With autumn in full swing and Halloween just around the corner, take a look at three of our favourite Halloween shopping ideas for 2019!
Decorate your home in a classy way with these gorgeous Halloween plaques by Wooden Topz Gifts. Made with acrylic these would look fantastic with a tea light behind them for a spooky glow. They are 23cm x 23cm and come with a wooden block to make them freestanding.
These beautiful plaques can be personalised. Each plaque features the words “Halloween at the….” where you can add your family name. On selected designs, you can also add individual family members names!
To personalise with the names of several family members choose from skeletons, ghosts or black cats! These are amazing value at £14.95 each.
For a personalised family name plaque you can select from the following designs; Graveyard, Spiders Web or Bats. These cost £14.95 each.
Personalised freestanding Pumpkins are also available, made of 18mm thick MDF and an absolutely bargain at £5.
I was lucky enough to receive a personalised family plaque with three black cats on – one for Mummy, Daddy and Jamie. The cats are cute with a small one symbolising Jamie. The plaque is transparent except for the cat design and the detailing around the edges of cobwebs and bones. As someone who doesn’t like the garish décor mostly found at Halloween this is a lovely seasonal piece to display which won’t terrify the children! It is also a lovely keepsake which can be displayed year after year! Also, as it is made of acryclic if small hands do manage to pull it from where you display it, it won’t shatter like glass would.
Wooden Topz is a Yorkshire based business owned by Sarah. She handmakes all her items from her home studio and is lucky enough to work around her two young children. Sarah creates beautiful hand made gifts. You can check out Wooden Topz website and place orders here;
Do you love dressing up your children in seasonal clothing? Instead of bulk made items from the High Street would you like your child to wear handmade clothes with gorgeous Halloween designs from a family business?
If yes, then home-based business, Me and the Bea, has created some beautiful Halloween inspired children’s clothing to make your child stand out from the crowd this Halloween.
Charlotte, the owner of Me and the Bea, creates handmade, beautiful clothes for girls aged 0 – 7 years from gorgeously soft, luxurious fabrics. Whilst Me and the Bea predominantly design clothes for girls, the jumpers can also be made for boys.
I absolutely adore this gorgeous little pinafore dress with a matching bow! I have a little boy myself, who I doubt would appreciate it being put in a dress, but I can just imagine how beautiful this will look on little girls with a warm roll neck jumper and some cute tights. Most amazing of all, Charlotte wants to create your vision so if you have an idea in mind then let her know and she will do her best to source the material to create that for you.
If a pinafore dress isn’t for you then why not opt for a jumper and legs with witchy designs on? The jumper is warm and snug and the leggings leave your child comfortable to play Witches and Wizards! The possibilities are endless for design with Me and the Bea and everything costs under £25.00.
For more of Me and the Bea’s designs check out the Facebook page;
Rockhopper Books have a wide selection of Halloween books to get you in the spooky mood! The fantastic That’s Not My… series has a fantastic new Bat edition with sensory pages for your young ones to explore – babies and toddlers alike will love these books. If your children are a little older, let them enjoy Halloween themed sticker books or Magic Painting books! Or have some cuddly family time curled up in front of the fire reading a spooky story book!
Based near Dartford, Rockhopper Books can deliver orders locally or take orders online via the website.
Oliver Moon & Nipperbat Nightmare
Hooray! Magic School has finished for the Halloween holidays – and even better, Oliver has been chosen to look after Nippy the nipperbat, the class pet. But with Oliver’s naughty baby sister lending a hand, it soon turns into a nipperbat nightmare!
Magic Painting Halloween – £5.99
Spooktacular scenes burst into vibrant colour as you brush water over the black and white illustrations in this magical book! Sixteen detailed pictures include a haunted house, a family trick-or-treating, witches around a cauldron and lots more. With a handy fold-out back cover to prevent colours running through to the page beneath.
Witches & Wizards Sticker Book – £6.99
A spooky sticker book full of hilarious scenes of magic and mayhem. Children can use over 500 stickers to decorate a gingerbread cottage, send young witches and wizards to charm school, bewitch the town of Mandrake Grove on Halloween and stock the shelves of Master Mistletoe’s magic store with gruesome potion ingredients, plus lots more.
That’s Not My Bat – £6.99
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of That’s not my… with this delightfully spooky Halloween addition to the series, complete with purple holographic page edges and adorable bats with hairy ears, fluffy tummies and shiny eyes. The bright pictures and textures to stroke are designed to help develop sensory and language awareness.
There is just something so satisfying about getting a regular delivery of something you love straight to your door. I am personally a huge fan of monthly subscriptions and I guess it all started with me when I could get my favourite magazines delivered.
Subscriptions have taken the world by storm and according to Forbes 15% of online shoppers have signed up for one or more subscription services in the past year. It isn’t surprising as there is literally something for everyone. From clothing to self-care to food products.
