12 uses for Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid

12 uses for Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid

Posted on by Rebecca

Sunlight Liquid dish soap is a staple in most households around Southern Africa, but do you really know ALL the ways you can use your dish soap? We use Dishwashing liquid on stains, for kids’ fun, as a degreaser the list is endless, so I thought I’d put together a full list of my favourite Sunlight Hacks.

Easy Window Cleaner

I’ve often made up this concoction if I run out of “normal” window cleaner, and you can never even tell the difference. Sunlight liquid makes a fabulous window cleaner. Mix up a teaspoon of vinegar with 2 teaspoons of Sunlight dish soap and about a litre of warm water Soak a clean cloth into the mixture and wipe your windows down, dry immediately with a microfibre cloth. Apply the same method to your shower door if its glass!

General Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser

Sunlight Liquid can pretty much be used in every area of your home. It’s great on tiles and is pretty darn good at getting grout clean too. Struggling to get that garage floor clean? Try mopping/sweeping it with a solution of Sunlight and water. Use it diluted as an all-around solution for Kitchen Counters, walls, and floors. 

Bubbles

I’ve showed this before on my Instagram, but we LOVE to make our own bubbles with Sunlight. Grab an old tennis racket and a nice big dish. Mix about ½ cup Sunlight with 1 tablespoon of glycerin (totally optional, I’ve made it without as well), and about 3 litres of warm water.  Warm water always gives better bubbles and don’t “stir” too much, just a gentle mix to incorporate it into the liquid and you’ll get nice big bubbles. 

Carpet Stain Remover

Ok, so using Sunlight to remove carpet stains might sound a little weird, but stick with me, it actually works on a multitude of stains, we even use it in our laundry. To get the stains off your carpet, mix a little Sunlight with hydrogen peroxide and pour it into a spray bottle.  Spray the mixture unto the stains and leave for a while.  You will be shocked at the result.

Jewelry Cleaner

Has your ring lost its shine? Maybe you should wash some dishes 🙂 Sunlight is very gentle on your precious gems and won’t damage them. Mix up a bowl of warm water with a squirt of Sunlight dish soap.  Dip an old toothbrush in the mixture and gently scrub your jewelry until it is looking brand new again. Dry with a microfibre cloth.

Tool Cleaner

Garage tools, especially when used on your car, tend to get really dirty and greasy. In a bucket with warm water, pour a small amount of Sunlight into it. Leave your tools in to soak for about 30 minutes and dry them off well to prevent rust. My dad would always come into the house after working in the garage and wash his hands with some dish soap to get the grease off.

Brush Cleaner

There are many ways you may clean your makeup sponges. I alternate between my hair shampoo and Sunlight, depending on what I have on hand. Squeeze a little Sunlight Liquid straight onto your hand and rub your brushes on your palm in circular motions to remove all make up. Repeat until it runs clear and rinse well. Dry flat on a towel.

Weed Killer

This is one my mum taught me, not only does it kill certain weeds, but it works well to repeal certain pests as well.  Using Sunlight will quickly solve the problem.  Mix 1/2 cup salt, about 8 cups of white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon dawn dish soap.  Spray the mixture directly onto the weed.

Sensory Foam

Another winner for kids’ activities. Take about ¼ cup of Sunlight Liquid with a small amount of water (probably about 1/8 of a cup), blend up with an electric beater until you get firm bubbles. Add in food colouring to add a little colour to your foam.

Glasses/ Scuba Mask Cleaner

Glasses are one of the hardest things to keep clean and they always have a habit of fogging up, especially with face masks! To keep your glasses from getting too foggy, just use a little sunlight liquid. My uncle always swore by this and still does it with his scuba/snorkeling masks. Use a clean cloth and rub a small amount of Sunlight onto the glasses, and wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth. 

Braai Cleaner

The anti-grease powers of Sunlight work wonders on a braai stand. I once read a fantastic tip that said to put about 3 liters of water into a tub with a cup of Sunlight. Soak overnight and in the morning give it a soft brush and voila! Easy peasy.

Paint remover

I’m talking about your kids paints here – Oil paint stains on your favourite table or counter? Rub them away with some sunlight liquid!

How many ways do you clean with Sunlight Liquid?

Best Beauty Buys 2020

Best Beauty Buys 2020

Posted on by Rebecca

This post has been sitting in my drafts since December 2020 and I have finally have some time to click “publish”

Throughout the year I am blessed to be able to trial a few beauty and make up products as well as always use my own, these are a few of the products that I have used in the year that I have selected as my top choices.

Hair Care

I’m a typical Leo and I LOVE my hair, but I also have quiet wavy/curly hair that demands a little extra care. In 2020 I was introduced to the latest in John Frieda’s innovations. The “Hydrate and Recharge” Range coupled with the “Detox and Repair” Range. I combine and alternate the two depending on the week. If I have had a week where I have blow-dried or used a lot of product in afterwards I always go in the detox and repair range and if my hair needs a little extra TLC and hydrating masque is a treat.

