Dec

BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light

With the peak travel season just around the corner, families are busy making holiday plans and deciding where to stay at their destination. Whether you plan to stay at a hotel, motel or resort, give some thought to where you little one will be sleeping while on holiday.

Most travelling families use cots and play yards provided by motels and hotels. Estimates show that children under age 2 spend more than 7 million nights per year in hotels, motels and resorts. In an ongoing investigation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National SAFE KIDS® Campaign found unsafe cots and play yards in the majority of hotels they visited around the country. The UK and other European countries are no different. In several random surveys from 2001-2006, Safe Kids Worldwide found many hotel-issued cots to be defective, damaged or even recalled from the market. From motels to luxury resorts, SAFE KIDS found that four out of five of the hotels they checked had cots with at least one safety hazard including: loose hardware; soft bedding, comforters or pillows that could cause suffocation; or adult-sized sheets that pose a strangulation and suffocation hazard. So even if you are staying at a very pricey, upscale hotel, don’t assume that the cots that they will provide you with are any safer. Surprising, is that at the time of the investigation, only one hotel chain committed to making a concerted effort to providing safe cots at their hotels, while the remaining hotels, motels and resorts did not.

Instead of playing Russian roulette and waiting to see what kind of cot your hotel will provide you with on the day (some may not have any on site or not enough to go around), why not take the initiative and plan ahead. Introducing the BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light, the innovative lightweight travel cot which will change the way that you go on holiday with your child forever. Used correctly, the Travel Cot Light from BABYBJÖRN is the safest travel cot on the market, bar none. Photo (right) Copyright BABYBJÖRN

The innovative BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is true to its name and weighs in at just 5kg/11lbs, making it lightweight enough to transport with ease. The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light comes in its own carry case which measures 24″ x 19″ x 7″ complete with a sturdy carry strap.

Once you have arrived at your destination, setting up the BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light couldn’t be any easier or any quicker. Simply unzip the carrying case and remove the contents from the bag. Set the mattress aside and holding the travel cot frame in both hands, unfold with one swift movement. Check to make sure that the legs are fully extended and locked into place and then place the mattress inside the cot. That is it, you are done! Even a pregnant mom can set it up with lightening speed, as demonstrated in this demo.

The exceptional Swedish engineering enables the Travel Cot Light to unfold in one swift movement, which is truly remarkable. Even though the Travel Cot weighs in at just 5 kg, the unique design and solid construction makes it very stable. The mattress cover and fabric parts that come into contact with your baby meet Oeko-Tex standards, so parents can rest easy knowing that no harmful chemicals are coming into contact with your baby. The fabric components of the travel cot are easy to remove and are washable. The mattress measures 42 x 24 in and features a water repellent mattress cover to protect it from accidents. Travelling can be especially tough on little ones and adding to that a strange new environment which can push your baby into sensory overload. Bringing your own travel cot which your baby is familiar with, can help ease the anxiety of travel, and despite the new surroundings, baby is sleeping in his own familiar travel cot which can help to calm and soothe him.

BABYBJÖRN offers an organic cotton fitted sheet (Oeko-Tex certified) which is designed to fit the travel cot mattress perfectly, ensuring a snug and safe fit. Baby will love the soft organic cotton against his skin.

Folding the travel cot is just as easy. Reach in and remove the mattress and place it in the carry bag. Then flip the cot over and following the printed diagram, proceed to fold each leg of the cot so that they criss cross each other. Fold the cot in half and place it inside the mattress, zip the bag and you are ready to go.

The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is very versatile and will prove to be invaluable during sleepovers at grandmas house, or simply nap times at home so that mom can keep a close eye on baby during the day, while continuing with the household chores.

The BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light is ideal for newborns to age 3 and is currently available in a 4 colour choices. For purchasing information, please click here

For additional information, please visit: www.babybjorn.co.uk

Select photographs are Copyright BABYBJÖRN. Please see above.

