Baxter is hungry, by Emily Haupt - delightful children's book which gets a 5!

 

Baxter is hungry, by Emily Haupt 

We received this lovely book, Baxter is hungry, through the post. I had to pay import tax, but it was sent in exchange for an honest review. It is totally worth it, as I just know that my grandchild will love the cat Baxter through his wild antics, the colourful illustrations, and his hangry disposition. Thank you, Emily! It is available on Amazon. 

Baxter is Hungry by Emily Haupt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a grandmother I am again looking at all the wonderful children's books that we can read to the little one. I think that giving them the gift of books and reading, is the biggest gift we can give a child.

Emily Haupt sent me her book, Baxter is Hungry, for an honest review. It seems that Baxter is a story based on their own cat, an Omani Mau (Mau means street cat in Arabic).

We as family know "hangry", and can so much relate to Baxter, who is always hungry. The book is an absolute joy, and can't wait to read it, again and again, to my granddaughter. Of course, the book would not have had the same impact if not for the illustrations. It is absolutely gorgeous. Hugo L Cuellar makes Baxter come alive. He is also responsible for the cover of the coloring book, Baxter is Dreaming.

It is extremely important to have pets in the house, and to learn our kids about looking properly after them. This book teaches also about the antics and peculiarities of cats. It is good to know what our pets are all about.

Well done for capturing Baxter so well, Emily Haupt, as well as Hugo L. Cuellar. I could frame each and every page of this book.

This is a joy for your child's bookshelf!

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The Messages: A Memoir, by Dawn Kohler - it's a 5

The Messages: A Memoir - Dawn Kohler. This is a jewel of a book. Especially for moms who have to deal with "monsters" from their past. To be able to be more fully present with their children. Dawn Kohler sent me a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The Messages: A Memoir by Dawn Kohler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dawn Kholer sent me a complimentary pdf copy, in exchange for an honest review.
I read her book within two days, which is a good indication of how much I wanted to get to the next page turner, and the interesting revelations.
The spiritual messages is not new, as people around the world receive the same messages, but it adds to the authenticity and truthfulness of the message.
She shares painful recollections from her childhood, and how she had to overcome it via therapy, and changes in her own life. While she and her husband had their own business, and three children who wanted attention. She was lucky that she could just focus on herself while her husband gave her the space to heal. Also, it shows the resilience of children, how they understood, and grew up to healthy adults with whom she kept a close relationship. She could heal to be the best mother possible! It is one of the biggest messages from this book; we need to address the past to be able to be fully available in our relationships.
It is not always easy addressing the past, especially if the past shows that the parental figures in your life let you down, and committed the ultimate horror. I admire the strength and resilience being shown. Thank you for sharing, Dawn! You rock!
You won't be able to put this book down.

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Lola the Buhund and the Empty Sky - book review

Lola the Buhund and the Empty Sky - Elbot Carman

I am a very slow reader. Sorry, Booktasters. But luckily, when a book grabs me, I have to read it till the very end. It takes long, only a few passages each night, but we finally gets there. This book helped me immensely to escape the daily stress of living. Nothing like a great fantasy to start your journey into dreamland. I give Lola the Buhund and the Empty Sky, by Elbot Carman, 5/5. 

Thank you for the opportunity!

Lola the Buhund and the Empty Sky by Elbot Carman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review via Booktasters and the author, Elbot Carman. Thank you so much, I am most of the time pleasantly surprised with the above average content that I am able to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was great to go on such a journey with the characters in the story. A talking and wise dog, Lola the Buhund, and a talking rooster? So possible in the context of this fantasy. Where did the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars disappear to?

It was a great adventure, with the human, a carpenter, and a musician, who joins them on their quest. It takes a while to get into the atmosphere and space of the book, but the suspense and wonder of the milieu keeps you reading. What is happening, and what is going to happen? Where's the light? We get the answers in the end. Just keep reading!

This book is fantastic escapism, and a fantasy that's worth getting immersed in.

Can't wait to read the next book.





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Apples to Apples is the wildest game - perfect for crazy times

 

Apples to Apples card game

                                                                                                               Sponsored

Mattel's APPLES to APPLES™ is the best game for family or friends game nights! It's fun! It's easy! And it is a laugh every time you put down your card. Even the Tween thinks it is cool! 

Which one of the red cards would fit the best with the green card dealt by the Judge? You have to convince him/her. It's all fun! The rules says it's for four to ten players, but we played while being only two or three. It still is a hoot a minute! 