The John Frieda Hydrate & Recharge shampoo and conditioner collection quenches thirsty, lifeless hair with a powerful punch of moisture. It’s a more natural blend of ingredients with less harsh chemicals and the hydration boost it gives, is an absolute treat. The hair masque is the perfect addition and my hair soaks up every last drop. On the other end the Detox & Repair range has been formulated with nourishing avocado oil and green tea. This line comes with a shampoo, conditioner, and a heat protection product. I have tried a few other avocado based hair care products where I find the smell a little over-bearing and I can comfortably say this one is spot on! You will not walk out the shower smelling like an Avo 🙂 I really feel this strips my hair of any build up (especially if I have used a dry shampoo) and the heat protection spray works fantastically before the use of straighteners.

Everyday Make up

During lockdown I fell in love hard with my products from Luma Beauty. This makeup range is brilliant for everyday, no fuss makeup that leaves you with a natural glow. My two hero products are the LUMA On The Glow Highlighter Stick and the LUMA “Beyond the Brow” Grooming Gel The highlighter is soft enough for everyday use and it contains crushed pearl for instant illumination. The brow gel is a powerful combination as it not only provides colour but fluffs, fills and enhances the gorgeous brows you were born with.

My everyday choice for mascara still has to be good old Volum’express Colossal Big Shot Mascara from Maybelline – I have been using this for quite a few years now and it still impresses me for the best “drug store” buy. Loreal’s infallible foundation continues to be my “ride or die” for everyday coverage- it’s long lasting, doesn’t transfer and provides excellent colour and coverage.

Everyday Skincare

If you follow me on social media, you’ll know that I am a huge fan of the Cetaphil for everyday basic skincare.

I find the scrub the perfect combination; grains are effective enough for me to “feel” a good scrub, without being too harsh It’s sulphate free and perfect for sensitive skins, gentle enough for everyday application. I wash my face at night with the oily skin cleanser. For my babies, I use the Pro-Eczema Range the moisturiser and the wash, it truly is the most effective thing to solve tricky newborn skin conditions.

I normally finish my daily beauty routing with a toner of some sort (before moisturising) and lately I have been loving both Johnson’s Micellar Water Fresh Hydration Rose-Infused Cleansing Water as well as a surprising find from Woolworths; Fragrance Free Micellar Cleansing Water . Formulated with acai berry, chamomile and cucumber extracts, it contains tiny micelles that attract and draw out impurities without drying out the skin. Gently removes make-up and cleanses for soft, healthy looking skin with no rinsing required. Both of these micellar waters are soft and gentle on my skin and are of a similar price range..

Speaking about Woolworths, they have really picked up their game in terms of beauty products and all of their products are animal friendly and the vast majority are Vegan too! Some more amazing finds I have come across from them are the full range of clay face masks. They focus on a different range of issues, from the the detoxifying clay to rejuvenating and brightening. At R89.99 it’s a fantastic self-care treat to pop into your trolley.

My next favourite find is the Eucalyptus and Mint Foot Mask. It comes with two plastic “booties” to slip onto your feet and I’ve slept with it overnight as well. For tired preggie feet this has honestly been one of my favourite finds!

A little more Luxe – Serums

Two of my cult favourites have made the list for another year running

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, will always be my go to for a smart sleeping serum . It helps to restore my skin overnight and I always wake up with a smoother appearance. For daytime I swear by Dermalogica’s Biolumin-C to brighten up my skin and to boost hydration.

These are just a few products that I use everyday, what tops your list?

Fish And Asian Vegetable Spring Rolls

Fish And Asian Vegetable Spring Rolls

Posted on by Rebecca

It’s almost been one whole year since COVID first struck South Africa.

That’s one whole year of my husband and I both working from home and juggling a balance of work, home schooling, activities, and lock downs. Safe to say, I have cooked more in this past year then I have in my entire life.

I am always looking for quick, easy and healthy meal options to serve to the family, and as a working mum, that’s typically delivered under extremely tight deadlines!

My kids and I love to cook together in the kitchen and I am trying to raise my boys to know how to cook from a young age, so they can never have a love for cooking and one day spoil their partners. I’ve also found that by encouraging them to cook WITH me, they actually eat a lot healthier and are typically more adventurous in their food choices. McCain and Sea Harvest offer a range of exceptional quality products that are both nutritious and delicious. I remember when we first went into lockdown stocking up on McCain’s frozen Veg and Sea Harvest fish because I knew that if the grocery stores did ever run out of fresh produce, at least my family had healthy meals at our fingertips; all products are frozen at their freshest, so you know the quality and nutrients are locked in.

Lunch time in particular is the worst for me. I’m in the middle of my work day, yet I have a hungry husband and two whiny kids who need a hot meal. McCain and Sea Harvest are such life savers when I need a quick, healthy meal and has offered huge flexibility to my mealtimes.

I’ll be sharing a couple of my easiest recipes featuring our favourites over the next week, but this one by far is my favourite, and it’s so easy, even my 5 year old can do it!