1 year ago Short URL

Active Lifestyle/baby/travel

baby/BabyBjorn/Cot/Crib/hotel/travel

Nov

Travel Edition: Bastien Gonzalez Mani Pedi One&Only Spa – Cape Town, South Africa

The Award Winning One&Only Cape Town Hotel and Resort boasts stunning views of Table Mountain and is superbly situated at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

One&Only Spa

A member of our panel was kindly treated to a Bastien Gonzalez Duo (Manicure & Pedicure) at the One&Only Spa, the ultimate in luxury and total relaxation.

Bastien Gonzalez Mani Pedi

No more old fashioned aggressive sand paper emery boards
No harsh foot files
No painful cuticles post treatment – due to harsh cutting or clipping
No aggressive blading or cutting of skins
No harsh chemicals from traditional varnish
No infections from inferior sterilization of tools and foot spa’s

Bastien Gonzalez, a French Podiatrist, has developed an innovative and holistic manicure and pedicure which is exclusively available at One&Only Spas Worldwide.

For the mani pedi option, both the hands and the feets will be simultaneously worked on by 2 staff members. The talented staff use a waterless technique to perform the mani pedi which is truly unique to the Bastian Gonzalez Mani Pedi. In addition, diamond head tools are used and the cuticles are not cut or pushed back and no pumice stone is used as per tradtional mani pedis. The staff offer guidance for home care and also tips for maintaining healthy and beautiful skin and nails. Bastien himself visits each salon regularly to ensure that the all the staff are properly trained and this translates to excellent customer experience. The piece de resistance is the wide range of nail polish used to complete the mani pedi with many beautiful colours on offer. Our tester was pleasantly surprised that the nail polish didn’t have any nasty odour as is typical with nail polish and best of all, the nail polish performed beautifully and was long lasting. The mani pedi took about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete and as an extra bonus, our tester was offered some luxurious chocolates to complete her spa experience. When asked to describe the experience, our tester replied “outstanding”.

We highly recommend booking an appointment at the One&Only Spa and treating yourself or a loved one to a Bastien Gonzalez Mani Pedi (available separately as well), which will change the way you care for your nails.

For additional information and to book, please click here.

+27 21 431 5800

All images copyrighted One&Only

1 year ago Short URL

Beauty/Health/travel

Bastien Gonzalez/One&Only Spa

Aug

Eco-shopping with Value Valet

Canada’s premier online health and beauty store!

Value Valet is a division of Value Drug Mart Associates Ltd.—a name many consumers and businesses have come to trust to provide exceptional service and outstanding value since 1978. Value Valet is an Edmonton-based company, 100% Canadian-owned, founded on the principles of strong independent ownership and outstanding community spirit.

“For years, the people behind Value Valet have been in the business of delivering value—sourcing the right products, getting the best brands at competitive prices, and developing a streamlined distribution network that is accurate, timely, and responsive. Our 85,000-square-foot Distribution Center is continually replenished with what our customers are looking for and regularly updated with products that meet every individual’s needs. In short, we know service and we know value. And now we’re giving you the keys to roam our aisles.”

Nothing beats the convenience of being able to shop from the comfort and convenience of your own home. Value Valet offers a full range of products for the entire family; with an increasing focus on eco-friendly items: from Health and Wellness, Personal & Beauty, Baby & Kids through to Grocery as well as many other categories.

A member of our panel had the opportunity to experience shopping online first hand from the Value Value Website. The well designed website made navigation quick and effortless. The well defined categories enabled our tester to browse through the entire range of products and with the additional assistance of the search bar, was able to find what she needed.

The chosen items were delivered promptly and a day ahead of schedule and our tester was very satisfied with her online shopping experience.

Here are our top eco-friendly picks which are available from Value Valet:

For Baby

ALEVA NATURALS Baby Calendula Skin Remedy 50 ml

ALEVA NATURALS Sleep Easy Baby Wash 240 ml

FARM BUDDIES Organic Plush Toy Pirate Pig

FARM BUDDIES Organic Teething Rattle Boxer the Dog

DIMPLESKINS NATURALS Sweet Cheeks Body Balm 30 g

DIMPLESKINS NATURALS Boo Boo Goo Cuts and Scrapes Salve 30 g

For Mama

DivaCup Model 1

DivaWash

Healthy Food

CANADA HEMP FOODS Organic Hemp Protein Powder 454g

TASTE OF NATURE Nova Scotia Blueberry Fields Organic Food Bar 40 g

TAZO Tea Organic Chai 24

RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

SPOONK Acupuncture Massage Organic Hemp Mat

ISOLAR BACKUP Battery Charger

GREENCASE Ipad Case

To view the full range of products, please visit the Value Valet Website.

