Review: L'oreal Paris Perfect Clean Foaming Cream + cleanPad

Review by Ms Kate of Mummybrain ~ The How-Not-To-Do-It Guide of Marriage Miscarriage Children Divorce Step-Children

I've been looking for a face cleaning product for a while, my skin has been feeling dry and tight, and I thought a good cleanser might be good.

It comes with a neat little cleanPad thing, that attaches through the bottle with a little sucker thing that lets you attach it to the bathroom wall. It's soft and flexible, and has lots of tiny little rubber bristles on it.

 The wash itself makes me feel clean, and fresh. It is for dry and sensitive skin, and as I  have quite sensitive skin, I am quite a good test for this. I have used it several times now, with no side effects. It's nothing particularly special, but it's ok.

Oh but I must gush about the cleanPad, it is just so neat! It really makes my skin feel clean! It kinda feels like a mini-massage! I'd buy this product again, just to get another cleanPad.

Borne Naked Liner

Review by Ms Kate from Mummybrain ~ The How-Not-To-Do-It Guide of Marriage Miscarriage Children Divorce Step-Children

I recently received a product, called a Borne Naked Liner. Basically, it's a clear bag, that you place your items in, and then put the liner into your handbag. I was sceptical to say the least, I thought it sounded like a complete and total waste of time and space.

Before:

I had thought about clearing my handbag out, just so that you couldn't see the state of it before I cleaned it up. *blush* As a mum of 5 I have an awful lot of crap that I carry around with me, and end up with bits of food, daisies by the bucketload, used wipes, and various other indistinguishable items. So here are the 'before' pics.

Yeah I know, it's awful, but I'm a mum - that's  my excuse. LOL


The Borne Naked Liner:

The package arrived and I was really impressed! A nice box, and this beautifully wrapped liner, in soft pink paper. Ahhh it made you feel like a woman LOL
My first impression was that it was really stiff, hard plastic, that it was going to be very heavy in my bag.
It did however appear to be very good quality, nice sized pockets, and zipper worked well. None of this cheap crap here!
So then I got down to the business of moving all my handbag stuff into the liner. I didn't think everything would fit.

From the top looking down

Side

Side

Everything fit perfectly, and everything had a place. Still sceptical, I placed it in my handbag.

The finished product

The final word:


It wasn't anywhere as heavy as I thought it looked, and the stiffness I was worried about meant it stayed nicely in place.
3 weeks later, I still have a nice tidy bag, and use it every day! I am a convert. It is amazing, and I have no idea how I coped without it.
Everything has it's place, and I know immediately when something is missing. I am able to find a pen at a moments notice, and can even get out chewing gum while I'm driving (something I would never do, honest copper).

Game: Naughty Dog

Review by Ms Kate from Mummybrain ~ The How-Not-To-Do-It Guide of Marriage Miscarriage Children Divorce Step-Children

Naughty Dogs

I have 5 kids, and all of them were amused for hours. They giggled and laughed and played nicely for ages. It's an easy enough game, they can play it with minimal supervision.

So all in all, great game, no batteries required, which is always a bonus, and kids love it!

Mockanificent

Posted by Angela Noelle of Striking Keys.

Esky's movin' on up!

Farewell, traditional swinging tray highchair, hello sitting at the table with the rest of the clan! After shopping around for boosters online, I settled upon a classier and sturdier alternative - with better longevity to boot!

Behold, the Mocka Soho!

What makes it Mockanificent:

• It will grow with Esky (the seat and footrest have multiple heights).
  
• Esky can get up and down by herself - whereas many boosters would've required the rigmarole of lifting and/or strapping still.
• The price; I was looking at boosters in the ballpark of $100. Getting an uber-stylish, pull-up-to-the-table wooden high chair for $99.95 from a Christchurch family business instead? No-brainer. (Woah - lots of hyphens, sorry!)
  
• It's so much easier easy to clean than the padded, PVC-covered highchair I was accustomed to using...no more little creases lined with crumbs and mystery goop.
• Assembly was lemon squeezy easy (there are picturrrres).
  
• The Mocka website allows you to pay via internet banking - you don't have to use a credit card!
  
• Delivery was free! (and I live rurally even!)
  
• I only have to wipe one surface after meal-times.

