Thursday 21 April 2016

Jamberry UK

Have you heard of Jamberry? They're already well established and successful in the US and Canada as well as recently launched in Oz and New Zealand too ... 
 

And just this month they've launched in the UK too!
 
 

Jamberry by Emma Clement


Jamberry nail wraps are made with durable materials in a plethora of designs (over 300 designs) and finishes so you can layer them or mix them to create your own individual style at home. 
 
Jamberry by Emma Clement

Jamberry nail wraps will last up to 2 weeks on fingernails or up to 4 weeks on toes. 
 

These are really easy to apply (and remove) yourself at home and there's even a collection for children too!
 
Jamberry by Emma Clement

I was so excited to see this brand reach the UK that at first I couldn't wait to place an order but then I got thinking and I did a lot of research and decided to join Jamberry as an independent consultant!
 
Jamberry by Emma Clement

So perhaps you would like to try some designs yourself (there's a buy 3 get 1 free offer)?
 

Maybe you love them so much you'd like to have a Jamberry party and earn some fantastic hostess treats.
 

Or perhaps like me, you'd like to be paid to have beautiful nails! Would you like to join my team of consultants?
 

My background is marketing and I'm part of a fantastic team coached by one of the top 10 Jamberry consultants in the US.
 
Jamberry by Emma Clement

To buy some wraps, find out about a party or join my team please visit:
 

Or just ask me for more info!

Emma in Bromley xx

 
 
 

Wednesday 20 April 2016

Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie


Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie

 Crumbs Sugar Cookie is the best baker in Lalaloopsy Land! She loves to start her day by baking all her favorite treats. All of her friends love going to her for her yummy baked cookies. She finds most problems can be solved by quickly popping something into the oven. This time Crumbs Sugar Cookie™ is preparing for her next tea party.  Her friends always love her sweet creations. Guess what’s her secret ingredient? Love! She has her signature accessories which includes: 1 baking tray, 2 cookies, 1 piping frosting bag, 1 mixing bowl and 1 spoon.


Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie
My daughter, Maegan (age 4) absolutely loves Crumbs Sugar Cookie - her very first Lalaloopsy doll, She's very colourful and has a lot of sweet detailing that makes  Lalaloopsy very appealing to children. 

Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie
We were impressed by the baking accessories that came with Crumbs Sugar Cookie, Maegan really liked pretending to nibble the bunny biscuit.


Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie
Lalaloopsy has a big heavy head compared to the rest of her which can make her a little tricky to stay sitting up right. She has a friendly happy smiley face and Maegan loved he stitch details.

Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie
Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie has a removable fabric skirt and rubbery shoes, her arms and legs are articulated so you can change her pose.

Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie
Did you see the shock of bright pink hair? All curls and secured in a big bow!

Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie
Maegan loves the detail on the cupcake shoulder and has requested this dress for herself! Well thats a challenge for me I guess!
Because Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie is solid plastic, she's really simple to keep clean - yey!



Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie

And time for a nap, Lalaloopsy Crumbs Sugar Cookie is the perfect size for Meg's dolls prams.

Overall? A big hit with Meg, I'd been trying to steer her away from Lalaloopsy because they remind me of that Coraline film, but it's great to also be reminded that obviously my 4 year old is not going to be watching that film and for her, well, she just absolutely loves this doll and it has everything that appeals to small people, Meg is already eyeing up other dolls in the range as well as the Build a Bear Lalaloopsy's!

For more from Lalaloopsy, please visit http://www.lalaloopsy.com 





Disclaimer: I received lalaloopsy crumbs sugar cookie for my consideration, all thought, photos and link choices are my own. 

Monday 18 April 2016

My Brush with Fashion after a 7 Year Rut!

Many moons ago before I became a mum and after uni I had a career in marketing based in central London for a long time - the positions I held all revolved around media, publishing and fashion. I had a keen eye for trends and took care with appearance all the way down to my accessories  - although I'd never say I was ever a trend setter and I've always been too messy haired and geeky to be miss popular.

Emma Clement


But somehow and somewhere over the past 7 years I lost all sense of style, I couldn't tell you what the current trends are and I've become settled in a rut of bobbly jumpers and cheap jeans, I rarely bother with my hair and I haven't had a manicure in a thousand years.
Bobbly Jumper Collecetion
Actually, it was only when I was taking part that I realised that I switch between 3 mustard yellow jumpers and 3 green jumpers! ohh dear that's really not good is it!

