Wednesday 28 February 2018

Blogger's Best Linky!

Well hello!! Welcome back to the Blogger's Bests linky. We can't wait to read your posts and see what you've been sharing this week. Sarah and I took a couple weeks off over half term and it was lovely to have a bit of time off, running a linky is lovely but can be hard work. 

So Sarah from RunJumpScrap and I would like to introduce you to the Blogger's Best linky. A place for any post, whatever the post, the best post of your week or simply a post you are proud of and want to shout about it. This is the place to share it and we can't wait to read them. The linky will open at 05:30 on a Wednesday and remain open until Friday 23:55.

There aren't many rules because lets face it, rules are boring right? However, linkys only work if you share the love and support your fellow bloggers so what we do ask is.....

  • You comment on the host posts and at least a couple of others, of course if you want to comment on more  then please do!
We would also love if you could .....

  • Tweet us over on Twitter (I'm @helsy_1983) and Sarah is (@runjumpscrap) so we know you're joining in ( and please do use #bloggersbest) and we can give you a retweet

  • Join us over on Instagram with the hashtag #bloggersbest and tag us in, we both love a bit of Insta! You can find me here @helsy_1983) and Sarah is @runjumpscrap

  • Add the badge at the bottom of your post so we know which post you've added to the linky
But these are pretty much all the rules. Sarah and I will continue to have featured posts each week and will of course be retweeting your links when you link up. We're really looking forward to hosting a fresh and vibrant new linky and hope you'll enjoy linking up too! Spread the word, Blogger's Best is the place to be!


Run Jump Scrap



    

Monday 26 February 2018

Zak Storm Hover Vehicle *Review*

Have you heard of Zak Storm? Zak is a teenager who is suddenly engulfed by a huge wave and finds himself in the Bermuda Triangle. He is suddenly the captain of the ship called The Chaos and along with a group of misfits he must travel across the Seven Seas of the Triangle to try and find a way home. 

There are a large range of toys and merchandise to accompany the TV series (on POP and Netflix) and we were sent the Zak Storm Hover Vehicle (RRP £14.99) to check out and review. 

This speedy hover vehicle comes with a figure, a hover board and a collectable coin. For added play-ability and storytelling fun there are packs of coins that can be purchased separately with scannable codes on them which enable the player to receive digital rewards adding to the experience. The app is available via both the Android store and Apple store making it accessible to all phone users. Younger players will need an adults help to download the app.



What did we like?


  • We loved that you can expand on the game play by linking in with the app and the coins, it is a great feature and Alfie loved this!

  • There is a whole series of toys that can be purchased to complete the Zak Storm range. From figures, to play sets they make great little gifts. 

  • It's bright, colourful and appealing and Alfie loved the added extra of it being a missile launcher.......of course!

  • Alfie loves toys that link in with a TV show and this is no exception, he is quite happy to entertain himself with it pretending he is Zak Storm and spends ages playing with it.


Anything we're not so keen on? As always, I pride myself on being honest when writing reviews and there were a couple of small things we were not so positive about. 

  • The price, I have to be honest I think the RRP of £14.99 is pretty steep for what it is. 

  • It appears to be a bit flimsy and the figure included is pretty small so I would advise this is definitely not suitable for children younger than 3 years old. 


Overall a good little toy and Alfie has spent alot of time playing with it so I feel even though the cost is a little steep he has had the moneys worth.The added extra of the coins and playing with the app is great though and this toy would absolutely appeal to any Zak Storm fan. 

* Please note we were kindly sent the item free of charge in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sunday 25 February 2018

My Sunday Photo - 25/02/18


Flashback to December last year when we had snow. I hear we're in for more mid week and I have to be honest I'm dreading it, I'm so over all this cold and gloomy weather too! Anyone else? I want to have a bit of warmth in the air and blue skies not be flipping freezing and have more of the white stuff. I hate driving in snow, everything just slows right down and unless you can stay at home it's no fun. I guess it'll be a case of watch and wait but it doesn't look hopeful! Who else is over the cold weather?



Photalife

Thursday 22 February 2018

*WIN* a 2x2 Rubik's Cube!!

