack of Bamaboo lasted longer than our usual Aldi packs. There was no irritation when changing from Aldi nappies to the Bamaboo ones and we felt that the Bamaboo wipes were better quality.

The Bamaboo Baby Nappies

The Bamboo nappies are surprisingly soft to touch yet extremely strong when pulled. The branding is lovely with an environmental look to remind you that you are helping the earth with each and every baby change.

You can purchase these nappies at £8.99 for 50 (18p per nappy) and there is a bulk buy option reducing the nappies to 14p per nappy and you can subscribe and save an extra 10%.

Mama Bamboo are THAT confident in their product that you can receive a free sample pack which includes 5 nappies, this is a fantastic way to try out the nappies before you buy. To claim your free sample pack click here and use the text “FREESAMPLE” at the checkout

We asked a couple of MyBump2Baby mums to test the nappies with their babies and these were the testimonials

“These were absolutely great in the day, we are still changing Lyla throughout the night and the longest she went without a change was 6 hours and I was thrilled to find that we had no leaks. I would recommend this product to friends”

“If I could afford to buy these I absolutely would, being on maternity leave means money is tight and we are already struggling, when I go back to work I will definitely look in to adding these in to my monthly budget”

“I use cloth nappies but I love this brand and their ethos. These nappies would be a great option for Oliver when he goes to nursery or stays at his grandparents. I will most definitely be purchasing some of these.”

MyBump2Baby has now awarded this fantastic brand with our recommended on badge

Mama Bamboo nappies and wipes are just a small part of their fantastic eco-friendly website. They have lots of fantastic products including; Reusable breast pads, Breast feeding bras, Eco Friendly dinner sets, Compostable nappy bin bags, RE-usable nappies, Bamboo charcoal teeth whitening tooth powder, Nappy wallets, Maternity nappy bags, bamboo shampoo and cleansing bars, Eco friendly toothbrushes, Toys, Baby brush and comb, Wall plaque, Bibs, Makeup Brushes, Bamboo cloth period pads, washable bamboo panties, Blackhead mask.

You can order from Mama Bamboo by clicking here

Follow them on social media

Creating a Timeless Memory Quilt with Baby Clothing

23/01/2019/0 Comments/in Carla's Blog, Carlas Favourites /by Carla Lett

“Treasure every moment, it goes too quickly” are words you hear often as a parent, they tend to be shouted as you are half way through a major kick off in your local Aldi …. but either way, I am sure you will agree that this is something we have all heard during our first few years of parenting. Initially, I just thought it was just something people said to make you feel better but… 2 years in to motherhood and I now know exactly what they meant. George seems to be growing by the day, his vocabulary is better than mine and his maturity level is already higher than his dads.

When I see pictures of George as a baby I can’t help but feel a little teary as it is so easy to forget just how small he was, remembering his cute toothy little smile in his Spanish rompers, cute cardigans and long socks makes me feel all mushy inside – there is not a chance he will wear that kind of stuff anymore.

When it comes to baby clothing they very quickly become memories. Think back to all the items your little one has had all its firsts in, the blanket that swaddled your baby on the way home from the hospital, the first baby grow that hugged their tiny body, the first bib that collected food the first food they tasted, that flannel sleep suit they first rolled over in, the outfit that cushioned them on their first crawling adventure and the outfit they took their first steps in…. Many of these items are often in a loft somewhere never to be seen again.

Why not order a carefully designed timeless memory quilt that you can keep forever? Something that is sure to become a family heirloom?

We all have the precious items that we just can’t bear to part with, the items so stained you couldn’t give it away. Part of us really can’t bear to part with these items and then they end up gathering dust in a box in the attic. Why not create something beautiful with your very own memory quilt?

With jaw dropping testimonials and raving reviews, Shomsa Creations proves to offer a fantastic service that all parents and parents to be should know about. The beautiful designs are proof that Shomsa Creations really is THE place to go when it comes to memory quilts, play mats, blankets and creations.

