Review - FancyDressOutfitters.co.uk

I have been sent a great fancy dress outfit for Zane from www.fancydressoutfitters.co.uk, with Halloween being imminent they sent me a Vampire costume to try out.

When I first opened the package up I was very pleased to find that the costume came with everything that we needed, so no need to buy additional accessories. The costume comes complete with waistcoat printed top, black trousers, shoes, red cape and vampire headpiece, all for a price of £17.77. I think that is a very reasonable price for saying there is no need to buy anything else and it saves you the hassle of running round the shops to find a whole outfit.

I tried the outfit on Zane straight way, and he really looked the part. The trousers and top were a good fit for saying the size was Toddler 1-2 and Zane is a large 22 month old. There was still plenty of room in the trousers and the sleeves were still long on him. I loved the cape, it is silky and has a nice shimmer to it, I only wish that it was held onto the top with something other than Velcro or more of it, as it made the cape easy to pull off, although the outfit still looked great without it. The only problem that we had was that Zane didn't like the headpiece, but that is down to his personal preference, he doesn't even like to wear hats. One thing that I noticed whilst reading the details on the website was that the outfit is dry clean only, which I don't think is great for children's outfits because I can imagine that at parties they get jelly and ice cream down them and they wouldn't be so simple to clean.

FancyDressOutfitters.co.uk don't just do children's costumes, they also do adults with a wide variety of choices such as theme fancy dress, movie, music and TV characters, and Hen night and Stag Do. The adult costumes are still a very reasonable price too. Have a look on their website to see their full range, I'm sure you will find something you like.

Review - Little Dish New Addition

Little Dish have sent me the new addition to their toddler meal range to review with Zane, Chicken & Two Veg Pasta.

Little Dish was founded by mum of two Hillary Graves in 2006. It is the only brand offering a range of fresh, natural meals for babies and toddlers made from 100% natural ingredients and no added salt or sugar, so you can be sure that by giving your toddler a Little Dish meal they are getting a healthy alternative to home cooked food.

Chicken & Two Veg Pasta is a combination of bite sized pieces of  British chicken, carrots, broccoli trees and pasta swirls with cheese sauce. The meal is the perfect balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats as well as a great source of calcium.

The meals are simple to cook, just pierce the film and pop them in the microwave for a couple of minutes, cool to desired temperature and serve. The first thing that I noticed was when I pierced the film the smell came through instantly, it was delicious, and it smelt even better once cooked. I knew instantly that if it tasted as good as it smelt then it was going to be a hit.

One thing that I really like about Little Dish meals is that they actually look like a proper home cooked meal, I have bought meals before for Zane and they haven't looked like something which we would all eat together, which is important to me as we have always fed him what we have eaten and with these meals each element is as easily recognisable as home cooked food. The pasta is just like what we use at home, the veg is perfectly cooked, not too soft and not too firm, and the pieces of broccoli and carrots are obviously brocolli and carrots but perfectly sized so that they aren't daunting. I always taste meals for Zane before giving them to him as I wouldnt feed him anything which I wouldnt eat myself. I could have eaten all of it! The cheese sauce tasted great, cheesey, perfect consistancy, and it didnt mask the flavours of the chicken and veg. There was enough of each element to get a forkful of everything each mouthful. It was a great combination and the flavours went really well together.

Zane really enjoyed eating it too, he loves anything with cheese in like his mum so as soon as he tasted it he didnt stop eating. He can sometimes be a little picky about veg but he ate all of what was on his plate, I think the size of the pieces contributed to his enjoyment, as at home he has much bigger pieces but with the ones in the meal being smaller he wasnt phased at all.

I would really recommend Little Dish Chicken & Two Veg Pasta, it went down really well with my toddler. The meal is available to buy in Tesco from 5th October, andOcdo later on in the month, and will retail at £2.49.

If you would like to find out more about Little Dish and the rest of their toddler meal range take a look at their website http://www.littledish.co.uk/.

Review - Little Dish Childrens Meals

I have been sent a cool bag full of Little Dish goodies for Zane to try. Little Dish meals are suitable for children from 12 months, and are made from 100% natural ingredients with no added salt or sugar. Something which I was very impressed with is the fact that the chicken and beef used in the meals are free from antibiotics and growth hormones, and the vegetables used are free from pesticides. As free range chicken owners and organic gardeners this is something very important to us, as we like to know what we are eating and that it has been produced/reared in the most natural way.

We were sent six different meals, Chicken Risotto, Pasta with Cheese, Peas & Broccoli Trees, Monty's Favorite Spaghetti & Meatballs, Salmon & Broccoli Pasta Bake, Chicken & Butternut Squash Pie and Pasta Bolognese. The meals were so simple to cook, just pierce the film and pop into the microwave for two minutes and then its ready to eat once it has cooled down to the required temperature.

