Chad Valley Designafriend Amelia Doll & Fluffy Friends Sitting Dog Plush Review plus Win a £75 Argos Voucher

The children and I are excited to announce that for the next few months, we are part of the Chad Valley Play Panel and will be reviewing some of the fabulous toys they have to offer.

Chad Valley have been part of our lives for many years so we are really excited to have them on the blog. 

"Chad Valley is 150 years old, with a range of over 400 toys exclusively available at Argos. The majority of toys are for babies, toddlers and younger children. 

The really special thing about Chad Valley is that all the toys are designed and developed purely with play in mind. That’s it, just pure play and imagination! So, you’ll see hero products such as the Tots Town Pirate Ship and the incredibly life-like Chad Valley Tiny Treasures New-born Doll , which are incredibly popular as they allow younger children to submerge themselves in pure imagination, creating their own little worlds to play in. That said, older children are important too, which is why you’ll also find ranges like Designafriend and Chad Valley Double Sided Easel offering imaginative fun for children up to the age of nine."

We were sent a wonderful selection of toys to play with but the ones we are going to focus on are the Designafriend Amelia Doll and Fluffy Friends Sitting Dog.

My daughter gasped when she opened the box containing the doll, with long blonde hair it looked just like her, dressed in a super funky pair of leggings and leather jacket it looked the part too. It came with little accessories, including some super snazzy sandals, sunglasses and a little bracelet for my daughter to wear.

The box itself tells you all about the range which is a lovely touch and wrapped in tissue paper she reminds me of a doll from a book I had growing up.

The fact the dolls hair is just like my daughters is great and she was so excited to have a doll that looked just like her, the Designafriend range has dolls with all different looks and styles so whatever your little one is in to there is a doll to suit them.

The Fluffy Friends Sitting Dog has been a favourite with both my son and my daughter, it's been shared between the both of them, it has worn a hat and been covered in a blanket at bedtime. We have more soft toys than I care to remember, but this one has been loved and shared like no other before it. It is exactly as described... fluffy, so very fluffy!!

The whole Chad Valley ethos is "that just 15 minutes of imaginative play a day can make an enormous difference to a child's development". I love this sentiment and certainly feel that all of the toys we were sent enabled the children to do just that.

If you like what you see, then you too can get in on some toy action.  I have a £75 gift voucher to giveaway. The perfect little extra to put towards, dare I say it, Christmas this year.

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This is a collaborative post, all words and images are my own.

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars - A New Hope - plus Competition

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars - A New Hope, a film that changed the world of film forever.

For me, I remember many a Christmas where we watched Star Wars together as a family. I sat watching in awe at the lightsabers and stormtroopers and thinking how amazing Princess Leia was. The love story, the action and comedy in the films is what makes them so special, with a brother and two male cousins I fondly remember playing with the Millennium Falcon that my grandparents had at their house.

Fast forward some *coughs* 30 something years and it is the turn of my son to enjoy the films as much as I did, which he does if not more. With new films having been released since my day and more set for release this year it is a great time to be alive for any Star Wars fans.

My son loves to play with his lego Star Wars, making up scenes from the film and it has been something he has enjoyed watching with his Dad, it is great that it can be passed on from generation to generation and be something all ages enjoy.

With the 40th Anniversary though comes the release of some beautiful new books from Egmont, bound in a black cover and colourful page edges, these are books to take pride of place on your book shelf, they look simple, clean and contain the stories from the films.

My son who is 9 has thoroughly enjoyed reading them, his words are 'they are really good Mummy, just like the films only I can read them when I am in bed'

The books in the series are:
Star Wars: A New Hope Junior Novel
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Junior Novel
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Junior Novel
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Junior Novel

and the beautifully illustrated Galactic Atlas

The Galactic Atlas has been a particular favourite, allowing my son to sit and look at the pictures with his sister and hopefully encourage her to like Star Wars the same way, which she does a bit because it has a princess in it.

My son has started the series from the beginning, reading A New Hope which is one of his favourite films. An introduction to this intergalactic world and to the wonderful characters, my son has loved reading this book the most and I think that is purely because it is where it all starts, he loved reading some to his little sister who I am sure one day will be as in to reading them as he has been.

The Empire Strikes Back follows on from A New Hope in the same way the films do, obviously this is a bit darker than the first but still, it has been written in a way that makes it easy for younger readers without being too scary.

Return of the Jedi is my favourite story of all, mainly because of the Ewoks but I think ultimately because at the time it was the final chapter in a story that we had all grown to love. The book tells the story in the same way with the same familiar feeling on it ending. Since then we have The Force Awakens, I have only seen this film once and then I was making dinner, so I am not really that sure whether it follows the same story, but I have been informed by my son that it does.

