Fab (bloke approved) Father's Day gifts

OK, I realise your kids will probably be making a card for their dads this Father’s Day (June 20), and quite right too. But if you would like to treat him to something else, too (either from them or yourself), here are some suggestions – they’ve all been road tested on Man of the House, so they’re 100% male approved.


Clinique Happy for Men Groom Happy Set. I love the smell of this cologne and after shave balm – light wood notes spiked with citrus, very manly. (£33, available from John Lewis)

 

 

A gorgeous photo book from PhotoBox (from £19.99) – you (or your children) choose the pictures and the captions to make a really personal and lovely gift, simples.



Some rather yummy (and very masculine) pampering products. The Father’s Day Collection from Elemis includes full size Ice Cool foaming shave gel, Deep Cleanse Facial Wash, Energising Skin Scrub and Daily Moisture Boost, all in a stylish black wash bag (£25, from timetospa).

 

 

A Thorntons chocolate football shirt, iced with a personal message (£4.49). Well, it IS the World Cup.


And a bottle of single malt whisky. Buy them a bottle of Talisker, The Singleton of Dufftown or Dalwhinnie (available from Oddbins) – and they'll get two VIP passes to a free malt whisky master class at 20 locations around the country.

 

*Don’t forget you get savings back for your kids from the above retailers and many more through KidStart. If you’re not a member, click here to join.

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Brilliant offers on baby products at Boots

We all know how expensive shopping for baby products can be – which is why I was so pleased to hear that Boots has some fantastic online offers right now. You can save up to 20% on selected nursery and safety products, car seats and highchairs, and there are fab deals on essentials including Huggies and Pampers Baby.

 

Plus KidStart members get an exclusive 10% off selected Baby products on orders over £50 before 30 June. For more info, click here.

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What do you think about the end of the Child Trust Fund?

Well we knew it was coming, and now it's been confirmed. The £250 Child Trust Fund voucher given to new parents is being phased out, and will be gone completely by next January.

 

It's a shame because I think what the CTF did for many families is to encourage them to save for their children, and at least encourage them to think about the future. Existing Child Trust Funds will continue to run.

But more worrying perhaps is the future of Child Tax Credits. According to the recent KidStart survey 44% of you believe families earning over 50k a year should continue to receive them. At the moment nothing has been said about what may happen to Child Tax Credits - but I think many of us will be watching nervously over the coming months.

*Don't forget you can deposit your KidStart savings into any UK bank or building society account.

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Do babies need the best of everything (except love)?

When we had No 1 Son we didn’t have much money, and while we bought everything new, our pram was a very ordinary one from Mothercare. I think it cost around £120, and it did the job until he was ready for a buggy.

Being honest, even if we’d had the money, it probably wouldn’t have occurred to us to spend £500 on a pram.

Some items – for example aTripp Trapp highchair or a Little Helper funpod – I can understand why you’d invest in.  They grow with your child and they’re design classics, the kinds of things you would definitely pass on.  And of course you should never use a second-hand car seat or cot mattress.

But is a very expensive pram really so much better than a cheaper one? Does a baby care whether they’re wearing a designer babygro? Isn’t the most important thing that your baby feels loved and secure?

I’d love to know what you think - and what items should new parents splurge on, and what items should they save on?

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Say kia ora to Pumpkin Patch - fab baby, kids and maternity wear from NZ

I’ve only recently discovered Pumpkin Patch and already I'm a huge fan. The company originated in Auckland, New Zealand and specialise in sensibly priced really cool baby, kids and maternity wear perfect for summer holidays. I'm not just saying it because Man of the House is a Kiwi - their stuff is gorgeous!

The boys’ collection includes the floral shirt (£14), button-up mock tee (reduced from £10 to £4.99), cargo shorts (£15), stripe tee (£13) and reversible caps (£6).

 

 

And the girls’ collection include this printed tiered floral dress (£20) and rose print chiffon dress (£13.99, reduced from £20).


Right now they’re offering 30% off clothes for ages 5-11. PLUS you get 5% back for your kids if you shop through KidStart – just click here for more info.

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Looking forward to the new SATC movie?

I can’t wait for the release of SATC2 (May 28). Not really because of the plot (I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end), but because of the clothes! Of course their designer gear is out of price reach for most of us – but you can still steal their style.

The good news is Debenhams, the movie’s official retail partner, has launched a gorgeous SATC-inspired collection.

