Tips For Getting Back Into Shape After Having A Baby



Getting back into shape after having a baby is possible. If you’re wondering whether your body will ever return to normal, take a look around you at all the other mums that have managed it. Your body will do a lot of the restoration itself. However, you’re also going to need to put in a little extra work and effort if you want a postpartum body to die for. Before you take any drastic measures it’s a good idea to get yourself checked out by your doctor or seek private health care from Guy's and St Thomas. Once you’ve got the all clear you can get things underway with the following tips.

Try to do Things as Naturally as Possible
It is possible to regain some of your figure naturally, although you will need to be patient as it won’t happen overnight. Your body will have undergone a lot of changes in the last nine months, and it will take a while for it to recover. Your uterus, for example, takes around six to eight weeks to get back to normal, and it takes more than a month to rid your body of the excess water. Try and get into a sleep routine with your baby and develop a regular sleeping habit, so you’re not so tired and tempted to reach for high sugar and high calorific snacks when you need an energy boost.

Exercise Whenever Possible
Exercising may be the last thing on your mind after having a baby, but don’t be ashamed or embarrassed about it. Your body’s not going to be ready for serious exercise anyway until at least six weeks after giving birth. One thing to note is that incontinence after birth can occur due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. Start slow, therefore, with pelvic floor exercises. These are vital but do not panic if you find that you need to rely on incontinence underwear. Adult underwear is nothing to be embarrassed about, and with adult pull-ups readily available, you can find the best pullups for you in the days following the birth if this is something you require.

Eat Healthy, Well-Balanced Meals
There is a secret formula, and it’s one that will see you through the rest of your life if you want it to. You should eat well-balanced meals that include protein, carbohydrates and a little-unsaturated fat. It should include vegetables, fruit, and whole-grain products. Keep sweet and salty snacks to a minimum and avoid eating large amounts of cheese and fat-marbled meats. While eating healthy foods is one of the best way to keep you from getting sick or illness, another way is to do some DNA test as health preventive measures to know if you're at risk of any health conditions. 

Breastfeeding your baby 
If you can, try to breastfeed your baby as it can burn a staggering 500 to 700 calories a day. For many women, this means they will be able to increase their calorie intake and still lose weight. Just remember that when the breastfeeding stops or becomes less frequent, you will need to adjust your calorie intake accordingly. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself piling on the pounds.

It is possible to regain your figure after giving birth. The important thing to remember is not to be too hard on yourself. Those extra pounds and tired and worn out muscles are going to need time to disappear and recover. Push yourself too hard, and you’ll be doing more harm than good. Encourage your partner to get in tip-top shape with you, as you’ll be more likely to stick with the healthier habits if you do it together.

- This is a PR collaboration.

Back To School Fun With Learning Resources - Review & Giveaway



Noah starts school in just a matter of days and I still can't seem to get my head around it! It's such a huge milestone in his childhood and I suppose I can no longer call him my baby? He's totally ready for school now, although he's still a little nervous about it. Thankfully, a lot of wonderful brands have wanted to collaborate with us on numerous back to school campaigns, which I think has helped to keep him busy him and has made him so much more excited about it too.

Learning Resources were the latest brand that wanted to work with us in the run-up to back to school, which of course delighted us as they are already a much-loved name in our house. Having worked with them in the past and having bought their toys, I can say that their products are one of a kind, and amazing! We're always excited to see what they'll release next.


We were sent two products from a selection they recommended, as they are perfect for children who are about to start school. The first product being the AlphaBee, which allows children to play and learn both at home and on the go! 

AlphaBee contains 40 different tiles (26 letter tiles, ten number tiles and 4 shape tiles) and 3 double-sided activity cards. The letter tiles feature uppercase on one side and lowercase on the other. The activity cards encourage different ways to play and learn. The plastic case itself features spaces for tiles to fit into to avoid movement when travelling and keeps everything in an orderly fashion. The case features an easy to open and close latch and a carry handle which is just the right size for little hands.


Alphabee is a great way to encourage a variety of key early learning skills such as; the alphabet, letter recognition, basic spelling, counting, number recognition, shape recognition and more. Noah isn't one to sit and learn the traditional way and prefer to learn through play so products like the AlphaBee are perfect for him. He's enjoyed spelling out his name, with correct casing and likes to sound out each letter as he goes. AlphaBee is suitable for children between the age of 2-6 and retails at £18.00.