They are all wonderfully adapted stories which make them great for younger readers, with some of the more difficult to understand elements of the story altered. The prologues set the scene and the beginning of each story cleverly offers up information about what is happening, as if you were actually watching the film.

These books would make absolutely wonderful gifts to any Star Wars fan, especially since it is the 40th Anniversary of A New Hope this year.

And if you fancy having a read yourself then I have a competition to win the four new junior novels, all you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter form below, T&Cs apply.

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This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Egmont UK

Mother's Day Treats at Victoria Retail Park plus Competition to Win £100 Next Voucher

Finding that perfect place to shop as a mum isn't always easy, but with out of town retail parks such as Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield, there are not only plenty of shops and free parking spaces but also plenty of places to eat too.

With stores such as Next, TK Maxx and B&M to name but a few there are plenty of fashion, home stores and food shops to satisfy every shopping craving and to even find that perfect Mother's Day gift.

I love Next & TK Maxx and with the summer fashion slowly working its way through the winter ones, then there is no better time to look for some new items for your wardrobe.

I love these pretty summer dresses and shoes, perfect for days out, weddings or simply wanting that something special.

Next & TK Maxx on Polyvore

"Superdry" Lace & Chambray Dress - TK Maxx / Buy Blush Vintage Caged Prom Printed Dress from the Next UK online... / Buy Nude Mini Across-The-Body Bag from the Next UK online shop / "Replay" Tan & Silver Clog Sandals - TK Maxx / Buy Blush Vintage Caged Prom Printed Dress from the Next UK online...

With other stores including M&S Food, Argos, B&Q, Boots and Halfords there are plenty of places for that full on retail experience no matter what you are looking for.

Along with shops there are also several food outlets, including Frankie and Bennies, McDonalds, Greggs, and KFC, meaning you can grab some lunch whilst you are there too

With Colwick Park just down the road this makes it a great place to pop and get some retail therapy after a visit to the park.

So if you haven't thought of a Mother's Day gift and are in the Nottingham area then why not pop over to Victoria Retail Park to find some perfect pressies for that special lady in your life, makeup from Boots, clothes from Next or simply some flowers from M&S Food.

And if you are feeling lucky, then why not try entering the competition below to win £100 worth of Next vouchers from the lovely people over at Victoria Retail Park.

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This is a collaborative post, all words are my own.

Win a Day Out on a Cruise Ship with Royal Caribbean

If like me, you've never seen a cruise ship, let alone been on one, this competition could be for you.  

I am delighted to have partnered with Royal Caribbean International to run a prize draw for two winners plus their family (up to four guests each), to join Royal Caribbean for an exciting day onboard the Navigator of the Seas in Southampton on Sunday 24^th July.

Navigator of the Seas is sailing from Southampton over the summer season and doing a variety of 7-14 night European itineraries, including France & Spain, Western Med, Norway, Central Med and Italian Med. She's currently doing a 12 night Baltic sailing, next departure for that itinerary is 28 June and it calls at; Oslo, Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Bruge.

The lucky winners will board at 9.30am, take a tour, enjoy a delicious lunch and have time to explore the ship and a selection of on-board activities, finally disembarking at 2.30pm to head home!

Enter today to be in with a chance of getting a taster of Royal Caribbean’s extraordinary holidays and discover the ‘WOW’ factor that sets them apart….Hurry though, this prize draw closes 5th July at Midnight.

Terms and conditions apply, please see the T&Cs on the Rafflecopter widget before entering.

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Competition 

See More Competitions at ThePrizeFinder

Happy Pony Stories Giveaway

Last week, we reviewed a wonderful new series of books called Happy Ponies, they were a welcome addition to our reading pile. These are such easy to read stories that you and your children can relate to, they have been thoroughly enjoyed in our house.

Best of all I am really excited to be able to offer the first three books in the series worth over £20 to one of my lucky readers, as well as five runners up prizes of a set of stickers from the series, perfect for those sticker loving pony fans you might have.

All you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter form below, T&Cs apply.

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Win a Barbie Princess Power Doll

A few months back we were sent the fabulous Barbie Princess Power Doll to have a play with, we had a party to celebrate the release of the doll and DVD and it was great to see my daughter become a little superhero.

Well, I have one Princess Power Barbie doll for one of my readers to win, all you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter form below, great for any little superhero and dare I say great to put away for a certain C word thats happening in a few months time!

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Born to Be Brave

Back in 1991, I visited a place called Kingswood Camps, I remember taking part in archery, team building, go karting and many other things. It was an amazing experience, one I remember even now.

So when I was asked to help spread the word about their #BornToBeBrave campaign I knew it wouldn’t be difficult.

My children surprise me with their eagerness to try new things, sometimes a little afraid of what might happen but happy to try it none the less.

My daughter loves to climb, she has no fear and is so brave, even if she can’t climb to the top of something she’ll do her best. 

