Bathtime

30% Off Everything @ The Body Shop

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 27 May, 2010 at 7:00 pm

30% Off Everything @ The Body Shop

Oh, oh, how utterly delicious and divine! A 30% off sale at The Body Shop makes me bounce with joy, especially when added to the 24 hour special of free delivery that’s currently running at the same time. Parents, it’s time to get ourselves a treat or two...

This promotion is valid from 26th May until 10am on Tuesday 01 June (can you believe it’s June already!) and will be shown automatically against the products on the site. Of course, the site is just packed with all sorts of delectable goodies so it’s going to be difficult deciding where to start.

If you’re busy pondering what to get the special men in your life for Father’s Day then why not take a look at some of the lotions and potions on offer for men. Your man may not be the grooming type but perhaps he would appreciate something for dry hands or feet, especially now they are in the sun all the time.

30% Off Everything @ The Body ShopFor mums, this is your chance to get delicious products for your careworn hands and toes too. And if you’re stuck for ideas then check out their Top Ten Most Reviewed Products for some fabulous ideas. One of the most reviewed products happens to be the Hemp Hand Protector that now costs a mere £3.50.

Thanks to renrahs at HUKD!

The Return Of Old Spice

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 25 May, 2010 at 6:00 pm

The Return Of Old SpiceIt sounds like the Attack of the Killer Tomatoes doesn’t it? The Return of Old Spice! Well, this Father’s Day Old Spice is hitting the road and making a comeback and I, for one, am delighted. I used to love this smell when I was a child and don’t see why our children shouldn’t get the same smell to be all nostalgic about when they get older.

Taking you back to the days when men were men and razors were scared, Old Spice is a scent that has been a part of our lives for years. The products in the new range are wonderfully cheap and cheerful so if you like this smell, it’s not going to cost you the earth.

The Return Of Old SpiceThe new Old Spice range includes After Shave Lotions for around £9.99, body sprays for around £2.69 and shower gel for £2.69. Hardly break the bank stuff, just what we like to see. So, are you going to go out there and get your family man some Old Spice? Let me know right here...

Kids Freebie: Free La Roche Posay Skincare Samples

by Tamsin Oxford in Freebies on 23 May, 2010 at 8:00 am

Kids Freebie: Free La Roche Posay Skincare Samples

This is a nice and easy freebie that your older kids will appreciate doing the hard work for I think. All you need to do is watch the video, answer some pretty obvious questions and then register for your sample. Don’t be put off by the line that says the competition is closed – you can still register for your free sample.

You honestly don’t need to watch the video at all. Just click Skip Intro and then answer the questions. Once you’re done, regardless of what answers you choose, the registration form will pop up and you can fill in your details.

The freebie is available for UK and Ireland customers and the form is short and sweet. If you want to get other freebies from the company just tick the relevant box. It won’t take you long to get registered and sorted so go ahead and nab your freebie.

Thanks to BAZZAUK at HUKD!

Baby Bath Dam Deal

by Lynley Oram in Deals on 22 May, 2010 at 8:00 am

Baby Bath Dam DealI’m pretty sure there weren’t any Bath Dams around when my son was a baby. At least I didn’t see them. And since I turned into an obsessive shopaholic in the last few months of pregnancy, I think I would have found it. The Dam is a plastic insert that fits into your bath and allows you to fill up only a portion of it with water. It normally sells for around £19.99 to £29.99. Which, frankly, is way over priced for a bit of plastic. You can get one at the moment though from Amazon, for a far more reasonable £11.99.

Even at that price, is it worth it? I paid just over a fiver for my baby bath. But I’d have loved one of these. One less thing to clutter up the place for starters. And dead handy for taking about with you when travelling, or even just spending the weekend at the grandparents.

Baby Bath Dam DealI also really like the idea of simply being able to pull the plastic dam out of the bath and empty the water. One less item to clean!

According to the manufacturer, the Baby Bath Dam was developed in the UK. It fits to all standard straight sided baths in seconds and seals in any chosen position - just flex, fit and fill.

Thanks to ppshopaholic at HUKD!

Review: Gifts From Wilkinsons

by Lynley Oram in Reviews on 6 May, 2010 at 1:43 pm

Review: Gifts From Wilkinsons

I’ve always been a bit sceptical about discount stores like Wilkinsons. Can you really bag a bargain there that’s good enough to put up in your own house or give as a gift? However, presenters on home decorating TV shows always seem to be able to find a gem of a bargain from discount stores for that beautiful finishing touch.

