Connecting with Connetix

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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.

The Power of Sampling: Why Freebies Are a Win-Win for Consumers and Brands*

In an era where the market is inundated with endless choices, free samples or “freebies” have become a golden bridge between brands and consumers. This strategy, far from being a mere act of corporate generosity, serves as a powerful tool for marketing, consumer research, and loyalty building. Let’s dive into the multifaceted benefits of free samples and why they’re more than just a complimentary giveaway.

A Taste Before the Purchase

The most direct advantage of free samples is that they allow consumers to try before they buy. This is especially beneficial in industries like cosmetics, food, and beverages, where personal preference and quality are paramount. Sampling mitigates the risk of dissatisfaction post-purchase, thereby reducing the reluctance to try new products. It’s a risk-free method for consumers to explore new flavors, scents, or textures without the commitment of a full purchase, leading to a more informed and confident buying decision.

Enhancing Brand Exposure and Loyalty

From a brand’s perspective, free samples are an effective way to introduce products to potential customers. This hands-on experience can create a memorable interaction that’s likely to leave a lasting impression, significantly enhancing brand recall. Moreover, when consumers discover a product they love through a sample, they’re more likely to purchase it in the future and become loyal customers. This loyalty not only increases the lifetime value of a customer but can also transform them into brand advocates who share their positive experiences with family and friends, thereby amplifying the brand’s reach organically.

Feedback and Product Improvement

Free samples also serve as a valuable source of feedback for companies. By analyzing consumer responses to their samples, brands can gauge the market’s reaction to new products or variants before a full-scale launch. This feedback can highlight aspects that need improvement, whether it’s the taste, packaging, or marketing message, thus allowing brands to make necessary adjustments. Essentially, it transforms consumers into a focus group, providing insights that can significantly influence product development and marketing strategies.

Creating a Sense of Urgency and Engagement

Offering freebies can create a sense of urgency and increase consumer engagement. Limited-time offers or limited-quantity giveaways prompt consumers to act quickly, which can lead to increased traffic in stores or online platforms. This heightened engagement not only boosts immediate interaction but can also enhance the overall consumer experience with the brand, fostering a positive association and increasing the likelihood of future purchases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the strategy of offering free samples is a testament to the adage, “a little goes a long way.” For consumers, it’s an opportunity to explore, enjoy, and make more informed purchasing decisions without the risk. For brands, it’s a multi-faceted tool that enhances exposure, loyalty, and market understanding, ultimately contributing to a stronger and more successful product offering. In the dynamic landscape of consumer preferences and competition, freebies stand out as a practical and beneficial approach to forging lasting connections between brands and their consumers.

How To Recover From Being Scammed or Hacked*

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More than 800,000 people fall victim to cyber-attacks each year. These victims range from multi-national organisations to individuals who had their information stolen and had fraudulent activities committed in their name.

Finding out you have been scammed or hacked is gut-wrenching, and it can be challenging to know what to do to get your life back on track and recover from the damage caused.

If you find yourself the victim of a scam or hack and have had your life and personal information compromised, these tips can help you move forward.

Inform Everyone

These are places like your bank, your driving licence, work-related agencies, contacts, lenders and so on. Inform them that a third party has accessed your details and contact their fraud department. From here, you need to ask for any transactions or requests made on your behalf since the event occurred and ask them to stop reporting anything to credit bureaus to reduce the damage caused.

From here, you can get your accounts frozen or closed and start the process of making things right and securing everything once more.

Set Up Fraud alerts

You need to set up fraud alerts with the major credit referencing agencies to help you alert them of fraudulent activity going on and to ensure it does not impact your credit score, your ability to get credit in the future, as well as your reputation with existing creditors.

If you contact one of the major agencies, they are required to contact two other companies to pass the details on, so this can make things easier for you. You don’t have to do it three times over.

Talk To Local Law Enforcement

Scams and hacks can come in many forms, and if you feel your local law enforcement agency needs to be aware of their use, you can report it to them. For example, if you have had your wallet stolen in a popular area, report this to the police so they are aware of the criminal activity; the same goes for criminals using skimming machines on cash points, too.

Secure Your Online Activities

Following on from the above point, you can look at how you might have been hacked online or how your details were accessed due to your activities. Are you using unsecured websites to make purchases or clicking links you shouldn’t be? Or did you neglect to choose secure passwords, and your data was breached this way?

Identify your habits online and look at ways you can increase sentry. From setting up MFA, changing your passwords and finding out how to change ip on mac so your location and ip address aren’t visible to people can be great places to start.

Ignore Calls and Emails

If you are scammed via a phone call telling you that your bank account or Amazon account, for example, has been hacked, there is a big chance your details will be passed to different scammers for them to try their luck, too. The same goes for emails.

You need to ignore calls from numbers you don’t recognise or resemble the initial scam if you do answer. Simply hang up and do not engage at all (it’s important here to remember to delete any software they had you install if this is applicable, too). Don’t open or click links in suspicious emails; always trust your gut.

Crucial Financial Considerations And The Path To Your New Home*

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Finding a new home can be a very difficult process because there are so many different aspects you have to take into account. It can cause a lot of stress and it can consume you. Of course, finding the right place makes a huge impact on our lives, so it may lead to lots of overthinking. From how the home is going to look to every safety aspect, it’s hard to switch off once you begin. Staying in the same place for years isn’t great, and we all know when the home needs an upgrade. With that being said, there are lots of different financial implications that you have to take into account, too. 

