Spirited Mama

Living a SPIRITED life filled with wanderlust, emotions and everything in between

Tag: shopping

Mama Magic Baby and Parenting Winter Expo + Win

By

On May 14, 2018

In Competitions, MamaMagic

It’s that time again for South Africa’s biggest Baby and Parenting Expo, the Mama Magic Winter Expo, 17 – 20 May 2018 @ The Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg. This expo is aimed at new and current parents, there is something for everyone. What I enjoy most about this expo is that there are experts readily available to advise you on products and if you have other children who love Barney, well there’s a live show to keep them entertained too. There are always new and innovative products so you get to see them first hand and if you wish to, buy them at show prices! Below an excerpt from the organisers:

As South Africa’s biggest and best baby and parenting expo, MamaMagic™, The Baby Expo has all you could need, want and more from 0 – 5 years old, all under one roof. With the very latest products and services, expert seminars, amazing show specials, exciting competitions, live entertainment and so much more, it is no wonder year on year we come out tops. Join in the magic and let us help you make your pregnancy and parenting journey just a little easier.

If you are expecting your first child, you WILL most definitely find essentials and must have items, well you know how we all have those “I need this” for the baby but you not quite sure how or when you will use it. I think the biggest draw card for the expo is the “A  Baby on Board Pregnancy starter pack competition worth over 100K!” 

If you are a parent, you will most definitely benefit from some really great show specials. I always stock up on the nappies 🙂

I have two double tickets for Friday or Saturday PLUS a Barney Meet and Greet!

Want to WIN some tickets? Here’s how:

To ENTER:

  1. Subscribe to my blog
  2. Comment on this blog post with either Friday or Saturday, so I know which day you will attend
  3. Like my Facebook page, click here
  4. Like MamaMagic on Facebook, click here

Earn additional entries:

  1. Follow me on Twitter @spirited_mama1 and tweet about this giveaway, tag a friend and remember to use the hashtags #spiritedmama  and #MamaMagicSA
  2. Follow me on Instagram, @spiritedmamablog, and tag a friend who would like to go to the expo, remember to use the hashtags #spiritedmama  and #MamaMagicSA
  3. Share the post on Facebook and tag a friend who would like to go to the expo, remember to use the hashtags #spiritedmama  and #MamaMagicSA

T’s & C’s

**Competition closes Wednesday 16 May 2018 at 12:00 midday .
Open to South African residents only.
Winner will be randomly selected. 
No correspondence will be entered into once a winner is selected.
Winner will be announced on my social media accounts and notified via email.
I reserve the right to disqualify invalid entries.
**

Ready! Set! Go!

Spirited Mama

Uncommon goods you never knew you needed…

By

On September 6, 2017

In Birthdays, Gifts, Shopping

***Sponsored***

Are you looking for uncommon goods?

Did you know Christmas is only 110 days away?

There are only 16 Mondays left for 2017.

Last year, granted I was pregnant and in and out of the hospital. I was not prepared for Christmas at all. I dragged my pregnant self through Menlyn Mall right up to 24 December to get the last gifts…

Well, this year I’m working smarter. I am doing most of my shopping online. And I’m getting a head start. I like buying 2/3 gifts per person in my household. If you are lucky enough to make it to my gift list, I’m very selective 😂, you will get 1 gift. Gifts are expensive yoh. And right now I think it would be wiser to invest in buying diapers😳 rather.

This is where Uncommongoods come and make your gift buying easier and simpler. You will find LOADS of goods from generic to personalized gifts, suited for any occasion. Right now, I’m focusing on these three categories:

Check out some Birthday Gifts for Her

Of course, I would be trawling this page as my birthday is only 42 days away and I need to get my wish list ready… There is SO much to choose from but I think these are my favourites right now:

Sign of the Zodiac necklace

Trinity Wooden cuff

Links of Love necklace

Find Cool Gadgets here

I can.not get enough of this link…Thinking of getting that Bioluminescent Dino Pet for Dudie’s big boy room makeover…This makeover is LONGGGGG overdue.

Left Brain Right Brain Bookends

F bomb paperweight

 

Bioluminescent Dino Pet

LED Lightbulb

Some Personalized Gifts to suit any person

Birth announcement pillows

 

Momma Bird Cuff

 

 

 

 

 

Mother nestling birds

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT UNCOMMONGOODS.COM

Our Uncommon Mission

At UncommonGoods, we’re working to change the way business is done by making sustainability a part of every decision we make. We’re steadily working to make UncommonGoods more environmentally friendly, socially responsible and an ever-more rewarding place to work.

