Out and About - Exploring with the Maxi-Cosi Loola
00:16 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
The first place we explored with the Loola is the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.This is actually a favourite haunt of ours but Little Miss hasn't been before so using the Loola was a perfect way to meet up with friends, get out of the house and entertain Bud. MOSI has everything to entertain a small boy - trains, engines, a fantastic experiment gallery and a soft play area to burn off excess energy. Little Miss adored the museum, watching her big brother and my friend's children run around.
Introducing the Maxi-Cosi Loola - Unboxed
18:26 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
I love building new prams when they arrive so imagine my surprise when, after opening the Loola's box and spreading out the contents it very quickly became apparent that there was very little to do! The first thing you will notice is that the wheels are already attached to the frame. I can honestly say that I've never had a new stroller that I haven't had to affix the wheels to, the first big positive for the Loola.
The stroller frame is really easy to set up, once you know how. It was a little strange as, in order to fold and unfold, the handle folds in upon itself, so it collapses inwardly to fold smaller and spreads outwards to assemble it ready for use. I did struggle at first, working out which buttons to press to allow me to unfold the pram. There are a lot of grey buttons on the Loola which control the folding and unfolding and the locking of the pushchair. I have quite a weak grip so I did find it a little awkward to push in the buttons simultaneously at first but now I know how they work they are much easier to use.
Once the pushchair is up you simply push down on the large black carrying handle and this solidifies the frame ready for use. The seat then fixes into the frame, this is slightly unusual as you fix one side in then stretch the other side to make it fit. I think that this is another way of solidifying the frame and making it really rigid. The seat can be used either outward or parent facing, which I love as I enjoy being able to chat to my girl when we're out and about. You then simply add the bumper bar (which also folds) and hood (likewise) and your Loola is ready to roll. It really is that simple!
The Loola has a number of features that I really like:
Soft, folding bumper bar - Little Miss loves the Bumper Bar, she always puts her feet up on the bumper bar in our other pram but looks so much more comfortable doing so on the softer, flexible Loola bar. I've tried to stop her doing it but no chance, she's comfortable like that!
Easy to adjust straps - I've often struggled to adjust straps for length but I can honestly say that the Loola's straps are the easiest I have ever had to change. I'd like some way of tucking the ends in because I know Little Miss will chew them when she spots that they are loose!
High quality fabrics - The seat fabric is a gorgeous shade of pink. I must confess that, when I saw photos of the Origami Rose colour scheme I was a little bemused, pink is not a favourite colour of mine. The photos showed a more muted shade of pink than the reality, which is a vibrant hot pink, almost red. I love it. The fabric used is soft but I feel it will be hardwearing. Something I love is that the strap pads can't be removed easily. I almost instantly lose these with prams usually. The Loola's will be much harder to mislay. A beautiful baby nest is included with the Loola but, sadly Little Miss, is too big for it. I'm planning to try my tiny niece out in it when I next see her so I'll be able to comment on that in a later post.
Adjustable Handle - I'm not especially tall but I have long legs for my height so I like a higher pushing position on a stroller. I love being able to adjust it to my preferred height and the Loola has two positions. I'll be using the higher one.
Folding - So many pushchairs that can face inwards or outwards require you to have the seat in a certain position for when you store it. All that the Loola asks is that you return the seat to an upright position (which is a standard requirement), you can fold it whether the seat is parent or forward facing.
Smooth Ride - The Loola's wheels are large and so far the ride seems smooth and comfortable for Little Miss. She sleeps better in this pushchair than she has recently in our others.
Hood - The hood is fantastic on the Loola.. It can be unzipped to make it larger which is great if the sun is bright, as it has been lately, or if you forget your raincover (not that I would ever do such a thing, not at all!) It also includes a clear panel so the parent can peek in, or the child out, without anyone being disturbed. I did find it a little fiddly to attach to the seat (you do so by zipping it on then fastening a press stud around the frame) and recommend that you use the zip before the press stud.
Raincover - The Loola's raincover fits really well and includes ventilation holes to ensure that it doesn't steam up. Great on days like today when it's wet and humid.
