Ecover Laundry Detergent for all the Family

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Fiona Martin

Ecover Non-Bio Concentrated Laundry Detergent has a gentle formula for sensitive skin but is also tough on stains so I was pleased to be able to try it out with the whole family’s washing. My 6yr old boy has always suffered with sensitive skin and finds everything itchy making it hard for us to find clothes he will wear without complaining. He won’t go near jeans and every label has to be cut out of pants, t-shirts etc. so it’s important that I also use a gentle detergent on his washing and to make life easier, ideally use the same product on the whole family so that I can just add mixed loads to the washing machine but get clean, fresh, stain free results.

My typical laundry routine consists of sorting the lights from the darks and washing those separately, two to three loads of each across the week for the whole family. On top of that I have towel and bedding washes so being a busy working mum I need to be organised and just be able to throw a bundle of clothes into the wash between school runs, work and other activities and be sure that it comes out clean and be fit for everyone to wear.

Therefore I look for a cleaning product with a gentle formula to protect my little boy’s delicate skin and prevent any itching. I also need something to remove stains – my daughter plays football so you can imagine the mud! I also want a product that leaves clothes and bedding smelling fresh and clean as for me that’s what I want my items to be like so I need a good all rounder that suits all the family which is where Ecover comes in.

For me, there’s nothing better than getting into a fresh, clean duvet at night time. The freshly washed covers always seem so much more welcoming and I was pleasantly surprised with the fresh scent from Ecover. A combination of Lavender & Sandalwood provides a really unisex freshness, not too floral but a very clean smell. As for the cleanliness of our clothes and bedding, I had no need to worry. Although Ecover non-bio comes across as gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, it really is packed with hard working cleaning agents that do their job well. Our clothes all came out super clean, fresh smelling and super soft. My little boy had no complaints with his skin at all and from past experience I’ve found non-bio detergents are always better for him, it’s just a case of finding ones that perform well with a pleasant fragrance that doesn’t overpower and that’s exactly what Ecover does!

I’d definitely use Ecover Non-Bio Concentrated Laundry Detergent again as it’s proved to me the formula works in all areas and is suitable for the whole family which for our busy lifestyle is exactly what we need!

This post is an entry for BritMums #EcoverLaundry Challenge, sponsored by Ecover.

Childrens Clothing from Boohoo Kids Collection

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Fiona Martin

The Boohoo online fashion chain have branched out into children’s clothes with the Boohoo Kids Collection at an affordable price for fast paced, seasonal fashion. With two children to keep clothed I was able to get them a full outfit each for under £50.

My children like to be comfy, none so much as Mister B who has incredibly sensitive skin and manages to find an itch with most items of clothing. With his fun, jokey nature he just loved this Halloween themed bat t-shirt. A simple grey base with a bat image and the logo ‘Boo!’, this is ideal for everyday wear and goes with everything he’s got. To accompany the t-shirt we opted for the Space Dye joggers and zip up bomber jacket. These were both ultra soft, they had a really comfy fleecy feel to the inside that was perfect against Mister B’s skin, although I did have to cut all the labels out in all 3 items! (nothing new for him though)

Miss M chose the Snakeprint contrast trim tracksuit which is covered in a grey snakeprint with pink trim around the hood and pockets. The top is basically a hoodie which she loves with matching trousers. She also had a simple grey t-shirt with the slogan ‘Love is in the Air’ across it. The children both loved their clothes, I think for the ease of wear, they are all ultra comfortable and soft and also suit their styles. For me, the clothes are everyday wear and easy to launder which is great. They are all slightly thinner than you’d expect for Autumn/Winter clothes but my kids get hot and prefer nothing too thick, so this suits them well. Overall the Boohoo Kids Collection is a fun fashion range that children are happy wearing. It’s great value for money and being cheap and cheerful means you can get the latest fashion for one season, then change the next. The Boohoo Kids range updates regularly so why not check out their latest selection?

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

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Autumn Fashion with Lyst

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Fiona Martin

For a great mix of the latest styles and designer fashion, Lyst really do have it all in one place. One website where you can browse all of your favourite pieces from a multitude of brands and create a shopping list. I’ve been taking a look and picking some of my favourite pieces for the season ahead.

With the end of Summer looming, I’m always on the look out for a new pair of boots and being particularly fond of grey, I like these Grey Nubuck Platform Boots by River Island.