Handmade, Recycled and Organic Products

We’re committed to offering you a creative and exciting merchandise assortment and are working with our suppliers – from artists to small manufacturers – to make their products in a more socially and environmentally responsible manner. Since our founding, we’ve featured products that contain recycled components and have not sold products containing leather, feathers or fur – we’re committed to selling products that do no harm to people or animals.

We make it easy to shop from South Africa with:
  • All prices in South African Rand
  • Duties and taxes calculated at checkout
  • Low international shipping rates
  • Guaranteed landed costs (no additional charges at delivery)

If you do nothing else today go visit uncommongoods.com I bet you WILL find something you like 🙂 One other thing, they actually give you the story behind the product. Once you view an item, you will find a blurb about the author/creator on the right-hand side. Giving credit where it is due…

Happy shopping! I can’t believe I’m counting down the days until Christmas already!

Spirited Mama

Disclaimer

This is a sponsored post. The words and opinions expressed are my own except the part “About Uncommongoods” 🙂

Put your best “leg” forward with Adriansa

By

On December 5, 2016

In Pregnancy, Reviews, Shopping

*sponsored*

A little while ago, I received some products to review. I don’t know about you but it has become more and more apparent and important for me to trust fellow human interactors to review products. I am NOT just going to splurge my hard earned cash on something just because…well ok we all have certain things that we buy just because. BUT there is definitely an increase in consumers needing trustworthy opinions and reviews.

I received a package from Adriansa

adriansa

AdrianSA

“Adrian South Africa was born out of the need to provide Women In South Africa and Africa with stylish leggings and stockings. The Factory Adrian Fabryka Rajstopy was established in 1984 in Poland. Currently the second largest manufacturer of high quality ladies hosiery in Poland and supplying global multinational brands Adrian has become a truly global brand. Created, Designed and Owned by Women. Adrian is the only women owned establishment manufacturing and employing mostly women in its manufacturing plants throughout the world. Our monthly production of tights, socks, leggings and hold ups exceeds 1 million pairs in all the latest fashionable patterns,colours and trends. Our Award winning products can be bought all over the world and now right here in South Africa. Adrian South Africa is a partnership between Adrian Fabryka Rajstopy Poland and Adrian South Africa ‘s CEO Mrs Nasrin Ebrahim Ismail in empowering South African Women.”

Adriansa has already featured in GLAMOUR guides, you can read the article here.

AdrianSA, not your average stockings

Now let me point out that this is not your conventional blackmail or bare beige stockings as we know it. This is fashionable and sexy indeed. These days pregnant women can be fashionable. The maternity leggings are really comfy and soft to the touch. What I love most is the “mamma pouch” as I call it. It supports my ever growing belly and it fits comfortably over my belly.

The Tania stockings (they all have individual names) – besides a fashionable pattern, has a reinforced crotch which is a bonus as I generally tug and pull on my stockings to get it to fit just right. A very interesting fact is that it is marked left and right, in the crotch to ensure you know which leg goes where. (Somehow this has always bothered me cos I never knew the front from the back or if I was wearing my stockings the right way around.)

CupofSox

Have you heard of the world famous CupofSox. Generally, I don’t buy such longs socks as I am currently 30 weeks pregnant and most socks just feel like it’s choking my legs. However, CupofSox are light weight, breathable and very comfortable around my legs. Guys these socks actually have a refreshing scent. The secret to keeping that scent is to store your socks in its cup after you have washed them. Did you see the pretty birds on them? Also, I think it constitutes a cool gift-so much better than your average pair of socks.

I also received the kit ray- it’s a bottle sock, which essentially is a bottle warmer. Now I am most excited to try this one out for the resident alien, but it seems Dudie has decided he will just help himself to this one. He uses it to keep his drinks warm😁

Also included was the Shapewear with anti-cellulite effect. If I wasn’t #30weekspregnant I would be wearing it right now…but I will most definitely be trying this once the baby is born. Who would want to try this Shapewear?

Adriansa has a fully functional online store, you can shop here. Did I mention that this product is endorsed by European standards… You will find the leggings, stockings, maternity wear, Shapewear as well as CupofSox but you will also find they are introducing some new products like Handel Street-the uber leather duffel bags.

It’s not all about women either. They have a mens range too – Meggings for men. Go on have a look, www.adriansa.co.za perhaps you could be your own “secret santa”….

Happy shopping.

Spirited Mama

Pregnancy anatomy….

