Hop Into Spring With A HARIBO Giveaway

We love HARIBO and it's a popular treat in our house at any time of year.  At Easter it's nice to have an alternative to all that chocolate and HARIBO is a lot easier to share (or is that just me?).

HARIBO have kindly given me a selection of products from their Easter and Spring Time range to give away. Read on to find out how to win.

Ideal for the Easter bunny to hide around the home or garden is the HARIBO Easter Hunt multi-pack. Packed with mini bags of gums and jellies in bunny, chick and lamb shaped pieces, this pack contains either 11 or 22 portion controlled treats.

Tweeting its way back into stores is HARIBO Chick 'n' Mix.  A fun alternative to the traditional chocolate egg, this cute gift box is filled with bunny and lamb shaped jellies, tangy chicks, Starmix's favourite egg and last, but not least, flower shaped squishy marshmallows.

For those who don't want to hunt for a sweet sharing treat, HARIBO's Spring Time Friends, Fizzy Farm Animals and Jelly Bunnies could be just what you are looking for.

With cute sheep, bunny and chick shapes, Spring Time Friends are great for sharing and are the perfect treat to get you in the mood for Spring.

There's also Fizzy Farm Animals that have been created using the popular Tangfastics original sour mix recipe and Jelly Bunnies, bunny shaped pieces with the popular texture found in Jelly Babies.

You'd be hopping mad to miss out on HARIBO's delicious range of tasty treats this Easter and Spring time!

There's also a new ‘smurftastic’ addition stooping into existing HARIBO Smurfs packs, ahead of the fully animated film, ‘Smurfs: The Lost Village’ – a Gargamal shaped piece in sour cherry flavour!

The infamous evil wizard will join Grouchy, Brainy and Jokey in strawberry and raspberry flavours, and Smurfette in lemon and raspberry flavours to create the first sweet and sour HARIBO Smurfs bag.

Also new for 2017 is HARIBO Chamallows Smurfs Family, which features marshmallow in a range of recognisable shapes including the iconic Smurfs mushroom-shaped house in vanilla and raspberry flavours.

 

For more details about the HARIBO Easter and Smurfs Ranges please visit the HARIBO Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/HariboUK or follow the brand on Twitter @OfficialHaribo.

The Giveaway  (note: not including the Smurfs)

Up for grabs are

*HARIBO Chick ‘n’ Mix
*Easter Hunt
*Spring Time Friends
*Fizzy Farm Animals.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 30th April 2017. UK entrants only. Terms and conditions are on my competitions page.

Please note this prize will arrive after Easter.



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Win Og On The Bog From Drumond Park Games

Let's be honest.  There's nothing like a game involving general bodily rudeness to capture the imagination of youngsters (and many adults) and we've been sent just such a game to review by Drumond Park Games.

The electronic Og on the Bog (rrp £24.99), age 5+ for 2-4 players) is truly hilarious and takes revolting games to completely new heights with its outrageous brand of gross and disgusting toilet humour.

This may well be an acquired taste but my two found it very funny indeed.  Og on the Bog is simple but appeals to a vast range of youngsters up to the age of 11 and beyond.

The aim of the game is to steal Og's loo rolls and leave him stranded on the loo.  Players take turns on the spinner to see if they can sneak a loo roll of its pole.

If your hands are unsteady, however, you'll disturb Og who will fart loudly and scare them away!

As play proceeds anticipation and excitement build because if Og does a truly humungous, explosive fart, he blows his Bog apart!

To play you set up Og and his bog in the centre of the table. Each player is given a loo roll to start them off and the youngest player spins the tree stump spinner.

A red cross means you’ve made a noise and it’s not safe to tip-toe up to Og’s Bog, so your turn is over and the next player spins.

The hand holding a loo roll means you can pinch a loo roll from any other player!

A green tick means you can stealthily try to steal a loo roll from Og’s loo roll pole… and here’s the tricky part. You have to push down the front step of the bog to see if Og has heard you. If he says anything, he has – and you must run away; your turn is over.

If he grunts or farts he has not heard you – and you can try to lift that loo roll off the pole. 

If you twitch it too much, Og will make another noise: if he shouts out something (which could be quite rude!), you must drop the loo roll back on the pole and your turn is over. If he grunts or farts – success! – he did not hear you and you can keep that precious loo roll.

