White Lily Green

Easy Mothers Day and Easter crafts to do with the kids!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 13:13:00 +0000

It's been ages since we've had time to craft - I tell you, my children have better social lives than I had even in my young, free and single days!

But during the half term, we made the most of having nowhere to go for a couple of days and enjoyed some messy play and some good old crafting, thanks to a lovely box that arrived from Yellow Moon

Baby Girl and I had so much fun with an easy paper plate activity, which ended up being a really lovely handmade gift that can be adapted for any special lady this Mothering Sunday.

You need:

A paper plate

Washable paint or a jumbo ink pad like the one we used.

Colourful collage feathers.

A pen

Glue

First of all we used the ink pad to create a cute hand print to one side of the paper plate (the ink pad is fab, by the way - we love it so much! It's available in a rainbow of colours, and at less than £3 each, you can't go wrong)

Once that was dry, we used PVA glue to stick the collage feathers all around the edge of the plate. Baby Girl LOVED this bit!

Finally, I added an adorable poem. Older children can write something themselves, but I've always been fond of this one!

Thinking a little ahead, we decided to make some Easter themed crafts. Yellow Moon sent some fantastic items and we tried to use them all in the following activities.

Here are our Beautiful Easter baskets filled with chocolate goodies and Fred the Flamboyant Easter Chick!

You need:

Spring Time Activity Set

Glue and some sticky tape
Easter Grass
Craft Eggs OR you can blow some eggs if you are feeling brave!
Felt tip pens
Colourful collage feathers
A small ball of play dough or modelling clay
Googly eyes (optional) or sticky gems
Chocolate treats of your choice

Make the baskets were incredibly easy using the Spring Time Activity Set - they just pop out and slot together with minimal need for glue.The pack included card, pre-cut designs, ribbons, stickers and split-pins. I think it's incredible value, and the finished items look fantastic!

We colours in our eggs with felt tip pens, but for easiness really, but you can decorate them with paints, paper, stickers....anything you like!

Once our baskets were built, we filled them with some Easter grass (strips of tissue paper) and popped in some chocolate eggs. Don't they look fab!?

Finally, meet Fred. Fred is a Flamboyant Easter Chick and he brings Easter happiness wherever he goes - isn't he the cutest?!

He is made using a decorated craft egg, with some collage feathers attached with tape. His beak was drawn on using a pen and his eyes are sticky crystal gems, but you can opt for googly eyes if you have some!

So we stands, we popped him into a small amount of play dough.

We've also got some gorgeous colour-in bunting and some bird craft boxes to decorate. Aren't they great?!

We absolutely recommend Yellow Moon for all things crafty - such a brilliant website!

Back to school and a little more.....

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 20:59:00 +0000

So, the children are back to school after the Christmas break. How does that make you feel? A little sad or secretly relieved? I'm a mixture of the two I guess. They wanted another week and if I'm honest, so did I. I love having them home but usually by the end of the holidays I'm ready for a break and they are itching to get back to their friends and a 'normal routine'. That said, I hate the school run with a passion - roll on Summer!

My children are all very different when it come to lunches. One has a hot dinner every day, one has to have a pack lunch, and the other one likes to pick and choose depending on what is on the menu at school (she' a bright one, that one!)

She tends to have a packed lunch at least once a week. This usually coincides with the school having fish on the menu as she's never been very keen. I must admit to struggling when it come to choosing what to fill her lunch box with; I try not to give in to her sudden 'fussiness' but worry that if I don't give her things that she loves, she might not eat anything at all.

Luckily, she does love her fruit and veg so crudities and fruit salads feature regularly, but I do still worry that she isn't getting enough vitamins; even when he has a school dinner because if I'm not there, I don't know what he's eaten or what's been scraped into the bin.

Last week, we were introduced to A Little More; a range of essential vitamin-enriched drinks designed especially for children. These drinks are 300ml sports cap bottles of natural fruit flavoured spring water; enough to provide a daily top-up of vital vitamins and minerals.

These provide a perfect solution to my vitamin woes; whether my daughter opts for a hot meal or a packed lunch, she can bring a bottle of water to school to drink during the school day.

The drinks contain no added sugar and each is naturally flavoured with orange, apple or mango & passion fruit. They are suitable for children ages 3 and over and the convenient spot style bottles are perfect for lunch boxes, picnics or just as a daily treat.

The range includes A Little More Vitamin C, A Little More Multivitamins and A Little More Vitamin D....clever idea, huh?

Now, if I can just convince Little One that fish is amazing.... then I'll be reaaaaally happy.

Some Children's Christmas Reads From Parragon Books

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 19:27:00 +0000

Over the next few days, I am going to share with you some things that myself and the children got up to over the Christmas break. Unfortunately gastroenteritis plagued us just after Christmas, so we were housebound for much of the remainder of the holidays.

It wasn't all doom and gloom though, it meant the little ones got to enjoy some craft time and we read some fabulous books including two activity books that had been sent to us by Parragon Books.

The first one got Daddy involved as he has a thing for planes and kites, etc. Professor Murphy Games Sets Glider is absolutely fantastic and would make a brilliant gift for children aged 8 plus or even a novelty gift for an adult!

"Inside, you'll find a step-by-step book and everything you need to build a stunt glider with an incredible 60cm wingspan! Great outdoor fun for ages 8+, build, throw, fly, loop and glide!"

The glider is somewhat impressive when built but sadly only lasted one day as we (foolishly) took it outside on a very windy day. At just £5.99 though, it is fantastic value!

The girls love stickers... I am often found covered in the things as my lovely little ladies insist I need 'decorating' - I try not to be offended by this!

Parragon's Christmas 2000 Stickers book was absolutely perfect for them to share, especially on a rainy (or sicky) day when they need something to keep them busy indoors.

"Pull on your hat, coat and mittens and get ready for some frosty fun in the North Pole! There are festive doodles, icy puzzles, merry mazes and much more. Then take your pick from 2000 stickers to complete the scenes, or to decorate your own festive cards, letters or drawings!"

This lovely activity book is packed full of puzzles, story scenes and.... of course.... 2000 stickers - hours of fun for just £4!!

We love it so much we are on the look out for more titles, such as 2000 Princess stickers (£8) and 2000 super scary stickers (£4). These are perfect as gifts; particularly as a present if your child has been invited to a friends party or just to keep at home for those days that you are stuck indoors and need to keep the dreaded boredom at bay.

NEW Oilatum Daily Junior Cleansers Range - review and a giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:45:00 +0000

Just before Christmas, I received a lovely surprise in the post from our friend at Oilatum - a lovely box full of products from the NEW Oilatum Daily Junior Cleansers Range and some bath-time treats for Baby Girl.

