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{Product Review} Pong Research Phone Cases

March 2nd, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Product Review | Uncategorized - (2 Comments)

When I was pregnant I (as always) relied on my twitter & facebook friends to keep me sane. My hubby was worried about the radiation from my phone going through into my belly as I would sit with my hands on my belly
The farmers concerns continued over the last 19 months so that now he is concerned about the radiation levels Worm may be exposed to whilst playing on our phones.

My 19month old Worm LOVEs playing with our iPhones. She doesn’t know what to do with them, but she knows that they are mummy’s & daddy’s toys & that she has to be very careful with them.

Did you know that ‘The vulnerability of children to mobile phone radiation is significantly higher then adults’ this fact scares me. I mean is this another thing that I have to protect my child from?
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Thankfully Pong Research have come up with a range of advanced smart phone & iPad cases. These cases not only look good but have many other benefits as well.

These cases have been developed by a team of PhD scientists- I asked myself why would a bunch of geeky scientists work on developing cases for mobile phones- surely there’s something better for them to be researching!
But then I kept on reading. The Pong cases are rather special. They are said to ‘improve device performance, and protect users against cellular and wifi radiation’

The cases have been proven in independent laboratories to
- optimise signal strength
- protect against dropped calls
- conserve battery life
- reduce exposure to cell phone radiation by up to 95% below international safety standards.

They do all that plus look great! I was lucky enough to be sent the Soft Touch case for 4s in Lime Green. It fitted snugly just like any other case would, so there is no extra bulk for all the extra benefits as detailed above.

I use my phone a LOT & found that with the case on the battery seemed to last a little longer than usual- I can’t say definitively as I’ve never really timed it, but I noticed that when I was putting it on the charge it had more battery life left over than usual.

The cover made no difference to talk quality for me, we rarely experience drop outs so I can’t verify that part of the claims. And as far as signal strength goes I didn’t notice any significant difference.

Overall I figure that the Pong Case looks just as good as others on the market, but does SO much more. I’ll certainly be recommending them to my friends going forward. Priced from $49.95 they are very competitive.

You can follow Pong Research on twitter, like them on Facebook & also check out the full range on theirWebsite .

Are you concerned about phone radiation? Let me know via Please let me know via twitter, Facebook or the comments section below.

Thanks to Wordstorm PR I was gifted a Pong Research iPhone case. All opinions are my own, any statements of fact have been taken from media releases or the Pong Website. I have to apologise for the lack of photos in this post- as I use my phone to take the photos it was a little hard to take phones of my phone!

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{WINNER!!} Stuck on You

February 1st, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Product Review | Sponsored Post - (Comments Off)

WOW I thought all the great back to school tips were brilliant. You can read them all at the bottom of the original post, however for me the winner was Natalie Blanch.

I loved her suggestion of creating ‘Social Stories’ Its something that I’m going to start with Worm, not just for back to school but perhaps to prepare her for visitors, or any significant changes to her routine.

“Aside from the organisation of books, clothes and food, I think creating ‘social stories’ helps young children internalise what the back to school routine will involve. Things like “Next week, it will be school-time. Each week day morning, we’ll wake up by x time, get dressed in your uniform, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, do your hair, put your lunch box in your bag and your shoes on and head off to school”, and “At school, you’ll sit at your desk and listen to your teacher. At lunch time, you eat your food, then play with your hat on. After school, I’ll be waiting to pick you up, looking to see your beautiful face!”. I love social stories, as they can prepare children for so many different events, and when they’re repeated over and over, children know what to expect, and situations become familiar before they’ve even occurred. Visual learners may love a corresponding chart to match up with what they’re hearing. It makes it so much easier to just say “So after we have breakfast, what are we going to do?”, and have your child respond with “teeth, hair, bag and shoes!”, with them feeling like they’re leading the way and in control of their preparation.”

Well done Natalie – Stuck on You will be in touch shortly to arrange your voucher. Happy shopping!

 

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{Giveaway} – Stuck on You

January 23rd, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Giveaways | Product Review - (20 Comments)

As the school year rapidly approaches I see on twitter and Facebook a mad rush of mums and dads rapidly pulling everything they need together. Books, uniforms, pencils, school bags, shoes, hats, pencil cases, lunch boxes, sports uniforms, library bags, drink bottles. The list of requirements appears to be endless, and everything needs to be LABELLED!!

This is where Stuck On You can help!

Stuck on You are producers of personalised labels, drink bottles, clothing labels, bag tags. It was established 16 years ago by Carrie Felton – a mum of 3 boys. I’m always keen to support Australian companies, and this one is brilliant!

