Bandana Bib Review and Giveaway - So Cool!



Tyrus In His Fantastic Bandana Bib



Baby&More was set up in 2007 as a UK distribution company focused on sourcing high quality, practical baby products designed by Mums for Mums. They can be found at www.babyandmore.co.uk Becoming a Mother is fabulous but when it comes to knowing what products you need for your baby the choices can be overwhelming.Baby&More have done the hard work for you by sourcing high quality, award winning, practical baby products that really do work!  All our products are designed by Mums for Mums, are new to market and are designed to make life that little bit easier.

The wonderful people at Baby & More sent Tyrus one of their superb products called a Bandana Wonder Bib from Mum 2 Mum. Made from 100% cotton, super-absorbent velour towelling with a nylon water resistant backing to keep babies dry.  Wonder Bibs^tm protect against dribble rash and eczema and are an essential purchase for infants with reflux.  Wonder Bibs_tm are all machine washable, dryer safe and colour fast. It can hold 1/4 cup of liquid too.

Now after having five other babies, you would think that I would have certain products that I would use with each child, well some I do (muslin cloths for burping breast fed babies is a must for me!) But when it comes to bibs, I never really found one that I could really say I was happy with, until now.

I have never really had my children in bibs, until this baby... I don't know what it is with Tyrus but he does dribble lots, something I never really encountered with any of the others, but then none of the children cut their first tooth till very late, so maybe Tyrus will get them earlier. Anyway all I seemed to keep doing was changing his top and vest, as you can imagine the never ending washing pile in this house doesn't really need any help getting bigger, so I now have a product that helps. The Bandana Bib sits high enough up his neck that the dribble doesn't get in the creases of his very cute double chin, it soaks all of the liquid up and keeps it away from his skin and  looks very cute and stylish. They come in a variety of bright, bold colours, or pastels, meaning you can add them to any outfit.

Can match with any outfit

They fasten with a popper

I love them, and wish I had purchased some as soon as Tyrus started dribbling, then I wouldn't have had quite as much washing!





Another shot but with an even bigger smile!





Bandana Bib Giveaway.`

The wondeful ladies at Baby & More have given my lovely followers the chance to win TWO bandana bibs, either Pink and White, or Blue and White. To enter :

~ Head over to Baby & More then return here and comment which is your favourite product on the website and whether you would like Pink or Blue if you win.

For bonus entries you can :

~ Head over to Baby & More's facebook page and write `I would love a Bandana Bib please @HexMum'

~ Follow Baby & More on Twitter

~ Tweet `Bandana Bonanza with @baby_and_more and @Hex_Mum'

Please write each comment separately to gain the maximum number of entries xxx

Closing Date : 31st October 2011



The Start Of It All



This time 15 years ago saw the beginning of the rest of my life...

Asa and I had been working together at the local Leisure Centre behind the bar. Asa had just finished University and I was filling in time until I began my Nurse Training in Jan 1997.

We spent the whole summer working alongside each other as good friends. When the summer season finished Asa left Norfolk and went to explore employment in Surrey. He was all set to leave, and we went out for a goodbye Night Out. It was on this evening that we realised it was more than friendship and I reallly didn't want him to leave. He postponed leaving for another day and we went out properly.

However the next day I wept a teary goodbye as he departed.

The next week was a mixure of letters(I still have them all) and telephone calls (sorry Leisure Centre phone bill).

Being the independent, mad person that I am, I went to the newsagents, picked up a copy of The Lady and set about finding myself a nannying job in Surrey....

One week later I had three interviews and I secured employment,I quit my play area job at the leisure centre, said goodbye to my mum, dad and sister  and began working for a lovely family in Esher, taking care of three boys, aged 18mths to 3 years, a live-in position, working 7am-7pm, leaving me every evening to spend with Asa.

After my three month contract finished, Asa made the decision to move back to Norfolk with me, as I was due to start my Nurse Training.