As always I try the food for Zane before he eats it as I wouldn't feed him something which I wouldn't be willing to eat myself. I was most impressed, the meals were all delicious, none of them were bland and they tasted just like something that I would cook myself. Zane was very happy to eat them. I was a little worried as he was going through a fussy phase before I received these meals to review so I was hoping that it wouldn't affect the results but the change seemed to inspire him to eat. His favorite meal was Monty's Favorite Spaghetti & Meatballs, I was amazed that he cleared his plate, ate all of the meatballs when he usually isn't too keen on meat, and when he had finished he was trying to scoop the sauce off the plate with his hands, he didn't want to waste a single bit. The meal which he wasn't so keen on was Salmon & Broccoli Pasta Bake, which I was surprised at as it was my favorite, I thought it was the tastiest of all the meals and Zane usually loves salmon, the only thing I could think that he wasn't keen on was the distinct flavour.

Something which I found very novel was the picture to colour in on the inside of the cardboard sleeve. Perfect to keep little one's occupied whilst they are waiting for their dinner too cook and cool. In our case it even kept Daddy out of trouble for five minutes.

What I loved the most about Little Dish meals is that there is a whole load of goodness in such a convenient meal. I would have no worries or ingredient scanning if I hadn't been so organised throughout the day and needed to get Zane his dinner quickly. I sometimes feel guilty if I have to serve him a microwave meal but with these I know that there are no added nasties and only good quality ingredients are used. Something which didn't suit us was the portion size, it is very generous so that would be a positive for most people, but for us Zane seems to be intimidated by a plate full of food and doesn't eat it so well. This was fine once I had realised though as I could adjust the size that I served him and my taster was increased, they really are good enough for adults to eat!

You can buy Little Dish meals at Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Waitrose Deliver, Ocado.com, and Boots. You can find out more about Little Dish on Facebook and Twitter or on their website http://www.littledish.co.uk/.

Review - Limited Edition Baba + Boo Cloth Nappy

This review is from my review blog, http://housethatdo.blogspot.com/ but as the content is relevant to this blog I thought it would be a good idea to copy it over.

 

Baba + Boo was born when Eve wanted to use cloth nappies on her daughter but found that the nappies that were on the market were expensive. She decided to use her skills from her previous job as a buyer to source excellent quality nappies at a  fraction of the price, and also funky designs. The company has quickly expanded and now Eve designs and produces her own nappies and shoes. All of the products are of excellent quality, and have been produced under strict codes of conduct so you an be assured that they have been produced ethically.

The lovely Eve has sent me her new Limited Edition Green Camouflage cloth nappy to review. I love cloth nappies, and I also love green camo nappies, I have three of them, so I was very excited when I received the parcel.

The nappy is suitable for children that are between 10lb- 37lb, so it is a birth to potty nappy, and it has a high rise so it is a good fit. The outer fabric is a printed poly/cotton with a waterproof lining, and it comes with two microfibre inserts. The nappy is fastened by poppers.

My first impression of the nappy was fantastic, it had an extra popper on either side that meant no wing droop, which has started to become a problem for us with some of our nappies. The material was very stretchy and the inserts were thick, seemed like they were very good quality, and they also had poppers down the middle so I could change them into a boy fitting for more absorbency for up front.

When the time came for Zane to wear the nappy after it had all of its prewashes I was a bit worried. The insert could only go as far as the poppers, all of my other nappies can be stuffed right up to the waist band. I was a little apprehensive and thought he might have a wet tummy within a short time. I put it out of my mind and we went out to play. The fit was lovely, Zane is a big boy for his age, and is easily pushing the top of the weight limit for the nappy but he still had lots of room left to grow into. The nappy wasn't a slim fit, but it wasn't that bulky either, and I used both inserts as Zane is a heavy wetter.

When we were playing I observed how he moved in the nappy, it was very flexible, probably one of the most flexible nappies that we own. His walking and playing wasn't affected, and the best bit was that he wasn't waddling! He put the nappy through its paces going down the slide, sitting in his sand pit and running up and down the garden. At no point did he have a builders bum, or gaping between the legs, he looked really comfortable. When it came to changing the nappy easily lasted three hours, it could have probably lasted longer but it was time for bed so we couldn't carry out a longer test. Daddy was testing the nappy with us and he was very impressed with the design, and fit, so if you need to try and persuade your other half to try cloth nappies, then Baba + Boo could help you.

The Baba + Boo Limited Edition nappies retail at £9.75 each, which I think is very reasonable for the quality that you are getting. Take a look at the Baba + Boo web page to see the rest of their funky designs, and also the rest of their lovely products.