Thinking about money can make things even more stressful because one wrong move and we could be in a terrible predicament. Money plays such a big part in our lives and we have to ensure we are sensible with it. The good thing is that there are plenty of things we can do in order to make this process a lot easier. There are people we can speak to and moves we can make in order to avoid disasters. Here are just a few pointers if you are curious: 

Setting The Right Budget

When it comes to determining the budget for your new home, you have to create a comprehensive assessment of your financial landscape. Think about your total income and factor in any foreseeable changes. You can obviously get a financial advisor to help you with this kind of thing if it’s deemed too difficult. You’re taking into account the existing debts and monthly expenses so that you know your current financial commitments. When you do this, you create an accurate and realistic budget going forward. 

Understand You Can Afford Completely 

Before buying a home, understanding your affordability is extremely vital. It goes beyond the initial down payment, of course. It would be a good idea to analyze your credit score as well as your savings and debt-to-income ratio. When you have insights such as this, you are able to confidently explore the right homes and it will facilitate a smoother process. 

Exploring The Right Mortgage Options 

You have your budget sorted out, you’ll want to look into the diverse world of mortgage options. This kind of thing can be extremely tedious if you’re not careful. You want to make sure that you compare fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages and look at the benefits of each. Interest rates and loan terms will impact your monthly payments and the overall cost of homeownership differently. Working with the right people can allow you to find the right mortgage for your goals and plans. 

Looking At Additional Costs Beyond The Purchase Price

As mentioned before, it’s not just about the initial price as there are lots of ongoing costs. Property taxis, homeowner insurance, and all kinds of maintenance expenses can come along, too. You will avoid financial surprises if you account for these properly and are well prepared. 

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Hey Doodle!

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Being mum to a two year old is exhausting. Eliza is currently in to everything and flits from one activity to the next in the blink of an eye, so when you come across something that keeps her sat in a chair for more than five minutes you know it’s something special.

We were recently gifted this erasable silicone story book from a brand called Hey Doodle, who I admit, I had never heard of before. From their website:

“HeyDoodle is a range of sustainable and educational wipe-clean silicone activity mats aimed at children aged 2 to 7. Featuring a new type of canvas, HeyDoodle offers parents, grandparents and kids a limitless and reusable drawing platform. Each mat contains hours of fun in colouring, tracing, and doodling and then hours more by simply using a damp cloth to reset the canvas. Perfect for all forms of travel, cafes & restaurants, hotel and waiting rooms, office receptions – anywhere you need to entertain kids in a fun and educational way”.

Eliza loves colouring (usually for 30 seconds at a time) so I knew this would be a hit with her, but I didn’t anticipate how much of a hit! She lasted a good twenty minutes at the table colouring the book and exploring the story; she would have gone longer if I hadn’t have been dinner time!

I was a little bit sceptical about how easy it would be to erase her efforts ready to start again, but all I needed was a damp cloth and it wiped away effortlessly. This was also true for the pen that found its way on to the table!

We used this again the next day when we went out for dinner, we knew we’d have a bit of a wait and we didn’t really want to resort to letting Eliza play with our phones. Again, Hey Doodle was the perfect solution, keeping her occupied, and as space was limited we kept it folded up so she could just do one page at a time.

With Christmas rapidly approaching, both Bob and I agree that Hey Doodle makes for the perfect gift- we are going to get Eliza one of their placemats for her santa sack, and as our friend’s little ones grow up they will also be getting sets from the brand!

The set we were gifted is this one, it costs £24.99 and is beautifully packaged and 100% something we will use over and over again for years to come.

Nice one Hey Doodle, I may finally get to drink a cup of tea in peace!

How To Achieve A Major Impact While Wearing Minimal Jewellery*

We’ve spoken before about the pros of buying less jewellery, both for the sake of your finances and for the environment. You should also find it easier to pick the ideal piece for every outfit when you don’t have an excessive collection to sift through. 

These are benefits that make it more than worthwhile to streamline your jewellery collection. But, if you love jewellery, then you may find this challenging. After all, it can be tough to give away pieces that provide you with great memories, and even harder to head out of the house with a minimal amount of jewellery when you’re used to layering up.

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But even avid jewellery lovers can adjust to a stripped-back jewellery closet. They just need to implement the following tips for making a major impact, even with their newly minimal jewellery. 

# 1 – Choose statement pieces

When you wear a lot of jewellery, you can more easily get away with flimsy, often cheap jewellery that you intend to layer up anyway. But, when you’re stripping back, it’s worth opting for iconic statement pieces. By investing in large gold chains and iconic pearl necklaces, or even taking the time to view the two carat diamond ring collection from brands like WhiteFlash, you can ensure key pieces that look great, and make plenty of impact in their own right. Admittedly, these pieces may be on the pricier side compared with what you’ve bought before but, considering how long they’ll last, and how much they’ll allow you to strip back, you should still find that they save you money, and help you to make better jewellery choices in the process. 

# 2 – Experiment with colours

Often, we’ll pick the colour of our jewellery to tie in with our outfits, and there’s a lot to be said for doing that. But, when you’re wearing less jewellery in general, there is a risk that similar colours will result in your jewellery getting lost, or just not making much impact. By comparison, experimenting with complementary or even clashing colours can result in jewellery that makes far more of a statement in its own right. Remember, too, that you don’t need to go over the top with this, but small things, like pairing yellow earrings with that purple dress, can help to draw the eye and ensure that your minimal jewellery pieces really pop.

# 3 – Tie your jewellery together

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Layering jewellery is a great way to make something of your accessories, and that’s an effect you can still achieve with a minimal jewellery selection by simply tying your pieces together. Choosing similar colours, or opting for something like all rose-gold stuff, can help to create a complete jewellery finish which, when taken together, needn’t look minimal at all. 

Stripping back on jewellery might not be the easiest thing you’ve ever had to do, but you can make this worthwhile transition easier by finding new ways to make a major impact with the help of these minimal jewellery tips.