It was about time to put this to the Play Pennies parent test. Two of our readers received a range of items from Wilkinsons to review, all costing less than a tenner. Here’s what they thought.

Mystic Lantern

Review: Gifts From WilkinsonsIn a tasteful cream, the Mystic Lantern costs just a smidge under five pounds at £4.97. It has a height of 29cm, and depth of 9.5cm. One of our mum’s, Salima, received the lantern, and found it lovely to look at but lacking in practical use.

"I thought this was very pretty and at under £5 is a decent buy. But it's not the most practical product. Ideally it would hold a candle," explained Salima," But with all the gaps in the frame, it wouldn't stay alight outside for very long."

Salima also had some concerns about its safety if used as a lantern.

"There's nothing to hold the candle in place and could be very dangerous if you were to try to move it with a lit candle inside."

Enchant Floral Vase

Review: Gifts From WilkinsonsFollowing along in the cream theme, is the Enchant Floral Vase, £5.97. This ceramic vase has a slender stem, a bulbous base, and a flower decoration. It is 11cm at its widest point, and stands 24.5cm high. This vase is recommended for use with fake and/or dried flowers.

It proved to be the ‘marmite’ of the products looked at here – you will either love it or hate it.  Parm, the second of our reviewers, was particularly taken with the look of the vase, and thought it went well with the tea-light holder (see below).  Salima, however, was a little less taken with the vase.

"This style of vase really isn't my thing but if you or someone you know appreciates cream coloured and flowery then it's definitely a good buy."

Parm did have a concern about the fragility of the flower decoration. 

"I’m not sure if the flowers on the vase can really take any abuse – accidental or even someone touching it."

Vintage Photo Frame Silver Effect 6inx4in

Review: Gifts From WilkinsonsAt £6.47, the Vintage Photo Frame is the most expensive item our reviewers looked at from Wilkinsons. We received the silver version, but it also comes in cream for the same price. Parm felt that the presentation of the ‘plastic bag’ packaging did not do this frame justice.

"It looked very impressive on my wall and is without a doubt good value. The frame is something that I would buy as a gift for someone. However could do with cooler packaging," Parm said.

Saffron Ornate Clock

Review: Gifts From WilkinsonsThe Saffron Ornate Clock (£5.27) is cream and stands at 19cm tall. There’s also the very similar Saffron Mantle Clock in bronze if you’re after something a little different. The Ornate Clock left Salima a little underwhelmed.

However, it could be just the right sort of accessory if you’re going for that shabby chic look or are accessorising in a cream theme.

"OK, they're not asking a lot, but I'd rather spend my money on a simpler clock that is well-made," said Salima, "It's described as ‘ornate’ but in order to make that work it needs more attention to detail. At first glance the brown marks on the white paint make it look dirty as do the dark ‘aged look’ spots around the numbers. The little legs are out of place and look awkward. The loop on the top is in the wrong place for attaching the clock to the wall so i'm not sure why that's there. Overall this isn't worth the money."

Enchant Floral Tealight Holder

Review: Gifts From WilkinsonsI love the atmosphere a tea light adds to a room, especially when you’re relaxing with a nice meal or a big bubble bath. A holder is a must, for safety reasons.

The Enchant Floral Tealight Holder (£4) is the holder, mentioned earlier in the review, which Parm thought went particularly well with the Vase. Our reviewer received the cream version, but it also comes in black.

"Was I impressed?" asked Parm, "On its own – not so much, however with the vase it looks like a set. Much better."

Enchant Rattan Balls

Review: Gifts From WilkinsonsAt £1.90 (reduced to half price, 80p, as we published this article), the Rattan Balls were the cheapest of the items we looked at. There’s a variety of colours available – white, black, brown, teal, purple, red.

Which is good, as this is an item that will only work if it colour co-ordinates with the rest of the room. Our pack was purple. You get four balls inside the box, which is tied with a ribbon.

Parm liked the set, but unfortunately it didn’t match their living room.

"They looked cool on the shelf under the glass dining table. Packaging looks smart and the ribbon gives the product a bit of a more expensive feeling than it actually is," she said.