Size - The Loola is really wide,the seat is a great size and Bud fits into it easily. I can't imagine that we will need another pushchair, I think Little Miss will fit in this until she doesn't need a stroller anymore. Similarly though, the pushchair folds down to quite a small size, deceptively small considering the size of the assembled pram.
Our first impressions of the Loola are great. I'm looking forward to trying it out properly and sharing the next challenges with you!
If you'd like the chance to win your very own Loola then head on over to the Maxi-Cosi UK Facebook Page where they are giving away one a week for the next five weeks!
Giveaway - Win a Family Ticket to Blackpool Tower Ballroom
00:03 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
Monday 22/7/13 - Sunday 28/7/13 Days 264 - 270 of Project 365
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My Ultimate Summer Driving Playlist
17:42 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
Money Supermarket have launched a competition inviting us bloggers to share our ultimate driving playlist and I couldn't help but participate, it's a while since I've shared some of my musical tastes with my blog and the opportunity reminded me of how much I enjoy this type of post.
My favourite Summer songs are those lazy, sultry tracks, like Summertime from Porgy & Bess. That's something of an obvious choice though and probably not the best for driving. With Money Supermarket sharing that 20% of accidents on major roads are related to tiredness or lack of sleep, a driving playlist needs to include songs that will keep a driver wide awake and singing along.
So, which five songs would I choose?
The first is a current favourite of Bud's. He loves this song so much that we're getting a little tired of it. That said, it's one of those songs which, when I hear it in the future will remind me of this Summer and him singing and bopping along to it for many years. I give you 'I Love It' by Icona Pop.
Giveaway - Win with Q Pootle 5, the New cBeebies Show!
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Giveaway - Win an Imps & Elfs T-shirt to Celebrate the Arrival of the Royal Baby
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I Made This - The Gallery Week 150
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I love that you can't even see my girl's face in this photo but I can still tell she is giggling away at her big brother.
Monday 15/7/13 - Sunday 21/7/13 Days 257 - 263 of Project 365
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Giveaway - Win a Eurohike Retro Picnic Set
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What about you? If you could set off on a European road trip what would be your vehicle of choice?
Simply answer the question by posting a comment below, and you could have the chance to win a Eurohike Retro Picnic Set, thanks to Sainsbury's Bank Car Insurance.
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I have received a voucher for offering this giveaway
The Tefal OptiGrill Makes Grilling Easy - A Review
00:26 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
- Six cooking programs - Burgers, poultry, bacon, sausages, red meat and fish
- Two special modes - Defrost and manual
- Unique colour changing LED screen on the handle for checking cooking progress
- Large 600cm2 cooking surface with non-stick coating
- Power 2000W
- 7 degree plate inclination for easy fat release
- Extra large plates and juice tray, dishwasher safe
- Brushed silver
- Heavy duty handle
Eco2Life Eco Friendly Cleaning Products - Review and Giveaway
16:56 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
When you purchase a starter kit you receive an empty plastic spray bottle and a refill bottle of the cleaner. Simply run your cold water tap until it runs cold, half fill your spray bottle with cold water, add in the contents of your bottle then top up with more water. Fasten the lid again and gently shake to mix the contents and your spray cleaner is ready to go.
We've been using the cleaners for the past month and have found them to be effective products which smell great. Each spray bottle is designed to be refilled ten times and, with the individual cleaner refills costing £2:50 I think that works out as good value for money. After ten uses you can recycle the 500ml bottle but continue to use the spray nozzle up to 10,000 times.
If you'd like to hear a little more about the company and their story then this video explains it much more effectively than I can.
- One of each 500ml reusable spray bottle of the eco2life multi-surface, bathroom, glass and floor eco friendly high performance cleaning products.
- Two of each 50ml refills, one to get your started and the other to keep you green cleaning.
- Four different colour high quality micro-fibre cloths.
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Slow Cooking and Measuring with Pyrex
00:43 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
First up, the Slow Cooker. The first thing to notice about this item is that it arrives beautifully boxed, unlike many Pyrex items which are bought 'as they come'. Upon removing the casserole dish from the box I was immediately struck by the red enamel finish. This looks and feels really high quality, the gloss of the enamel gives the dish a really expensive look when coupled with the cream lining. The main dish is one unit with no visible join of the handles through the enamel and the lid sits snugly inside.