A wobbly hand might just set Og off more than once during your loo-roll-lifting efforts, and the same rules apply; if he shouts, drop it – but if he farts, you’re safe (and I never thought I’d hear myself say that one)!

If Og does a monster fart and his bog explodes during your turn, you have to put two of the loo rolls you've already collected back on to the pole and finish your turn, raising the walls of Og's bog once again so that play can continue.

The winner is the first player to collect three loo rolls if 4 of you are playing, otherwise you have to collect 4 loo rolls each.

You do need to have a steady hand to retrieve the loo rolls and it doesn't take much for Og's bog to explode, leaving him sat looking very disgruntled.

The game is just the right level of complexity for Caitlin and Ieuan and an ideal length - we found it lasted around 10-15 minutes which is ideal for their attention span.

It's also blissfully easy to set up with a well printed set of instructions.  There's nothing worse than a game that takes longer to set up than it does to play (and we've had a few!).

Giveaway

I have one copy of Og on the Bog to give away to one lucky winner to test their own loo roll retrieval skills.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and terms and conditions apply (on my competitions page). UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 23rd April.

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For more information and stockists, visit www.drumondpark.com. You can also find out more on Facebook or Twitter.

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Win How To Grow A Baby & I'm Wrecked This Is My Journal Books

You may remember I recently reviewed Clemmie Hooper's How To Grow A Baby & Push It Out and I'm Wrecked This Is My Journal - The Alternative Baby Book For Frazzled Parents by Shannon
Cullen.

Both are best selling baby books with a unique attitude to the joys of pregnancy and the aftermath!

Clemmie's book covers each trimester of pregnancy through to delivery and beyond. There are recipes for the various trimesters, tips on styling your new shape, a discussion on sex in pregnancy, how to write a birth plan, illustrations of positions for labour, what to pack in your hospital bag, top tips for birth checklists and even advice on booking a babymoon.

There's also advice on what to expect when having a C-section or being induced and the knotty issues of whether you should wax and if pooing is normal when giving birth (it is)!

With "I'm Wrecked This Is My Journal", mother-of-two Shannon who is the publishing director for children's books at Penguin Random House UK, has created an entertaining and honest journal. She has a new baby as well as a toddler and aspires to wake up naturally - without the aid of children - one morning.

It’s a book for parents to record their own experiences – both the highs and the lows – and to chart the extraordinary transition to parenthood.

How To Grow A Baby and I'm Wrecked This Is My Journal are both available from Amazon.

I have one copy of each to win for one lucky winner.  All you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.  UK entrants only and the usual terms and conditions apply which you can view on my competitions page.

The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on Friday 21st April.

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Win Guinness World Records 2017: Blockbusters Book & Goody Bag

I'm sure you're all familiar with the Guinness Book of World Records.  Growing up I remember watching Record Breakers with Roy Castle - that's a fair few years ago now!

But 23rd March will see the publication of the Guinness World Records 2017: Blockbusters book and to celebrate its publication I have a great giveaway for you which the kids will love.

Read on for more ...

Lights, camera, action! Brought to you by Guinness World Records 2017: Blockbusters! is here, packed with the latest records from your favourite films, social media, toys and beyond… Which movies took the box office by storm? Who’s the world’s best-selling kids’ author? Which YouTube stars have the most fans? What’s the most used emoji?

The latest edition of Blockbusters! holds all the answers to your need-to-know pop-culture questions. Plus, don’t miss the exclusive challenges for a chance to set your very own blockbuster record!

Find out more at www.guinnessworldrecords.com/blockbusters.

The Giveaway

There's a great prize on offer.  It consists of the following all for one lucky winner:-

GWR Blockbusters book and a copy of the 2017 Annual

Plus a Goody bag, containing: · 1 X Backpack; • 1 X Stopwatch; • 1 X Headphones; And • 1 X Mini Chocolate Egg Basket.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.

The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 31st March.



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Win A Bundle Of Vosene Kids Hair Products - Kind To Skin & Hair

Finding the right shampoo for your kids' hair can be a bit of a challenge.  Lots of adult shampoos contain lots of high strength chemicals or additives which aren't great for young skin and hair.