I’d also be looking for a warm jacket for the colder months and this Diana Parka Jacket by Oasis would keep me really warm and cosy throughout the Winter months. With a furry collar and nice long length, you know you’ll stay dry and keep away the chills when venturing out and about.

For more formal occasions I like to wear a dress, be it a lunch date with the girls or a sit down meal at a function so I like to have a few to choose from to fit the event. The Multicolour Colorblock Pleated Lace Midi Dress by Topshop is pretty and with a bit of colour is nice for lunches or evening drinks.

A longer dress is great for evening wear and I love the pretty sparkles and beading on the Women’s Black Embellished Mesh Gown by Pisarro Nights which is really elegant and would look great at a Christmas function. The Women’s Black Lace Strap Gathered Chiffon Gown by Hayley Paige Occasions is simple but elegant with lace detailing for the straps going delicately across the shoulders. A good black dress is always great to have a will suit most evening events so a great staple to have.

Some great pieces found from Lyst to see you through the next few months and it was great to be able to browse for them under one website making all my shopping needs simple!

This is a collaborative post

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Some Gorgeous Kids Brands to Share with you

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Fiona Martin

When it comes to looking for high quality, great looking products for children and babies, there are some great brands out there that really care and use the best materials to produce their goods. I have been lucky to try some for myself over the last week and I have to say they are all fantastic and I’ve discovered some great brands that I hadn’t tried before but wouldn’t hesitate to go back to.

First up we have Frugi, which although I had heard of, had not actually seen any of their clothes first hand. I have to say, the quality of them is second to none, all being 100% organic cotton and quite literally the softest, thickest cotton in children’s clothes I have seen in a while. You can also tell from the cut and finish that these are well made and I couldn’t wait to fit my children into some of the new pieces from their Summer collection.

Mister B had a stripey t-shirt to try out and thought the applique design of a seagull listening to his headphones with his backwards cap on rather amusing. Miss M had a playsuit, which is right up her street for her style.

Both children simply loved their outfits, they are so comfortable and I must say a really good size for their ages. Normally we need to go a size up, but these are a generous cut and being so soft, are so easy to wear against their skin. I have been very impressed with Frugi and will definitely be checking out future seasons with them.

Belle & Boo is simply the most gorgeously branded homeware goods for kids that I have seen in a while, with a unique, old fashioned storybook style that reminds me of my childhood. The collection centres on a girl called Belle and her bunny friend boo as well as many other characters suitable for both boys and girls. We received some products featuring Belle and I just adore them. They have a retro feel and are made to a really high quality, making them ideal for beautiful gifts. From their stationery ranges we had a writing pad, shopping list and set of notebooks. They are all lovely to write on with a cute design in each corner. The set of notebooks features a different picture on each cover.

This framed print is so cute and will look lovely on Miss M’s new bedroom wall. It’s a classic piece of wall art that looks timeless and suits a young girl’s room perfectly. Belle & Boo covers a large range of items such as cute kitchen items for girls, bedding, party pieces and also some rather lovely pirate themed items too – well worth checking out for that special gift!

The Piupia polo top for babies/toddlers is made from organic cotton so is super soft, just what you want to put on to little ones skin. The top is well made, a really good cut and features buttons down from the top to help get on and off easily. The pattern is modern on a neutral background so will fairly much go with anything and being unisex is great too.

Cheeky Chompers features a rather fine array of teething accessories, in fact some rather clever ideas such as the Neckerchew. All the fabrics look gorgeous and comfortable to wear at the same time. We received the Chewy the Hippo teether who I have so say is rather charming. He’s a really good size for grabbing onto and has a soft latex body for chewing away at. He also squeaks if you give him a squeeze. He also has a rather lovely velcro strap to attach him to wherever needs be, car seat, pushchair etc.

Kokoso baby is a multipurpose moisturiser made from 100% natural and organic coconut oil. It really is a high quality product to help soothe and protect baby skin. The product itself is quite a solid product but once warmed between your fingers it softens and melts ready to be absorbed straight into the skin to work it’s magic. Perfect for sore bottoms, baby massage, dry skin and much more this is definitely worth a try.