We've been using these in her bath for a few weeks now, and we love them! Let me tell you a little bit about them, what we thought and then there might be a little giveaway if you get to the end of the post! ;)

Oilatum are helping to put the giggles back into bath-time with the launch of new cleansers as part of their growing Daily Junior range. Thee products have been developed with dermatologists to soothe and protect young skin against dryness.

All my children have suffered with some degree of skin dryness and/or Eczema, so finding suitable products that I can trust is a must. We have many favourite products in our bathroom and lots of them are my Oilatum. As I've probably mentioned before, I've used OIlatum products for the best part of 15 years, so it's definitely a brand I trust.

44% of parents surveyed in 2012, said that their child has had a dry skin condition, making dry skin a common worry for many parents. This is due to the delicate skin of babies and children; it's far more delicate than adult skin and therefore more susceptible to dryness.

Oilatum, skin specialists in dry skin, have launched an exciting new range of gentle cleansers, especially tailored for young dry skin. These products complement Oilatium Daily Junior Moisturising Lotion which we tested out earlier in the year.

We love bubbly baths!

Baby Girl, like many children, LOVES a bubble bath, but it can be difficult to find a product that doesn't irritate her skin. Well, I've found one in the form of Oilatum Daily Junior Bath Foam!

It's actually that lovely that I'm tempted to use it myself!! Couples with Oilatum's other Daily Junior products, our new Munchkin bath toys and some super-soft fluffy towels that I bought in the sales; our bath-times are sorted! Happy, bubbly fun with smooth, moisturised skin - perfect!

What's so different about these products?

The new Oilatum Daily Junior Cleansers range is free from potentially irritating ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which can aggravate dry skin. The new Oilatum products respect the natural moisture barrier of young, delicate skin and helps to prevent further dryness. They are so gentle, you can use them on newborn skin every day if you wish!

We love soothed skin!

We've been using Oilatum Daily Junior Bath Foam, Daily Junior Shampoo, Junior Head to Toe Wash and Oilatium Daily Junior Moisturising Lotion for the past few weeks and we are really impressed with the range.

Baby Girl's skin has been soothed and well hydrated, even in the fold of her arms and back of her knees - both of which can flare up quite regularly. The products are all colour-free and pH balanced and as they are designed to use everyday, I don't need to worry about when I bathe her, or whether I use product in the bath or just plain water (not something I like doing as I find this quite drying in itself.)

The shampoo leaves Baby Girl's hair lovely and soft and shiny, and I have noticed an improvement in the condition of her scalp too.

Big thumbs up from us!!

WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN!

To be in with a chance of winning some Oilatum products for your own little one (plus a few goodies thrown in for bath-time fun), simply answer the following question in comments below and complete the Rafflecopter widget to verify your entry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This competition is open to those in UK Mainland only.
The winner will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter.
There is 1 prize consisting of 4 Oilatum Daily Junior products, plus some bath goodies (prizes may differ from shown).

The prize will be sent to the winner within 28 days of the closing date.
The winners are final and no correspondence will be looked into.
All accepted tasks must be completed correctly, or the entry will not be counted. I do check before finalising a winner.
A cookie may be placed on your computer when using this site.
This competition will run until midnight on 22nd January 2015.
If the winner does not respond within 7 days, the winner may be redrawn.
Your name and email may be used for mailing list purposes by the sponsor.
I retain the right to alter or withdraw the giveaway if required. This may mean the prize offered or the closing date.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Boxing Day Marmalade Breakfast Scones

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 19:41:00 +0000

You may remember before I went on my jollys, that I mentioned Orange Marmalade Breakfast Scones in my latest Degustabox review post.

Well, I thought I'd share what they actually are! I used the most amazing Bonne Maman Coarse Orange Marmalade from the December box and the scones themselves are super easy to make.

Simply add 2-3 tablespoons of the Bonne Maman Coarse Orange Marmalade to your favourite basic scone mixture. You might find that you'll need less milk, or even a little more flour so I didn't add the milk until I'd mixed the marmalade through.

You can even heat a little in a pan and glaze the tops if you want a really orangey flavour.

I like Delia's recipe here... I do like adding Cream of Tartar to mine. And my trusty, ever fail recipe is this one from the lovely Jam and Clotted Cream.

The result is a beautifully flavoured and textured scone that it lovely for Boxing day brunch, and rather splendid spread with a dollop of Christmas cream and a little more marmalade...mmmm!

Pokémon Omega Ruby for 3DS #review

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 11:42:00 +0000

No matter how old by children get, they still love the Pokémon video games. X and Y were a huge hit and the newly released Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire titles are firmly on their Christmas wishlists.

We were recently asked by Nintendo if we would like to preview Pokémon Omega Ruby and I have to say, my eldest children seemed to be rather engrossed!

They have enjoyed most of the Pokémon games across various consoles, so they are hard to impress! ;)

With enhanced graphics and new content, whether it's your first Pokemon adventure or you are a more accomplished battler, you are going to love the new Pokémon Omega Ruby!

Can you become a master trainer? Capture, train and battle Pokémon and maybe you will be victorious!

Another great game for Nintendo 3DS/2Ds players!

Thumbs up from us!

Image belongs to Nintendo

Winter Degustabox review

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 10:58:00 +0000

Regular readers will know just how much I LOVE Degustabox - my latest box arrived a little earlier than usual due to the Christmas festivities and I am delighted with the contents.

Here's what was in my box:

The Chia Co Oats +Chia (£1.70)

You may remember I reviewed Chia pods and Oats a while back and they recieved mixed reactions from the kids. The Oats+Chia were our favourites, so it was nice to have another sachet to try.

They are wholegrain oats and chia blended with the finest quality fruits and coconut oil. You simply add water to them to create a quick and healthy breakfast which is perfect in the chilly weather.

Pukka Herbs (£2.39)

I'm looking forward to trying this after the over-indulgence of Christmas. pring clean your spirit with nature's finest fairly-traded clean green herbs. Apparently "One sip and you're ready to sparkle"... sound good!

Kent's Kitchen Meal Kit (£2.50)

This is fast becoming one of my favourite items to keep in the store cupboard. I've tried a kit before, but not this variety so I'm really excited to give it a go! The kits make creating a home cooked, flavourful and wholesome meal a piece of cake (well, not cake....but you know what I mean!)

The 3 pots contains all natural ingredients and you would need to add is fish, meat and/or veg to rustle up a fantastic meal in just 20 minutes.

Bahlsen biscuits (2 x £1.79)

One of the boxes pictured above is actually empty. Before I even had time to snap the contents, my children were merrily chomping their way through their favourite biscuits.....ever. We also received a box of caramel Choco Leibniz which oooooooze with a delicious caramel..... Mmmmmm!

Eisberg alcohol free wine (£3.49)

I used to drink this when I was pregnant on special occasions. It's one of the very few alcohol free wines that I like. If you don't drink, will be driving or just don't want to drink....give this a try.