Review - Real Easy Nappies by Hip Hip Baby!

I have been sent a nappy from BabyKind to review with Zane. BabyKind are a family run business based in Wales, who supply a wide range of cloth nappies, cloth nappy trials and kits, and offer expert advice. They don't just supply nappies though, they also sell organic toiletries, bandana bibs, clothing and shoes, wool toys, Mooncup, and many more items.

BabyKind sent me a Real Easy Nappy by Hip Hip Baby!, Real Easy Nappies are an All in One/Pocket nappy hybrid. Usually All in Ones aren't the fastest to dry, this nappy though has a pocket and the three layer organic cotton pad inside flaps out to enable efficient washing and quick drying. Sewn into the fleece inner is a microterry soaker pad which is two layers thick, so you have five layers of absorbency! The waterproof outer is very stretchy for a better fit, and also has a comfort leg design which stops chaffing and red marks. You can get nappies with an made of soft polyester cloth, or soft  Minky which is lovely to stroke, both types of outer have anti wicking technology to stop wetness spreading around the edges.

Once the nappy had been washed up to full absorbency we gave it a go. This nappy was the first all in one that I had tried so I am not practiced in stuffing the insert in when it is already attached to the nappy. I found it a bit difficult to get it straight and flat at first as the insert is quite thick and wide, it scrunched up at the front of the nappy, but after taking a little time it was nice and flat, it was a bit like putting your duvet in the quilt cover, you get there quicker with practice. When putting the nappy on it stretched really well over Zane's bum and it was a lovely fit. I was a bit puzzled by the poppers at first as they are diagonal, another first for me, but once they were done up I was very pleased with the fit of the nappy. It fit really nice around his legs and tummy, I felt confident that the nappy would perform well because it was a snug fit and not tight at all. I was amazed at how slim it looked on him, I thought that as the insert was quite thick, and along with the sewn in pad made me think it would be quite bulky, but it wasn't at all.

In terms of absorbency I was amazed again. I never hold much hope for brand new nappies on their first go as they haven't been washed a lot to reach their full potential, but this nappy surpassed all of my expectations. I changed Zane after 4 hours and his bottom was dry, there were no leaks, and no red marks. I can see that these nappies would have great potential to be an option as a night nappy. As you stuff the flip out insert into a pocket there is space for additional boosters, and because the nappy is very slim already it wouldn't add too much bulk.

You can buy Real Easy Nappies from http://www.babykind.co.uk/realeasynappies.htm at the very reasonable price of between £10.99 - £12.99 depending on the size of nappy that your baby requires. Their website features a lot of products other than nappies so it is well worth checking it out, you are bound to find something that you like.

 

Review - Organix Mighty Meals

Organix prides itself in creating baby food which only contains organic and natural ingredients, with nothing unnecessary added and no goodness taken away. Their food is suitable from the start of weaning up until your child is 3 years old, and the product range includes baby porridge, jars, steamed meals, toddler meals, finger foods and various snacks.

I have been sent four of Organix new Mighty Meals that are suitable for toddlers. There are four different meals, Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sweetcorn, Hearty Lamb Hotpot with Vegetables, Tomatoey Beef Bolognese with Butternut Squash and Pasta Shells, and Spinach Felafel's in Big Beany Sweet Red Pepper Sauce.

I wasn't sure how this review would go, we have done Baby Led Weaning since Zane was six months old. Previous to that we had tried him with a couple of jars and pouches but he just wanted to feed himself, so baby led weaning was the obvious way for us to carry on weaning. He always eats what we eat, so I was very impressed when we tried Mighty Meals because they looked just like something we would eat normally.

We tried the Spinach Falafels meal first. The falafels were just like normal falafels and the sauce had lots of texture to it, and you could see what it consisted of. The meal was so easy to cook, just 40 seconds in the microwave and it was the perfect temperature to be eaten right away. I tried a little bit before I gave it to Zane as I would only give him food that I would be happy to eat myself, and I was very impressed. The flavour was very interesting, and not at all bland compared to other baby food that I had tasted before. When we gave Zane his dinner he tucked in straight away and he seemed to enjoy it, and not much ended up on the floor, cupboards, cooker, ceiling or on me! So that was a very good sign that he liked the dinner. The rest of the meals went down equally well, Organix Mighty Meals were a hit.

The things that I liked about the meals are the portion sizes are perfect, I can understand what every single ingredient is on the ingrediants list, the meals all had herbs and spices added so they weren't bland, and that they looked like actual dinners which I would serve up myself, meaning that I could give him one of these meals and he wouldnt be phased because it looks no different to what he usually eats. They would be so handy to have in the cupboard for if we get home late and needed to give him his dinner quickly and still know that he is eating well, or if we wanted a takeaway that wasn't suitable for him.