Fifteen years later, six children, a rabbit and eight chickens and here we are, I wouldn't change a thing xxx

Earth Friendly Baby Review

The purpose of earth friendly baby is to create high quality, natural products that are healthy for babies, their friends and the planet .

I was sent four products from the Earth Friendly Baby Range to review with Tyrus, however the entire family decided that they would test them too...

Bath time has never been simpler with these lovely, all-in-one body cleansers. Head and shoulders, knees and toes... whoopee! Choose from our three delightful Shampoo & Bodywashes - soothing Organic Chamomile, relaxing Organic Lavender and funtime Organic Mandarin. They have been specially created to gently cleanse Baby’s delicate hair and skin without leaving behind residue

The first product that we tried was the Mandarin Shampoo and Bodywash. We took this on holiday with us, because space is limited when you are packing for eight, so this was perfect as there was no need to take separate bubble bath/shower gel and shampoo.

It smelt good enough to eat and all of the children loved it. It was suitable for Tyrus aged 3 months all the way up to Lochlan at 11 and not one child complained of any stinging eyes or irritation. It made their hair and body smell lovely and their hair looked very shiny. This is a perfect all in one solution and I would definitely recommend it.

Lovely refreshing scents, rich foam and great cleaning all at the same time! As if that’s not enough, it leaves baby’s skin feeling very smooth, ready for mum to massage, dress and start a new day or to put to bed! In a great value, easy pouring 370ml bottle, a little goes a long way – so pour carefully!

The Chamomile Bubble Bath we used at home, and when it says a little goes along way, they are telling the truth! I thought I had only put a little drop in, however after a few minutes of the water running, the bath was full to the brim with bubbles, which the children thought was amazing and spent the next five minutes playing Bubble tag....

It left all of their skin feeling very soft and moisturised and I feel it is great value, because you really only need such a small amount to have a complete bathful of bubbles!

These body lotions are ideal to use all over baby's body, and come in aromas of soothing Organic Chamomile, relaxing Organic Lavender and fresh Organic Mandarin. They are packed full of organic extracts such as healing calendula as well as skin-beneficial angelica, red clover, elder flower and passionflower. We have also included moisturising shea butter together with lots of vitamins to make these extra special products.

We were sent the Chamomile Body Lotion and it was lovely, in fact anyone in the house that had any dry patches immediately reached for this lotion, from dry arms, to feet, to legs, not forgetting using all over baby Tyrus after his bath, this really was a family favourite. It absorbed quickly and didn't feel greasy, it has a lovely refreshing smell and is easily applied with the pump. You don't need to use very much, so another product that will last quite a long time, although probably not in this house with eight people using it!

Isn’t it always a pleasure to use a soft and thick wipe, Baby? What’s more, these wipes are 100% biodegradable so they help look after our environment. They have been made with mild ingredients including organic chamomile and calendula to gently cleanse and soothe your delicate skin. They are also unfragranced, alcohol-free and tested to be hypoallergenic. Each pack has 72 wipes.

The final product we were sent was a pack of baby wipes. As you can imagine with six children I have had my share of different baby wipes. These ones were quite surprising, although unfragranced they still had a pleasant smell to them, unlike some that are just awful.

The fact that they are biodegradable is a big bonus, and means they are much kinder to the environment than many other baby wipes, although I did expect them to be quite thin and fall apart, however I was very surprised at how thick and luxurious they felt and were not too wet, they cleaned Tyrus and Eowyn with ease.

A very pleasing packet of Baby wipes that are kind to the planet.

