It's almost Mother's day – 3 April, if you didn't already know – and we know you're on the lookout for something extra special for your mum, your wife, or – ahem!- yourself, from, you know, the kids.

Most mums love a little R&R time, the ability to relax and unwind and just have a nice massage. Unfortunately few of us get to have those as often as we would like, so HoMedics have stepped in and created a wide selection of massage and well-being products. We sent a few test products off to PlayPennies mums Lola and Heyejung to see what they thought.

The first product sent to Lola was the HoMedics Snuggly Bear Massaging Booties set. “These are,” she says, “quite simply, insane.”

Lola wore them. Her kids wore them. Her husband wore them. Apparently they all giggled the whole time. For her, they were both nice and weird.

“These doodads have battery compartments at the back of each shoe which take two AA batteries each. You then slip the booties on (they are super soft and comfy) click the button on the side and bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz your feet get massaged.”

Functionality wise, Lola says ”If you sit with your feet up, they vibrate your entire foot. If you walk around they tend to vibrate your ankles. The actual fabric is super soft and snuggly and the little bear adorable.”

While it wasn't quite the hit it should have been with Lola's family, she says other friends “found it fun and lovely and one friend actually stole them from me she loved them so much.”

The HoMedics Snuggly Bear Massaging Booties are available from Argos, Amazon, Next and House of Fraser in sizes 4 – 8, come with 4xAA batteries included and cost £19.99

Our next product was the HoMedics Splash Water Resistant Mini Massager.

To Lola, this was a hit. She says, “The Husband sits with him at night using him on his back and shoulders after a long day at work. The child chases me around the house with it and massages my bum. She has so far massaged the fridge, the cabinets, her bed, Mr Piggly, the washing machine, the dishwasher, the bath and the oven.”

Apparently the Splash Water Resistant Mini Massager has a strong massage power, which makes your hand rather itchy, which means you can't hold it for very long.

“The solution,” says Lola, “is to place it against the sofa/wall/floor and lie back against it so it works without discomfort to your hands.”

A downside of the mini massager is that you have to press down on it to activate it, which can be tiring.

Although it can be used in the shower, our mum tester wasn't sure why you would – although that sounds rather lovely to me! Her husband did test it in the shower and said it was nice.

The HoMedics Splash Water Resistant Mini Massager is avialable at Argos, Amazon, House of Fraser and Boots for £9.99, and in three different colours .

The final product was tested by PlayPennies mum Heyejung. We asked her to review the HoMedics Shiatsu Foot Massager.

“In short,” she says, “I absolutely loved the Shiatsu Foot Massager!”

The Shiatsu Foot Massager has six rotating nodes to provide the ultimate relaxation to your feet. It warms up to soothe sore muscles and has 18 massage heads.

Heyejung says, “Considering I'd never had my feet massaged until I got this machine, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself getting into it.

In particular, the heated massage experience was something else!! Having grown up in South Korea, where all the houses have under-floor heating, I always really miss warm floors in the English winter.”

Initially concerned about it tickling, Heyejung was relieved to find that wasn't a problem. “As soon as my feet touched the heated moving massage heads, it was a lovely sensation. The heads gently press and roll against your skin, providing a relaxing and soothing feeling, which was especially nice against the balls of your feet. I was more than happy to keep my feet on the massager for half an hour. If it wasn't the instruction to use for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time, I would have left them there much longer!”

Operating the massager couldn't be easier, and Heyejung loves that it's a good size, and easy to store. “You simply plug it in, turn it on and press a button. There's no waiting around for it to heat up and all you have to do is put your feet on, and relax. On top of that, the Shiatsu Foot Massager is a handy size, and easy to put away without needing too much space. Another plus point is that because it is recommended that you use this machine with socked feet, there's no problem with keeping it clean.”

The HoMedics Shiatsu Foot Massager is available from Argos and Amazon for £69.99 - and Boots, where it's currently on sale for £40.84.

Final thoughts from the mums?

Lola gives the HoMedics Snuggly Bear Massaging Booties a 9/10 for comfort and looks but the vibrate function , “not so much”. She says it's an “awesome Mother's Day gift, really, for someone who likes to have their feet massaged, a NO for anyone who hates having their feet touched.”

The HoMedics Splash Water Resistant Mini Massager gets a 6 or 7 from Lola. “For this price,” she says, “And the sheer entertainment value, I have to say it is great. As a massaging device I think the fact that you have to press down so hard and that your had vibrates is a bit of a downer.”