Quick and Easy Fish and Vegetable Spring Rolls

Ingredients:

  • Sea Harvest Oven Crisp Fish (you could also use Hake, however, I love the slight crunch that Oven Crisp adds)
  • McCain Stir Fry Asian Vegetables
  • Rice Vermicelli Noodles
  • Spring Roll Pastry (you can also use Phyllo if you can’t find)
  • Chives/ Spring Onion to garnish
  • Sweet Chilli sauce for dipping

Instructions:

  1. Place your Sea Harvest Oven Crisp Fish in the Oven as per instructions (15-20 minutes).
  2. Stir Fry your McCain Asian Vegetables.
  3. Dip Vermicelli noodles into boiling water for 2 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
  4. Once your fish has cooked and cooled chop up into small pieces, along with the cooled vegetables.
  5. Mix in your Vermicelli to the fish and vegetable mixture and add about a tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce for flavour.
  6. Place about a tablespoon of the mixture along one side of the spring roll pastry and brush, tuck in the bottom and tops and roll into a sausage shape.
  7. Fry on medium heat for 3-6 minutes until golden brown.
  8. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

These are such a yummy afternoon snack and a great option for lunchboxes too, let me know if you try them and look out for more recipe ideas for easy, healthy meals with McCain and Sea Harvest over the next few weeks on my Instagram page!

Sea Harvest and McCain are bringing the fun and creativity back into your kitchen with a fantastic competition. Re imagine mealtimes with #FriendsInYourFreezer and stand a chance to WIN 1 of 10 PlayStation 5 consoles.

For more information, visit www.friendsinyourfreezer.co.za. T&C’s apply. You can also download this fun activity book to keep the kids busy!

Disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with Sea Harvest and McCain, however, all recipe and content is my own.

KELLOGG’S SERVES UP A CREATIVE FEAST!

KELLOGG’S SERVES UP A CREATIVE FEAST!

Posted on by Rebecca

One of South Africa’s favourite food company, Kellogg’s is on a mission to inspire and evoke a renewed sense of creativity in the kids of Mzansi by transforming ordinary family moments into extraordinary bursts of fun and inspiration.

To do this, the Coco Pops & Rice Krispies vanilla brands have joined forces with art supplies company, Crayola as they seek to nourish the creative juices within each child. The iconic brands have come together in a campaign that serves as a vehicle to bring families together by transforming the lives of kids as they give away educational prizes worth R250 000.

All South Africans  have to do is get their hands on the unique, hard-to-miss Coco Pops and Rice Krispies vanilla packs, enter via USSD and if you colour it in, you get an extra entry to  stand a chance to win educational prizes including school bursaries, tablets, stationary and more.

The Kellogg’s kids’ brands want to promote joy in having families spend time together and reconnecting through the fun on-pack activities. Breakfast can now be a great opportunity for parents to, not only nourish the growth and development of their kids through a great breakfast choice, but they can also help to unleash their creativity and have fun together.

It is Kellogg’s belief that creativity resides not only within the artistically-inclined child, but in all children and it need only be nourished. They aim to show parents and all children that with just a little creative imagination, anything is truly possible.

Kellogg’s will also be sharing some beautiful content pieces of children exploring their wildest imaginations as they respond to the question of how they would make the world a more colourful place and the kind of society they wish to grow up in.

Make sure to stay up to date with the latest fun and creative exploits of South Africa’s future stars by following Kellogg’s South Africa on Facebook and Instagram.

**Disclaimer – This article is a paid for advert by Kellogg’s South Africa**

Instant Pot Valentines Day Recipes

Instant Pot Valentines Day Recipes

Posted on by Rebecca

Valentines this year is certainly going to look very different. Ever since we started to have children we have incorporated them into our valentines celebrations, after all it’s a day to celebrate love, but this year we are almost certainly spending it at home. I’m a sucker for a picnic, though my husband doesn’t always share my love for sitting on the damp grass and letting bugs walk on your food 🙂 So this year I’ve met him halfway, and planned an “indoor” picnic with easy to cook recipes all done in my trusty Instant Pot.

The first is a winner for every entertaining event. Whether it’s a picnic, a game night or just a casual weekend with friends these sweet siracha flavoured chicken wings are sure to become your go to recipe for easy entertaining.

Print Recipe

Sweet Sriracha Chicken Wings

Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time16 mins
Total Time21 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken Wings, Instant Pot chicken wings, sriracha chicken wings, sweet chilli chicken wings
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 kg chicken wings
  • Salt and Pepper to Season
  • 1/4 cup Honey
  • 2 TBLSP Sriracha Hot Sauce
  • 2 tsp Minced Ginger
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic
  • sesame seeds to garnish
  • spring onion to garnish

Instructions

  • Season chicken wings with salt and pepper and combine the honey, Sriracha, ginger and garlic to marinade. Leave on for 2 hours before hand if possible.
  • Add a cup of water into your Instant Pot and add the trivet stand. Put the marinated meat on top of the trivet.
  • Close Pot with Lid, seal and set to high pressure for 6 minutes.
  • Natural pressure release for 10 minutes.
  • Take the wings out and brush with any leftover marinade, transfer to a baking sheet and grill for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
  • Serve with your choice of dip and a sprinkle of sesame seed and chopped up spring onion.

