Carex Aroma Gel and Hand and Surface Spray - Review and Giveaway

Review

For me hand hygiene is all about balance.  Having suffered from Sepsis in hospital I understand all too well the need for clean hands, but with two little boys I also know how hard getting them to wash their hands can be.  So when Carex asked me to be their brand ambassador at CyberMummy 2010 and to send me some of their new Aroma Gel and Hand and Surface Spray to review, I was more than happy to oblige.

Carex Aromatic HandGel

 

First the science bit from Carex themselves "Carex Hand Gel is an ethanol-based hand rub with high alcohol content. Ethanol is known to be effective against most bacteria such as S.aureus, E.coli and many viruses, and has been proven to kill more than 99.9% of these bacteria in less than 15 seconds. Ethanol quickly evaporates off the skin leaving your hands feeling cool and fresh. Our hand gels also contain glycerin, a widely used skin conditioner, to help leave your skin feel soft and moisturised."

The Aroma Gels that I tried  both leave your hands spelling of either Lavender and Rosewood or Grapefruit and Lime.  So one the alcohol smell evaporates you are left wit h wonderful smelling hands.

What I liked

I like the fact that these are pocket sized, easy to pop in your handbag, picnic basket or nappy bag (in fact I carried something similar in m nappy bag for the whole time the mini''s were still in nappies).

I also like that the scents are universal, so there is not issue in the boys using them and use them they do especially when we are out.  Most public toilets have the sinks far too high up for the boys to use and I no longer have the strength to lift them, so we use these after public toilets.  They are also great for before we have a picnic, as again often our favourite place don't have sinks and you can imagine how mucky the boys hands get in fact I have often said that Mini is just "noise with muck on".

What I am not so keen on

I am not trying to push the fact the as a mother everything must be disinfected, because I believe a little muck never hurt anyone, but there are times when I feel that hand hygiene is imperative.  don't want anyone to read this and feel that they are not doing there best by not using them.  don't want t perpetuate the need for another product.

Hand and Surface Spray

The hand and surface spray is Alcohol free and comes in a handbag, nappy bag friendly 75ml pump size.  Yo don't nee water, you can just spray on your hands an allow to dry or you can spray on to any hard surface and wipe.

What I liked

I wish that this had been about when the boys were smaller as it would have saved me carrying a hand gel and a pack of disinfectant wipes.  I always found that high chairs in some places were pretty dirty and I would clean them before giving the boys their food especially as did not tend to use plates (if I did they used them like Frisbee's).  

Again this would be fantastic for sanitising nappy changing areas and for cleaning your hands after.  

It is great to have in the car, as it doesn't dry as fast as the handgel, so the boys can give their hands a spray and then wipe clean with a tissue to remove stickiness.

What didn't Like so Much

This is a little more expensive than the handgel at a RRP of £2.99, but a little goes a long way.

Overview

I have to say I have found these products to really just fit in with our lifestyle.  They do not remove the need for handwashing, but in places that you can not access it they are great.  Perfect for any busy mums, a must for new mums and also would be great for anyone going to a festival too!

Giveaway


I have 10 sets of carex products (1 spray and one each of the hard gels) to giveaway to any UK based bloggers who can not make it to CyberMummy (I will have plenty of samples available at CyberMummy, you just need to ask, so that we comply with the conference rules).  So if you are interested in receiving them, then please leave me a comment and I will use the random number generator to allocate them on Thursday 1 July.

Disney Blu-ray Ambassador and Alice in Wonderland

Thanks to Kerry at Think Parents, we have been given the opportunity to become Disney Blu-ray Ambassadors, which means that we have been lucky enough to receive a copy of  Alice In Wonderland on Blu-ray/DVD Combi Pack - not only does it contain the movie on Disney Blu-ray disc but it also contains the film on Disney DVD as an added bonus! So it's great for parents who may not have a Blu-ray player but are considering getting one as they will have the film on both Blu-ray and DVD for their families to enjoy.

The Disney Blu-ray disc is known as ‘magic in high definition’ – the picture quality is far superior to that of a DVD and the capacity for interactive extras is greater (basically you get more to play around with!).  Blu-ray Players have what’s known as ‘backwards capability’ which means you can watch your old DVD’s on them too – so if you do decide you’re ready to upgrade from your DVD player you won’t have stacks of unwanted DVD’s lying around.  

This is great for us, as we have a high definition television in the conservatory (which is the playroom) and a standard old CRT TV in the sitting room, so we have the option to use either disc.  Although we would love to embrace all new technology finances don't allow it, so we only replace when we have to!

So lets talk about Alice in Wonderland.  I was dubious about this being suitable for the minimads, especially Mini.  We had seen the trailer at the cinema and it left him in tears, so it was with some apprehension that I allowed us all to watch this together.

The thing is my fears were unfounded, it kept them transfixed from beginning to end.  Neither of the boys were scared of any of the characters and we realised that it was the sound which upset him at the cinema.

The boys had already seen the original Disney Alice in Wonderland, so had an idea of the story, but this version was difference enough to keep them enthralled without them realising all the twists and turns.