“Overall,” says Heyejung of the HoMedics Deluxe Shiatsu Foot Massager “I thought this was an excellent product. And I'm seriously considering buying one for a mother's day present.”

So, for not too much money, you can invest in a little bit of home relaxation for mum, and with the options available, you can make sure she gets something she will like.

Figleaves.com and Always and Tampax have teamed up to offer a 20% discount off the entire underwear collection at Figleaves.com. This is part of the new Always Flexistyle pantyliner launch and lasts until 31 December 2010.

• Click here to get figgy with Figleaves.com

To get this deal you need to nab the promotional code from a promotional pack of Always or Tampax and then enter the code at the online checkout. It isn’t that hard to do and some of the savings are ace.

They have a lovely range of knickers and other such lovely underwear at Figleaves.com and a 20% discount always comes in handy when you’re either getting something special for yourself, or the lady in your life.

Amble into your nearest store and grab your promotional pack so you can take full advantage of the deal. Apparently these new pantyliners will fit any kind of knickers ever. I reckon that this is an ace way of testing that theory out as you get to score an awesome new trousseau.

Marks & Spencer are offering two luscious body butters for £7.50 instead of the usual price of £6 each. And you can get these chaps delivered for free using the code that I’ve written down below. A great little buy to slip into those Christmas stockings this year.

• Click here to get buttery with M&S

Each tub is 200ml and there are loads of different varieties on offer. You can get Shea Butter (my personal favourite), Lime and Bergamot, Coconut, Rosehip and Vitamin E, Fig, Pomegranate, Cocoa Bean, Honey & Milk, Mango, and Lemon.

These sound delicious. I almost want to eat them like scrummy sorbet instead of rubbing them on my skin! So, they are great for keeping skin soft and nourished, especially during the cold winter months, rehydrate your skin, and are selling two for £7.50. Brilliant deal.

When you checkout, enter the code PERWEB02 so that you also get free delivery.

Thanks to Jagron at HUKD!

The Golden Tea Company really seems to like giving away free tea. Not that I’m complaining, mind! If you fancy trying out a tea for free then this is a great place to stop by for a few seconds. You don’t have to fill in a lot of forms or do a lot of writing either.

• Click here to get your free tea from Golden Tea Company

The site doesn’t actually say which sample of tea you’re going to get or what flavour it is, or even if it is an entire box or just one little tea bag. I think the surprise is half the fun! They are posting them from India, though, which strikes me as quite an expensive freebie!

You need to include your house number, street name on address one and your town, state/region, country on line two. Then press send and wait and see what the lovely tea people are going to send you. I wonder if we’ll all get different ones?

Thanks to notts6501 at HUKD!

This is another great freebie for this fabulous Friday – a seven day supply of Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation. To claim your freebie you need to click on the link, print out the voucher and take yourself to your nearest Lancome counter to collect it.

• Click here to get freebies with Lancome

This foundation claims to be super light and sheer but strong enough to give you complete cover.  It is a water based foundation, with almost 40% of the product made up of water, and includes all sorts of fancy extras that apparently reflect light and other such useful things.

It has had some really positive reviews from mummy bloggers who love to cosmetic, and from some of the pros. It looks really good on, and does offer a lovely flawless finish without caking. I have seen some great shots of it on women’s skin and been quite impressed.

So, if you fancy a free sample of this so-called miracle foundation then hop on over to their Facebook page and get your voucher. Then come here and tell us what you think!

Thanks to crazyterrier2000 at HUKD!

I may not be a new mum, but I'm definitely a stressed out one, so when Mama Baby Bliss offered to send me a Bliss Stick I was completely and utterly game. The Bliss Stick includes a subtle blend of mood-enhancing essential oils and is designed to fit snugly in your handbag. As you can see from the photo above, the  Mama Bliss Stick is really teeny tiny.

The essential oils included in the Bliss Stick are lime, geranium, and bergamot and these oils help energise and relieve a tired mind and lift the spirits. I'm always game to try out new therapies so this sounded like a wonderful idea, especially since I'd just spent the last week surviving on five hours sleep a night and my tot had decided that this was also the perfect time to start pushing boundaries. In short, I was frazzled and this Bliss Stick sounded great.

When it arrived I'd just spend the day commuting to London, as mentioned in the fitflop review. I was the epitome of the bedraggled mum. I immediately whipped off the lid and dabbed it on my wrists. YUM! The smell is divine. Now, sometimes essential oils can be a little overpowering. Well, for me anyway. If they smell too strong I tend to get a headache instead of a health benefit.