There is a HUGE range of products, colours and designs, and I found the ordering process so simple. They offer a ‘live preview’ of what your product will look like prior to finalisation, so there are no surprises.

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I was VERY lucky to receive a couple of personalised goodies from Stuck On You.

They sent me a personalised lunch pack featuring a lunch box and stainless steel drink bottle.

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I also received a Penny Scallan Value Pack which included 48 clothing labels, 48 name labels and a bag tag.
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I have used these for a few weeks now, putting the name labels on Worm’s drink bottles, lunch containers, and clothing. They have been through the dishwasher & washing machine and passed with flying colours. They even withstood Worm trying to pick one off her hat before it was fully cooled from the iron.
I found the instructions for application very clear and easy to use.
Their service was impeccable – I had a small issue with one of the bag tags that were sent to me, a quick email to the company and within 7 days a brand new value pack was sent out, no questions asked. Brilliant service in my book!

For discounts, product information and other goodies from the Stuck on You team you can like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, join their Google + circles or check out their Pinterest boards.

Giveaway!!

To make your back to school journey easier I am pleased to say that Stuck on You have offered readers of Tis The Life the opportunity to WIN a $50 gift voucher.
The voucher is to be used online to order anything you wish all personalised with your child’s name, perfect for going back to school or child care.

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Entry is easy –
You must like Tis The Life and Stuck On You (make sure you tell them Tis The Life sent you!) on Facebook to enter then:
Simply leave a comment below with your number 1 tip for getting organised for back to school! Make sure you leave your email address, or twitter handle in the comments so I can contact you.
Giveaway starts 9pm 23 January 2013 & finishes 9pm 31st January 2013. Winner will be chosen based on what makes me smile/think/laugh or cry & no discussion will be entered into, my decision is final. Winner will receive 1 x $50 gift voucher from Stuck on You to use on items of their choice.

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{Product Review} Philips Avent Range

December 19th, 2012 | Posted by Sara in Being a mum | Little Human | Product Review - (3 Comments)

I was fortunate to attend a Kids Business Bloggers Brunch back in July 2012. It was Worm’s first birthday, and we were moving house only a few weeks later so I have been very slack about following up some of the wonderful contacts and leads that I made during the event. Fortunately for me though Philips Avent were very generous and allowed me to review the Phlips Avent Video Monitor & Toddler feeding range, even after I forgot to return their email initially!

I received a Philips Avent SCD 600 Video Baby Monitor. This monitor is the “Bees Knees” of baby monitors. It has a camera and video screen, and is a private connection. Worm suffers from un-diagnosed asthma (she’s too young to get a proper diagnosis) so I often listen to her cough at night and worry. I’m sure I’ve woken her up many times by “sneaking” in for a quick look to check shes ok.

I quickly set up the monitor in her room – In the box you will receive a parents unit, cool looking circle camera, and a magnetic stand for the camera. The brochure states that the camera can be used via either mains or battery power, and where I wanted it located having the battery connection on the camera was invaluable. I set the camera up on top of the wardrobe, from that location I got a great view over her cot.

The picture that came through from the camera was crystal clear. The photo below was taken in day time, when Worm wasn’t keen for her sleep! We found that we could turn the parent unit ‘off’ so that it the video only came on when the unit detected noise, this is particularly useful for overnight, as if I have the unit near my bed the light from the video doesn’t keep me awake.

The camera is not just a camera – it also can play lullabies and has little night lights built in – both of which you can activate from the parent unit, meaning that you don’t have to go into the room to turn the night light on or change a CD or similar.

There was a couple of little things that were annoying about this system – The battery life of the camera is ridiculously short. We went through a set of brand new AAA batteries in under 4 hours, which would get VERY expensive if we let it continue. The parent unit has a rechargeable battery system, but the camera states to not use rechargeables which is disappointing.

I would have loved the unit to have an inbuilt thermometer – as we live in Central Queensland it can get quite hot. I would have preferred to have a temperature indication on the parents unit so that I could easily see what the temp was in Worms room. The last little annoying thing is the ball shape of the camera. Yes it looks VERY cool, but Worm loves balls, and now I have to have the camera at her height (so I can connect it to mains power) she has been known to use it as a ball. Thankfully the camera does bounce if dropped on the tile – but I wouldn’t suggest this is a good use of the system.

