Need a new car? Make it real with these top tips

Whether you need a car, or a new car, buying one can sometimes be quite traumatic. There are a myriad of ways to do so, you just need to find the right one for you. Saving is always a bit easier when you have some kind of strategy to do so. Buying the car doesn’t need to be a bad experience either. Some people hate the whole thing, and that is understandable. But if you want the best deal and the best price possible you need to clue up before you start negotiations. These tips can help you on your way to car ownership. They aren’t all encompassing, but they can certainly help you on your way. If you’ve thought about the below tips already, then great, but they might jog your memory and help you think of other things that can help.

Chicco Next2Me Magic Crib review

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Sweet dreams with the Chicco Next2Me Magic Crib

During my most recent pregnancy in the midst of my nesting phase I prepared for the arrival of our third baby by creating a safe sleeping space for him. 

As we love co-sleeping but want to do so as safe as possible plus we wanted baby to be in close proximity for relaxed breastfeeding during the night we loved the idea of using a bedside cot. 

The Chicco Next2Me Magic side-sleeping crib suitable from 0 months+ was a dream solution for us to have baby close, safe, secure in his own space and within arms reach for breastfeeds and midnight baby duties.

As Chicco promote healthy and safe sleep for baby and parents and the Next2Me Magic crib is their most advanced side-sleeping crib which is designed to allow baby to sleep safely in close proximity to parents I had high hopes about the crib. Now that we have used it for a few weeks with our new baby I am delighted to say it has lived up to my expectations and wishes for a safe sleeping space for our baby.

3-in-1 crib

The award winning Next2Me Magic crib is a 3 in 1 solution for safer sleeping that can be used as a side-sleeping crib, stand-alone crib or as a travel crib thanks to the travel bag included.

Easy assembly

The crib requires self-assembly with detailed instructions on how to do so. The instructions not only detail how to assemble the crib but also highlight how to safely use it as a stand-alone or side-sleeping crib.

The crib was easy to put together thanks to its clever design. It was a simple matter of slotting pieces together until they securely clicked in place, securing the crib to the frame by closing poppers and zips then placing the mattress into the crib. I was impressed with the design of the crib and how easy it was to put up. Quick, easy and no faffing with screws!

Super stylish

The cool grey version (also available in white snow and sand) is a beautiful light grey design. The outside of the crib structure is grey with lighter grey piping and matching grey zips. The grey design of the crib matches the grey frame which safely holds the crib. 

The crib’s interior features a soft fabric that is adorned with a pinstripe detailing in subtle shades of grey and white. The gorgeous interior compliments the grey design of the outside of the crib.

I love the cool grey colour of the crib and I especially love the pinstripe fabric inside. It is a lovely design and colour scheme that gives the crib a luxurious, stylish look.

Easy to clean

As babies and sick often go hand in hand being able to easily clean their sleeping space is a must. With that in mind, I appreciate the fact that thanks to the zippers on the soft outer cover it can be removed easily for cleaning, making parenting that little less stressful.

Excellent air circulation

Providing comfort and safety the crib features two mesh side windows which ensures fantastic air ventilation for baby. The important mesh side windows are also brilliant for helping parents keep an eye on baby. 

I really appreciate the fact that the crib is designed with two mesh side windows so that air can flow through the cot for optimum air ventilation and love the fact that I can see my baby…...I’ve spent many a night gazing at him sleeping in his crib in awe of the little human we created.

I also love the fact that the mattress which comes included with the crib features a 3D mesh mattress cover which helps to generate extra air ventilation. Sheets do not come with the crib and mattress but are available to buy from Chicco.

The mattress feels comfortable and of high quality. It fits perfectly in the crib and our baby sleeps soundly on it. 

Sizeable sleeping space

The crib is quite large, being approximately 66cm deep, 92cm wide and 66cm in height. As it is roomy it will last our baby for along time from birth until he’s 9kg (max user weight). Thankfully for us we have enough room for it alongside our bed.

Easy to move

To make it easy to move around the house the crib features swivelling wheels. Even though it is a large crib I have found it a smooth experience moving it when needed.

For safety I love the easy to use secure brakes that ensure the crib stays safely in place when not on the move. To use the brakes each wheel has a small switch you have to push down on, minimal effort to secure the crib.

