Category: Competitions

1. Wicks of Water Orton Soy Candles - Review & Giveaway

   Posted on 8:29pm Wednesday 1st Mar 2017

   I was introduced to Wicks of Water Orton on the school run. It isn't necessarily the usual place for networking (or it may be for some) but a conversation arose in the school playground about the business that a fellow mum had created from her kitchen table. This is Donna's story ......

   "In June 2015 I gave birth to Erin, and within hours we were told that she had a rare heart disease. After many months and operations, Erin was discharged from hospital at the end of July 2016. Upon arriving at home my husband gave me a whole kit of everything I would need to make candles. He decided I would need a hobby, as during my time in hospital with Erin, my long term employer also made me redundant. I love candles, so I was super excited to give this a go. We soon found out it was not safe to burn parrafin wax around Erin, and so my search for an alternative began, which thankfully led me to soy wax. However turned out that soy wax candles were extremely expensive to buy, so I decided to buy some wax and started making them for myself. When family and friends came to visit I was always complimented on how lovely they smelt and as a result I started making them for others too.

   So Wicks Of Water Orton was born"

   

   We love knowing the story behind the brand and especially that the soy candles are suitable for children with heart conditions like Erin. Wicks of Water Orton tell us that all of the soy candles are hand wicked and poured, and 100% natural. We were therefore more than a little delighted when at one of those endless birthday parties the children seem to have every weekend, Donna asked if we would review one of her candles on our blog. Wicks of Water Orton have a select range of scents, some favourites and some seasonal but we plumped for the very traditional "Fresh Linen".

   

   The other scents currently available are:

   🕯 Fresh Linen
   🕯 Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
   🕯 Berry Blast
   🕯 Lavender, Rose & French Vanilla
   🕯 Sandalwood & Rose
   🕯 Lemon & French Vanilla
   🕯 Lily Of The Valley

   The candles retail at £9.50 each, which when they come in a solid glass kilner jar, makes them considerably more cost effective than a large number of the high street brands (and you get a re-useable jar if you are so inclined to make jam or something similar).

   The first thing that struck me is the adorable wick on the candle. I have never seen one crafted like this but apparently all candles start off like this but most are trimmed before they are released for sale. I think it makes a love quirky addition to the look of the candle BUT it is important to trim this as if you don't it can actually render the candle unusable after the first use. 

   

   The scent is subtle and not overpowering like you have put your face in the clean washing (disclaimer - I may or may not do this on a regular basis) but the fresh linen fragrance filters around the house without the need for me to drape washing all over the radiators to create the same smell. 

   

   The burn time on the Wicks of Water Orton is a minimum of 30 hours, although I don't want to keep burning mine as I don't want it to end. I light it for a couple of hours each evening after dinner, to remove the food smell and fill the kitchen with its fresh clean scent. 

   Candles are ALWAYS a great gift for all ages, from my daughters friends who are 12 years old through to my pension collecting mum, they all love to receive a candle as a present. So how would you like to enter to win one of these fabulous handmade candles from Wicks of Water Orton? All you need to do is enter below .....

   a Rafflecopter giveaway Terms & Conditions

   The Prize: Wicks of Water Orton Soy Candle
   The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
   Wicks of Water Orton will make every effort to provide a choice of scent but this cannot be guaranteed
   By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
   There is no monetary equivalent.
   Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
   If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
   UK Entrants Only
   End Date 25/03/2017 at 12am

   Tweet

2. Win a Cuddledry Snuggle Bunny Towel - RRP £32.99

   Posted on 9:03pm Tuesday 28th Feb 2017

   We are giving up chocolate for lent so finding alternative Easter gifts has become a little bit of a quest. We are therefore more than a little bit excited to be able to share the chance for you to win your own Cuddledry Snuggle Bunny Towel worth £32.99.  This super soft and fluffy hooded towel from Cuddledry is the perfect alternative to chocolate this Easter time.

    

   For parents it is a practical yet adorable gift but for toddlers and young children, the floppy bunny ears are irresistible, and they will love to snuggle in the warm, soft fabric.  Cuddledry tell us that it’s made with clever microfibre technology so it’s as soft as a feather and so absorbent it will dry them in moments.  The only problem will be catching them to take it off and get them dressed, as your little rabbit hops away happily, cosy and warm.

