Instax Square SQ20 is the one you want - Review

Instax SQ20

The INSTAX SQ20 can now print from video for amazing instant photos.

We love everything about Instax cameras. There is nothing as satisfying as getting a printed photo immediately. We have an Instax Mini 9 camera that we were gifted a while ago, so we have been playing with it for a while. The Instax SQ 20 is everything you would expect from the Instax experience, but so much more. You are able to edit, filter and select frames from videos. It is Instax on steroids. Trust me, you would love this in your gift bag for Christmas or a birthday!

Instax SQ20 (Image courtesy Fujifilm)

Disclaimer: We got a black Instax SQ 20 to review for two weeks, with 3 cartridges of film. (The Instax SQ 20 were fetched this week.)

A Personal Fitness Tracker bfit Move2 - Review

bfit Move 2

There are so many personal fitness trackers on the market. I used to love my Fitbit Zip, but it got lost, and it did not measure all the activities wanted. My phone made up for most, but it's not the same, and I don't want to carry it everywhere. I also don't have the budget to buy the expensive trackers.

My daughter won the bfit Move 2 personal tracker in a competition, and I bought myself one while it was still on special. The trackers do not cost an arm and a leg. I got mine for 400 ZAR, which is totally doable.

I have had the tracker for two months now, and it does everything I want a tracker to do.

Gadgets that make life easier - look no further than the MamaMagic Products Awards 2017

Congratulations to all the MamaMagic New products Awards winners

The MamaMagic New Products Awards are a great way to find those gadgets that makes life easier, for parents and for children! The Awards ceremony was the previous week. I get jealous excited when I see all the nice gadgets that parents get to use nowadays! We don't NEED it, but it makes life so MUCH EASIER! Luckily we have a cousin and they have just announced that they are going to be parents. The 2017 award winners are definitely some ESSENTIALS they would NEED to buy!

MamaMagic New Products Awards

Here's the gadgets to put on the list of parenting gadgets that make life easier.

LG Smart Inverter Top Loader Washing Machine - making life easier (Review)

#LGSmartInverter #SmartInverter

*Sponsored

LG has launched the LG Smart Inverter Top Loader Washing Machine into the SA market with a bit of fanfare. Of course I said yes when asked if we would want to review the machine. The 17kg white LG Smart Inverter Top Loader Washing Machine was installed last week.

LG Smart Inverter Top Loader Washing Machine

The most awesome and immediate benefits are that we only had to do two loads of washing for a whole week of clothes, and that it runs so silently we have to go and check that it is really working. It's probably not fair to compare with our 5kg front loader, but saving time and effort and not having an "aeroplane" (noise level) take off in our kitchen each time it spins is a HUGE DEAL!

It is making our life so much easier.

Homemaker's Expo - Snapchat shares

We visited the Homemaker's Expo at the TicketPro Dome yesterday. I had won two tickets from SA Mom Blogs, and Little Miss could go in for free! (Win!)

I shared some of our experiences on Snapchat.

We had a good time, and lots of inspiration! (So sad about the empty wallets!)

Of course we had to check out all the coffee machines!

"Experience passion for a life less ordinary." -Siemens coffee quote

Maybe this emoji does not reflect that I really really
want this machine as well?

How rad is this spiral vegetable slicer? Marked for future reference!

Little Miss collected balloons
and walked around hitting people on the heads with it! 

Of course you have to get doughnuts at an Expo!

My choice for #947Boxes vote! Would love this!

Totally gets a thumbs up!

Want it!

View from the top!

We made up almost all of our steps at the Expo, and I was finished at the end! We only saw the children's entertainment towards the end (it was upstairs), and we redirected Little Miss' attention! (Bad parenting! NOT! She had a good time!)

Last minute gift ideas for Christmas

Little Missy has given us her list of stuff she wants for her birthday and for Christmas. 

We just need some time to go and buy it...

This year it is going to be less expensive gifts than the previous year. One present for a birthday, and one present for Christmas are more than enough. 