Thanks to the easy little roll-on applicator (a genius idea I must say) I could determine how much I wanted to put on my wrists and neck. At first I rolled just a little on but now I'm an addict. Every time I feel stressed, or the start of anxiety creeping up my shoulders, I put some Bliss Stick on. I can't tell you if it works scientifically, but I can tell you that it definitely works for me. Psychosomatic or not, this is my new little rescue remedy.

Ooooh I do love 3 for 2 offers at Boots!

• Click HERE to indulge yourself with this deal

For those who want to know quickly which products are in this 3 for 2 Boots offer, here's a list:

• Boots Extracts/Botanics
• Dead Sea Source
• Elle Macpherson
• FCUK
• Good Works
• Natural Collection
• Soap and Glory
• Ted Baker
• The Sanctuary

I don't know much about how they others smell or what they're like to use, but ever since a friend of mine gave me a tub of The Sanctuary 'Mande Lular' Body Souflee I've been utterly in love with it! If you know what 'Dune' by Christian Dior smells like then you'll know what The Sanctuary ' Mande Lular' products smell like, as they are almost identical.

If one of your favourites brands is included in the list of products included in the Boots 3 for 2 offer then this would be a good time to stock up, and if you're an Advantage card holder then you'll get points on all your purchases too.

If you're looking for a pampering gift to give someone then there are various gift sets that are included in this offer too - a Sanctuary 'Mande Lular' treatment set is one of them *grin*

You can order online (don't forget to add your Advantage card number to collect your points) and collect in store for free, standard delivery is £2.90 or free if you spend over £40.

Thanks to muppeto over at HUKD!

Hair! The cause of many a depressed day when it refuses to do as it's told; the cause of many a feel-like-a-film-star moment when it all goes right.

Unless you are blessed with wash-and -go hair, like my teenage daughter, then you're going to need a little bit of extra help and lucky for us mere hair-mortals, those wonderful experts as Sassoon are continually developing products to make our lives and untamed locks a little easier to deal with.

When we casually mentioned to our panel of PlayPennies mums that we had a set of Sassoon Rapid Results ceramic hair straighteners to be reviewed, we were almost trampled in the mad rush to grab them out of our hands.

Now, I hate to shatter any illusions you might have been harbouring, but for those of you who've never met me (and that's everyone bar two of you, I think) and don't know what I look like, I have to tell you that I don't wake up with my hair all sleek, shiny and wonderful; sad, but true and it's worse if I leave my hair to dry naturally - just think Wild Woman of Borneo or Diana Ross a'la the 1970s.

I was intrigued to see how our mums, Katrina and Helanie, got on with the Sasson Rapid Results straighteners as I'm a bit of  a straightener-snob and connoiseur and swear by my GHDs. But they cost me an arm and a leg whereas the Sasson ones are a snip at £19.99 - what if they are just as good...?

Helanie won the toss to review the straighteners first and then she handed them over to Katrina - here's what they had to say...

"With two toddlers and a busy life I don't have time to spend ages messing around trying to force my hair into straight submission, so most often just put it up in a ponytail and get on with my day," Helanie told us, "I'm also reluctant to spend a lot of money on much more expensive irons, because if they dont' live up the promises, then what?"

Katrina agreed, "With money becoming an increasingly precious commodity I need to try and find a balance between cost-effective and not ending up with lots of cheap things that don't do what I need them to."

The Sassoon straighteners have one inch ceramic coated plates that heat up to 210ºc in about 30 seconds; they also generate Infra Red heat which penetrates the hair follicles and warms your hair through from the inside out rather than roasting it from the outside in!

According to the bods at Sasson, 'the hair is relaxed at these lower temperatures, allowing it to be easily managed and styled' - which is great because that's all we ask for.

"I loved the look and the feel of these straighteners," commented Helanie, "they feel nicely balanced when you hold them and the ceramic plates slid nicely over my hair and left each section super-smooth. There was also no need to go over and over the same section either."

Katrina has shorter finer hair, "People often assume that hair straighteners are just for people with long hair, but us shorter and more spikey-style people need help too.  My hair's quite fine too so I don't always need massive amounts of heat, which is why I got quite so excited about the variable temperature function that these Sassoon Rapid Results straighteners have!"

She's right, I must confess that when I think of straighteners I think long, thick hair that's got a mind of its own and needs nothing short of inferno-like temperatures to control it.