The Pretend & Play Original School Set is just the ticket for getting prepared for school. It's a great way for children to gain a little confidence and familiarity before school through role play. It also helps develop early speech and language skills and letter and number recognition.

The Pretend & Play Original School Set folds up into a handy case, perfect for classrooms on the go! It features a double-sided map of the UK and Europe, a calendar, a whiteboard, school clock, stickers, pupil scoreboards, certificates, note paper and various worksheets. Also included is a dry wipe pen, whiteboard eraser, mini classroom bell and two pencils. It really does contain everything you need for being a teacher or student.


I'd have loved this as a child as I was always playing teachers, although my classroom and equipment was make-believe! Noah loves it too and has been playing teacher whilst myself, Daddy and Ava are the children! It's been wonderful to incorporate this set into everyday play, right before he starts school himself. The Pretend & Play Original School Set is suitable for children aged 3-7, with an RRP of £32.50.

Learning Resources have kindly agreed to let me give away one of these wonderful set's here on the blog. How would you like to win either AlphaBee or the School Set? To enter simply use the Gleam form below! Good luck and don't forget to enter my other blog competitions!

AlphaBee or The Pretend & Play Original School Set

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winner who will choose one of the prizes mentioned above.
2. Winners details sent to the PR to arrange the prize. 
3. Competition ends 30/09/18.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only

Activities To Try With Your Kids During The Summer Holidays



Keeping kids entertained can often seem like a tough task, and often, it is! Depending on their attention span and areas of interest, it sometimes can be difficult to keep them occupied. However, being the super parent that you are, you’re likely always on the prowl for opportunities to wow them as well as things that they can get up to. The good thing is that if you’re ready to do a little research and look outside of conventional activities, there are so many things that kids can do which are both entertaining and educational. On that note, you’re going to find three activities that you should try with your kids below.

Attend a Sports Event
One of the first activities worth trying with your kids is attending a sports event. Although not every child has an athletic bone, many enjoy bright lights, high-energy and lots of excitement, so it’s something they might enjoy. You should, therefore, think about what sports event they would most enjoy whether it be a basketball game, a game of football, or even tennis. You can then visit ticketsales.com and see if they have any upcoming games happening in your area. Don’t forget to pack enough snacks along with you or set aside a budget to buy food at the game to keep their mouths busy.

Volunteer
Another activity that you could think about doing with the kids is volunteering at a charity or for a cause. It is a great activity for kids to partake in as they can begin to learn the importance of giving back to society from a young age. It can also be fun as you can choose a cause that interests them so that it’s something they’ll be more enthusiastic about. If, for instance, you know that they love animals, then perhaps get them to volunteer at an animal charity. Some benefits of volunteering include helping your health and wellbeing, improving confidence, and equipping them with life skills that they can use later on.

Create Something
It may sound vague but making something new with your kids is another activity to try. Doing something you’ve never done before is a way of gaining a new experience as well as helping develop their skills. For instance, you could consider building a rocket from scratch with the kids because that should be pretty fun! There are different ones that you could choose from which include a matchbox rocket, water bottle rocket, sugar rocket as well as a baking soda and vinegar rocket. In addition to this, you could also make a new dish, create a box for loose items, or customise a picture book.

As a parent, one of the most rewarding things that you can do is introduce your kids to new environments and hold their hand through new experiences. You should, therefore, make it a priority to get out of your comfort zone and look for ways to ensure they’re exploring and exposed to something new every so often. By doing so, you should see that their minds are expanding, and so is their view of the world around them.

- This is a PR collaboration.

Our Family Sleepover With Room To Grow



Can you believe it, Noah starts school next week! It's something I've written about a lot over the past couple of weeks and for good reason too. He's been showing a newfound interest in learning lately, trying to read and telling the time in particular, which I've been encouraging over the holidays. He's also really missing his friends from nursery and can't wait to be reunited with them when he starts school. School is such a big milestone in his childhood, one which I think he's ready for now.

We've packed so much into the summer holidays, it's been non-stop, but as September draws nearer we've begun to relax and take it easy. That doesn't mean the fun has to stop there as we received a very exciting parcel last week. To celebrate the long summer nights before school, Room to Grow sent Noah a box of goodies, perfect for a sleepover or two before the big day!


In his parcel was lots of items for him to enjoy during his sleepover; a big bag of popcorn, a share bag of Haribo, a space torch, an Orchard Toys mini-game and a DVD to watch! Noah was delighted to see what was inside and everything was a big hit with him, especially the sweets and mini-game! 