Fiona – a self-made seamstress and the founder of the amazing Shomsa Creations, began her journey by making clothes for her daughter and she has never looked back since. Fiona created her first memory blanket for her friend that sadly suffered the heartbreak of a still born baby. With a nursery fully furnished and a wardrobe full of clothes, Fiona created a memory quilt by using the clothes her friend’s child never got to wear, Fiona also incorporated the memory quilt with the African print, “An-ka-ra” – which is a great symbol of strength. This memory quilt was her friends comfort, the memory of the child and something the she as a mother can treasure forever more.

Shomsa creations memory quilts are so much more than just a memory quilt as Shomsa creations uses vibrant African fabrics to create these timeless blankets and they come in various sizes to suit our requirements.

The memory blankets are available in 3 sizes

Small 28×28 £45.00
Medium 35×42 £70.00
Large 50×69 £150.00

The memory blankets can be personalised with name and additional pieces like bibs can be stitched over the top for an additional cost.

You can purchase your own memory quilt here

Follow them on

Zara DogDog book review

Shomsa Creations has a massive 5 star reviews on Facebook and here are just some of her fantastic testimonials;

“I absolutely adore the beautiful memory quilt crafted by Fiona. It is just exquisitely made and we couldn’t be happier. She was also a pleasure to deal with and we’d highly recommend her work! Thank you so much once again! Xx”

“Fee created an unique and special quilt out of my children’s baby clothes. She managed to get the colours to work beautifully together and it’s already one of the most treasured items in our home! Thank you so much xxx”

We have proudly awarded Shomsa Creations with our “Recommended on MyBump2Baby” badge

How to teach your children how to behave round dogs!

18/01/2019/0 Comments/in Carla's Blog, Carlas Favourites /by Carla Lett

We teach our children how to behave around babies, other children and adults but do you teach your children how to behave around dogs? Teaching our children how to behave around dogs can sometimes be forgotten, especially if your child doesn’t mix with dogs…. and then if they don’t mix with dogs how do you teach your children to behave round dogs? Can you see my dilemma?

I am not going to lie, mixing with dogs doesn’t come naturally to George, sure … he says loves them and yes, he talks about them…. A LOT…. But, when it comes to interacting with dogs, George gets a little scared and when a dog is arond he can be found cutting off the circulation round my legs with his eyes tightly shut!! I love animals, especially dogs so it is really important to me that George isn’t scared of dogs and it is also important to me that George understands animals and how to treat them nicely. A question I have often asked myself was “if we don’t have a dog and we rarely come in to contact with dogs how do we teach him to behave around dogs?”

Thankfully, I have discovered a beautiful book series created for this very thing, it is part of the Zara DogDog club series and it is a truly lovely read for a night time story.

What is the Zara DogDog Club

Anna, the founder of Zara DogDog Club was inspired to create this fantastic series based on her own dog – Zara. Anna noticed that when she was out walking her dog, people were often unsure how to behave around her dog. The Zara DogDog Club is designed to help children develop positive relationships with dogs by understanding why dogs behave in certain ways whilst encouraging them to behave safely around dogs. The first book in the Zara DogDog Club book series is called “Zara DogDog on the school run” and I am excited to share our reading experience with you.

The book is beautifully illustrated by the talented Siobhan Barlow and written by the equally as talented Anna Crichton.

In the front of the book you will meet Zara’s family, there is mum, dad, Isaac, Amelia and of course Zara DogDog.

This beautifully illustrated, educational yet straightforward story begins with the alarm going off and Zara DogDog is waking up in the morning ready for her walk. Zara DogDog is initially enjoying her walk until it was cut short as she arrived at Isaac and Amelia’s school. The school was noisy and Zara was scared and began behaving differently.

This book explains very simply signs to look out for when a dog is uncomfortable or scared and it emphasises that you shouldn’t go and stroke a dog without asking first.

The book is aimed at 3 years plus but George understood it and we followed the 3 action steps printed in the back of the book to make it more interactive.

Before we started the books I asked George how he felt about dogs and he said he loves them, I asked him why he is scared when he is around them and he said because they bite, I explained that he doesn’t need to be scared of dogs but he should always ask the owner before stroking the dog.

George loved all the pictures in the book and when Zara DogDog become a little uncomfortable the pictures were clear and easy to understand, they illustrated 3 steps to look out for if a dog is feeling uncomfortable.