Frylight Infuse Chilli (£2)

Frylight is a favourite must-have product of fellow Slimming World members so the new Infuse range makes my heart skip a beat. This makes cooking with chilli an absolute doddle. No chopping required! Just increase the sprays to increase the flavour!

PopChips (£1.79)

I've not tried these yet as I've saved them for visitors over the festive period. They are popped with heat instead of being bakes or fried, resulting in a naturally delicious crisp with all the flavour but less than half the fat of regular crisps. We have the barbeque flavour which I'm sure will be a hit with my guests!

Gloworm (4 x £1.50)

I absolutely love these "ingeniously different" drinks by Gloworm. The first premium mixer of it's kind, specifically blended to compliment a selection of spirits. The 4 flavours are: Raspberry & Orris for Vodka, Cucumber & Apple for Gin, Pear, Spice & Lime for Rum and Ginger & Lemongrass for Bourbon.

Bonne Maman Coarse Orange Marmalade (£2.30)

Look out for a recipe for our Boxing day Orange Breakfast Scones using this delicious marmalade coming soon on the blog. It's fresh, zingy and fabulously textured....Mmmmm perfection!

Find out more from Degustabox on social media - Facebook and Twitter

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for 3DS #review

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 10:06:00 +0000

Today we have another little game review for you. This time it's Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for Nintendo 3DS and it's a fantastic game for gamers of all ages (7+).

I've loved Sonic games since I had an old Master System back in the day and I must admit to getting a little giddy when I know there's a new title being released. Lucky for me, my son is also a big Sonic fan, so we get to play games together.

We have one or two Sonic games for the DS, but this is the first Sonic title we have played on the 3DS. We both love it! It's simple to play in that it follows the usual gameplay that Sonic fans know and love, yet it provides a good challenge! Absolutely fantastic!

The graphics are spot on, and the story makes the game exciting for players of all ages. It's up to the Sonic team to rescue Amy of the evil clutches of villain, Lyric. Sonic, Knuckles, Tails and new character, Sticks have to work together in order to save Amy.

It's not too late to get this for your Sonic Fan's stockings - happy gaming!!

*We were sent a code for review purposes. Opinions are our own, honest thoughts. All images belong to Nintendo UK.

My Higgidy pie... in the making!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 10:57:00 +0000

You may remember the Higgidy Recipe Hunt that took place over the past few months... Well, I was flabbergasted that my recipe idea was shortlisted ....and then I only went and blooming won!!!

I still can't believe it....thank you SO much to everyone that voted for Pulled Pork and Sweet Potato!! It will be sold in Sainsburys in February, so do keep an eye out for it.

I thought I'd give you this little update because the lovely ladies at Higgidy sent me thee photo's of the pies creation. Obviously, it needs that Higgidy magic and we all know and love, and I can't WAIT to see the pie on sale next year!

TOO EXCITED!!!

Have a look at these.... I may have squealed a bit when I saw them!!

I'm starving now!!! ;)

New Lottie Animation Delivers Positive Message to Girls

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:30:00 +0000

If you are still looking for the perfect gift for your little girl, may I suggest looking at the dolls available from Lottie?

As a mum to 3 girls, I do worry about how they see themselves and this is why I am proud to support the work that Lottie does in order to empower young girls.

Arklu, the company behind Lottie, the childlike fashion doll that aims to empower young children through play, has released a new stop-motion animation that takes the hammer to limiting stereotypes, challenges toxic beauty ideals and celebrates everything a girl can be, sending a resounding message that ‘Every Girl’s a Superhero’.

The video opens with three hard-hitting messages that inspire girls to #BeBold, #BeBrave, #BeYou, before launching into a series of girls taking part in adventurous escapades under the watchful aegis of Super Lottie. Each scene depicts how girl’s don’t require super-powers to be a superhero, but how acts of kindness, bravery, overcoming challenges, breaking boundaries, and remaining true to oneself are all superhero qualities.

Lucie Follett, Co-founder and Creative Director of Arklu explains: “We wanted to create something really inspiring, upbeat, fun and positive, targeted towards children, but also demonstrates in a light-hearted manner how we’re working to ‘bury’ the toxic beauty standards that pervade society and have such negative implications for girls.

“We want girls to see the full range of possibilities open to them, and girls being supportive of one and other in their interests and activities, however diverse those choices might be. We hope this video inspires girls to express their adventurous spirit and originality”.

The stop-motion features Arklu’s forthcoming dolls of science: ‘Stargazer Lottie’ doll which is a collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), and ‘Fossil Hunter’ Lottie doll which is a collaboration with TrowelBlazers, an international team of scientists dedicated to highlighting the contributions of women to archaeology, geology, and palaeontology. Stargazer and Fossil Hunter Lottie dolls will launch in 2015.

View the stop-motion animation by visiting: http://youtu.be/TnLaTXMfrhA

Fantastic bath toys that make THE BEST stocking fillers for babies and toddlers

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:03:00 +0000

You probably know by now how much I love Munchkin products but this time I am singing the praises of their incredible bath toys. We were first introduced to the range back in March when we attended a fun breakfast event, and I think we now own most of the range!

Munchkin bath toys are bright, colourful, engaging, and best of all fun. The affordable toys come in all shapes, sizes and characters, ensuring there is something for every little one, no matter what age they are.

They also make perfect stocking fillers - I have always included a bath toy in my children's stocking when they were little and Baby Girl is no exception.

Some parents love bath time, some find it stressful. I have been on both teams over the years but what I have learnt is that if bath time is fun, then it's fun for everyone... mum and dad included. That's why I love bath toys so much- they bring the fun factor to the bath time routine, which can become monotonous! They distract grumpy toddlers, help them to wind down after a super and switch the focus from the water to the toy if the child doesn't like bath time. Some of the toys are specially designed to build water confidence, so thee are the perfect choice if you have a little one that is a bit nervous of the bath. Plus, it's a opportunity to play one to one with your toddler, sometime Daddy often misses out on when he is at work all day.

Here are some great gift ideas that will make bath time, the best time this Christmas!

One of Baby Girl's favourite toys at the Munchkin launch was this super-cute Bath Shape Sorter (£9.99)

Have you ever seen a shape sorter that floats before? No, me neither... but this adorable turtle does, bringing classic pattern play into the water. Little One plays with hers everyday in and out of the bath.

Is come with five brightly coloured shapes that allow the child to sort, scoop, pour and strain. It's a fantastic set to encourage little ones and will help them to identify shapes and colours. This is suitable from 12 month + and Baby Girl still loves hers at the age of 2!

Baby Girl is 'ball' mad, so she loves these Float & Play Bath Bubbles (£4.99. They float in the water and each 'bubble' contains a little toy that will rattle, bobble,shine and spin. They are the perfect size for babies hands to hold and they help to teach hand-eye coordination as babies learn to reach, grasp and jiggle the bubbles. These are suitable from 3 months, so they are ideal for baby's very 1st stocking!

