Review and Giveaway – Win a £30 Goody Box of Benjoy Munchcups

BG loves her snacks, she’s a bit of a grazer preferring to that then eat big meals. Her favourite snacks are Grapes, Clementine’s, Breadsticks and Raisin. 

BG is a messy eater, which isn’t a problem when we’re at home but can be a pain when we are out. We have tried snack pots before with the anti spill tops but BG worked out quite quickly how to get the top off so that was a waste of money.

When Benjoy asked me if I wanted to review their Munchcups which a  new range of healthier snacks for young children packaged in the 'Munchcup', the first anti-spill, “less mess” packaging of its kind I was intrigued to see if they actually worked.

We were sent one of each of the snacks they produce, Crunchy Grape Slices, Crunchy Strawberry Slices, Multigrain Munchers, Multigrain Bites and Root Vegetable crisps.

BG’s liked them all but the Root Vegetable crisps she wasn’t keen on them. Her favourite were the Strawberry slices they were practically inhaled.

And the anti-spill top? Yes it worked, BG didn’t remove it and she stayed relatively clean while we were out. I even reused the pots while we were out decanting other snacks into the pots.

Benjoy began thanks to one mum’s desire to discover nutritious, tasty and convenient snacks for her fussy son that wouldn’t deprive him of goodness – or make her feel guilty.

Michelle Daniells talked to other mums and found she was not alone, so an exciting new concept in children’s foods took shape. Together with a panel of wise mums and nutrition professionals, Michelle developed Benjoy.

Benjoy Snacks are available in packs of 4 at Ocado and Morrisons, prices start from £1.99.

Would I Buy Them? Yes they are great when you are out and about.

I have a goody box of Benjoy products worth £30 to give to one lucky reader.

To enter fill in the form below and tell me the names of the two Nutritional experts who work alongside Michelle.

NOW CLOSED

Closing Date is Midnight Monday 6^th December.

Good Luck

NM X

*Open to residents of the UK only

*One entry per person

*You must fill in the entry form correctly otherwise your entry will be deleted

*No cash alternative offered. 

Charity Tuesday – Will You Be A Fairy God Mother?

The Fairy and Make-A-Wish Foundation^® partnership is now in its seventh year and aims to help make even more magical wishes come true for children across the country. Whether their wish is to take a ride in a helicopter, have their very own private playground built, or to have a bedroom makeover, the charity can make it happen.

By buying special packs of Fairy this winter you can also help to make the magical wishes of children, like Ella, come true.

Eight year-old Ella lives with a Spinal Tumour and wished for a day of pampering so that she could take a break from her relentless trips to the hospital, which she has had to endure since the age of two. Ella and her family were whisked off to a hotel and spa where she was ‘beautified’ ahead of a truly magical horse-drawn carriage ride around the hotel’s stunning gardens. Ella is also being featured on special packs of Fairy this Christmas.

In support of the campaign, Myleene Klass commented: “I’m delighted to be involved in the Fairy and Make-A-Wish initiative to make wishes come true for seriously ill children and young people. I urge people to get involved and help Fairy make more wishes come true. I hope lots of people feel inspired by those who have already helped so many wishes become a reality for children across the country.”

NM X 

Music Review – CBeebies Song Time CD

If you are a parent to a toddler then you may have seen CBeebies from time to time, not that we watch it a lot. I mean BG doesn’t know the theme tunes or what’s coming next *ahem*.

Ok, Ok we love CBeebies in this house, BG’s favourite show is Something Special, she adores Mr Tumble and has picked up some sign langue which I’m really impressed with.

We had a lot of fun reviewing the new CBeebies Song Time CD. When we’re not watching TV we like to play and do crafts and we always have music on in the background. BG likes to have a boogie!

This CD is packed with 50 with songs from CBeebies shows including Waybaloo, Postman Pat and Something Special. They are mostly theme tunes which confused BG to start with as she thought the TV programme was on, but once she understood it was coming from the CD player she really enjoyed the music.

It will drive you crazy after a while like most children’s CD but it’s a good CD and will over 50 tracks will keep them happy for a long time.