And there's always the risk of stingy eyes because even now I still spend most of my time when washing Caitlin's and Ieuan's hair shouting 'tip your head back' and grabbing their flannels when they do anything but.

Vosene is a brand I've known for many years and now they have a great range of kids' shampoos.  We have been using the Squeaky Clean range for a while now to repel those nasty nits who made their first appearance in the Hobbis household over Christmas.  Great timing nits!

The products are modestly priced, readily available, smell nice and do the job.  Just about all you can ask for really.

There are two ranges to choose from and read on because I have a selection of Vosene Kids hair products to give away.

Squeaky Clean range:

The Squeaky Clean range includes the 3 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioning Defence Spray to help you to achieve tangle-free, shiny hair, as well as offering advanced protection in the fight against head lice. Dermatologically tested and MIT-free.

3 in 1 Shampoo (RRP £2.54, 250ml) – Gently cleanses and conditions your child’s hair and scalp for naturally shiny, healthy-looking hair. The specially formulated shampoo also contains natural tea tree oil and lemon eucalyptus oil to help keep prevent head lice when used alongside the Conditioning Defence Spray (below).

Conditioning Defence Spray (RRP £2.54, 150ml) – This fantastic leave-in spray detangles and smooths your child’s hair. The clinically proven formula also helps to prevent head lice, using natural ingredients such as citronella oil.
(both suitable for kids age 3+)

Fruity Goodness range:

Strawberry 2 in 1 Shampoo (RRP £1.99, 250ml) – The Strawberry 2 in 1 Shampoo will ensure your children’s locks smell as good as they look. With a fresh, fruity strawberry scent, the whole family will appreciate the burst of natural fruit extract which also helps to leave your children’s hair shiny, soft and tangle-free.

Melon 2 in 1 Shampoo (RRP £1.99, 250ml) – The fresh Melon 2 in 1 Shampoo adds a fruity twist to bath time, resulting in shiny, soft and great-smelling hair which is free from tangles and knots. Kids love the fresh, fruity melon smell of this mild and pH balanced 2 in 1 shampoo.

All available from Asda, Tesco and Boots.

Check out their website which has plenty of advice and some really useful videos to deal with problems like getting chewing gum out of your child's hair.  Their stylist is Charlotte Hayward who styled hair on films like Harry Potter, Captain Phillips and the X Men.

Giveaway

I have 4 products to give away:-

3 in 1 Shampoo 250ml 
Conditioning Defence Spray 150ml 
Strawberry 2 in 1 Shampoo 250ml 
Pink Pomelo 2 in 1 shampoo 250ml

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and is open to UK residents only.  Terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.  

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 31st March.

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Win A Mother's Day Bundle Of Supplements & Soothers

If you're struggling to come up with a Mother's Day present for a health-conscious mum, Discount Supplements have come up with a range of great ideas that all offer something different. They also offer free UK delivery and same day despatch.

And I have a one bundle to give away of the lucky winner's choice.  Read on to find out how to enter.

For the mum to be

It's so important to take Folic Acid during pregnancy. It is recommended that expectant mums take a prenatal vitamin with the recommended 400 micrograms of folic acid before and during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects of the baby's brain and spinal cord.

Magnesium is also important in pregnancy as research suggests that adequate Magnesium during pregnancy can help prevent the uterus from contracting prematurely.  It also helps build strong teeth and bones in your baby.  Taking a Magnesium bath, it is suggested, can be a more effective way of absorbing this mineral than oral supplements.  You can also use these Magnesium flakes as a relaxing footbath - great for soothing those aching swollen feet and ankles.

Or there's also a soothing sea salt bath which is ideal for those with sensitive skin and is gentle on scar tissue.

For the new mum

I took Vitabiotics Pregnacare® throughout my two pregnancies and this bundle contains Vitabiotics Pregnacare® New Mum and Pregnacare® Breastfeeding which is carefully formulated by experts, with essential vitamins, minerals and DHA, to help support all-round health and vitality including iron which contributes to normal energy release.

Pregnacare® Breast-feeding can also be taken as a general postnatal supplement for 6-9 months following childbirth, to replace depleted nutrients and assist the body following pregnancy, even if you are not breast-feeding.