We wanted to celebrate our top 5 subscription boxes for mum and babies and we are sure you will love them as much as us so here goes in no particular;
We regularly promote businesses that have a self-care element to them. Did you know that recently 76% of our mums admitted that they don’t take time out of their day to focus on themselves? Many added that finding the time to fit in… even 1 hour of self-care a day is a real struggle.
Joe and Anna’s high quality Coconut and Soy Wax melts are a perfect wind down for a busy mum on the go, the rich, intense yet relaxing scents burn away whilst you sip your steamy hot chocolate or delightful glass of bubbly in the evening, you might only have 10 minutes of self-care time but we can assure you that these high quality, hand poured Coconut and soy wax melts will allow you to drift off in to a state of utter calmness no matter how long you can spare.
You may feel that you don’t simply have the time for self-care but I can assure you that even burning away the hand poured natural Coconut and soy wax whilst you take make up off with a baby wipe is still an absolute treat and not only that your house will smell incredible.
Upon delivery of the bag, I couldn’t help but notice the strong rich aromas coming from the bag. To say I was excited to open this bag was a huge understatement. Each unique coconut soy wax melt is individually wrapped which kept me in suspense as I unraveled every unique scent one by one – it was like Christmas. The lovingly crafted combination of aromas give off that “high-end” impression, it is clear to see that a lot of time, market research and effort has gone in to creating a perfect subscription bag that fits through your letter box to ensure you never miss your self-care fix.
For me, as a busy business mum this is a perfect way to invest in a self-care ritual that doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t require a certain amount of time. I can have a self-care regime no matter how busy I am. If I want to burn a wax melt when I am in the bath I can or if I want to burn a Coconut and soy wax melt whilst I am writing my latest blog – I can. I love the fact that the scent runs through the entire wax rather than your usual scented ‘plug’ along the wick.
I can rest assure that these hand poured soy wax melts are free from harmful paraffin wax or chemicals which means families can rest assure that no one is breathing anything in that is harmful and completely suitable for people with allergies, compared to cheap candles.
I personally can highly recommend this product and feel it is the perfect gift for you or someone you care about.
Reviews
Don’t only take our word for this fantastic brand, check out their reviews over on Facebook.
Recommended on MyBump2Baby Badge
Based on our personal experience we have awarded this fabulous business with our recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.
The Little Sensory box offer a sensory subscription service tailored around your baby’s key development stages within their first 12 months. The boxes provide you with the equipment and guides to stimulate your baby’s senses based on your babies age. As part of the subscription service each quarter your baby will receive 4 boxes throughout their first year based on their age. Each box contains between 6-10 sensory items to support you through sensory play.
From before birth, babies are already exploring their senses, they begin to make sense of the world around them as they grow through the exploration of new textures and materials. Sensory play through both classes and equipment are becoming increasingly popular across the globe and we especially love that The Little Sensory Box provides you with the equipment you need to maximise your baby’s senses. The tailor made box gives you peace of mind that the equipment you are using is accurately in time with your baby’s developing senses.
Before we even received the box we loved the idea of this subscription box to encourage bonding through sensory play. As a new mum the thought of going outdoors and facing a group or class when you have had no sleep isn’t always the nicest of thoughts, so receiving the sensory box straight to your door is a welcomed treat.
The beautifully designed new born box was delivered and I couldn’t wait to open it and take a peek inside. As I opened the box it had lovely gift wrapping inside which gave it an extra special feel to it.
I opened the box and it was full of the equipment mentioned above, the “learning through play” guide was neatly sat on the top, this is a beautifully made colourful guide that provides parents with a detailed approach to sensory play. It’s clear, easy to understand format makes learning simple. The guide contents included a detailed introduction to the new born sensory box as well as the benefits of the items in the box and how to play with them to maximise your babies’ senses and encouraging learning.
I love how the new born sensory box contains everything you need to get for unlimited sensory fun for the first 3 months.
I personally can highly recommend this product and feel it is the perfect gift for you or someone you care about.
Reviews
Don’t only take our word for this fantastic brand, check out their reviews over on Facebook.
Recommended on MyBump2Baby Badge
Based on our personal experience we have awarded this fabulous business with our recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.
It is expensive to buy the best quality, sustainable, organic baby clothing, but it is much more affordable to hire and that is what Belles and Babes have to offer. Delivering essential washed and ready to wear clothing direct to your door. Belles and Babes then replace your bundle when your babe has outgrown their previous size. All clothing is beautiful and well designed in the softest material, ensuring that the environment and the people who made it have been well treated too. You can expect to receive hire of 18 essential everyday items of luxury organic clothing for your £36 a month with all delivery costs included and no contract. Each bundle is worth £300-400 and will be in excellent new or nearly new condition, washed and ready to wear. Bundles can be customised and tailored to baby’s age, gender and season.
