Nixon and I made the most of a break in the rain this morning and headed outside to create our own gunny sack garden and plant it with kale seeds. ChildFund New Zealand are using this innovative and eco-friendly initiative with families in Kenya to help …
Toys that do double-duty are my absolute favourite when it comes to creating hours of meaningful, educational play for Nixon. I will not buy single purpose toys for under 5’s as little ones tire of them so quickly and often require intensive supervision to ensure they …
Prior to Nixon’s pull-through operation to help his Hirschspungs Disease we were using cloth nappies. I invested the money, got my little system sorted and felt good about what we were doing. I was soon to realise that cloth diapering is very, very easy when you have a baby that never, ever poops. Post-op, things were radically different. Nixon’s shorter bowell was fully operational within 15 minutes of waking from anaesthesia and pretty much didn’t stop for about a month. It’s a miracle that his little baby toosh isn’t scarred from the nappy rash that ensued!
Anyway, I digress as usual……..It was at this particularly difficult time that I packaged up the cloth nappies and eagerly sold them on Trade Me, happy to never see another insert or pocket ever, ever again.
Having an eco-friendly alternative to cloth diapering is so important, because, let’s face it, cloth is not for everyone. I love disposable nappies. There. I said it.
What is super cool is that now we do have a choice. We were sent some of the New Precious Eco Nappies to try and Nix has now been wearing them exclusively for the past week. Did I mention that Nix has had rotavirus over the past week? No? I’m sure there is no better road test for a nappy than a Hirschsprung’s kid with rotavirus lol {I’m actually crying on the inside}.
Verdict: Great. Super. No leaks. Can’t believe I’m saying that after the week we’ve had but it’s true! A little less stretch than regular disposables but pretty much a non-issue.
New Precious Eco Nappies are 75% biodegradable and compostable in managed landfill and composting facilities, and just the answer for those mums that worry about the environmental implications of conventional disposable nappies.
New Precious Eco Nappies come in six sizes including Newborn, Infant, Crawler, Toddler, Walker and Junior and are available from all New World and Pak’n Save supermarkets as well as online from The Wholesale Nappy Company. Recommended retail price is $11.99.
Here’s your chance to win one of 3 Precious gift packs consisting of a pack of Precious Eco Nappies, a pack of Precious 99.45% Sensitive Water Wipes and a pack of Precious Travel Wipes plus a super cool duffle bag from Cotton On Kids! I’m giving away 1 prize pack here, just leave me a comment below and let me know how you roll – cloth, disposable, both? I’m giving away the other 2 prize packs on Facebook so head over to The Best Nest and follow the instructions on the prize image.
Competition closes Wednesday 6th May at 10.pm.
Precious Eco Nappies were provided to me for editorial consideration, opinions expressed are my own.
I’M SO PLEASED TO HAVE JOINED MUNCH COOKING THIS YEAR AS ONE OF THEIR MUNCH MUMS! LOOK OUT FOR MY REVIEWS AND GIVEAWAYS EACH MONTH AS I INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME AWESOME {AND PRETTY INNOVATIVE} PRODUCTS FROM THE MUNCH CUPBOARD. I’ve never explored the concept …
Last week saw the somewhat anticipated beginning of Term 2. After a lovely, lazy two weeks of school holidays E left the house last Monday happy and ready to get stuck in to another school term. Compared to holidays past, the Easter break was chilled …
I AM IN AWE OF THE MANY INCREDIBLE MUM’S OUT THERE, DOING A FAB JOB OF RUNNING THEIR OWN SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES WHILST SIMULTANEOUSLY HOLDING DOWN THE FORT AT HOME. I’M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE ‘MET’ MANY OF THESE LADIES ONLINE AND CAN’T WAIT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME NEW FACES AND THEIR AWESOME ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVOURS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED AND HAVE YOUR BUSINESS FEATURED, PLEASE SAY HELLO! MELISSA@THEBESTNEST.CO.NZ
Ok, so today we are Saying hello! to a business that gives me ALL of the mummy guilts. When Ethan was a babe we did every activity on offer. You name it we had a booking; Jumping Beans, swimming from 3 months old, baby art classes, Mainly Music, regular play dates………meanwhile, baby #2? Nixon and I have been chilling for almost 2 years lol. And there are reasons for that of course, but one thing I do remember from all of my excursions with Ethan was that sometimes, classes with young bubbas are just as beneficial for the Mums as they are educational and stimulating for the wee ones : )
Let me introduce Sam and Think.Play.Love. “Nurturing playful minds for kiwi kids” – how lovely does that sound? Sam and Hannah from Think.Play.Love bring a uniquely kiwi element to music, movement and sensory classes for babies under 14 months and toddlers 14 months – 3 years. These two qualified early childhood and primary teachers have crafted their fab, experiential classes to support the New Zealand early childhood curriculum, including learning and experiences in Te Reo. Based in Auckland, classes are held in Browns Bay, Whenuapai, Takapuna, Pt Chevalier and Henderson.