How cute are these swimming bath bugs (£5.99)?! Simply pull the tail and watch as the wings spin and these adorable little bugs dart and swim in the water!

These are the perfect bath buddies for any child, but particular if they are unsure of the water as these have been designed to help build water confidence.

My favourite bath toys (for baby Girl, not me...ahem) are bath squirts. We have loads from cupcakes to fish, so we can have themed bath times if we want to! We love the 5 Sea Squirts (£5.99) as they are just SO cute!

They are the ideal size for little hands and to hold and squeeze, while providing endless bath time fun for little bathers. They help to develop motor skills whilst brightening up any bath time. Say hello to dolphin, octopus, pelican, sea turtle and crab!

Not just for bath time, thee fun characters are perfect for water play out of the bath and we use ours for themed activities indoors and out (we had ours in the sand pit during the summer!)

My children have all gone through a phase of loving critters and creepy crawlies, and caterpillars always rate highly, especially since we hatched our own butterfly family earlier in the year. We love playing with Caterpillar Spillers™ (£3.99) at bath time followed by story time with our The Hungry Caterpillar book.

First of all, I can't get over how affordable these are - I mean, all Munchkin products are exceptional in value, but I really expected these to cost more than a mere £3.99!

The set includes seven coloured bath cup that connect together to create a friendly and fun caterpillar friend!

The brightly coloured cups are numbered 1-7 to help learning and counting; making this the perfect toy to educate and entertain young children at bath time.

The cups can be used to stack towers or nest inside each other for compact storage. These are suitable from 9 months +.

Assist this Undersea Explorer (£5.99) as he sets off on his adventure beneath the sea. Will be find a shipwreck with hidden treasure? Or perhaps he will find a beautiful mermaid as he explores the coral reefs.

We love how this toy encourages the imagination - Little One also loves to play with this in her bath and I am always blown away by the stories she comes up with.

This fun little submarine is ideal for babies aged 12 months and up and I'm sure they would be delighted to find this in their stocking this Christmas.

It created bubbles once submerged and the cabin spins with the submarine rotates. Lightweight and the perfect size for tiny hands, this exciting bath toy can help to develop fine motor skills and teaches cause and effect.

There is nothing better than a shower of water when playing in the bath so these stackable 3 -pack of Pour & Strain Whales (£2.99) are great for providing endless fun! Ideal for use in or our of the bath, little ones will love to scoop and watch as they create their own water showers!

My girls use these to wash their dollies hair!

You know that hidden treasure I mentioned? Well, it seems that our Undersea Explorer hit the jackpot! My beautiful mermaids love to play with this pretty Sea Sparkle Bath Gems set (£5.99) - isn't it gorgeous!?

The three smaller gems float and rattle and also fit tidily inside the beautiful seashell case when not in use. The seashell case also floats for added bath time fun, whilst aiding shape and colour recognition.

Last but certainly not least, we have a very regal looking frog coming to play with us in the Magic Lily Pad Stacker (£5.99).

We love this clever toy that creates some magic at bath time - it stacks, it squirts, it strains! It even changes colour! This five piece play set includes four stacking cups and one frog water squirter which all magically reveal secret images when submerged in warm water.

The squirting frog toy also transforms into an enchanted prince when a crown appears on his head! See... I told you he looked regal!!!

'Freddie' the frog having a shower!

This is such a brilliant toy! They all are - we highly recommend them all and as they are available in a multitude of stores, including Asda, Tesco, Boots, Morrisons, Kiddicare, Mothercare, Toys R Us, Argos and many more - you still have plenty of time to get these ready for Santa!

*Review samples

A 'Top Trumps' stocking filler - Disney Frozen Top Trumps

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 13:59:00 +0000

I am certain that most of us know of at least one Frozen fan and with Christmas hurtling towards us at a frightening speed, I'm sure that there are quite a few lists asking for Frozen themed toys.

I've put together a Frozen themed stocking for Little One, who sings 'Let it go' at least 4 times in a 24 hour period - she is absolutely Frozen mad!

I was looking for something else to include - something small but something she could play with. Well, my search ended quite quickly when a lovely stocking arrived in the post. Along with the obligatory satsuma and candy cane, there was a set of Disney Frozen Top Trumps; NEW from Winning Moves.

Perfect! Just the thing!

Now, I won't pretend to understand anything about Top Trumps, but I do know that my daughter has been asking about them recently, as one of her friends has them. So, I've had to do a bit of swotting up on the subject!

It sounds like a fun game; similar to my sons old Pokemon cards, where the player with the best/highest card value wins (well, there's a bit more to it than that, but you get the idea!)

I do know that Little One will love them as they feature all the Frozen characters and the aim of the game is to find out who is the most magical!

At £4.99 for a set - I don't think you can go wrong!

Win a Munchkin LATCH Newborn Starter Set

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 09:14:00 +0000

My newborn days are a not-so-distant memory and as Baby Girl is my last baby, I'll never experience that magical time again. As much as this makes me a little sad, I do have the fond memories of each of my children's babyhood, and I'll treasure those forever.

Feeding your baby is such a beautiful thing, whether you are a boobie mummy or a bottle mummy, that closeness and warmth is amazing, even when you are sleep deprived and in need of intravenous coffee!

I better stop with the sappiness now...I can feel the pangs of broodiness beginning! Eeep! ;)

Anyway, I have a fantastic giveaway for any of you who have or are expecting a little bundle! I have teamed up with the lovely people from Munchkin to give my fabulous readers a chance to win a Munchkin LATCH Newborn Starter Set worth £29.99!

"With the goal of helping new mums reach their breastfeeding goals, the revolutionary Munchkin LATCH™ bottle feeding system is designed to offer mum everything she needs to make the transition from breast to bottle feeding as natural and comfortable as possible, for mum and baby."

The LATCH range launched in June 2014, and is the result of a 3 year programme of in-depth research, and testing. The LATCH™ feeding system has been developed in partnership with Lactation Consultants, Midwives, Health Care Specialists and a panel of Experienced Mums.

I've read all about the LATCH teat and it I am completely amazed at how much detail has gone into the design to ensure that it mimics the breast as much as possible. The LATCH teat has a truly innovative accordion base that moves, stretches and pumps, just like the breast, ensuring baby establishes and maintains a proper latch and continuous connection to help reduce the symptoms of colic.

"As baby grows, so does the LATCH™ teat range. Stage 2 and 3 teats allow Mum to increase the flow as baby’s feeding demands increase. The slow flow rate of the LATCH™ teat mimics mums’ breast milk flow for a more natural feed, whilst the unique anti-colic valve on the base of the bottle ensures air bubbles do not pass through the milk, reducing the risk of colic."

