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Mamma Fairy

Reviews for Mama & Babas

The kids current Netflix picks

We have finally escaped from a never ending cycle of Peppa Pig and Team Umizoomi! The boys have found some new Netflix favourites! Finally!!!

Tayo

Tayo is a popular pre school cartoon which follows a playful blue bus on its adventures around the city with his pals. I believe it originated in South Korea and has now become popular all over the world. We used to watch it on You Tube however it must be a recent addition to Netflix and a popular one at that in this house anyway!

Lego

The boys love their Lego and have recently become interested in the Lego programmes on Netflix. They are ideal for kids in that they are short and colourful and hold the boys attention. Favourites are the Lego Superheroes and Lego City.

Monster v Aliens

The four year old has taken a shine to this one! Its a Dreamworks offerings about a woman who is struck by a meteorite on her wedding day and subsequenlty becomes part of a team of monsters sent to defeat an alien mastermind trying to take over the planet.  He has been on the hunt for meteorites since!!! It contains the names of lots of big named voices. I hadnt heard of it the film before this but its actully not bad at all.

 

Note: We are part of Netflix Streamteam, for which we receive a montly subscrption to Netflix. However all views are the boys (or mine) as lets face it they dont really care who pays the montly subscription!!
Mamma Musings

Uniforms – do you love or loath them?

My friends give me a hard time about this, I most definitely have a uniform.  I spend 37.5 hours a week (and sometimes more!) in an large corporate office for my work as an accountant so day to day I usually wear some combination of suit, smart trousers top or skirt/ top/ jacket combo. This has spilled into my personal life and I more often than not find myself reaching for the work trousers or work tops when going places. I am drawn to these types of clothes spending so much of my time in an office no doubt has done this!

Interestingly I went to both primary and secondary school in uniform wearing schools and I am sending the boys to a uniform wearing school.  I know not everybody does but I like uniforms in school. I like the way the kids are dressed the same, there is no pressure on kids to be in branded gear, there is no pressure to be in different clothes every day, it promotes a more equal social environment in my view anyway.

The Research

I was sent an info graphic by 4imprint which contains some interesting statistics on wearing a uniform see opposite for more information and findings.

I did have a little chuckle about red colour in uniforms reducing performance.  My secondary school uniform had an all red tracksuit for P.E but blue school jerseys for hockey and soccer, obviously this was the main contributing factor to my less than brilliant PE performance over the years!!

Having been a uniform wearer I would definitely subscribe to the claim that it helps contribute to a sense of community and shared values, in some ways it reinforces why we were all there – while we all may have wanted different things at the end, we shared a journey to get to our own goals.

Quite interestingly is the very last part of the inforgraphic which shows how the colour of uniforms affects perceptions. In reality what this shows to me is how social norms have developed over time as they were the colours historically used by certain professions. For example if the police arrived at the scene of a crime a pale pink uniform it would create quite the stir. We expect them in blue, same as we expect the consultant in white coat. Some interesting findings above and it reinforces my own positive view on the use of uniforms in schools.  Our kids wear what their school tells them. In time, a few of us will have jobs that require certain clothes while some wear printed t-shirts as a uniform.

Do you have a subconscious uniform like me? Do you favour the schools with uniforms or are you the total opposite like the individuality the non uniform displays?

Would love to hear your thought.

Take Care

~Mamma F

Note: This is a collaborative post

 

 

 

Fairy Travels

Donegal 3 nights – 3 hotels – Our thoughts

As I have shared previously on the blog having family in Donegal means we travel up that part of the world quite a bit for family events etc. Over the last 3 months we stayed a night in three different hotels in Donegal. As the stay was quite short I though the easiest thing to do would be some short snippet reviews of our key thoughts as really one night isn’t enough to write a comprehensive review therefore below you will find our initial thoughts and observations. Two of the below trips we had the kids, the third it was the grown ups only.