For dessert I’ve picked one of my all time favourites, though I honestly couldn’t decide between these delectable chocolate lava pots or the white chocolate and vanilla pot du creme I made previously. Both are perfectly in tune for a day of love.

Print Recipe

Chocolate Lava Cakes

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time7 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chcolate lava cakes instant pots, Chocolate lava cakes, Instant Pot cake, Instant Pot chocolate cakes, melted middle chocolate cake
Servings: 4 People

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 125 grams unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup castor sugar
  • 110 grams dark chocolate
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  • Melt the chocolate and butter together in a glass bowl in the microwave,at 30 second intervals. After 30 seconds, stop, mix and pop in again until all melted and combined.
  • In a large bowl add 2 large eggs, 2 large egg yolks, ¼ cup castor sugar, and a pinch of salt.
  • Slowly mix the melted butter into the egg and sugar mixture
  • Fold in flour and vanilla extract
  • Pour into buttered ramekin dishes
  • Add in one cup of water to your instant pot and place trivet stand inside. Place chocolate filled ramekin dishes inside (you should fit 3 at the bottom on at the top).
  • Close Lid and seal, set to high pressure for 8 minutes (I think I did 9 in the end) and quick pressure release.
  • Lift lid carefully off taking care not to spill condensation onto cakes.
  • You can either serve immediately or refrigerate until needed (and then warm up)
  • Dust with a little icing sugar and cocoa powder.

Let me know if you try these recipes and how you will be spending Valentines Day with your loved ones!

** These recipes were written in collaboration with Instant Pot South Africa.**

The First Few Years Of Marriage

The First Few Years Of Marriage

Posted on by Rebecca

So here’s a post I have been sitting on for quite some time. I’ve debated clicking “post” for some time now because it’s not just MY story but OURS, for so long I wasn’t sure if it was just my experience, or others as well, but after speaking to so many of you on social media, I know I am not the only one to experience things, and I hope that this post can help some of you.

So here’s the truth about marriage….

The first 5 years of your marriage will be the hardest ever.

I’m grateful I went into my marriage completely open minded. I did not expect a fairy-tale, and I did not expect white horses. I knew my husband well enough to understand all of his personality traits and he knew me. I knew that there was so much more to marriage then then just “love”. It’s more about handling your expectations, tolerance and forgiveness, and self-respect.

However, even I was “unprepared” for everything that those first 5 years can throw at you. The changes you have to make to your lifestyle, especially as a woman and as you move through life’s stages. It is so important to note that my husband probably experienced ALL of the same things I did, in different ways. So I cannot speak on his behalf, this is my story.

You see, you go from being a “single” women, managing your own finances and doing whatever the hell you want really to suddenly adjusting to two of you. Now you may or may not have lived together before hand, we didn’t, so we had to find our feet when it came to finances. How should we split household costs, who does the cooking, who does the cleaning and whose money covers what. What each other’s EXPECTATIONS were of being a husband or being a wife. You have to learn how to cook for two people without too much food going to waste, and just as you fall into a little comfortable bubble, of you and your partner, lazy weekend mornings and sharing dish duty, bam….. you realise that you are pregnant (for some).

Your partner, who you have lovingly made the most important person in your life and adored on, needs to adjust. Nights filled with watching endless TV by themselves because you are simply too exhausted to move from growing another human. Your body and hormones changing and you are suddenly facing the reality that once this little human enters the world, your bubble is going to change (trust me, there is NO preparation for this). Who will assume the role as main breadwinner and who will be there 100% for your child? You have to be there for one another and support each other.

Enter your first child and suddenly, let’s be honest here, you forget to be a wife (I know I did). Actually, with one kid I think I was still alright, when the second came I was full on 100% focused on motherhood. Its OK. It happens, more often then you think. It’s a whole new roller-coaster of responsibility for you and your partner. Who does what? Do you share bedtime duty and diaper changes? Do you take turns to lie in on the weekends? Welcoming a baby SHOULD BE the happiest point of your marriage right? In many cases it is, BUT, in many cases, it is also the MOST stressful, and the MOST tested you will ever be.

Now, every partnership is different, but I can almost guarantee that at SOME point one party will assume a greater responsibility on these things. Whether it’s the cooking or the bedtime rituals at some point one of you will do it more, and with that comes a little resentment. Your nights of going out “together” will at some point become “your turn” versus “my turn” due to balancing baby sitting duties and you will miss being the “source of fun”. Every now and again though, you need to come back. You need to check in. While having children together is the most beautiful, bonding experience ever, it will also lead to the most intense struggles you have ever had. When to discipline, when it’s OK to lose your temper, what values are important to you; the list is endless, your partner and you were probably raised very differently and nothing brings that to light more then when you share a child.

In those first few years, you go from budgeting for 2 to suddenly budgeting for a family of 4 or 5. Figuring out how to cook family style meals and whose is paying for nappies, school fees or extra circulars.