I have to say that I adored the Mad Hatter and he was the highlight of the movie for me, even MadDad thought it was "quite entertaining".

Overview

I think that this is a great film, there is so much to see, a real visual feast and it is all the better that it is based on a book that I really like.

MadDad summed it up as a movie worth watching as it kept the MiniMads quite for an hour and a half and had something for each of us.  I am so glad that we saw this o Blu-ray, as it really highlighted the whole imagery.  So a big thumbs up from all of us.

Our Opinions on Blu-ray

I have to say I was somewhat sceptical before trying Blu-ray, I was under the impression that it was just a way to get us to part with hard earned cash for a different format DVD, kind of the whole VHS and Betamax thing all over again.  How wrong was I.

The image quality was far superior to our DVD player, crisper, brighter and truer to life. What a great way to watch a movie in your own home, akin to a cinema in your own house.

However the best part for me is that we don't have to part with any of the DVD's we already have as it plays them and even better it makes the images look better than when played in a DVD player.  So we have been wowed by Blu-ray.  Even GrannyMad is impressed and has already said that if her DVD player breaks she will be buying Blu-ray.

YuuWaa Flash Drive and Online Storage - Review and Giveaway

I was asked to review YuuWaa, which is a 4gb flash drive (or USB memory stick as I know them), but the thing about the YuuWaa is that it also comes with 20 GB of online storage free for the first six month.

Firstly, let talk about the technical bits, from YuuWaa themselves:

YuuWaa can sort out three things:

Storage: Digital photos and videos getting out of control? YuuWaa gives you somewhere neat and tidy to organise all of your digital files

Backup: Easy online back-up for all of your photos, videos and important documents. Makes digital memories safe and secure; should you ever lose your laptop or camera; your photos are safe. Once backed up you can access these files from anywhere in the world. Visiting friends or family and want to show them a video that’s on your home system? Just log-in to YuuWaa

Share: Send your files to friends and relatives securely through YuuWaa. Want to share pictures of your children, without making them public through sites like facebook, or clogging up your inbox? Send through YuuWaa – it’s private and there’s no file size limit.

I have to say that it really is a product that does all it says it does, a real winner to me.

Positives

What can I say, how many times do you hear of people accidentally deleting their images, with the YuuWuu, this is a thing of the past, it is simple to use and store your images on line.

It is easy and pretty self explanatory to use and acts just like an additional hard drive when installed.

Once you register for your on-line storage (which is free for 6 months) your YuuWaa automatically backs up.

Negatives

The only negative for me is the lid, I don't like the fact it has a tiny lid, I would rather it retracted, as I loose things.

Overall Thoughts

This is an excellent product and both I and MadDad were really impressed with ti, it really does what it says and does it in an easy usable and impressive.

Fathers Day

Just a reminder that Fathers Day is on 20 June, I have some ideas for cards and gifts here, the YuuWaa would also make a great gift and DotComGiftShop, have a fantastic range of Fathers Day gifts to choose from.

Also Snaffles Mummy is holding a Fathers Day Carnival.

I heart the Dotcomgiftshop - Review

Why I hear you ask, well they sent me some heart gifts to review, but better than that back at the end of April the lovely people at the Dotcomgiftshop sent me an email telling me they have included me in their list of the top 50 crafty blogs.  I was so happy, love crafting, making and creating, not only on my own, but especially with my children.

A selection of heart stickers (1.95), including alphabet hearts (£1.95), which we will be using on any cards that we make.  Some heart iron on patches (£2.95), which my soon to be 5 year old niece loves and my sister in law will be using to cover any holes or marks on her summer clothes, so they got a super big thumbs up.  I need some of those in boys colours and patterns!  They are just pretty small, but a great idea and you could also use them to pretty up any craft items you make.

I also received some heart packing tape (£1.50) and sticking tape (1.95), the packing tape has been used on many parcels already and will be used on many more of the swaps too!  The sticking tape will be used to rap up all our girlie gifts too. 

They also send a fantastic felt hanging heart (£3.95) too.  My niece turn 5 next week and I have decided to give this to my mum for one of her afternoons with granny times that she spends with her, as they love doing crafty things together and having opened it up seen that it will be right up their street (All that is missing is some glue, but I know that mum already has some) - I will post more photo's when they have finished it.  This is a great bargain at only £3.95 and would make a super girls birthday pressie

They also sent this heart t-light holder (£6.95), which we have hung in our dining room, it looks much more expensive than it is at £6.95 and I have had 2 comments on how nice it is.  We will be moving it outside with a citronella t-light in now the nice weather is here.  What a lovely gift this would make, especially for a wedding or anniversary.

So I have to say I heart you Dotcomgiftshop, the products that they sent me were great value and good quality too.  I love the fact that you can pay by pay pal in addition  to the standard cards.  Delivery is £3.95 per order or free is you spend over £50.00.  They came well packaged and with no damage too.

I am currently eyeing up their picnic things, especially the Savanna Hamper

This is a review post, I was not paid to write this, but asked for my honest opinion on the items received.

