Wordless Wednesday #327 - Library adventures

The Entertainer app takes us to new experiences

The Entertainer app was part of the goody bag of a previous meetup of Jozi Bloggers. It was such a hit in our home, that I bought myself the app again for this year! It is R495 for a whole year, and we have already surpassed that amount through savings.

The Entertainer works on 2 for 1 deals. We have mostly used the Food & Drink option, but there are Beauty & Fitness, Attractions & Leisure, Retail & Services as well as Hotels worldwide to choose from. (Kicking myself now for not using it more! I could have!)

On Saturday Hubby and I got an unexpected free morning when Little Miss was elsewhere entertained. We switched on The Entertainer app which works on location and we found a quaint breakfast spot in Linden at A la Bouffe! The owner was as gracious to let us use the app for breakfast, as it states "Main Meal". (As we had used similarly at every other establishment we had visited.)

Al la Bouffe

I must report that we have never had an issue using the app. All the restaurants knew what it was, and accommodated us when we announced that we wanted to use the app. We usually also only announces it when we want to pay, so that it can be reflected in the invoice.

The breakfast was divine!

Vegetarian omelet

Egg and salmon breakfast

We have added a new breakfast spot with some other favourite restaurants! We would not have found it without The Entertainer!

I am also allowed to ping the offers which has enabled our working lady to also go out for a couple of dining experiences!

Now where can we go, and how much can we save on our next outing?

What have you found through The Entertainer?

Transformers Animatronics - Guess who had the most fun?

Transformers Animatronics at Emperors Palace

I had won tickets to Transformers Animatronics through South African Mom Blogs. We had SO much fun!

Little Miss also enjoyed it, but not so much the mamarazzi trying to take photos of her with every Transformer Animatronics statue or with their gadgets! (Check the photos!) I mean, how many times do you get the opportunity to pose with the Transformers?

With Bumble Bee - Transformers Animatronics

Showmax Transformers Animatronics

Finally! A Lego creation that we could not pull her way from

 A Saturday afternoon well spent! And I got the photos! (Sorry, Little Miss)

SnapnSave app review - It helps buying the end of month groceries!

SnapnSave app

It seems SnapnSave has been around since 2015, but I only heard about it this year! Our budget has been severely stretched this year, and we had to make use of all the opportunities we can get when buying groceries.

SnapnSave is an app that allows you to pre-select your grocery list on the app, and to get cash back on each of the items. It depends on each item, but it helps.

I wanted to wait until I had redeemed my first cask-back on the app before I did a quick review. I am pleased to report that is was a quick and easy process. The cashier knew what I was talking about, and I could just punch in the code that the app generated. We got groceries worth R150 this past weekend! Total score!

I would love for there to be more products to be booked on the app. Also the weekly groceries such as bread, milk and eggs are usually all booked out. But it helps to go back just before entering the shop. Or while shopping ticking off the products!

What I have also found is that I have bought items that I would not have previously bought. I booked some items that I knew we would be able to use, and now I am sold on Quorn and Fry's pre-packaged vegan and vegetarian option, where before I would not have know about it! (For example!)

The app is free to download. The SnapnSave website has an option to enter your mobile number and they send the link of the app to your phone! All the biggest grocery stores are included, such as PicknPay, Checkers and Spar. I see on the app that a total of 1044 shops in South Africa are included.

You can use my code Karend870 to get a free R10 immediately loaded on the app when you sign up.

This is not even for the frugal of us anymore! Living expenses are out of control!


Read more here: How it works

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this review.

Related post: Five for Friday #1

Mom of the Year? WIN a culinary experience AND a chance to win a Grundig Oven #GrundigMomoftheYear

My mom is my hero! There is nothing that makes one realize more the worth of one's own mother, until you are the mother of children yourself! My mother raised four of us! She and my dad were always there, and sat through 12 years multiplied by 4 concerts and parent evenings. After the previous week of slaying seven concerts with Little Miss I truly appreciate it!

In the spirit of Mother's Day that has just passed, and May being a month of mothers, Grundig has launched a Grundig Mom of the Year campaign.

Grundig

#GrundigMomOfTheYear will be open to all the readers of this blog that reside in the Johannesburg area. Readers will be asked to nominate their mother or a mother in their community with a write up on why they are the Mom of the Year.