Don't get me started on footwear! Pregnancy altered the shape of my feet so now I have small but wide (flat!) feet absolute nightmare getting into pretty shoes!

intu Bromley Fashion Spring Summer 16
intu Bromley Fashion Spring Summer 16

When I was invited by intu Bromley to pop along for a session with Juliet, intu Bromley's personal stylist and get to know all the key looks for Spring Summer 16, I couldn't wait!


intu Bromley Fashion Spring Summer 16


I went with an open mind and no particular criteria - and met Juliet for a coffee and chat first before spending some time in her bijou style lounge - we spoke about my lifestyle, the sort of clothes I wear - I explained my unintentional safety net of naff jumpers but also that in the summer I tend to relish 50's sun dresses.
We talked about who my style icons are, I mentioned Audrey Hepburn (of course! - even my hen party was a Breakfast at Tiffany's one!) but I didn't mention my others as they are a tad obscure and geeky -the character of Bernadette from Big Bang Theory and a character called Lemon  Breeland from an old TV show called Hart of Dixie.

Juliet did my colours! I didn't know this was still a thing but I'm so glad she did! Starting with 4 yellows to determine  which season you belong in - it turned out I'm Spring (I thought I'd be an Autumn as I seem to be drawn to autumnal colours, it's my favourite season and our wedding was an October one) and following on from that we looked further into colours and shades - I should chose navy over black and cream over white and which tones of reds, greens, yellows and blues work well for me - teal was a strong match for my skin tones - Juliet described me as an English Rose! (I'd usually describe myself as a bit pasty!) I was surprised to see that some colours made my skin look grey or washed out!
intu Bromley Fashion Spring Summer 16
intu Bromley Fashion Spring Summer 16

Juliet also gave me some tips such as a little tuck in on tops into jeans or wearing a scarf in a long central line to distract from my mummy tummy.
intu Bromley Fashion Spring Summer 16


Now, I'm not going to lie here - since having children I often struggle to come to terms with the impact 2 pregnancies and the lifestyle changes I've undergone have altered my body - I lack more body confidence now than I did in my teen years and I've been known to burst into tears in fitting rooms. (seriously sad isn't it!)

intu Bromley Fashion Spring Summer 16


Juliet is like having your own personal cheerleader with you, she is a bundle of enthusiasm and confidence boosting - plus she knows exactly what she's doing when it comes to fashion.

She also did the one thing I had hoped - she put me in outfits I wouldn't normally even look at and she also did the one thing I dreaded - put me in pink! 

We went into two shops, French Connection and Karen Millen - both are shops I used to buy from but haven't for the past at least 7 years so it was interesting to revisit them.
intu Bromley Fashion Spring Summer 16


Juliet pointed out the key looks for spring summer 16.
Nautical Luxe, a twist on navy stripes with metallic detailing.
Pink Soda, think floral garden party. Such as the floral display I spotted from Oasis.
Imperial Red, bold red colour blocking. Like the red dress from Karen Millen 
Boho Bandit, floaty dresses with denim and a touch of animal or a boho print cami teamed with fitted trousers like the look from French Connection.
Monochrome, a fresh take on the classic black and white by adding a hint of colour such as the mint green cardigan and black and cream dress from Karen Millen.
intu Bromley Fashion Spring Summer 16



I came away with the imperial red dress - as much as I love red, I've always gone for it as accents or accessories - I'm just not that much of a body confident person to normally try on something so bold and eyecatching - it's from Karen Millen, Juliet was so enthusiastic about this being the one for me and the two sales consultants were also voting for this being the one. - It's a dry clean only dress (I didn't even think to check before I bought it) so not really getting me out of my style rut for the school runs - however I did do a happy dance as I now own something pretty! And Juliet gave me plenty of tips and ideas as well as making it clear that I'd be welcome any time for further (free) sessions with her too. 

intu Bromley is celebrating the new fashion season until the end of April with various fun activities from a pop up style garden, to fashion shows and dance in bloom - you can see more on intu’s dedicated fashion hub page intu.co.uk/fashion and have already announced plans for an autumn fashion event too - I can't wait!