And Finally

It looks like it is possible to accessorize your home on a budget, without looking cheap. From the reactions of our reviewers though, it all comes down to whether or not the product meets your personal preferences. The main criticisms of our reviewers concerned, not build quality as we’d initially assumed, but simply taste.

Winnie The Pooh Wash Mitt 99p @ Amazon

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 26 April, 2010 at 11:00 am

Winnie The Pooh Wash Mitt 99p @ AmazonI find this price quite startling, especially since it includes free delivery. Sometimes I wonder how on earth they can make a profit on deals like this as surely the packaging costs more than the actual produce? Anyway, for anyone that loves Winnie the Pooh or has a mini fan then 99p is a bargain price from Amazon.

Actually, before I waffle on about the joys of this wash mitt I must point out that there is also bubble bath, play sets and other goodies down in price to as little as £2.50 each. It’s well worth giving them a gander if you’re looking to add some zing to your child’s bath routine.Winnie The Pooh Wash Mitt 99p @ Amazon

We have the Tigger version of this mitt and it’s lasted us for three years and still looks great. A little bobbly and faded, sure, but its endured countless wash cycles so I think it rocks. The mitt has a satin front with a towelling back and guarantees a lot of bathtime fun.

Thanks to goonertillidie at HUKD!

Six Piece Towel Bale £5 @ ASDA

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 23 April, 2010 at 9:00 am

Six Piece Towel Bale £5 @ ASDAThere are few things yummier than snuggling into a fresh and fluffy towel after a long hot shower (or bath) and this deal means you can update your towel collection for a fiver. Available in a wide range of colours and sizes, this towel bale is a good way to start the summer fun.

The towel bale special at ASDA comes in navy, berry, blue, cashemere blue, pale green, cream, chocolate and tan and steel grey. Some nice neutral colours in there to match complicated bathrooms. Each set comes with six pieces including two face cloths, two hand towels and two bath towels.

Delivery is exhorbitant (I always think ASDA's price of £5.95 is just ridiculous) so it's probably a good idea to reserve your towels and then aim to collect them instore. Unless the drive is going to cost you as much, it should woSix Piece Towel Bale £5 @ ASDArk out to be a much cheaper option.

The towel bundles are wrapped in ribbon so they would also make a lovely gift for someone who's just moving into a new house or starting out. Definitely a good price for a lot of towel, these ASDA babies will last you for a while and may well be perfect for a holiday adventure.

Thanks to Holly100 at HUKD!

Fab Baby Bargains @ Morrisons

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 12 April, 2010 at 9:00 am

Fab Baby Bargains @ Morrisons

What a lovely way to start a Monday, with some delectable baby deals from your local Morrisons. There are quite a few deals on their site with many reductions dropping the prices to less than half price.

Ok, let’s see what there is on offer here. We have a Tommee Tippee microwave steriliser down from £21.99 to only £10, Cow & Gate fruit pots down to £1 for four, and Pampers Simply Dry carry packs only £2 a pack.

You’ll also uncovFab Baby Bargains @ Morrisons er Pampers Sensitive wipes – a pack of 9 – for £7, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo for £2, Pampers Active Fit economy packs at two for £10 and SMA follow-on milk at £5 for 100g. Ok there are even more offers lurking on the site but I think you get the general idea.

While you can’t buy these products online from Morrisons, I advise taking a look at the Baby section as well as any other sections that you may need, such as food, and then planning a family money saving trip to get some cheap essentials.

Fabulous Freebies From Dove

by Tamsin Oxford in Freebies on 6 April, 2010 at 3:00 pm

Fabulous Freebies From Dove

After all the chocolate, cake and hyperactivity of the past four days why not relax into a nice freebie to start the week off with a sigh. If you join the Dove club then you get sent all sorts of free samples, special offers and their latest news.

The form to register is really short, no annoying lists or fiddly bits to contend with at all. Dove definitely went with the “less is more” style of form filling. Once you’ve registered you are eligible for all sorts of fun freebies.

The newsletter is strangely interesting. I did find myself reading through it in spite of myself so, even if you just want the lovely free stuff and tend to delete these emails, they may just interested you as an added bonus.

Currently they have a BOGOF voucher and a £1 off the new Men + Care range voucher for you to enjoy without even having to register. YAY for mum and dad freebies!