    

   So if you want something different to chocolate this Easter, all you need to do is enter below to be in with a chance of winning .... What are you waiting for?

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    

   Terms & Conditions

   The Prize: Cuddledry Snuggle Bunny - RRP £32.99
   The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
   Cuddledry will make every effort to provide a choice of colour but this cannot be guaranteed
   By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
   There is no monetary equivalent.
   Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
   If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
   UK Entrants Only
   End Date 04/01/2017 at 12am

   Tweet

    

3. Win a mifold Grab-and-Go booster seat - Proposed changes to the European regulations for child car safety seats,

   Posted on 9:57pm Monday 9th Jan 2017

   Everytime I look on social media, there is a parent talking about the new car seat rules that are coming into effect in December but WAIT, are they really coming into effect in December or is this an assumption or more media speculation? The proposals are to restrict the development of new backless booster seats and limit their use to taller children, above the height of 125cm.  

   This changes only apply to new products and does not affect products that have already been regulated. Therefore, all existing backless booster seats, continue to be legal and safe per their usage instructions even after any changes in the regulations.(whenever the date might actually be).

   We have been chatting with mifold, who manufacture the grab and go booster seat and are delighted to be able to share a bit more information about the regulatory requirements (oh and a fabulous chance to win one!) 

   

   Overview

   • Proposed changes to the European car seat laws do not appy to existing booster seats currently on sale in the market, including the mifold Grab-and-Go booster seat, or any existing child restraint system that is available for sale in the UK
   • mifold meets or exceeds all relevant regulatory requirements and will continue to do so after any proposed changes for all children aged 4+, weighing between 15kg and 36kg irrespective of height.
   • The schedule to implement new laws has been delayed again; the Department for Transport say that it will probably be later next year.
   • If new laws are implemented, the mifold Grab-and-Go booster seat will continue to be sold and used for the safety of all children aged 4+, weighing between 15kg and 36kg irrespective of height throughout Europe with no new, additional restrictions.
   • The European regulators are entrusted with monitoring the safety of children in cars. Their commitment to continue to license all existing booster seats for sale and continued use, without limitation, is their recognition that booster seats are a safe, well-established, practical, proven and cost effective method of restraining children in cars. 
   • mifold is a safe belt positioning booster seat that is available all the time. Unlike traditional bulky booster seats, a child can always be safe with the innovative mifold belt positioning device - no matter whose car they are in.

   

   Car safety is important to all parents and the mifold is mighty small and mighty strong. We are told that mifold is the most advanced, compact and portable booster seat in the world, although the thing that appeals to me the most is its compact nature, which is super handy for when we have playdates and family outings. Less bulky car seats means more room for school bags or picnic hampers!

    

   

   So hopefully now with your mind put to rest, you will be even more excited to have the chance to win one. All you need to do is enter below!

   a Rafflecopter giveaway  

   Terms & Conditions

   The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
   Mifold will make every effort to provide a choice of colour but this cannot be guaranteed
   By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
   There is no monetary equivalent.
   Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
   If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
   End Date 30/01/2017 at 12am

   Tweet

4. When should you take down your Christmas Decorations (and the reasons why)

   Posted on 8:26pm Monday 2nd Jan 2017

   I have seen so many Facebook posts over the past few days of people who have taken their trees down and their house is "back to normal". I still have too many Christmas treats and chocolates in my house to accept that Christmas is actually over and after taking a number of hours to painstakingly decorate it, I want to enjoy it for as long as I can.

   BUT and it is a big but, my Mum always had superstitions about leaving at least one decoration up until the 12th day after Christmas. Since Victorian times, tradition states that you should do it on Twelfth Night. (obviously not suggesting my Mum was around in Victorian times - hoping now that she isn't reading my blog this week). In real terms though, that’s January 5, with January 6, aka the Feast of the Epiphany, is the very last day on which you can take them down.

   

   If you have a real tree, I am guessing that it may have gone to a tree recyling plant by this stage or you have a very glamorous looking twig in your lounge but the Twelfth Night represents the true end of the festive period. In those Victorian times and even before, families used to celebrate this date by eating even more cake, dancing and playing games. (sounds like my 2016 Christmas to be honest!!)

   So if, like me, you are clinging onto the last bits of Christmas for a couple more days, light another cinnamon scented candle, drink a little more mulled wine, dance to cheesy music and eat a mince pie. The Victorians would have.

    

   Tweet