The Grey Star Original Snuggle Sac from Room to Grow was, of course, the key piece in the bundle, the perfect product to ensure a cosy and comfortable sleepover. Not only is it ideal for sleepovers, it's also great for camping, for holidays, for nightly use on your child's bed and for snuggling up with on the sofa with too. It's unbelievably soft, so much so that both kids insist on getting in it, no matter the time of day! The Snuggle Sac comes in a handy carry case and is machine washable. It's available in an array of different colours and patterns and retails at £50.00.


The kids loved our movie and game night, followed by a little sleepover! It was the perfect opportunity to have some quality family time and to relax after a very busy six weeks, right before school begins. 


- We were sent these products for the purpose of this post.

How To Decorate Your Babies Nursery



When you have a new baby on the way, you might want to get started with nesting by starting to decorate your nursery. There are a lot of things that you need to consider like the cot that you are going to use, the colour scheme and the feeding station. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the things that you should think about when you are decorating your nursery. Keep reading to find out more.

The Colour Scheme
This is often the thing that people stress about the most when it comes to decorating the nursery. If you already know the gender of your baby, then you might have a colour scheme picked out already. If you are waiting until the birth to find out, then you might have a bit of a harder job. Of course, the colour is not as important as you might think but if you want to stay neutral then you could paint the room yellow or green.

The Feeding Station
Another important consideration that you need to make is about the feeding station that you are going to have in your nursery. Whether you are planning on breastfeeding or feeding from a bottle, you should have somewhere comfortable to sit while you are doing so. Think about getting yourself a rocking chair or a comfortable seat. This will make spending time in the nursery a lot more enjoyable for you.

Art
If you want to be able to relax while you are feeding or looking after your new baby, then you should think about making the room as relaxing as possible. To do this, you should add some art like the prints available from Fine Art America's nursery collection. These will keep you relaxed and give you something to look at when your baby is asleep in your arms. You will love your new piece of art and your baby might even when they are a bit older.

The Ceiling
Ever wonder what your baby is going to do when it is lying on its back all the time? Why not decorate your ceiling in the nursery in order to give your baby something to look at. A lot of people choose to get a baby mobile, but you can get creative with this one and add some stars or something arty to your ceiling. Your baby will love lying there looking at it as they fall asleep.

Get A Wardrobe
Your baby might only be a small person, but they are going to have a lot of clothes. This is why you need to get a wardrobe or some sort of clothing system for them. They are going to go through a lot of clothes and you will need to be able to find the ones that fit them and be able to put aside those that don’t. If you get a system in place sooner rather than later, it will help you out a lot.

- This is a PR collaboration.

.Understanding How To Spot Medical Negligence As A Birthing Partner


They say that giving birth is the most magical day in many women’s lives but this is not always the case. Whether your labour is the easiest or most traumatic event, giving birth makes a huge difference to a mother’s mental and physical welfare. Aside from the medical professionals one of the most important jobs during this time is the birthing partner. Given the task of making sure the mother feels calm and safe, as well as encouraging and praising them, the birthing partner’s role is highly demanding which leaves many people feeling unprepared. We have put together some advice on what you should be prepared for if you are asked to be a birthing partner, including how you should support the mother as well as what you should do if you feel any medical negligence has occurred.