All images copyrighted Value Valet.

10 years ago Short URL

Renewable Energy/teething/Toys/travel/Uncategorized

Dec

Holiday Shopping with JoJo Maman Bébé

JoJo Maman Bébé, Newport, UK based company, was founded in 1993 by Laura Tenison who recognised the gap in the market for stylish maternity fashion. Laura, who was living at the time in Brittany, Western France, was inspired by the Nautical Breton Style which still remains a prominent feature in the current collection. Laura, a mother of two, started JoJo with just a single sewing machine, and today, JoJo is regarded as the UK’s foremost niche market specialist in pregnancy, baby, children and nursery market. JoJo prides itself on the treatment of its staff and third party workers and has links to Africa charity Nema – which aims to reduce infant mortality in Mozambique.

In addition to their designer line of maternity, nursing and children’s clothing, JoJo also offers a fantastic selection of toys and children’s products. Here are our picks for the upcoming Holiday Season. Each of these products will make terrific gifts!

Reversible Play Mat

A play mat is one of the most versatile products which you can purchase for your child and will grow with him from the infant phase through to the toddler and preschool years. This mat is ideal to use for tummy time from the very first weeks of life. Since it is lightweight and rolls up compactly, you can move it easily from room to room. Parents/grandparents/caregivers can multi task by placing the mat in the kitchen area for example and supervising their child while they are preparing food. The mat will also come in handy once baby learns to roll, sit and crawl and will provide the ideal sensory motor environment for your baby to master the early milestones. The mat is also ideal to place over tiles which can be slippery as well as cold, creating a warm and inviting space for your baby to play. This reversible play mat offers essentially 2 mats in 1 because it features a different design on either side. The first side features bright and colourful squares, each featuring an animal with a corresponding letter of the alphabet. Plenty of learning opportunities can stem from this terrific design. Flip the mat over and you will find a kid friendly map complete with roads, houses, parks etc. Your child will love pushing their toy cars along the streets, making up exciting adventures along the way with the mat providing the stimulus for imaginative play. The mat is waterproof making it ideal for the little ones and very easy to wipe clean.

ABC Architectural Building Blocks

Building blocks are classic toys which have been enjoyed by many generations. The ABC Architectural Building Blocks are a modern take on the traditional wooden building block. They are soft yet durable and perfectly sized for little hands. Suitable from 6 months of age upwards, these innovative blocks are Phthalate and BPA free making them safe for baby to mouth. The blocks are uniquely designed for tactile stimulation offering a variety of textured surfaces which provide rich sensory feedback to little hands. Each block has a letter and corresponding animal and includes towers and arches for older children so children can get really creative. These blocks are sure to become your baby’s favorite toys and will hold their interest for many years to come. The blocks come in their very own handy carry case and 26 blocks are included.

Bobo Buddies 4 in 1 Travel Toy

Bobo Buddies are plush travel toys which will help to ease your child through the usually stressful experience of travelling whether via plane, car, bus, train or sea. The Boba Buddies 4 in 1 toy offers a great value because it is multifunctional:

1. In its most simplest form, it is an adorable plush toy available in 4 different animals: Elephant, Giraffe, Lion and Monkey. Your child will be comforted during travelling because they will have their familiar friends right next to them throughout their journey.

2. Functional mini backpack: Perfect for outings, the mini backpack can hold some basic essentials and the padded straps (arms of the animal) are designed for both security and comfort.

3. Travel pillow: When your little one is all worn out and ready for a sleep, the Boba Buddies will come to the rescue once again by functioning as a pillow.

4. Blanket: Keep your child warm with the soft blanket which is versatile and is sure to come in handy during your travel adventures.

The Boba Buddies is a wonderful product for travelling because it is so multifunction. Perfect for quick outings or longer journeys. You will always be prepared when you bring the Boba Buddies along with you.

