Author Archives: admin

Nov 13 2018

Keeping the Young Ones Entertained: Most popular toddler toys 2018

Posted on by

It can be overwhelming to pick the perfect gift for that terrific toddler in your life, especially with the many toys to choose from this year. Whether you are looking for a gift for a birthday, holiday, or other special occasions, here are some best sellers that have been around for generations that are mum and dad approved and loved by little ones.

Mega Bloks

Mega Bloks are an award-winning gift that is perfect for little ones. The blocks are made of high-grade plastic pieces that are ergonomically designed for a toddler’s tiny hands to manipulate. They snap together effortlessly for hours of building fun. The starter set encourages imaginative play and assists in the development of toddlers’ fine-motor skills.

ALEX Toys Little Hands Button Art

The ALEX Little Hands Button Art toy is specifically designed to help toddlers develop fine motor skills, increase hand-eye coordination, and encourage creative play. It includes chunky buttons that toddlers can quickly snap in and out of place and consists of a variety of activities for hours of enjoyment. Even better still, the preschool skill builder will keep your little ones engaged in quiet play that they can do themselves, so you can get on with other things!

Baby Einstein Neptune’s Ocean Discovery Jumper

The award for the best baby jumper on the market goes to the Baby Einstein Neptune’s Ocean Discovery Jumper. It is designed to save you valuable space and easily adjusts as your child grows. The jumper introduces your toddler to ocean-themed fun and features an electronic turtle activity that includes music, lights, and sound. The jumper also allows your toddler to discover colours and numbers, and features three languages, including Spanish and French.

VTech KidiBeats Kids Drum Set

For the musically inclined child, the Vtech KidiBeats Kids Drum Set is a leader in kids electronic learning toys. The drum set promotes interactive learning the will keep your little one’s hands and minds busy. The set includes three drum pads and a cymbal, which allows toddlers to rock ‘n’ roll to nine different melodies, or their own beat. Four modes will teach your kid letters, phonics, counting skills, and memorisation with their easy-to-follow along tunes. Alphabeats, number jams, freestyle and follow me games will keep your kids learning and jamming out for hours.

Melissa & Doug Alligator Wooden Push

As your toddler practices their walking skills, give them a jump start with the Melissa and Doug Alligator Wooden Push toy and activity walker. For little ones that aren’t quite walking yet, the toy will help them learn to keep their balance. When they get their feet under them, they’ll zoom around the house. Along with helping them get on their own two feet, they will also love watching the spinning butterflies, chomping alligators, and ladybug beads that clatter as they move.

***

If you’re stuck on what to get your little one this Christmas, or for their next birthday or special occasion, these are some of the Most popular toddler toys 2018. All of them are suitable for children two to five and are guaranteed to provide them with hours of educational fun.

Nov 13 2018

What’s on your desk? #MyDeskStory

Posted on by

Other parents are forever asking me what I do for work on the school run. I usually cobble together something about owning a website, but in reality, there’s so much more to what I do than that. I also write press releases for clients (about anything from cough syrup to hoverboards), dabble in a bit of amateur product photography, and even handle client’s social media so they can focus on being awesome.

To cut it short. I’m in marketing. That creative world that people often misconstrue as reserved for jean-clad hipsters holed up in a boardroom somewhere off Piccadilly Circus (okay, hands up - I’ve done this too). Nowadays though, having had my own children and moved just outside of London to leafy Berkshire, I’m the envy of my friends as I get to work from home.

My desk is wherever I need it to be, with unlimited mugs of coffee, and even cheeky glasses of wine if I’m working late into the evening. Yet far from being able to binge-watch Netflix whilst I work, or slope off to Costa with my Macbook tucked under my arm, I usually work alone and in silence. Now that work has picked up massively after our recent house move, I’ve began needling Craig about the need for a dedicated home office.

My quest for a desk, and somewhere away from the daily grind (and let’s face it, the kids!) has led to us bringing forward extension plans and creating a large kitchen/diner so I can nab the old dining room for myself.

Creating a functional working space at home

The first consideration when creating a home office, is your desk. Whether you’ve got a nook or an entire room to fill, Furniture at Work have some great deals and manager’s specials on all manner of desks; from corner desks, to cantilever desks, to cluster desks. If you have a myriad of largeish equipment required for your work, or you just like to spread out, you might find these more conventional offerings are better proportioned, and create less strain on your back.

If you’re determined to go for something a little more ornate, you might want to upcycle an older-style desk. Head to free sites, junkyards or reclamation yards, and you can find some pretty solid pieces of furniture in need of a bit of love. Upcycling is easier than you think, and there are some great tutorials out there on YouTube. As long as the piece is structurally sound, you might even get away with a couple of coats of chalk paint and a little wax. I’ll be blogging about my upcycled desk in just a few weeks.