Know Your Role
Being asked to be someone’s birthing partner is one of the highest honours you could have but while many have been in this situation before – either themselves or with someone else – a large number of people have not. Delivery rooms can be a shock to someone who is not in labour and therefore has time to look around and take in the situation. As well as witnessing the mother in pain, and perhaps even distressed, the birthing partner will be witness to high levels of noise, stress and perhaps some medical emergencies. However, if the labour is long you may find yourself slightly bored and tiring then suddenly it is all go and again, you are not too sure what is happening. The best thing to do is to prepare yourself for the reality of what happens in the delivery room. Talk to friends or family who have been birthing partners and take their advice, watch documentaries such as One Born Every Minute, read pregnancy books or even go online and watch people’s birthing videos.
Make sure you know what the mother has decided she wants in case you are asked questions. Every mother has a birthing plan so familiarise yourself with it, think about the different scenarios you may find yourself in such as being offered a birthing pool or the mother having to have a C-section. Go to the mother’s antenatal classes where an experienced midwife will be teaching you all about the labour and delivery.
Be Knowledgeable
Make sure you know everything you can about the mother’s pregnancy. This does not mean you need to attend every single appointment throughout the pregnancy but make sure the mother has fully briefed you on what is happening. There may be developments that could affect the labour and as a birthing partner it is your job to make sure you know these things. If the midwife needs to ask a question you really need to know the answer. Sit down with the mother as well as a midwife or other healthcare professional – maybe at the antenatal classes – to have a chat about your role and ask them any questions you are unsure about. Most mothers-to-be have a birthing plan. Sit down and go through the plan with her so you are familiar with what she requires. It may even be worth making a copy for yourself so you know exactly what is needed before the main event. Has she requested certain music or that the room be quiet? Will she be requiring pain relief and if so which form is allowed or not? Are there any religious requirements that need to be met? Most mother’s will not be able to answer these sort of questions if she is in the middle of labour so you will be the person being either asked or to confirm what her preferences are.
Be Prepared
A baby’s due date is completely unpredictable, even if the mother has a C-section booked, so you must be prepared for action as the pregnancy progresses. The mother will have an overnight bag ready to take with her to the hospital with everything needed for herself and the baby. Familiarise yourself with where this is and also pack one for yourself. You may be at the hospital for many hours so pack a lunch and some drinks. Some hospitals allow you to have your mobile phone on so make sure you have a charger with you. It may also be a good idea to take a book or magazine as you could be sitting for hours with little to do. You should also make sure you are in the best of health as you near the due date, this includes making sure you are rested and fed. Do you have to inform your work that you may have to take time off work, potentially at short notice? An often forgotten act is making sure you know how to put the baby seat in the car. The hospital will not allow you to leave unless you have a safe and secure seat so practice putting this in before you head off. Finally, make sure you have your car keys and any other items you wish to take with you in a place that is easily accessible. No mum-to-be wants to be waiting around while you find your keys.
Do Your Best
When a woman is in labour everyone will be paying all their attention to her – which is as it should be. However, labour and delivery is not an easy experience and many loved ones or friends can find it a difficult experience. Seeing someone you love in a great deal of pain can be distressing, especially when there is nothing you can do to help them. Remembering to stay strong and to prioritise the mother, supporting her in whatever way she feels comfortable with and generally having her back is the best you can do.
If Things Change
The United Kingdom has one of the world’s most advanced healthcare services and we are fortunate to live in a time when childbirth is safer than it has ever been before. However, delivering a baby is still a major medical procedure and so potentially there are things that can go wrong. Whilst we do not like to think of these things you need to have a chat with the mother about what she wants to happen if unexpected complications occur. By knowing this information you will be reducing some of the stress the mother will already be feeling once she knows she is in an emergency situation. Should the mother or the baby be affected by illness or an injury as a result of the birthing process or the medical care received, you should seek an external expert’s opinion as soon as possible. There may be costs and/or damages that are necessary to help the mother or baby and so you need to know how to make a birth injury compensation claim.
The main thing to remember is that ninety-five percent of women in the UK have safe, low-risk pregnancies meaning there is no emergency medical intervention required or any complications. As the mother’s birthing partner you have the support of all the medical professionals in the delivery suite with you and you will have assisted the mother in one of the most amazing experiences of her life.  This is also a magical event for you so make sure you have prepared yourself mentally and physically so you can enjoy the experience. Good luck!
- This is a PR collaboration
photo credit: literacy - 365grateful 019 via photopin

Back To School With Ju-Ju-Be - Giveaway



If you read the blog or know us personally then you will know that Noah starts school in September. It's such a huge milestone and one that neither of us was ready for at the start of Summer. Fast forward a couple of weeks and we feel totally different and are both so excited for the new chapter in our lives. We went to buy his school uniform and school shoes this weekend and it's made everything feel more real! There are just two weeks until my little Noah starts school! To mark the occasion I'm teaming up with Ju-Ju-Be to give away a fab back to school bundle! 


Ju-Ju-Be create the most gorgeous bags, for every occasion, there are nappy bags through to clutch bags to choose from. Not only are they possibly the most stunning bag's you'll ever come across but they are also so functional too. I was sent the 
B.F.F changing bag earlier this year and I've used it every day since! It's been abroad with me, taken for trips out to the beach, everywhere and it still looks brand new! I think this speaks volumes when it comes to the brand.

So, how would you like to win everything you see in the photo above? The prize includes; a Mini Be backpack, a set of Be Snacky bags and the Be Set, all in the fantastic World of Warcraft, March of the Murlocs design! This bundle is worth a whopping £108 and is perfect for back to school. 
To enter simply use the Gleam form below. Good luck and don't forget to enter my other blog competitions!