PURCHASING

Shop the JoJo online boutique or find a store in your area. Our testers have received their samples in a very timely manner and we can attest to the prompt and professional service from JoJo. Shop in the comfort of your home with complete confidence.

All images copyrighted JoJo Maman Bébé

12 years ago Short URL

baby/Toys/travel

Oct

Magellan’s Travel Supplies for the Holiday Season

Magellan’s was founded by two travel professionals to provide a single source of unique and useful travel products, supported by well trained travel gear specialists, and backed by a complete 100% guarantee of satisfaction. While working for Pan Am Airways, John and Gloria McManus traveled extensively around the world and were frustrated by the inadequate supply of travel products available to consumers. In 1989 they created Magellan’s catalog, starting with a 32 page black and white catalog of hard-to-find travel products. John’s no-nonsense, detailed descriptions of each item made it clear how each addressed a travel problem, from overseas electrical adaptors to third world health and hygiene. Their mission is to make your travel more comfortable, safe, and rewarding. The Magellans website is well designed and packed with terrific travel articles.

MAGELLAN’S HOLIDAY PICKS

Neska Quarter-Zip Sweater

The Neska Quarter-Zip Sweater is the perfect sweater to keep you cozy this holiday season. The style is figure flattering and with the addition of the Quarter-Zip, you can create different looks according to the current weather. The fabric of the sweater is super soft and luxurious and conjures up images of sitting by the fire on a winter getaway. This sweater will make a wonderful holiday gift for the special woman in your life! We recommend sizing up to accommodate shrinkage.

Verdun Money Belt

The Verdun money belt is the feminine version of the traditional money belt. A money belt is a “must have” item when travelling for so many reasons; especially during the busy holiday season. Having your valuables and essentials (including money, passport, camera etc) tucked safely away in your money belt means that you never have to worry about misplacing the contents at any point in your travel. You won’t need to dig through your bag to search for your passport, ticket and boarding pass which will reduce your stress considerably. The Verdun money belt is versatile in that aside from wearing it on your waist, you can also wear it across your shoulder, cross body or are a clutch – perfect for a night on the town. The Verdun money belt is a rare find and will make the perfect gift for the female traveller in your life.

Top Pick – ExOfficio Storm Logic Jacket

When travelling, there are a few key issues which one needs to keep in mind:
1. Be comfortable
2. Be organized
3. Be secure
4. Pack light

Selecting a Jacket that meets all of these criteria can be a tough challenge! Enter the ExOfficio Storm Logic Jacket. How does this jacket meet the above criteria? First, being comfortable means wearing clothing that helps you deal with many different temperatures and weather conditions while not being bulky. This jacket is very warm yet when unzipped does not overheat you. It keeps you dry, repelling rain, cocktails and baby formula. It is very light weight and can be packed down into a small size due to its fluffy filling. Second, being organized helps you keep track of important items (sunglasses, cell phone, passport and airline tickets) so you are not stressed out during your travels. The jacket is designed for organization. Each interior pocket (four in all) is icon-embroidered for optimal placement of travel documents, glasses, phone, iPod, and keys (attached lanyard inside).

Simply follow the pictures and you will soon know where each critical item is to be stored and found when you need it, like at the security checkpoint. Being secure follows with being organized as keeping critical and expensive items like your cell phone and your passport inside zipped and velcro closed pockets make it more difficult for you to lose them, or thieves to steal them. Packing a jacket that is thin and light and that can manage many different climates keeps the strain off your back, keeps the item count down for faster hotel checkout, and keeps you from paying those extra bag fees that are so hard to avoid these days.

What’s more, the entire jacket stuffs into a back waist pocket to become a comfy, compact pillow that provides instant lumbar support, and also makes for easy packing. A jacket that does double duty – brilliant! This jacket will make the ideal gift for the special male traveller in your life this holiday season.

Get inspired with the Holiday Gift Collection available now. Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays!

For additional information, please visit the Magellan’s Website.