“Lots of bottle companies attempt to make bottles that look like the breast – LATCH was created to truly function like the breast,” said Steve Dunn, chairman and CEO of Munchkin, Inc. “We know how important breastfeeding is for babies and mums, so we designed a product that provides an easy transition between the breast and bottle and back. We created a bottle that can be introduced into a mother’s breastfeeding routine and ultimately help her achieve her feeding goals.”

The LATCH bottles are available in a range of variety packs sizes ranging in price from RRP £6.99 to £29.99. The full LATCH bottle range will be available from Boots and Kiddicare Bottles come in 4oz/120ml and 8oz/240ml sizes.

The Newborn Starter Bottle set includes 2 120ml bottles, 2 240ml bottles, 4 Stage 1 teats, 2 Stage 2 teats and the LATCH bottle & teat brush. Also available are 3 teat stages with advancing flow rates to meet baby’s needs.

You can find out more at www.munchkin.com/latch

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic newborn starter set, simply complete the tasks given in the widget below.
DAILY ENTRY AVAILABLE!

Safety starts at home this Christmas - Lindam safety gates lifetime guarantee + a review

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:31:00 +0000

Lindam safety gates are for life, not just for Christmas!

Whether you are visiting family with your little ones this Christmas or staying at home, it's never more important to ensure the environment is safe for young children once they are mobile.

Safety gates are an essential part of my own personal 'home safety kit' and Lindam gates are the only ones we buy - why? Simply because they are fantastic quality and Lindam is a brand I completely trust; celebrating 25 years specialising in safety - no wonder they are the UK's number 1 safety brand!

Now, there is even more reason to choose Lindam. In case you are not aware, all Lindam Safety gates have a lifetime guarantee. Lindam boasts a comprehensive range of award winning child safety gates and guards from pressure fit, wall fix and portable solutions. With a new LifeTime guarantee on all gates, parents can rest assured that their gate really is for life!

Find out more here. You can register any Lindam safety gate purchased from 01/01/2014.

When choosing a safety gate, please do make sure that it is suitable for it's purpose. For example, the pressure fit safety gates like the one I am reviewing today, are not suitable for use at the top of stairs. In this instance, you would need to choose a wall fixed gate with no step over bar like this one that we also have in our home.

The brilliant FlexiGuard Portable Safety Barrier (RRP: £27.99) is the ideal solution for traveling with babies and toddlers as its so simple to install and take down. You can read our review of this gate here.

Review of Easy Fit Plus Deluxe Safety Gate by Lindam (RRP: £23.99)

Baby girl is now in her own room and we are contemplating putting her into a 'big girls' bed very soon. Before we do that though, we needed to ensure that she remains safe if she was to get up in the night. This means having a gate on her room so that she can't wander out onto the landing and potentially hurt herself.

The one we have chosen and have been kindly sent to review is the Easy Fit Plus Deluxe Safety Gate by Lindam. It's absolutely brilliant and the 4 point pressure fit frame means there is no need to make holes in the bedroom door frame. It is a breeze to fit for this reason too; fitting openings of 75cm to 82cm. For wider openings, it can be extended to up to 138cm with the use of separate extensions.

It comes already assembled, so you literally take it out of the box and you're really to install. All required tools are provided and the unique handle provides for comfortable and easy one handed adult opening. It also has a wide walkthrough offering more space as you pass through the gate, no more hitting my hip as I walk through! Hooray! ;)

The Easy Fit Plus Deluxe features a clever pressure indicator, providing a visual assurance that the gate is installed correctly. You can even double lock the gate which is great peace of mind if you have a very inquisitive toddler than can master the handle.

We are very impressed!

For 2014, Lindam has enhanced its offering of the most comprehensive range of award winning child safety gates and guards available, including pressure fit, wall fit and portable solutions. The new Consumer LifeTime guarantee now applies to all our gate range reaffirming how confident we are about the quality of our gates. All Lindam pressure fit gates are now fitted with pressure indicators - this extra safety feature adds reassurance to parents telling them when they have fitted the gates correctly. Additionally, packaging has been redesigned to aid consumers shopping between pressure fit and wall-fix and calls out all the unique features that our gates carry enabling an easier buying experience.

What's in my children's stockings this year?

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:19:00 +0000

Parragon Book Buddies: Gold Stars Factivity: Journey Around And Inside Your Amazing Body

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 16:29:00 +0000

Little One wants to be a doctor when she grows up *proud face*, so it was no surprise that she absolutely loved this fantastic book by Parragon Books: Gold Stars factivity: Journey Around And Inside Your Amazing Body.

She loves that is isn't just packed with fascinating facts about the human body, but there's lots and lots of activities to complete too.

These sort of books bring a different approach to learning; making it fun and practical. Children gain a sense of achievement as they successfully complete puzzles and experiments.

Little One was fascinated about the hiccups facts and the tour of the brain (I may have found that quite intriguing too!)

This book is great for introducing science into your child's everyday learning and would make a brilliant stocking filler this Christmas.

Fern Britton's #Challenge57 in aid of Genesis Research Trust

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:45:00 +0000

I like to write about charity events as much as I can on White Lily Green and this one has really struck a chord with me.

TV presenter and author, Fern Britton is taking on a 1,000 miles cycle challenge from John O’Groats to Lands End in aid of Genesis Research Trust from 1-21 May 2015. At the age of 57, Fern has decided to cycle for 21 days to raise funds for research into miscarriage.

Devastatingly, one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage and many couples who suffer the agony of miscarriage go on to have further miscarriages. Recurrent miscarriage affects 1-2% of couples in the UK. This can lead to physical trauma and psychological stress and a variety of complications in a subsequent ongoing pregnancy, including preterm delivery and low birth weight.

Please join Fern on her once-in-a-lifetime trip across the nation as she raises vital funds for an incredible charity. You can sign up too!! Visit fernbrittonchallenge57.com for more information.

Alternatively, you can show your support by donating to the cause here: http://fernbrittonchallenge57.com/donate-to-challenge57/.

Tweet your support using #Challenge57

Let's help end miscarriage heartache.

Degustabox November: My ultimate cheese toastie PLUS KETTLE Chip Topped Chicken Fajita #Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 20:57:00 +0000

This months Degustabox was lovely and comforting, just what we needed after a week of freezing cold weather and sore throats. It almost had a festive feel about it, with lots of treats and winter warmers.

I had an extra treat in my box this month - Baru chocolates as a thank you for being with Degustabox for a year (how amazing is that!? A year.... wow!) Anyway, if you have the opportunity to buy Baru Marshmallows, DO! They are incredible!

What else was in the box?

Holy Cow curry sauces (x2) - £1.69 each.

Authentic Holy Cow Indian curries are made from all natural ingredients and this shows. The sauces were delicious and you could taste the quality in every mouthful. We will certainly be buying these again. The gluten-free sauces are suitable for vegetarians and coeliacs.

Cool Dawn Recovery drinks (x2) - £1.49 each.