Just watch out for the dimensions of antique desks though. Many have limited leg room, and nowhere to hide away cabling from laptops, phones and printers

Making it your own

1: ContainerStore: Copper desk accessories £26.88 / 2: RedCandy: Umbra Prisma Mirror £79 / 3: WestElm: Mixed Material Table Lamp £69.95 / 4: Rose Gold and Marble Notebook £3.95 / 5: ASDA: Copper globe £15.00 / 6: WestElm: Brass Flared Candleholders from £2.95 / 7: WestElm: Velvet dusty blush curtains from £79.20 / 8: LauraAshley: My own / 9: RuthHolly: Wholesome Abstract Art Print from £20

Let me at it! I cannot wait to prettify my desk! I always find it feels more personal and inviting when I sit down to work if I’ve had a heavy hand in styling it. I’ve already curated a little hoard of copper desk accessories, and have been eyeing up artwork and ornaments to help tie it all together. I’m also on the hunt for an affordable chesterfield sofa that will fit in the space so I can take regular breaks away from the screen and curl up with a book when the dreaded writer’s block hits me.

POPS of colour

1: HeavenlyHomes&Gardens: Dusty Pink Peonies with Rose Hips £30 / 2: Amazon: Pocket Watch Kensington Station Wall Clock £16.94 / 3: AmaranthineBlooms: Peach English rose - 6 stems £97 / 4: HeavenlyHomes&Gardens: Bunch of 3 Green Hydrangeas £25 / 5: AbodeSofas: Naples silver grey Chesterfield £695 / 6: WishApp: Peonies £2 / 7: Notonthehighstreet: Rose in tree bark vase £10 / 8: HeavenlyHomes&Gardens: Pink Silk Roses £30 / 9: Silkflowerhouse: Assorted £on Request

It’s all very well to put together a perfectly coordinated room, but nothing draws the eye in better than pops of colour. Don’t be put off pairing vivid greens, pinks, purples and blues against pastel backdrops for a knockout look. Oh and faux/silk flowers no longer look like they fell off the back end of a bus either - spend a little more for handmade blooms that look the part all year round.

That’s me done; #MyDeskStory. I’ll unveil my brand new home office in just few weeks, but here’s the palette and mood-board I’ve been working towards.

What do you have on your desk that motivates or inspires you?

 

Nov 12 2018

Staying safe on the road with your family

Posted on by

Photo by Adam Cai on Unsplash

This year, the Volvo XC90 was named the safest car by Thatcham Research, largely thanks to its pioneering incorporation of Accelerated Emergency Braking (AEB). This has played a huge part in the car’s impressive record of having no fatalities inside it, since its design in 2002. Safety is of course of paramount importance when choosing a car, but particularly when it is for your family. Practical factors such as a car’s spaciousness and suitability for travelling on family holidays are also worth considering. Most of all, make sure you research the car’s safety record and that you are aware of safety regulations when driving.

Keeping on top of your car maintenance

Whatever car you opt for, being safe also means being in line with driving regulations, so don’t be among the one million UK motorists who are not covered. It is also vital that you are able to look after your car. This means regularly checking your tyres, (especially before long journeys) and getting your car serviced on time. If possible, it is worth test driving any potential car in different types of weather, in daylight and at night. A key safety feature of modern family cars is that they can notify drivers of any technical issue, helping to put your mind at ease.

Consider an SUV

Larger cars like the Volvo XC90 have better safety records than sportier, more aesthetically-appealing motors. Alongside this model, it is worth trying out the family cars identified by Euro NCAP as the safest. This will give you a sense of the options out there and the costs involved. From a safety point of view, the key selling points of these family cars include the amount of space they offer, as well as important safety features such as anti-skidding systems.

Ensure kids are seated safely

If your kids aren’t in the appropriate car seat or strapped in firmly, their safety is severely compromised, no matter the vehicle. Do your research on what car seats are appropriate for your children, and make sure you keep on top of the regulations. In the UK, children legally have to have a car seat or booster until they are 135cm tall. However, for safety reasons it is worth keeping them in a booster until they are 150cm.

Choosing a family car: worth investing the time into it

It is important to put the time into choosing a car for your family. Don’t rush it. Make sure you do your homework on its safety record and take any potential cars for a few test drives. It is critical that you feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel, and that you can keep on top of any necessary maintenance easily. Get candid feedback from anyone you know who owns a model that you’re interested in, particularly those with children. Carefully consider whether the car can comfortably accommodate your family and any baggage. Finally, make sure that, whatever car you go for, you ensure that any children are seated safely inside. This could save a life.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...