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[Post contains PR sample]

Despite our best intentions, Eliza has amassed a lot of toys in her (almost) two years on this earth. This means it really takes something quite special to hold her attention for any length of time as she is constantly flitting to the next thing, and the next. We were very kindly sent this 120 piece pastel creative pack by Connetix and both Bob and myself are amazed at just how many hours have been spent playing with this already- more than any other toy Eliza has ever owned!

Connetix tiles are great for so many reasons:

Engaging in creative play with Connetix Tiles promotes several benefits:

  • Encourages Creativity and Imagination: Children are encouraged to unleash their creative potential and let their imaginations soar as they design and build.
  • Develops Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Through hands-on construction, children enhance their dexterity and physical coordination.
  • Supports STEAM Learning: Construction play actively supports learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, fostering a well-rounded skill set.
  • Promotes Problem Solving and Perseverance: As children encounter challenges during construction, they develop problem-solving abilities and learn the value of persistence.
  • Open-Minded and Versatile: Connetix offers endless possibilities, allowing children to experiment, innovate, and explore various designs.
  • Spatial Awareness: Magnetic play helps children develop a better understanding of spatial relationships and geometry as they create and manipulate objects.
  • Magnetic Learning: Magnetic properties provide an introduction to the principles of magnetism and physics, making it an ideal tool for STEAM education.

We’ve spent many a happy hour constructing towers and buildings as a family. Eliza now has a well established career in demolition too! The tiles are also amazing for solo play, which means mummy can supervise from the sofa and drink a hot cup of tea!

Whilst the Connetix products are on the pricier side (this kit retails at £115) both Bob and I have agreed they are 100% worth it as the possibilities are endless and already we’ve seen huge improvements in Eliza’s colour and shape recognition, ability to build towers and problem solve with them as well as utilise her constructions with other toys for imaginative play. There are small packs available, as well as add-ons and we’ve got our eye on a couple for Eliza’s christmas list- the ball run expansion pack being top of that list (well, our grown up lists actually!)

Whilst this was a PR sample, and a product we probably would have been put off of purchasing due to the price, this review is 100% honest and we genuinely are blown away by Connetix and what it has bought to family play time. I cannot speak highly enough of the brand and I can promise you purchases will be made, soon.

Posted in baby, review, toddler, toys

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From Curb Appeal to Cozy Interiors: Comprehensive Home Upgrades*

23rd July 2024

Elevating your house can boost its aesthetics, usefulness, and value. Whether you plan to sell your house or merely want to spend time in a house that is more luxurious and cool, then full house renovations may transform the complete feel. From bettering the exterior to establishing a nice home interior, these are key places of attention to concentrate on for a unique home project. Regardless of where you have been residing, some things remain universal.

1. Build up your curb appeal;

Primary impressions can uplift the entire appearance and ambiance of a property. Up-Front Project Recap – This is where you highlight the best that is yet to come. The outdoor residences of this neighborhood are our first opportunity for a look at what looks good from the street. 

A fresh coat of paint will make your house appear to be a brand-new home. It is a popular trend to have your front door painted in a different or bolder color or perhaps have a custom design put in. The purpose of this is to instill an atmosphere about it. The underlying premise is that strategic use of landscaping elements, such as a well-manicured lawn, colorful flower beds, and trees in appropriate places, can create an inviting environment. 

2. Remodel your interior;

When it comes to remodeling your home these things must be done in phases. Revitalizing your curb should be your first objective, uppermost in your thoughts, although. Do not remove the shrubs out of gardens or other things that will diminish curb results. Be patient, as this will take some time, but you will see a big improvement in your home exterior.

3. Living area affectionately redone;

Subsequently, the living spaces and rooms that you live in should be refined and defined with your furniture. Attach a few photos of artwork, a modern area rug, a new rocker chair, elegant dining chairs, and snuggly rugs for extra warmth. Lighting, cushions, and throws are simply a couple of the items that can leave your space fresh right now.

4. Update your kitchen;

The kitchen is a location with its own heart, and modifying this space can yield a large effect. Upgrade to energy-efficient devices that save on power and money, from ovens and refrigerators to restaurant bar sinks. Other high-quality kitchen upgrades may involve: Installing granite or quartz countertops and replacing the cupboards; In The Picture: If you are building, don’t miss the pendant lighting or under-cabinet lighting that makes a kitchen!

Via Pexels

5. Upgrade the bathrooms;

The essential adjustments that improve the value and absolute enjoyment of the house are often located inside the bathrooms. Updating fixtures to reduce water use is a simple way to freshen up your bathroom. High-quality kitchen pantry distributed among complete kitchens was equal in price.

6. Boost your enchanting outdoor living area; 

Sometimes all a person needs is a smaller recreation space to enjoy or entertain another person in. A deck is an excellent addition to any home that would be great to build. 

This is a great place for outdoor dining or general conversation. A pergola or canopy will provide shade for the warm months. An outdoor cooking space, a fire pit, or possibly even a garden could beautify your outdoor settings. 