These are new to us and although we enjoyed them, they are possibly not to everyone's palate. They are herbal detox drinks that are perfect for the party season as they help to prevent and cure hangovers. They present a complex and unique combination of citrus and liquorice flavours without stimulant ingredients and is not carbonated. Cool Dawn recommend one cold and shaken can at the end of the night and one the next morning if needed.

Lindt My Melting Moment (x5) - 65p each.

We all adore Lindt chocolate and these gorgeous snowflakes are no exception. Lovingly crafted by the Lindt master chocolatiers, they help you to melt away in a moment of sheer bliss.Each snowflake shape is filled with smooth and indulgent Lindor milk chocolate. Heavenly!

PIP Organic drinks (x2) - £1.50 each.

Hubby is really into trying different soft drinks at the moment, so these really appealed to him. PIP Organic is a family run, London based business that produces an award-winning range of pure organic juices and smoothies. Following environmentally sustainable principles and made from 100% organic fruit, these refreshing drinks are free from concentrate and contain no added sugars, water, preservatives or additives. YUM!!

Montano Italian Cider - £2.79.

This fabulous cider is crafted only from the apples grown in the foothills of the Trentino region of Northern Italy. Hubby absolutely loved it!

Sample present - Drink Me Chai

NEW Branston Chutney - £1.50.

This is my favourite product from the box as it's so versatile (see the recipe below). We received the Mediterranean Tomato variety, and Oh My Goodness - it's GOOD!!! Great with meats, cheese and crackers and it makes a stunning ingredient in your cooking too.

Kent's Kitchen Flavour Shots - £1.85.

Another favourite of mine - they help you to create a top-notch, flavour-packed meal in no time at all. The clever gel shots coats the meat, fish or veg whilst cooking to add a delcious taste that will enhance your meals. We had the Fajita variety and LOVED it! I can't wait to try one of the other flavours in the range!

KETTLE Chips - £2.19

Due to popular demand, KETTLE Chips have reintroduced two of its most loved limited edition flavours; Salsa and Mesquite and Stilton & Port. We had tried the Stilton ones last year and LOVED them, however, we hadn't tried the Salsa chips so we were delighted to find these in our box. This flavour was one of the brands original seasonings back in 1988, so they are a fab blast from the past!

My ultimate Cheese Toastie

OK, so you could call it a panini, but this is real comfort food, so I call it my ultimate cheese toastie.

Ingredients

2 slices of your favourite bread - ciabatta is particularly good if you want to be more 'authentic'.
A good cheese - we used the new Cathedral city with caramelised onion.
A generous slathering of Branston's Mediterranean Tomato Chutney
A scattering of peppery babyleaf rocket (or basil leaves or baby spinach...all work well)

Grill in a panini press, George Foreman type grill or place in a hot pan until the bread is beautifully golden and the cheese is molten and gooey.

ENJOY!

Kettle Chip Topped Chicken Fajita

(Serves 4 hungry people or up to 8 as a light meal/snack)

This was one of those throw-it-all-together-and-hope-for-the-best kind of meals that myself and the children enjoy creating. It was SO GOOD that I had to share it with you all. The chutney gives the fajitas a mouth-watering sweetness, whilst the KETTLE CHIPS provide crunch and heat as the Salsa chips have a bit of a kick to them.

Ingredients

400g chicken breast, cut into strips
Half a red pepper, sliced
Half a green pepper, sliced
1 small onion, diced
2 x Kent's Kitchen Flavour Shots ( Fajita variety)
8 Tortilla wraps
About 3 tbsp pf Branston's Mediterranean Tomato Chutney
A generous handful of crushed KETTLE CHIPS Salsa and Mesquite flavour.
Handful of grated cheese.

Method

Cook the chicken, peppers and onion as per the Kent's Kitchen Flavour Shots packet instructions. Set aside.
Lightly oil a large roasting tin.
Fill each tortilla with an eighth of the chicken mixture.
Roll up and tuck in the ends.
Place into the roasting tin.
One all 8 fajitas have been made, top each one with about a teaspoon worth of tomato chutney (You can use more or less to suit your taste.)
Top with a scattering of crushed KETTLE CHIPS and then sprinkle with cheese.
Bake at 200C for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. The cheese will have melted, the chutney will have started to become sticky and the chips, browned.
Serve with Guacamole and a drizzle of sour cream.

If you would like to give Degustabox a try, you can save £3 off your first box buy using the following code: BCGP0

Find out more from Degustabox on social media - Facebook and Twitter

A Festive Daelmans Stroopwafels Coffee Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 13:00:00 +0000

*Review

Try saying that after one too many mulled wines! Hee hee!

The absolutely amazing people at Daelmans challenged us to create our idea of the perfect coffee afternoon spread using the very moreish and delicious Stroopwafels, and I have to say, we did a fine job *chuffed face*.

Yesterday, we had some friends over for coffee so we treated them to a gorgeous spread, courtesy of Daelmans Stroopwafels. They were suitably impressed!

We like to nibble on lot of different foods when we drink coffee - mostly sweet treats but as it was also lunch time, we wanted something a little more substantial to keep everyone going. We opted for yummy sandwiches, salad and a cheese board (not shown).

The stars of the show though were without question the Daelmans Stroopwafels which we had in the original size and a fantastic pack of mini Stroopwafels.

If you're not familiar with Stroopwafels, allow me to introduce you to these well-loved treats. Dalemans is a traditional Dutch bakery who are 'Masters of their Craft' and makers of Stroopwafels. Stroopwafels are delicious caramel waffles, each filled with a heavenly buttery syrup enriched with bourbon vanilla.

Our guests were fascinated when we balanced an original Stroopwafel on our coffees as these bring the Stroopwafels to life. The heat of the hot coffee melts the caramel and the Stroopwafels bend and softens into a gooey treat that is sure to put a smile on everyone's face.

Daelmans Stroopwafels have created some wonderful additions to the original Stroopwafels range.

Mini Stroopwafels (£1.99) - brand new pouches of oh-so-cute miniature Daelmans Stroopwafels are great for sharing (ahem...maybe) and come in a re-sealable bag to keep them lovely and fresh. These are now available in Tesco.

Stroopwafel Cube Box (£1.99) - these original sized Stroopwafels would make great stocking fillers as the cube-shaped box looks beautiful, decorated with a traditional Delft pattern. I'm going to buy some more for Christmas Eve as they are perfect to keep on your coffee table for any visitors that may pop by. These are available in Tesco and The Co-op.

Stroopwafel Gift Tin (£2.99) - my favourite addition to the range; they are ideal to gift to special people in your life and they are beautifully collectable. They can be filled with sweets once all the Stroopwafels have been enjoyed or like me, perhaps they could be used as storage tins in the kitchen or filled with a scented candle - the gift that keeps on giving! These are available online at Daelmans.