Ju-Ju-Be Bag Bundle worth over £100

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winner who will the prize mentioned above.
2. Winners details sent to the PR to arrange the prize. 
3. Competition ends 23/09/18.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only


3 Sure Fire Ways To Find A Holiday That The Whole Family Will Enjoy

This is a PR collaboration
It’s that time of year again when you might be thinking about what sort of holiday to book for next year. You may have returned from your week in the sun in a generic Balearic only for it to have been tense and stressful. Sure, you had a great time, but there were too many moments of kids moaning, your partner frustrated and you pulling your hair out. Instead, you need to book a holiday for next year that suits everyone. Is this an impossible task? No, it’s not. Take a look at these holiday ideas that can have the whole family having a fun-filled vacation.


Do Something Different
The chances are that you pop into a travel agents or look online and book yourself a package holiday. This seems like the easy route to take. Flights, accommodation, and excursions can be booked together leaving you with nothing to plan for and organise other than your passports and your packing. However, this isn’t always the most flexible option. Instead, make a list of all the hobbies and activities that your brood have. Perhaps your partner is a culture vulture, one of your little darlings likes swimming and the other is a fan of museums. Consider what sort of trip can cater for all. Consider trying to find a cruise holiday as these hit multiple destinations. This is the best way to ensure that everyone’s wants and desires are ticked off. You could be heading to Rome for history, Paris for museums and Mallorca for snorkeling all in one trip. Empower The Kids If your brood is old enough, consider asking them to plan your trip. The chances are they will be mega excited about the prospect of organising the annual vacation for the family. Give them a budget and some non-negotiables like hotel class and distance from the beach. See what they come up with and then compromise. If their itinerary looks good, then go with it. Kids have a funny knack of thinking about things in different ways, so it pays to take on board their ideas. This also gives less room for them to complain if they are bored on the holiday that they have organised for everyone.

Road Trip
A road trip can be the perfect way to hit everyone’s interests. A home nation based holiday allows you to be more familiar with the sorts of activities on offer. You can plan in more detail and be more certain of the sorts of excursions and tourist attractions you can enjoy. Make it clear that if you’ve spent the day catering for your little darlings interests one day, it’ll be your turn to choose the activities the next. By keeping the trip fair, your kids will respond.

Trying to find a holiday to suit everyone can seem like a lot of hard work, especially when you have to organise more yourself. However, the effort will be well worth it in the end when you find a vacation that has everyone smiling and enjoying their annual holiday. Have you been on holiday this year?


Top Family Destinations To Visit While Your Kids Are Young


Children grow up far too quickly; before you know it, they’re planning their own holidays with their friends! While they’re young enough to still want to go on holiday with you, you’re going to want to make the most of the experience. Here in the UK, that’s never been easier, and if you’re struggling to think of places where you can keep the kids entertained while having a good time yourself as well, then these top picks might just be perfect. Take the children here before they get too old, and you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime.


Get bewildered in Bewilderwood
Just on the outskirts of Wroxham, Norfolk, this 50 acres of woodland is the perfect solution for those looking for a holiday destination that isn’t all theme parks and heavy spending. There might not be any rides in Bewilderwood, but what there is, is a lot of outdoor fun! Your little ones can be off climbing trees, building dens, traversing across rope bridges, and relaxing in specially built treehouses. If you get the timings right, you could even visit during one of the seasonal events, with both Halloween and Easter being the perfect time to visit Bewilderwood. Perfect for children of all ages, the younger ones will enjoy the puppet shows and storytelling programs, while your teens might prefer the treetop adventures or the range of zip wires.

See the World in Cornwall
Cornwall is a great destination at the best of times, but if you want to entertain and educate your children, then it’s worth checking out the Eden Project. With its unique design which makes it appear to be some futuristic alien landing site, the interior is full of flora and fauna from around the world. You and your children can stroll through a tropical rainforest one minute, before experiencing the Mediterranean heat as you walk by vineyards. With activities and tours for children of every age, the Eden Project has something for everyone. If any of your family are adventurous enough to brave the zip line, then remember that you do have to pay extra for this. Travelling to Cornwall can be very slow if you’re using public transport, so it’s worth looking at cheap car rentals before you start buying train tickets. You can reduce your travel time even more by staying at the onsite hostel and campsite, making the experience even more rewarding.