12 years ago Short URL

fashion/travel

Jul

Chicco Snappy Stroller – Deluxe… The perfect stroller for the Travel Season

The Travel Season is in full swing and for parents who are travelling with babies it can be extra challenging. With some advance pre-planning and the suitable travel related products, parents can tackle travelling with confidence. While your full size pushchair is appropriate for your everyday needs, investing in a compact and lightweight stroller for travelling both locally and abroad can be worth its weight in gold when you are faced with limited space, limited weight allowance and only so many hands.

When shopping for a travel stroller, you will want to select one that is lightweight, narrow in width, easy to fold and carry, and compact enough to fit into tight spaces. Due to the fact that travel strollers are smaller in size and lightweight, they will have less features than your full size stroller, but still perfectly functional for your holiday.

Introducing the Chicco Snappy Stroller – Deluxe

Weighing in at just 5.7kg, the Deluxe edition of the snappy stroller is designed for more demanding parents. It is stylish and refined with outstanding attention to detail. Suitable from 6 months to 15kgs maximum weight, approximately 3 years of age.

Additional features:

The seat sides are made from ultra-breathable mesh fabric
The seat has an exclusive round safety buckle
A double sided seat pad that is cool in summer and warm in winter
A handy shoulder strap for carrying when travelling

Our tester in our mum panel had the opportunity to test the stroller with her 6 month year old son. “Overall the stroller is extremely lightweight yet still pretty sturdy when you push it and my son seemed very comfortable in it. Perfect for quick errands in the car or via public transport and especially well suited for travelling both locally and abroad.”

The seat back reclines to 45 degree which is a rare feature in a travel stroller. The seat has an exclusive and stylish round safety buckle to the 5 point harness, which is well designed and ensures that your little one still stay safely buckled in when you are on the move.

The sun canopy offers some protection against the elements but a wide brimmed hat is still a necessity. When the seat back is reclined, air can circulate through the stroller on a warm day allowing baby to stay cool.

The seat sides are made from a special ultra-breathable mesh fabric to guarantee maximum comfort.

The Snappy Deluxe comes with an exclusive double-sided seat pad: Spring side with a cool breathable fabric and autumn side with a warm and soft fleece fabric.

The double sided cool and warm material seat pad is great especially here in the UK where the weather is so unpredictable!

The Snappy Deluxe is so easy to carry over your shoulder (handy shoulder carry strap), making it perfect for travelling or short walks

Folded Dimension : 22 x 32 x112 cm

The rain cover (included) fully covers the entire stroller protecting baby from the rain and elements.

The Snappy Deluxe Stroller from Chicco is a wonderful choice for frequent travellers and will make travelling with your baby an absolute pleasure.

We would like to see the 2013 Edition of the Snappy Deluxe include a mesh basket for storage of baby/mum essentials which comes standard with the basic edition of the Snappy.

PURCHASING:

To find a store in your area that carries the Chicco line of products, please click here.

Visit the Chicco UK Website to view the full range of products offered by Chicco UK.

12 years ago Short URL

pushchair/travel

Jun

Silver Cross Pop Lightweight Stroller

Pop is Silver Cross’s most practical, durable and best selling stroller, jam-packed with features designed to handle the demands of everyday life. This brilliant all rounder is suitable from birth; its stylish design giving you the freedom to get out and about quickly, yet in real comfort. It’s lightweight, totally portable and has comfort and safety built in. A real gem.

New Colours for Summer 2012!

Silver Cross Pop Filigree

Silver Cross Pop Ellipse

Silver Cross Pop Dandelion

The Silver Cross Pop is an umbrella type stroller and a wonderful alternative to the bulky, full size strollers on the market. With the travel season in full swing, consider the Pop for vacation travel. The Pop is available in a range of stylish, modern prints and colours to suit every parents and baby. The Pop is very easy to set up. Simply follow the pictorial directions for guidance. The high quality of the stroller is apparent from the initial set up. The handlebars, which are an important feature of a stroller are designed with mum and dads comfort in mind. The stroller seat pad is plush and comfy for baby as well as easy to clean. In terms of operating the stroller, seat and footrests recline easily. The stroller folds down smoothly and swiftly.

We have chosen to highlight our favourite features of the Pop Stroller through the following images provided to us by our fantastic tester in our exclusive mummy panel.