 

Clanree Hotel – Letterkenny

First up is the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny, we stayed here the October bank holiday as the Dada Fairy was attending an event in Letterkenny. We arrived quite late thanks to bank holiday traffic and we were greeted so warmly by the incredibly friendly staff.

Pros:

  • Staff were excellent couldn’t do enough to help
  • Child friendly
  • Great breakfast
  • Great food in the pub on site and very welcoming for kids
  • Rooms were spotlessly clean
  • Lots of parking on site

Cons:

  • It is a little out of the town, you could walk but it’s a bit far if like me you have kids in tow!

We booked last minute via booking.com see here for hotel website.

 

Mill Park Hotel – Donegal Town

I have stayed many times in the Mill Park Hotel and it never disappoints. This time we were here for a family function. We arrived midday on a Friday and were able to avail of early check in.

Pros:

  • Location – easy walk to the town
  • Rooms were fab – the one we had was newly renovated and had the most amazing shower
  • Great breakfast
  • Lots of parking
  • Apparently a great pool and leisure centre on site however we didn’t get a chance to use it

Cons:

  • No food available at the bar when we arrived only sandwiches which was only minor inconvenience being so close to the town

 

We booked quite a bit in advance  via  booking.com see here for hotel website.

 

Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa – Ballyliffin

We wrapped up 2016 with a stay (minus the kids) in Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa, its only when we drove up did we realise the vastness of the county of Donegal, the drive up with so beautiful, the scenery along the way really must be seen.  We arrived on a cold Saturday afternoon to a really warm welcome.  The hotel was decorated beautifully for Christmas.

Pros:

  • Lovely room
  • Spotlessly clean
  • Breakfast was amazing – best pancakes I have ever tasted!
  • Lovely setting
  • Very friendly and helpful staff

Cons:

  • Our room must have been over the wedding room which meant we could hear hum of the music, the hotel do supply earplugs not that we needed them. Not a problem for us however if you were travelling with young kids who went to bed early this might  be worth considering if you are staying a night where there is a wedding on.

We booked this stay direct with the hotel on their website.

 

Note: This isn’t a sponsored post all trips were paid for by ourselves
Mamma Reviews

Crafty Post! – Kitty in Boots Snow Globe

I have to say at the outset im hopeless at crafts, I don’t think that side of my brain works! I’m an accountant – im a numbers girl!  However I did accept a challenge of creating a Kitty in Boots snow globe!

The Tale of Kitty in Boots is a book written by well known author Beatrix Potter and illustrated by equally well known illustrator Quentin  Blake. The book chronicles the tales of a well behaved young black cat who leads a double life defeating the evil villains.

In summary you need:

  • A jam jar
  • Some fake snow or glitter
  • A little Christmas tree decoration
  • Glycerine
  • Water resistant glue or a glue gun
  • The cutout image of Kitty
  • Cardboard
  • A laminator with laminating pouches, or clear packing tape as an alternative
  • Scissors

Tips from somebody who is totally non crafty!

  • We used glitter but the snow would make it much more festive
  • We didn’t have a laminator so used some waterproof clear tape my husband had in the shed (!)
  • Its honestly super simple so give it a go and I would love to see some pics if you do try it, you never know I might even pop a copy of the book in the post for the best ones!!!

The Tale of Kitty in Boots is available from Ladybird Books

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

SmartBuyGlasses review

SmartBuyGlasses Review 

One thing that the pandemic has done for me anything is changed the way I shop. I was old school! I like to try on and touch the products, obviously not during pandemic times!  I have been a glasses wearer since my college years, showing my age now but that is over 20 years ago! I would always go in to try the frames on as I felt (without any research to be fair!) that glasses buying online wouldn’t work.  SmartBuyGlasses contacted me asking if I would like to give their services a try and I thought why not, I had been against buying online and was interested to see if I could be converted as I am very fussy about my glasses.

The process 

Pic Credit: www.SmartBuyGlasses.ie

The first thing that struck me was the sheer volume of brands stocked by SmartBuyGlasses, from high end designers like Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Jimmy Choo, just to name a small few to their own branded frames. All of the glasses come either without prescription or with either distance, progressive or reading prescription options. Once you have selected your frames the next step is to input your prescription. See opposite for just how easy this is, you can upload it or manually type it in. Super easy and user friendly.