In conclusion, applying comprehensive modifications from top to bottom just might transform your house into a place that is more attractive, practical, and fun. Improve your curb appeal, renovate living spaces, install a modern kitchen, and lux upgrades to bathrooms, and embark on the area around your house. 

Posted in interiors

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Brand Boosting Essentials You Need to Try Today!*

08th July 2024

Brand Boosting Essentials You Need to Try Today!

When you are running a business, it is important to think about what is going to bring you success and repeat business. One of the best things you need to keep in mind here is the way you are able to boost your brand, as this is going to have a key impact on the future of the business. There are many ways of being able to boost your brand, and this is something that comes with a wealth of great benefits. 

Make sure you focus on some of the leading ideas that will help with brand boosting, and try to make sure you implement those as much as you can. You should always be trying ways of helping you ensure your brand is taken care of and looked after, and that you are able to enhance successm, and these ideas could help you with that:

Source

Revamp Your Branding

The branding part of your business is one of the most important factors, and this is something that you need to try to look at. Revamping your branding, and making sure things are moder, fresh, and aesthetically pleasing is really important. This is why you need to try to think about the different elements that will help with this, such as choosing custom sticker and label services in order to add a little extra to your branding services. You also have to make sure you think about the logo you are using, and whether you can mix up things like color scheme as well to make sure your brand stands out. 

Get Your Finances in Check

As a modern business, one of the key things that you need to keep on top of and make sure you get right is staying on top of your finances. This is key for boosting your brand as it will give you more money to put towards the branding and image of the business, as well as helping cut costs in the right areas too. Finance tips for small business owners on a budget are applicable across the board, and this situation is no different, so you need to try to make sure you come up with some of the best ways of being able to budget better, and funnel that money into improving your brand. 

Consider Outsourcing

One of the most popular and common ideas for modern companies looking to take charge of their branding is to outsource it. This is great because you can ensure you have a professional taking charge of your branding processes, but yoiu also free up your own time to spend on other things, and this is important. There are so many different factors that play a role in helping you with outsourcing, and finding the right freelancer to help you can be a game-changer for your brand.

As you can see, there are a lot of ways you can boost your business branding, and get your company to a better place moving forward. Trying to make this work for you is one of the key things that can help your business improve, so this is something that you need to improve upon. 

Posted in work

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Tips to Plan a Small Intimate Wedding on a Budget*

08th July 2024

Planning a small wedding on a budget is so much fun, you can focus on the personal touches that will make your day truly special. Weddings are expensive, but there are many ways to have a beautiful and meaningful celebration without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to help you plan a budget friendly intimate wedding.

Photo by Emma Bauso:

1. Set a Real Budget

The first step in planning a wedding on a budget is to figure out how much you can actually afford to spend. Break down your budget into categories like venue, catering, attire, decorations and entertainment. Having a clear budget helps you prioritize and not overspend. Make sure to include a small buffer for unexpected costs.

2. Choose an Affordable Venue

The venue is often the biggest expense for a wedding, but there are many ways to reduce this cost. Consider having your wedding at a non-traditional venue like a public park, a friend’s backyard or even your own home. These options can be lovely and budget friendly. If you want an indoor space, look for community centers, small event spaces or local restaurants that offer reasonable hire rates. Remember to consider the time of year and day of the week, off-peak times are often cheaper.

3. Keep the Guest List Small

A smaller guest list is the easiest way to save money. Limit your wedding to close family and friends, those who are most important to you. A more intimate gathering reduces the cost of catering and venue size and allows for a more personal and meaningful celebration. You’ll have quality time with each guest and create memories to last a lifetime.

4. DIY Decor

Making your own decorations can save you a lot of money and add a personal touch to your wedding. Consider making simple, beautiful centre pieces with candles, flowers or greenery. You can also make your own table settings, signage and other decorative elements. There are heaps of DIY tutorials online to help you create beautiful decor on a budget. Get your friends and family to help you out and make the process more fun and efficient.

5. Keep Catering Simple

Catering can be one of the biggest wedding expenses, but there are ways to have great food without the hefty price tag. Go for a buffet or family style meal instead of a formal plated dinner, this will reduce the cost of food and service. Consider serving appetizers, a barbecue or even a potluck where guests bring a dish. For dessert a small wedding cake with a selection of homemade treats is both delicious and budget friendly.

6. Affordable Attire

Wedding attire is another area where costs can rack up, but you can look amazing without breaking the bank. Consider buying a pre-owned or sample wedding dress, these can be much cheaper than a brand new gown. Look for sales, discounts and even rental options for the bride and groom’s outfits. For bridesmaids and groomsmen choose attire they can wear again and let them pick their own outfits within a color palette.

7. DIY Wedding Invitations

Instead of spending money on expensive professionally printed wedding invitations consider making your own. There are heaps of online tools and templates to help you design beautiful, personalised invitations at a fraction of the cost. You can print them at home or use a local print shop for a professional finish. For an even more budget friendly option consider sending digital invitations via email.