An example box includes;
18 pieces of super soft organic clothes from brands such as:
Baby Mori
Pigeon Organics
Little Green Radicals
Kite Kids
All wear and tear is included in the subscription price.
Now everyone knows that babies outgrow their clothes so fast it feels like they jump up to the next stage weekly. You quickly replace the outgrown clothes spending a fortune in the high street shops whilst your spare room quickly fills with bags upon bags of clothes that you promise to sell on eBay or take to the nearest charity shop, but you don’t and the pile soon becomes unmanageable. Belles and Babes wash the clothes and make any repairs necessary and when the clothes are too worn to reuse, they will upcycle or recycle them to reduce waste. So you feel safe in the knowledge that you ae not contributing to added waste.
Firstly, what a fantastic idea that saves the endless buying (I am all for money saving) of new clothes that last for what feels like 2 weeks. I have lost count of the amount of clothes I have donated to charity or I am ashamed to admit I have binned when I have been too busy. The fantastic services provide you with not only lovely pre washed and cared for clothes but the correct sizes when you need them. The clothes are high quality and I feel so much better knowing I am helping the environment as lots of the clothes are nearly new and in excellent condition, I also like the fact that when I am finished the clothes will be returned and lovingly cared for and used again by another gorgeous baby. It is very clear that the owner goes the extra mile tailoring the boxes if desired to your preferences. When a mum is running a business you know they care and have you covered and it certainly shows with Belles and Babes.
When it is that simple to receive new baby clothes to your door washed and ready to go what could stop you from subscribing.
I personally can highly recommend this product for you and feel it is the perfect gift for someone you care about.
Reviews
Don’t only take our word for this fantastic brand; check out their reviews over on their Facebook page or on their website.
Recommended on MyBump2Baby Badge
Based on our personal experience we have awarded this fabulous business with our recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.
An example subscription box includes 5 -7 items from the list below;
Breastfeeding Bra Breastfeeding Top Tea Energy Snacks Nipple balm or oil Breast pads Muslin cloth Breast Pump Milk storage bag Face Mask Breastfeeding cookie Personalised tote or mug Hand sanitiser Panty Liner Baby Balm Personalised Journal Baby sling Breastfeeding Cover Breastfeeding Gel Pads for Engorgement Improve Milk Production Breastfeeding Treatment – Nipple Treatment Breastfeeding Smoothie Baby Bottle Breastfeeding Bracelet Breastfeeding Vitamin
The Fairy Milk Mother box is a subscription or one off service tailored around breastfeeding. It is specifically designed to help and support mums who are breastfeeding or/and pumping. Fairy Milk Mother aims to empower breastfeeding mothers by providing products. According to the Fairy Milk Mother website, the UK has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe. Fairy Milk Mother believes that this is due to lack of support for mothers.
Fairy Milk Mother are committed to providing support that will enhance a breastfeeding mothers experience. They understand that this precious period of bonding can take a bit of effort and they enjoy sharing a selection of products that have been tried and tested to make the whole journey a bit easier. The great news is if you don’t want to commit to a subscription, they have non subscription boxes available, perfect gift for a new mum.
Breastfeeding is an individual and unique journey for every mother. Fairy Milk Mother recognises the struggles that some mothers have and their aim is to support them as much as possible whilst celebrating their breastfeeding journey. We have spoken to lots of mums who have struggled to breastfeed and found that if they were offered more support they would have potentially been able to continue their breastfeeding journey.
We love how this box support and cheers breastfeeding mums on from the side lines. We also really like that once you have decided on this unique subscription box you fill in a short survey at checkout to ensure the box meets your needs and requirements.
Reviews
Don’t only take our word for this fantastic brand, check out their reviews over on their website.
Recommended on MyBump2Baby Badge
Based on what we have read and the reviews on the website we have awarded this fabulous business with our recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.
Ecocobox is a subscription service with a mission to shower mums with gifts. It is specifically designed for mums who are conscious about the products they use on themselves and their family and want to avoid toxins and buy ethically. They focus on eco-luxe brands, helping mums transition to natural and eco products without compromise. With the ecocobox team doing the research for mum, this subscription creates the space and excuse for some “me time”, and they even make it guilt free by including items for your bump or little one too! The very pretty box is packed full of 5+ gorgeous products (minimum 4 full sized) which is sent free to your door every couple of months. Brands and items are chosen based on the needs and wants of mums. You can expect to receive a mix of items for you and your little one including self-care, home and beauty, tailored to your stage of motherhood from pregnancy to preschool. ecocobox works with a mix of leading and emerging brands, finding natural products with no nasties, animal products or cruelty, so you can enjoy pampering yourself and your little one with peace of mind.