Once you have that done you need to input your Pupillary Distance. I had never heard of this term before!. In summary it is the distance between the centre of one pupil to the centre of the other pupil, measured in millimeters. This measurement ensures that lenses are made with the prescription sitting exactly where your eyes need it.  I did not know mine but the SmartBuyGlasses webpage has a super easy way of doing this simply using a card with a metal strip and your phone camera. Literally could not be easier.

Depending on your prescription you can get thinner lenses  and of it is sunglasses you are purchasing you can add on for example mirrored or tinted lenses.

The process is so easy to follow and user friendly. And the biggest plus for me was how quick delivery was which was such a pleasant surprise.

Not just for adults 

SmartBuyGlasses also do kids glasses both sunglasses and everyday glasses. Similar to adults the range is vast and includes lots of named brands as well as their own brand.  The procedure above is the same for ordering kids glasses. The first thing you will notice is the value. Seriously good value for money especially when it comes to kids glasses who if they are like my pair can loose/ forget/ break them!

What we choose

Sun glasses

Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

My husband went for the classic Ray Ban aviators  modelled below on our holidays in Sun Gardens Dubrovnik.  As a glasses wearer myself I went for the SmartBuy collection with the clip on lenses. I find these  just so handy especially when driving I just pop on the  lenses that suits. You can see them in the pic below also both linked above for more information.

Mamma Fairy thoughts

  • Service is super easy to use and efficient
  • Free Shipping and fast delivery
  • Free 100 day returns
  • Really competitively priced, it is worth signing up for their emails to hear first about discounts and offers.
  • Huge selection for both adults and kids
  • As a brand they are committed to social change having donated $1,000,000 worth of eyewear to visually-impaired individuals in some of the less privileged corners of the globe trough partnering with organizations such as Sightsavers and Unite for Sight. In addition to this,  they are proud sponsors of the Buy One Plant One programme with the brand OhMyWoodness!, which is in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects.

In conclusion would I recommend buying glasses online with SmartBuyGlasses?  That is an absolute yes! Happy to answer any question do pop them below.

 

Mamma Reviews

Mamma Fairy Gift Guide – Part 1, Books!

Its no coincidence that first up in my Christmas guide series is all about books. I love reading and it seems that this has transferred to the boys, we love our time in the evening reading before bed. I have picked our favourites below which hopefully might be a useful guide.

pippyThe Adventures of Pippy and Dippy

These are stunningly illustrated books by Cork author Jim Bartley, they chronicle the adventures of two mice named Pippy and Dippy. These book are full of content, a really lovely engaging read for young kids. My oldest is 4 and really enjoys these stories.  What captures the kids imaginations is the sense that the mice go off on adventures while they sleep. For younger readers I think colouful illustrations is so vital to hold attention and these books have it in abundance. Also supporting local business this Christmas another big plus! They are available to buy online here.

Agrikids 4 book set

Sticking with the theme of supporting local, my next recommendation is from Agrikids. Farm safety is something which is of huge importance to us so anything which helps to spread awareness is always good.  There are four books in the series “Tales from Riverside Farm” and priced at €24.99 for all four is great value. Available to buy Here.

Freddy Buttons

Freddy Buttons is a series of book written by Fiona Dillon, its premise is encouraging children to take a more proactive role in good food. The books themselves chronicle the adventures of Freddy who undertakes a number of investigations based around food and where it comes from. The set of six is €25 and available Here.

Personalised booksmiab

Personalised books are always a big hit in this house particularly for the oldest who gets so excited when he sees his name in books. Our two favourites in this house  are easily:

  • Message in a Bottle, another stunningly illustrated book with a beautiful personalised message at the end,  (see full review Here)

 

  • Persoanlised Peppa Pig book from Penwizard (full review Here). For anybody with Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Ben & Holly or Turtles fans its well worth checking out the options from Penswizard. Most of the current character favourites are available and can all be personlised.