This bundle also includes Yogi Organic Womens Balance Tea, Dead Sea Magik Skin Softener and Vitabiotics Wellkid Baby Drops, a vitamin and mineral supplement for babies aged  4-12 months.

For the mature mum

This is my bundle!  It contains a great Vitamin B complex, anti ageing oil from Green People and Vitabiotics Menopace Plus Botanicals.  These are formulated for women during and after the menopause and contain Soya Isoflavones, Sage, Flaxseed Lignans and Green Tea.

There is also Health Aid Vitamin A Cream.  A recent study suggests that applying Vitamin A to the skin improves the appearance of wrinkles and promotes the production of skin-building compounds, it may also even help with age spots.

Health Aid Vitamin A Cream. Health Aid Vitamin A cream combines vitamin A with lypozomes, which help to prevent skin cells from clustering in pores (which cause a dullness of skin tone) as well as stimulating healthy skin growth. Vitamin A is one of the most important nutrients for healthy, youthful-looking skin.

You can find out more at www.discount-supplements.co.uk.

Giveaway

I have one of these bundles to give away - the winner can choose which bundle they would prefer. Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply.  (Please see my competition page).  UK entrants only.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 17th March.  

Please note that the contents of the bundle may vary slightly depending on stock availability. Whilst every attempt will be made to deliver the prize in time for Mother's Day, this is not guaranteed.

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Hack Your Home On Tour: Scientific Fun For Kids From The Royal Institution

The Royal Institution Lecture: How To Hack Your Home on Tour 

Professor Danielle George

Monday 13th March 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm 

National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, CF10 3NP

When I was in school, our science lessons were decidedly low tech and uninspiring.  Back To The Future it was not.  More a cloud of chalk dust, bunsen burners and strange smells.

Every year, my dad made my sister Sarah and I watch The Royal Institution CHRISTMAS LECTURES in the hope to get us enthused and the programmes were always much more fun and grown-up than our school lessons.

Credit: Paul Wilkinson

And now kids of all ages have the chance to indulge their inner science geek and experience the magic of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES in our home town of Cardiff.

I'm sure you are aware of the impending arrival of smart meters to help us measure and better control our energy usage.  And there are already numerous smartphone apps which let you switch your heating or lights on or off.  We are bringing science in to our homes and daily lives more and more and at an increasing rate too.

Professor Danielle George, an Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at The University of Manchester, is currently presenting "How To Hack Your Home on Tour", an exciting and inspiring event which will show how you can use your creativity and imagination to engineer amazing things.

Professor Danielle George:  Credit Paul Wilkinson

You'll learn the simple scientific principles which underlie much of the modern world whilst watching a host of hacked robots perform amazing musical feats and witnessing everyday objects being turned into something wonderful - even a loaf of bread!

The lecture is suitable for all ages but particularly for ages 10+.

As a mother of a daughter, I think it is incredibly important to get girls interested in science and thinking about a science-based career.  And Professor Danielle George is certainly a bit of an inspiration!

How to buy tickets

You can buy tickets here and tickets are buy one get one free.

How to get involved with The Royal Institutions

Families in Cardiff area can get also involved with Ri programmes by becoming members of The Royal Institution and on the Ri website you can also find some great simple science experiments you can do at home.  You can also connect with the Ri on Twitter @Ri_Science.

Ticket giveaway

I also have 4 tickets to give away.  Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and my usual terms and conditions apply.  UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 8th March.

Please note attendee names and email address must be provided no later than Friday 10th March.

This looks to be a fabulous fun event and Caitlin, Ieuan and I will be there to learn as much as we can.  We hope to see you there too.


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Mother's Day Giveaway: Win A Krug Baumen Watch Worth Up To £200

Mother's Day in the UK this year falls on Sunday 26th March and I am looking forward to breakfast in bed from Caitlin and Ieuan.

This usually consists of a cup of tea (made by Mat) and a Hot Cross Bun (also prepared by Mat) which is then eaten by Caitlin and Ieuan while I drink the tea, the four of us squished up in our rickety wooden double bed.

If you would like to inject a little glamour into Mother's Day this year for your mum (or if you're a parent, guardian or carer who feels in need of a little reward for all your hard work),  I have a beautiful watch from the Krug Baumen watch to give away from Watches2U and you can choose one from this range up to the value of £200 for either women - or men.