The only thing I didn't like about the situation:

• Not having two of them! Ivy will be on solids in 3 short months, and once you go Mocka, there's no going back.
  

So I asked Mocka if they would give me another, because I sincerely wanted to sing their praises in return...

...and they said "yes!"
(can you believe it!?)

Now that's good business.

Go Mocka! You make rad stuff;
There's a sale on balance bikes right now, I couldn't help but notice, putting that covet-collage together.
We ended up buying one for Esky as a result (Christmas = done).

Yes, our tax credit for charitable donations came in, can you tell?


P.S. This review was 100% on my terms. If I am asked to review something, I am always truthful about the product or service. If I ask to review something (as is the case here), it is because I already know it's stupendous and feel compelled to tell you so.

Fluffin' Fantastic

By Angela Noelle from Striking Keys.

One brisk Friday afternoon, I hastily steered a tandem buggy through the mall mayhem with my infant crying out for milk. My milk, that is.

I wasn't fond of the idea of finding a seat in the mall's main walkway to nurse the thirsty babe, nor did I suspect my toddler (also in tow) would be happiest seated in such a spot.

A cafe is what I needed. A comfortable one. One with a corner, where I could feel discreet. One that would sell me two cups full of frothed-up warm milk, without a side of judgement.

I found that cafe in The Meridian foodcourt; Gloria Jean's, thank you for letting me park up in your cafe. Thank you for charging me 80 cents per cup of "fluffy." Thank you for shaking the chocolatey stuff on top. Thank you for saying nothing when I parked my giant wheeley contraption in amidst your tables and chairs. Thank you for the two marshmallows you generously added to each of our servings, for smiling when you saw a mother ordering the same cheap, non-menu item as her daughter, and for carrying them to our table.

Your cushioned, high-back bench seating allowed me to see to my 9-week-old baby's needs in comfort whilst my 2-year-old eagerly spooned out her treat. I'm pretty sure your establishment's layout allowed me to have complete privacy...which is a nice option, in light of recent press for breastfeeding mothers.

Great price.
Great set-up.
Great not having anyone tell me both of my daughters couldn't have a drink.

I cannot tell you enough how much better a day can be when it is broken up into moments such as these;
Thank you.

P.S. I don't even drink coffee...but I assure you, I'll be back. Again...and again.

Saints Alive!

By Meghan of MNM's

Take 4 people.

 A mummy and a daddy.

And their mummy and daddy visiting from far, far away.

Make it Friday night. Seven thirty would be a good time.

Give them an easy-to-find car park right across the road. Which will surprise them no end given its Sevens night in Wellington and the city is heaving.

Give them a quiet area of the restaurant far away from the noise of the bar and a table by the window. It will have a view of the new waka to be unveiled at Sunday's Waitangi celebrations, and a cheeky outlook onto the big screen showing the Sevens.

Take some tempura lime and chilli prawns for starters.

Followed by 2 massive 400g prime rib steaks, a venison Wellington, and a fish,crayfish and scallop selection. Don't forget the shoestring fries with aioli.

Give them a break after dinner, to chat some more while they consider if there could possibly be room for dessert. They'll work out there's really not much so they'll just share one Boca Negra - chocolate fudge cake with Pinot Noir strawberries between them all.

What does all this add up to? A night they will never forget at Saint Johns Bar. They'll declare it the best meal they've had in ages. And they'll be right.

Oh and it's a Buy one Main, get one Main free in the local Entertainment book too!


St Johns Heineken Hotel
5 Cable Street
Wellington City
www.stjohnsbar.co.nz
04 801 8017

A new take on the Tugboat

Story by Meghan from MNM's

Parade Cafe has always been one of Wellington's most iconic cafes, packed to the rafters every weekend.
And yet across the street sat the Tugboat on the Bay, one of the strangest restaurants. The Tugboat was never really be sure what it was trying to be, a tourist trap, a high-class eatery, a unique dining experience. In my opinion, it failed to really succeed at all of these.

So when the Parade Cafe had to move out of its neat 2-storey old house that was squished between the ever-advancing apartment developments to make room for yet another development, it was with intrigue I heard that Parade was going to 'take on the Tugboat'.

Today we tried it out for the first time (it only re-opened last month). I called to book a table and the man who answered replied 'Well we don't take bookings during the day, but when are you coming?' I gave him our information and he said 'OK, no worries we'll book one for you'. Big tick.