Review: The Mystery Of The Dead Sea

by Tamsin Oxford in Reviews on 28 March, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Review: The Mystery Of The Dead Sea

As the PlayPennies March is for Mums month comes suddenly to an end, what more fitting way to end things off than with a truly scrumptious range of Dead Sea products from Malki?

Jo, our yummy mummy doc, and I both received a sample of the natural bath salts with aromatherapy oils and rose petals for review. These are available in two delectable scents, frankincense and jasmine, and we both got one of these each.

Dead Sea Aromatherapy Bath Salts

Review: The Mystery Of The Dead SeaWhen we first got our bath salts, neither of us was particularly impressed with the packaging. It’s entirely plastic and feels a little bargain basement as opposed to lap of luxury.

I found the packaging a little unattractive with the dark blue lid and label,” said Jo, “I wouldn’t pick it off a shop shelf.”

This all changes once you pour it into your bath water though. The smell is absolutely delicious and the salts dissolve really quickly. I really hate it when I sit down in a nice toasty bath with special effects like this, and end up scratching me delicate bum on crystals stuck to the bottom.

You only need a small amount to get the desired effect,” said Jo, “The contents would last for at least ten baths.”

I have to agree with her, my frankincense oils and salts really filled the air with a stunning aroma and I didn’t need to use nearly half as much as I’d expected to.

I found the smell and quality to be so much better than I expected when I saw the packaging,” said Jo, “ItReview: The Mystery Of The Dead Sea gave a lovely bath and really does the job well.”

The beneficial properties of Jasmine include skin moisturising and toning (although not quite sure how that works, but anyway) and the fragrance is very soothing to the soul. Frankincense, the smell with a famous history, calms your breathing and your mind while soothing tense muscles.

I have to say that I was a vibrating ball of stress when I clambered into my bath and whether it was the effects of the oils and dead sea genius or just the hot water, I stepped out feeling gloriously silky and calm. For me, this worked a charm.

The only thing that neither Jo and I liked very much was cleaning the rose petals out afterwards. While I can see the appeal of lying in a bed of floating things, I am not a huge fan and don’t really see the point. (feel free to explain this to me at any time).

Review: The Mystery Of The Dead SeaAlthough I enjoyed this a great deal I probably won’t use it that often,” said Jo, “The thing is, I didn’t like having to clean out the bath afterwards.”

And Finally

As a busy mum, cleaning out the bath after snatching a few precious minutes of “me time” is not exactly a great ending. However, for only £5.95 at Boots they are a stunning way to unwind and relax with a glass of wine, soft music and a damn good book. Certainly a lot cheaper than hauling yourself off to the Dead Sea itself...

Review: The Mystery Of The Dead Sea

Debenhams Half Price Sale @ Debenhams

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 26 March, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Debenhams Half Price Sale @ DebenhamsThere are some stores that feel as if they are always on sale and Debenhams is almost one of those. Although I am prepared to concede that due to being so busy it may only feel like yesterday since the last one... Anyway, the half price sale on selected lines at Debenhams is in full swing right now.

Right, so I bet you’d like a brief rundown of what exactly is in this sale before you deign to lift your mouse and explore the site. So here are a pick of some of my faves. There is a sale on the Raymond Blanc range of cookware with some sets marked down from £190 to only £90.  

Debenhams Half Price Sale @ DebenhamsI am personally rather interested in the Jasper Conran pumps down to only £12.50, although that really is just one pair of pumps in two different colours. Then there are nice men’s shirts down to as little as £7.50 and there are some really nice lines in there.

You’ll uncover discounts in perfumes, beauty, luggage, cameras and furniture so make yourself a cuppa before you start.

Thanks to simplyjimbo @ HUKD!

Review: Luxury Hand-blended Soap

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 23 March, 2010 at 1:00 pm

Review: Luxury Hand-blended Soap

Buying gifts for the special ladies in your life can sometimes be quite difficult. Do you get them a facial or a gift voucher? Lovely bath products or a scarf? Well, one thing I can promise you is that mums love unusual and beautiful presents that show love and forethought.

This particular product we had in for review fits beautifully into the unusual but beautiful category. It’s a luxury hand-blended soap from Heyland & Whittle that’s made with olive and coconut oil, goats milk and aloe vera and is decorated with a single red rose. We had samples sent to a member of our review panel for testing.