Like Rubik's Cubes but don't fancy the challenge of the 3x3 cube? Well perhaps the 2x2 cube could be the answer........ the slightly smaller and smoother cube is very much appealing for little hands. My 2 were thrilled to review the smaller version of the classic Rubik's Cube. We have the full sized  cube and of course it is a huge challenge for adults but even more so for children. One lucky reader is the chance to win their very own 2 x 2 Rubik's Cube so read on to see how you can win your very own cube!



What do we love about the Rubik's 2x2?


  • It's such a lovely size to hold to try and solve. Although it is smaller it doesn't necessarily mean it poses less of a challenge! Did you know that there is a possible 3,764,160 combinations!

  • It has a smoother and faster mechanical design meaning ease of play.

  • There are no colour labels! Where as it used to be coloured stickers on the sides now it is coloured plastic meaning no cheating!! Come on, fess up, who used to peel the stickers off when you got stuck, hehe.

  • Priced at around £7.99 it's a brilliant pocket money present and will provide hours of entertainment!

  • Even at the smaller size it is an absolute classic and is a must in any household.

  • Available from many leading retailers so readily available.


My cheeky two are delighted to bring this competition to you as you can see! Although the recommended age is 8 this doesn't stop younger children from having a go, Alfie definitely understood the concept and had a good go at trying to get it back to how it should be. 


As I mentioned above I have one 2 x 2 cube to give away to one lucky reader. Entry is via the Rafflecopter below, the winning prize will be sent directly from the company so I am not held responsible for sending the item out. Please ensure you leave a valid email and twitter handle as I will be contacting the winner these. No details used to enter will be shared at any point, other than the winner to the company. All that remains to say is good luck and thanks for reading!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday 18 February 2018

My Sunday Photo - 18/02/18


Cakes!! No more words required :)

Thursday 15 February 2018

Ways to Keep Gadgets Safe when Travelling.

Ways to Keep Gadgets Safe When Travelling with Kids
When you’ve got kids, you’ll realise how chaotic it can be travelling anywhere. From a simple trip to the shop to going on a family holiday, keeping track of all your belongings and theirs can become a real struggle. In the modern world we use and rely on so many gadgets on a daily basis, from our phones and tablets to electronic toys, that they can easily get lost or damaged when travelling. Whether you’re using public transport or driving with your family, there are ways to help them stay safe
Screen Protectors
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to protect smartphones and tablets from the sticky, clumsy hands of children is with screen protectors. You can often find a pack of three or five for a couple of quid online or in a pound shop. If you let your kids play on your phone or watch videos to keep them entertained on long journeys, this can prevent serious scratch damage to screens, especially when you invest in a decent phone case as well.  
Trackers
After damaging or breaking your gadgets while on the move, simply losing them will be the other main worry. Thankfully there are a range of tracking gadgets available which can be coupled with everything from your phone to set of keys. Most of these work by sticking a small device or sticker to your precious gadget, which is connected to an app or via Bluetooth, so if it goes missing this can be used to instantly see where it is.  

Pop Sockets
Juggling a child or two while trying to use the map app on your phone to see where you’re going and picking up the cuddly toy they keep dropping is going to end in disaster. Usually it’s the most expensive item that gets dropped and cracks. With Pop Sockets though, these expanding grip cases make holding onto your phone or tablet in such a situation far easier. They can also be great on trains as a stand for your device.  
Insurance
Finally, it won’t stop your gadgets being dropped, damaged or lost, but taking out the appropriate insurance to cover any financial loss is vital. Even if you don’t think your current phone is worth much, it’s nice to receive some financial compensation rather than nothing should the worst happen.
The unpredictability of travelling with kids means anything can happen, so it’s nearly impossible to keep your gadgets truly safe. Still, these methods should go some way to reducing that risk.  

Monday 12 February 2018

Lottie Springtime Celebration Doll! *REVIEW*

Lottie dolls!! Have you heard of them? These lovely little dolls are inspired and created to empower children to be themselves, be creative and adventurous and of course to have fun! Lots of fun! After reading up a bit around Lottie Dolls I love the ethos surrounding these lovable little dolls. They are dolls that look like kids, dressed in comfortable clothes with realistic proportions (based on a 9 year old) and include play sets that encourage outdoor activities.

