Want a bit of good clean fun?

There must be a point in your life when bathtime stops being about splashing and fun and starts being about relaxation and pampering. Sometimes when I give my little ones their bath, I think I am missing a trick with my own routine. As much as I love just lying there in warm, scented water letting my troubles float away, how great would it be just sometimes to recapture a little bit of that wild, youthful abandon that often results in a somewhat wet floor.

Crazy Soap from Kids Stuff very definitely aligns with the fun side of bathing.

We were sent some products from the Crazy Soap range to try out.

The video shows us trying out Bath Goo, Fun Soap and Body Paint.

The Bath Goo was fantastic. It had a very unusual texture that seemed to invite you to plunge your fingers in. It smelled very fruity and bubbled up beautifully in the water to create long lasting bubbles.

The Squirty Fun Soap was amazing. It did leave our water a little bit scummy but was worth putting up with that for the novelty of having soap that could be shaped and bounced!

It was quite difficult to produce artworks with any precision using the Body Paint but for a more general colourful effect, it was great. It washed off very cleanly leaving the skin feeling soft.

We did have a lot of fun with the Crazy Soaps. Will I be tempted to swap my pampering products for a bathtime of silliness and splashing? There is a very good possibility!


For your chance to WIN one of five sets of Crazy Soaps, simply:

• follow my blog and leave a comment below with contact details (eg twitter ID)

for two additional entries,

• follow @crazysoap_kids on twitter and tweet  #WIN Crazy Soap http://qwertymum.blogspot.com/2012/03/want-bit-of-good-clean-fun-win-crazy.html?spref=tw with @crazysoap_kids and @paulahaylock aka QWERTY Mum. Leave a comment below to say that you have done so.
• like Crazy Soap on Facebook and leave a comment below to say that you have done so.

Five winners will be drawn at random from all comments. Each will receive 1 x Bath Goo (RRP £2.99), 1 x Fun Soap (RRP £2.00) and 1x Body Paint (RRP £2.49).

Competition closes midnight 31st March, 2012 (UK only)


CLOSED

Cutey Charm Bracelet Giveaway

I love the idea of old fashioned silver charm bracelets - collecting tiny charms that mean something to you and displaying them together on a bracelet. Unfortunately, I've never seen one that actually looks nice! They end up such a muddle.

The new trend in charm bracelets makes a lot more sense and creates a beautifully aesthetic finished piece. Individual beads and charms can be selected to thread onto a simple silver rope bracelet to make something unique and personal. However, the cost of component pieces can be high and the overall cost prohibitive.

New online retailer Cutey have a range of charm bracelets complete with charms that offers a high quality piece of jewellery at a very affordable price. I was sent a bracelet to review.

I was very impressed with the quality of the bracelet that had an authentic feel and a lovely variety of  beads and charms.

I showed the charm bracelet to my fourteen year old daughter who is developing a keen sense of style. She fell in love with it. She spent a good deal of time studying the beads and charms individually and then familiarising herself with the piece as a whole - the tactile movement of it, its weight and wearability.

At  £12.99 with FREE UK delivery, these would make lovely gifts.

I have one Cutey Charm Bracelet to offer as a Giveaway.


For a chance to win, simply:

• Follow my blog and leave a comment below saying which from the Cutey Range is your favourite. (Please provide a means of contact eg Twitter ID)

For bonus entries (max 3)

• Like Cutey on Facebook and post a link to this giveaway on their wall.
• Like Qwerty Mum on Facebook
• Follow @PaulaHaylock and Tweet " Gorgeous Charm Bracelet from @CuteyJewellery to be won at QWERTY Mum blog  http://qwertymum.blogspot.com/2011/12/cutey-charm-bracelet-giveaway.html?spref=tw @PaulaHaylock #WIN "

Please leave separate comments below for each bonus entry to say that you have done so.

Thank you and Good Luck!

Winner will be chosen at random from all comments on Monday 19th December (UK only)

Competition closed

ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions

Peppa Pig

Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom: The Tooth Fairy has been a huge hit in our house. My daughter likes to have her daily dose of "Elves and Fairies" when she returns home tired from her morning at Nursery school. She is more than happy to watch the same episodes over and over again but for my own sanity I prefer to introduce some variety. To this end, I was very happy to receive a copy of Peppa Pig -International Day and other Stories on DVD for review.

Peppa Pig- International Day and other Stories is due for release on Monday, 24th October 2011. With eleven fun filled episodes featuring the unmistakable Peppa Pig and her family, it is sure to provide plenty of entertainment to keep little ones happy.

There is lots to like about this DVD: the cast of cute characters, the quirky animation, the catchy theme song, the simple story telling. For me, the best part has to be the laughter and the oinking!

For more fun with Peppa Pig visit www.peppapig.com

Entertainment One have kindly supplied a copy of the DVD (RRP £12.99) to giveaway. For a chance to win:

• help me get to 200 followers by following my blog via GFC and leave a comment below with a means of contacting you (eg Twitter ID)

For additional entries:

• Like QWERTY Mum facebook page
• Tweet " WIN a copy of Peppa Pig - International Day & Other Stories on DVD @PaulaHaylock  http://qwertymum.blogspot.com/2011/10/peppa-pig-giveaway.html?spref=tw "

Leave separate comments below to say you have done so.