An example box includes;
FULL SIZE 100% Natural Refresh Multi-Purpose Balm by Dr Botanicals (RRP £29.90)
FULL SIZE Mineral Blusher by Love The Planet (RRP £7)
FULL SIZE Bamboo Plasters by Patch Strips (RRP £7)
Travel Size Bloom Body Oil by Nathalie Bond (RRP £10)
PLUS another gorgeous gift personalised to your motherhood stage
We have written before about our aim to become more eco conscious after realising the waste created by certain baby products. We have aimed as a household since to be more eco minded when purchasing products and so when on the lookout for more eco-friendly beauty products we stumbled across ecocobox. Working only with ethical and sustainable brands, ecocobox is not only a treat to yourself, but helps you discover products that are better for the health of you, your family, and the planet too! You can use everything you discover knowing it is free from toxins, animal products and cruelty.
I love a subscription box especially when it is for me and with ecocobox it is the perfect happy post to receive as a busy working mum (it’s also absolutely perfect for busy stay at home mums too). I love the idea of knowing that I will have pure luxury to look forward to every couple of months with the peace of mind that I am helping in some small way to better the planet. Who doesn’t enjoy a treat and this box allows me to receive very needed treats every few months in a beautiful box packed full of luxurious items to enjoy, not only that but I am able to discover new brands for my son.
The fact that the products are specifically chosen for your stage of motherhood by the business owner who is a mum that truly knows what it is like is a massive plus.
I personally can highly recommend this product for you and feel it is the perfect gift for someone you care about – you can buy bundles of 3 or 6 boxes as a present.
Reviews
Don’t only take our word for this fantastic brand, check out their reviews over on Facebook or on their website.
Recommended on MyBump2Baby Badge
Based on our personal experience we have awarded this fabulous business with our recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/mybump2babys-top-5-subsctiption-boxes-for-mums-and-babies.jpg720720Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2019-08-29 22:36:122019-08-30 11:37:00Our Top 5 Subscription boxes for mums and babies
When you have a new-born life can be hectic especially with first babies your life can be turned upside down in some of the most beautiful ways, but there are the harder times when your baby is crying uncontrollably and try as you might nothing you do seems to settle them. It can be really hard to know if you’re doing the right thing.
When you’re pregnant you have pre-natal classes that you can attend that help focus you on your labour and birth but no one and no class can ever really prepare you for life with a fully dependant new-born. We have found that most first time parents (and even second and third time parents unless it has been an issue) had never heard of most infant complaints such as Colic unless they had been told after weeks of suffering from a health professional. In reality Colic is one of the most common infant complaints and there have been 1,000’s of products created to help alleviate the symptoms.
As you all know MyBump2Baby are dedicated to finding and reviewing the best early years products on the market and we will strive to give our most honest review. We were delighted to have been sent Dr Brown’s® Options+™ Anti-Colic Bottles, and as such we have asked three independent MyBump2Baby followers to test the product for us.
Firstly what do Dr Brown’s® have to say?
Dr Brown’s® has over 20 years’ experience helping parents combat windy colic and has recently launched a new enhanced design bottle – Dr Brown’s® Options+™ Anti-Colic Bottles.
Not all vented bottles are created equal. Dr Brown’s Options+® unique internal vent system continues to create 100% vacuum-free feeding, which is clinically proven to help reduce windy colic. This is what makes Dr Brown’s® the number one choice of UK Health Professionals for the relief of colicky symptoms.
Dr Brown’s® Options+™ grows with baby, allowing easy removal of the vent system when baby no longer experiences feeding problems or parents want the convenience of a teat-vented bottle.
What is Colic and how are Dr Brown’s® Options+™ Anti-Colic Bottles meant to help?
Colic is a build-up of gas bubbles in a baby’s stomach commonly referred to as wind. Now these gas bubbles can be painful and incredibly difficult to pass and the trouble with bottle feeding is that conventional bottles can cause air bubbles and negative pressure to build throughout feeding causing a baby to take in more air during each feed.
Created by a doctor (hence the name) in 1996, Dr Brown’s® were the first baby feeding bottles to feature an internal vent system. The vents were designed to eliminate the vacuum and reduce negative pressure and air bubbles being formed. The new Options+™ Anti-Colic Bottles feature a new breast like teat shape enabling a better latch and perfect for parents wanting to swap from breast to bottle and back again. We were sent the Deluxe Starter Kit to review which consists of:
1x 270ml WIDE-NECK Baby Bottle
2x 150ml WIDE-NECK Baby Bottles
3x Level 1 Silicone Teats
2x Level 2 Silicone Teats
2x Level 3 Silicone Teats
2x Cleaning brushes.