The halterneck dress is Principles by Ben de Lisi (£65), the Grecian dress (£55) and strapless dress (£50) are Star by Julien Macdonald, and the printed dress is Butterfly by Matthew Williamson (£80).

And the Matthew Williamson tie-dye bikini is £18 for the top and £8 for the bottoms, the J by Jasper Conran green maxi dress is £40, the swimsuit is also £40, and the Red Herring maxi dress is £35.

 
 

     You could also smell like a Big Apple fashionista with DKNY’s fabulous Love from New York fragrance (£29.99, available from FragranceDirect)...

or Be Delicious (from £38, available from John Lewis and Boots).    
And if you want to know what Carrie and co get up to in the new movie, here's a taster. If you had to be one SATC character, which one would you be? I’d love to know.

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I HATE our bathroom!

Every time guests come over I find myself apologising for our bathroom because it's just awful. When we moved into this house the bathroom was on the list of Rooms To Be Done. Unfortunately, what with the credit crunch and everything, the bathroom went to the bottom of the list.

Hate is not a word I use very much, but I really, really hate our bathroom. It's not just that it's totally unmodernised, with a shower that doesn't work properly, no heating (so it's bitterly cold in winter), and cheap and nasty wall tiles everywhere. And lots of mould. (OK, I could probably do something about that).

But the worst thing is that the Sixties suite is beige. Beige. It never, ever looks clean.


So I've been looking at the bathrooms at Wickes. I like these two, right, the Hamilton and the Berkeley. And right now KidStart members get 15% off all orders over £500 before 15 May. I am seriously tempted. (If you're planning to buy a new bathroom, click here for more info).

*Which room in your home would you like to give a makeover?

 



 

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Time for some pampering treats, methinks

School starts again next week for us, and I don’t know about you but I’m definitely due some little Mum treats.

Here’s what’s on my list:


John Richmond’s new fragrance – it smells yummy, really fresh with notes of red grapefruit, pear, magnolia and sandalwood. And it also comes with a darling little bracelet (you can hang the lock on it). Gorgeous! (£34 for 30ml, available from Next)

 

 

I’m a HUGE fan of Elemis and I adore their Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt (£29, available from timetospa) – really nourishes the skin and the scent is incredible.


The Natio range of natural mineral bronzing products, available exclusively from Debenhams – the illuminating powder (£19) is perfect for giving your complexion a healthy looking glow.

 

 

And I’m going to treat my poor neglected nails to some TLC and polish – I love the Essential colours from M&S, particularly the Baby Blue and Neon Yellow (£2.50 each). Maybe not the first colour you’d think of but it works.

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Crazy about Cath Kidston

Oh I'm a HUGE fan of Cath Kidston  - particularly for new baby gifts and finishing touches for the home. And the good news is KidStart are currently offering 4% savings back for your kids (usually 3%) on purchases made before April 19. So another excuse (like I needed one) to peruse the CK site. Here are my best buys:


Red Spot Nappy Bag (£60) 

 

 

Train Teddy (£10) - perfect present for a baby shower 


Cherry milk jug (£5) and sugar bowl (£4) - from the new Cherry china pattern, LOVE this!

 

 

Reversable Vintage Car Hoody (£30) - this is just brilliant, would work well for boys or girls

Let me know your favourites!

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Put a spring in your step

The sun's shining, the birds are tweeting - and I'm happily perusing the Spring sales. And wooh-hooh! One of my absolutely favourite stores, Laura Ashley, has some brilliant bargains, including discounts on fabric, curtains, paint and furniture.


My Homes finds includes this Beau Laser Cut Butterflies Pendant (reduced from £45 to £22.50), Botanical Birds jug (reduced from £22 to £15.40) and lovely Laurel throw (down to £30 from £60).

 

 

There are some fabulous fashion offers too, including the Drape Neck pocket dress, Rose Print Shift Dress and Bloom Print Linen Mix Dress (all down to £68 from £85).


And right now, if you shop through KidStart, you get 5% back on most items. For more info click here.

Happy shopping!

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About LivingwithKids

Living with Kids is a family blog from KidStart where Liz Jarvis shares stories, thoughts and expert tips, and she also tells you about the best family holidays, days out, offers and products for you and your kids. More...

Introducing Liz

I'm a mum and freelance journalist who writes for some of the UK's top parenting magazines and websites. My family is my whole world - but they can drive me crazy, too! More...

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