Or arrange a free session via Juliet’s page http://intu.co.uk/bromley/centre-information/shopping-at-the-centre

#intuFashion


Thursday 14 April 2016

What we thought of the Little Live Pets Lil Mouse Play Trail

Both of my children love robotic animal toys, so we were very excited to see Series 2 of the Little Live Pets Lil' Mouse collection. We received the Lil' Mouse Play Trail set and Bronut the mouse (mice are available separately)


Carrying on from last year's collection, there are new additions for this year. 
"six new musical mice who are ready to scurry around their New Mouse Wheel and multi- featured Play and Fun Park Trail, featuring a slide, turnstile and Ferris wheel. They can be calmed by placing them into the palm of your hand or tickle their backs to make them scoot! These furry creatures love to explore over obstacles, tracks and floors and with all playsets that can either be used alone or connected to existing houses and playsets, a whole mice  world can be created!"
 
Blake (age 6) and Maegan (age 4) couldn't wait to help me set up the track - which is super easy, the parts just clip together and the instruction booklet gives you a step by step guide although it's pretty self explanatory.

Review - Little Live Pets Mouse


Review - Little Live Pets Mouse
Blake couldn't wait to help build the track.

Review - Little Live Pets Mouse
He introduced Bronut the mouse before we had finished building! - Lil' Mice come with batteries ready to play straight from the easy to open packaging.

Review - Little Live Pets Mouse
We love the wheel across the bridge which comes to a slide into a ball pit (sticker decal)


Review - Little Live Pets Mouse
Maegan already has a Lil' Mouse and track from series 1 and introduced her mouse as soon as she could!


Both children love these Little Live Pets and enjoy building tracks.


Review - Little Live Pets Mouse
We added on Maegan's track from series 1 last year and it's all compatible - it's great to build up your own track from all the different playsets.
Review - Little Live Pets Mouse
This is two different playsets added together, there are so many routes the Lil' Mouse can take, the children love to play with these Little Live Pets.

We made a little video of the Lil' Mouse in action.



Review - Little Live Pets Mouse

#LittleLivePets

Emma in Bromley xx


Disclaimer: I was sent a series 2 Lil' Mouse play trail and Bronut mouse for my consideration. All thoughts, photos and link choices are my own. 


Saturday 9 April 2016

Extraordinary Mothers - Nancy Matthews Elliott

Nancy Matthews Elliott died 9th April 1871.
One day, Thomas Edison came home and gave a paper note to his mother. He told her, “My teacher gave this note to me and told me to only give it to my mother.”
His mother’s eyes were tearful as she read the letter out loud to her child: "Your son is a genius. This school is too small for him and doesn’t have enough good teachers for training him. Please teach him yourself."
After many, many years, Edison’s mother died, and he had become one of the greatest inventors of the century. One day he began looking through old family things. Suddenly he saw a folded paper in the corner of a drawer in a desk. He took it and opened it up. On the paper was written: "Your son is addled [mentally ill]. We won’t let him come to school any more."
Edison cried for hours and then he wrote in his diary: “Thomas Alva Edison was an addled child that, by a hero mother, became the genius of the century.” 

Nancy Matthews Elliott - Extraordinary Mothers #ExtraordinaryMothers


Emma in Bromley xx

#ExtraordinaryMothers

Friday 1 April 2016

Helping Your Child Deal With Their Worries

My six year old son Blake is currently going through a phase where he feels very anxious and is quick to worry about things - some of them are what I would class as small and trivial but to him they are huge and some of them are big problems for all small people!
Helping Your Child Deal With Their Worries - Worry Eaters

We've been using a Worry Eater to help tackle some of Blake's most common worries, funnily enough, I'd actually intended the Worry Eater for Maegan my daughter - at 4 years old, expressing her feelings is often extremely challenging! It just happened that our Worry Eater arrived on a day where Blake was particularly tearful and anxious that I felt he would benefit most - and he certainly has! I find that Maegan will chat about things whilst drawing and colouring if she's particularly worried about anything.
Helping Your Child Deal With Their Worries - Worry Eaters