Winner will be drawn at random from all comments on Friday 28th October.
(UK only please)

Good Luck!


COMPETITION CLOSED

ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions

Reasons to be Cheerful

ONE

My blog is one year old. It feels like only yesterday that I starting using this online medium to record my thoughts. It is lovely for me to revisit old posts, especially ones that show how much my little ones have grown over the months. It is also a huge bonus to feel part of the blogging community.

TWO

We had a bit of a Nursery wobble this week that involved Addy holding tight to my leg and shouting at the top of her voice "Not goodbye Mummy. Hello Mummy. Go away school". Although I hid out of sight and watched her tantrum turn to sweetness as she skipped about the playground with the lovely Mrs Edwards who had the task of prising her from my leg, it didn't stop me feeling like a cruel and horrible mummy.  This morning, however, she was absolutely perfect. A "Goodbye Mummy" and a kiss is a much better start to the day!

THREE

After the Bob's Big Build event in London, I met a lovely couple on the underground. Their young son loved Bob the Builder and they had been excited to see an advert for the Big Build in their newspaper. Although they were not given the wonderful VIP treatment that I was lucky enough to have had, they had clearly thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were absolutely thrilled when I offered them a copy of The Big Dino Dig DVD and a packet of Giant Card Games that I had received in one of my goodie bags. It was priceless watching their son's face light up and it felt really good to do something nice for someone. I have another copy of the DVD and card game to giveaway if anyone has a little Bob fan who might like them. I would love to make someone else happy.

Bob the Builder Giveaway (winner drawn Monday 19th Sept)

Bob the Builder Giveaway

Ever since our lovely day out at the O2 for Bob's Big Build, there has been a strong 'Bob' theme to the play at our house.

I have a copy of Bob the Builder's new feature length special The Big Dino Dig on DVD (due for release on September 19th) along with a packet of Bob the Builder Giant Card Games to give away.

For a chance to win simply follow my blog and leave a comment with a means of contacting you. For an extra chance to win tweet " #WIN Bob the Builder DVD and Giant Card Game at http://qwertymum.blogspot.com/2011/09/bob-builder-giveaway.html?spref=tw @PaulaHaylock " and leave a separate comment to say that you have done so.

CLOSED

Good luck.

(Winner will be selected at random from all entries on Monday 19th September, UK only)

A Right Royal Knees Up - Giveaway

I remember so well the wedding of Charles and Di in June 1981. It was a lovely sunny day and I was outside in the garden, lying on a sun lounger, revising for exams. My mum came running out saying I had to come in and see Diana's wedding dress because it was all creased. The fairy tale wedding of the century and all my mum could think about was taking an iron to the 25 foot long silk train!

I'm not really a big fan of the Royals but the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton means a Bank Holiday and an excuse for a party. I never turn my nose up at an excuse for a party.

To help us all get into the party mood, the News of the World are giving away a Royal Wedding CD called A Right Royal Knees Up. The sixteen feel good tracks by the original artists would provide a perfect party soundtrack.

A voucher for CD1 in a collectible wallet is printed in the News of the World on Sunday 10th April with CD 2 available the following week, 17th April. Vouchers can be exchanged for your FREE CD from any Tesco store.

Track Listing:

CD1 Culture Club - Karma Chameleon / Katrina and the Waves - Walking on Sunshine / MC Hammer - You Can't Touch This / Chesney Hawkes - The One and Only /  Bryan Ferry - Let's Sick Together / Heaven 17 - Temptation / Pato Banton feat. Ali & Robin Campbell - Baby Come Back / The Swinging Blue Jeans - The Hippy Hippy Shake

CD2 The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) / Belinda Carlisle - Heaven is a Place on Earth / Human League - Don't You Want Me / Kajagoogoo - Too Shy / Supergrass - Alright / Huey Lewis and the News - The Power of Love / Tommy JAmes and the Shondells - Mony Mony / Jeff Beck - Hi Ho Silver Lining

I have one copy of the double CD to give away. 

For a chance to WIN 'A Right Royal Knees Up' simply follow my blog and leave a comment with your Twitter ID (or some other means of contact) CLOSED

For an extra entry, Tweet  " #WIN A Right Royal Knees Up CD with @notwnews and QWERTY Mum http://t.co/UjzSNOh @PaulaHaylock " and leave a separate comment telling me you have done so.

Winner will be selected at random midday on Tuesday 19th April.

(UK only)

And the winner is:

Jamie at Home DVDs winner...

Thank you to all the people who entered my Jamie at Home DVD giveaway.

The winner drawn at random from all entries...

was...

Congratulations to humanbe3an

I have two other giveaways closing this month:

Nuby Twisty Bugz and other goodies

February Giveaway to win Chocolate, Tea and £10 gift card

Jamie at Home DVDs, anyone? A Giveaway

**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**

There has been something of an explosion of Jamie at Home DVD giveaways here in the blog world. Why? ...because the The Sun Newspaper and The Sun Buzz Magazine are running a promotion starting TODAY in which you can collect all twelve episodes of the series absolutely FREE and if you want to spread the word, what better way is there than involving loquacious bloggers!