It is hard for me to find anything which I dont like about these meals, the only thing that I can think of is that it would be good if there were more variety. Currently there are four meals and they are a good range of tastes, but if there were more variety it would be more realistic to home cooking.

Have a look at Organix very informative website http://www.organix.com/. There you will find their range of foods, recipes, feeding advice and a meal planner.

Review - Halos N Horns Bath Products

When I first realised that Zane had sensitive skin I went on my favorite mummy forum to find out which bath product other Mums had been using to bathe the little ones with. The same name kept coming up, Halos N Horns.

The reason that they are better for sensitive skin than standard bath products, is that the makers think that it is important to remove as many chemicals as they can, and replace them with plant based alternatives. Halos N Horns products are free from SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulphate), Parabens, Phtalates, Methylisothiazoline, Tricolsan, and Propylene Glycol. Replacing these chemicals with plant based alternatives means that the products are gentle on skin, kind to eyes, and hypoallergenic. Perfect for childrens skin.

I decided to put Halos N Horns to the test and I have been sent two products to review, Mango Melon Mayhem Shampoo & Condition, and Toothy Fruity Toothpaste.

I was really looking forward to trying these products out so gave Zane a bath straight away, the shampoo smelt subtle but fruity. It created a lather which wasn't really foamy, which meant that it didnt drip down his forehead into his eyes, which is brilliant for a happy bathtime. After his bath I had a look at the results and his hair was soft, and seemed really clean. The dry skin on his head seemed to better too so I was pleased to see that it hadn't dried his scalp out like other products had. It's great that it is suitable for sensitive skin because Zane loves getting mucky so needs to have a bath frequantly, I know that I can use it without worrying that it will irritate his excema. I would definately use this shampoo & conditioner again.

We have used the Toothy Fruity Toothpaste everyday since receiving it and Zane loves it, it tastes of strawberries and bananas, so because it tastes nice, it is a better experience and he wasnt so bothered about me putting his toothbrush in his mouth. The toothpaste is SLS free so you can be confident that your child isnt swallowing chemicals, and also as this is the ingrediant which creates foam, your child wont get a mouth full of foam, which I imagine would be a strange sensation for a young child. The toothpaste contains recommended amount of flouride advised by the British Dental Health Foundation too so you know that their teeth are getting the protection that they need.

You can buy Halos N Horns products from a wide variety of retailers, the RRP price for the shampoo and conditioner is £2.69, and the the toothpaste is £2.29.

Check out their website to see the rest of their range http://www.halosnhorns.co.uk/index.html

Review - WOW Toys

WOW Toys are a multiple award winning toy manufacturer who make some fantastic toys, most are suitable from when your baby is 18 months old. Their toys don't require any batteries but they still have amazing features and functions for your child to discover. The toys are designed to assist with early development by including exciting features which assist with a range of sensory skills, ranging from development of fine motor skills to interactive role play. Perfect for little ones to explore!

WOW Toys have sent me a Roll-It Riley to review with Zane. If any other children are obsessed with transport like Zane they will be in their element. He was so excited just seeing the box, it has lots of pictures showing you features of the toy, and their is a lovely scenery in the background behind the toy, which can be pulled out of the box and used to aid play if you wanted to.

The toy is very durable, the plastic feels very solid and thick, and the thing that impressed me the most was that the main body of it was all one piece, so it felt like it was safe to play with and I knew it wouldn't break easily, which to me makes it feel llike it is more value for money as I know that it will last.

The toy came with two separate accessories, a workman figure, and a road sign. Zane loved to put the workman in the seat space and then take him back out again, so it is great for his fine motor skills, and I can see that when he is older he can use him for role play, its will also help adults get engaged in the play too. The construction sign will be useful in the future to assist with role play, and it is something which you can point out in real life situations.

Zane loved playing with Roll-It Riley, he liked pushing it along the floor and as it is a friction powered toy it carried on going after he had stopped pushing. The roller makes a noise as it moves across the ground which is engaging, and it is also split into two halves so you can spin and sort the faces, adding an extra dimension to play.

I love this toy because it is sturdy, I can trust that it wont easily break. It is suitable for a very long time as it can be played with in many different ways, all enhancing sensory development as the child grows. The only thing that I didn't like was that to get it out of the box there were lots of ties holding the toy in place and it took me a while to separate the toy from the packaging, Zane got quite impatient. That is only a one off problem though, so to counteract that you could detach it before the child see's it so that they could play straight away. The ties do come in useful for us though because we reuse things as much as we possibly can, we can use these ties for gardening to tie plants to cane's.

You can visit WOW Toys on their fantastic website which is full of personality on the following link http://www.wowtoys.com

I'm sure you will find something which your child will love for a very long time.