The BIGGEST piece of advice I ever got is…and wait for it, this is going to ruffle feathers was; “not everything NEEDS to be equal, in fact in life nothing ever really is. You both have strengths and weaknesses. One of you will be able to carry more on their shoulders than the other. Work to your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t get taken advantage of course, but don’t expect everything to be equal.” This is GOLD! Look at your strengths and weakness of support each other in them. If you can throw away your expectations, you are in for a happier marriage.

Know that you can’t change your partner. And you should never have too. You fell in love with ALL of them, so embrace ALL of them. Flaws and all. By change I’m referring to their innate personality, not necessarily picking up socks from the floor, because that is trainable (ask my husband, he trained me hahahaha) 🙂

Realise as much as you love each other, at some points, you will come pretty darn close to hating your partner. Yep it’s a strong word, but it is a very fine line. For it is only the people that you love the most in this world that can crawl under your skin so much. The people that know you the most. It is how you handle the conflict that will grow you the most.

The bottom line is the first 5 to 7 years of marriage are FREAKING tough. You are building your family and life throws all the change it can on you. Be realistic, check in with your partner and acknowledge the tough times. But celebrate! Celebrate everything beautiful, count your blessings and cherish them. Don’t lose sight of each other and why you chose to marry each other. Compromise. Focus on what is truly important and toss everything else out.

I can safely say after almost a decade of marriage and 20 years of being in my husbands life, I still love him more than anything. He drives me up the wall and down again, he is the most stubborn, hot headed person I know, but then again, so am I 🙂 Whether you like it or not he gives you the harsh, blunt truth and has a habit of not sugar coating anything.

I look forward to the next chapter of our marriage, we are about to welcome our fourth (and very final) baby into this world and I know over the next few months new hurdles will come our way. The one thing I know, is that he is my constant and insha’Allah, he will be forever.

How to clean with minimal effort

How to clean with minimal effort

Posted on by Rebecca

2020 was the year we all started to clean, just a little more and I don’t think that trend is going anywhere in 2021. We are all spending more time at home, trying to juggle work, family, cleaning and household chores while everyone remains at home. Time is a commodity, and how we spend it is crucial. This is why when cleaning your home, using the right products and a routine makes the world of difference especially when it comes to your time and making your life easier. Finding the right cleaning product for the job—whether it’s removing stains on your kitchen stove or eliminating the stubborn grime in your bathroom, finding the right product to do the job is half the battle won.

Together with Handy Andy, we’ve put together some simple tips that will help you keep your home spotless with minimal effort.

Declutter as often as you can

Yes, coming from the queen of clutter, I am saying DECLUTTER. Thank you to all who joined me on my recent Declutter challenge, but I’m not done yet! Keeping your home spotless with minimal effort means incorporating changes that will make the cleaning process quicker and hassle free. One of the best practices you can incorporate into your cleaning routine is decluttering the spaces around your home as often as possible.

Clean as you go

Another thing I am starting to practice more of, especially as I spend more time in the kitchen with everyone at home! Sometimes it’s easy to put cleaning the tiny messes you make around the house on the back burner, but these end up contributing the most to the bigger mess you have to clean in the near future. Cooking in my house typically involves a lot of peeling, chopping and of course using every pot in sight. To minimize the mess, clean the tiny messes you create along the way such as discarding the peels, rinsing the spoons and wiping your surfaces immediately after spilling something on your stove to avoid stubborn stains. I’ve been loving the Handy Andy Multi Purpose spray and Kitchen Cleaner that cleans and disinfects any surface in just 10 seconds.

Find a product that does it all for general cleans

Handy Andy multi-purpose cream is an all-in-one product that works on removing stubborn dirt on all surfaces around the home which eliminates the hassle of having to use various products on the many surfaces around your home. I use it on my bathtubs, on my floors, diluted in water for surfaces if need be. Its really is a multipurpose cream.

Keep the dust away

It may not seem like much, but it does make a difference and will save you time in the long run. Wiping down a dusty surface with a wet cloth tends to smear it leaving a muddy residue which we do not want right? So why not try using a damp cloth which will trap the dust particles while cleaning your surfaces without leaving an unpleasant residue. Dusting the surfaces around your home does not take much time or energy but the difference sure is visible.

Try using a product that is tailored for your space for more specific area’s

By this I specifically refer to Kitchens and grease. For surfaces such as stoves and countertops, apply a product that is tailored to all your kitchen cleaning needs. It’s important to always go for a product that is highly effective on daily kitchen dirt, that degreases quickly and easily while leaving your surfaces sparkling clean.

Develop a cleaning routine and pattern

Everyone has their own personal preference, whether you focus on room by room, or dusting on a certain day. Cleaning, especially when you are not used to it or when it’s not your favourite thing to do may feel like a daunting task, but the good news is developing a routine might help take that anxiety away.

Organisation and Consistency

Finally, the key to keeping your home clean at all times is organisation and consistency, something I am slowly learning to be better at. It is important to consistently clean your home and to maintain a level of cleanliness even with these quick and time saving tips. It makes it easier and less of a daunting task. Cleaning  your home should not feel overwhelmingly alarming but more of something to look forward to and to incorporate into your day to day tasks.