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

Barbie inspired fashion in collaboration with Mango

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Fiona Martin

Barbie has teamed up and collaborated with the Mango fashion chain to create some pop art inspired tops. It’s a great way for young girls to get into fashion but still have their favourite characters on their clothes.

In the range are a long sleeved white t-shirt and a grey cotton sweatshirt with a sequined Barbie logo across. The range starts at £12.99 for the top and £19.99 for the sweatshirt which are fair prices for a fashion led chain and being branded with Barbie.

Miss M opted for the Barbie t-shirt to try out which comes in white, with long sleeves and a pop art image on the front. The top is soft cotton and comfy, great for the winter months for everyday wear. She wouldn’t be smiling if she didn’t like it as she can be quite fussy with clothes!

I think the Barbie collaboration with Mango is great and young girls will enjoy the clothes. They are fun and comfortable to wear and young girls will love wearing them.

The Barbie collection is now available from Mango kids shops all across Europe, so why not check it out now!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the top in order to write an honest review.

Back to school with F&F school uniform

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Fiona Martin

Anyone with children will know that the summer holidays means purchasing school uniform ready for the start of the new school year in September. With two children in primary school this September, a girl and a boy means I require two sets of uniform, therefore I want it to be good value to buy and also items that will last. I also like something a bit different especially for girls rather than completely plain, and I have to say I’ve been very impressed with what F&F have to offer this year.

As you can see above both my children were very excited to try their uniform on and big sister Miss M was so proud of her little brother and thought he looked very smart! F&F really do cover everything you need to get back to school from the basic uniform, to P.E. kit, shoes, bags and accessories. We received a selection from both the girls and boys ranges to see what we thought.

First off is Mister B who is due to start school in September, he was very excited and I think he looks super smart in his new uniform. The red jumper is v neck and 100% cotton and looks great over the shirt. I’ve given it a quick wash which has performed well and I’m sure this will last well when worn at school. The grey trousers are what I expected but with the added bonus of a reinforced knee – this sounds like a godsend knowing we went through 4 pairs of general trousers through the knees over the last few months at home!

The white shirts he tried are of excellent quality (excuse the pale blue tint – I must purchase some white vests for him before September!), they feel well made with strong seams and what really impressed me was the collar button. The button is sewn onto the outside to make it look real, but actually inside there is velcro to do the top of the shirt up, making it super easy for little fingers to do.

The school shoes are coated leather with a chunky sole to withstand wear and I think they look really smart. They are also very easy to get on and off, with just one large velcro strap that Mister B really got to grips with. The plimsolls are of a high quality to ones I’ve brought for my daughter previously and having a velcro tab across makes them easy to put on and you can adjust accordingly for a tight fit. Mister B loved these and asked if he could wear them everyday!! Unfortunately not, they are just for P.E.!! I chose some patterned grey socks which were a bit nicer than the plain school selection and I have to say these don’t disappoint. They are all really soft, making them very comfortable on the foot and something Mister B loved wearing.

Miss M was thrilled with her new blouse, it has pretty flower buttons and and lovely embroidery on the pocket making it stand out a bit from other plainer blouses out there. I like the curved collar and shaped sleeves. There’s also flower buttons on the cardigan and a bow design on the pockets. Miss M loves the pockets and finds them useful for things like a tissue, we often find a lot of cardigans don’t have pockets, so this one is perfect.

I also like how the cardigan pocket bow detail matches the pocket on the white P.E. tops. The P.E. tops also had a nice scallop around the sleeves and a slit up the sides making them look really stylish rather than your bog standard polo shirt. The black girls P.E. shorts also proved really comfortable as Miss M has worn them to her gymnastics crash course this week and can’t wait to take them to school for P.E., one of her favourite lessons!

Everyone needs a school bag and Miss M likes a backpack that she can put everything in, such as her cardigan, waterproof mac, lunch, pencil case and homework. This Hello Kitty bag has been a big hit with her and she has used it everyday already on our day’s out or visiting friends etc. The bag has lovely padded sides and is a nice quality. There is a pocket on the front and two handy carry handles on the top to use if it’s not on your back. The only thing I’d like to have seen to improve it would be a drinks bottle pocket on one side as this would have been very useful.