Now I do have to apologise for the quality of the photos, I only had my phone to hand and Elarna was so excited to receive a doll so had to snap away quickly to try and get some photos before she ripped her way into the box......little monkey!


There are so many Lottie Dolls to choose from. There is muddy puddles Lottie, autumn leaves Lottie, snow queen Lottie, school days Lottie or fossil hunter Lottie - amongst many others! Elarna however chose Springtime Celebration Lottie. This doll is ready to dance in the spring celebration ballet at the The Old Theatre, she works hard to prepare her steps and loves to perform. 


Springtime Celebration Lottie comes dressed in a beautiful, special ballet costume comprising of a 3 layer tutu, a sequin leotard, a pretty pair of pink ballet slippers and a little drawstring bag to store her ballet slippers in. 


What do we love about Lottie Dolls? 

  • The diverse amount of dolls available. These aren't just your usual pink, pretty dollies, these are encouraging vocation and occupation and advocating girls (and boys) to be strong and follow their dreams. 

  • There are also boy dolls available if your child doesn't want a Lottie doll.

  • The packaging is great, there is some lovely information on the box about the doll and the carry handle is great!

  • The attention to detail. There are so many little details and thought put into the dolls, from the little ballet shoes, to the drawstring bag to the beautiful outfit, so pretty.


Anything we're not so keen on? 

  • I guess the price, at £18.99 they're not the cheapest of dolls, however you are paying for quality. 

  • There are a few little bits included, this is fine but when you have a near 3 year old who is obsessed with removing items of clothing and shoes from her dolls then the chances of something going missing (i.e shoes!) is highly probable.



I really do love the Lottie Dolls collection as does Elarna, we'd heard about the range from a friend a couple of years ago and they loved them so I was pleased to be able to see them for myself and for Elarna to play with one. She has really taken to her and is often found playing with her in her dolls house or carrying Lottie around in her little handbag! 





These really are great little dolls and perfect for either a little girl or boy! They are diverse in nature with endless possibilities and I love their positive message I will definitely be purchasing a few more Lottie Dolls, I have my eye on a couple for Elarna's birthday and I'm fairly certain she would be happy to receive another one. 

* Please note we were kindly sent a Lottie Doll in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Sunday 11 February 2018

My Sunday Photo - 11/02/18


I have to share one of my favourite photos from this week. Elarna chatting away on our (non plugged in) phone to our friends little boy Charlie. Even though there was actually noone on the other end she could easily have convinced you otherwise. Bless her, such a little chatterbox.

Wednesday 7 February 2018

Blogger's Best Linky!

Well hello!! Welcome back to the new and improved Best and Worst linky now named Blogger's Bests. We can't wait to read your posts and see what you've been sharing this week. This last few days have been pretty full on, feel like I've got lots on my plate at the moment but that is life.

So Sarah from RunJumpScrap and I would like to introduce you to the Blogger's Best linky. A place for any post, whatever the post, the best post of your week or simply a post you are proud of and want to shout about it. This is the place to share it and we can't wait to read them. The linky will open at 05:30 on a Wednesday and remain open until Friday 23:55.

There aren't many rules because lets face it, rules are boring right? However, linkys only work if you share the love and support your fellow bloggers so what we do ask is.....

  • You comment on the host posts and at least a couple of others, of course if you want to comment on more  then please do!
We would also love if you could .....

  • Tweet us over on Twitter (I'm @helsy_1983) and Sarah is (@runjumpscrap) so we know you're joining in ( and please do use #bloggersbest) and we can give you a retweet

  • Join us over on Instagram with the hashtag #bloggersbest and tag us in, we both love a bit of Insta! You can find me here @helsy_1983) and Sarah is @runjumpscrap

  • Add the badge at the bottom of your post so we know which post you've added to the linky
But these are pretty much all the rules. Sarah and I will continue to have featured posts each week and will of course be retweeting your links when you link up. We're really looking forward to hosting a fresh and vibrant new linky and hope you'll enjoy linking up too! Spread the word, Blogger's Best is the place to be!