Would I Buy It? Yes, it will make a nice Christmas Present.

The CBeebies Song Time CD is available now from Play.com £8.95 and at Amazon for £8.93.

NM X 

Win £100 Voucher to Spend at Victorinox

Victorinox are looking for exciting and dynamic family projects. They are the four brand values that have successfully led the Victorinox brand for 126 years and are the qualities upon which all Family Project entries will be judged. 

These values are functionality, innovation, design and quality.

If selected, Victorinox will donate £10,000 to allow the family to fund its proposed project. The contest is open to families in the United Kingdom. The contest runs until January 31, 2011.

Victorinox will select families in which genuine togetherness manifests itself in joint collaborative action. A family unit, which works together and plays as a team, in whatever form that family takes, is eligible to enter.

"As we experience every day at Victorinox, living in tandem with all the generations encourages traditional values in order to meet innovation requirements and experience to match spontaneity, which leads to new insights and understanding. And thus giving rise to discussions, conversations, dreams - and IDEAS," said Victorinox AG President, Carl Elsener. "We want to recognize, applaud, and support these ever-evolving ideas that ultimately build and shape the communities around us in a positive way.

For more details on the competition see the Victorinox Family site.

Victorinox have given me one £100 voucher to spend at Victorinox to giveaway to a lucky reader.

To enter fill in the form below and tell me what you would spend the Victorinox  voucher on.*

NOW CLOSED

Closing date is Midnight Sunday 5th December.

I will choose a winner at random.

Good Luck.

NM X

*Open to residents of the UK only

*One entry per person

*The form must be filled in correctly or the entry will be deleted

*No cash alternative offered. 

Review - The Winter Wonderland at Tamworth Snowdome

I could quite easily describe the winter wonderland in 4 phrases:

Magical, Breathe taking, Amazing and Cold.

OK so the last word would be obvious but let me explain my other choices.

When you first walk in to the winter wonderland snow play you are straight away whisked into the magical atmosphere. The snow beneath you crunches and sinks below you. LS loved this. I must tell you I found it hard to walk on at first but I found it go easier as you go on, if you don’t wish to walk on the snow there is a wooden path which goes around most of the trail. There are lots to do in the snow play/trail.

There is a place where you can go sledging down a snow hill and other smaller snow humps situated further round the trail. LS was too small to enjoy this but from what I saw everybody else was enjoying the fun, also there are sledges around the trail which LS did attempt and she loved it.

Further around the snow trail (going left) you will find a couple of fantastic photo opportunities, the first is a family of polar bears and further round a Santa’s sleigh filled with presents. 

On your way round the trail you will see sign saying “Look out for the Yeti” well I must say you’re not likely to miss it as just further round the trail you will find a huge statue of a YETI! (Another photo opportunity).

Just past the yeti you will find your back at the start of the trail and you have to go back to the yeti to find the Winter Wonderland theatre, which is where you go next.

Now if I’m honest the show was the part I as least looking forward to mainly because I didn’t think LS would enjoy it, boy was I wrong. She loved it. As soon as the Basil Brush theme came on she along with all the other children where dancing and clapping and getting really excited to see what was next. When Basil Brush and he two assistants “Billy and Cindy” came on her eyes were glued to the show. It wasn’t just the children that enjoyed Basils show as long with myself a lot older members of the audience were laughing at his silly jokes and funny antics. My favourite part of the show was when Santa came on and got the audience involved in a panto style shouts, this for me made it feel more Christmassy.

The final part of the day was going to see the animals. They had rabbits, chickens, goats, donkeys, pigs and Reindeers YES Reindeers! You could pet some of the animals such as the rabbits and even the reindeers, we both enjoyed this. The rabbits were LS favourite. There was also place for you to have your photo taken in a sleigh which was great! We got a very lovely picture what you think?

There were 100 if not more lovely Christmas trees all around the trail covered in different coloured lights, I liked the blue light as they were jut lovely. Some of the trees where surrounded by large candy canes and other Christmas decorations. The best tree was a huge tree covered in blue light situated upstairs with the animals, it reached right up to the ceiling where it blending amazingly with the light on the ceiling, it really was I think breath taking. It completed the night beautifully. Overall it is a great family experience and I would definitely take LS again.

