Candepop

We are two mums and two toddlers, Cal and Edie, (two dads and new baby Elliott as well) living in Ireland, with a whole world of fun things to see and do.

 

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I discovered a copy of Dr. Seuss’ Gerald McBoing Boing in our local bookshop and had serious flashbacks to the animated original. Between the colourful illustration and the fast, engaging rhyme kiddo is loving it as a bedtime story book so for the moment I think I’ll save the movie version above for me.

Guest post from newbie mum - Things I can’t live without

When the founder members of Candepop invited me to write a guest article about my top 5 newborn essentials, I immediately started thinking about my favorite buggys, changing stations, changing bags. Then I thought, there are a million sites where you can read about the best of the above products, what are the things I can’t live without with a new baby?

                        

So here they are:

1. White noise app

This is a complete godsend. Take one cranky overtired baby and introduce her to the white noise app on the iPhone and within a couple of minutes calm descends. Baby favours the “dishwasher sound” (we don’t have a real one), and mum likes “heavy rain pouring” but any one of the myriad of noises works a treat.

2. Baby Nose Clear

A bit of a “blergh!” product when you describe it to friends, but when your little one has a blocked up nose and this affects sleeping and eating, Baby Nose Clear is the product to use.

3. My ikea mobile

Invariably when I put baby down on the changing table she begins to scream, until she catches sight of her ikea leka mobile. Like all ikea products its not going to break the bank, and is a great design. I like to make up stories about Mr Bee, Mr Spider, Mrs Butterfly and Mrs Dragonfly. Baby seems to enjoy my ramblings.

4. Online grocery shopping

Sign up now if you are expecting! This was a complete savior as I had an emergency C-Section and a husband who doesn’t drive. Even now that I am back behind the wheel I still order my groceries online.

5. My favorite nursing bra and nursing top

I bought a lot of nursing bras from a lot of different places but my absolute favorite were the Carriwell Seamless nursing bra which I bought from the MammaMia website. They are extremely comfortable and fit very well. In terms of nursing tops I really loved the Bell Sleeve nursing top from ChooChoo London which was so pretty it may well be worn long after baby is weaned!

6. Great Friends

Whether they come out to keep you company with treats, or help you out with baby clothes and equipment, friends are a font of knowledge. I know that I can text the Candepop ladies with questions from anything from feeding to the colour of baby poop! Your friends are only too happy to help out so gather them around when the newborn arrives.

Whip Up - Action Pack Issue 4

The new issue of Action Pack is out now with plenty of Summer outdoors activities. This Great Outdoors issue contains 60 pages of activities including car trip games, campfire recipes, how to make a fish trap and many more. Buy and download a copy here.

Action Pack 

Naturally Cool Kids - natural skincare for kids

In an attempt to find an alternative to the horribly greasy or cement like sun cream for kids I was pointed in the direction of Naturally Cook Kids and their natural skincare range for kids containing no nasty chemicals. I received their factor 25 suncream and hair and body wash yesterday and love them! The suncream has yet to be tested with actual sun (go away rain!) but it’s non greasy and smells beautiful and I shall be using it along with kiddo. The hair and body wash smells of gorgeous lavender and mandarin, and has left Cal’s hair shinier than ever. Ok, these are in no way scientific tests but as a consumer, I’m definitely happy with them. Next purchase is definitely going to include their really clever Lip and Cheek Protector and healing balm for use on the go. View and buy the full range here. 

Plum - Clothes they’ll never outgrow

Describing themselves as Netflix for baby clothes, Plum are a subscription service for renting baby clothes. With a starting price of $16 per month, you receive a parcel by post of matched outfits, in the right sizes, of brands you like for use for up to 3 months. With a choices from Egg Baby, Petit Bateau and more this may be the new way to get those cute outfits that you want for baby without feeling wasteful when they only fit them correctly for a week. Find out more here. (via PSFK)