Run Jump Scrap





    

Sunday 4 February 2018

*WIN* Let's go PJ Masks *REVIEW*

We love PJ Masks in our house. If you have no idea who or what I'm going on about PJ Masks are a heroic trio who are normal children by day and then transform into super heroes at night. Comprised of Catboy, Owlette and Gekko together they go on adventures, solve mysteries, defeat criminals as well as learning valuable lessons along the way. 

Alfie was delighted to be sent a copy of the brand new PJ Masks DVD which is available from Monday 5th February. We had a great time watching the 6 episodes on it and I'm delighted to say if you're a fan of PJ Masks I have a copy of the DVD to giveaway.


The 6 new episodes included on the DVD are: 


  • Gekko and the Snore-A-Sauras - Luna Girl turns a sleep walking Cameron into her very own human puppet, it's then up to PJ Masks to save the day however Gekko has to stop messing about first! 
  • Catboy and the Shrinker - Romeo and Night Ninja join forces to shrink the PJ Masks with Romeo's shrinker invention. When Catboy gets shrunk he forgets that even a little guy can save the day.....of course using his small size to his advantage. 
  • Blame it on the Train. Owlette - When the new Fairground Flyer Train goes missing from the fair Owlette is determined to get it back asap. However, if she wants to defeat Romeo's new super train she will need to learn that a little patience goes a long way. 
  • Looking after Gekko - When Night Ninja steals the new school bus and converts it into his very own super vehicle it's up to our heroes to stop him in his tracks. But for that to happen Gekko needs to learn that asking for help doesn't make you weak.
  • Catboy's Tricky Ticket - Catboy only has two tickets to the Jayden Houston concernt and has to decide which of his best friends to take to the show. Owlette and Gekko offer himn presents to sway his decision and Catboy's new found greed could ensure Luna Girl ruins the concert for good.
  • Clumsy Catboy - Romeo plans to use his newest device to make everyone in the world so clumsy that they can't stop him from taking over the world. But when Catboy is the first to be 'clumsified' he can't admit it and tries to save the day without any help. 



We really enjoy watching PJ Masks, it's alot of fun and this DVD has a run time of 72 minutes so ideal for watching all in one go or just dipping into for an episode here and there. Available from Amazon for £7.99 or for digital download from tomorrow! Head over and check it out. 

To be in the chance to win yourself a copy (I have 1 to giveway) entry is via the Rafflecopter below. UK entries only please and do leave a valid email address and Twitter handle so I can contact you if you win. The DVD will be sent directly from the company so I am not responsible for this once the competition has ended. Please follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter with how to enter......good luck! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway


My Sunday Photo - 04/02/18


The other day we took a very wet and windy walk with the kids. We needed to get out of the house, they were going mad so we took a long walk, despite the weather and ended up doing a little detour to Nene Valley Railway which is fairly near to us. So although it was a gloomy day it was good to get out and about. I love all the old touches at this station, very atmospheric.


Photalife

Friday 2 February 2018

How to use Tarpaulin when Camping!

Alternative Uses for a Tarpaulin During a Camping Trip
If you’re looking for a durable, versatile piece of camping equipment than a tarpaulin sheet is just what you need. The main aim when going camping is to pack everything you need in as little space as possible, as there’s nothing more frustrating than having loads of things with you and nowhere to keep it all. When it comes to camping, less is always more, and tarpaulin sheets are ideal for providing you with an essential piece of equipment that does so much more than on job.
Shelter from Weather
Many people think of heavy rain when it comes to creating a shelter around their campsite, but it’s not always the rain you need to hide from. When you’re camping, you’re exposed to the weather for very long periods of the day, so it’s important to have protection from whatever weather conditions you may be camping in. Using a tarpaulin sheet to cover the area you’re camping in will provide you with an area that will shield you from the rain, snow, wind and more importantly, from the sunshine. The sun is one of most important things to be cautious of, which many people fail to do. If you are exposed to direct sunlight for too long you may find yourself feeling faint or sick, so you need to have a break from it every few hours when spending the whole day outdoors.