That should certainly earn you a few brownie points to smooth over your past indiscretions (such as being collected from school when you were 'ill' in order to spend an afternoon in bed being fed tea and toast whilst listening to the radio).

Krug Baümen offer a wide range of watches from classical dress watches to robust sports watches and their classically styled dress timepieces can be worn to formal occasions and corporate occasions, thanks to their elegant leather straps, minimalist dials, and stylish touches - suitable for mums everywhere.

These are my favourites from Krug Baumen.

Krug Baumen Ladies Principle Diamond Chronograph Watch - £195

This is a Seiko VD53 analogue ladies wristwatch built by Krug Baümen. It has a tan leather strap with a metal case that compliments the cream dial and comes with a 2 year manufacturers' warranty.

Krug Baumen Ladies Tuxedo Black Gold Watch - £145

This wrist watch (1965KL-G) comes with a gold metal bracelet and a case which compliments the black dial.

Or how about the Krug Baumen Charleston 4 Diamond White Dial Gold Strap wristwatch?

Krug Baumen Charleston 4 Diamond Wristwatch - £175

The 5116DL ladies watch comes with a gold metal bracelet and a metal case combined with a white face.

Of course, there's no reason why the lucky winner couldn't choose a man's watch.

Watches2U is one of the largest online UK watch dealers today and offers free UK delivery as standard with same day dispatch if you order by 4pm Monday to Friday.  They also have a price match service and you can earn VIP points on purchases, reviews and friend referrals.


The Giveaway

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply which you can find on my competitions page - along with lots of other great giveaways.

UK entrants only.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 17th March.

The lucky winner can select one watch from the Krug Baumen range up to the value of £200.

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Win An InfaCare Baby Hamper worth £25

My two are old enough to bath themselves now but I can still remember the joy (and occasional stress) of bath time when they were little.

It can be a great time to bond and play with your little ones and a night-time bath is a chance to help them settle and hopefully drift off into uninterrupted sleep. Note:  I said 'hopefully'!

I do remember becoming totally obsessed with Caitlin's and Ieuan's sleep routines - and that really is the key I found, develop a solid sleep routine as early as possible - and bath time can play an important part of that.

You can find details of the pregnancy bibles that got me through here and you can also win a copy of the latest pregnancy best seller by NHS midwife Clemmie Hooper - "How To Grow A Baby *and Push It Out" on my competitions page.

It's important to use products which are gentle on baby's skin which is 10 times more delicate than adult skin and InfaCare Night Time Baby Bath is formulated to be as natural and gentle as possible.

InfaCare say that, when asked, up to 70% of parents described it as “ideal” for their bedtime routine.

You don’t need to use much of the InfaCare Night Time Baby Bath to produce a bath full of long-lasting bubbles to play with and it has a gentle relaxing fragrance to help ease tots into bed and then off to sleep.

You can find InfaCare at all major supermarkets, as well as Lloyd’s Pharmacy and Boots. InfaCare Baby Bath £2.15 for 400ml / £3.19 for 750ml and InfaCare Night Time Baby Bath £3.49 for 750ml.

More information can be found at www.infacare.co.uk, on Twitter/@infaCareBaby or at Facebook.com/infacarebabybath.

Giveaway

I have an InfaCare Baby Bath Time Hamper to give away worth £25.

It includes:-

2 x InfaCare Baby Bath (750ml),
2 x InfaCare Night Time Bath (750ml),
1 x hooded baby towel
2 x flannels.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.  UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 10th March.


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Win tickets to The Baby Show at ExCel London This March & A Poddlepod

This March get ready to enjoy a fantastic shopping experience at the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting event of the year. The Baby Show with MadeForMums will be taking place on the new date of Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th March, at the ExCeL London. Find everything you need for bump, baby and you - with amazing offers all in one place, for three days only!

There will be over 200 exhibitors showcasing a huge array of essential baby products from trusted brands as well as the latest innovations. All the major baby retailers will be there, alongside market leading brands such as, iCandy, Stokke, UppaBaby, Philips Avent, Chicco, MAM, Nuby and high end Italian brand Peg Perego who will be launching in the UK at the show! There will also be independent brands that you won’t find on the high street.