Afterwards, I spoke to George about how he felt about dogs now and what he needs to do before he strokes a dog and he said “ask the owner”.

I will continue to read this book each week as George really enjoyed the story and we both look forward to reading

more of Zara DogDogs adventures.

This fabulous book is only £7.99 and can be bought by clicking here.

We have awarded Zara DogDog Club with our Recommended on Badge as we absolutely love the book and the whole concept.

You can purchase your book here

Follow Zara DogDogs adventures by visiting the website

You can also follow her on

Boogie Beat Music and Movement Review

16/01/2019/0 Comments/in Carla's Blog, Carlas Favourites /by Carla Lett

As a parent, I am sure you will agree it can be a little difficult to choose the right baby and toddler group to suit your needs. In this day and age, we are truly blessed when it comes to baby and toddler groups and selecting the right one for you can be a little.. how do you put it… overwhelming. Many of us have only have limited time available to spend with the little ones in our lives and we want to ensure that in between daily tasks, chores and general day to day lives, that when we finally get out of the house for an hour (sometimes we don’t), the class we attend has been enjoyable for all involved.

Today, we are really excited to share our own personal Boogie Beat Music and Movement experience with you. Rachael, the owner of the Preston and Fylde franchise invited us to come to a local class and write up a Boogie Beat Music and Movement Review – and, of course we jumped at the opportunity.

Obviously, before I attended the class I looked in to Boogie Beat Music and Movement a little further and I was delighted to find that our local classes were free of charge for everyone, so whether you are a grandparent, friend, relative, carer or childminder – you can attend these classes for FREE!!!!

The venues are currently;

Wednesday 1pm (45 mins) at Water’s Edge, Lytham St Anne’s

Thursday 11am (45 mins) Plum Tree Farm, Blackpool

More to be confirmed very soon.

I was also delighted to find out that Boogie Beat Music and Movement also support the local community by holding intergeneration workshops which I absolutely adore about this franchise… in fact, I would go as far to say it actually melts my heart.

Boogie Beat was founded in May 2000, the groups are aimed to help babies and children learn to express themselves whilst developing their coordination, social skills and confidence whilst having fun.

Boogie Beat Music & Movement Review

After a few tantrums and slaps to the face (me.. not George), George was finally ready to get out of bed. He was very excited at the idea of attending a class and we headed to Plum tree farm in Blackpool at 11am on Thursday for our first session at Boogie Beat Music and Movement. We met Emily the class teacher who was extremely friendly and we instantly felt welcomed and included.

I was delighted to see such a wide age range in children, there were babies right the way up to 4 year olds and it was clear to see that the families at the class were big fans of the franchise, the excitement on the children’s faces was infectious and George was shaking with excitement (he does that a lot when he is excited)

The theme of the classes changes every 2 weeks to keep the suspense alive and the theme today was “The Snowman” which seemed very fitting as it was absolutely freezing that morning. The songs, stories, dances and games were all snowman themed… cleverly blended with the traditional timeless classic nurseries and fairytales that we all know and love.

The class began by saying hello to Giggles the monkey and singing the welcome song. The music and songs in the class were easy to sing along and the movement side of the class was very easy to follow. Throughout the class there were laughs, dancing, music and stories and the way all the children expressed themselves was beautiful. As well as being educational for the toddlers the class also had a sensory feel to it which was great for the little babies. The class finished with the goodbye song and George decided he wanted to stay and play in the kids area afterwards.

I am definitely taking George to this fabulous class again. These classes are suitable from birth right up to school. They offer parties and school and nursery workshops, if you would like your children to benefit from this fabulous class please speak to your nursery or school or email Rachael directly rachael@boogiebeat.co.uk or send her a message on Facebook

Intergenerational class at a local carehome

I was also invited to come to the intergenerational class at one of my local care homes. There are so many benefits when it comes to these types of groups and I was keen to see one for myself. I got there a little earlier and spoke to the guests who were very excited about the music class and little visitors. We had a chat about their day as we eagerly waited for the children to arrive. The guests were looking out the window and when the children started arriving their eyes lit up and I felt a shudder of excitement for them myself. The class started and the theme today was the Gingerbread Man so everyone could join in. Watching the two generations connect on this level was beautiful and if you saw my video on Facebook you will know that I did feel very emotional to be a part of it.