Rocking mode

When not secured to a bed and used in free standing mode the crib features a unique rocking mode. The manual rocking mode can be operated by unlocking the crib thanks to switches on either side of the crib.

The rocking mode means you can comfort your baby by manually rocking the crib to create gentle rocking motions to soothe, relax and encourage sleep. This an innovative and handy feature and I can appreciate how useful it is for helping make parenting that little bit easier.

Tilting feature

Providing optimum comfort for baby, the crib has been designed so that it can be tilted on one side up to four levels to help improve breathing, help baby’s digestion, manage reflux and ease congestion. I love this added feature which helps make parenting easier and facilitates improved sleeping. I also think it highlights the fact that Chicco have created a crib with baby’s safety and comfort at the forefront and showcase that it is very important to them.

Side-sleeping crib to fit any kind of bed

Thanks to flexible height adjustment that includes 11 different height levels and versatile legs with retractable feet the crib can be used as a side-sleeping crib with most types of adult beds, including divan beds.

It is easy to adjust the crib’s height with each side being adjusted separately and you can see what height level the crib is on by looking at the number showcased on the outside of the crib leg.

To safely secure the crib to the bed it comes with an easy to use safety harness kit.

Safe sleeping

We’ve mostly used the crib as a side-sleeping crib. Our baby loves being in the crib and sleeps safely and soundly in it. I have peace of mind that our baby is safely in his own space but is close by. It has made breastfeeding and soothing baby during the night a whole lot easier and has helped us settle into a great sleeping routine. Having my baby close by has also encourage baby-parent bonding.

One hand sliding side panel

One of my favourite features of this crib is the quick and easy to open one handed sliding side panel. You simply press a button to lower the side panel for easy access to baby.

This feature is a godsend when needing to breastfeed or soothe baby in the night. I love being able to reach my baby so easily from the comfort of my bed.

Sleeping like a baby

The crib has been a wonder for us and helped us all sleep soundly and enjoy sweet dreams - when baby sleeps happily I can sleep peacefully knowing he is safe and close. It has been amazing for supporting our breastfeeding journey and for being close to baby during the night when he needs soothing. 

We love the Chicco Next2Me Magic crib and as the name suggests it is a little bit of magic making parenting that little bit easier and helping us keep our baby safe, secure and comfortable when sleeping.

I’d highly recommend the crib especially for those wanting to use a side-sleeping crib with their baby. The Chicco Next2Me Magic crib (RRP £239) is available from a range of retailers including Argos and John Lewis.

* We were kindly gifted this Chicco Next2Me Magic side-sleeping crib for free in return for this review post *

The beauty of striped wallpaper

Stripes are a versatile and classic pattern. In fact stripes are a staple, reliable pattern that are extraordinarily versatile and attractive. As stripes are one of the most iconic patterns, they have weathered changing styles and trends over the decades and been used in different settings. Familiar stripes have been predominant in the fashion world, showcased in architecture, seen in modern advertising and incorporated into interior design.

Not only do stripes adapt beautifully to soft furnishings such as bedspreads, curtains, cushions and settees they are also a wonderful pattern to decorate walls with.

Striped wallpaper is a great wallpaper design to adorn walls. Decorating with striped wallpaper is an easy way to get a crisp and pleasant ‘decorator’ look, being ideal for home improvements. In fact striped wallpaper can help achieve a fresh, captivating room.  It is a popular design choice as stripes can either provide a subtle look or be attention grabbing. 

How to be kinder to yourself

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There’s a very important question to ask yourself from time to time, and your answer to it can be very illuminating. The question is, if someone else were to treat you in the way you treat yourself, would you be that person’s friend? If yes, then you likely have a somewhat healthy amount of self-esteem, or you feel accomplished during your daily tasks, or you’re grateful for where you are in life.

Jumanji: The Video Game review

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Welcome to the jungle with 

Jumanji: The Video Game!

Much to our delight we have been immersed in the jungle in an exciting adventure game that combines our love of gaming with the wildly successful film franchise Jumanji. 

Jumanji: The Video Game is a new 3D action adventure game that allows gamers to step into the shoes of Jumanji’s greatest heroes as they team up with friends to go on a perilous journey through the wild jungle to find the precious Jewels of Jumanji.