Katrina went on to say, "They worked brilliantly for me! I loved the slim design as some bigger designs can make it quite tricky if you've got short hair. The variable temperature settings more than lived up to my expectations - I'm very happy with them!"

The variable temperature bit is quite a revelation to me - I grew up with the old-skool monster straighteners from ancient times gone by, and it never occured that for the times when I just need a quick 're-straighten', rather than full-blown taming, it would be kinder to my hair if I could just turn the temperature down a bit; very clever indeed!

So based on performance and price, would Helanie and Katrina recommend the Sassoon Rapid Results straighteners to other people?

"I'd absolutely recommend these straighteners to other people! For £19.99 you just can't go wrong!" gushed Helanie.

"At last, sensibly-priced straighteners that do exactly what they promise to do and are easy to use if you've got short hair too - perfect, I love them!" enthused Katrina.

And finally...

As we leave Katrina and Helanie to play tug-of-war over the Sassoon Rapid Results ceramic hair straighteners, I think we can safely say that you won't go wrong if you buy a set for yourself.

£19.99 for super-sleek and supermodel hair in super-fast time...?  We LIKE the sound of that! And if you do too, then you can buy them from Sainsburys or our good friends Amazon

The month of June is all about Dad here at PlayPennies and so we’ve been reviewing all sorts of fabulous goodies for him to enjoy. Aubrey Organics have just done a range of organic products for men called Men’s Stock which cover pretty much all the grooming basics.

These products are rather brilliant for Dads as they can even use them while bathing with their little ones without worrying about harmful chemicals or ingredients affecting the little one’s skin. So we sent these off to two of our PlayPennies Dad’s for review.

Men’s Stock Daily Moisturiser

This lightweight moisturiser includes ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel, calendula oil and lemon peel (all organic, of course) and has been shown to reduce razor bumps if used twice a day. It costs £11.99 for 59ml.

“It’s incredibly runny and you must make sure you read the back of the container or be prepared to be covered in lotion!” said Mike, “The overall product does as it should, and moisturises well and only a small amount goes a really long way.”

Sean agreed, “I found that the product was very liquid which was initially a little disturbing, I’m used to thicker creams, but it definitely does the job well.”

Both of the men felt that the product worked well on their skin but sadly Mike wasn’t too impressed with the smell.

“I really didn’t like the smell, it’s really offputting for me,” he said, “And the consistency wasn’t something I really liked either.”

Sean felt slightly differently, “I thought the smell was a bit odd but soon got used to it. Also, it rapidly disappeared once the product was rubbed into my skin and I liked the way my skin felt afterwards too.”

The final verdict from both Dads was that the product worked well and that only small amounts were needed to do the job, but that the smell and consistency didn’t appeal to them very much.

Men’s Stock Ginseng Biotin Hair Repair

This conditioner is designed to strengthen and mend damaged or thinning hair fibres and uses only natural ingredients such as Panaz Ginseng extract, Beta-Carotene and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice. Yes, you get leaf juice in your hair.

Sean found that this did wonderful things to his hair.

“I used this as well as my usual conditioner and found that my hair really did feel thicker and cleaner,” he said, “Like the moisturiser, only a small amount is needed each time so I can see this lasting me for ages.”

Mike remained ambivalent about the Mens’ Stock products.

“In the few weeks that I used this product, I didn’t see any change to what I use normally,” he said, “Aside from it being a little drying. I think you need a conditioner as well.”

However, in spite of this product not winning Mike over completely, he did agree that a little goes a long way and that the product would last for ages.

Sean really liked the way the hair repair smelled too, “It’s got a strangely addictive smell,” he said.

The Ginseng Biotin Hair Repair costs £13.49 and the price did not get a thumbs up from our dads.

“I think the products are quite expensive,” said Mike, “However, they would last a long time so the cost would balance out over a period of time.”

And Finally

The Men’s Stock range hasn’t completely stunned and amazed our dads coming in at an average score of around five out of ten. This doesn’t mean that they are a complete dud, though. Sean rated them at six, while Mike had them at about four.

The range looks to be very much about personal taste so perhaps take Dad round to your local stockist before buying them for him. Overall, they did deliver on their promise and they worked well and the fact that they are entirely organic and environmentally friendly definitely adds to their allure.

T-Minus 12 days and counting. Yes, Father’s Day is looming and I’m back with some deals that may appeal to the men in your life. This deal is all about Wahanda. This is a health, beauty and wellness ecosystem (their words, not mine) where you can find treatments, classes and therapies to calm, beautify and relax you. The men too...