This year it is about the family time spent together, which we are seriously looking forward to. 

The iStore has a great gifting section for last minute Christmas ideas. It is worth checking there for great gifts for children AND adults.

Little Missy got these three cute gifts which are great gadgets to have.

Griffin KaZoo AUX Cable for Kids (and adults, because we are using it as well)

Connect most audio devices with a 3.5mm stereo jack with this Griffin Technology KaZoo auxiliary cable that features a caterpillar/butterfly design to add a touch of fun. 

Griffin Crayola MyPhones

I especially love these, because they have a built-in volume limiter, which makes me feel safe to leave the Little One in peace playing with her games on the gadgets. We are always arguing about the noise level, but when she has the ear phones on we don't have to worry that it will is too loud for her ears.

They came with stickers and markers, and Little Missy really enjoyed brightening them even more!

Griffin Crayola Color-A-Folio for iPad mini 

Crayola's Color-A-Folio lets you customise your iPad mini case with fabric markers.
We would have liked a greater selection of colours, but the colour combination works extremely well.

Now I just need to go and buy that iPad mini! (Thanks for the nudge, iStore!)

Disclaimer: We received these three gifts in this cute little suitcase, which is very Cool indeed!

Shopping is good for me, says my Fitbit Zip

I got a nifty Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Tracker in the beginning of this month, and I have been checking my steps since then.

I think I have become more mindful of walking, and have seen how much I can increase my steps when I change daily things in my routine, like taking the steps, or parking further away from the mall.

Even though I am working in an office, and having to sit down the whole day, I am able to increase my steps by just making some adjustments during the day, and to not use the lifts when not absolutely necessary.

The day my daughter and I went for a shopping trip to the mall, I had no problem in making my daily quota of 10 000 steps.
I got the badge to show for it!

I love checking during the day to see how much steps I have taken.

I tried attaching the Fitbit to my feet while riding on the stationary bike, but it doesn't work. But you are able to upload extra activity on your profile.
I have my Fitbit account on my computer which syncs automatically when opened, but would have loved if I could have used it on my Blackberry or my iPad2.

This is a great gadget when you are trying to increase your activity rate!
Watch me!

The tech details:

Tracks steps, distance and calories burned.
Upload wirelessly via Bluetooth to earn Vitality Points
Tracks progress with graphs, charts and other tools
Access your free account with free Mac and iPhone apps
Log food and more with online and app tools
Realtime data uploads makes competing with friends easy
Recommended Retail Pricing is R899.00  
                                                                            - Core Group


Disclaimer: I got this gadget as a thank you for being a judge in the Apple in Education Competition Awards 2013

Apps & More: The Best Tech Tools for Healthy New Year's Resolutions

A new year is a time of taking stock and trying anew to be the best you can be!

I realize that not all people want to make New Year's resolutions, and some say that it is pointless!

I find that it directs my thoughts and my actions and some of my goals I actually DO accomplish!

I don't sweat those I don't reach, and put it again on my new list. Or I take it off, when I feel that it does not serve me anymore!

Health and fitness are definitely staying on my list!

 

As we are way on holiday, a guest post is in order:

For a long time, people have been making New Year's resolutions about their health. Fortunately, a lot of people have recently been able to use technology to help them keep their resolutions. In fact, a concerned resolutionite can use technology to help keep track of any of their goals related to fitness or health. So, here are the five best tech tools to help you accomplish your New Year’s resolutions.

Wii Fit

Even though the Wii Fit is a video game console, it is a brilliant piece of fitness equipment. All over the world, people have started using the Wii Fit to get into shape. It's actually specifically designed for this goal, and when you start out with your Wii Fit, you can easily weigh yourself and check your BMI. Then, there are countless games built in to get started, such as tennis and bowling. Once you get the hang of it, you can buy from a selection of dozens of games that help you get in shape. You then can track your progress on a daily basis to see how you are doing. Basically, the Wii Fit is a great piece of technology for anyone wanting to work on their health and have fun.