 

Lots of options above for any other houses with little book worms.

 

Take Care

~Mamma F

Mamma Reviews

Mamma Fairy Four Favourites – Products im loving!

I haven’t posted a Mamma Fairy favourites in a while so thought id blog the four products im loving at the minute.

I tweeted this picture back in September and they are still in daily use:

favs11. Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

I love my sleep!!! With 2 kids full nights sleep are a thing of the past.  The last few months have been filled with work stress, house renovation and sick kids so I needed something to help me wind down to sleep. Deep Sleep Pillow Spray is by a company called “this works” and I can attest to the fact that it does actually work. Its made of a blend of Lavender, Vetivert and Camomile and you simply spray on your pillow before bed and it really helps you relax.  Its a pricy at €19.50 but im happy to pay for something that does work. My sister is also hooked now!

 

2 The Body Shop Rose Face Mask

The body shop have introduced a fabulous range of face masks over the last few months and having tried a couple of them the Rose one is a firm favourite. The smell is just divine.  It has a lovely texture, a gel infused with rose petals.   It claims to be plumping and it really is. Priced at €25 and available from The Body Shop.

3 Jo Malone body wash

I  wore Jo Malone Wild Bluebell perfume for my wedding day 6 years ago and the smell really invokes happy memories. Love the body wash as the smell lingers all day. This was present from my husband so im not quite sure of cost but its available in Brown Thomas.

4 Nourella Cream and Tablets

A couple of months back I was asked if I wanted to try out this new product comprising of a face cream and 2 daily nourellatablets, with claims that its proven to reverse the signs of ageing and stimulate the Skin Rebuilding Process long-term, how could I say no! Almost 2 months in I am very happy to have accepted.  Bear in mind this isn’t an overnight miracle, I can start now to see subtle results in my forehead. My skins definitely appears plumper and refreshed looking.  I know something is working well when my own mother comments on my skin! I love the texture of the cream and the results it gives. I wear it under my makeup and it helps keep the skin plumped under make up.  The product itself has been clinically tested, drug free and based on natural ingredients.

 

Take Care

~Mamma F

Features

Delayed Symptoms: Fever After a Car Accident May Indicate Internal Injuries

A car accident is a very traumatic experience for anyone. It can cause serious and life-threatening injuries. Even a minor car accident can potentially cause damages due to the abrupt motions and blunt force that can occur.

Sometimes, just the excitement and disorientation experienced after an accident can mask injuries. Some injuries may not even cause immediate pain.  It is very important that a person always seeks medical care after a car accident and then contact their car accident attorney. While nobody wants to go down this route, sometimes mounting medical needs may necessitate you contact an Expert Sacramento Car Accident Attorney. This will ensure their health is cared for and their case is given the proper attention it needs to ensure proper compensation if appropriate.

After an Accident

After an accident, it is recommended that individuals get checked out by a health care provider if there is any chance of an injury, even minor injuries. The next step after seeking medical care is to contact an attorney to review the case.  It can be hard to know where to start your search for a suitable attorney however perhaps you could  view this law firm page  as a starting point.  

To ensure proper and fair compensation for any injuries after a car accident, individuals must receive immediate medical care. Unfortunately, there are some types of injuries that do not present themselves until later, sometimes hours or even days later.

At the first sign of any pain, soreness, or even a fever, individuals who have been in a car accident should seek medical care. These injuries could be serious and require immediate attention to prevent further risks or problems to their health.

Fever after Accident

Developing a fever after a car accident may be a major warning sign of a problem. Unfortunately, many people do not associate fever with an injury. This can often keep them from seeking medical care and can potentially put their life at risk.

Fever is normally associated with infections or illnesses. However, a fever can develop after serious injuries as well. Internal injuries, deep muscle, or bone damage, even blood clots could produce a fever response in some people.