Conclusion

Having a small, intimate wedding on a budget requires creativity and planning but you can have a beautiful and meaningful celebration without breaking the bank. By setting a realistic budget, choosing an affordable venue, keeping the guest list small and incorporating DIY elements you can have a wedding that reflects your love story and leaves you with memories to treasure. Focus on the personal touches that matter most to you and your wedding will be budget friendly and unforgettable.

Posted in wedding

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Why Is Customer Satisfaction Important?*

17th June 2024

As a business owner, there are so many different things – big and small – to be aware of, and trying to keep them all in mind can feel impossible, and yet it’s crucial too (assuming you want to do well and get ahead of the competition, of course, which is highly likely!). 

One way to do it is to make a list of all the things you need to think about and take them one by one, making sure you’re doing all you can in that area. Once you’ve reached the end of the list, go back to the beginning to ensure you’ve got everything done and to account for any changes that might have happened in the meantime – and there will more than likely have been some changes. 

One thing that absolutely has to be on that list is customer satisfaction, so let’s take a look at why it’s so important to help you check it out and make sure you’re doing all you can. 

Photo by Tim Douglas

Improves Brand Reputation

When you’re running a business, a good brand reputation is a massively important asset, and to get that in place, you’ll need some great customer satisfaction levels – that’s essentially what drives the whole thing. 

Remember, when customers are happy with a product or service, they’re much more likely to share their ideas and opinions with their friends and family, or perhaps write a review so that strangers can get a better idea of your business and how good it might be. This word-of-mouth promotion is such a powerful thing to have in place, and as a business owner, it’s definitely something you’ll be looking for as it’s free but it can spread a really long way for a long time. As you can see, good customer satisfaction can improve your brand reputation and bring in additional sales, so it’s something you’ll need to have as a priority one hundred percent of the time. 

Increases Loyalty

Something that goes hand in hand with the above point is that customer satisfaction is sure to increase customer loyalty. When customers feel valued and they’re happy with how a business communicates and interacts with them, and with the products and services on offer, they’re much more likely to return, and this repeat business is something you can rely on to keep your business going and growing. 

Loyal customers aren’t just more likely to return to make more purchases, but they’ll also be (generally) less bothered about price changes, for example, plus, if you were to start a new branch of the business and learn how to start a webcam business, you’ll automatically have a built in customer base for it (assuming it’s linked to your current business in some way). 

A Competitive Advantage 

In a competitive market, which, no matter what you do, you will be in, customer satisfaction can be something that helps you to stand out, be different, and be noticed, and that’s always a good thing. 

If you can truly excel when it comes to customer satisfaction, you’re going to be remembered in a positive way, and if someone wants to buy whatever it is you sell, they’ll choose you first because of the way you treated them before – your competition won’t get a chance to steal them from you. 

Posted in information alert, work

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Real Mums, Real Triumphs: b.box’s Inspirational Journey to Worldwide Acclaim

01st May 2024

[Press release]

b.box, the brainchild of two Aussie mums on a mission, has become an iconic global brand known for its innovative and practical baby accessories. Dannielle Michaels and Monique Filer, the dynamic duo behind b.box, founded the company after a challenging experience changing a wriggly baby on a flight to New Zealand. Their journey from a cardboard mock-up to a global brand is a testament to their commitment to making parenting easier.

From Little Things, Big Things Grow

b.box started as a solution to a common parenting challenge – changing a baby on an airplane. Co-founders Dan and Mon embarked on a mission to create a product that would make life easier for moms everywhere. Armed with a cardboard mock-up and determination, they engaged with an industrial designer and used their extensive networks to bring their unique baby box to life. Today, b.box stands as an Aussie icon, with over 15 million innovative sippy cups sold globally and a loyal cult following for their every move.

Empowering Parents, Inspiring Kids

The founders experienced everyday parenting challenges firsthand, inspiring them to design products that make the juggle easier. From travel bibs to sippy cups, b.box has expanded its product line to include a range of essentials for various parenting stages. The company’s success is evident with over 65 awards for product design, innovation, business excellence, and consumer choice.

Making Parenting Easier

At b.box, the mission is clear – to make parenting easier by designing unique products that empower kids and parents. The team encourages innovation, challenges the status quo, and focuses on solving pain points for parents. With meticulous attention to quality and a commitment to listening to customers, b.box delivers unique solutions to everyday challenges.

Award-Winning Excellence

While proud of their more than 65 awards, b.box’s founders find the true accolade in seeing parents and kids enjoying their products. The brand’s popularity has grown globally, with over 3,000 retailers in 60 countries.

What’s Next?

As b.box looks to the future, the goal remains to be the most sought-after baby and kids brand globally. The company continues to ask questions, staying committed to exceeding customer expectations and redefining the market.

Visit b.box on Amazon for more information.

Posted in brands I love, lifestyle, mum life

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