The winner will be selected through Rafflecopter to win a culinary experience at the JHB Culinary & Pastry School at Maboneng worth R600,00.

I am so excited about this, because as the Blogger I will be attending the culinary experience with the winner! We will be making and decorating red velvet cupcakes! (That can't be too difficult?)

On the day of the experience, there will be a draw where all the attendees (Bloggers included) will stand a chance to win the grand prize which is a Grundig top of the line oven valued at R8 900,00.

The Grundig Multifunction oven has the following specifications. Who does not want to win this?

• Full multifunction Oven
• Halogen light
• Triple glaze door
• Removable glass inner door
• Meat probe
• Soft close hinges
• Glass control panel
• H x W x D: 660 x 730 x 580 mm
• Black Glass

Terms and conditions:

• This competition will run for a week and end on 31 May at 9am. The winner will be announced here and on MomAgain@40 Facebook Page.
• This competition is open to Gauteng residents only. The winner will decide if she or her mother who was nominated will be attending. Unfortunately not both!. The winner/Mother of the Year must be able to get to the venue on their own accord.
• The prize is not transferable.
• If you have won here in the past 3 months you will not be eligible to win this competition. You are also not allowed to enter this same competition on another blog if you have entered here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I have recommended the karri app to my child's school!

karri

Little Miss is always in search of cash for something at school. And then our purses are empty. We did not draw money after she has raided our purses the previous day... The struggle is REAL!

That's why the karri app sounds like such a great idea. Parents can recommend it to the child's school! You don't have to be banking at Nedbank. The karri app works with MasterCard or Visa cards.

As someone who hates walking around with cash, I love the idea of being able to pay with a touch of a button, and even better when the app reminds me because it is linked to the schools calendar.  It frees parents AND teachers as they don't have the schlepp of admin work.

The video explains what happens in every household! Karri Schools payment explainer

I have filled in the form recommending karri to my daughters' school.
The form is available on the page: Recommend  karri to you child's school

I have not been paid to write this!
The karri app is free to download on the App store and Google Play.
I want this!
Yesterday!

Little Miss slaying the dragons

Transformers Animatronics at Emperor's Palace

The second quarter of the year is already full steam ahead. It seems Little Miss has settled nicely in at school. She is a Little Miss Independent because we drop her off and there she goes!

All the worries about friends and fitting in have been resolved. She's got friends, and she was even invited to her first party this weekend from a child at the new school. I was told that she has a nickname of "Cutie" (behind her back), but she has heard it and has told me previously that she does not like being called cute! (We think that "Cutie" is not so bad, and it could have been a lot worse! Now only to convince her!)

Revue outfit at school

We had a hectic week last week! The school put out seven concerts in five days! It meant driving up and down to school and getting dressed and prepped for Revue seven times. (Not even counting the practice runs the previous week!) I have a lot more respect for teachers everywhere! They worked their arses off very hard and they were still smiling at the end! We had to laugh when Little Miss told us she had a job of keeping her teacher awake in class, and another boy had to wipe the spit from her mouth when she fell asleep. They found that quite hilarious, but I am sure that is how the teacher really felt each day! School had to go on!

We are still struggling with clothes and melt-downs. Winter has started a a week ago, and Little Miss has had to adapt to her new winter clothes. Of course everything about the winter outfits are bothering her, and the shoes are too tight or too loose. We know why it is a fight to get her to put on her shoes (SPD), but unfortunately we have to find a way for her to handle it better! We are at least 20 minutes to half an hour later getting out of the house in the mornings.

I am contemplating of getting some help with the SPD? If only for us and how to help her?
Should we see an occupational therapist?

For the record! She is very opinionated! I always say that she has been born with all the wisdom on earth. She already KNOWS, when she sometimes most of the times does not know! Head-banging happens a lot! (Saying it with trepidation when thinking about the teenage years?)

Little Miss making flapjacks

Little Miss loves helping with baking and cooking, and I think we should definitely involve her more. She is always willing to lend us a hand in the kitchen! Thanks, Little Miss! I am looking forward to your gourmet dishes in future!

I am writing this down, Little Miss! Even looking back on the previous post, I can see how much you have changed and developed! We like you, and we love you!

It is great to have you in our lives! And we will slay the SPD dragons together!

#Jozimeetup Storify - Bloggers connecting with fellow bloggers, brands and PR

It's great seeing fellow bloggers, meeting new bloggers, and connecting with brands and PR. Also getting so much inspiration from the speakers!