• Click here to see some Father’s Day magic at Wahanda

You can choose between stunning Father’s Day spa gifts, massages, fitness presents and more, all ranging in price to suit all types of budgets. The process is simple – you choose your pressie and your location and the off your man goes for some pampering and luxury.

Not many men are into this sort of thing, and most of them would never buy it for themselves, but once they’ve had their first Swedish massage or spa experience they’ll admit to loving every minute of it.

Some of the Father’s Day presents that appeal to the more moderate wallet include gift vouchers (so they can choose their luxury), an MOT Spa Day at Bannatynes (branches nationwide) and the special offer of 50% off the Men’s Reviver at The Spa Company in Manchester (was £80, now £40).

I hope you find something here for your special Dad, but if not, I shall return with more ideas anon!

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...

• Click here to lotion the notion at The Body Shop

This promotion is valid from 26^th 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.

For 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!

One of the difficulties of living in a cold climate with areas of hard water is the affect these have on your skin. Dry and wrinkly hands are horrible to have and often feel inevitable, especially when you’re washing them constantly with a new baby. So this fab freebie from Vaseline may well be the skin solution you’ve been looking for.

• Click here to get your free Vaseline Moisture Locking Cream

This cream is designed to increase the moisture levels in your skin instantly and is bound to be delicious on the olfactory sense too. I’ve always enjoyed Vaseline’s products, they always seem to be good value for money and good quality too. Hopefully this won’t be the exception to the rule.

To get your free sample you’ll have to enter a survey first but I don’t see this taking too long to do. It took me only five minutes to complete. The sachet will then be sent to your door so you can enjoy some moisture locking fun. Please note that this offer is only for those in the UK. Sorry to our far flung friends...

Thanks to BAZZAUK at HUKD!

Calling all parents looking for a luxury spa day that will cost less than a take-out for one! From 10am today (Right now!) Lastminute.com are selling spa days and treatments for only £10. It’s cheap, it’s cheerful and you better hurry as there are a limited number of offers available.

• Click here to sort your spa day package at Lastminute.com

You can nab some truly fantastic spa deals for a mere £10 in this deal but there are a bunch of others on offer too. You can get some two for one offers on spas as a part of their UK Spa Fortnight. Right, so what can you do for the £10 sale?

There is a Sensory Spa day at Bannatyne Spas at 29 locations nationwide. It includes a relaxing Swedish back, neck and shoulder massage and full use of the facilities. You can also attend the Dove Spas which are at 21 locations across the UK and their body indulgence package is all about soft body treatments and luxury.

Now, these are the deals they have on the site at the moment but they may change at 10am when the deal switches to the £10 price. If this is it, then there are only three deals and the third includes a spa day at the Aqua Sana Spas.

Thanks to millarcat at HUKD!

Any busy mother will tell you that time is at a premium from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed, and sometimes there just isn't time to go for the full make-up routine.

But you know, that doesn't mean you have to give up looking and feeling luscious' and lovely - just putting on a bit of a lip gloss can make you feel super sexy and glam'.

Half price perfumes have some fabulous lip gloss and lip stick deals at the moment and whether you're a clear and natural gloss fan or a die-hard RED lipstick fan, I'm sure there'll be something here to add to your make-up bag.

Nab this fabulous Bobbi Brown lip gloss for a fraction of the rrp - usually £14.00 you can pick this up for just £6.99 AND delivery on this item is FREE! It's scented with a hint of vanilla and has a whole host of botanical extracts in it to keep your lips soft, smooth and supple.

Add any of these other items to your basket you'll be into delivery charge territory which is £3.95 for standard first class, £4.95 other courier or £6.00 for next day.

If clear lip gloss is your thing (it's mine) then you can pick up this brilliant Benefit 'Crystal' gloss for £4.99 instead of £14.00!

Maybe you want to buy a few shades for your money, in which case have a look at these Bourjois 'La Creme' glosses that work as a gloss, lip balm and offers the coverage of a lipstick in one.  They're going for a pound each instead of the usual £7.99 and you can order a maximum of three.

Finally, as promised, here's one for the die-hard red lippy girls - a Bourjois 'So Rouge' lipstick.  It's an unused tester so will come in a plain box marked 'tester' but other than that it's exactly the same as the regular lipsticks, if you're happy with that then you can grab one for £ instead of the usual £9.00; a bargain in my view as most of us just throw the packaging away!

So there you go PlayPennies mums - a little bit of parent pampering for you on this Friday afternoon.  Enjoy!