Review: Luxury Hand-blended SoapThe outer packaging is well made and reminds me of the soaps one would expect to find in a boutique hotel,” said Lola, “It’s rather dainty and quite pretty. The soap is encased in gift paper and has a small paper red rose on top.”

Lola felt that the paper rose didn’t quite meet up to the standards of the rest of the product, looking slightly tacky in comparison.

The smell is very strong, the main ingredient is coconut but it has been overpowered by aloe vera and citrus,” she said, “The rough edges around the soap add to the handmade feel.”

Initially she was apprehensive about the smell. Lola was worried that with her sensitive skin it would dry her out or smell too strong.

I took the plunge regardless and was pleased with the soap,” said Lola, “The later is very creamy and luxurious and because of the strong aloe and citrus fragrance it is actually quite refreshing. It didn’t leave my skin feeling particularly moisturised but at least it didn’t have the drying effect I was expecting.”

Review: Luxury Hand-blended SoapLola didn’t feel that this was suitable as an everyday soap, more as a pampering product as it wouldn’t last very long. She loved the packaging and thought that this is what really made the product stand out.

The soap sells for £5 which I personally think is a bit pricey for a product that is too small to be a standalone gift,” she said, “I feel that it should have had more of a moisturising effect too. If I was bought this as a gift I think I would probably put it on a shelf in the bathroom to display the packaging.”

And Finally

Lola was impressed with the quality of the soap in terms of its looks and style but she wasn’t blown away by its scent or moisturising properties. As a gift it may be too small to be given alone and so the price is quite steep against those criteria. However, if you’re looking for something tasteful to give a friend or as an unexpected gift, then this is a good place to start.

Review: Luxury Hand-blended Soap

Review: Warning Do Not Eat!

by Tamsin Oxford in Reviews on 11 March, 2010 at 1:00 pm

Review: Warning Do Not Eat!

The Mum Panel got a bunch of Beautifully Delicious products to review for Mother’s Day and we have one enormous problem. They won’t get out the bath. Husbands are frantically calling me, demanding that I “Do something”.

What am I supposed to do from the bath?

Your mum will adore getting these on Sunday and, the best part is that they are really, really good value for money.

Minilicous Gift Set

Review: Warning Do Not Eat!In this little box of joy you get Coconut and Shea bath and shower cream, Coconut and Shea body lotion, Papaya and Mango bath and shower gel and Papaya and Mango body lotion. Each of these 50ml tubes lasts a wonderful while and smell divine.

The Coconut and Shea body lotion and shower gel both smell absolutely amazing,” said Lola, “Sweet and natural and not at all overpowering. The shower gel lathers nicely and left my skin feeling soft and supple.”

Other mum panellists agreed: “I found that the lotions didn’t smell to strongly and that my skin adored them,” said Marianne, “And they seem to last forever. I’ve been using mine every day for a week and there is still some left.”

The price point of the set is also worth cheering about.

The Minilicious set is only £4.98 and I think that is an absolute bargain for four divine smelling products that both feel quality and make me feel truly pampered,” said Lola, “I think the set looks and feels like something more expensive so, in my opinion, offers great value for money.”

The gift set is well presented and designed so it is a lovely extra to slip into your Mother’s Day parcel that won’t cost the Earth but will bring a smile to her face.

Honey and Almond Scrubilicous Body Scrub

Review: Warning Do Not Eat!I am a huge fan of body scrubs, I love the way my skin feels afterwards. This range of products has long been on my shopping list because of the value for money and the smell so I was rather pleased to get a lovely tub of the Honey and Almond variation.

If you suffer from dry skin this is an absolute must. My skin has suffered under the yoke of hard water for quite some time now and these scrubs have probably stopped me from looking like a scaly monster. And I’m not the only one to think so...

It smells absolutely delicious, not too overpowering and very natural,” said Lola, “I couldn’t wait to use it and was absolutely delighted with the product. I’ve used other body scrubs before that have tended to leave a residue on my skin after use, but this one rinsed off easily. It also left a subtle fragrance which I loved.”

I have to agree with her, the smell is divine but it doesn’t hang onto your skin. As I’ve mentioned in other reviews, I really don’t like it when a beauty product overwhelms the smell of my expensive perfume so the fact that I could use this and still spray on my fave scent was a winner.

The tub is more than enough to treat yourself to a pampering session four or five times, which, for less than a fiver, is well worth it I think,” said Lola.