Apples to Apples deck of cards

Apples to Apples is the wild, award-winning card and party game that provides instant fun for four to ten players! It's as easy as “comparing apples to apples”... just open the box, deal the cards, and you're ready to play! Select the card from your hand that you think is best described by a card played by the judge. If the judge picks your card, you win that round. APPLES to APPLES™ is perfect for any get together with family and friends! The Party Box Tin comes complete with over 1,000 cards. Designed for 4 to 10 players, ages 12 years and up. - Mattel

Instax Mini 40 - retro gadget takes great photos

Instax Mini 40 with Contact Sheet Instant photos

"The Instax Mini 40 embraces the old-school look-and-feel of film cameras, combined with all the latest Instax features such as Selfie Mode and Auto Exposure."

We had the Instax Mini 40 camera for a week to test out. We were pleasantly surprised with the clarity of the photos, especially since it's an entry-level camera. We would recommend this one especially when you want to start your journey with instant photography. At a retail price of R1399 it is totally worth it. 

We give it a 5/5 for being one of the best when you are searching for the instant gratification of an immediate photo in hand which is also of great quality!

Instax Mini 40 

Downtime Shift, by Robert Holding - Interesting AI concepts

Downtime Shift

Love this science fiction novel. Thanks, again, to Booktasters, for expanding my horizons and for great reading pleasures. My review is up on GoodReads. 

Downtime Shift by Robert Holding
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you, Booktasters and Robert Holding, for a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. Sorry that it took me so long to read, but it's not a reflection on the content.
I thoroughly loved reading this book, and has already started to read the next follow-up, Infinity Shift. (Thanks, Robert Holding, for sending it as well). It is good escapism in these uncertain times.
I got a glimpse into time travel, an omnipotent AI called EYE and different societies and the ways they live. "Earthers" and "Spacers", and a choice in the way of living. The EYE resetting society, and manipulating it, creating Fork Time... Shifties following their prime directive, or going against it. All interesting concepts that keeps you bound until the very last page.
I would have loved to learn more about the heroine, Evelyn. About her time before Downtime, and also her time with the Spacers. More character development are welcomed for Evelyn and Stan. I would also have loved to read more about Spacers and the societies in space.
For Science Fiction lovers, there are some interesting concepts to wrap you head around.
I give this book 5/5 for the interesting storyline and keeping me hooked until the last page. I want to read more!

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Car key gnomes? Yes, exactly - Book review

Car key gnomes and other household pests - Miciah Dodge (print screen)

"A book of charming, silly poems of mischievous household faeries; paired with the enchanting, vibrant artwork they deserve!"

 

We now have names for those mysterious things that happens in a home, especially when kids are around. 

Car key gnomes and other household pests. When you see the cover of a book, and start flipping through it, and each page is a treasure... That's what this book is! I WANT IT as a coffee table exhibit, and I know any child (of any age), would love to browse through it. Miciah Dodge, the author, who is the dad of the boys who gave him the idea, sent me a pdf copy of the book.

Each page consists of an hilarious poem of the mysterious reasons why something disappears, mishaps or mess in the house. These "pests" have the most insightful names: Car-key Gnomes, Sock Goblins, the Forgetting Fairy, the Stink Boggle, Brownie, Messy-room Sprites, Shoe Leprechaun, Knotty Pixies, Eraser Elf...  They have the ability to become household names in homes across the world, because we all deal with these "fairies". 

The art work by Danie Plott is stunning. Three-dimensional clay figurines are placed in real-life household settings. They are the stars who make the poems come to life. I don't want to share more of the beautiful art work, as it deserves to have the book in hand. Check out the website for the art: Car key Gnomes Book.

I love everything about the book, except the font being used. It makes it a bit difficult to read. Maybe it will be different with the hard copy in hand?  

I still give it 5/5. It is beautiful, and funny, and an art work to keep!

I have joined to be notified when the Kickstarter project Car key gnomes and other household pests starts. Please do the same. This book needs to get out in the world!

Thanks, Miciah Dodge, for a copy of the book! I hope we see it soon. 

Instax SQUARE SQ1 - review

Instax Square SQ1

FUJIFILM South Africa launched the Instax SQUARE SQ1 instant camera in October 2020, which is a welcome addition for fans of instant square film. FUJIFILM designed the SQ1 to make photography as user-friendly as possible, with new Automatic Exposure and One-Touch Selfie Mode features.

We got a Terracotta Orange Instax SQ1 instant camera to review for two weeks. We kept it a bit longer to cover Valentine's weekend, as it seemed like the perfect companion for our special Instax Valentine's plans. The instant memories added an extra special touch to special times. 

Special Valentine's Day with Instax Square SQ1

See what features we like, and why we think it is the perfect accessory for a selfie creative...

KOO diced beetroot with new flavours - Taste review

 

 KOO Diced Beetroot: 
Mrs H. S Balls Chutney Sauce and Spicy Chutney Flavoured Sauce

                    Flavour has arrived!