There will be a wonderful line up of speakers on The Baby Show Stage with MadeForMums including experts from the world of breastfeeding, sleep and nutrition as well as real parents giving their first-hand stories and advice including authors Giovanna Fletcher and Clemmie Hooper.

You can win a copy of Clemmie's book "How To Grow A Baby *and Push it Out here.

If you are looking for more personal and tailored advice, you can benefit from private 15 minute appointments with The Baby Show Experts at the One To One With The Experts Area – you just need to book your appointment on the day. And once you’ve shopped until you’ve dropped, don’t worry about all the carrying as you can take advantage of the free Emma’s Diary Collect-By-Car service where you can drop off all your purchases and continue until you’ve got a carful!

It really is a must-attend show for mums and dads to be, parents, friends and family members. I’ve teamed up with The Baby Show to give away one pair of tickets worth £20 each and a Poddle Pod bundle which includes an award winning Poddle Pod, a removeable cover and storage bag – worth £49.99!

The Baby Show is taking place on Friday 3rd March – Sunday 5th March inclusive, open from 9.30am to 5.30pm each day. Standard on the door tickets are £20. For more information please visit www.thebabyshow.co.uk.

Entry to the giveaway is via the Rafflecopter widget below and please take a moment to read the extra terms and conditions which apply below.  You can find my terms and conditions on the Competitions page.

UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 21 February.

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Additional Ticket Competition Terms & Conditions

No purchase necessary. Entrants must be aged 18 years or over. Competition is open to UK residents only. Entry into this competition confirms your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions and your agreement to be bound by the decisions of The Baby Show. Entry is strictly limited to one person per ticket code. The winner will be notified by email or phone call once the competition closes. The winners will be selected at random from all the correct entries received before the closing date and time. All prizes must be accepted as offered. There can be no alternative awards, cash or otherwise. Entrants will receive a ticket code which can be activated at http://www.thebabyshow.co.uk/. Tickets cannot be sold on to third parties.

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How To Grow A Baby *and Push it Out by Clemmie Hooper Midwife

A while ago I shared my 5 pregnancy and new mum bibles and number one on the list was "What To Expect When You're Expecting" by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel.

Brilliant, concise, helpful but ever so slightly scary and with a greater focus on what could go wrong than right I found.

But a new pregnancy companion has just been published which is a breath of fresh air to those more serious, finger-wagging tomes out there.

How To Grow A Baby *and Push It Out is a unique week-by week pregnancy companion written for a whole new generation of modern maverick mums.

The author is the refreshing new young voice of parenting, NHS midwife (and Mother of four girls including twins) Clemmie Hooper.

As Clemmie says ‘Each pregnancy and birth is unique. There are no rules and there isn’t always a right or wrong way to do things. I want to empower women so that they feel they have a choice. Being an advocate of this, as a midwife and a mother is fundamental to me’.

She has over a decade of NHS experience behind her, the author has also earned the title of one of the top Instagram parenting experts (and high ranking digital influencers) @ mother_of_daughters and founder of the super-successful blog Gas and Air.

Chapter by chapter Clemmie’s writing style is fresh, funny and honest, underpinned with non-judgemental sensible tips and advice. Everything you will ever need to know about being pregnant is covered, right through to ‘You Got This Mama’ - a chapter devoted to supporting women as new mums after delivery.

What really makes How to Grow A Baby unique is that it encourages the reader not to accept everything they are told, but also to be curious, and challenge and question the information they are given, right from their first hospital ante natal appointment until after their child is born.

Midwife & Author Clemmie Hooper

The book covers each trimester of pregnancy through to delivery and beyond.  There are recipes for the various trimesters, tips on styling your new shape, a discussion on sex in pregnancy, how to write a birth plan, illustrations of positions for labour, what to pack in your hospital bag, top tips for birth checklists and even advice on booking a babymoon.

There's also advice on what to expect when having a C-section or being induced and the knotty issues of whether you should wax and if pooing is normal when giving birth (it is)!

The book is full colour throughout with photos and illustrations which add a quirky feel. There are lots of stories from other mums as well which are very reassuring and remind you that there's nothing you are about to go through that hasn't been experienced a million times by other women.

I really liked the book and would happily add it to my Pregnancy Bibles list.

Published by Vermilion Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House UK), How To Grow A Baby has a RRP of  £14.99 and is currently available from Amazon.