How to help children overcome a fear of the dentist

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Many children have a fear of the dentist’s chair, which might be due to a painful memory, or simply a fear of needles. Indeed, it is not uncommon to find adults that are also afraid of visiting the dentist. If your child dreads dental check-up appointment, here are a few tips to remove the anxiety and help the child to actually enjoy the experience.

Say NO to single use straws with reusable stainless steel straws from YesIWANTIt

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Single use plastic straws suck! 

To do our bit in the war against single use plastic and abide by the ban on plastic straws which will come into force in April 2020 we have switched to reusable drinking straws.

Gigantosaurus: The Game release date announcement

‘Gigantosaurus: The Game’ will immerse kids and families in the vibrant world of gigantosaurus for roarsome adventures like never before!

Today we’re announcing the upcoming Dinosaur adventure game ‘Gigantosaurus: The Game’ based on the hit Disney kids show ‘Gigantosaurus’ which will launch March 27th on Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC!

Renowned global video games publisher BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe, leading animation entertainment company Cyber Group Studios and worldwide publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment Outright Games, are thrilled to reveal the first video game based on the hugely-popular CGI-animated Gigantosaurus’ series. This new adventure will allow up to 4 players to to explore and race together across the vast, prehistoric world of Gigantosaurus in a one-of-a-kind dinosaur adventure that is part saving the world, part rally racing extravaganza.

Questions you need to answer before buying a car

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Sliding behind the steering wheel of a new car can be one of the most thrilling experiences any of us get to enjoy, with the feeling of a whole world opening up around us. This vehicle will accompany us on road trips, school runs, shopping excursions and so much more; unofficially, many of us get to the point where we feel like the car is an extension of our family.

Cocoon Babies car seat blanket - review

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Wrapping up warm and staying safe with the

Cocoon Babies Car Seat Blanket

With a winter baby it is important to consider how to keep them warm and cosy when out and about without impacting on their safety. 

A baby boy is born

2019 was a rollercoaster of a year. The most wonderful high of the year came at the end of the year with the arrival of our bundle of love, our third beautiful baby boy.

I just can't believe how quickly the weeks are flying by. Cherishing every moment.

Life as a family of five is bliss and our new addition is all we could have wished for and more. He is adorable and I am totally in love with my new little star.

Here are some top tips that will help you to prepare for the arrival of your new baby

If you are quickly approaching your due date, then you will know what an exciting time this can be. You may feel as though you can’t wait for what’s ahead and that you also have so much to plan. If you want to make things easier on yourself then you can find out everything you need to know, right here.

Birthing Plan

If you haven’t done this already, then it helps to prepare some notes so that you can fully explain to your midwife what kind of birth you would like to have. Tell them what pain relief you’d like and also tell them if you want to have a delayed cord clamp. Some people like to have skin to skin contact right after the birth too, so it’s worth taking this into consideration. Your birth plan does need to be flexible though, so if things change, it helps to be prepared for that.

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Nesting instinct

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During the last few weeks of my most recent pregnancy my nesting instinct kicked in and I felt an overwhelming desire to get our home and family ready for the arrival of baby number three.

The nesting instinct had me wanting to prepare for my newborn and have our home clean and tidy so that it was a welcoming and safe environment that would help us protect our baby in a loving way.

I found myself giving the house a deep clean, getting all baby essentials organised, packing hospital bags with military precision and having a spring clean with items no longer used going to the charity shop. After noticing a few marks on one of the bedroom walls I even decided to re-decorate the whole room as the grubby looking paint was screaming at me every time I walked past it.

Planning a sensational staycation: Tips for a holiday to remember

When people talk about holidays, we often envisage hopping on a plane and spending a week or two basking in the sun while lounging around a pool. While beach breaks are popular, you don’t have to flee the UK to enjoy a memorable holiday. Not only does this wonderful island boast fabulous beaches, but it also offers a whole host of activities and attractions. If you’re looking forward to enjoying a staycation this year, here are some top tips to help you plan a trip to remember. 

Making a pet as healthy and happy as they make us

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It's important that we all look after ourselves in the right way and it certainly appears that one of the oldest approaches of keeping a family unit together is a pet. After all, having a pet brings the family together and yields numerous health benefits but what can we do to ensure that our pet is as healthy and happy as they make us?