FEATURES:

Multi position seat recline

The Pop’s multi position seat recline is a big plus and is often only found on full size stroller.

Compact fold – Folded Dimensions:
L105cm W28cm H27cm

Hood with UPF50+ sun protection and pull out sun visor

The hood provides good coverage against the sun and the pull out visor is especially handy on sunny days to provide additional protection.

Hood viewing window

The viewing window in the stroller is a nice size to keep an eye on the baby.

Silent seat recline

The seat is spacious and there is plenty of leg room for baby. Like most umbrella style stroller, the mesh basket is difficult to access when the seat is fully reclined.

One hand recline and fold

The pop’s one handed recline is a terrific feature. The pop folds very easily using just one foot on the lever and the motion of pushing forward results in the pop locking automatically.

Puncture free tyres

What’s Included:

* Rain cover
* Shopping basket will fit a small handbag and some basic accessories.

* The Shoulder carry strap and carry handle are wonderful for transporting the stroller.

Also included is a generously sized cup holder which will ensure that parents stay hydrated while on the go. We love that Silver Cross has included this accessory!

Caution: Tipping Hazard

Like all umbrella strollers, care must be taken when attaching a changing bag to the stroller due to the tipping hazard. Consider purchasing the Buggy Organiser (see below) as an alternative to hanging the changing bag from the stroller for additional storage options and place any heavier items in the shopping basket below.

Optional Accessories:

Buggy Organiser

We highly recommend the organiser which is specifically designed for the stroller. The Organiser can accommodate a bottle, nappies, a change of clothes for baby, wallet and keys. This will allow mum to have all the basic essentials readily available.

Buggy Sail

Protect your baby from the sun, wind and other elements with the well designed Buggy Sail.

A matching footmuff is available separately for purchase for £35 for the colder months. We would like to see this footmuff be included with the Pop for the 2013 edition.

ROAD TEST

Up until now, our tester had been solely using a Quinny Buzz to take her baby on walks around the city and to run errands with. With the arrival of summer, the tester wanted to downscale and find a lighter and more compact alternative to the Quinny. Enter the Silver Cross Pop, the perfect alternative to a bulky, heavy stroller.

“I used the pop in a shopping mall this weekend and it was very easy to push. It is narrow enough so I don’t get stuck getting through doors and shopping aisles as I do with my other pram. My son was comfortable and content in the stroller. On the days that I use public transport, the pop performs beautifully and is a breeze to get in and out of the bus or tube. The pop is a lovely stroller for shopping and running errands about town and fits compactly in our car. The pop is the perfect compliment to our full size stroller and we are excited to use it for our summer holidays.”

PURCHASING

Please visit www.silvercross.co.uk for purchasing information.

For additional information about the Pop and to view the full range from Silver Cross, please visit the Silver Cross UK Website.

12 years ago Short URL

baby/pushchair/travel

Nov

Magellan’s Holiday 2011 Preview

The Holiday Season is nearly upon us and for many readers that means travelling to be with family and friends or exploring exotic locations around the world. Magellans has everything that you will require to streamline your travel experience, and fashionable styles for the holidays which will draw many compliments while keeping you warm and cozy. to keep you warm and still make a fashion statement.

Browse the Travel Essentials section of the Magellan’s website which includes innovative and functional products for the entire family.

Check out the stylish holiday fashions for Women in beautiful styles and fabrics.

The Men’s holiday fashion collection is available in classic styles that will never go out of fashion.

Stay tuned for the full review to follow shortly.

For further information, please visit www.Magellans.com

13 years ago Short URL

fashion/travel

travel

Success Through Play™ Magazine

Category Archives: travel

BABYBJÖRN Travel Cot Light

Travel Edition: Bastien Gonzalez Mani Pedi One&Only Spa – Cape Town, South Africa

Eco-shopping with Value Valet

Holiday Shopping with JoJo Maman Bébé

Magellan’s Travel Supplies for the Holiday Season

Chicco Snappy Stroller – Deluxe… The perfect stroller for the Travel Season

Silver Cross Pop Lightweight Stroller

Magellan’s Holiday 2011 Preview