You can find out more about Clemmie on her blog www.gasandairblog.com.

GIVEAWAY

I also have one copy to give away.  Just enter via the Rafflecopter below.  Terms and conditions apply (please see my competitions page) and UK entrants only.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 24th February.

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Win Electronic Sshh! Don't Wake Dad! Game From Drumond Park

There's nothing like a board game to get the family together on a dreary Sunday afternoon and this one has the added hilarity of snoring sound effects and a sleepy dad who springs to life for the unlucky player.

Drumond Park’s "Sshh! Don't Wake Dad!" is an electronic game for 2-4 players (age 5+) which challenges the players to tiptoe by a snoring dad to snaffle the chocolate cake.  The game requires 2 x AA batteries which are not supplied.

Each player chooses a pair of slippers to creep by with and are given a selection of cards with household items on.

They move around the board by spinning the spinner and moving to the square of the colour it stops at.

You can also leap ahead of other players or take their cards.

If the player has the card shown on their landing spot they are safe.

If they don't have the card they have to hit the alarm button on dad's bed the number of times it says on the square and risk waking him up.

If he wakes you have to start your journey again and if any of the players are on the squares on the bed, they get knocked off and have to start again too.

I played this one with Ieuan (7) who enjoyed it enormously.  It's simple enough to understand easily and has enough of a risk element to add extra fun.

The game is also relatively short (around 10-15 minutes) which is quite long enough for youngsters.

"Sshh! Don't Wake Dad!" retails at around £22.99 from stockists such as Amazon.

For more information and stockists, visit www.drumondpark.com

You can also find out more on Facebook or Twitter.

The Giveaway

I have one copy of Electronic Sshh! Don't Wake Dad! from Drumond Park to give away to one lucky winner.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below and terms and conditions apply (on my competitions page).  UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 28th February.

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Win 4 "Her Ladyship" Etiquette Guides By Caroline Taggart

Now obviously being the lady I am (cough), and having what is possibly an unhealthy interest in all things 'posh and polite', I was delighted to receive these lovely guides by Caroline Taggart.

Born in London of Scottish parents, Caroline spent most of her childhood in New Zealand but, nevertheless, thinks of herself as a Londoner.

We actually share something in common apart from our love of etiquette because as an English woman living in Wales since 1969  I have the same dilemma when it comes to which rugby team to support, as does Caroline when it comes to choosing between England and New Zealand.

These four guides are entitled:-

Her Ladyship's Guide to The Art of Conversation

Her Ladyship's Guide to Running One's Home 

Her Ladyship's Guide to The Queen's English (for all us grammar nazis out there)

Her Ladyship's Guide to The British Season

All are written in Caroline's inimitable style and peppered with funny anecdotes and helpful examples.

For example, from "The Art of Conversation"

Am I boring you?  If you have to ask the answer is probably "yes".

and

"A friend of Her Ladyship remembers fondly a snippet she heard in her student days: two Oxford dons were crossing a college quadrangle and one was heard to say firmly to the other "And nineteenthly..". Her Ladyship confesses to considerable admiration for anyone who can follow a train of thought so clearly that they can keep tabs on nineteen points of it."

The Queen's English is a helpful guide to spelling, grammar and pronunciation.  Her Ladyship also lists those cliches and words whose incorrect usage sets her teeth on edge such as:-

at the end of the day

touch base

slip through the net

up to speed

window of opportunity

Whilst being funny, this guide also has the effect of making you think before you open your mouth!

Running One's Home is a title which amuses the Husband no end as he is convinced I am a stranger to a duster and think Mr Sheen was once a famous motorcyclist.  

Obviously this is not true and I have many house spiders who will back me up on that but this guide is a useful collection of tips that even those of us who haven't quite made it to a mansion can use.

There's a housekeeping schedule, advice on spring-cleaning, coping with laundry (it never ends!) and being a good hostess.

Her Ladyship also advises that your cheese course should be served before pudding if you are adhering to "the French way" but you need to make sure you don't overdo the Brie just in case an enormous Eton Mess should appear.  Quite a nice problem to have in my view.

Lastly, there's "The British Season".  Here in Wales we have two seasons - the Rugby Season and the Rainy Season, however, this guide lists the Great British events which get the aristocracy out to sluice down Prosecco whilst wearing tailored jackets.

