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Room 101, we all remember that don't we?  I am sure those of a "certain" age will remember it but if you don't (well frankly you are clearly too young), Room 101 is where celebrities used to send things that frustrated, irritated and ultimately annoyed the wotsits out of them. Well I was tagged by the very lovely Lady Briggs in her Room 101 post, so here goes ....

Wire Coat Hangers

These are a particular pet peeve of the man on the Lilypad and consequently when I hear them being wrestled out of the wardrobe and flung on the bed in a rage, then I have a definate distaste for them. Wire coat hangers seem to get tangled with everything else in the wardrobe and we have clearly had too much dry cleaning done, as we seem to have an abundance of them. So they can go ....

Cereal Packets

There is a certain well known brand of wheat biscuits that are a delicious and fibre rich breakfast cereal. Unfortunately the packaging means that you have to tear it open and the crumbly bits of cereal go everywhere. Those with children know that the morning routine is akin to a military operation so crumbly wheaty biscuit bits all over the side and the floor is not helpful. Ever. 

Not finishing the job

This may sound a little random but I mean in movies, when the bad guy gets knocked over, for goodness sake, finish the job. Don't leave him in a state of concussion, ready to get back up again and start all his bad stuff again, (think Stephen King's "Misery" and you will surely understand what I mean!), finish the job.

So those are my pet peeves and I am tagging Andrea from Allyouneedisloveandcake, Donna from MummyCentral and Clare from Seasiderinthecity.  

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We talk alot about my shopping habits on the Lilypad blog and great deals for myself and the girls but what about the man on the pad? He certainly doesn't have the same desire to go shopping as much as I do and especially during the summer when shopping for last-minute men’s holiday clothes can be a nightmare at this time of year. High-street retailers are now beginning to get in their autumn/winter stock, sometimes leaving behind rails of un-wanted, misshapen clothing that do not belong in your suitcase!

However, if you’re budget-conscious now can be the perfect time to snap up a timeless piece to add to your summer wardrobe at a low cost. Depending on where you’re headed on holiday, whether it is a week-long cruise on the Mediterranean Sea or two weeks in Greece you’ll need to find appropriate clothing to take with you on holiday.

The main thing to keep in mind when shopping for men’s clothing is to find classic pieces that you can mix and match with several different outfits - there’s nothing worse than holiday clothing that scream ‘this is my holiday t-shirt’ (no, it’s not just women who are guilty of over-packing!) Top tip: staple shades of navy and tan or white and black are great against a summer backdrop in your holiday snapshots.

One versatile, staple holiday piece is a polo shirt. For example, this white and black polo shirt  is a great option for warm weather as it can be layered and accessorised without sacrificing comfort and practicality. My Dad would love this particular style! For a classic, understated look this simple polo t-shirt can be worn either during the day or even for a casual dinner with the family. I seriously only found out this week that the man on the pad likes polo shirts, after years of being together this was a revelation!!

The great thing about this look is that this doesn’t just have to be a t-shirt that you bring out once a year when you go on holiday but can be worn during the winter once you return to the UK under a jumper or hooded top.

A second item that is worth purchasing for your September holiday would be a classic shirt. Men’s short sleeve shirts are easy to come by in many retailers without having to purchase a garish piece from the sale rack. A simple short-sleeve shirt can often transform an outfit from daytime to evening and is a great alternative to formal, stiff long-sleeve shirts that you might wear for the office. Whether you wear it with jeans, a formal pair of trousers or tucked into a plain pair of shorts, a plain short-sleeve shirt is one purchase you should make this August.

So, if you’re heading to the shops this weekend to pick up a few items for your impending holiday, keep your purchases classic and simple and you’ll have a holiday wardrobe you’ll be able to mix and match for a smart-casual look, which is really the same principle we should all adopt but shhhh, that would stop my need to buy new clothes every month!

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We love finding new things to make parents lives easier and this is why we are very excited to be able to launch our latest competition with Babyzen for the launch of their latest pushchair ..... the Babyzen YoYo.

YOYO is the first buggy in the world to fully comply with size recommendation for cabin baggage. (we love this)

As most parents know buggies can be cumbersome and parents often face a struggle getting them up and down stairs, forcing them into car boots and on to packed tubes and busses not to mention trying to store them away at home. And anyone who has flown with a young child will also be familiar with the hassle of having to get the buggy packed away into the main luggage hold as it is simply too big to take on as hand luggage. However, the new YOYO buggy has been revolutionising travelling with a small child.

Weighing just 5.8kg, this unique buggy is the most compact buggy ever imagined (52 x 44 x 18 cm when folded). The buggy has a one of a kind folding mechanism which allows it to be opened and folded in seconds with just one hand and it can then be carried over your shoulder with the detachable shoulder strap. 

The RRP on the YOYO is £309 but we are delighted to be able to offer one to giveaway. Just enter below.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Guest post.

We all know that children learn best through play, so it makes sense to ensure that your child has access to high quality toys which will not only be fun to use, but also boost educational attainment. With the children heading back to school, to help children succeed in class, there are a range of great toys on the market, ranging from old favourites such as meccano, through to a selection of electronic gadgets which combine modern technology with the acquisition of many useful skills. Educational toys need not be just about learning facts or improving writing; they can also promote improvement in vital skills such as manual dexterity, problem solving, memorising, social skills and concentration.

Enhance Creativity with Construction Toys

When a child has access to materials which enable them to build, the sky is the limit in terms of the ideas they are able to turn into reality. Building blocks, meccano or making models which clip, stick or screw together are all superb vehicles for allowing your child to make and create. As well as being a very enjoyable activity, the skills involved in working out how to shape a creation are all ones which will be used at school during more formal learning activities.

Learn Physics and Maths Effortlessly

Many children find mathematical concepts and physics information difficult to grasp when learned from a textbook, but find understanding these ideas in a practical situation far easier. Using toys such as meccano or a simple science kit, concepts such as balance, basic maths, the action of forces, properties of matter and torque can all be introduced and expanded on during play. Spending time with your child, using good, educational toys as learning tools for explaining some of the more challenging scientific information, can result in improved learning which is also great fun and very rewarding.

When choosing a toy which combines enjoyment with learning opportunities, the main thing is to pick something which you feel your child will want to play with. The more time they spend using the toy, the greater the potential for learning to take place. Remember that children learn naturally through play, so provided they have access to a selection of robust, age-appropriate toys and plenty of parental input, they are well on the way to achieving their potential.

Lets be honest, who doesn't love to play?