Ladies AND gents it's time to get yourself out of parent mode and into PAMPERING mode!

Click HERE to go to HQHair.com

• Discount: 15%
• Minimum Spend: NONE! (Yippeeee)
• Promotional Code: BUNNY15
• Expires: Monday 29 March @ midnight

I dread to think how much money I've spent with hqhair.com in my time so when promotional codes are released my bank balance heaves a sigh of relief.

If you've not come across HQHair before then you're in for a treat - they offer a huge range of products that span all of the major and professional hair care and beauty brands.  They also have an impressive stock of fragrances, accessories, advice sections and a wish and gift list service.

Hair care names you'll be familiar with include: Redken, Joico, Kerastase, Paul Mitchell, BedHead and Aveda.

For skincare and makeup your choices include: Benefit, Nars, Philosophy, Dermalogica, Mario Bedescu and lots more.

I buy some of my most favourite things from HQHair and their service has always been exceptional - I really can't recommend them enough if you're looking to buy top brand products online.

One of my beauty essentials is Lip Venom by DuWop - it's strange stuff but I LOVE IT!  It tastes of cinnamon, stings the lips when you put it on and gives them a natural plump-up and bee-stung look.

Most things by Philosophy are also on my skincare hitlist: Hope in a jar  SPF 20 is a must and worth every penny of its £38.40 price tag along with this microdelivery daily exfoliating wash

PlayPennies dads, there are lots of things for YOU too - why not go and have a mooch around and see if anything takes your fancy!

Delivery is £2.50 if you order just one item or £3.50 for unlimited items.  If you need things pronto then you can add an extra £3.50 and get your goodies delivered the next day.

Happy pampering!

Look, I know that this isn’t an incredibly cheap deal but the value it will give you in terms of sleep is unbeatable. It’s down from nearly £30 so you do save £3, and you get 104 Advantage Card points too. 

• Click here to set your snooze at Boots  

It’s the one thing that most parents really dread. It’s the 5am call of “Mooommmeeeee,” that grows increasingly louder and distressed until you eventually fall out of bed and unwillingly face the day. Unless you’re one of those people who can bounce out of bed after only 4 hours sleep, this clock may well be your salvation. 

The Gro-clock uses fun images of the moon and the sun to communicate with your child. If the moon is up then it isn’t wake-up time yet! I haven’t tried this clock so there may well be a very good chance that kids just point, laugh and resume the cries. Still, it’s got to be worth a shot? 

The screen glows and the stars around the moon go out one-by-one to show the passing of time. You can set the times yourself I think (doesn’t really say but makes sense that you can), adjust the screen brightness and it comes with a bedtime story book. 

Thanks to DB2k at HUKD!

Stress. This word describes an emotional state that can have repercussions across your entire life. Some people’s tempers flare over ridiculous things. Some get eczema. Some become extremely ill. The thing is, you can’t escape stress, it’s an inevitable part of life and, sometimes, parenthood can only serve to make things worse.

Parent pampering isn’t just about quiet nights in, sultry baths or falling asleep on the sofa. It’s also about finding something that belongs only to you and making sure you keep on doing it. One such ‘something’ is a hobby. Hobbies are activities that we undertake in our free time. We enjoy them, we get pleasure from them and, usually, we learn from them. They are also one of the first things to go out the door when the new baby comes in that very door.

So, as you embark on the rest of 2010, say goodbye to snapping at your partner (or your child), constant ill health and all sorts of other stress-related symptoms, and say hello to a hobby. Taking time out for yourself isn’t selfish or irresponsible, it’s essential. You need this escapism to forget about work or money worries (among other things) and to do something that is uniquely and utterly your own.

There are plenty of hobbies for you to choose from, but many of them can seem rather expensive. Most of us fantasise about becoming the next big name in photography or fly fishing but few of us think we can afford all the kit we need to get started. Not true. To take the photography analogy slightly further, if you go on to Flickr you’ll see that some of the most stunning shots have been taken by amateurs on cheap digital cameras.

To start with, sit down with a pen and paper and write down exactly what activities interest you. Don’t worry about time constraints or money just yet. Let your imagination carry you away. If, like me, you go blank the moment you need to think of something, then keep a notepad handy for while you’re ambling around and take notes when inspiration hits you.

Try not to let your inner voice judge your ideas too much. If you’ve always wanted to start a gnome collection or participate in war enactments, that’s fine! It’s your hobby and if it makes you smile then it’s perfect. Nobody else need know what it is you get up to in those precious hours, even if you want to dress up as a gnome and do war enactments.