For example The Chelsea Flower Show, Glyndebourne, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, Cowes Week and so forth.

It also tells you how to behave giving you, for example, the rules for dressing should you be lucky enough to gain access to the Royal Enclosure at Ascot.

I can but dream.

Her Ladyship's Guides are published by Batsford Books (an imprint of Pavilion Books) at £8.99 each. They are stout little hardback books with a nice, almost cloth covering and would make a great present for Mother's Day too.

If you would like to win the set of the four books mentioned above, simply enter via the Rafflecopter widget in the usual way.  Terms and conditions apply.  UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 28 February.



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Win A Cinderella Story - If The Shoe Fits DVD From Warner Bros UK

We all love the magical story of Cinderella and now there is a new contemporary musical version of this age old story which is sure to delight.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group will have you singing and dancing in your seat with the release of A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits on DVD 6th February 2017 (rated PG).

The musical film stars Sofia Carson (Descendants) in the lead role of Tessa (“Cinderella”); Academy Award® nominee, Jennifer Tilly (Bullets Over Broadway) as the cruel stepmother Divine, and Thomas Law (EastEnders) as The Prince.‬

In tune with the timeless magic of the Cinderella fairytale, this contemporary musical finds Tessa Golding (Sofia Carson) forced to go on vacation with her evil stepmother, Divine, and evil stepsisters, Olympia and Athena. 

Once at the posh resort, she realises she was brought only as a servant to assist the stepsisters as they compete for the lead roles in a live musical performance of “Cinderella" with Reed West, the infamous pop-star, as the Prince. ‬Tessa secretly dreams of auditioning but Divine forbids it. 

Georgie, a make-up artist, transforms Tessa’s identity to “Bella Snow” so she can audition without Divine and her mischievous daughters getting in the way. 

Now, Tessa must juggle her dual identities as the demands of her stepfamily, the Prince and the show complicate things! ‬

A Cinderella Story - If The Shoe Fits is available to pre-order from Amazon and I also have a copy of the DVD to give away and entry is via the rafflecopter below.

Extra terms and conditions apply which you can view on my competitions page.  The film is rated PG (Parental Guidance).

UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 24th February 2017.

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Brighten Up Your Winter & Win A Family Tech Pack From VARTA

I always think January is the gloomiest time of year and if you are finding that you need something to brighten up the winter months then I have just the thing - the chance to win a Family Tech Pack from VARTA worth around £70.

VARTA is one of the leading consumer battery manufacturers in Europe and has expanded its range to include an exciting array of premium tech products such as chargers, portable powerpacks and torches. 

This is what you can win:-

Minions Flashlight

The Minions Flashlight is available in pretty yellow and cool blue and is adorned with everyone’s favourite characters; Bob, Kevin and Stuart. Robust and durable, the torches are specially designed for small hands. ARP £4.99. Available from Amazon UK.

Outdoor Sports 2x1 LED Head Light

The Outdoor Sports 2x1W LED Head Light is ideal for dawn and dusk excursions. Extremely light and with a wide choice of lighting modes, the powerful LEDs on this fashion accessory will keep you on track whether you are running, cycling or walking the dog. It comes in an attractive purple. ARP £16.99. Available from Amazon UK.

Safety Powerbank

The new VARTA Safety Power Bank 2600mAh gives real peace of mind. It combines a handy 2600mAh battery charger which will give a smartphone one whole charge, as well as a powerful 100 decibel panic alarm that can summon help if the user feels threatened. ARP £18.99.

Family Powerpack 16,000mAh

Available in stylish grey and white colour options, this power banks feature two USB ports; 1.0A for charging phones and MP3 players and a faster 2.4A port for tablets. The 16000mAh model will give up to six full smart phone charges. ARP £24.99. Available from Amazon UK.

Max Tech Batteries

The powerful VARTA Max Tech range is ideal for high-tech devices like computer games controllers and DIY gadgets. ARP from £4.99. Available from B&Q, Amazon UK, Notcutts, Dunelm Mill and convenience stores nationwide.

For more information on VARTA products visit: www.VARTA-consumer.co.uk.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below and the usual terms and conditions apply which you can find on my competitions page. UK entrants only.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 19th February 2017.

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Good luck!

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