So what did our independent reviewers think, has the Dr Brown’s® Options+™ Anti-Colic Bottles helped with your baby’s colic?
Sarah- 32- From Liverpool- First time mum –
“Although I don’t think that it completely cured my Son’s colic, I do think with the Dr Brown’s Bottle has helped to increase the amount my son will take at each feed which is incredible in comparison to other bottles, he seems less agitated during the feed which I can only deduce is due to less built up gas.”
James-39- From Chester – 2nd time parents of twins –
“Having a 3 year old little girl and new-born twins has been challenging especially with them both suffering with colic. We have found the night times to be the hardest, my wife had tried her very best to breast feed and so what we wanted most was a bottle that would mimic the breast. With the twins having colic we had found it incredibly hard to find a bottle that could do this and help with wind. I can only praise the Dr Bown’s bottles. We introduced the bottles and it was clear, almost immediately, how much of a difference the vent made to the feed. Usually, after a feed, the twins would take a good hour to settle down to sleep. They would squirm and cry out, it was hard to watch and frustrating to manage, especially during the night when you’re already exhausted. We found that the vent in the bottle stops the milk from forming too much air and so their tummy isn’t filling with gas making for more contented and settled babies. My wife also found that the teats were the most soft and natural like feel she had found and found that our smaller fussier twin latched on better. 10/10”
Isla-26- From Lancashire- First time Mum-
“They stopped my daughters griping wind attacks completely. However I found at first they were a little tricky to clean but after some time and learning how to use the brush correctly I got there and now I’m that used to it I don’t even bat an eyelid and all the parts. What I really liked was the different flow level teats; with using Gaviscon as well the higher teat levels meant that the flow was always consistent. They did help enormously with my daughter’s wind problem and I really noticed the difference when I tried (out of interest) to switch back to my previous brand of bottle. I will definitely continue using the Dr Brown’s brand”
Are the Dr Brown’s® Options+™ Anti-Colic Bottles Value for Money?
Although slightly more expensive than you’re conventional bottle brands we find with all the added benefits and as the bottle is designed to grow with your baby, it holds a total of 9oz with lots of room above the maximum quantity that YES it is. A lot of other bottles would overspill if you were to put a full 9oz into it and you end up buying more. So when looked at from a benefit point of view spending a little more once can help save money in the long run. Plus prevention is better than cure!
Due to the clinically proven health benefits and high quality of the product coupled with the feedback from our followers we have awarded Dr Brown’s® Options+™ Anti-Colic Bottles – the recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.
Baby showers are becoming more and more popular in the UK, I absolutely loved mine and I couldn’t possibly count how many I have actually been to. One of the best gifts I received was a nappy cake full of absolutely gorgeous items (all absolutely needed and 100% necessary). The stunning nappy cake was packed to the brim full of disposable nappies. All I saw on the day was a lovely thoughtful gift that must have taken absolutely ages to make, certainly not something I would have the time to create myself, however since receiving one and reminiscing about how much it meant to me – it is now my first choice when I go to a baby shower.
It was whilst searching for a new business to purchase a nappy cake from that I stumbled across a news article about how many nappies are thrown into landfills every year. I must admit that I had never really given much thought about it, I had been so happy with mine and so grateful for the thoughtful gift that the impact on the environment was the furthest thing from my mind. Now, as a busy mum of one I have always used disposable nappies and the thought of just how many nappies I have contributed to landfills over the years truly makes me feel ashamed. So now that my little one is out of nappies I want to help, but I also still want to buy my friends lovely nappy cakes like the ones that had meant so much to me. I definitely don’t have the time or the inclination to make them myself so could there be a business out there that made eco conscious nappy cakes and baby gifts? I was delighted to find that there was such a business out there that could help me make a small difference to the environment with my gift buying. I give you Gooseberry.
Gooseberry lovingly makes eco-conscious gift baskets and nappy cakes hoorah!! They are the perfect gift for ideal for baby showers and new arrivals. Refreshingly Gooseberry’s aim is to create as little waste as possible. All of their products contain compostable, recyclable or reusable materials. Gooseberry uses the best, most sustainable, environmentally friendly and ethical products and materials in their gift baskets and nappy cakes even their cellophane is compostable. Everything is cruelty-free and suitable for vegans with all toiletries and fabrics being organic. Gooseberry was created by a lovely lady who after noticing the nappy cake revolution wondered if there was anyone out there creating eco-friendly versions.
Having always cared about the planet and the impact she was having on it she had always used washable nappies on her own children, as well as preferring organic, natural fabrics and toiletries on their skin. So with this in mind her business was made. Selling on Etsy and eBay gooseberry provides the most wonderful gift ideas and my personal favourite gift idea the nappy cake.