Disclaimer : This article was sponsored by Handy Andy

2020 – a year of Gratitude

2020 – a year of Gratitude

Posted on by Rebecca

It’s just past midnight on the 29th December 2020. The year the World “stood still”. Instead of jumping into bed as I planned on doing, I find myself typing at my computer, reminiscing on the year gone by.

You see, I am such a serial “planner” and “goal setter”, that I am always moving forward, thinking about the “next thing”. The New Year doesn’t mean much to me, to be honest, it’s just the start of another 12-month cycle, but what it does afford me is the time to actually stop. The time to pause and reflect on the months gone by and think about the possibilities moving forward.

Across the globe, the message is that 2020 sucked. It was the “year of COVID”, lockdowns, cancelled plans and disrupted schedules. It caused the whole world to rethink how we work and how we operate, but it also should us possibility and opportunity. It showed us which professions really truly mattered and it taught a large majority of the world, that working remotely, for most people, is actually possible. It taught us that we dont need exorbitant “Oscar” styled weddings or birthday parties that cost enough to feed a small orphanage. It gave the earth a chance to breathe, a pause from carbon emissions and thousands of feet walking through ancient cities. It gave us a chance to really miss those that are truly important to us, and it also showed us who we could do without.

Looking back at the year, once again, I find myself truly humbled and grateful. Under such circumstances there were truly some incredible moments and milestones that need to be celebrated.

It started off with winning an award, not just coming “runner up”, but actually winning in the “SA Blog Awards.” I didn’t dwell on it too much at the time, because there is a lot of drama involved in these awards, but actually, I should have. I work damn hard at what I do, creating content is not as easy as it seems, and it is something I am proud of. So THANK YOU, to each of you who took the time to vote. I haven’t entered again this year, I actually didn’t even get think about it, but it is something that I should be proud of, So thank you!

In February, literally a week before the world started to “lockdown”, we managed to spend two weeks with my sister and her beautiful family. An odd time for a “family holiday”, but look at Gods’ timing, giving us the chance just before we weren’t able to see each other again. We got to spend time in my family home all together, one last time before we said goodbye. My parents were surrounded by their grandchildren and days were filled with swimming and hammock naps. It’s been over 10 months since I have seen any family member now. My “baby” has grown up into a full blown, walking/talking toddler in that time and I am so grateful that we had those 2 weeks, at least.

We were thrown into juggling home schooling and working from home, as a family. Whilst I truly pray I never have to home school again, it taught me appreciation, like never before, for our teachers. I managed to find the balance that I always wanted, managing school drop offs, afternoon activities and work, yet I also realised that having “some” time in the office is sometimes a very good thing. I am in awe of the resilience our children taught us, taking every single thing in their stride. Never questioning “why” or “when will this end”. Wearing their masks every single day without complaint, they just accepted the new normal and moved on.

I realised, as a mother, that any guilt around screen time, especially during the hard lockdown period we faced in South Africa, should be thrown out the window. I was initially so against time on the PlayStation or too many cartoons, and had full days planned of activities to keep them busy. But, I actually realised, with the right games mind you, how it hasn’t hurt at all. In fact, it’s been a saving grace on many an afternoon when I have had deadlines looming. Of course, I try to balance it out with quality time, but I learnt to let go of misconceptions I once had.

It was the year that uncovered new passions, even pre-covid. Quizzing my aunts on old school household hacks and actually having the time to deep clean my home. I use the term home because, finally, our house started to resemble more of a “home”. Spending more time within it allowed us to give back more to it, with room renovations and painting, furniture restoring and ticking off goals. Without my handyman dad around, we were forced to do more ourselves and I can proudly proclaim that I now my way around a drill now, my husband is a pool expert and I have a re-found love for upscaling furniture. My organization skills were ramped up and I finally got around to projects like my pantry, kitchen cupboards and our constantly messy garage. All of these things deserve a moment of reflection and a “Wow, I did that” thought.

I was given the opportunity to work with brands that blow my mind, brands that I grew up with and companies that I stand behind wholeheartedly. Companies like Woolworths and Builders South Africa are a dream to me and to have the honour of working with them has been such a massive highlight of my year. My Instant Pot family have once again challenged me to rethink the way I cook and I adore being pushed to try new ways of cooking things, and boy did we cook this year! Who didn’t try recreating KFC or Nandos during lockdown? I am so grateful to every brand I have gotten to work with, being recognised by a product that you truly use everyday never ceases to amaze me. The team at Omo South Africa, Sunlight and Handy Andy, I am truly grateful. Being asked to contribute to LEGO will forever leave me in awe and words can’t begin to describe how much I value these opportunities.

2020 also gave us the biggest surprise, and challenge, yet. Finding out that we were expecting a 4th baby was no where near on our “plan”, but Allah is the best of planners. After the initial crash into a brick wall shock, we are both excited and can’t wait for our little girl to have another younger sibling to play with. Now I just have to deal with all my giving birth during a pandemic anxiety.

We threw ourselves into our work and while I do miss the office interaction, it also showed us just how much we could achieve at home. It was a year of promotions and awards, a year of learning and embracing new ways of working, new technologies and fresh portfolios. Pushing our knowledge into spaces we have never explored before.