When a fever occurs within hours or even days after a car accident, individuals should have their doctor check them for various injuries that may not have been detected immediately after the accident. If there is any pain or bruising with the fever, let the doctor know so that they can provide directed care to those areas.

Abdominal Injuries

The abdomen is an area that holds many organs without much protection against injury. When in a car accident, injuries to the abdomen can occur easily. The seatbelt, steering wheel, dashboard, or other parts of the vehicle are common sources of abdominal injuries during an accident.

When the force of the accident causes the abdomen to come in contact with these various parts or to be restrained with force during the impact of an accident, it can cause damage to one or more organs. If help is not provided immediately, it can cause serious complications or even death.

Warning signs of an abdominal injury can vary greatly depending on the affected organs. Injuries to the kidneys can be indicated by blood in the urine or pain in the flank. Damage to the liver can be indicated by pain in the upper right area of the abdomen. It can even cause pressure in the chest.

Sometimes, abdominal injuries can lead to pain in other areas of the body. For example, damage to the spleen could cause pain in the upper back or right shoulder area. Abdominal injuries could even affect multiple organs, including the intestines, bladder, pancreas, stomach, or other areas.

Internal Bleeding

Even if there is no apparent pain, there could still be internal bleeding after a car accident. A fever can sometimes be the first sign of bleeding due to the body’s attempt to heal itself. Internal bleeding is a serious complication and needs immediate care.

Sometimes, internal bleeding is accompanied by severe abdominal pain or even signs of trauma to the affected area. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The injury could be too deep to show signs and the endorphins released after an accident can sometimes mask the pain.

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can often be signs of internal bleeding. Although these symptoms may be associated with other problems, they still should be checked out by a physician if they occur after a car accident.

Some signs of internal bleeding that need immediate medical attention include dizziness, severe weakness, passing out, vision problems, numbness, or weakness on one side of the body. Shortness of breath or severe headaches after an accident should also be signs of a serious issue.

While on the topic of internal bleeding, it’s also important to touch upon external bleeding too. Unlike internal bleeding, external bleeding from a car accident is usually visible and easier to identify. Severe bleeding of this kind requires immediate action to prevent excessive blood loss. Apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or bandage, and elevate the injured area above the heart if possible. For life-threatening bleeding that cannot be controlled with direct pressure, a tourniquet may be necessary as a last resort, but you cannot leave a tourniquet on longer than a couple hours without risking serious tissue damage. Even wounds that appear minor should be properly cleaned and assessed by a medical professional, as they can become infected or may be deeper than they initially appear. Any external bleeding that soaks through bandages, won’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure, or involves spurting blood requires emergency medical care.

Soft Tissue Damage

Soft tissue damage is a common problem after a car accident. Soft tissue often refers to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Damage to these areas can often be difficult to see on standard X-rays but can be just as painful as other types of injuries.

Sometimes, damage to these areas may not show pain for hours or even days after the accident. Tears to the muscles and tendons can even cause a fever response. In some cases, the fever may be the first sign of a problem.

Minor soft tissue damage often only requires a couple of weeks of recovery time. However, more serious injuries may take longer to recover and require physical therapy or other treatments to aid in proper healing.

Head Injuries

Another often missed injury after an accident is a head injury. Concussions are not easily noticed after an accident, especially when the individual does not remember hitting their head. However, concussions and other brain injuries can be serious and require medical care.

Any loss of consciousness from the accident or even after the accident should be cause for emergency care by a health care professional. Other symptoms of a head injury include persistent or worsening headaches, vomiting or nausea, seizures, dilation of one or both pupils, or the inability to wake from sleep.

Delaying medical care is never a good idea after a car accident. There are many serious and dangerous complications that can arise from delayed care Another serious issue with delaying medical care is getting compensation for those injuries after an accident. The longer treatment is put off, the more likely the insurance company can use that against the injured party to deny a claim.