Gooseberry welcome custom orders by finding out the amount you’d like to spend and working together with you to make the ideal eco-friendly gift. Gooseberry use products from the following companies; Kit and Kin, Beaming Baby, Earth Friendly Baby, Bambino Mio and Child’s Farm. They are also keen to support other small businesses and are always looking for suitable products to add to their creations.
Due to their savvy idea and eco-friendly product use Gooseberry has been recognised by Members of South West England Vegan Businesses recommending their business as an “outstanding business”
Returns policy for Gooseberry
Whist always striving to use recyclable and reusable packaging if there are ever parts of the packaging you can’t reuse you can even post them back to Gooseberry and they will send you a voucher for your next purchase, they will even send you an envelope to put them in, now that’s caring!
If you are like me and want to do a small part to help the environment but love buying gifts such a nappy cakes for a baby shower, take a look at Gooseberry and be assured that the gift you give is friendly to the environment.
Based on the testimonial and the eco conscious products used we have awarded Gooseberry the recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.
This article is a review on the amazing Yummy, Mummy and Me – Ashlie perfectly packages slimming world sweet syn cones in line with your ideal syn value. To purchase your slimming world sweet cone click here.
Being on a diet seems to be a way of life for me these days, I so wish I was that person who could eat whatever I wanted and stay slim – It’s the dream isn’t it!! When it comes to diets, I must admit that I have tried them all -believe me I have done EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. I have to say Slimming World is one of the better diets I have attempted, it is practical, easy to stick to and it actually works when done properly.
Briefly, the Slimming World diet involves dieters choosing food from a list of low-fat foods they call Free Foods, such as fruit, vegetables, pasta, potatoes, rice, lean meat, fish and eggs. These foods can be eaten in unlimited quantities..(yes really!!) Whilst no foods are off limits, some of the less healthy treat foods, known as Syn foods, have values attached. Syns also include foods found in the Healthy Extras (like cheese and bread), allowing you to eat bigger portions of these foods if you want them.
Slimming World Treats and Syns
One of the best things about Slimming World (besides the fact you can still eat cheese and carbs every day, honest they encourage it) is that you can still have treats in the form of syns. So what are syn I hear you ask? Well the long and short of It means that you have a certain number of syns per day to use on treats, or extra savoury items. As long as you stick to the diet and healthy extras for your meals and remain reasonably good you are allowed yes allowed CHOCOLATE and SWEEEEETS and CRISPS every day.
If you are like me when I started Slimming World I got ridiculously excited by this but also a little silly as I kind of forgot to add up my syns… I would end up going over to the treat jar, uttering the words ‘sod it!’ and eating a whole packet or two of something naughty and then I would spend the evening convincing myself it would be within my 15 syns… even though deep down I knew I had messed up.
For me my will power and my inner sweet toothed demon are constantly at war! There’s just something about holding a bag of sweets in your hand and finishing that bag that satisfies that inner demon.
If you have the same issue…. I have wonderful news for you….
There is a wonderful business out there who has taken the idea of a syns and managing what you can have one step further.
Have you ever got to the end of the day with so many syns left, but don’t know what to have?
Yummy Mummy and Me has created the perfect answer to this problem and has made syn cones, and they have only gone and added up the syn value for you so all you have to do is… open the bag and stick your face in to it (don’t forget to chew)!!!
Not only that but She has managed to create sweet cones that range in syn value including all of your favourite treats so you have the option of choosing or just save your full syn allowance and go for that 15 syn bag every night. The contents always vary too, so a new surprise every night. Yay!
Her prices are absolutely insane at 1 for only £1.50, 3 for £4.00 or 5 for £6 you just cannot go wrong and you can have one every single day if you save your syns for them. My sweet tooth is actually bowing down to this absolute goddess who founded this amazing company.
The good news is if you are located in Lytham St Anne’s you can simply collect your goodies from the business directly and the great news for the rest of you is that she can post them to your door to ensure the wheels never come off your diet again!!
They really are amazing and you feel like you are being indulgent but because Yummy Mummy and Me ensures each cone never go over your required syns you really are not. You need to check out her Instagram page and Facebook page but WARNING!!! It’s not all Slimming World so try not to get distracted.
She also caters for all occasions including weddings, birthdays, hen parties and christenings. Anything we can celebrate she can cater for. How great is that. All of her products are perfectly packaged and presented perfectly we are all like children when it comes to sweet treats the better they look the more tempted we are and because they look so good, for me the whole family enjoy them. My little one now asks for my treat cone from Yummy Mummy and Me, and I have to say I don’t feel too bad every now and then letting him have one because I know the treats within it do not contain anywhere near the sugar value a normal treat bag would.
Hurrah for Yummy Mummy and Me for taking the time to work out my syn values and giving me a great big bag of goodies to eat with no guilt.
We have awarded this amazing business with our recommended on MyBump2Baby badge.