We arrived and were shown straight to our table, upstairs in the bow of the boat. There's also two function rooms you can hire, one was about perfect for 40 people and you can hire out for $100. And apparently there is a function room for 250! down in the bowels of the ship.

There are some lovely nooks and crannies dotted all over the boat, booths near the counter, smaller wooden tables in the stern with a conservatory feel all covered in glass, as well as our quiet escape up in the bow. There were also some tables outside (but not for a day like today!). I was also impressed with how spacious it seemed, and it didn't feel as if you were sitting on top of each other to eat (which cafes have a tendency to do to pack in as many tables as possible). Two gas fires also provided a real cosy feel on a typical windy spring day for Wellington. Big tick.

We ordered  a caesar salad, pancakes with bacon and banana, corn fritters, and a kids fish n chips. Boy the food was mighty quick considering it was a weekend lunchtime and the place was packed. Big tick. There was a decent size highchair for the lil dude, who was quite happy sampling all our fare and playing to the crowds (a table of three behind us who said goodbye and waved to him as they left).

Not long before we left, Piri Weepu came and sat at the table next to us. I must admit I was so blissfully ignorant that I had to be informed by the rest of our table who it was. I was too busy admiring the decor and soaking up the experience. Poor guy then broke his leg 8 hours later, not a great end to his weekend!

Anyhow I digress. The makeover the Tugboat has been waiting for is complete, and a complete success too.

Parade Cafe, we will be back! Big tick.

Parade Cafe

Freyberg Lagoon

Oriental Parade

Ph: 04 939 8517

Website: http://www.paradecafe.co.nz/

Safran Restaurant: Perfect

STORY BY SIMONE FROM GREATFUN4KIDS

When you're parents to a bunch of kids with no local grandparents to babysit, it's a rare treat to get a night out. Even more rare is a night out with other Friends who have kids. A whole bunch of you let out for the night, to eat and drink and talk uninterrupted. Bliss.
So a couple of weeks ago when a bunch of friends all met to go out for dinner, I probably wouldn't really have minded if we were meeting somewhere pretty average. The main thing was to be out, right?

We hitched a ride in our friends' car, boys in the front, girls in the back, giggling like teenagers off to a party and arrived in Newmarket with no idea what to expect from the restaurant. One of our freind's had picked it. None of us had been there except her. All we knew was the name and location: Safran, in Newmarket. Spanish and Mediterranean food.

First impressions: my kind of place.
Quirky, characterful, lots of candles and plenty of atmosphere.
The waiters all speak with intriguing accents and smile  a lot. Nothing is a problem.
There is plenty on the menu. Even for a gluten-free girl like me.
There were about 20 of us, all seated around a long banqueting table, having a great ole time. Safran is perfect for groups, but also can accommodate romantic twosomes with little nooks and crannies, all candlelit. It's the kind of place I would happily visit with my hubby. So much atmosphere, so relaxed. A place to enjoy yourself and feel comfortable.

I had left my camera behind so borrowed my mate's iPhone and annoyed everyone with my snapping of pics.
Totally loved the Sangria. Mmmm the dips were delish.
Nice big mains, I would have had the salmon (was served on something with wheat so no go for me) so i had the steak. Again: Delish.

Then it came to the dessert and I was scared. I rate a good restaurant by the quality and variety of their desserts, but would there be anything for me, Miss Gluten Free??
Oh happy day!! The pannacotta with star anise and apricot sauce. The waitress even knew which menu items were gluten free. Wow. And when my dessert came in all it's glory I was not disappointed. I did not feel deprived. It was delicious. And big. And oh so heavenly.

Oh Safran. Now that I have discovered thee will any other restaurant do? I will be back with bells on. And look, now I'm telling all my friends about you. Oh how I love Thee.

Safran Cafe Restaurant

71 Davis Crescent

Newmarket Auckland City

Ph 09-5205664

Website (with menus)

Zurri Hairdressing - Auckland

I have this thing about hairdressers. About finding one that can see the invisible picture I have in my head and taking my faltering words and flapping gestures and transforming them into something I can smile at.

