Great Finds

Stokke Tripp Trapp

Posted by cafebebemama on Dec 18, 2009 in Great Finds, High Chairs | 4 comments

On Twitter there is a loyal following for anything and everything Stokke.  I’ve been out of the Stokke loop until recently.  You see, we are now the proud recipient of a lovely Stokke Tripp Trapp- Trend Collection Yellow, courtesy of Sian To at as Clear as PR and Little Miss is smitten!

Stokke Tripp Trapp image ID STOX29

• STRENGTHS:  The Stokke Tripp Trapp is specially designed for proper ergonomics for your child.  In other words, they sit up properly and are supported correctly to eat and interact at the dining table.  All safety precautions are taken for every age child.  The Stokke Tripp Trapp can be used from 6 months to teenage (and even adult) years.  You can purchase the Stokke Tripp Trapp Baby Set for children age 6-18 months.  This gives a little more security for your baby.  The design of the Stokke Tripp Trapp is timeless.  It will fit into any home no matter your decor.  As there are no nooks or crannies that food can get trapped in, the Stokke Tripp Trapp is a doddle to clean which is crucial for time-crunched parents.  The Stokke Tripp Trapp comes flat-packed but I managed to assemble it in about 20 minutes.  The picture instructions are more than adequate and assembly is very straightforward.
• WEAKNESSES:  The only weakness, potentially for some families, is the price.  The Stokke Tripp Trapp is an investment piece but as it should be the only high chair your child will ever need (into adulthood mind you), it’s a price worth paying.  Accessories are separate purchases.
• OPINION:  I am so pleased with the Stokke Tripp Trapp!  I wish we had had it from Little Miss’ 6 month birthday.  She sits up brilliantly and is so happy and comfortable in her Tripp Trapp; she even asks to sit in it when it’s not meal time.  The design and construction of the Stokke Tripp Trapp is superior and I look forward to having it in our house for years and years to come.  We have the Yellow Stokke Tripp Trapp but you can choose a myriad of colours which makes the Stokke Tripp Trapp a very personal piece.  My sister-in-law had a Stokke Tripp Trapp for her youngest son and it stood up to his rough and tumble attitude famously.
• TECHNICAL STUFF:  The Stokke Tripp Trapp RRP = £130; Baby Set RRP = £40.  You can purchase a harness and cushion (£40)  as well.  You can get stunning custom cushions from the ever-so-clever Natalie at www.sophie4sophie.com.  You can get Tripp Trapp’s from various sites for as low as £99 so do shop around.
• RATING: 5+ out of 5

Little Miss in her Stokke Tripp Trapp

Little Miss sitting pretty in her Stokke Tripp Trapp

Stokke- www.stokke.com

simplehuman

Posted by cafebebemama on Dec 14, 2009 in Great Finds | 1 comment

I had an opportunity to trial a brilliant new household product from the simplehuman company recently.  It’s brought a new sense of organisation and loveliness to a bathroom sorely lacking in both!

Simple Human Bathroom Shower Dispenser

Ever since the arrival of Little Miss, our bathroom has taken on a decidedly “childish” theme.  Bottles of children’s bath gel, shampoo, bubble bath on top of Mummy & Daddy’s shampoo, shower gel and assorted razors and other accessories.  Our tub was rapidly resembling the Tesco store bath section.  Given the opportunity to add a bit of class and organisation at the same time was very welcoming.

• STRENGTHS:  Installation was a breeze with the silicone adhesive included and within minutes, our bathroom wall looked like a high class hotel.  We received the dual dispenser (picture is of 3 dispenser variety) and it very adequately stored our shampoo and conditioner.  The pumps are smooth and easy to use and even allow for a razor to be hung from one side (which we did not do due to the presence of a curious 18 month old!).  Unfortunately for us, we would need a 10 dispenser item to clear everything off the tub!
• WEAKNESSES:  The price is a bit steep for our family.  £49.99 for the Twin Dispenser, £69.99 for the Triple Dispenser is a bit steep but it does look very good and is high quality.
• OPINION:  I love any product that allows for a bit of organisation while bringing style to its surroundings.  Simple Human products are just that.  Very stylish and VERY functional.  There are products to fit every need in your household.  You can’t go wrong with simplehuman!
• TECHNICAL STUFF:  £49.99 for the Twin Dispenser; £69.99 for the Triple Dispenser; Free delivery for purchases of £49 or more.
• RATING:  4.5 out of 5 (only minus is for cost)

simplehuman- www.simplehuman.co.uk

3 & 5 Bagz from ZPM

Posted by cafebebemama on Nov 20, 2009 in Great Finds, Out and About | 4 comments

We’re all trying to be green and eco-conscious aren’t we?  Well, we try!  How many times do you go to the grocery store and realise you’ve left your REUSABLE shopping bags in the boot?  I imagine, more often than not!  I HAVE A SOLUTION FOR YOU!!  3 & 5 Bagz from ZPM…they will save your life.  Well, if not your life, at least a small corner of the environment because you won’t be caught out again!