The local paper was also at the carehome and you can read the article here

We have awarded Boogie Beat Music and Movement with our “Recommended on MyBump2Baby” badge.

You can find Rachael’s classes on our directory or her website.

You can follow her pages for the latest news and updates below

Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums Magazine

Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums Magazine

08/01/2019/0 Comments/in Carla's Blog, Carlas Favourites /by Carla Lett

Tell me… what is one thing you do for yourself each day? Just one thing for one hour a day? Perhaps it is taking an exercise class each day or maybe you opt for a relaxing bath? Or sit in the Jacuzzi at your local spa? What do you do for your self-care and positive wellness? Ah… Ah… Ah…. Social media with a coffee doesn’t count as that isn’t taking time for you!

Time for Self-Care and Positive Wellness

I don’t think people realise how important self-care and positive wellness is … especially when it comes to new mums. As a mum it is so hard to prioritize taking a bath when you have a bucket load of washing literally suffocating your personal space (story of my life) and a screaming baby.

You may not realise but self-care and positive wellness are both very important when it comes to beating stress. It has been proven that when you are too tired, eating a poor diet and generally run down you will be more reactive to stresses in your life, your poor reactions may even create more issues by not responding from a place of inner calmness and strength.

It could be that you have to take your hour of self-care and wellness in stages during the day, 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there and that is ok too but however you use your hour make sure it is built in to your day and you treat it as none negotiable. It is time to take care of you!!

What if I was to tell you that there is a magazine out there that focuses on you, your self-care and positive wellbeing? “Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums” has been created by the incredible Isabella and Us.

The graceful yet tranquil brand that is otherwise known as Isabella and Us promotes positive wellbeing in parents whilst raising awareness about important issues like mental health.

As a fellow parent, I am sure you will agree that your time for self-care and positive wellness each day is either none existent or can be occasionally broken down in to slots and this beautiful magazine promotes numerous self-care and positive wellness ideas of how you can focus more on you. Packed with a mixture of real life short articles, humorous stories, interviews and advice this beautifully designed magazine ensures that even if you only get that 5 minute break you can read something from this fabulous magazine

The Positive Wellbeing Zine for mums is a calm and tranquil timeless book of positivity and includes plenty of information about positive self-care ideas and habits.

The beautifully illustrated magazine is A5 which means it slots perfectly in to your handbag, desk drawer and even your glove compartment in the car – why do babies always fall asleep in the car by the way?

As well as supporting mums, The Positive Wellbeing Zine supports small independent businesses that also offer support and services to parents, their children and their families. If you would like to advertise click here.

We love the fact that that Emma the Founder of Isabella and Us has collaborated with a great deal of inspiring mums and mums in business to bring you this uplifting and encouraging publication. This magazine is a fantastic resource to uplift your mood when times get a little tough as a mum and helps change your mind set for the better.

This particular magazine includes a range of topics from Mindfulness, Top Tips for Self-Care, Mama Boss Feature, a Self-Care Planner, beautiful illustrations plus much more. You can purchase this magazine for as little as £4.50 – that’s less than a large cup of coffee!!! Click here to purchase.

I have always been open when it comes to speaking about my personal struggles with postnatal depression, anxiety and PTSD. Looking back, I didn’t take regular time for myself and as soon as George came along the gym stopped, the relaxing baths turned in to a rushed shower whilst I had 2 minutes and I no longer felt like I had time to read books especially when any spare time I had was working on my new business launch. Looking back, it is no wonder I suffered with mental health issues, I put far too much pressure on myself. I no longer had time to love myself, my body and my positive wellness. I only wish I had access to this publication when I was suffering with my mental health.

If you are thinking of buying a new mum a little something that they can enjoy or perhaps you want to treat yourself. I highly recommend purchasing this beautifully designed magazine. As a mum myself, I wish I had something like this to turn to especially on my darker days.

Click here to take your first step in to self care and positive wellness.