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Slimming-World-Sweet-Syn-Cones-2.jpg960960Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2019-06-11 21:46:582019-06-11 21:55:27The Must Have Slimming World Sweet Syn Cones
We love review businesses that are a little unique and today we share our review on the amazing Images of Life by Deana, Deana is a newborn photographer in Hertfordshire who has her 2nd newborn Safety Certification which means your babies safety is her upmost priority. Read on to find out why we think the service she provides is truly exceptional.
Newborn Photographer Hertfordshire Review
Now, we all know that having a baby is the most magical experience of a parent’s life … Ok Ok…perhaps not all the blood, sweat and tears… but the rest of it is just beautiful. So of course, as parents it is only logical that when your little ones are born you would want to document every precious moment of their lives. I certainly do, every ounce of gorgeous mayhem in my son’s life. Obviously I am no professional photographer, so a quick snap on my phone is enough for me and I manage to capture the beautiful everyday moments in my none-professional way. This is all fine but there are times when I just want his beautiful face captured when its food stain free with sparkling eyes and that’s where newborn and infant photographers are just the best.
When he was squidgy tiny we had a gorgeous newborn photoshoot. I loved it and still cherish the photographs now. I could never have captured those moments or managed to get him in the beautiful positions they managed without an explosive poo or any major freak outs. Newborn and infant photographers just have a way… a magical way. That’s why at MyBump2Baby we are so excited to find the best of the best and guide them in your direction and boy have we discovered an incredible photographer for you!!!!
Deana Louise, Images of Life in Hertfordshire is one of these absolutely incredible photographers
You only have to take one glance at her website to an array of beautiful images to showcase her talent. Dreamy poses and beautiful memories made in her own unique signature style, Deana’s photographs are taken in the comfort of her own studio where your comfort and your enjoyment are of the upmost importance. With the highest quality props to ensure your baby and child are super comfy and relaxed. Her stunning products ensure your images are displayed to perfection.
Deana has been awarded her 2nd newborn Safety Certification, meaning that your baby’s safety is her main priority. This may just be me, but when you are looking for photographers you obviously just take this for granted I mean I definitely didn’t seek out this certification I’ll be honest I didn’t even know it existed but it does and it absolutely should! Your baby is the most important thing in your life and the best should be expected. Deana is only one of a few in the U.K with this accreditation. I am sure all newborn photographers whether they have this or not will take absolute care of your precious newborn but by having this certification it means Deana will never take risks, and will support and pose your baby with the greatest of care as she has been specially trained to do so. I definitely feel better knowing that and when/if I have another baby this is a certification I will look for.
In Deana’s own words “there is nothing better than looking at photographs to evoke memories and feelings.” I love looking back on pictures of my son and recalling the moment, the day, the time, the place. Our children just aren’t squidgy and tiny for long enough are they? Deana’s photographs capture not only those newborn days, but the cheeky smiles and innocent faces of childhood. Mobile phones just can’t capture a moment the way a photographer can.
Attending many newborn seminars and courses to be trained in the beautiful art of newborn portraiture. Training every year to ensure you receive the best possible experience, from images, to the time in the studio, to the product choice. Deana makes sure you have the highest quality experience. Being a fully qualified Associate member of The Master Photographers Association and winning many awards for her work, including Cherubs Baby photographer of the year 2016/17. There really isn’t a better choice for parent’s in the Hertfordshire area.
I personally feel what sets Photographers like Deana apart from the masses is the time spent into her qualifications and training. Making that extra time for comfort, which as a parent is exactly what you need whether it be in those first hazy newborn baby days where sleep is prize to be won and your life revolves around feeds, burps and poo, or the early childhood days where peace and relaxation is a craving we don’t always get. Deana has the skills to entertain and care for your child whilst capturing those special moments that will make you laugh, cry and remember fondly as you look back. So all parents and families in Hertfordshire go and check out her website and five star reviews for yourselves and book in. MyBump2Baby certainly recognises and recommends her talents.
Deana is a 5 star review holder on Facebook based on 38 opinions.
Here are just some of the fantastic reviews;
“Absolutely amazing! I’d recommend Deana to anyone wanting perfect photos! I’m so overwhelmed and happy with how they’ve all turned out, not only was she amazing on the day she’s put a lot of time and work in to make the photos absolutely stunning. So happy and grateful!”
“Although trying to do anything productive with a newborn can be a challenge, I have to say getting photos done with Deana was totally worth it. The session itself was relaxed and I knew we would come away with some amazing photos. Nearly 4 months on and I love the photos even more- she’s changed so much already so getting the newborn photos really is a once in a lifetime opportunity xxx thankyou for such beautiful memories x”
“My baby arrived 5 weeks early and I was very neurotic about keeping him safe. Because he was soooooo teeny I was a bit apprehensive about the photoshoot that I had previously desperately wanted. However there was absolutely no reason to have been apprehensive at all. Deana was amaaaaazing with him, she was brilliant and handling him, making me and him feel at ease and was like a real life baby whisperer. I expected to go to a photographer but did not expect that she would be so brilliant with him. I would 100% recommend this photographer and will definitely use her again in the future.”