Me being me, I do like to add my own special twist on things, especially when I have guests to impress. So....I sandwiched some mini Stroopwafels between generous amounts of Nutella and peanut butter. We then dipped the peanut butter ones in melted dark chocolate! AMAZING!!!

The children also love the large Stroopwafels with good quality ice cream in the middle - such a lovely treat and if you add some sliced banana - a perfect, speedy desert too!!

Middle Miss decided that a Stroopwafel would make her 'best-ever' hot chocolate even more amazing, and she was spot on - how's this for a 'recipe'?

Heat a mug of milk in the microwave - it should be streaming hot, but not boiling.
Add a heaped tablespoon or two of Nutella (or your favourite chocolate spread)
Stir well until melted and frothy.
Top with a Stroopwafel and squirty cream if you wish.
Finish with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon for a real festive treat!

YUM!! What do you think?

What makes your perfect coffee afternoon spread?

Fabulous Gifts and Stocking Fillers from Toxic Fox

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 12:18:00 +0000

*Review

Thanks to the Gift Heroes over at Toxic Fox, I have some absolutely fabulous Christmas gifts and stocking fillers to give to my nearest and dearest. Their new look Christmas gift section has something for everyone so no matter whether you are looking for something a little bit different for your teen, or a naughty little something for your secret Santa, then look no further.

I am completely in love with the site and have had to get my hubby to hide the credit cards because I could just carry on buying and buying! There's so much choice!

Look at these fantastic ideas:

For the teenager who LOVES to shop; an absolute must-have for all followers of fashion. The much sought-after, loved by celebs hand painted ClareaBella Large Jute bag (£39.99).

The design and detailing is stunning, complete with just enough sparkle to delight every girlie girl. It's so easy to order on the Toxic Fox website, simply choose your hair style and colour, outfit design and a personalised name of your choice. I chose "Princess - my daughter's pet name. You can even preview the design before placing the order, which I found very useful.

I absolutely love it, and I know my daughter will too! The care and workmanship gone into creating this special bag is outstanding; from the beautiful artwork to the finishing touches of pretty ribbons and a little heart charm - everything is just gorgeous!

The back displays, " Yes it's a.... ClaireaBella bag" which I thought was a charming little extra.

For mum or home lovers - This beautiful Typography of Love Gloss frame (£39.99) that can be personalised with words that mean something to the recipient. I adore this so much!

As you can see in the image below, I chose the 'Special Moments' design but there are many to choose from including a funky Stiletto, heart and cocktail glass. The words in purple are the words that can be personalised (up to 8).

Again, it's so simple to order. Just select the design, font colour (I chose purple) and then select the 8 words you want to include - the 1st one being the large word in the centre (eg, FAMILY).

The typography image is displayed in a lovely white frame as it looks really special - perfect to give as a gift. I really like that you don't have to choose ALL of the words, as this could be a bit overwhelming; yet they say exactly what I'd want them to. It's very well designed, in a creative and thoughtful way and the little gemstones finish the piece perfectly. We highly recommend this!

Last but not least, a slightly naughty gift for Auntie with a great sense of humour (we all have one of those, right!?) Bev's Indulgent Bath Set (£14.99) is perfect for a friend or relative that likes to be pampered - it would also make a great Secret Santa present as it's suitably cheeky!

It really is a gorgeous set, displayed in a retro style gift box....Say, anyone fancy a dip? I love the eye mask which says "It's not PMT, it's YOU" - I could do with one of those at times!!! ;)

Also included is a bath soak (200ml) with hydrating Shea butter, body scrub (100ml) with hibiscus extract and mango and body creme (100ml) enriched with Shea butter and vitamin E.

I really can't recommend Toxic Fox enough - I would be absolutely delighted to receive any of these fabulous gifts and their new look website is fantastic too - simple to use and order with no fuss whatsoever.

For more Stocking filler ideas, check out this video:

Visit www.toxicfox.co.uk for more unique and personalised gifts.

Gift guide for gamers on the go!

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 18:30:00 +0000

As you may know, we are part of the Nintendo Bloggers Family and as we are a family of gamers who are always on the go, here are my top picks for Christmas this year!

Whether you want to introduce your children to the amazing world of gaming or who think Grandad would love Mario Kart, then feast your eyes upon these Christmas crackers!

Consoles and bundles

We are huge fans of the mighty Nintendo 3DS but this year we have been loving the latest addition to Nintendo's handheld family, the 2DS. Whilst it can't boast of the 3D technology of it's older sibling, it is still a fantastic piece of gaming kit with a more affordable price tag and the 2D display is a better choice for younger players, in our opinion.

Check out these super cool transparent Nintendo 2DS consoles available on the Nintendo Official UK Store from early November for £89.99. These make fantastic presents as they look so funky!

You should also check out the Nintendo Official store for some incredible condole bundles. I'm personally putting the Wii U Mario Kart 8 Mega Bundle on my letter to Santa! ;)

Games

We have been enjoying some fabulous games this year. Here are some of our favourites - titles we know will be well-received this Christmas!

Disney Magical World - Interact with your favourite Disney characters in this enchanting game! My review can be found here.

Pokemon Art Academy - Ever wishes you could draw your favourite Pokemon? Well now you can with simple step-by-step lessons. Draw and save your masterpieces using your 3DS/2DS and stylus! My review can be found here.

Other titles we're loving include Tomodachi Life (around £34.99) which transports you into a crazy Nintendo world where you can create Mii characters of your friends and family and watch as they interact with each other - as Nintendo describes it, "Your own personal soap opera.' Very addictive and lots of fun!

And keep an eye out for reviews of Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal and Pokemon Omega Ruby coming soon!

If you are lucky enough to find a Wii U under your Christmas tree this year, the ultimate must-have game to buy is Mario Kart 8!!!

Merry Christmas fellow gamers!!

Review: Disney Magical World for Nintendo 3DS/2DS

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 18:29:00 +0000

The latest game that has got the girls all excited is Disney Magical World on the 3DS. This fantastic game allowed you to combine all the fun of Nintendo's Mii characters with the magic of Disney.

First of all you create your personalised avatar and then customise a 'dream life' before embarking on an exciting 3D adventure where you can meet all your favourite Disney Characters.

The game is based in a magical town called Castleton and the places you visit are inspired by other Disney stories such as Alice in Wonderland and Aladdin. The game follows your journey throughout the Magical World as you interact with characters such as Mickey, Snow White and Cinderella.

You can also earn coins within the game by working at the cafe, join in on ghost hunts (eeeep!) and if you use Local Play, you can visit your friends towns too.

The girls absolutely love this game as they are massive Disney lovers as well as fans of games such as The Sims and Tomodachi Life. They love the 'social side' of meeting new found digital friends and having the ability to personalise things makes it even more exciting.

We would highly recommend this game and can imagine it being very popular this Christmas.