The promotion works like this:

• between now and 11th Feb, there will be tokens to collect (today's token is in Buzz Magazine, subsequent tokens will be featured in the paper for the rest of the week)
• each token is instantly redeemable on the day of print at Tesco stores for a free DVD
• there are two episodes of Jamie at Home on each DVD so over the course of the promotion, you can pick up the entire series (12 episodes)
• DVDs are presented in cardboard sleeves

I am a keen cook and I do have a vegetable plot in my garden where I grow some fruit and veg. I can totally relate to Jamie Oliver's passion in this series for good home cooked food prepared with home grown produce.

I have watched several episodes of  Jamie's 30 Minute Meals whilst running on the treadmill at the gym. The TVs at the gym are muted so I had to watch them with subtitles but even so, his trademark enthusiasm communicated loud and clear and is very infectious. The mouthwatering dishes he prepared did actually make the time pass a little easier on the treadmill too! 

I am very much looking forward to watching the Jamie at Home series from start to finish. As a vegetarian, many of the recipes are of no use to me unless I get creative with meat substitutes but it doesn't impair my enjoyment. The sensual approach that he takes to preparing venison in episode one made me a little bit sad that I don't eat meat! I love that he does some of the cooking outside  - it is inspiring me to be more adventurous with my al fresco dining this summer.

I'm just about out watch episode two now which is all about pastry (could be dangerous for my diet!).

To get your hands on your own collection of  FREE DVDs remember to collect the promotional tokens all this week in The Sun (and today in The Sun Buzz Magazine).

I do have the complete set of 6 DVDs to offer as a giveaway. For the chance to win, simply follow my blog and leave a comment below with your twitter ID or other contact details. (UK residents only, giveaway closes midnight 12th February, 2011)

For a second chance to win, tweet " Win Jamie at Home DVDs @PaulaHaylock QWERTY Mum's giveaway http://tinyurl.com/4cx8qca " and leave a separate comment below telling me you have done so. 

Buzz Magazine is free every Saturday in The Sun featuring TV listings, celebrity interviews and fashion & beauty articles all together in one great mag. Follow Buzz Magazine on Twitter.

FEBRUARY GIVEAWAY

February is a good month. We have survived January. The worst of the winter weather (we hope!) is behind us. The promise of spring is in the air. Valentine's Day stirs feelings of romance and for me, I will be celebrating my Wedding Anniversary.

To spread this good feeling, I have a GIVEAWAY to win A Five Pack of Bellevue Tea worth £10, A Selection of Five Varieties of 100g Divine Chocolate Bars worth £1.49 each (total £7.45) plus A £10 Boots Gift Card to treat yourself to something nice.

To enter, simply

COMPETITION CLOSED

• Follow my blog if you don't already do so
• Leave a cheery comment below with a Twitter ID or blog URL so I can contact you if you win.
• Tweet " Win Tea, Fairtrade Chocolate and a £10 voucher @PaulaHaylock QWERTY Mum's February Giveaway at http://tinyurl.com/4j8db2f "

One winner will be picked at random

Competition closes midnight 28th February, 2011.

UK residents only (sorry)

Good Luck!

Nuby Twisty Bugz Teether Review and My First Giveaway!!

I am in absolutely no danger of being in breach of my 'Blogging with Integrity' promise when I say that I adore this Nuby teether and can see why it won the Mother and Baby Gold Award in 2009.

Nuby Twisty Bugz Teether - £4.99

It is beautifully designed, well made, colourful and brimming with features that make it interesting, practical and just plain cute.

Suitable for babies from 6 months, it is perfect for little hands to hold. My baby boy was quickly twisting and clicking and rattling, exploring the different textures and chomping down on the specially designed gel filled 'teething nubs' that form the wings of the bees. The knotted antennae on the bugz proved popular with my little one but his absolute favourite part of the toy was the crinkly petals of the flower and dare I say it, the care label situated in the same location!

This is a video of the Nuby Twisty Bugz Teether being demonstrated by my boy, aged 7 months.

Nuby have kindly supplied me with a Twisty Bugz Teether, a Sure Grip Bowl and six pack of Feeding Spoons (reviewed here) to giveaway.

If you would like the chance to win these items pictured above, please  CLOSED

1. Follow my Blog
2. Leave a Comment below with your Twitter ID or name of your blog so I can contact you
3. Like Nuby UK on Facebook  and post " Giveaway at http://qwertymum.blogspot.com/2011/01/nuby-twisty-bugz-teether-review-and-my.html " on their wall, and/or
4. Follow @NubyUK on Twitter and Tweet " I've entered @PaulaHaylock @NubyUK Giveaway at QWERTY Mum http://tinyurl.com/5twffks "

Sorry if that seems like a lot! 

Competition is open to UK residents only and closes at midnight on 21st  February, 2011. Winner will be drawn at random from all the entries.

 Good Luck