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Images-of-Life-by-Deana-–-Newborn-Photographer-Hertfordshire-5.jpg13081961Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2019-06-06 22:09:462019-06-06 22:10:13Images of Life by Deana – Newborn Photographer Hertfordshire
If you have stumbled across this post it must be nearly time for the BIG task of potty training!!! You are probably in a good routine and it is scary thinking about changing that – I mean let’s face it, getting out the house is not an easy task with nappies let alone without.
From the day your little one is born nappies very quickly become part of your daily life. As parents, we can tend to put potty training off for a while as the task can be a little daunting. There is a lot to think about when you start thinking about potty training. We have created a list of potty training essentials to support you through your journey.
Once you feel your little one is ready to make the change the next thing you need to do is thinking about what you need to begin your potty training journey.
Here is our list of our Recommended Potty Training items for 2019;
We were keen to get out of nappies altogether during the day but we also didn’t want to be secluded to the 4 walls in our house so we decided to switch to a trusted brand. After plenty of research and trawling through lots of reviews we decided to make the switch to the fantastic Bambino-Mio pull up cloth pants which we would highly recommend.
There are 13 beautiful designs to choose from which encourages your little one to wear them. My son is dinosaur obsessed so it made it very easy for us to switch over. There is a concealed water resistant layer inner pad, it allows toddlers to feel the wetness whilst minimising clothing changes which means your life doesn’t have to change too drastically during the changeover. The Bambino-Mio are machine washable and can be tumble dried and are very soft against your child’s skin. These training pants are reusable and a great way to be kinder to the environment.
We would highly recommend the Bambino-Mio Potty training pants. You can purchase them by visiting their website or via Amazon.
There are lots of different kinds of potties to choose from and it can be a very difficult choice. We do love the Summer Infant my size potty. This looks and acts like a real toilet which makes it an easier transition to the real thing. The Summer Infant my size potty features a realistic flushing sound. The clip-on splash guard and flip-up lid helps boys in the potty training process, and the built in wipe dispenser is perfect for promoting good hygiene. You can purchase this in white or pink by clicking here
Reviews from MyBump2Baby Readers
“I loved this potty, it made the transition to the big toilet very easy” Amanda, Liverpool
“I loved the potty had the training wipes in the pack to help teach my little one the importance of hygiene too” Gemma, Croydon.
In the lead up to your little one starting potty training, I recommend purchasing a couple of books around potty training. It is a great time to make it a little more fun instead of a chore. We read a couple of books around this including; No more Nappies and Pirates Pete’s Potty.
Definitely avoid any pants with drawstrings or zippers as that is where accidents can happen. Initially there will be a small time between needing to go and going so you don’t want to waste any time. We recommend purchasing some elastic trousers to make things a little easier, you can purchase some here.
Although it is easy to get frustrated when there are accidents we must remember how important it is to reward your little one when they do well. Rewards are an absolute must. We used a progress chart with George and at the end of each week he got a prize. There are lots of different progress charts you can purchase but here is the one we used. You can purchase it here.
The protective mattress covers are great for protecting your little ones mattress. We got a couple of these, we haven’t cracked the night time potty training yet so these are great for extra protection whilst you practice and afterwards. This particular option is Eco friendly and has raving reviews. You can purchase one here.
There is nothing worse than being greeted with a wet bed at the wrong time with no extra sheets. I recommend having a change of bedsheets at the ready so that the bed can be changed within a couple of minutes. There are so many to choose from, you can purchase some here.
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Potty-Training-Essentials-The-Must-Have-Potty-training-items.jpg626940Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2019-03-26 16:29:502019-03-27 19:36:45Potty Training Essentials | Recommended Items for Potty Training
“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.
“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
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Creating-a-Timeless-Memory-Quilt-with-Baby-Clothing5.jpg7591080Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2019-01-23 08:45:502019-01-27 19:41:49Creating a Timeless Memory Quilt with Baby Clothing
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
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/How-to-teach-your-children-to-behave-around-dogs-1.jpg960720Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2019-01-18 17:59:332019-01-19 08:56:49How to teach your children how to behave round dogs!
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.
https://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/boogie-beat-music-and-movement-review.jpg600800Carla Letthttps://www.mybump2baby.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-Bump-2-Baby-Logo-1.jpgCarla Lett2019-01-16 16:56:042019-01-19 08:58:02Boogie Beat Music and Movement Review