 

Mamma Reviews, Reviews for Mama & Babas

Santa Experience at Dunnes Ilac Centre

santaexperienceWe were invited along to the preview of the Santa Experience located upstairs in Dunnes Ilac Centre.  I mentioned to my oldest who just turned four, there wasn’t a moments hesitation and we were off!  He requested could we go on an adventure and go by bus which I reluctantly duly obliged. Two young kids on public transport!! The stress.

Location wise being in the Ilac makes this Santa experience really central and easy to access with lots of parking and bus stops near by.

When we arrived we were greeted by a lovely team of elves who entertained my little men while we waited for the call to see the big man himself.  We weren’t waiting long at all and we were whisked away to Santas Post office.  santa2

This is where the magic begins, my oldest was in awe of the cheery elf who explained where Santa got letters from and how the post get sorted. She plays a great character and draws the kids in quickly, we then went through a cupboard after doing the secret elf knock to see the reindeers. Once we got acquainted with Santa’s key team we went into the Sleigh Room.

This is not to be missed – special mention to the two elves here who had the adults in stitches too. The boys got to sit in Santa sleigh where they travelled across to the next room – it was Santas room!!

I cannot succinctly put into words the sheer delight in the oldest eyes when Santa mentioned his name, his teachers name and knew he wanted Soggy Doggy (!!) for Christmas.  We were in at the same time as another family who had 2 young girls, Santa knew they went to an Irish school and asked them a question in Irish – cue absolute excitement from them.  Santa himself true to form is really good with kids, calm and patient ideal for my little gang who are only 4 and 1.

santaEach of the boys got an age appropriate gift and we got a photo with Santa taken by the professional photographer who was there.

Cost wise this Santa Experience is a very reasonable €10 for kids and €3 for adults. It opened yesterday the 25th and is also in Limerick and Cork. Bookings can be made online Here.

Overall its a big thumbs up from the Mamma Fairy house, biggest plus being value for money, location and the absolute awe in my fours years olds eyes when Santa knew so  much about him.

Note: We were invited to attend a preview of this event, we were not asked nor required to write a review, all opinion are my own and the boys honest views

 

 

Mamma Musings

One year later -our second house move

I have discussed this on the blog before, we took on a mammoth house renovation over a year ago, exaig1tending up, out and total remodelling inside. Well a year later we are getting there and getting ever close to the home I imagined over a year ago when I sometimes doubted I could turn around the time warped 70s house we had just bought. The location and price were perfect, the house itself not so much.  My husband who works in construction had a lot of coaxing to do to help me see his vision for what the house could become.  I can finally report, we are getting there, the house we bought all those months ago I can happily say has turned into a home for our little family.

I was asked to get involved in a campaign with AIG who had produced a really helpful infographic which I have reproduced below.  Buying a house is a major purchase, probably the biggest one we will make in our lives so its important to be well researched and well informed when contemplating such a major purchase. There are a myriad of resources out there so its important to find ones who you can trust, sites such as Homify can be invaluable for helpful tips and advice.

Having been through this twice, one of the best pieces of advice I can give is to do your homework, ask friends and family for recommendations for solicitors and surveyors.  I can’t stress enough how important it is to get a comprehensive survey done on the property saves a nasty surprise after the event. Also example, did you know at the time of buying your first home that lenders require you and your partners to not only have life insurance but home insurance too? Research the area, consider schools, catchment area, distance from your work etc.  Its a major purchase so take your time to consider your option.  aig2

Although buying your first home might seem like a complicated process, which can take months or even years to get in shape to apply for one, AIG Irelands this 16 step guide to buying a house in Ireland that takes you through the steps you will have to take to get through the process should give you a good sense of what you need to get the process under control and as smoothly as is possible.

aig3It is no doubt a stressful time but its also the most wonderful feeling the day your pick up those keys.  I will never forget our first night here – we had no working oven and ended up bbq-ing out the back for dinner (in October!!). Im sure the neighbours wondered who this crazy family were moving it!

One year on I can honestly, its all so worth it, the late nights painting, the weekends spent looking at furniture and kitchen and the one or two arguments discussions along the way!!

 

 

Take Care

Mamma F

Note: This is a collaborative post.