Kate & Mim-Mim - CBEEBIES review!

Molly & I have been really lucky to have been asked to watch and review a BRAND-NEW childrens programme Kate & Mim-Mim which will start airing on CBEEBIES on 4th August at 5.30pm.

©2013 KMM Productions Inc., A Nerd Corps Company

So, Molly and I sat down and watched the first episode, 'Rip Roaring Race'. But first let me explain about Kate & Mim-Mim;

It's the creation of Scott & Julie Stewart who were inspired by their children and toy bunny, Mim-Mim!

It tells the story of feisty five-year-old Kate and her BIG imagination. Whenever Kate faces a problem or something stirs her curiosity, she and her favourite toy bunny Mim-Mim twirl off to the fantasy world of Mimiloo, where Mim-Mim transforms into a larger-than-life playmate! 

There are lots of different characters based in Mimiloo, which all add to the fun of the programme.

Episode 1: Rip Roaring Race

Kate and Dad are building go-karts to race on their homemade track. In Mimiloo, Kate, Mim-Mim and all their friends race their own cars in the Rip Roaring Race at the Rumbly Race Track. In everyone's haste to win, Mim-Mim is the only one who tested his car beforehand. Lucky for his friends, Mim-Mim added some special parts!

Episode 2: The Need for Seed

Kate doesn't understand why her flower is so much smaller than Mum's. In Mimiloo, Kate and Mim-Mim help their friends catch a surprise sapling seed-a speedy seed that sprouts in the most surprising way! The wiggly seed leads them on a wild underground pursuit in search of its ideal place to grow. But will it be worth the chase?

So what did we think?

As soon as it started, all I noticed was how bright and colourful it was. Lots of vibrant colours which catch your attention instantly. First impressions (especially with children) are vital! The episode was fast-paced and didn't drag. Sometimes, not naming any names, some programmes are literally 5-10 minutes too long and you've completely lost the attention of your viewer!

Molly was hooked from start to finish. As soon as it ended she wanted to watch more, and we will need to wait like everybody else.

As a parent, it explored important themes like friendship, problem solving and adventure but it allows children to use their imagination and work together. 

It also helped that not only did we get to watch the first episode before anyone, we get some major cute Mim-Mim bunny ears. And something for mummy; NERD sweets - my all-time fave!! 

We cannot wait to watch all next week especially episode 2 on Tuesday 5th August! 

Make sure you watch and let me know what you think...

To follow Kate & Mim-Mim, LIKE their Facebook page;

www.facebook.com/kateandmimmim

I heart Aspinal of London

Once in a blue moon, I become slightly obsessed with something in piticular. Here's to name a few:

1. Spice Girls

2. Clueless

3. Titanic - this loosely connected to Leo

4. Mince Pies

And..

5. Aspinal of London

If you haven't heard of Aspinal of London, then sorry, who are you?!

Aspinal in my eyes represents quintessential Britishness. Seen on the likes of Duchess of Cornwall, Fearne Cotton and Holly Driscoll - ;-)

My love affair started off with the Zip Wallet, then progressed to a pouch, then iphone 5 cover but my main dream is still just out of my reach.. 

The Marylebone Bag. Swoon.

It will be mine. It's this seasons 'it' bag. Fancy a look?

Isn't she pwetty? £595. Currently out of stock. I dislike everybody that owns this bag.

But their entire seasons collection is to die for:

I've just been reading about the AW14 collection. It's based on childhood farytales from snow queens to enchanted forests and inspired by Narnia. Excited much? YEESS! 

My other half knows it's my dream to own one of these bags, so if I keep on, then he will either cave in or leave me.

Then maybe someone will feel sorry for me and buy me one? 

www.aspinaloflondon.com

We've gone completely OINKERS....

So unless you have been off the planet for 10 years, I'm pretty sure you will have heard of a little pink pig called...PEPPA.
Thats right, Peppa Pig. Kids everywhere (and parents, lets face it) are Peppa Pig crazy and can you believe Nick Jr are celebrating Peppa's 10th birthday.

Children over the country were able to take part in the Oinkestra - where they could upload their very own 'oinks' and appear on Nick Jr! Unfortunately, due to little holiday, we missed out on the Oinkestra, but we get to still join in on the celebrations.

Little Peppa & George fans can get to watch their top 20 Peppa Pig episodes, as voted by viewers. I think our fave is the episode where Mrs Rabbit has baby twins - wonder if it made the cut?!
So tune in on the 5-6th July 10.30-5pm to see if your favourite episode will be showing.

Our friends at Nick Jr have made sure Molly and I get to join in on the party - we were sent a FABULOUS gift pack which included;
Peppa Pig Party Set (cups, napkins, plates)
Peppa instruments
Some arts and crafts to make Peppa Pig noses!

Take a look at all the fun we have had....

Molly has had so so much fun with all of this, that we wouldn't want to leave out our lovely readers..

So.. we have x3 Nick Jr goodie bags to give away. All you need to do is follow this blog, follow moi on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and retweet or share this post.