These products are definitely worth a try, they use natural ingredients, are not tested on animals and really do look after your skin, its a big thumbs up in this House for Earth Friendly Baby xxx

Fancy Dress Outfitters Review and Giveaway

Not too long and it will be Halloween again, I know everyone has a different opinion on this celebration, but I personally LOVE it!
My children are very fortunate that the little Close we used to live in before we moved to our rural cottage embraces Trick or Treating with great enthusiasm, they all decorate their houses and have so many sweets my children can hardly carry their pumpkin buckets, so naturally each year trying to decide what to wear is great fun, especially as I seem to need an extra one every few years!
Asa and I are no exception, his Rugby Club has a Halloween Fancy Dress Party every year, so we both need new costumes too.
But this year I do not have to worry, because I have found a fantastic website that has EVERYTHING...
Fancy Dress Outfitters have an enormous range of Fancy Dress Outfits, for every occasion.
I was very fortunate that the lovely people at Fancy Dress Outfitters have allowed Asa and I to pick a Halloween Fancy Dress Costume each to wear to this years Rugby Halloween Party.
So we very excitedly set about trying to choose one each. After many hours of deliberation (there really are are just so many to choose from), it was a very hard decision, we both decided on a wonderful costume, Asa chose a Devil outfit and I opted for a Witch. Both costumes were a complete outfit, meaning there isn't any need to purchase any extras, which is what I have found when shopping for costumes before.
The delivery was super fast and the costumes are AMAZING...

 

These are the pictures from the Website, but for the pictures of Asa and I in them, you will just have to wait until after the Party on 29th October ....

But whilst you wait in anticipation for our photos, I have a fabulous giveaway for you.

The wonderful people at Fancy Dress Outfitters have very kindly donated this fabulous Cinder Witch Outfit for me to give away. It consists of the Dress, Hat and Tights, it is available in sizes 3-4yrs, 4-6 yrs and 7-9yrs.



So to win this great prize for your little witch:

• Head over to Fancy Dress Outfitters and have a look at all their fantastic halloween outfits then come back here leaving me a comment which is your favourite.

For some bonus entries:

• Post on my facebook page – I want to have a Spooky Halloween with @HexMum!
• Post on Fancy Dress Outfitters Facebook Page – I want to win a Cinder Witch Oufit with @fancydressoutfitters and @HexMum
• Follow Fancy Dress Outfitters on Twitter
• Tweet “Spooky times with @Hex_Mum & @iwantfancydress" 

Please list each entry separately.

Closing Date : 20th October 2011

Leaving you plenty of time for the costume to arrive for your own Spooky Halloween xxx

Popblast Review and Giveaway

Popblast's mission is to develop an alternative, safe, credible and fun pop music experience, that will have a positive impact on children’s lives.
Great pop music that children love, with dance moves and lyrics that parents can trust. Popblast are winning the hearts and minds of children with happy, bright, energetic fun that engages children in movement, song and dance. Safe to play in the car and sing along to. Letting kids be kids and parents be kids too.
All of our children love dancing, especially to catchy pop tunes, the ones that have specific dances will almost certainly stay in their heads for a very long time-hands up who can still do the birdie song, agadoo, timewarp - the list is endless, although the children now are more adept at big fish little fish or the one eyed one horn flying purple people eater (Oh yes I did used to be a children's entertainer!)
This CD is no exception, with fun, funky tunes such as the Pyjama Song, it has already become a firm favourite in this house with Eowyn shouting at random moments "Pyjamas", and Kaide doing the Monster Stomp in his own unique way!The CD has 10 very catchy songs and there are dances to go with them, you can check out some of these on the website.
Also look out for the Popblast revolution coming to a venue near you.They have also just published a form so people can join the Popblast Revolution and have their say on Popblast and children's music in general.

which can be found at:  http://popblastworld.blogspot.com/

The wonderful people at Popblast have kindly given me 4 copies of the CD to giveaway.

To be in with a chance of winning one of these great CDS please visit the Popblast Website where you will find a Spot The Difference, please comment below with your answers, if you have trouble ask the kids - I did!
To gain extra entries you can
- Post on my facebook page I want to have a Popblast with @HexMum
- Follow Popblast on Twitter
- Tweet "I want to have a Popblast with @Hex_Mum and @popblast http://hexmum.blogspot.com/2011/09/popblast-review-and-giveaway.html"

Please comment separately for each entry to count.

Good Luck
Closing Date : 22nd October 2011