Our #DesignaFriend party

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 12:45:00 +0000

You may remember that we were #DesignaFriend party hosts a couple of weeks ago. Life got a bit crazy so I'm only getting around to blogging about it today! Where did the last fortnight go to?!

Anyway, what a fabulous afternoon we had! The children and their favourite people joined in with a fun-packed (read VERY LOUD) party that introduced everyone to all things #DesignaFriend.

As I already showed you in our sneak peek post, we were sent the most amazing boxful of fun to ensure our party went with a bang! And it certainly did that; and some.

We also had two gorgeous Design-a-Friend dolls for the guest to play with, along with beautiful outfits and accessories. The girls had a whale of a time hosting their very own dolly fashion show - if we hadn't had fab activities planned, it really wouldn't have mattered as everyone was engrossed with playing with the dolls! It was incredible to see actually, and if any of you are thinking of buying a Design-a-Friend this Christmas, don't hesitate.... you WILL NOT regret it!

The party

When our guests arrived, we introduced them to our new Design-a-Friends, Chelsea and Florence. The children instantly fell in love with them both and it wasn't long before they had both been changed into new outfits.

They really are beautiful dolls! They have cute, child-like faces and the most gorgeous hair - even I was found brushing the dolls hair as they started to look a little dishevelled after having lots of little hands playing with them. It's quite therapeutic, actually ;)

The additional outfits are stunning. They are fashionable but in a child-like way if that makes sense... I really liked them. This Blue Tango outfit looks very 'Frozen'. A few of the children (and a parent) said the same!

Each outfits comes complete with accessories such as shoes or a belt and includes a charm that can be added to a charm bracelet that is supplied with the Design-a-Friend dolls. We think they are fabulous and absolutely recommend them.

The girls each created their own party cupcake.... they were exceedingly yummy!

We had pink themed foods, which went down well. Most children didn't sit still long enough to eat much, but I think that's a sign of a fun party! ;)

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the craft activities - you can't beat a bit of sticking and gluing!

I think the ultimate party game has to be Pass The Parcel and oh my word, our parcel was the parcel of all parcels! The prizes included loom band books, craft kits, pencil cases and the big prize was another Design-a-Friend doll, called India. The winner was absolutely delighted, especially as she got to take home an outfit which was included in the equally awesome goodie bags.

The best party bag, ever!

It was amazing fun, but I needed wine and some serious headache remedies once it was all over!! The children however, would happily host a party every week!

Design-a-friend dolls and accessories are available from Argos, and at the moment they have some incredible offers, so check them out!

Many thanks to UKMums.TV!!

Chia Pods & Oats review

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 18:07:00 +0000

You may remember the quick, yummy gluten-free Cheesy Chia Quesadillas I made a little while back, using a The Chia Co recipe and seeds. Well, I have to tell you about some more lovely products that could help you to shake up your children's breakfasts!

The Chia Co can help you to provide your children with a nutritious, ready-to-eat breakfast; helping them to start their day the healthy way. The British Nutrition Foundation says that children who eat a healthy breakfast are less like to snack on high fat or sugary snacks later in the day.

Adding Chia seeds to your child's diet is a really simple way of ensuring that they are having the RDA of Omega 3. Chia seeds have the highest plant-based source of Omega 3, fibre and protein and are packed full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which are an essential part of our nutrition but often missing from modern diets.

Chia seeds are virtually tasteless so they don't interfere with other flavours which is great if you have children who are not keen on trying new tastes.

Chia Pods (£2.59 each) are great for kids as they are made from Chia seeds and coconut milk in a variety of fruit flavours, such as banana, mango and blueberry. The fruit makes them naturally sweet and many of the flavours are sugar free - those that have been sweetened contain just a little natural low-GI coconut sugar, making them a healthier alternative to come cereals that can contain a lot of sugar.

Each pod has a spoon in the lid so they are a great option for taking in the car for when you are really rushed for time! They flavours we tried were all lovely, but sadly only one of my fussy children liked the texture of them.

Our favourites were definitely the Oats+Chia sachets (£5 for 5) which are perfect for the cold mornings we are having right now. The range of fruit porridge contain no emulsifiers or additives and you simply add hot water for a quick, hearty breakfast that's high in Omega 3, fibre and protein.

We really enjoyed these - especially the Apple Spice variety. They certainly set us up for the day and tasted great - my only qualm is the cost - they are quite expensive, which is understandable given the quality and the nutritional benefits, but with 4 children, we wouldn't be able to have them every day.

The benefits of Chia for children

One tablespoon of chia provides 100% of their plant-based Omega 3 requirement.
One serving of chia gives 25% of their fibre requirement to aid healthy digestion.
Chia seeds provide a sustained release of energy to take them from breakfast to lunch.
Chia seeds are non-allergenic so will suit all diets.

To find out more about Chia, visit www.chiaco.com.au

How did you get on during Walk To School Month?

noreply@blogger.com (WhiteLily) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 16:20:00 +0000

So, last month was Walk To School Month. How did you get on? We walk to school everyday anyway but I think it's great to encourage children to walk into school just for the fun and change of scenery if nothing else.

The health benefits choosing to walk instead of jumping in the car are obvious, but it's also lovely for the children to experience the school run on foot. Yes, OK it can also be a blooming nightmare but I love walking out in the fresh, crisp autumn air, watching the Robins flit in and out of the holly bushes and helping Baby Girl with her colours as she points out all of the red and blue cars that drive by.

We have some of our best conversations on the school run, usually inspired by something we've seen on the way, and I've noted some real corkers of funny sayings that Little One comes out with too. There's also puddle jumping which is a must on a wet day (wellies essential of course!) - lovely memories that I will always cherish.

Tommee Tippee discovered from a survey that only 47 per cent of primary school children walk to school compared to over 81 per cent of their parents who did so. This means that over half of our children are missing out, not only on the health benefits of being physically active, but on these happy memories associated with walking to school.

Of course, a drink is essential when being physically active; whether your school run is a quick 5 minute amble, or a mammoth trek uphill. Keeping hydrated is just as important as the physical activity itself.

Baby Girl's cup of choice at the moment is this Tommee Tippee Explora Sporty cup that was kindly sent for her to enjoy during our school run.

This actual design is exclusive to Asda, isn't it cute! Baby Girl is quite fussy over her cups and this is her current favourite. I like it because it looks grown up. - rather like a regular sports bottle but it is indeed, non spill. Plus, she doesn't have to open and close it as it self-seals... very clever!

It's perfect for the school run and it holds plenty of liquid, enough for the entire (mammoth) journey. Love it!

That reminds me actually, I need to get Little One a new sports bottle. Do you have any recommendations for older children's drinks bottles?

What do you enjoy about walking to school?

To find out more about all things Tommee Tippee. Pop over to their Facebook page.


Image: The Works


Image: The Works