Fitbit Smart Scale

So many people get caught up in losing weight, when in reality, they need to understand that body mass percentage is a more accurate indicator. The Fitbit Smart Scale is a powerful tool that measures the dieter’s body mass index and fat percentage. By knowing your body fat percentage, you will truly know how in or out of shape you are - your actual weight can be quite deceiving,

Basis Band

When making changes, it is important for an exerciser to monitor their progress. The Basis Band helps an exerciser monitor their progress by providing data on their heart rate, sleep patterns, and calories burnt. The idea is to wear the Basis Band 24/7, as the makers created the watch to be waterproof and lightweight. Anyone wanting to monitor their vitals should take a look at the Basis Band, as it can be a great tool.

Runtastic

Do you like to jog? It is important for all runners to measure their progress. Thanks to Runtastic, joggers now have an app that measures their calories burnt, how far and long they ran and more - at highly accurate levels. There are multiple versions available, including an app for both mountain biking and road biking, if that's more your style.

Spark Recipes

Anyone who wants to live well needs to plan their meals in advance. Spark Recipes lets users search and browse thousands of recipes. You can search based upon your available ingredients to come up with the perfect meal plan that's healthy, affordable and relatively easy to pursue.




Jenna Hayes writes about technology, self-help & health. Her most recent work helps readers find the best Masters in Health Administration Degrees in the US.

 

Posted with Blogsy

The Baby Expo

I have never seen so many pregnant, and parents with babies/kids in one place together, as I had seen on Saturday at the Baby Expo at the Dome here in Johannesburg! Johannesburg is a very fertile place, apparently!

The expo was amazing! We were not planning to go there at first. Friends of ours asked to meet us there. I was thinking that we are over the baby/kid stuff. Not so! There are a lot of gadgets/clothes/toys that we still need! Stuff you don’t think you need until you sees it. (Ouch, purse!)

Mieka with the Huggalugs

We got the nappies at a special (we should have bought more...). I was extremely excited to find the Huggalugs (legwarmers which are great to have in the cupboard for kids) (See photo)

There were a lot of activities for the kids to enjoy as well! Play areas, and toys, and other play mates. It is a haven for parents and parents-to-be. Next time we will definitely go again.

LOVE the gadgets and the clothes!

"Wizened" mom

Being a mom over 40, I smugly believed I knew it all, and had done it all. I was prepared and in charge of the new arrival. Shocker! Mieka is a different baby, and apparently she did not read the same manual as me. (Sic) The sleeping has been a challenge since the beginning. Arnia, now 16, slept through the night very early on. We still haven’t mastered the same with Mieka. In the first few weeks it felt more like she was awake the whole time, as she was in a one and half hour cycle. Some nights we are lucky, for example last night, when I put her down to sleep before eight. But then she woke again after nine and me and Dries had to take turns trying to get her to bed again. She slept from ten until half past two, and that was great. I was struggling with the baby monitor at four, wondering why it was not registering the screaming, when we realized it was the neighbours’ baby across the road. That kept us awake until Mieka woke up again at five. Not a bad night, but night after night the same waking schedule is busy taking its toll…
Also I am still worried about her development. I thought I would be more relaxed about the whole idea of children developing differently, but now I worry because she is not rolling or crawling yet.
I realize I am not “wiser” being older or doing it again and that I have to tackle the challenge, Mieka (smile), in a different way. My resolution not to feel guilty for the things I can’t change is helping, especially since I have put it in black and white.
Luckily we have the Internet nowadays for researching, I am on mailing lists and we have wonderful gadgets to help with the baby. I thought at first that the gadgets are a waste of money, but now I am a big supporter of every little help we can get. For example, I know now with clarity that we should have bought a swing/vibrator thing to help with the sleeping…
Being older has humbled me – about the joy and miracle of having a baby, but also the realization that I do not know everything!