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In General, Parenting, Reviews / Sponsored

A changing bag that goes with heels? Koochu! #review

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on 2 Comments

I am the proud owner of two beautiful boys, 5yrs and 7m and on any given day when not working I can be found up to my elbows in arts and crafts and baking ingredients! I love being a Mummy! I can’t explain the fulfillment, the joy… any parent reading this will be nodding. However (there is always a “but!”), I also like being a woman!

I have been dressing in saggy jeans, saggy tops and well worn in shoes for too long now and have been on a journey of sorts to find the woman that used to reside in this body. The one with matching underwear and legs that were always shaved. Losing weight and sorting the “inner” me is being taken care of – today I’m talking about the window dressing that makes me feel like a woman!

I was sent a Koochu Catalina bag (RRP £105) to review recently. I was told it was a changing bag that doubles as a chic / grown up bag for Mum when she is out and about. A giant understatement .

The changing bag part of the bag is fantastic – it is roomy, with 9 compartments, two thermo-insulated pockets, a two piece changing mat including a soft towelling upper (both of which are washable), and has a purse which is attached (chained) to the inside of the back which I use for all the cards I “sometimes” use but that I don’t want cluttering up my purse. The exterior of the bag is faux level which is wipe clean and the inside can be completely detached (and cold washed) leaving you with a fantastic bag just for you.

I think I can safely say that as a changing back it is fantastic.

Now, as a bag for me… I love it. Whether I am popping into town shopping or going out with the girls (it happens occasionally!) it is  perfect. You see, in a normal week my activities stretch to two school runs, Tesco shopping, shopping and running errands in town. I don’t go far and with two young boys I’m not often gallavanting about the county in kitten heels but what this bag does give me is a chance to look and feel smart and fashionable every day. It doesn’t matter that my bag is filled with nappies and wipes rather than designer make-up, it still looks great, grown up and gorgeous.

I had a freebie changing bag with Kieran, it spent the majority of it’s ugly life shoved under the pram/pushchair out of sight. My Koochu is very much out and proud whether I’m out with my boys or out with the girls!

For the local lovelies that are reading, you can view the Catalina and other Koochu bags in the exclusive North East store, W H Watts. Visit them online or pop along to see these products “in the flesh” at 114 – 118 Parliament Road, Middlesbrough.

To view the full range and get a sneaky peak of the Autumn/Winter range visit the main Koochu website, visit them on Facebook for new and offers and say hello on Twitter.

* I received a back from Koochu to keep in exchange for a review. This is where Koochu’s input ends. My review is based on my own findings after using the Catalina bag over a period of time.

 

In Parenting, Reviews / Sponsored

The Baby & Toddler Food Bible- Amanda Ursell (Non-preachy)

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on 1 Comment

Taylor is my second son. I’ve done weaning before, but with a four year gap I was feeling a bit rusty so when I was offered the opportunity to review a book which covers all aspects of weaning and food from 6 month – 4yrs, I jumped at the chance!

To be blunt, nothing pee’s me off more than a preachy “This is how you should raise your child” book. The first line in this food bible is “The first thing to grasp as a Mother is that you know best“. I liked the author already!

More than just a recipe book the Baby & Toddler Food Bible covers much more; from fussy eating, what babies and toddlers need with regards to nutrition, info on allergies & intolerances and much more. There is even a section for Mums including what to eat after a bad night’s sleep to help you get through the day, foods for promoting sleep (so the little you may get is better quality!), ensuring you are getting enough iron and more.

Rather than a manual, this is an ideal pick up and look at guide which is practical, easy to read and parent focused. although written by a foremost expert in the field of diet & nutrition, it comes across as a source of help wrtiten by a Mum who has experienced the joys of weaning and this is reflected in the personal snippets of info such as “By 7 months, my son was happy to eat blueberries when prepared this way”.

There is additional information peppered throughout such as – did you know swede is known to cause wind in babies so better left for later in the weaning process? I didn’t… but I do now!

From very simple stage one and stage two recipes for weaning, to wholesome snacks and recipes which all the family can enjoy, this is an all round useful tool!

"Come on Mummy! Get the book out... I'm hungry!"

 

As well as some great weaning recipes and interesting combinations for introducing different food types, the recipe section has puddings, snacks, convenience foods etc and Kieran has enjoyed making a few of these easy recipes, pretty independently. His favourite easy meal is below!

Sausage Pasta Salad

300g Pasta Shells (Wholemeal if your children will eat them)

120g frozen peas,

100 frozen sweecorn

100 frozen french beans,

4 quorn sausages- grilled, cooled and sliced into small pieces,

2 tbsp of low fat french dressing (optional)

Chopped herbs (optional)

Cook pasta as directed, then drain and cool under running cold water in a colander. Cook peas, sweetcorn & beans, cool then chop beans into piecs. Grill the Quorn sausages and chop when cool. Mix all cooked ingredients together. Add French dressing and chopped herbs if required. Serves 4.

Great because: This colourful salad gives you a serving of vegetables for the day from the peas, sweetcorn and beans, which along with the pasta and Quorn sausage, provides a filling and slow release of energy in the afternoon ahead.

This isn’t yet another guide that you would buy, glance at and pop on the shelf, this is a user friendly, info packed, interesting and family focused publication that is not only great for your own family but would make an ideal gift.

As a Mum I give this a 5/5 rating!

For more information, to buy or download (how swish!) Amanda Ursell’s Baby & Toddler Food Bible, visit Amazon.

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