That's why you can't miss any of these events!
Thank you Heather Step (South African Mom Blogs) for putting this all together!

Let me know of any other links and photos I should include from social media?
What did you learn from the event?


Related posts:

- Jozi Meetup at Cafe Zing - Score! 

- A beautiful living #JoziMeetup

-

Wordless Wednesday #326 - Winter is coming #OOTD

Esther the Wonder Pig changing lives on social media

Esther the Wonder Pig Facebook Page

I have been following a pig on social media. Esther the Wonder Pig has over a million likes on Facebook and 373k followers on Instagram. She has over 14 000 subscribers on YouTube. She is a delight to watch!

She completely changed the lives of her humans when they adopted her as a miniature pig. It soon became apparent that she was a huge commercial pig that would have gone for slaughter if they had not taken her in. They were amazed at how intelligent she is! The thought of her becoming bacon changed their whole lifestyle and the life that they are living now.

They changed to a vegan lifestyle, without even mentioning a vegan diet on social media. That is the power of social media!

Esther elevates pigs to a companion lifestyle only previously reserved for dogs and cats!

Check it out on TEDx Talks!

You go, Esther!

I know WHY it's a fight to get her to put on shoes - SPD

But how do we get her to put on shoes when she flatly refuses?
Each day we have to ask politely for her to put on her shoes! Then it escalates pretty soon into not so nice, arguing and bullying her to get on her shoes.
I know its because of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)! The older she gets, the more I understand the underlying sensory issues. But it is still very difficult! And we do not always handle it correctly! (Sorry, Miss!)

I listened to a Sensory Solutions webinar yesterday, and it just ticked all the boxes again! If you do not have a child with sensory issues, you are quick to label the child as being difficult and naughty and of course bad parenting! (As parent you judge yourself!)

Little Miss is the same with clothes. Some clothes gets worn, because it's comfortable, but some does not! Ever! Most of the time the shoes and jackets get a ride in the car to school, and still do not get onto her feet and body!

And then we say: "Sure! You go cold! We don't care!" (But we do!)

Because she just says "NO!"

Winter is here, Little Miss!
Tomorrow we will try again to get on your shoes. Today was a good day, because you kept on your comfy boots when we got to school (although you wanted to take it off).  (High five to us!)


How do you handle sensory issues and clothes?
Are there more children nowadays with sensory issues, or we we now more aware of it?

Menstrual cups are the bomb!

I got menstrual cups for myself and my daughter at last year's The Working Mothers Expo. I have tried to order online before, but without success, and was super excited to find it at the Expo. The initial expense of R485 (35.92 USD) each is a bit steep, but it pays itself off within two to three months!

We have been using it for a couple of months now, and we would never go back! In the beginning it feels a bit awkward and you feel you should be checking on it, but it is not necessary at all. It stays put for a whole day. I wish I had found it earlier on in my life.

There are only advantages in using a menstrual cup. My twenty-something daughter enjoys the freedom of it just as much!


Advantages of using a menstrual cup:

- It's cheap and economical. You don't have to buy sanitary products ever again! (In a girl's lifetime it is only necessary to purchase 4 of these)

- It's easy to use. The instructions are easy to follow!

- It's clean. There are less spills than with ordinary sanitary products! (I was most scared of this issue, but we don't bleed as much as we think! ;-))

- It is super comfortable and you don't feel it. You can do whatever sports or swimming and there are no issues!

- There are no wastage afterwards as when you use sanitary products. Think about the environment who is so much better off!

- It is made of 100% medical grade silicone, which means less cramps and period pain.

- There are no dryness and itchiness!

- You can insert it before work, and only empty it when you get home. (There is no need to remove it when urinating or having a bowel movement.)

- It's easy to clean, and put it in it's pouch for next time.

- It's easy to put it in your suitcase when traveling. It does not take up space, and can be used anywhere.


I wish we could get this to all  women struggling to get their hands on sanitary products every month! This is a real lifesaver!


I got my menstrual cup, namely Mooncup, from Maria at Butterfly Wings at the Expo.

Order online here: Mooncup

I'm sure all of the menstrual cups work on the same principle!

I can highly recommend it!

Get this!!


(Good deed of day! *Tick*)

Pamper yourself this Mother's Day!

