Category: Reviews

1. Vionic Shoes with innovative FMT technology

   Posted on 10:05am Tuesday 15th Mar 2016

   Shoes, shoes, shoes. It is no secret that I have a love of shoes so when I was recently invited to an event by organised by Vionic UK, I couldn't resist going to find out more. We were told that Vionic Group LLC is one of the leading global makers of consumer and medical footwear, so I was intrigued to find out how stylish shoes could be good for your feet too. 

   

   I was therefore thrilled to find a collective of likeminded bloggers, including some of my favourite bloggers Emmaand3, Pink Oddy and Parent Blogger News  at the event held at Marco Pierre Whites in Birmingham. We were treated to a delicious lunch and then a talk from Tony Linford who eloquently conveyed the benefits of the Vionic range of products, from the innovative FMT technology which helps reduce over-pronation to the ability to relieve common associated pains such as plantar fasciitis (heel pain), knee pain and back pain. 

   Tony said that women get to around 40 and realise that their shoe choices were having an affect on their join pain (I obviously cannot comment on this as I am not "quite" at that milestone yet!) but with age being something that I can't control, having the ability to control my shoe choices is something that I need to reconsider.

   From the Antonia Wedge shoes (shown above) that are perfect for work, to the Islander Toe Posts which are ideal for the summer, there is a range of shoes for every woman and every ocassion.

   

   The shoes are designed for good health and wellbeing, they are not sports or running shoes but they do actively encourage walking and being active. They have a great article on the Vionic blog called Find30 about how studies have shown how 30 minutes of exercise a day is enough to boost metabolism and improve one’s mood, providing cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive health. Sounds good to me .... I just need to find those extra 30 minutes.

   I was gifted some Vionic shoes and I have to say that they ARE very comfortable and Vionic have been even more generous and given all my readers a 30% off code that is valid until 30th April. All you need to do is shop on the website here and use the discount code VIONIC30 at the checkout stage.

   The event really made me think about me footwear choices and if you want to read what the other bloggers throught about the event, there is a link to a round up of the event from Myriad PR here. 

   Did you realise that your shoe choices can have such an affect on the rest of your body?

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2. Win a personalised bedtime book from Create Me Books

   Posted on 8:56pm Wednesday 10th Feb 2016

   As a mum, I love to see other mums striving to create something for their family, so when I was approached by Lisa from Create Me Books, I was happy to help share their story.

   Lisa is a Mum of three and foster mum to many over the years and lives in Devon. After a big operation that required a long recovery, she decided to write her little girl a bedtime story, and after lovingly creating this book she made the decision to turn her vision into a business. Lisa has now set up an ecommerce website (https://www.createmebooks.com/) with the idea being that people can come to them, create personalised children's books for their little ones (ages 2-7) online and have them delivered to their house. Sounds lovely doesn't it? 

   

   The website is really easy to use and you can personalise your character with their name, hair colour, hairstyle, outfit colour, skin tone and even whether the character wears glasses, which is very cute. From point of order, the book took around 10 days to arrive so it is worth noting this if you are buying one for a gift. 

   The illustrations in the book are both colourful and beautifully drawn, they capture the innocence of the imagination without distracting the reader from the story. The quality of the book doesn't go unnoticed either, the pages and cover are exceptionally high quality and would withstand the odd toddler drink spill or debate about which page you read last!

    

   There are paragraphs of the book that rhyme and others that don't but upon speaking with Lisa, it was never intended to be a rhyming tale but this is something she is looking to develop as the business progress. This doesn't detract from the story but it is worth keeping in mind if you start to get into a rhyming "flow". The story is adorable, visually interesting with a varied layout designed to retain the interest of the child.

   The book retails at £17.99 which when there is a section where you can write a personal message to the recipiant, it makes the book an adorable gift and keepsake for any occasion.

   So we are absolutely thrilled to be able to give you the chance to win a personalised book for your child ...... just enter below!

   

    

   a Rafflecopter giveaway

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   Terms & Conditions

   The Prize: Personalised Bedtime Book from Create Me Books
   The winner will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
   Create Me Books will make every effort to provide the book detailed here 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 29/02/2016 at 12am

3. My Reverse Resolutions : 2015

   Posted on 8:14pm Friday 1st Jan 2016

   It has become a tradition to look at my resolutions in reverse, 2014 was a particularly good year and rather than setting myself for new year resolutions, I like to reflect on the previous year and what's been acheived.

   For some reason, I have always started my post with my favourite quote of the year and so the quote for 2015 has to be:

   "It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness"

   Charles Spurgeon

    

   So here are my Reverse Resolutions for 2015.

   1. After "working" social media with my own business for such a long time, I decided it was time to get some form of recognition for my talents (ahem). I did it, got a distinction and a real sense of achievement.

   2. My daughters birth story was in the national press. Admitedly some 4 years after it happened but even so, it reminded me of how amazing it was and how empowered I felt after giving birth. 

   3. This lead to a couple of my articles being published in the press, not just on my little corner of the internet, printed in the paper and friends actually realising some of the things I do for a living!

   4. I lost a really good client at the beginning of the year, due to the reduction of their business and it knocked me off balance for a while but they say as one door closes another opens. So that change has given me time to work with some AMAZING new companies, which has pushed my comfort zones and abilities and I am very excited where this will take us into 2016.

   5. Finally, I *think* I may have mastered the work / life balance. I have spent time going out with friends and family, I have walked away from my phone and my laptop to spend time with the people I care about. I do care passionately about my work but making sure that it doesn't engulf my life has become the holy grail and for now, it is within my grasp. Maybe I shall make this my only resolution for 2016, to maintain a healthy balance throughout the whole year. What do you think?

   I shan't mention my ability to consume prosecco at an exceptional rate or how removing nail polish from the carpet should be on my CV, so I shall stick to the resolutions that I am most proud of for now (although the red nail polish was some achievement). How about you? Do you make resolutions? Or would you prefer to look at your achievements in reverse too?

    

    

    

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4. How to make the morning school run a little easier

   Posted on 10:10am Tuesday 27th Oct 2015

   How much do you love your morning routine?

   How often are you left repeating yourself over and over again? What do you want for breakfast? Have you eaten your breakfast? This is our morning routine, does yours look similar?

   

   I don't want to plead with my children but I can't force feed them either, so what are your choices when you have limited time and limited appetite to contend with? I frequently make smoothies or milkshakes for myself so when I was introduced to Up & Go, I was more than a little intrigued. Up&Go, is Australia’s No. 1 breakfast and is a breakfast you can drink on the go – with six yummy flavours to choose from; Banana & Honey, Chocolate, Mixed Berry, Strawberry, Iced Coffee, and Vanilla.

   Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but 60% of Brits skip breakfast at least once a week, so with Up&Go you can grab a nutritious breakfast while on the move. Children need energy after a night's sleep so skipping breakfast is not something I advocate but giving me an nutritionally balanced alternative containing as much fibre, protein and calcium as a bowl of cereal it can be a healthy and smart choice.

   So if we can be tempted by the delicious flavours (the sweet Vanilla was my particular favourite), does it make a difference and save time on our morning routine? Take a look for yourselves ....

   

    It won't be for everyone but it works for us and at £4.99 for a pack of four, I know that it will be going on next weeks shopping list.  

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   Disclosure:  This post is in association with Up and Go.