I would like to also mention the lovely free gifts from the wonderland, which were a free picture of us on the sleigh, a Thornton’s chocolate, and also a lovely Basil Brush teddy. 

Thanks Danii & LS

This review was written by Danii who write at Yummy Mummy Sausage and You Want My Opinion.

The Tamworth Snowdome Winter Wonderland is open now until the 31st December.  Prices start from £12.95 and under 2s are free. Visit their website to check availability and book your tickets. 

The Winner Of The Walltastic Mural is.....

 Ellie Aindow!!

Well done I will be in contact with you shortly.

NM X 

The Winners Of The Oh Baby London Sets are.....

Cherie has won the boys set.

Emma Button has won the girls set.

Well done to the both of you, I will be in contact shortly!

NM X 

Win A £50 Voucher to Spend at Little Bugs Boutique

Little Bugs Boutique sell funky clothes for 0 to 6 year olds.

Run by mummy’s Justine and Ann, this is what they say about their about Little Bugs Boutique-

We have put together a number of Collections, such as Park Life, which have been constructed to show the different ways to put interesting fashion combinations together from different brands, they also show which environments we see them working in. We have made sure that our chosen designers have the best quality garments so that they can be worn time and time again.

We look at brands from many countries, but are conscious that British designers are featured on our site.

My current favourite items are from the Rainy Day collection, with the bad weather coming this Blue Flower Raincoat by Toby Tiger £26.99 and matching Blue Flower Wellies £15.99 are super cute.

I have a £50 e voucher to giveaway for one lucky reader.

To enter all you have to do is fill in the form below and tell what your favourite item from Little Bugs Boutique is.*

NOW CLOSED

Closing date is Midnight Thursday 2^nd December

Good Luck

NM X

*Open to residents of the UK only

* One entry per person 

Win A Cool Bag Full of Rachel Organics Yogurts

Yogurts don’t last very long in our house, BG would eat them all day if I let her and OH is just as bad. A while back we were sent a huge box of Rachel Organics yogurts to review, which you can read here.

I have a cooler bag stuffed full of yogurts for one lucky reader. The bag will include Taste Explorers multipack yogurts, yogurt squeezies, rice puddings and My First Yogurt.

Plus some yogurts for the Low Fat Range (Vanilla is my favourite) and Greek Style Yogurts.

To enter fill in the form below and tell me what other products apart from yogurts and rice puddings do Rachel Organics sell?*

NOW CLOSED

Closing date is Midnight Wednesday 1^st December 2010.

Good Luck

NM X

*Open to residents of the UK only

*One entry per person

*No cash alternative offered

Review - Ecover's New Laundry Range

The New Mummy household have reviewed Ecover products on two occasions in the past, so it wasn’t surprising when they asked us to review their new laundry range.

Here is what we tested:-

Ecover Fabric Softener 750ml- Under the Sun RRP £1.79

This smells really nice and leaves your clothes smelling divine and super soft. I normally only use baby softener on BG’s clothes but I love that Ecover is made from plant – based and mineral ingredients that its suitable for BG’s sensitive skin.  We got a decent amount of washes from it as you don’t need much; a little goes a long way.

Would I Buy It? Yes

Ecover Non-Bio Powder RRP £3.39

This washed our clothes really well.  It performed well at low temperature and removed most of BG’s mess. As part of the product development for the new laundry range, Ecover’s Non-Bio and Bio Powders have a new concentrated formula. This means less powder per box, a smaller box size (now 750g), and less packaging. With less powder for the same amount of washes, the cost per load is reduced 25%.  It worked well but I found that it didn’t all dissolve in the draw.

Would I Buy It? No, I prefer the liquid laundry detergent.

Ecover Concentrated Non Bio Laundry Liquid 500ml RRP £5.69

I really like this laundry liquid, it washes really well. Its smells really nice, it has a hint of lavender. It worked well at a low temperature and lifted nearly all of our stains out (BG makes a lot of mess). It didn’t cause any irritation to any of our skin, we are all sensitive.