KOO beetroot is a firm staple in most South African households. Ours as well, of course! 😜We know we can trust it for adding that extra bit of deliciousness to any plate. It is easy to dish up, tasty and always welcome. We have it on hand during the week when we are rushed, but also over the weekend for the braai or get-togethers. The new KOO Diced Beetroot with new flavours, Mrs H. S Balls Chutney Sauce and Spicy Chutney Flavoured Sauce are just what this festive season needs! We received a blog drop with these two new flavours, and we gave it top marks for the new taste sensations. 

See our taste review below.

Gift: KOO Diced Beetroot in Le Creuset bowl with spatula

“

We are incredibly excited to be adding the new KOO Diced Beetroot in Mrs H.S Balls Chutney and Spicy Chutney flavours. Innovation is one of the key attributes of the KOO brand and over the years, we have been able to deliver on the needs of our loyal customers, by switching things up and adding some excitement and flavour infusions to the plate and this latest product is on different,” said KOO Marketing Manager, Neo Dikamotse.

Nunuki SPF and bug cream - review

Nunuki Suncream and Bug cream gift pack

We have been using Nunuki Suncream SPF 30 and Bug Cream for a couple of weeks, after we received a blog drop. We are already very impressed with the product. Nunuki is being branded as "Baby products for Little Humans", but the entire family has been using it. Miss Fine really loves the easy-to-use silky soft cream, which does not irritate her eczema prone skin. She also has been using the bug cream every night, because she does not have the protection of a mosquito net anymore. It does keeps the mozzies away!   

These are our reasons for loving it, and why we will be buying it again. (See the review below.)

Nunuki sunscream and bug cream

The Fujifilm instax mini 11 is better - Review

 

Fujifilm Instax mini 11 (cc Fujifilm)

Fujifilm Instax mini 11, better than it's predecessors in the Instax mini series of products. Why do I say that? A blush pink Instax mini 11 was made available to us to review. See our reasons below.

Fujifilm Instax mini 11

We are total fans of the Fujifilm Instax series of products. Ever since we got the Instax mini 9 as gift a few years ago, we have been besotted with the instant gratification of a photo print in the hand. There's also nothing better than gifting an instant photo on the spot. Whoever needed an id photo for school or sports? Instantly sorted with an Instax option. 

Cutest cloud surprises with Cloudees

Cloudees

An awesome collectable surprise with a weather-based theme. What's not to like? Kids get a magical cloud container, with a surprise Mattel Cloudees pet inside. There are 14 large Cloudees and 14 accompanying Cloudees Mini pets to collect. They are super cute!

We give our rating below why we love this collectables so much. (We maybe love small desk buddies more than we should, but look at them!)

Check out the Miss Fine Insta IGTV's first.

The INSTAX Mini Link smartphone printer is all you need - review

INSTAX Mini Link 

Ever since we got the INSTAX Mini 9 as a gift at a Fujifilm INSTAX launch a few years back, we have been doting on the INSTAX range for that instant photo gratification. We got the INSTAX Mini Link smartphone printer to test, and we now believe that it is all gadget you need! The 200g INSTAX Mini Link compact palm-top printer comes with unique functions to make this printer a must-have for any event, function or party.

The INSTAX Mini Link app is a free app on the iStore and Google Play store which downloads super fast and easy to create high-quality INSTAX instant prints via bluetooth from a smartphone camera roll. The set-up is quick, and very user-friendly.

INSTAX Mini Link printer 

The following features of the INSTAX Mini Link are worth mentioning:

Desire of Whimsy - Book review

Screen print: BookTasters on Twitter - "Desire of Whimsy"

We need escapist fiction during this pandemic time. Desire of Whimsy, by Charletta Barksdale, is a great read to do just that.

Thank you, to BookTasters, and the author, for giving me this opportunity

Desire of Whimsy by Charletta Barksdale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via BookTasters and the author, Charletta Barksdale. This in exchange for an honest review, which I am gladly doing.

I enjoyed this book from the moment I started reading it. In this pandemic global crisis time, this is a great escape from reality. The premise of being in charge of your dreams, and your dreams being impacted from an outside source, is an interesting concept. The main characters, Serenity and Trance, are so likable and feel like intimate friends. We get to share their thoughts, while trying to decipher their puzzling existence. I don't want to give away too much about the outcomes, and the unfolding of the relationship paradigms, because then it wont be such a treat to read...

This is a short read, and my only negative is that I would have wanted the book to be longer and explore the lives of the characters even more. The surrounding reality/world could have been explored in more detail.

Charletta Barksdale promises that there is a follow-up on the way, and I can't wait to immerse myself in this fictitious reality again.

Thank you, for giving me this opportunity!

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Mona Lisa on the Moon, Thirty-two Thousand years in the making - Vol 1 Review

I had the perfect book to get me through the first 21 days of lock-down. We are now in the extended final two weeks. Thank you, Booktasters, and George B, for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.