• STRENGTHS:  The real strength of the 3 & 5 Bagz from ZPM is the genius of the whole thing!  You have 3 or 5 reusable rip-stop nylon “Bagz” (think parachute fabric here people…you know that’s STRONG) nicely folded into another zippered bag which has a handy strap attached to the top allowing it to be hung off the shopping trolley, pushchair or changing bag.  In fact, it’s compact enough to take up no more space than a packet of wipes in your changing bag!  The Bagz are stylish and strong and hold a considerable amount of product.  You absolutely CANNOT go wrong with this product.
• WEAKNESSES:  I cannot find a weakness with this product.  Genius!
• OPINION:  I was asked by Profile PR to trial the 3 Bagz from ZPM and am so happy that I agreed to do it.  I’m a little too excited about this product, to tell you the truth…didn’t think I could get so happy about reusable anything!  I love the convenience of this product, the style and the durability all make it a necessity in any household.  You MUST check out the ZPM website as there are SO many brilliant product that Zoe Phayre-Mudge has created.  I am particularly drawn to the Trolley-Dolly as I think it will revolutionise your shopping experience.  I WANT ONE!  There are products for every need and want…and Christmas is coming readers.  You may want to prepare your list right from ZPM!  All of the products would make brilliant Christmas presents for family and friends as well.  Tell them Cafe Bebe sent you! (It won’t get you any special deals but you know…it’s nice to share the love)
• TECHNICAL STUFF:  The 3 Bagz is £9.95 while the 5 Bagz is £14.95.  There are a variety of fabric styles to choose from- see the website for specific styles.  www.zpm.com
• RATING: 5+ out of 5! Genius!

ZPM

Gorgeous Goodies

Posted by cafebebemama on Nov 16, 2009 in Clothing, Great Finds | 0 comments

I found some more GORGEOUS GOODIES that you just must check out!  When asked to sample some of the offerings at Gorgeous Goodies, I was more than happy to accomodate the lovely Jan.  The Gorgeous Goodies website is lovely and calming with soft colours and beautiful images.  You won’t mind “window shopping” through the Gorgeous Goodies site; there are a lot of scrummy items that very well may end up on your Christmas list.  I know I’d love to have one of the Bathrobes to snuggle up in.  It might be more trendy than my current morning wardrobe!  I received 2 t-shirts from the Pick ‘n’ Mix Bag of Sweeties.  You can select any of the items from that category and they will be packaged in a lovely cotton bag for you.  The products are 100% organic, ethical and fairly traded.  A 50p donation to The Meningitis Trust from the sale of every product with a retail value of £15 or more makes for a very worthy purchase, especially at this time of year.

• STRENGTHS:  The two t-shirts we received are lovely.  They are organic cotton and one t-shirt is long sleeve while the other is short with a simply elegant design in the middle of the chest…Sweetpea and Sweetheart.  Gorgeous for the Little Miss!  The t-shirts were packaged in a cotton bag and tied with a cute gingham ribbon which makes for a lovely present to open.  I’ll be able to put the cotton bag to use for Little Miss as well…I’m thinking In the Night Garden characters or colour crayons!
• WEAKNESSES:  There are no weaknesses with the products, shipping, packaging or website.  The only thing to note is that the prices are certainly not Primark prices but you are paying for an ethical, fairly traded, organic product that is of a high quality.  It’s nice to have a treat once in a while!  Add Gorgeous Goodies to your child’s Christmas wish list for something special from the relatives…they can afford it!
• OPINION:  I really enjoyed the entire package that Gorgeous Planet/Gorgeous Goodies presents.  They are customer service oriented, the website is pleasant and comforting and the products are first rate.  I was happy to be introduced to Gorgeous Goodies and would highly recommend that you check it out!
• TECHNICAL STUFF:  The short-sleeved “SweetPea” t-shirt is £10 while the long-sleeved “SweetHeart” t-shirt is £15.  You will pay postage but that varies depending on the total order.  50p from every sale of £15 or more is donated to The Meningitis Trust.
• RATING:  5 out of 5

Gorgeous Goodies

The Funky Pigeon

Posted by cafebebemama on Nov 9, 2009 in Great Finds, Toys and Games | 0 comments

The amazing world that is Twitter has allowed me to meet some amazing individuals. I was “tweeted” by a company called The Funky Pigeon last week. What, may you ask, is The Funky Pigeon? Well, it’s a very clever new site which specialises in personalising just about everything under the sun. They have cards, calendars, posters, flowers and gift packages which can be sent direct to you to give to someone or sent directly to the recipient. As Christmas is just around the corner, I was asked by Nina at The Funky Pigeon if I wouldn’t mind testing out their ordering system to receive a personalised Letter from Santa and a matching Door Hanger. Sure! A keepsake pressie for my daughter? No problems!