Would I Buy It? Yes.

The Ecover range is available in most supermarkets.

NM X

5 of the Best Christmas Crackers £8 and under

I have been on the search for Christmas crackers for you, originally it was going to be the best under £5 but I found a box from John Lewis that are so fabulous so I had to include them!

1. Tesco Gold Script Cube x12 £5

2. Wilko Christmas Crackers Gold/Cream x12 £4.98

3. Sainsbury’s Family Crackers Red & White x 12 £5.99

4. John Lewis Cube Floral Print Christmas Crackers x 12 £8

And if you fancy making them yourself..

5.  Marks and Spencers Make Your Own Crackers x 8 £5

Happy Christmas Shopping.

Don't forget to check out my Christmas Page, its full of reviews, discounts, gift guides and much more.

NM X

Win a VTech Kidizoom Camera, worth £59.99

My giveaways are just getting better and better!

Today I have a VTech Kidizoom Camera, worth £59.99 for you to win. This is one of Argos’ ‘Top 10 Toys for Christmas’, the full list of which can be found here

This video camera records video, takes photos and your child can edit their creations. Its simple to use and is tough so can with stand a few bumps.

This prize has been supplied courtesy of Argos.co.uk. Argos have lots of toys, including  lego, Barbie and Sylvanian Families.

To enter all you have to do is fill in the form below and tell me whether you want a pink or blue VTech Kidizoom Camera*

NOW CLOSED

Closing date is Midnight Tuesday 30^th November.

I will choose a winner at random.

The prize will be sent within 28 days of the competition ending

Let your child set up their Christmas Wish List at Argos this year and make sure they get what they really want this Christmas. Login here to set it up. Then, once you're happy, it's then ready to share by email, Facebook or print-out with Santa's little helpers: you can see which little helpers are planning to pick up which present.

Registering also means you'll be entered into our free prize draw to win £5,000 and the chance to vote for your favourite children's charity to win the same

Good Luck

NM X

*Open to residents of the UK only

* No cash alternative offered

* One entry per person

Review – Maclaren Techno XT Footmuff

In September I reviewed the Maclaren Techno XT, now that the weather is getting much colder they sent me a footmuff to review. I was sent the Techno XT Footmuff, though universal ones are available.

It was pretty straight forward to attach to the buggy; I did find having to undo the straps a pain and the main clip took a bit of wriggling to get through.

It’s really warm and soft in side; BG likes to snuggle in there. It’s perfect for us as BG won’t wear gloves and with the footmuff she puts her hands under it to keep warm. We didn’t have a footmuff last winter and BG kept kicking her blankets off it drove me mad, this year she can’t do that. If she gets too hot she can tell me now so it’s a win, win situation.

It has two zips so it’s easy to get her in and out of and its machine washable which is a huge bonus.

The only negative I have is that BG just fits in it, she is quite tall for her age and her feet are touching the bottom on the footmuff, I’m hoping it will last the winter.

Other than that, it’s a good footmuff and a great addition to the Techno XT.

Would I Buy It? Yes, ideal if you are buying the buggy from birth.

The cheapest I found it was £39.99 at Kiddicare

NM X 

Charity Tuesday – NSPCC Letter From Santa

For a suggested donation of £5, the NSPCC can arrange for Santa to send one of his magical letters and make Christmas extra special for a child (or big kid!) you know.

The letters are colourful, beautifully illustrated and uniquely personalised with the child’s name, gender, address and age. They have different letters for children of different age groups and every child in the same household will receive different letters. 

Please read their comprehensive FAQs if you have any questions.

Last year they sent letters to almost 150,000 children all over the world, making their Christmas extra special!

The money you donate goes straight to the NSPCC and will make a huge difference for thousands of vulnerable children who so desperately need our support. Thank you!

So make your child’s Christmas extra special this year with a letter for Santa and donate money to a great cause at the same time.

Visit the NSPCC Christmas site for more ideas and other ways to donate his year.

NM X