By

On October 18, 2016

In broke piggy bank, Finances, New baby, Shopping

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Even with Dudie I never bought maternity clothes. JUST couldn’t find “non-drab” maternity wear. I opted for maternity jeans and just ended up buying “non-maternity” clothing that I liked in a bigger size… thankfully I didn’t get too big. Crossing my fingers I can stay within limits of pregnancy weight gain….

BUT let me just say that Maternity wear has come a long way….And how easy to do online shopping…

Now as much as I love online shopping – I also feel the need to actually fit the clothes before I purchase them.

Some favourites are:

Cherry Melon

MeAmama

Yummy Mummy Maternity

Apart from the fact that my bank balance is trying to stab me with a dagger because I need to curb my spending – I need a new wardrobe all whilst Preparing for baby.

Sigh…My piggy is broke.

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Maybe I should just come to work in my robe and who knows if I jazz it up with pretty accessories maybe no one will notice. Could start a new trend.

Spirited Mama

ONLY 1 more sleep until my BIRTHDAY!

Any takers…..

By

On October 3, 2012

In Girly things, Grooming, Shopping

I need a bank account makeover. Like seriously! If I want to get my hands onto a few beauties, I need a volunteer to contribute to my bank account….. I’ve been oohing and ahhing over these but I can’t decide what takes preference right now. I really can’t justify spending a small fortune when I could and really should be making some wise better financial decisions….

But really how gorgeous are these:

Tip: You can find them over at ZANDO

 

 

bronx-women-5411-30103-sprite

bronx-women-6268-49003-sprite

 

 

 

bronx-women-7510-60432-sprite

beira-rio-0787-70882-sprite

 

 

bronx-4182-19134-sprite

P.S. Are there any tech savvy people out there who can assist with ads and wordpress compatability? I am just NOT that person. And it’s nerve wrecking….

Fruit is NOT his favourite

By

On June 25, 2012

In Food & drinks, Parenting

Fruit is not high on his list

FF = Fruit Fail!!!! (I’m coming up with new terminology daily)

I *heart* fruit and whilst I was preggars, I ate so much fruit until someone warned me about pregnancy related diabetes…  But I still *heart* fruit. Even now I’m munching on an apple. And I have a banana lined up for later.

I have a 2yr old who wants to die when I offer him fruit. I know for a fact that he eats it at school, so I’m not too stressed that he doesn’t eat it at home. But I’ve come across Fruit Pack. A fruit pureé that is package like a juice…… (I’m starting to smile). Just maybe I can pull this off and add to my “mommy bag of tricks”.

Fruit on the go

Fruit pack – fruit on the go

On Saturday, we skipped off to our Baby City for the usual:

Nappies (thanks to the Pampers bale packs), wetwipes, bubblewash and Fruit Pack.  I decided to get the apple and pear. I think you need to come up with a variety pack so that Dudie can experiment with all the flavours. Well, I showed it to the Dudie. His face lights up and he takes his first gulp. I hold my breath as I can see him swirling that pureé in his mouth and it looks like he’s about to spit it out. But alas, he swallows and say, mmmmmm.

Success! I have now decided that I will be doing fruit packs in his treat box. And this is what today looked like:

P.S. If anyone working for Fruit Pack reads this, please do a variety pack too.

P.P.S Dudie gets all meals and snacks at school but I still pack a treat box everyday. And I love the fact that he looks forward to his treats.

P.P.P.S When will this child just stop using nappies already? He says when he wants to use the loo and then happily comments “see nothing in nappy”. WTF?

Spirited Mama

Jacobs Coffee……. What’s your forte?

By

On May 10, 2012

In Food & drinks, Habits, Time out

Coffee and me

I used to be addicted to coffee. In my youthful stage, I lived on coffee, coca cola, chocolate and cigarettes…

<I don’t do decaf – its like smoking a light cigarette because it’s healthier… Really! That’s a fucked up analogy in my book>

Then I kinda became an adult and thought ok, now I need to watch what I eat ‘cos my metabolism is no longer working on its own. I need to get that Bitch to work again with minimal effort from my side. So I cut down on coffee. I love the rest way way way too much. So I cut down from 12 cups to 4. And then 2. And then at some stage none.

I gave up sugar 3 yrs ago, so no sugar in my tea/coffee. My reasoning was that I eat chocolate almost daily so I really don’t need the extra sugar. I really don’t miss the sugar at all.

<I don’t even give Dudie sugar. He gets black sugarless rooibos or sugarless milo or sugarless cereal. My Dude, of course dies a small death ‘cos he feels that the child needs that sugar but I justify it with the fruit juices and chocolate that he ingests. This boy loves chocolate almost as much as I do.>

Why Jacob’s Coffee?