The winner will be announced on Sunday 6th July at 10pm.

In the meantime, get oinking!

Mane 'n' Tail - Shampoo & Conditioner

So, browsing through Google, searching desperately I may add, for products which are going to make my hair thick, gorgeous and a lot like Denise Richards (google!) 

My hair used to be thick and gorgeous but after years of hair splitting, dying, straightening and baby, my hair is more like Elton John than Denise. I noticed SO many reviews on Mane 'n' Tail shampoo and conditioner.... Why, that sounds like a horse product, I hear you cry. And that's because it is!! But as the official hair product of The Ellen Show, then I had to try it....

I was a bit nervous before trying it. Worried I may start developing hoofs and nay-ing everywhere but once I had washed my hair, I realised I was still me. The smell is like any other normal hair product smell, but not too overpowering. 

The consistency is quite thick though and so I only used a really small amount.

Once blow-dried, I instantly noticed a difference. Ok, not Denise Richards difference but definitely thicker... 

My one gripe is, my hair didn't feel silky smooth but quite course. I'm guessing that's the thickening part for you. I also after a few times of using, had a product build up issue. I'm not sure if this is related but just a factor you may want to be aware of. 

www.manentail.com

Dr Miriam Stoppard for GALT

Two leading figures in the world of parenting/child well-being, have teamed together to create a range of toys for babies in their first year.  Developed Dr Miriam Stoppard, the UK's most trusted parenting expert and GALT,  each toy is designed to encourage learning through play and includes a play guide written by Dr Miriam with tips on how to play with the toy in the most beneficial way while having fun!  The range includes 7 soft, 7 wooden and 7 plastic toys.

We were sent the gorgeous Song Bird to have a play with, but of course Molly is a bit too old to play with such toys now. We're on to the mega important stuff now like dressing up, pretend make up, and cooking in her kitchen!!

So I thought my gorgeous little 6 month old nephew would appreciate it a little more! 

Song Bird: 

A soft velour bird with textures and sounds to explore. Press the bird's tummy and it will make a chirping sound. With rattle, squeaky tail and ribbon feathers. Machine washable. Part of a range of baby toys developed with Dr Miriam Stoppard, the UK's most trusted parenting expert. Includes a play guide written by Dr Miriam with tips on how to play with this toy in the most beneficial way while having fun!

Here is how little Stanley got on:

Stanley loves the bright colours especially the colourful feathers/tabs on the wings!

He enjoys the sounds the bird makes, especially the chirping, but its quite hard for a baby of this age to get it to chirp by itself... Stanley found this incredibly frustrating :-(

Overall, it's been a hit! I wouldn't say it's a revolutionary toy but it does what it says and it amused Stanley for 10 minutes :-)

Tomorrow, Dr Miriam will be hosting a live WebTV show at 11am talking about using play to aid children’s development.  I’m sure it will be well worth a watch and you can do so here: Ihttp://www.studiotalk.tv/show/educational-toy-masterclass f you would like her to answer a specific question, head on over there now and leave one for her!

Step by Step With Dora

I remember when Molly was a wee munchkin and I was adamant to get a set routine in place. From sleeps to dinner to bath and reading - I'm talking at 3 months old here. I wanted everything to be perfect and I think I did good at getting a good solid routine down Bree Van De Kamp style (Desperate Housewives for all you strange beings who clearly missed out).
However, I didn't foresee what was about to come.

The terrible twos.

Well actually not just terrible twos but crazy work schedule.

In an ideal world, I wouldn't work. I would spend every day with my Molly. But as we all know times are tough, and I love lovely things for me and my family. This comes with hard work and I love hard work. I am also very passionate about what I do....what I am getting at is:

On scheduled hair wash days, Molly might hit the roof and I might have a blinding headache.
Or I'm running a little late, so my mum will do dinner and bath at hers and myself or James pick Molly up from work.

Don't get me wrong, I still believe routines are fundamental to a child's upbringing and education and 9/10 we get it right. However, I no longer freak out when ok she has a slightly later bedtime one night out of 7, just because she has a tantrum because she wants to still be playing at 7!

Molly will have her dinner at 5pm, then it's a little time to play while food is digesting, then it's bath, pjs on and then milk, teeth cleaned and stories in bed.......

To help parents, like myself, at getting routines established and to help children cope with change, Nick Jr have launched their Step by Step campaign, with the one and only Dora The Explorer. We were sent a great Nick Jr bag, a Dora wall height chart with stickers - which Molly just loves and some print outs to help with setting the routine.
If you would like some more ideas and tips on routines or even get your hands on the printouts, then head to http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/Dora/stepbystep.

Shameless Plug.....

Those of you who don't really know me, then wouldn't know that I run the COOLEST, MOST AWESOMENESS, and DOWN WIT DA KOOL KIDS street dance school called Dance Jam.

Please take a look at my website:

www.dance-jam.co.uk

If you live in HAMPSHIRE, UK.... Then get in touch!!!!