It was a year which taught me value. The value of relationships, the value of our health, the value in every day moments and beautiful sunsets. Gratitude. Gratitude at keeping our heads above the water while the country around us battled this virus, not only physically but from an economical point of view. It gave us gratitude at the things we so often took for granted, being able to hop on a flight to visit our siblings or parents, or escaping the city for a “weekend break”. I experienced hurt and heartache, I saw competition and comparison rear its ugly head and a lack of support from areas I once turned to. Through it all though I am grateful, for showing me what is truly important and for the people I can truly turn to.

Gratitude in being able to pay our bills and provide our children with food, comfort and knowledge. It schooled me in thankfulness for my husband too. As much as I “complain”, I thank Allah everyday at the rock he has become. My foundation, my support. If you are reading this babe, I really, truly value you, and I am thankful for all that you do.

We went back to basics with crafts, with Raya Maryam starting to enjoy sensory play and at the same time we explored deeper activities with the boys, learning about crystals and science.

2020 was definitely a year of gratitude for me. I blogged slightly less, but I did more video content and like many of us, found myself on Tiktok more 🙂 Not taking myself so seriously.

For 2021, I have no grand plans or “goals”. I have prayers.

I pray for a healthy birth and delivery of our 4th child and I pray that Allah SWT keeps us safe from this virus. I pray for the people that have been affected, the families whose courses have changed. I pray that the vaccination is effective and quick to get here, because the 2nd quarter still seems very very far away. I pray for our economy, that we may recover somewhat, and that we are able to keep people employed. I pray that whatever may happen, my faith will continue to push me through and lift me up. We can get through this, day by day. 2021 is my year of hope, and lots of prayer.

Thank you, once again, for being a part of my community. Thank you for commenting, sharing and trying my ideas. Thank you for engaging and reaching out. We are all in this together, and without you reading this, my platform wouldn’t even exist! Happy New Year from us, and I look forward to growing more with you in 2021!

Top Toys Guide 2020

Top Toys Guide 2020

Posted on by Rebecca

We have focused on Proudly South African, I’ve spoken about my favourite educational toys and I have also helped you to have a look at my hottest selection from one of South Africa’s biggest retailers. Now, here in one consolidated list are my top choices across the board for Toys of 2020.

Starting from top left to right:

Singing Elsa Fashion Doll

Part of Hasbro’s Great Gift Guide for 2020, the Elsa singing doll is the perfect gift for your children that have now seen Frozen II a million times, it sings “Into the Unknown,” which is one of the biggest hits from the movie.

One of the toys that we reviewed was the Power Rangers Beast-X King Morpher, with light up lion eyes. When kids strap the morpher to their wrist and move around, they will hear show-inspired sounds and phrases. When they use the Morph-X key in the Beast-X King Morpher, it will enter Beast-X mode, for even more sounds and phrases! It’s actually reignited my boys love for the show!

Marvel-Avengers Titan Hero Iron Man, this 12-inch iron man figure from titan hero series features a classic design and comes with character-inspired accessories that attach to the figure’s arms, hands and back.. The perfect figurine for any Marvel fan and Iron Man in our house is ALWAYS a winner!

Enjoy some fun family time with Boggle. This brings back so man memories of playing with my dad, Boggle always sat on top of our fridge. Earn points by spotting words your opponents don’t before time runs out.  Shake the grid to mix up the letter cubes, players have 90 seconds to write down as many words as they can find on the grid before time is up.  It’s the perfect size to take with you on holiday and a great exercise in literacy for younger children too.

Lego – Always a firm feature on my lists, I’ve picked out the Disney Princess Cinderella Dream Castle. (My family knows how badly I wanted a castle growing up 🙂 Let your child re-enact their favourite scene from Cinderella, complete with a horse carriage and revolving dance floor. Or perhaps you have a house full of superhero fans, like me. If that’s the case you cant go wrong with any of the Avenger sets. From Spiderman to Thanos, pick your favourite figurine to build. On the top of my kids wishlist at the moment are the newer “SuperMario” sets which would provide a welcome relief to playing the actual game.

Melissa and Doug – Band-in-a-Box- This 10 piece set is the perfect gift for younger members of the family. From about 16 months kids love to shake, bang and smash.

Hatching Toothless from Hatchimals- If your kids are fans of How to Train Your Dragon, they will love watching as this interactive baby Toothless comes out of its shell, teaching it to fly, and taking care of it.

Peealots & Poopalots Big Wags Pets collection, probably one of the “toys of the season” and another expansion of the “Fureal pets”. Each “Peealots “pet comes with a leash system that allows you to take them for walks and a water bottle so you can give them a drink. Of course, after all that drinking, your pet will need to go! Just lift its tail and watch as your pet lifts its leg and pees – but be sure to clean up after them! Give your cuddly Poopalots pet a few of the included play treats, then take them for a walk to do their ‘business’, leaving a trail of poop nuggets behind! Luckily, your pet comes with its own poop scooper for quick and easy cleanups.  A pretty good introduction to the real thing I’d say!