• STRENGTHS:  The ordering process is very straightforward on The Funky Pigeon.  You simply register an account with basic details, order your items and pay through any number of payment methods (PayPal, Google Checkout, Major Credit Cards).  The site is easy to navigate and entertaining to browse.  I was able to personalise Little Miss’ Letter from Santa by including her name, something she’s accomplished this year and what present she’s hoping for.  I could also specify if I wanted the letter addressed to Little Miss and whether it shouldn’t be opened before Christmas.  I was also able to select a matching door hanger with Little Miss’ name on it.  Despite difficulties with Royal Mail, I ordered the Letter and Door Hanger on a Thursday (before 2pm) and received it on Friday!  Now, that’s service!
• WEAKNESSES:  The only real complaint that I had was that the boldness of the print on Little Miss’ letter was a bit light.  The font was more of a “handwriting” style which is very appropriate as it’s written by Santa and all, but it could stand to be just a bit darker.
• OPINION:  The Funky Pigeon has really found a great niche, particularly before the holidays.  The prices are reasonable, the quality of the products is high and the creativity is fantastic.  Although Little Miss is only 17 months and can’t read or really appreciate who Santa is yet, we will keep this letter for her and share it each year.  It will be a real keepsake for her.  I particularly appreciated the speed with which we received Little Miss’ letter and door hanger which is very encouraging as the weeks wind down before Christmas.
• TECHNICAL STUFF:  The personalised Santa letter was £4.99 + .47 postage; the personalise Door Hanger was £2.99 + .47 postage.
• RATING:  5 out of 5

The Funky Pigeon

Baby Aid First Aid Kit

Posted by cafebebemama on Nov 5, 2009 in Great Finds, Out and About | 0 comments

Along with every other new and experienced mother, I try to protect my child at all times.  Perhaps too much so sometimes!  We are careful out in public; we use anti-bacterial hand gel, wipe off surfaces and high chairs before sitting in them and are aware of our surroundings for safety’s sake.  No, I’m not obsessive…just protective.  When I was approached by the PR for BabyAid to see if I would like to review the BabyAid First Aid kit, I jumped at the chance!  When I received the kit, I was very impressed.  Here are the items you will find in the BabyAid First Aid kit:

• 3 x Burnshield Burnblott Sachets
• 1 x Non adherent absorbent dressing 10cm x 10cm
• 1 x Conforming bandage 5cm x 4m
• 1 x Blunt first aid scissors
• 1 x Adhesive tape 1,25cm x 5m
• 1 x sterile Eyewash/Woundwash pod 20ml
• 3 x Disposable Traxit childrens thermometers
• 4 x Alcohol free cleansing wipes
• 2 x 4cm x 4cm hypoallergenic plasters
• 1 x 6cm x 7cm hypoallergenic plasters
• 8 x Childrens fun hypoallergenic plasters
• 6 x Brave Little Star Stickers
• 1 x How to make it better-Guidance leaflet
• 1 x What is it all for-Directions for use leaflet

• STRENGTHS:  The BabyAid First Aid kit comes in a lovely, vinyl, waterproof case that’s small enough to fit easily into any changing bag.  There are mesh dividers and pockets in the kit containing all of the brilliant first aid supplies.  I was even able to add a few of our own items without over-filling the kit.  I feel like we could tackle any emergency no matter how major or minor.  The BabyAid First Aid kit is quite stylish as well, with multicoloured flowers and bright trim which make it the perfect accessory.
• WEAKNESSES:  I cannot come up with one weakness…it’s perfect for every family.
• OPINION:  I have had a clear plastic sandwich bag stuffed in our changing bag until now.  It’s truly amazing the amount of things in the BabyAid First Aid Kit.  You can’t be caught out!  It’s an affordable price and something everyone should have in their car or changing bag.
• TECHNICAL STUFF:  Dimensions= 15 cm x 10 cm x 5 cm; RRP = £14.95 including VAT; You can add additional refill packs and specific items so your kit can remain properly stocked at all times.
• RATING:  5 out of 5

BabyAid