Lola got the Beautifully Delicious Coconut and Shea scrub that uses sugar as the main exfoliant and that comes in at £4.98 for a 200ml tub. As a result she did have a slightly different view on the price point.

The tub isn’t huge but it is available in a 620g jar also,” she said, “I think perhaps the jar would make a prettier or more substantial gift and the 200ml tub should be a treat for yourself.”

Marianne and I got the Honey and Almond and this is what Marianne had to say about the value;

I thought that this was a lot of product for an extremely decent price,” said Marianne, “I know this sounds clichéd but I will definitely be buying this product from now on.”

So there you have it – a lovely body scrub that moisturises, smells nice and does what it’s supposed to for only (for the Honey and Almond) £3.98.

And Finally

The site has a lot of different products and, considering these comments and reviews, it’s likely that you won’t go wrong if you decide to whip up a gift basket of your own making. You can probably create quite a lush pamper package for less than £15. Now I really do need to have someone send me a product that’s awful because so far all of our reviews have been glowing, and this one is no exception.

Review: Warning Do Not Eat!

Parent Pampering For Pennies

by Tamsin Oxford in Features on 11 February, 2010 at 1:00 pm

Parent Pampering For Pennies

Since having kids, pampering yourself may seem like a distant memory or a luxury that you can no longer afford. However, it is actually an essential tool for keeping yourself relaxed and for controlling your stress, making you a better parent and person.

Still, it can seem like an impossible dream when your budget is being eaten alive by the arrival of a baby and the myriad of expenses that the recession has thrown into the mix. Not to mention the lack of time to do it in!

Now that Valentine’s Day is lurking just around the corner, it’s time to start looking after yourselves. Yes Dad, that includes you. So here are some tips and tricks on how to indulge yourself, ease those stresses and feel fantastic without spending much needed money.

Parent Pampering For PenniesTo start with, mums (and those dads that are more open minded about this sort of thing) instead of saving up for a rare beauty treatment every six months, why not consider making appointments at your local beauty school? You pay a fraction of the usual price for beauty treatments because you’re, essentially, a guinea pig for trainees.

The treatments will take slightly longer as the students are learning as they go, but you can get as many as two to three treatments at a beauty school for the price of one treatment at your local salon. Of course, this will vary from area to area. To find a list of beauty schools in your area go to BeautyFinder. Always give them a call beforehand to find out if they offer this service, what their charges are and to make an appointment.

You can do the same for your hair, if you are brave. Personally this is one expense that I will always save up for as my hair is a bit mad, but if you have a simple cut that just needs neatening then getting a student to do it for only a fiver is a bargain.

Parent Pampering For Pennies

Brave souls can even offer up their locks to local hairdressing schools for their examinations and tests. I did this once; I entered as a brunette with shoulder length hair and left as a pixie-cropped platinum blonde. I loved it but it was fairly extreme, so be sure that you’re prepared to take the risk. You may have to do some local footwork in order to find a nearby school and whether or not they actually allow for this.

Parent Pampering For PenniesSet aside one evening a week to do an essential pampering night in for yourself. Create your own spa treatments, light some candles and play your favourite music (quietly so as not to wake baby, of course).

Make a natural body scrub by mixing coarse sea salt with 20 drops of your favourite essential oil and four cups of almond oil. If you’re pregnant remember to check with your doctor before you start playing around with essential oils as these can have negative affects in pregnancy. Parent Pampering For Pennies

Stir up the mixture thoroughly before using it and the rub into your skin in a clockwise, circular direction. This boosts circulation, gently exfoliates your skin and eases the oils into your skin.

Men who’d rather not smell of lavender or citrus should invest in a natural bristle brush that has firm threads made from natural fibres. Use this in the same way as the sea salt scrub and it will have the same effect, without the smell!

Once you’ve finished with the exfoliating and scrubbing, run a toasty bath (not too hot) with bubble bath and light some candles. Place these around the bathroom for maximum mood effect, turn on the music, pour the wine and get into the bath together. Yes, together! While there are bound to be many loved-up couples still doing this in spite of baby, most of us have forgotten what it’s like to get stuck in a tiny bath together and giggle over bubbles and red wine.

Parent Pampering For Pennies

Once you’ve managed to negotiate yourselves into the tub don’t get out for at least twenty minutes. At first you’ll lie there feeling jittery at all the things you have to do but soon you’ll start to relax. It will make the world of difference to your relationship if you can set aside some time to do this together every month.