Volume 1, Mona Lisa on the Moon, Thirty-Two Thousand Years in the Making by George B
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you, Booktasters, and George B, for a free copy of this book. It was especially great to read during this time of lock-down during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is my review in exchange: I love a good science fiction novel. I love this one, especially! It has all the allure of what I enjoy about a futuristic novel. Volume 1, Mona Lisa on the Moon, Thirty-Two Thousand Years in the Making, is the first in a series. I hope the next one is coming soon, because it ended in a cliff-hanger.

I totally agree with the premise that the earth has had many high civilisations (and many life cycles), which were wiped out, and started again. Higher evolved beings, with much longer earth lives, living and working with artificial intelligence in harmony. Exploring space, and terra-forming and populating other celestial bodies. With all the challenges (and other life forms) that comes with it! This novel is set in a time frame thirty two thousand years ago. Mind-boggling, but totally believable. (Looking forward to the movie/series edition).

The heroine and main characters are mostly too good to be true, but it did not bother me at all. It was great reading a story where, although the suspense is high, we can expect the outcome to be in their favour. (Mostly...). The plot do not get bogged down with elaborate descriptions, but enough to sustain a good story. Saving earth, saving humans on other planets, as well as saving other life forms in the universe... It's all part of their daily existence.

Maybe it's because we are living in strange times, locked in our homes, that I enjoyed this escapist science fiction even more. I recommend this to all who dream of better futures, where we are in charge of our own destiny! One day we will be where Mona Lisa is! Thank you, George B, for making us dream.


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We love Arctic Justice - WIN tickets

Arctic Justice in cinemas from 24 January 2020

Going to a cinema to see your favourite movie is still a great outing! Especially for the family. We saw Arctic Justice (see also Arctic Dogs or Polar Squad in other parts of the world) at Cedar Square yesterday morning. It is a sweet movie, with a number of life lessons thrown in the mix. The director is Aaron Woodley, with a great cast including Jeremy Renner, Heidi Klum, James Franco and John Cleese.

We have two tickets up for grabs for a reader of this blog. See below.

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Arctic ice - such a cool awesome movie with great lessons: “Be true to yourself!” #ArcticIce #hosted Swifty and his ragtag group of friends must band together to fight an epic battle. It’s only when Swifty embraces his natural abilities that he is able to save Taigasville—and the Arctic—from utter destruction. #MoviesToSee #MoviesForThrWholeFamily #ThingsToDoWithTheFamy #SterKinekor #EmpireEntertainment

A post shared by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on Jan 26, 2020 at 2:51am PST

Spies in Disguise movie - Delightful - REVIEW

Spies in Disguise poster 

This family loves animation. Luckily! Because the parents enjoy it just as much as the kids! We were invited to a kids' media screening in December of Spies in Disguise. It launched on Christmas Day, but it is still running in the cinemas. It is such a cool movie, and great for the whole family!

So looking forward to this! 👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻Spies in Disguise!@EmpireEntAfrica #SpiesInDisguise#KidsPreview#Hosted pic.twitter.com/JLkdkBamWE

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) December 13, 2019

SPIES IN DISGUISE is a comedy adventure with the world’s greatest super slick secret agent, Lance Sterling (Will Smith) and awkward tech genius Walter (Tom Holland). They are the most unlikely duo who are forced to team up for the ultimate mission. A "lucky"(unlucky) mishap leads to  an almost impossible disguise – transforming Lance into the brave, fierce, majestic… pigeon.

L.O.L. Surprise Sparkle Doll - Review

Boss Queen - L.O.L. Surprise Sparkle Series 3

This is the season of festivities, and of a much anticipated birthday in our house. The L.O.L. Surprises are perfect for this time of the year. Not only is the excitement high when unwrapping them, but it can also be hanged as part of the festive decorations. How awesome!

The L.O.L. Surprise Sparkle Series doll comes with unwrapping 7 surprises.  Series 3 dolls are dressed with sparkle glitter finishes from head to toe! Each ball can be used as a character stand or as a ball hanging on the tree or in a room.

Feed or bathe your L.O.L. Surprise Series doll to discover if she cries, spits, tinkles, or changes colour! There are 12 dolls to collect. Retail selling price: R430.00

Health Wealth for you, Dr Josh Luke - Review through Booktasters

Print screen: "Booktasters: Health-Wealth for You"

Another gem from Booktasters: Health-Wealth for You: 11 steps to save big & Live Healthy, by Dr. Josh Luke. This is a book that every family needs to take responsibility for their own health, not only in America. Our wealth is our health, and we can implement better steps for our own future health! I will definitely use this book as manual for negotiating our future journey.

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.)