Once you’ve decided on your pleasant pastime you have to work out exactly how much it’s going to cost.  Don’t forget to unearth all those little hidden extras that nobody thinks to tell you about. Many courses, for example, don’t mention that you need to provide all the equipment and this isn’t a wise idea until you’re one hundred percent sure that this hobby is for you.

Some courses will allow you one free taster session. It’s a good idea to go to several different ones until you find a course and instructor that you feel comfortable with. Some hobbies don’t even need you to spend money on anything but the starting out kit. You can nab everything directly from the net. Photography advice, trainspotting websites, gnome collection forums, Star Trek forums and other such things are all over the internet. You can even get tips and tricks from the masters in your chosen field for free.

If your hobby really appeals to you, and you’ve spent at least six months immersed in it, then you can start getting the necessary expensive bits. In some cases you can even rent them for short periods of time. This may well be an excellent option that saves you a ton of cash and yet you still get to practise on the right tools for your level of expertise. Consider sharing equipment with other members of your group or course.  You can all put in a percentage of the costs and share the items as, and when, they are needed. Some things can be bought second-hand or on auction sites like eBay but, be warned, there may be warranty and service issues in some cases.

Spending money on the essentials is not an extravagance; it’s an investment in your life. You only get one chance to explore this world and your talents so put it to good use.  As you get better at your hobby you can even start making some money. After all your research and hard work you'll be in the unique position of knowing exactly what other people in your field look for, and you’ll be able to deliver services and solutions that fit the market perfectly.

Don’t pass Go, don’t collect your £200. Get yourself a hobby and some Me Time immediately. You’ll be a better parent, and person, because you’ve allowed yourself some time to unwind.

I must confess that when I was first approached about reviewing a series of rose scented products for the month of love, I was a little torn. I’m not a fan of the smell and tend to associate it with little old ladies. However, when I first put the idea forward to our Mum Panel I was literally torn to pieces in the rush. These products were in demand!

Brown & Harris English Rose Moisturising Foaming Bath Essence

“The packaging and general look and feel of the products is quite ‘luxury’”, said Heidi, “This is impressive considering that they are pretty affordable items.”

Overall the ladies were impressed with the look and feel of the product.

“English Rose is one of those smells you can get everywhere so I was quite surprised when I took a sniff of these items and there was a noticeable difference in the quality of the smell,” said Heidi, “I definitely wanted to try it out on first sniff.”

The bath essence smelled inviting and floral but not too fussy or powdery and left the skin feeling delightfully soft.

The fragrance is delicate and the foam rather luxurious. It was not too soapy and didn’t dry out the skin too much either. The two ladies who used it felt that it was definitely worth the price of £6.99 as they only needed to use a small amount for a lush clean feeling.

Brown & Harris English Rose Fine English Soap 

“I think that this would make a lovely gift for someone with a love of roses or a hankering for all things English,” said Emily, “There is something wonderfully nostalgic about seeing the quintessentially English soap every morning in my bathroom.”

The soap is also not too heavily scented and doesn’t leave a powdery or dry residue on the skin once you’ve finished washing. In fact, it has a delightfully refreshing impact on the skin and leaves you feeling bright and clean.

The smell is something of a revelation in the soap. It has managed to completely sidestep any associations with the older generation, rather it smells brisk and fresh and fun.

“I don’t live in England anymore,” said Heidi, “This soap was a little touch of home and now it’s making me crave English muffins!”

Standing at £6.12 for a pack of three, these soaps are slightly more expensive than the norm but would make a wonderful treat for the hand washing basin.

Brown & Harris English Rose Perfumed Drawer Liners

Fancy leaving a subtle scent on your lingerie? A little trademark that will make your partner smile or giggle whenever he spots a rose? Well here you have some fabulous English rose sachets that will do great things to the way your fiddly bits smell.

“I actually really liked these,” said Emily.

“They weren’t too overpowering and did add a subtle, fresh scent that didn’t linger in an annoying way to my clothes,” said Heidi, “It lifted my spirits a little every time I opened my wardrobe."

These go for £6.99 for six liners and, as they are individually wrapped, they will last you for absolute ages.  You can use them in drawers, cupboards and storage areas to bring new life to dark little areas.

And Finally

I think that this range of products will make an excellent gift and will inspire some delightful romantic sparks. While not the fiery, passion igniting scent of musk, this rose range is more delicate, elegant and subtle. A great parent pampering gift to round off our month of parent pampering reviews.