Parent Pampering For PenniesIf you’re a car owner why not get some benefits from paying the exorbitant insurance and upkeep costs. Take a long and relaxing drive as a family. Don’t take the busy highways or byways, instead plan a route that takes you along the sea or through scenery of outstanding natural beauty.

Don’t have a destination in mind either, that will only make you feel rushed. Just put on some relaxing music, ease your foot onto the pedal and enjoy the fresh air, the beautiful vista and one another’s company. This works for toddlers too! You can get them to spot wildlife or different coloured cars as you go and some will even nod off as you go.

There are plenty of fantastic ways of pampering yourself as parents without worrying about the expense. So nab these ideas, make some of your own and take the time to relax. You deserve it!

Parent Pampering For Pennies

Babies R Us Sale @ Toys R Us

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 28 January, 2010 at 9:00 am

Babies R Us Sale @ Toys R UsIf you’re expecting a new arrival or know someone who is, then this sale is going to be a life saver. The Babies R Us sale is now on and there are plenty of fabulous savings to be had. There are half price deals, Buy One Get One Free deals and impressive discounts all round. 

I must add that while I was surfing through the site to see all of the deals available I noted that many of these are for online shoppers only. What a bargain! You don’t have to wrestle your way through crowds of people and you get big discounts. 

They’ve broken the sale down into useful categories so you can go straight to the section that stocks what you need. Nursery, travel and pushchairs, collections, toys, feeding and clothing are only some of the ones on offer. Babies R Us Sale @ Toys R Us

I discovered a four pack of Tommee Tipeee bottles for only £6.99, a ton of sleepsuits and sets for under £10 and an entire cotbed bedding set marked down from £89.99 to £69.99. There’s a lot of stuff on sale so you will hopefully find something you need at a great price. 

Thanks to chunli at HUKD!

Up To 70% Off Selected Towels @ Debenhams

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 22 January, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Up To 70% Off Selected Towels @ DebenhamsI love towels. Yes, I do love towels. It may mean I am desperately odd but there is something immensely satisfying about a soft and cuddly towel after a hot shower. Debenhams have a neat and tidy sale for towels on at the moment, going for as little as £2.40.

Interestingly the reviews say that the towels sent out are not the ones in the sale but this is an extremely odd thing for Debenhams to do so it may well be a one-off mistake. Personally I’d like to believe the best in them because these are really lovely products for an excellent price.

There are several different designs on offer, from striped towels to plain towels to towels with geometric desUp To 70% Off Selected Towels @ Debenhamsigns. You’re bound to find something that suits your decor and bathroom chic. The larger bath sheets are going from £6 to £17 – the more expensive ones being Egyptian towels.

No matter your preferences you should have fun browsing the selection included in the sale, even the extremely bright yellow ones that could cause an aneurism.

Thanks to chun-li at HUKD!

Chicco Wow Value Pack £9.99 @ Argos

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 15 January, 2010 at 10:00 am

Chicco Wow Value Pack £9.99 @ ArgosWhen my daughter first started sitting up and playing in the bath I spent ages looking for fun bath toys that she could play with. I remember loving bath time as a kid, hours of imaginative fun, and was quite gutted at how difficult it was to find good toys. This is a lovely bargain marked down from £29.99 to only £9.99. 

The set includes a Spin ‘n’ Squirt Duckling that you can wind up and watch spin away in the water, and it has a button on the back to squirt water out of its mouth. A classic bath duck with some fab extra features. 

The Musical Roller is an inflatable toy with buttons that play music when the buttons are depressed. There are coloured balls inside the roller to add to the general atmosphere of damp and dribbly fun. 

The Roly Poly Kitten moves and swings around and around and becomes a spinning top when you press its headChicco Wow Value Pack £9.99 @ Argos. The balls in its tummy will rotate as the kitten spins. Adorable. 

This set looks to be a good deal for any parents with little ones from six months old. Certainly it’s very important to have a bath duck. Everyone needs one of those. 

Thanks to amibees at HUKD!

Review: Organic Baby Bath Products

by Tamsin Oxford in Reviews on 22 December, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Review: Organic Baby Bath ProductsThe Method Christmas Baby gift set is a delightful organic package for only £12. It’s always annoyed me that if I want to use products that are pure and organic with no nasty environmental side effects, I have to also be prepared to pay a fortune.