For more information or to book a class please visit Think.Play.Love online or on Facebook.
Hello Sam! Which came first, the baby or the business?
The baby, but the idea for the business was dreamt up long before Cooper came along! My business partner, Hannah, attended music classes for babies while working as a nanny in London so we often talked about setting up something similar ourselves but with a New Zealand flavour for our Kiwi kids. After Cooper turned one I wasn’t ready to return to my teaching job as I wanted more flexible hours to be at home with him so we decided to go for it and Think.Play.Love was born!
What is your background and how does this influence your business ethos?
I worked as a Primary teacher for 10 years so I am extremely passionate about education and child development. Think.Play.Love has allowed me to build on my existing skills as a teacher but broaden my knowledge and experience by branching into the Early Childhood sector. I feel that learning through movement and sensory play is absolutely crucial for the developing minds of babies so this is always at the forefront of my mind when planning our classes.
How do you manage to balance your young family with life as a business owner?
It’s hard that’s for sure! My partner also has his own glazing business so there is a lot to fit in. I try to be really present when I am with Cooper rather than on my phone or the computer so most of my work is done while he is napping during the day or at night once he is in bed. I am so lucky to have such a strong support network, my family have been great! My mum and sister often look after Cooper so that I can run classes.
Social media is changing the way businesses tell their stories and reach out to customers, how do you incorporate SM in your business plan and is it hard to keep your personal stories separate?
We have found Social Media to be the most effective way for us to get our name out there and generate a following for Think.Play.Love. I do share personal stories or photos of Cooper from time to time. I actually see it as a good thing as I want our followers to be able to relate to me and know that I am a mum just like them.
What’s ahead for Think Play Love?
We are really excited as we are in the process of adding toddler classes which will be available from Term 3. The classes will still include sensory learning experiences but we will add in a lot more movement activities to promote fine and gross motor skills and cross patterning through climbing type activities, all of which develop important brain pathways.
Bucking the trend that has seen sickly sweet ciders flood the market recently (if I never taste another Strawberry Lime Cider it will be too soon!), Mac’s have taken inspiration from their brewing roots and brought to market four stunning wee drops that will easily find favour …
While many teenage girls were excited about makeup and waged battles with their parents about the appropriateness of their blue eyeshadow, I was entirely disinterested and more than likely at the beach surfing. When I was heading out for the night my entire routine consisted …
Everytime I think that surely there are simply no more amazing ideas out there left to bring to market, a Mum comes up with something new and fab. It’s always a Mum isn’t it?
Kirsty from Neat n Sweet attempted making up her cot whilst pregnant and soon realised what all Mums and Dads (maybe only some Dads?) know as fact; making up a cot is almost as futile and aggravating as making up a top bunk! She then began a journey of trial and error combined with years of research and experimentation which has led to the development of Neat n Sweet sheets.
Neat n Sweet sheets are designed to tuck baby into bed the good old-fashioned way. Made with special fittings that fasten under the mattress, they keep the entire sheet set secure and in place and avoid the top sheet from lifting up, becoming loose and untucked.
With a top sheet sewn in, parents no longer have to fuss around with tucking in multiple sheets and blankets that could later fall or be kicked off in the middle of the night. A wrap is also fitted to the base sheet that keeps baby in the preferred sleep position through the night – on their back.
The top sheet is fitted with two zips and each provide access to your baby from either side of the cot. Simply zip them up at night and parents can rest assured knowing that baby is tucked up for the night comfortably.
Made from 95% cotton, Neat n Sweet sheets are available in two colours – pretty pink gingham trim or baby blue gingham trim with white sheeting. Both are filled with breathable cotton fibre and each have an RRP of $139.
For more information and to order Neat n Sweet sheets, visit www.neat-n-sweet.com
I have one set of Baby Blue Gingham Sheets to give away so head over to The Best Nest on Facebook to enter. Competition closes Sunday 26th April at 10pm.
Tis the season ya’ll – feijoas are back and when you are blessed with a feijoa tree you don’t just get one or two do you? You get ALL the feijoas, so having multiple recipes up your sleeve is never a bad idea. I make …