If black is the term used to describe the amazing and incredible rescue of bad hair, then this pink range of hair care products from Lee Stafford is the new, new, new black.  And I do not say this lightly. I am a hair aficionado. I love it, I understand it and I want it to be good.

Sadly I was born with what one stylist described as “a big wig”. Thick, curly and frizzy, my hair is something akin to a styling nightmare. If my haircut is even a teensy bit wrong I look as if I’ve been tumbledried. And finding hair care products that don’t a) leave it lank and lifeless as they are too full of extras b) make it frizz so much that I need an early warning system to enter a room or c) leave it feeling dirty, is well nigh impossible.

In fact, so impossible that since moving to the UK I had given up. Well not now. After using the products described below I walked out of my room with Cheryl Cole’s advert hair. I didn’t use straighteners, I didn’t use a hair dryer and I didn’t use a single drop of styling anything. My hair went soft and curly and bouncy. I spent the next few days tossing my head like a deranged stallion.

Lee Stafford Hot Shots 2 Minute Miracle Repair

Oh yes, a miracle indeed. My top layer of dry frizzy hair that has remained stubbornly unkempt since my last run of going blonde, softened into lush curls immediately. I am smitten. The product really does take two minutes to do its thing and you can, depending on the length of your hair, get at least two uses out of one tube. When you consider that it costs £6.84 for three, that’s a month and a half’s worth of actual hair treatment.

So if you tend to have dry, frizzy and damaged hair and no time to spend faffing around salons (like most of us mums) then this is your lovely solution.

Lee Stafford Colour Love Conditioner

I colour my hair all the time. When I fell pregnant I thought you weren’t allowed to colour your hair at all so that’s when I found out that I was actually a lot grey! I hadn’t seen my natural hair for that long. So, as you can imagine, my hair is a bit battered thanks to my proclivity to all colours under the sun.

This conditioner is not too thick and doesn’t leave that slightly sticky residue that many brands do. It goes in and washes out easily and quickly and, even if you use it without the treatments, it conditions beautifully. While my hair still did a little of its frizaroo thing, it was nowhere near as bad as when I’ve used alternatives. The price of £4.49 for 250ml is a bargain. You only need a tiny amount so it will last, and last and last.

Lee Stafford Colour Love Shampoo

This shampoo works nicely with the conditioner, or equally as well on its own. I tried it with my old conditioner and have to admit that there was a difference. My hair loves these products. It’s softer and more manageable without being heavy or oily.

I never have the time to blow dry and straighten so these products are really getting a thorough testing. My hair has to dry naturally and look lovely. I am too busy juggling work and kids to have to spend hours fiddling with hair bits and pieces. So yes, this is a lovely shampoo that doesn’t cost the earth at £4.49 (the complete set for under a tenner from Boots) and does work well for dry and damaged hair.

Lee Stafford Colour Love Treatment

After waxing lyrical about the wonders of the shampoo, conditioner and treatment above, it does pain me to say that this particular product was a bit of a failure. I sat patiently in the shower for the required five minutes and made sure that I followed all the lovely instructions properly.

I was so excited, after the results of the 2Minute Miracle I was on tenterhooks to return to my lovely Cheryl Cole Advert Hair. Sadly it was not as good. My hair kept a lot of its frizz and felt quite heavy and coated. This wasn’t as spectacular as its friend but I must admit that it is still better than many of the products I’ve tried previously. A winner for dry and damaged hair and a lot of it for £6.49.

At PlayPennies we believe that parent pampering isn’t just about one day in February but rather about the entire month! So these delectable hampers from Debenhams should give you both a slice of luxury at a neat 25 percent off. 

• Click here to find your perfect hamper at Debenhams 

Not all the hampers at Debenhams are included in the sale but there appear to be three lovely variations for you to choose from. The first is the Dessert Wine Gift that includes Lakeland Dairy butter fudge, Belgian chocolates and a bottle of sweet dessert wine for only £11.99. 

The Party Gift Box includes flatbread crisps, black olive dip, a ceramic serving bowl and a bottle of Rose wine for only £14.99. My personal favourite is the Dip & Fizz set that has yellow pepper antipasto, bread dipper oil and a bottle of fizz for £16.99. 

There are some other hampers marked down in price but not as a part of the 25 percent off sale, such as the Valduero Decanter Gift Box. You can even amble around the rest of the sale and nab some stunning flower baskets on offer too. 

All your purchases can have little extras like teddy bears, chocolates and balloons added to them to really round them off.