Blake often worries about school and I think this is common for most children, he's a summer baby so the younger end of his school year - currently in year 2 and he often finds it difficult to accept that there isn't much time for drawing and painting in year 2 (actually he's only brought home a handful of crafts this year - Christmas card, Mother's Day card, an Easter card and a castle!) 
Year 2 has also reached that point were friends are changing and some children are "older" and into things such as trading games and talk about how the tooth fairy/Father Christmas isn't real - this upsets me a lot because Blake hasn't even lost his first tooth yet and he has peers telling him there isn't a tooth fairy! Some of the pressures at school seem so extreme for someone so young too - there's a tremendous amount of pressure put onto attendance records and my children are rarely off, but when Blake was off for just 2 days recovering from a stomach bug that struck on a weekend (he most likely contracted at school in the first place) after he returned to school he was in floods of tears because he had been made to feel that it was all his fault that the class didn't "win" the prize for best attendance -this crops up even now, months later. 
Helping Your Child Deal With Their Worries - Worry Eaters

Blake has speech therapy as he struggles with the pronunciation of "s" sounds - it's something that other children have picked up on and it's something that causes him to feel very self concious - sometimes - whilst other times he is proud to have speech therapy and will chat about it to everyone!
Helping Your Child Deal With Their Worries - Worry Eaters

One of Blake's other big issues is food - he's a fussy eater but it really goes a bit beyond fussiness and ventures into genuine food phobias - he often comments with "my heart wants to try the food but my brain won't let me".

We're always trying to find ways to help Blake express his thoughts and feelings and ways to manage his worries, he often opens up at bedtime - at the end of the day it all comes tumbling out! In someways it's great that he wants to talk but in others, right as he's drifting off - all this anxiety comes pouring out and often results in nightmares later.
Helping Your Child Deal With Their Worries - Worry Eaters

We have found using a Worry Eater has been a wonderful help for Blake - the idea is that children can jot down their worries and feed it to the worry eater via their zip up mouth (parents need to remember to empty it before morning!) but we've noticed that Blake will happily sit and chat to his Worry Eater, Schnulli.
Helping Your Child Deal With Their Worries - Worry Eaters

I try and get Blake to open up on the walk home from school - this is also when we practice some of the speech therapy sounds so it's a good moment to chat about the day - I've learnt quickly (with both my children!) not to ask "How was school today?" Because all I'll get back is "fine" or "what did you do today?" Will always get the response "I can't remember" even within moments of leaving the school gate! You've got to be more specific - such as "what did you read today?" Or "was it PE?" To get a proper answer and that will lead on to more. 
Blake likes to take a toy on the school walk in the mornings - it's something that we started doing in reception year as a bit of a bribe to get out of the door but Blake is great with the rules - as soon as he reaches his classroom, the toy goes in my bag. Schnulli the Worry Eater has been a popular choice most mornings for the walk and it's so sweet the way Blake talks to him - it's like he's a real life buddy!
Helping Your Child Deal With Their Worries - Worry Eaters

I've noticed that Blake will often turn to Schnulli to validate previous conversations he's had with me such as when my husband was away over night for work - Blake grew very concerned and I over heard him having a chat to Schnulli "Don't worry, mummy said daddy is only away for one night and if we want to we can sleep in her bed" was very sweet to hear him repeating my words to comfort his worry eater (and in essence reassuring himself)

I really rate Worry Eaters - I think anything at all that can help young children understand their feelings and deal with their worries is a great tool - to see Blake using Schnulli shows me how his confidence can bloom and helps him to find a way to express what he is upset about - at an age where often anger and frustration is still the way problems are expressed, I feel that a Worry Eater is a much better solution. Some of the chats or jots Blake has had with his worry eater range from trivial "I'm angry because so&so pushed me over in the playground today" to massive "why do some people in the world not have any food?"

Blake often contemplates the universe and is full of deep thoughts for someone so young - this is the prayer he wrote at St Alban's cathedral
Blake Preston Clement Prayer Age 6


Worry Eaters come in a really wide selection of characters from big to small  as well as accessories such as pencil cases - they are friendly super soft plush toys with a zip pocket mouth.

"Worry Eaters are based on Gerd Hahn’s animation, Sorgenfresser. Brilliant for eating nightmares and acting as a ‘waste bin’ for worries of all shapes and sizes, children simply write or draw their troubles on a piece on paper and feed them into the zip mouth of the Worry Eater. "






Disclaimer- I received a Worry Eater for my consideration - all thoughts, photos and link choices are my own.