Cover up Equipment
Having enough space when camping is almost always impossible, especially when it comes to the larger items. You often find that many people find it much easier to keep certain items, such as larger water bottles, chairs, tables etc outside the tent, which is a great idea if the weather is good, but you can never guarantee that. Covering your equipment and essential items with a tarpaulin will simply help to keep the items dry and safe, preventing any potential damage whilst also keeping the items neat and tidy at the same time.

Protect Your Tent
When the bad weather conditions kick in, you need to have more than just your tent to keep you dry and safe. Most tents come with a protective ground sheet to prevent the water from soaking into the tent area, but this isn’t always enough. Placing a tarpaulin sheet underneath your tent will help to keep the ground area dry and stop any rainwater from soaking into the tent. Similarly, you could use a tarp sheet to cover the top of your tent, especially if the wind is particularly bad. The tarp will work as a windbreaker and prevent your tent from shaking or blowing around. It will also really help if any unwanted items blow into the tent, as it works as a second barrier to protect the contents of the tent properly.
Shield Wood
If you’re lucky enough to have a fire pit in your campsite, then you’ll need plenty of wood to keep you going throughout your trip. The only downside to having lots of wood stocked up for the fire is that once it gets wet, it’s almost impossible to use it on the fire. To prevent the wood from getting wet when not in use, cover it fully with a tarpaulin to simply keep them dry and fresh. You’ll find it much easier to start a roaring fire with the driest wood possible.
 * Collaborative content.

Thursday 1 February 2018

Bargain Hunting with B&M Stores!

I have absolutely no problems to admit that I love B&M. I really do. We have recently had a store open 2 minutes away from us and it's so handy (although not so much for the bank balance)! I go there regularly, I find it great to purchase household goods from especially, but also I often find hidden gems such as big branded goods (the fact that they sell my Tigi hair stuff is brill) and I can never seem to just go in and get what I need, generally I come out with bags of stuff and if you follow me over on Instagram and watch my stories you will sometimes see me featuring a selection of what I have bought.

With January now just behind us I think you'll agree that it has been a loongggggg old month. My last payday was 6 weeks ago, geeez it feels such a long time ago. Hopefully we can plod through February, the weather will be brighter, less cold and the bargains from B&M will continue. With that being said I have compiled a selection of sales bargains that B&M are offering to tempt you, so please do carry on reading to see if anything takes your fancy.

First this lovely wooden, 6 drawer chest caught my eye. Currently on sale for £39.99 this would be perfect in our hall, in fact I'm hoping and praying that our local store does indeed have it in stock as it's only available in store. Isn't it gorgeous.

321990--Karina-6-drawer-chest

Next I found these lovely slogan signs for £1.99, these are great for adding a finishing touch to a wall and can make a house feel lovely and homely. 

331427-foil-plaque-3-tier-home-sweet-home-grey


B&M is my first stop for confectionary, I know that if I want a bargain and don't want to spend over the odds for sweets or chocolate B&M will save me!! For example take a look at these yummy matchmakers an absolute snip at a £1.00 a box. Yummy!

316138-matchmaker-130g-orange

While I was scouring the good deals I saw this amazing pan, of course alot of people are dieting through January but the odd few aren't and are still enjoying comfort food so I saw this and thought it would be ideal! Plus it's on sale from £29.99 to £19.99 currently so snap one up before they sell out. 

330199-Goodmans-Multi-Frying-Pan-31

To get rid of the smell of that cooked brekkie that you've just rustled up perhaps this airwick candle can help. In the most lovely scent of blackberry spice and a bargainous price of £1.00 you can afford to buy one of each scent!

335636-air-wick-jar-candles-blackberry-spice


The last couple of items are for the kiddies. It's always good to stock up on some rainy day activities, I spotted Soggy Doggy which Alfie has been asking for and it's currently on sale for £9.99 down from £14.99 so a nice little saving there. I can see lots of fun being had! 

315140-Soggy-Doggy

For Elarna I know she would absolutely love this cute little interactive Lucy dog which is now £9.99 instead of £19.99!! What a brill saving and she will adore this cheeky little pup. 

282762-Lucy-the-dog-toy-packaging

This concludes my January B&M bargain roundup! I hope you agree that it's a nice selection, there really is so much to choose from so if you've never been to a B&M store get yourself down to one asap!

* Collaborative content.