There is such a girl, Auckland-based. I cannot speak for anyone else in the salon and she did not do my cut, but for months, she has successfully transformed my mousy head into comfortably casual tresses, using creamy blonde highights.


What is most remarkable about this young woman is her professionalism and the absolute commitment she has to making you completely happy. She will not let you walk out the door until you are genuinely satisfied. The lengths she went to correct my botched colour job (done by someone else) was incredible. I spent painstaking hours with her, late into the night - while she tweaked and fixed and thoughtfully processed my hair to a point we knew she had at last corrected the greeny mass of stripes.

I had never experienced this before, this tenacious pursuit of making sure the customer gets what they came in for. In a gentle and soft manner that belies her age.

The salon is not the cheapest but I am not listing them here for their prices - every few months or so I get a half head of highlights done (works out at roughly 100) and then get budget-friendly cuts elsewhere when I can. Not having short hair means I can get away with this, and is the reason I grew it out a little. You can also make appointments online, which appeals greatly to a mother at home with Sponge Bob squealing in the background and the inevitable way my children ask for treats as soon as I pick up the phone.

You can imagine my reaction when I found out we were moving to Singapore... the land of the non-blonde, just when I had found this treasure of a colourist in Auckland.

I won't mention how bad my hair looks now... or how ardous my hunt is for a talented colourist that won't send me out with a green or orange mane.... or how $100 now sounds so ridiculously CHEAP in light of the insanely exorbitant prices for expats in Asia, but if you are in Auckland and looking for someone to do your hair - go. Treat yourself and say hello from me (no incentives will ensue I promise, I am geographically beyond the reach of her deft fingers now...)

All images from their website.

The Library Cafe: Everything Friendly

STORY BY SIMONE FROM GREATFUN4KIDS

My sister called last night and said, "Hey lets meet for lunch seeing as it's school holidays..."

I knew just where to take her...

The Library Cafe in Onehunga is not far from her work, and is ultra kid-friendly as well as having a great gluten-free selection.

My sis is gluten intolerant and I am recently gluten-free, so a cafe with GF options is high on our list.

How can I not rave about this gem of a cafe?

Firstly the architecture. An old library, turned into a stunning cafe in two parts.

There's the kid-free Reading Room, lined with books for a peaceful escape... (one day I will make it in there I swear)

And the Other Bit. The bit for those of us with noisy kids in tow. Which is equally gorgeous but equipped with an indoor play corner full of great toys...

...and opening onto a terrace complete with kiddy playstuff and a big slide. Bliss in summer, when they even have a bouncy castle. It's all fenced, lots of room to run. Brilliant.

We front up to the counter and peer into the cabinet in search of the famed gluten-free offerings.

Oh dear. Did I speak too soon? I can't see anything that is obviously gluten free!

I ask the girl behind the counter, where is the GF stuff??

She indicates the whole top shelf. And the second shelf. All labelled with different symbols. Dairy free. Wheat free. Gluten free. Diabetic friendly. Peanut free. I am in cafe heaven as I realise that the luscious looking caramel slice is within my dietary reach!!! Oh joy.

My sis orders drinks and the slice for us, I order chicken salads for us both and a couple of kids packs for my boys. They come with drink, snacks, fruit and a toasted sandwich. They even have a special delicious gluten free version (but my GF daughter is away today so standard ham and cheese toastie will do).

At first it's impossible to enjoy my surroundings, as my little guy is in one of those moods. It starts with him stealing my caramel slice (well, it is delicious, I really can't blame him) and ends with my attempting to wipe his snotty nose and him melting down in a puddle of screams. not like him at all. Boo!

A lovely motherly staff member comes up and asks if he's OK, suggests kindly that I take him outside to calm him down while she gets our table all sorted.

Eventually the screams turn to giggles and he runs off to chase his brother and play on the slide.

Back to the caramel slice. Mmmmmm, divine. Real chocolate on top. I would never have known it was GF.

Coffee = good. Salad = average. Overpriced and a bit overly-leafy. But still.

The joy of coming to a great kid friendly place where the kids can run around and you can choose allergy-friendly food?? Fabulous.

Next time I'll avoid the salad and stick to the caramel slice. Heaven in a Slice. Yay for the Library Cafe.

The Library Cafe Onehunga

55 Princes Street

Onehunga, Auckland

Ph 6367292

Website