Now, coming back to coffee! I can’t stomach cheap coffee. And yes, I would donate an organ to buy the Jacobs coffee we so faithfully buy. When it looks as if we’re low,  half way through the jar, on coffee I have a mini anxiety attack and dash to shop to get some more. As you know, Murphy likes to fuck up my day and I’ve driven around way too often looking for Jacobs coffee. So when we got back from Cape Town, I realized that the coffee was finished! I had my anxiety attack and then had two choices…

  1. Have some Ricoffy – Dude’s employer gave them a moerse tin and a 2kg sugar – fuck knows why.
  2. Have the last sachet of Nescafé that I took  at the Conference venue when my office went on a Strategic Planning Session.

I chose option 2!!!! Before Dude could! And when Dude asked: “Where’s the Coffee?” I answered: “There’s some refreshing Ricoffy in the cupboard”. He gave me the evil eye as he explained that he wanted needed Jacobs…

<I just had a light bulb moment – I will contact the good people at Jacobs and just open an account. That way they can debit my bank account and I always have coffee. Wonder if I can arrange terms???>

So what’s your favourite coffee?

Spirited Mama

P.S. Remind me to tell you about the fraudulent activity that has taken place on my Credit Card. Sigh, I need to wait a day or two for a replacement card. Do these peeps not know how many awesome deals I’m missing out on Groupon. My Dude refuses to borrow me his card!

New Consumer Watchdog on the prowl

By

On April 16, 2012

In Consumer products, Shopping, Women

 Self proclaimed consumer watchdog and RIP Isabel Jones

I’m officially dubbing myself as the new consumer watchdog via my blog. I’ve wondered way too many times why I buy certain things. Maybe it’s because the ad was great/enticing/cunning/just a great ad/ whatever it may be I fell for it. Then I get to try *insert relevant product here* and voila it doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. Or it doesn’t do what it’s supposed to. Many of you might be familiar with Isabel Jones and I must add that I was taken aback when I heard of her passing, RIP Isabel Jones. I thought “Who would tell me about “What not to buy” or “What is just a load of crap” etc. Somewhere< I actually thought that “I” could be a consumer watchdog. I don’t want to have a TV show, ok maybe later but just a few cameo appearances nothing major. > But I could definitely give you a couple of reviews that would shock the nation.

I hardly drink alcohol. I gave up smoking. But I do love shopping! I do love shopping! <for the record I don’t think shopping is a girls thing. My Dude gets more excited about a sale than me. I am not kidding.>

Shopping is my vice. Online/in person/ though an agent, doesn’t matter. <My friends think that I’m a groupon junkie – for the record I love groupon.>

Epic fail with some consumer products

1. Vacuum bags  – this worked maybe for a week and then it popped in my cupboard, spilling items. You know the ones I’ talking about? The storage bags where you can store crap, use a vacuum to suck out the air and flattened it. Basically it gives you much needed space in your cupboards.

2. Manicure set – Woe is me – when I tried this battery operated thingy I thought that I was about to grind off my hand never mind my nail. I hardly have time to do nails so this was a way of getting an express mani. This thing is a serious hazard. I’m going to donate it to Dude – he can use it in the garage. Think of it as a mini grinder.

3. Potato peeler – that supposedly makes those yummy spirally potato stick things. I must admit I’ve never tried it because I don’t know how to assemble it and every time I try to assemble it the thing falls apart. We bought this product a good couple of years ago.

4. Russell Hobs Take two coffee maker – I loved the idea because it was coffee on the go. BUT I drink hot coffee. By the time you’re done brewing the coffee is not even warm it’s luke warm. Epic fail Russell Hobbs.

5. Pineware frying pan – Yesterday I bought a frying pan at PnP hyper. It was on special and I’ve been wanting to buy a smaller one as we have a big one but I want or rather need a smaller one. I assemble the knob to the lid and 1, 2, 3 it breaks. The knob. Now I have a frying pan lid with a screw attached but no knob. I have to go and exchange it today. Can I bill PnP for my fuel? It’s costing me an extra trip and no one is covering my fuel. So what I saved on the purchase price I’m spending on fuel.

Spirited Mama

You just can’t win. That’s enough ranting for one day. Just a quick question – Has anyone registered for E-tolling? It seems that no one is taking this seriously. But how can we when the fuel is higher, the food is more expensive and the electricity as well as the rates and taxes. I don’t think that I’m going to get a e-tag. Sorry Sanral. Government – you need to give back the Pension money…

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