Imaginext Mega Bite Shark – Another one the boys were lucky enough to review, and it came just in time for a certain shark obsessed little boy! He had just finished learning about sharks at school and this provided hours of education and entertainment. Its pretty realistic looking, down to the retracting jaw and it can even “swallow” the scuba divers whole. Roll the shark along and watch the realistic swimming motion and its head moves from side to side. We’ve taken our shark into the pool to add an extra element of play.

Playdoh Elastix and Playdoh Slime – Two new additions to the Playdoh family and the perfect stocking fillers. We always had Playdoh in our stockings growing up. Playdoh slime gives kids an extra dimension to play, its squishable, you can pull it and stretch it while the Elastix looks just like traditional Playdoh but is softer, more stretchy and extra flexible.

Tonka Mighty Metal Fleet – I think almost every child goes through a phase of being utterly obsessed with diggers. With my eldest we would literally drive around town scouting out construction sites as he would watch in awe. Tonka has a full range available in South Africa now, whether its the dump truck, garbage van or digger, these trucks are Tonka tough! Durable, long lasting and perfect for outdoor play, I know this would make the perfect christmas gift for many children.

Transformers Cyberverse Battle Call Trooper Class figures. A must in any transformers fan stocking! Each little figure includes a signature weapon, which disassembles and attaches to the figure to create “power-up armour”. There is a voice activation feature, with each figure, that sets off pulsing lights in the figurines chest. All figurines convert between vehicle and robot modes as well.

I mentioned the Playdoh Drizzle Ice Cream Set before and then I came across this Kitchen Creations Candy Delight Playset and had to mention it as well. Kids can create pretend gummy bears, peanut butter cups, and create their own candies with this awesome playset that comes with five cans of Play-Doh. I think I’m going to need a play room just for Playdoh soon!

Go Glam Nail Stamper – I’ve seen this mentioned by a few bloggers and it looks like the cutest set for any budding beauty. The Go Glam Nail Stamper makes it fun and easy to create custom manicures in minutes. With 125 nail customisation’s to try out, this is definitely a gift that keeps on giving, so pull up a chair and let your child create gorgeous nail designs on your manicure for the holiday season.

Instax Mini 11 – We have packed for our mini roadtrip and the first thing we included in the boys suitcase was our Instax. The perfect little camera for taking holiday snaps and memory books and the perfect present for any budding photographer.. The Instax Mini 11 provides on-the-spot photo printing, and features an Automatic Exposure for better-looking photos in darker lighting conditions. RSP R1299

Top Festive Finds With Game

Top Festive Finds With Game

Posted on by Rebecca

Game Stores invokes Christmas memories, actually, it brings back memories of any toy shopping. Growing up in Botswana, for a while, Game was one of the only stores to shop for Christmas presents at. It has something for everyone; from your new baby’s first Christmas, to your tween’s music selection; presents for your gardening parent or your “DIY DAD”, end to end Game has you covered!

Here are our top 5 picks from Game’s diverse range of Christmas gifts this year. (I may or may not be forwarding this list onto grandparents 🙂 )

  • Extreme Guardian Bot – For the longest time my youngest son has wanted his own “Robot”, and I have been searching high and low for one for ages! This was immediately, the first thing that caught my eye in the Game Festive Catalogue because I knew it would be a winner! This little Robot Built in motion detectors, recognizes hand gestures and has different functions & actions. Available in both “Spy Bot” and “Guardian Bot”, retails from R699.99
  • Furreal Friends – Mama Josie and her Joeys – When I was browsing the catalogue with my daughter, she took one look at Mama Josie and said “ahhhh Kitty… Mwaaah”. We also don’t have a “real life” pet yet and this interactive “Pet toy”, responds to touch. R1,999
  • I-Play Electro Blocks – You know by now that anything STEM related is a firm feature on my blog. At R99.90 these colourful interlocking blocks and interchangeable gears can be used over and over again and encourage creative thinking.
  • I-Play Drifter Twister – Another Winner from Verimark. My mum bought an older version of this when the boys were younger and it was one of their most played with toys, the way the car twists and can climb up ramps and walls will be sure to entertain your kids for hours. It also “dances” to music with its own built in speaker. R899.99
  • Drizzy Ice-Cream Play Set – Mmmmmm, who doesn’t love ice cream? Especially pretend ice-cream made by your kids 🙂 This unique Play-Doh set comes with magical Play-Doh drizzle topping, you can drizzle a crazy candy coating onto your creations with pretend chocolate and silly strawberry topping. It’s a different way to decorate! It comes with 1 Play-Doh Drizzle bottles with a Play-Doh drizzle compound, a pretend syrup that instantly turns hard when you squeeze it on top of Play-Doh. Ill have a vanilla and chocolate please! R499.99

I also MUST mention that Game stocks a full range of the STEM kits I love so much. From candle making, wind chime making to at home Slime Kits. Such affordable options starting from as low as R65.00, depending on what you choose.

So, there you have it, our top “Wishlist”, this festive season, save time and do all your Christmas Shopping under one roof 🙂 Go to Game and “Ungrump” your Christmas!

Disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with Game Stores but all thoughts and opinions are my own.