I was also sent a Avent Toddler Feeding Gift Set and a Travel Feeding Set. Both of these set’s have been very useful. I’ve written before about my struggles to get Worm to eat solid foods, when we received the gift setI made a fuss about how it was “Her Special Plates” she loved unpacking the box & that night ate her whole meal from the bowl without any problems. I know that the bowl isn’t magical, but it might as well be! Since receiving them & making a fuss over her special things her eating has improved – she points at the rabbit & letters around the bowls whist she is eating, and has even pushed food around the plate to cover up images & then uncover them to giggles!

The fork is a little weak- Worm struggles to ‘stab’ anything with it, but I’m sure that it is much safer than a adult sized fork.

The Travel Feeding Set includes a large feeding dish, 2 removable small containers, a spoon and a suction mat to hold it down. I’m finding it very convenient to put some snacks in the little containers, a sandwich in the larger section, and the integrated spoon means that I’m not trying to fish it out from inside my handbag. I think both the Travel Feeding Set & the Toddler Feeding Gift Set would make great birthday presents – oh & I forgot to mention they are all dishwasher safe – so Mum & Dad are covered too!

Overall I am very happy and impressed with all the Philips Avent products I was given the chance to review. For more information about the Philips Avent range please check out their Website or join their Facebook community.

No money changed hands – I was given the products above to review, all opinions are my own.

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{Product Review + Giveaway} Love to INVENTA Sleep Bag

December 14th, 2012 | Posted by Sara in Being a mum | Giveaways | Product Review - (44 Comments)


Heaven forgive that this mummy blogger actually blogs about parenting stuff, but alas it is true. Even though most of my focus lately as far as writing goes has been around my training, I am still a Mummy blogger at heart.

I have had the fortune of reviewing a couple of fun things lately, so I’ll be sharing them in the next few days.

 

{Product Review + Giveaway} Love to Dream INVENTA Sleep Bag

I started to use the Love to Dream Swaddle UPs when Worm was about 5 months old, they allowed her to be tightly swaddled during her naps, and also made it very easy for me to feed and change her during the night, without having to muck around with big muslin wraps.

As she got older we moved onto using sleeping bags, I’m a fan of the GroBags, ErgoWrap sleeping bags and also the Woolababes sleeping bags, but none of these allow you to change the level of cover the child has whilst they are sleeping. They all required you to take the bag completely off should you find the temperature is warm, or place extra blankets over the baby if they were cold.

The new Love To INVENTA Sleep Bag is different. It has ingenious mesh panels that can be zipped up or left open to easily help you regulate your child’s temperature. For me this was epic! In Central Queensland I am often putting Worm to bed whilst the temperature outside is quite warm, the temperatures then drop overnight, resulting in a cold toddler girl waking up.

When I have used this sleeping bag I was able to initially put her to sleep with all the vents open, then when I went to bed myself I snuck in & zipped up the ones I could reach without disturbing her. I left the front ones open, as I didn’t want to roll her over & risk waking her up.

Other key features of the Love To INVENTA Sleep Bag™ include:

  • 100% natural, hypoallergenic bamboo lining making it highly breathable with better moisture control and temperature regulation
  • An ergonomic design and superior quality two-way stretch fabric ensures it is a better fit for all babies
  • Shoulder studs and a side zipper for easy transferral, even if the baby is already asleep
  • An extra-long side zipper to make nappy changes even easier
  • A back and front travel slot for quick and easy access to a 5-point harness

The sleeping bag is extra long, but it has press studs so you can fold up the excess fabric.

 


The sleeping bags come in beautiful patterns, and very generous sizing. I was sent a pink owl in size 12-36months. I think this is fabulous, as it will mean that the one sleeping bag can last 2 years.

You have a chance to win your own Love To INVENTA Sleep Bag! Its easy just leave me a comment below with your  childs favourite sleeping aid, whilst you are thinking about it visit the www.lovetodream.com.au website and tell me what colour & size Love To INVENTA Sleep Bag you would be after. Competition opens 9pm Friday 14th December and closes 9pm Friday 21st December 2012.

I can’t give you any extra entries, but it would be lovely for you to also visit & like Tis The Life on Facebook and also Love to Dream on Facebook.

I was given a Love To INVENTA Sleep Bag to review, no money changed hands, this review is my own opinion. Winner will be selected based on the most creative/interesting/strange answer provided, and no discussion will be entered into. Sleeping Bag Giveaway is provided by Love To Dream PR who will send the lucky winner 1 x Sleep Bag in the colour & size of the winners choosing.

Competition opens 9pm Friday 14th December and closes 9pm Friday 21st December 2012.

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