I wanted to create a recipe to share with you to really showcase these items but life has been so hectic lately that I haven't had time to tinker in the kitchen however, I did have the perfect use for my two new additions, in testing out my other sachet of Schwartz two in one mixes. This time it was the Mediterranean Chicken Pasta with Cheesy Crumb Topping (here's my review of the Garlic & Herb Chicken). I decided to use the Slow Cook to grill the topping and then serve the pasta dish and the little jug came into it's own when I was making up the sauce, especially as all the additions were in multiples of 50ml, I simply added them to the jug and there it was with no measuring spoons required at all!
Introducing the AEG UltraCaptic - What's in the Box?
22:59 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
I thought I would share my first impressions of the cleaner with you. This is a cylinder vacuum cleaner so it arrives in a box that's a manageable size. I could easily carry it using the handy carrying holes on the box. The picture on the box isn't actually our model of the UltraCaptic, I assume the box is standardised across the range.
How to Avoid those Decorating Dramas
14:24 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
If, like us, you don't know where to start with decorating but aren't lucky enough to have lots of help then there is a wealth of information available online but it can be hard to track down, and understand the lingo. Local Traders have created a brand new ebook to help out with that - 28 Ways to Help You Decorate - the book is packed with step by step advice on everything from hanging shelves to stripping wallpaper. Another great resource is the Wickes website which has a variety of interesting tips and useful how-to videos. You could also take a look at the Pinterest board that I have put together for Bud's Room which shows where we got out Jungle-theme inspiration from.
Brought to you in partnership with Local Trader
La Tasca Trafford Centre Re-Opens it's Doors
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Monday 8/7/13 - Sunday 14/7/13 Days 250-256 of Project 365
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Our #CookWithPyrex Twitter Party
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We had a huge number of Tweeters join in with the party and gave away four sets of Summer cookware. I was quite envious of the prizes - the lucky winners received the perfect tools for Summer entertaining.
If you buy any two products from The Range you will get the chance to win a SMEG Fridge Freezer in the colour of your choice.You can also win cookware in the competition on the Pyrex UK site. In fact, it's a very good idea to like the official Pyrex UK Facebook page or follow @PyrexUKOfficial on Twitter to keep up with all their news, offers and competitions.
The Gallery: Sun
01:30 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
Is there anything more lovely than a baby enjoying the garden in a sun dress in the sunshine? Little Miss loved her time in the garden today. I'm keeping her out of the sun a lot but this was first thing, before it got too hot.
Ten Days Until Blog On
00:53 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
So, I'm Pippa. I live in Bolton with the OH and our two little people, Bud is three and Little Miss is ten months old I do like attending events so I've met quite a few of you other attendees before. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone, whether for the first time or not. I've been blogging here for 20 months, give or take the five month break during my second pregnancy.
I'm very friendly and approachable and Laura has set me the special task of coaxing you terrified people out of the corners you say you will be hiding in. I have a a bright red necklace with my Twitter handle on it (@RedRoseMummy) which I'll be wearing on the day. Please come and say hello if you're feeling lonely. I'm pretty good with names too so, if you're looking to connect with another blogger - there's always that one blogger you've been chatting to on Twitter and really want to say hello to - I'll try to make that happen.
If you'd like to say hello to a few other attendees then I have a Blog On Attendees Twitter list , feel free to subscribe and see what your fellow attendees are tweeting about in the run up to the event. If you aren't on the list then tweet me and I will add you.
I'm so looking forward to Blog On, it's going to be my very first blogging conference. I'm hoping for a day to make new friends, have some lively discussions and generally celebrate all things blogging. I'll see you there!
Giveaway - Win Two Zoe and Beans Board Books from Macmillan Kids
15:41 Pippa Ainsworth 0 Comments
I'm delighted to be able to offer one of my lucky readers the chance to win a set of two Zoe and Beans board books - Look at Me! and How Many Pets? to share with their own children.
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