We were at the park last month and she rushed to  the older kids section of the park, she climbed up the rock slide part of the  playground, she didn’t stop, she didn’t falter she just climbed up, she is such a brave little thing.

My son fell off his scooter last year, he bust his chin open and we spent several hours in A&E, he was so scared but in all that, he remained brave, even covered in blood.

I was and still am petrified of him going back on his scooter but being the brave little guy he is, he got on it, bandage still in tact.

Kingswood Camps offer holidays for 8-17 year olds and pop-up day camps for 3-12 year olds’, both offering a great range of activities and opportunities for both younger and older children.

They currently have the #borntobebrave competition where you can win the following prizes:

The Prize:

First prize – a choice of:

7 night Multi-Activity holiday for 2 children at any of Kingswood’s holiday camps (aged 8-17) – worth £1078

OR

A week at a pop-up day camp for 2 children / 2 weeks for one child (aged 3/5-12) at any of Kingswood’s pop-up camps – worth up to £400

Second prize (prize of choice for runner up):

A Bear Grylls Survival Academy Day Course at Grosvenor Hall Ashford or Isle of Wight

OR

£100 voucher towards any Kingswood Camps holiday or pop-up day camp.

Just head on over to the Kingswood Camp Facebook page to enter, all you need  to do is submit a picture of your child being brave, something as simple as climbing a tree or trying a new food and get as many as your friends and family to vote for them. Full details and T&Cs are on the Kingswood Camp Facebook page.

So when has your child been brave?

 NB: This is a collaborative post, all words are my own.

Ivy Cabin Review & Giveaway

A few weeks ago I was approached by the lovely people at Ivy Cabin to see if I would like to review one of their products. A quick look round their beautiful website and it wasn't hard for me to find several gorgeous items to choose from that I knew would fit in my home.

My daughters room currently lacks pretty storage, so I chose this beautiful bear drawstring bag for her dressing up clothes.

Arriving beautifully wrapped I was excited to open it, it was a lot bigger than I was expecting which is good and is great quality. It has a drawstring across the top and a hook so you can hang on a on the back of the door.

The perfect size for all my daughters dress up clothes and easy for her to open too.

I think it fits perfectly with the mixed vintage and modern styling we have in her room, and I am a huge fan of the bear print on the bag. It is well worth the money and I think £10 is great value for such a huge bag!

And finally the lovely people over at Ivy Cabin have given me one of these fabulous sacks to giveaway, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below (T&Cs apply and can be found on the entry options). Plus if you can't wait to see if you win or see something you fancy over on Ivy Cabin's website then you can get 10% off until the end of May with code MUMMYDIARY

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Barbie Bubble-tastic Mermaid Giveaway

A few weeks back we reviewed the fantastic Barbie Bubble-Tastic Mermaid, the perfect summer toy and great for bubble and Barbie lovers alike.

So you’ll be excited to hear that I have one to giveaway to one of my lucky readers, your little one can spin and twirl with Barbie creating bubbles as they go.

A great way to get your little ones out in the garden as well as the perfect companion for bath time.

All you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter form below, T&Cs apply and can be found on each entry criteria.

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Win Tickets to see Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom Live

If you have children, then you probably know of a little kingdom hidden among the thorny brambles. Ben and Holly are a favourite in our house and I am sure they are  for many other families around the country.

My daughter loves to watch Ben & Holly on their adventures, her daddy has even met the voice of Gaston (yes we know he just barks).

So it’s great news that the hugely popular Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom theatre production takes to the road again for a second UK & Ireland tour this year.  A BAFTA award-winning TV animation, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom comes from the makers of Peppa Pig and was produced for the stage by top children’s theatre producers Fiery Light Productions, whose growing stable of work includes the stage adaptions of Peppa Pig and Octonauts.

The Little Kingdom –where everyone is very, very small –is home to Princess Holly and her best friend Ben Elf. Holly is a young fairy princess who is still learning how to do magic properly and sometimes her spells don’t work out quite right. Ben is an Elf. Elves don’t do magic but they are very good at making things. Ben doesn’t have wings like Holly but he flies on the back of Gaston the Ladybird.

In this exciting new musical adventure, Ben and Holly have fun and games helping Gaston clean up his messy cave; they go on a trip to The Big World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum; and still have time to plan a surprise for King Elf’s birthday party, complete with an unplanned jelly flood.

Packed full of games, songs and laughter, this is an enchanting and magical visit to the Little Kingdom, live on stage for the very first time. This beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight all the family.

Now for the really good bit, I have one family ticket up for grabs for a venue of your choice (T&Cs apply). To find out where the show is playing near you visit http://www.benandhollylive.com. Just enter via the Rafflecopter form below, terms and conditions can be found on the Rafflecopter widget against each entry tab, by entering your agree to the T&Cs.

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