#NuSkin4Moms spoils

Mother's Day is upcoming, and it is lovely to look at all the Mother's Day wish-lists doing the rounds. I can come up with a few gadgets of my own!

But this Mother's Day the budget is tight! There was Valentine's Day in February where we got to spent the weekend at Dikholo, my birthday in March and our 13th anniversary. There was too much celebrations and gifts in too short a space!

I am not complaining at all! About not getting presents. Hubby and the kids have been told that a card would suffice! I have all the presents I need! I am the luckiest mother there is. I have two beautiful daughters, with both still staying under our roof! I thank my lucky stars that we are a family that's intact, and that we can share our lives together! And brace ourselves together when the going gets tough!

I was sent a Nu Skin Pamper Kit - I love my Mom Gift Box - as part of the Nu Skin Mother's Day campaign. It is a divine luxurious spoil!

The pamper kit contains:

• ReNu Hair Mask: a deep conditioning treatment that keeps hair hydrated and prevents split ends.
• Body Smoother: A quick-absorbing smoother that seals moisture with skin nourishing properties.
• Hand Lotion: A moisture-rich hand lotion to keep hands supple during the upcoming winter days.
• Epoch Fire Walker: Put your feet up and keep them rejuvenated with this soothing foot cream.

I have used all of this products already, and I will keep on using it until the last drop.
It makes me feel special, good to do something NICE for myself, and to take a bit of me-time each day! The hand cream makes my hands looks less as if they have been in water for ages. I have already had to inform Little Miss that I am a mermaid during the day. (She does not believe me, but she asks me regularly why my hands looks so wrinkly!)

The pamper kit reminds me that we as moms should take more spoil-time for ourselves, even if we don't have the luxury of a great product such as Nu Skin. We can spoil ourselves with what we have in the cupboard.

Nu Skin Epoch Fire Walker on my feet

How cool are these Instagram photos that was sent with the blog drop?

Well done, and thanks, Nu Skin and Mbali from Engage Joe Public!

The daughters that are my biggest gifts!

How do you spoil yourself?
Do you make time to spoil yourself!
What are you planning for Mother's Day?

If the budget is not that tight, this a divine pamper kit for any Mother on Mother's Day!

Vegetarian in a meat-eating household

Lentil Curry Wrap at Craft Beer Library

I have now been a vegetarian for nearly a year and a half. I don't want to eat meat, and I know I won't enjoy it any more! Being a vegetarian is not difficult at all!

My family has been very supportive of this lifestyle choice, and there always something on a menu at a restaurant, or at home to replace a piece of meat! My husband usually makes the meat portions, as he has done before I made the change!

I usually sort myself with a mushroom or a brinjal slice. I can now also make a mean bean curry or spicy beans. Google makes it easy! As long as we have a few options of vegetables, I do not feel that I am missing anything! I also buy a bag of mixed raw nuts at the beginning of the month which helps when I start feeling depleted!

I need to watch myself with the carbs, though! As a vegetarian you can easily start to carbo-load to fill up!

My secret was to take each meal on its own. Taking it step by step!
Each meal is a choice not to eat a living being!

If I can stop eating meat, I must be able to stop eating bread! That is my next mission! (Because the scale is going up, and not down!)
Watch this space!

Some of  the vegetarian options I found in my camera roll:

Mushrooms on the girl

Potato skins at Craft Beer Library - Super Yum!

Sometimes I get a craving for a sausage on the grill

What lifestyle changes have you made, and how did you keep to it?

Wordless Wednesday #325 - The lure of the sweet tooth

13 years - That's seven bags of salt!

The 1st of May was our 13 years of marriage yesterday! Every year we love the fact that our day is on a public holiday! We have an in-built Break, a long anniversary weekend,  every year to celebrate our anniversary!

There is an Afrikaans idiom "Om sewe sakke sout saam op te eet" (Translated: "To eat seven bags of salt together"). The idiom started as eating one bag of salt together (experiences and difficulties shared together), which changed to seven bags! I would love to know how it changed, but most probably because of certain songs that influenced the colloquially. (?)

It feels like seven bags of salt, but luckily we have each other! It's great to have a Partner, a Friend, a BFF, a Husband, you name it... All doing this together!

I am lucky to have found him!

Thanks for 13 years, Hubs! It has gone by in a flash!
I am looking forward to many more!


Photo by The Eldest!