Overall I am very pleased with both the quality and style of the school uniform range from F&F, and it is definitely a brand I’d go back to again. The children are happy and feel comfortable in their pieces and I can’t wait for them to start wearing it all daily in September. Have you got all your kids school uniform for September yet? Be sure to check out F&F, some great value pieces!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the uniform in order to write the review.

Vanish Stain Removal Review & Giveaway

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Fiona Martin

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Vanish is my number one go to for stain removal. Since having children, the vast array of stains they produce is unbelievable but with a little helping hand, I can usually vanish most of them away! We received some of the latest Vanish products to try out and you can win a set too, just see below.

It didn’t take long to find a stain to test them out on, 4yr old Mister B came home from nursery last week and was delighted in telling me about the new “mud kitchen” they have at nursery to play with. A “real” sink, saucepans, pots, wooden spoons and a unused flowerbed for them to dig in to their hearts delight!

Not only was his top covered in mud, but underneath his white vest looked dreadful. Wet mud is never a good idea (not that I want to spoil his fun) but trying to get rid of the stains is a nightmare so before washing I applied some Vanish Gold Powergel quite liberally over the marks and left if for 5 minutes before putting in the wash.

And this was the result:

I’m quite pleased with it and it was simple and easy to do. A few squirts of the gel and it really helps with the stain removal. I’m sure if I hadn’t used it I would have ended up with a vest still covered in mud stains.

Vanish have products to attack stains in all areas from clothes to carpets so it’s well worth giving them a try to get rid of those nasty spills and marks.

If you’d like to win a set of Vanish products then just fill in the Gleam widget below:

Vanish

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the products in order to write the review.

House of Fraser Children’s Clothes – Review

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Fiona Martin

House of Fraser sell a wide range of branded children’s clothes online, more than I realised as my local store is quite limited in children’s clothes. Looking online really opened my eyes to the various ranges available and the choice which was generous for both boys and girls.

Having both a boy and a girl, I picked several pieces to try out with each of them.

Miss M went for this MANGO hoodie and jogging trousers. Sold separately but we opted to get both, they actually proved a major hit with her wearing them all weekend and then made the perfect comfort outfit on the ferry to France with her grandparents this half term. She found them ultra comfy, soft and easy to wear.

My opinion was that they were soft, well made and lightweight, perfect as a summerwear tracksuit. The colour was almost nude, a peachy pink colour that complimented Miss M’s skintone and matches other pieces easily.

It had L.A. West Coast, Surfing Club, Venice West Beach logo on it both on the hoodie and the trousers. They were ultra comfy as Miss has worn them non stop. They are a size 9-10 but we always find we need to go up a size or two for Miss M even though we don’t consider her to be large for her size but she is tall and fits a bigger size.

I love the label inside the hoodie, to add your name and details to avoid losing it at school or a at a club etc. Overall we love this tracksuit and with it’s soft, easy to wear texture makes it an everyday staple.

For Mister B, we chose these Minene pyjamas. They come beautifully packaged in a small chiffon style bag. I love both the colour and design on these pyjamas, a soft grey with star design on the trousers and airplane on the top. They are lovely and soft, perfect for a comfy nights sleep. I really rate the Minene pyjamas for the quality and designs and would definitely purchase them again. Unfortunately Mister B went a bit camera shy when modelling these for me so I couldn’t get any pics of him in them but they are lovely to wear and having the cuffed bottoms means they don’t hang on the floor and give a better fit.

I think the brands available at House of Fraser are great and always deliver on style and quality, therefore I’d recommend anyone to check them out. There is a huge offering online and often bargains to be had a sale time!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the products in order to write the review.

Children’s Clothes from House of Fraser – Review

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Fiona Martin

House of Fraser is one of those department stores on the high street that I often pop into to look at clothes for me or the husband but rarely for the children, so I was intrigued to see what was on offer and whether it would be worth checking out the children’s section more often.

I was asked to pick some items from the online range and with most things in the sale I managed to pick up some great named pieces that my children love!

For 4yr old Mister B I spotted a blue T-shirt by Animal and knew he’d just love it, and I was right, he couldn’t wait to try it on and strike some poses for the camera! Animal is a make I’m familiar with as the husband has a few of their clothes so I knew the quality would be good. Mister B loves the design and I know it’s a t-shirt he’ll wear and love that won’t go out of shape.