Ecover Concentrating Laundry Liquid - Review

I have reviewed Ecover products before, in October last year  and I loved them.  I have said before I am not a natural cleaner, but them who is with two active boys to look after!

 

So when I was asked to review Ecovers concentrated laundry liquid, I said yes.  Those boys certainly do put clothes to the test, in fact Mini is called "noise with muck on"!

Ecover Concentrated Bio Laundry Liquid – RRP £5.69 (500ml) – This is the first time Ecover has produced a bio laundry liquid and it’s their best laundry liquid formula to date. The popular fragrance ‘Under the Sun’ was a natural choice to help evoke the sense of summer whatever the season.

Ecover Concentrated Non Bio Laundry Liquid – RRP £5.69 (500ml) – With the fresh scent of lavender, Ecover’s Concentrated Non Bio Laundry Liquid offers exceptional washing power.

So for the science bit:

Ecover have extended their laundry range to include two highly effective and truly ecological concentrated laundry liquids EcoveEcoverEcover

  

A truly ecological concentrate

The formulas for these long-awaited products were put under the microscope by the Ecover scientists and after months of development Ecover has produced what they believe to be the most efficient and ecological concentrate on the market.

Everyone knows the environmental benefits conventional concentrated laundry products provide e.g. reduced packaging, reduced CO₂ emissions in transport and less water used during the production process. But, the biggest impact cleaning products have on the environment is what happens after they are used. So Ecover have worked hard to create concentrated Laundry Liquids which have much less impact after you’ve used them. Additional environmental benefits of Ecover’s new concentrates include: 

• No optical brighteners
• Minimum aquatic toxicity
• Fast and complete biodegradability
• No phosphates

What’s more, as Ecover use sustainable plant-based and mineral ingredients, you don’t have to worry about leaving behind residues of nasty (and unnecessary) chemicals on your clothes - or your skin - when you do your laundry either.

Results

Positives

I currently use Simply Washing, which I buy on line and we like.  It works for us.  I have to say that I was very impressed by the biological it removed grass stains and other boy muck without the need for soaking.

The smell wasn't overpowering even when the clothes were dry (we don't use fabric softener) and the clothes were left with a  clean smell for what seemed about a week.  

We live in a soft water area and didn't need to put a full measure in for each wash, so it was pretty cost effective.

The major plus for me and one of the main reasons we use Simply Washing was that it didn't aggravate maxi's eczema or mini's dry skin, which other brands do.

Negatives

The biggest negative  for me is that it isn't stocked in any of my local supermarkets, which means I would have to source on line and pay deliver costs which would push the price up.  The RRP is £5.69 for 500mg.  Also I want to live in an area where Ecover refill existing bottles.

Hotter Shoes

I was given the opportunity to review a pair of Hotter shoes. Now I took a look at the online catalogue and the first thought that jumped in to my mind was old dear shoes.

Not even the type of shoes my mum would wear, but the type of shoes a 70 year old would wear, however, after looking a bit more carefully I came up with a very short shortlist of two pairs!

I was sent The Penny in extra wide in red of course, which retail at £59.00. Hotter shoes are made in the UK and pride themselves on delivery happy feet.



I have never bought shoes off the Internet for myself before, as I have pretty wide feet and like to try them on, but I was really surprised. The leather is really soft, the width is great (I have wide feet) and adjustable and they are comfortable.

They are super for people who are on their feet every day. They look great, people have asked where I got them from.

Once you start looking at the online catalogue a little more in depth you do start to see quite a few pairs that are more modern in style and I have to say if they are all as much of a pleasure to wear as the Penny then I am a convert.

Price wise they seem slightly higher than Clarks, but then shoes do seem to have really gone up in cost over the last year.

Our Hearts belong to.............................

Green and Blacks.

Yep, we have all decided that we will sell our souls for some more Green and Blacks Chocolate.  Not just me and Mr Mad, but the mini's too.

We were fortunate enough to receive some Green and Blacks chocolate to taste test, along with a sheet explaining how best to do this.

Well we all decided to take it very seriously and have been tasting a couple of varieties a night, interspersed with water and all have our own speical favorites:

Mini - He is a white chocolate fan, he thinks it tastes like good vanilla icecream and is very vanilliary and now refuses milkbars as greasy.

Maxi - He is a creamy milk man, preferring this to the noraml milk and the white, it has a hint of cocoa and vanilla and a very milky taste.

MadDad is a Milk kind of guy, but he also laikes the dark 70% one too.

Me, well I like it all, bar the cherry that is. I now understand that a small change in cocoa, can make a bif difference in taste, but I could not have a monogomous relationship with any of the bars of Green and Blacks. They will just all have to share my affection and depending on the mood I am in, they might get a chance.

But the best thing is, that we still have some left, I am not longer a get it in and then eat it all in one sitting girl.  Oh no I have been educated, I have been converted.  I have had an epihany.  Good chocolate is worth savouring, two squares a night that it all I am allowing myself and I am making it last.