Fortunately,  when I sent out a call for organic products that delivered value for money the first package that arrived this one, costing a mere £12 for three enormous bottles of goodness.

In the Method Christmas Baby gift set you get body lotion, hair and body wash and bubble bath. All of the products are biodegradable, contain no parabens, ethoxylated compounds or animal by-products and have never been tested on animals.

When you first open the set you’ll be captivated by the smell. Oh man, it’s delicious. The ingredients include rice milk andReview: Organic Baby Bath Products mallow (yes, like marshmallow) and are 99% plant derived.

The hair and body wash come with a cleverly designed lid that you can use to rinse the soap from their heads. There’s a neat little hole on one side that narrows the water flow and makes your life a little bit easier. It isn't excessively foamy, limiting in-the-eyes syndrome, and one small squeeze comfortably cleaned an entire head of hair.

I adored the feet on the bubble bath as it meant I didn’t have to go through the usual rigmarole of trying to balance the bottle on the narrow shelf of my bath. I wish more companies would pay attention to details like this. Unfortunately, perhaps because we have very hard water, the bubbles weren’t great and my toddler was disappointed by them. Fortunately the scent more than made up for it.

Review: Organic Baby Bath ProductsThe body lotion is wonderfully non-greasy and absorbs beautifully. Like the body and hair wash, a little goes a long way so these bottles will last you for quite some time. The body lotion also has a lockable lid so it can travel with you without leaking. I took it along on a roadtrip to Cornwall and not a drop escaped.

I was impressed with the size, the design and the ethics behind the Method gift set and would really recommend it. It’s a lovely Christmas present or just perfect for any soon-to-be mummy that you would like to spoil. The products sell individually for £5 so the price of £12 for three gets you £3 off when you buy the gift set as a whole.

You can grab Method products from Waitrose and most major supermarkets or just visit them online.

Buy 1 get 1 free on selected Johnson's baby toiletries @ Boots

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 20 December, 2009 at 12:00 pm

Buy 1 get 1 free on selected Johnson's baby toiletries @ BootsIf you, like me, have decimated your budget buying Christmas presents you fell in love with, then this deal from Boots will come in handy. They have a BOGOF special on a wide selection of Johnson’s baby products so you can stock up for the lean months ahead.

Having investigated the website quite thoroughly I’ve found the following products as a part of the buy one get one free special offer. Johnson’s Baby Lotion (500ml), Johnson’s Baby Bath (500ml), Johnson’s Baby Bedtime Bath (500ml), Johnson’s Detangling Conditioner (500ml), Johnson’s Baby Moisturising Bath (500ml) and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo are among those on the list.

Not only do you get a whack of products for a small pot of money but you can also stock up on your Boots points at the same time. Now that is a nice extra bonuBuy 1 get 1 free on selected Johnson's baby toiletries @ Bootss!

The products are priced from around £2.79 and £2.65 so you can get at least six months worth of bathing and hair products for less than a tenner. I’ve already whipped up several bottles of the no-more tangles shampoo for my curly haired toddler.

Thanks to good4me2 at HUKD!

Waybuloo Bath Pod Now Only £5.00 @ Play.com

by Tamsin Oxford in Deals on 1 December, 2009 at 8:00 pm

These gorgeous Bath Pods retail for £10.99 on Amazon.co.uk so this is an unbeatable bargain - £5 Waybuloo bath pods @ Play.com!

Waybuloo Bath Pod Now Only £5.00 @ Play.comWaybuloo has become an instant hit with children across the UK. Featuring the adorable Piplings, it’s nothing like they’ve ever seen before! These four animated characters live in a magical land called Nara where they discover new things and learn about life.

The four Piplings each represent an emotion. Yo Jo Jo is the Pipling of happiness, Lau Lau is imagination, De Li is love and Nok Tok embodies wisdom. They love to laugh and play, to explore the world around them and to hide from the children that enter their world to find them. They also help kids keep fit with yogo, their very own brand of yogic exercise.Waybuloo Bath Pod Now Only £5.00 @ Play.com

Join them as they bend their bodies, roar like lions and fly like birds while teaching your children the basics of yoga.

These Bath Pods are a stunning gift for any child. Just drop them into the water and watch as they open to reveal the Pipling hidden inside. You’re guaranteed hours of fun.