Have a look at Isabella and Us on their beautiful website

You can follow Isabella and Us on social media

KOACH Katie’s Online Fitness and Nutrition Plan Review

05/01/2019/0 Comments/in Carla's Blog /by Carla Lett

If you type in the words “yo-yo dieter” in to Google you would probably see my face, you see… my relationship with food these last few years has been a little unhealthy to say the least and being an “all or nothing” type of person often means that I am either practically starving myself or sat in the corner gorging on food. Most of my money is often spent on takeaways or binge eating sessions, these arise when my mood is low and I need a “5-minute happiness moment” you know what I mean, surely? You know that five-minute moment from the second your doorbell rings to the last forced bite when you can’t physically eat anymore.

You see, before I started KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan my weeks always began the same – kind of like “Groundhog day”.

Every Sunday at around 2pm, you would find me in my local Aldi store (usually dressed in some form of legging/elastic type pants) aimlessly wandering up and down the aisles, aggressively throwing healthy low calorie items in to my trolley whilst promising myself that “next week will be different” “Next week I will be able to fasten the button on my Topshop jeans”. Monday and Tuesday’s often meant sticking to a ridiculous low calorie diet and then because I was not eating enough I would fall off the wagon and it would ultimately result in a mad binge eating session for the next couple of days.

My mood was low, my IBS was getting worse and the fact my jeans no longer fastened was the icing on the cake (no pun intended). I decided I had to do something about my eating habits and that is when I saw KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan.

KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan week 1

Before KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan

So what is KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan?

If you have body and health goals but have no idea where to start then Koach Katie’s online plan is perfect for you.

I have tried so many weight management and nutrition plans which were great short term but I had no idea what to do in the gym, I have had fitness plans before which again, is great but that ultimately meant I had no idea what to eat. The great thing about KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan is that it covers both nutrition and exercise so you can give it 100% and if you stick to it I promise you will see results.

Koach Katie’s online fitness plan is an investment in yourself, you will learn how to use the gym and eat clean without starving yourself. These are things that you should know and you can continue to use this plan as a healthy way of life even after you course finishes.

Before you begin your programme you fill in a form with Katie to tell her your ultimate goals, measurements and targets and Katie designs your nutrition and exercise plan based on that.

KOACH Katie’s Nutrition Plan review

KOACH Katie’s nutrition plan was very easy to follow, there were plenty of snacks and meals which meant that I wasn’t hungry which meant no falling off the band wagon. After only a few days I began to notice how much better I felt by simply following the plan. My mood was better, I no longer had dips and tired spells in the afternoon and I actually had energy to go to the gym.

Katie also has her Instagram page KOACH kitchen which has lots of amazing recipes to ensure that the meals do not get boring or repetitive. And, of course there will be times where you aren’t able to follow the diet but having the reassurance of a fitness guru during your programme means that Katie was able to guide me in the right direction as and when I needed it. This additional benefit ensured that I stuck to it as best as I could for maximum fat loss which was my ultimate goal.

KOACH Katie’s Exercise Plan review

Do you ever go to a gym, look around and then just head to the bike or the treadmill? I used to long to lift weights but I also didn’t want to make a complete idiot out of myself in front of “people who know what they are doing”. Katie sends over the exercise plan accompanied with videos so that you know exactly what to do. You can watch the videos on your phone so you can work out with Katie every single time.

I can now go to the gym and use machines and weights as thanks to KOACH Katie’s online fitness plan I know exactly what I am doing. The exercise plan is designed to meet your goals whatever they may be.

My results after ONLY 6 weeks on Koach Katie’s online plan was a total loss of 13lbs. In this time I had my birthday, my husband’s birthday and Christmas night’s out and I still managed to lose a massive 13lbs.

My Results after a couple of weeks on KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan

Week one 7lbs down

Week two 2lbs down

Week 3 2lbs down

Week 4 maintained

Week 5 1lbs down

Week 6 1lb down

Overall summary of KOACH Katie’s Online Plan

I saved more money doing this plan then the plan actually cost, how so, you ask? Well put it this way, 3 takeaways a week plus 2 binge eating trips to the local co-op cost me an absolute fortune so doing this plan actually resulted in me having more money. I now know how to fuel my body in the right way and how to use the gym effectively.

I honestly cannot rate this online plan enough, with a supportive group, weekly check-ins and an incredible motivating mentor I cannot rate this plan enough.

Follow Katie on;