Miss M loves wearing shorts, whether it’s winter ones with tights, or summer ones. These light coloured denim ones with pretty lace detail by Name It are perfect for the summer months. With an adjustable waist and easy to do up button front, Miss M found these very comfortable and I can see these becoming a staple item in her summer wardrobe this year. I love the detail, they look cute and are not too short!

We also tried some pyjamas for Miss M from Minene, which came folded in a cute organza bag. They are made from the softest, silkiest 100% cotton making them totally comfortable for night time.

With a pretty flower pattern and simple design, these pyjamas are perfect for snuggling up in. Miss M loved them and wants to wear them every night, the sure sign of comfy nightwear. They are well made and nicely cut, so I’d definitely look to buy more of this style again.

Both my children are 100% happy with their clothes from House of Fraser and would love to try more out from there. Which means I can safely say that I can recommend them as I love to have happy kids but I’m also happy with the quality of the clothes.

Why not give House of Fraser kidswear a look at today?

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the clothes in order to write the review.

Yellow Mellon Children’s Clothes – Review

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Fiona Martin

Yellow Mellon are a fashion forward online children’s clothing retailer and kindly offered to send my two children a complete outfit to try out. I know my daughter Miss M can be rather fussy, so provided details of their likes and dislikes, not knowing which items of clothing would be sent.

This is what we received from Yellow Mellon, presented beautifully in tissue wrapping, like a present waiting to be undone.

Miss M received a Minx denim jumpsuit, made from a lightweight, soft feel fabric. It has an elasticated waist and buttons down from the top to put on. She also received a simple, basic style vest top in bright pink to go underneath. At £12.49 for the jumpsuit and £1.99 for the vest top, I thought this was excellent value for the whole outfit.

When I first showed her the outfit, her eyes lit up, and she said ” I love it, can I try it on now?”. She likes to be comfortable in what she wears and tends to prefer trousers over skirts and dresses, so this outfit was right up her street!

We asked for a size 7-8, although she is only 6, as she is fairly tall and we tend to find a size up is always a better fit. The pink vest top is a very slim fit and Miss M actually struggled a little getting it on over her head and it didn’t leave much room around her body when on. Although it did have a soft feel and was comfortable, I would go a size up again if I was to buy one. The jumpsuit was the perfect length, and good fit around her. Miss M loved this outfit and found it really comfortable as all the fabric was soft and easy to wear. It is perfect for everyday wear during the summer and I can see this being worn many more times this year.

Mister B received a smart looking, collared polo shirt by Freaky, with two buttons to undo at the top. It features stripes in turquoise, grey, white and navy, which Mister B loved. This seems to be of a good quality and well made. It is a good thickness and suitable for year round wear. It also has a smarter look, being collared so suits many occasions. This was a very good fit and looked perfect on him. He also tried some Jeans from the Freaky range. These were also of a good quality and look really stylish. They were a good fit with an adjustable waist, they were a tiny bit long so we turned them up, but they still looked as good and give him something to grow into.

He also loved his outfit and seemed perfectly comfortable in this all day. I thought he looked smart and my first view of the outfit was that it was from a good brand and didn’t look cheap.

I think all the outfits we received were of a better quality than I expected, the clothes certainly all seem to be good value and the designs are all modern and fresh. Both my children were absolutely thrilled with their outfits which is also important to me and when they have something that is comfortable and they are happy to wear, then, then it makes for a happy family!

Yellow Mellon are a clothing company I hadn’t really heard of before and not sure I would have ordered from before trying these clothes. But seeing the great value isn’t a compromise on quality, then I would be more than happy to purchase from them in the future.

The company have been trading online since 2011, although have over 40 years experience in manufacturing and supplying children’s clothes. They cover a whole range of designs for 0-13 years, from wardrobe staples to partywear and as well as their own brands, Minx for girls, Freaky for boys, and they also sell a range of character products such as Disney (Frozen, princesses etc), Ben 10, Spiderman, Thomas and Hello Kitty.

Yellow Mellon are very trend led with some of their logo t-shirts for the older ages, which I’m not so keen on, but there are plenty of other plainer items that still feel fashionable, tutu skirts, party dresses, pretty woollen bolero cardigans and lots of accessories such as hairbands and bags. I also spotted some Disney Frozen pyjamas which I imagine would be a big hit with a lot of young girls right now!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and the clothes were sent to us in order to write the review.