L’Affiche Moderne - Kids collection prints

Ok you may have seen these everywhere (most recently on Boz Around and Bambino Goodies) but it’s with good reason. In case you have missed them L’Affiche Moderne sell affordable prints, canvas and Dibond mounted illustrations and, my favourite, maps and educational images. I’m just sharing them here as I don’t think I’m allowed buy any more prints. These are my two favourites so I look forward to maybe seeing them on your walls… View the full range here. (Oh, and make sure you try out their In Situ section where you can choose from room types to view your picture in)

Mama Feels Good - Maternity & Breastfeeding Tees

It’s breastfeeding week and I wish I had known about the Mama Feels Good range when I was breastfeeding. Having been a very t-shirt and jeans kind of person all of a sudden I was compelled to wear quite girly traditional “tops” which I never felt fully comfortable in. Mama Feels Good stock short sleeved and long sleeved tees in styles which won’t make you feel like your own mother. View the full collection of breastfeeding and maternity tees and more traditional tops here.

Father’s Day Guest Post from Cal’s Dad - Things my 18-month old son has taught me as a Dad

                      

This Fathers’ Day, I thought I would share some life lessons my son has taught me…


1. The toilet is not just for sitting on for an hour with the newspaper

Why waste time sitting in the downstairs loo, in peace and quiet, with a newspaper? Instead you can constantly flush the toilet and see if any of the following items will go down: rolls of toilet paper, shampoo bottles, deodorant sticks, boxes, stuff I retrieve from the bin, phones, toys and money. Brilliant fun for at least 40 minutes.


2. Email and ‘computing’ in general is boring and a total waste of time

This tapping away on a computer thing is boring. It’s best ended with a lightning fast but silent approach to Daddy and his machine, followed by rapid pounding on the keyboard, resulting in immediate send, close and machine shut-down. Job done.


3. The late morning siesta makes up for that sleep lost overnight

“Daddy, why are you so tired? If you can’t make up for that sleep lost because I wanted a reading of “The Gruffalo’s Child” at 5:45 this morning, that’s your problem. If you want me between the hours of 11 and 1, I’ll be in my room having a princely snooze. What’s that? You’ll be at work, trying to think straight? Sort your life out.”


4. Rereading the same book over and over is required to fully understand the text

When we finish the book, we may begin the book again. There are subtexts to be unearthed and further interpretations to be explored. Sometimes we’ll also need to jump ahead (or back) a few pages too. To link up themes and stuff.


5. In the following order, vehicles are amazing and magic

This order is: cars, trucks, buses and then - most incredible of all - lads on bicycles. Why aren’t you exclted? Look at that technology man! It’s basically magic!


6. The packaging is more fun than the thing itself

The box is often more fun than the thing which came inside it. Just sayin’. Most things are just that thing. But a box… a box can be anything Daddy. The best lesson of the lot.

Where’s Wally World Record

If you’re in Dublin city centre this evening you may find it easier than usual to point out where Wally is. As part of the Street Performance World Championship there is a record breaking attempt for the most people dressed as Wally in one place. It’s hoped that 6 to 12 thousand people dressed as Wally will take part and all this will be immortalized in a hi-def, facebook taggable photo taken by Con O’Donoghue, of Con Photography. For details of the event this evening see the guide here and for full information on the SPWC weekend, the Wally record breaking and the release of the hi-def photo next week see their official site here.

Tara’s Palace - Museum of Childhood

Powerscourt House and Gardens are an easy option outing on a sunny day as a treat for parents and kids. Plenty of walks (the Japanese Garden’s and Pet Cemetery being a favourite for most kids) and excellent food and treat shopping from Avoca. However an added bonus now is the move of Tara’s Palace, Museum of Childhood into two of the rooms upstairs in the main building. The entry price seems a little steep at first but the detail in the dolls palace twenty two rooms could keep you looking for quite some time and each entry fee includes a donation to a number of children’s charities including Temple Street hospital which many of us will visit before our children make it out of nappies. Find out more about opening times and the toys displayed from 18th century onwards here.

Museum of childhood dollsRocking horse Museum of Childhood

Sad bunny Museum of ChildhoodTwin pram dolls Museum of Childhood

Horse made of horse Museum of ChildhoodCamel and pram Museum of Childhood

1940s WheelybugMetal horse Museum of Childhood

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