Getting wet in Northumberland
It feels like the largest adventure playground in the world, and it’s not too far off being exactly that! The Kielder Water and Forest Park have Europe’s largest human-made lake, and it’s surrounded by a stunning 250 square miles of natural forest. This means that you will certainly not run out of things to do, and your children are going to be overwhelmed by the options. Water skiing and mountain biking are popular favourites, but with horse riding and miles of hiking as well, the list of things to do will make it easy to keep everyone entertained. Don’t try and cram everything into one day, and make sure that on the evening you check out the Kielder Observatory, where you can stun your little ones with the sights of the universe.

If you’re limiting your family holiday plans to the nearest theme park, then you’re missing out on some of the most fun things there are to do in the UK. Tailor your holiday to the ages of your children, and they might have such a good time that they never want to go on holiday without you!

- This is a collaborative post.

Living Arrows #6 - Jumping In Muddy Puddles



How strange is it, going back to dreary weather after months of warmth and sunshine? It's now back to jeans, fluffy coats and winter hats and the heatwave already feels like a distant memory! I took this week's Living Arrow photo's on a quick walk one evening before bed. Ava wasn't suited and booted for jumping in muddy puddles (those shoes and trousers took a lot of scrubbing afterwards) but as soon as she spotted that puddle it just had to be jumped in! I couldn't say no to her because let's face it, puddle jumping is a right of passage for little ones! They cannot resist a puddle!



Living Arrows

Vampirina Bootastic Backpack & Spooky Scooter Set - Review



I still can't get my head around the fact that Noah starts school in September! I honestly don't know where the past four and a half years have gone and I'll admit that I'm in denial about the whole thing! Noah's a little nervous about starting school so I decided not to bleat on about it during the holidays, but instead, read books and play games which are in connection to starting school. With that plan in action, you can imagine that I was delighted when we were sent the Vampirina Bootastic Backpack and Spooky Scooter Set to review.


Noah is a huge fan of Vampirina, so am I actually! It's a delightful show, one which has great family values and kind messages throughout, which I think is hard to find these days. He also loves figures, so he was very excited to open the Spooky Scooter Set. There are two Spooky Scooter sets to collect, Vampirina and Gregoria and Poppy and Wolfie. We received the Poppy set which we were really pleased about as we already have a Vampirina figure from a past reviewBoth sets come with a figure, scooter, attachable skateboard and a spooky friend. 

Poppy and Wolfie look just like they do in the cartoon, They are made of a 
sturdy and durable plastic, which I just know will stand the test of time. Noah couldn't wait to play with them. The Poppy figure is decent sized and articulated, which makes the figure engaging and great for role play both on and off the scooter. Noah likes pushing Poppy around on the scooter, watching Wolfie follow right behind on the skateboard. With the figures being removable the kids also like to play as standalone figures too. The Spooky Scooter Sets are suitable from 3 years old and retail at the very reasonable price of £11.99. 


Next, we have the Bootastic Backpack set which is just the ticket to practice for back to school. Eight pieces are included with this set; the backpack, light and sound pendant, sunglasses, a pair of bat wing hair clips, keyring and 2 sheets of stickers. 

Noah was the most excited about the backpack itself and couldn't wait to open it up and to keep all his Vampirina goodies safe and sound inside. I have to admit, it's a winner with me too because it keeps everything nice and tidy! It looks just like Vampirina's rucksack and the accessories really help children to play the part.


The light up pendant necklace is very popular with the kids. They both love to wear it, then like to press it to see it light up and replay Vee's popular quotes. It is quite fiddly to put on though, Noah is 4 but needs me to help him with it. The bat wing hair clips are a nice addition for when they want to look like Vampirina, but wouldn't stay in either Noah or Ava's hair. I think it would've been a better idea to have them on a headband instead to avoid this issue. The sunglasses and keyring are awesome and are currently stashed away nicely in the Bootastic Backpack with the rest of the accessories. The Bootastic Backpack is suitable from 3 years and retails at £24.99.


I think these new Vampirina toys from Flair are fantastic and a welcome addition to their existing range. They'd make great back to school gifts for either your child or others. The Bootastic Backpack, in particular, would be an icebreaker, as it would catch the eye other Vampirina fans in the class, a lovely way to encourage friendship - just like in the TV show! Both toys are available now, online and in leading toy stores such as Smyths Toys.

- We were sent these products for the purpose of this review, however, all opinions are my own.