New Social Shopping Site Launched For New And Expecting Parents

parents, parenting, kids, berry clever, Parents need all the help they can get. Which is why we think BerryClever, a brand new social shopping site for new and expecting parents is great. It aims to make online shopping more fun and interactive by giving parents the power to discover and choose the perfect parenting products by reading and sharing honest advice from the people they can trust the most, their friends. BerryClever has had over 7,000 members joins since it launched 3 months ago.

Online shopping has revolutionised our lives and the range of product choices available to parents for their little ones has never been greater. But with this overwhelming range of choice often comes more questions than answers, especially for first time parents who are under pressure to buy all sorts of baby essentials that they often know nothing about. BerryClever’s research found that an incredible 91% of people surveyed admitted that they had wasted money buying the wrong products for their babies. What’s more 86% of people surveyed wanted their friend’s recommendations when making purchasing decisions. So where do you start when it comes to choosing the right products for your baby? That’s where BerryClever comes in.

BerryClever has created a unique online environment, which allows you to connect with existing friends and new like-minded ones to discover the products they love, regret or simply can’t live without. Kristi Flax and Emma Kafton, who are both mums themselves, recognise that parents in particular prefer recommendations from people they know and trust when it comes to buying products for their babies. Because the reviews on BerryClever are written by friends in your network, you know they have no vested interest in promoting certain products and that they are just sharing their own honest and experienced views. Emma explains that “the idea is to make online shopping for your baby feel intuitive rather than the transactional and anonymous experience you get on many other ecommerce websites. With so much online content being disingenuous, the ability to read information from people you trust is ever more valuable”.

BerryClever’s reviews, known as ‘tips’, are no longer than 150 characters making them quick to write and read on mobile devices and ideal for busy mums on the go. As parents overwhelmingly prefer reviews from people they know, BerryClever’s unique algorithm ranks reviews based on their social profile so they will always be shown the most relevant products reviewed by their friends and the people they are most similar to first.

Users can also upload Pictips – a product photo review, watch recommended videos from the web and create lists of favourite or most wanted products for themselves or to share with others. The ability to explore friends’ lists provides a simple way for experienced parents to help their newly pregnant friends find everything they need for every stage of their birth and child’s development, from weaning and feeding to potty training, playing and learning.

Not only does BerryClever help parents make the important decisions on what to buy, it also quickly and easily links directly through to their Amazon account or the retailer’s website to allow them to make the purchase. There is even a ‘demand a lower price’ feature to help parents, who on average spend £5,000 in the first year of their child’s life alone, save money on expensive items like buggies and car seats. If a lower price can be found, the user will be sent an email within 48 hours confirming an offer which they can choose to either accept or decline, with no hidden small print.

Every feature is intended to make BerryClever a place where shopping can become a fun, social and resourceful experience.

Sign up now and invite your friends to see what they really think of those ‘must-have’ products www.berryclever.com

 

 

 

Bio Oil Review

biooil

Bio Oil is hugely popular amongst pregnant women, new mothers and people with scars to the point that it is ubiquitous. But does it really work? We tried it to find out.

Our tester put it on an existing stretch mark twice a day as instructed. She did notice a visible improvement after a few months. The stretch mark was very purple when she started and it was fading more as time went on. Of course stretchmarks tend to fade anyway but it take years for them to go from the red/purple angry scars to the silvery/white tiger stripes. Bio Oil does speed the process along. Boots.com frequently do a buy two get one three deal so you can also save yourself some pennies.

Have you used Bio Oil? Did it work for you? Would you recommend it to a friend?

 

 

This Month’s Top Books

It is still bloody freezing outside, so what better time to curl up with a good book? Here are some of our top books for this month.

I Should Have Said Daisy de Villeneuve

ishouldhavesaiddaisydevilleneuve

The French have a particular expression for when words fail – ‘’Pensées d’escalier.’ It refers to the inability to think of the perfect response in painful or awkward situations until you’re out of the door – a scenario many of us can relate to at some point in our lives.In I Should Have Said, London born illustrator, designer and writer Daisy de Villeneuve pools together her personal experiences of friendships, flirtations and full-blown romances to equip you with quips for when dialogue dramas strike.From forthright frenemies, bemusing boyfriends or lukewarm liaisons, Daisy’s artistic, anti-romantic antics will be your armour against unrequited amour so that shocked silences, desperate dilemmas and wavering words are a thing of the past.

We loved this book. Wonderful illustrations and witty retorts. Daisy de Villeneuve is effortlessly cool and this book is fun and entertaining.

I Should Have Said…: Quick-Witted Comebacks I Only Wish I’d Said – to Friends and Lovers is available here.

 

100 Ideas That Changed Advertising Simon Veksner

100ideasthatchangedadvertising

Like it or not, advertising shapes our lives. This book is thorough, entertaining and educational without being boring. Perfect for anyone with an interest in advertising. 100 Ideas That Changed Advertising takes a look at the key concepts and developments that have shaped the world of advertising, from the early Twentieth century to the present day. Divided into mini-essays, it explores the socio-political and cultural factors behind these changes and the impact that they have on the ads we’re exposed to every day.

Illustrated throughout with hundreds of examples of classic and contemporary ads from companies such as Apple, McDonalds, Dyson and Coca Cola, it’s an accessible and informative read that offers a fascinating insider’s insight into the ad industry.

100 Ideas that Changed Advertising is available here.

 

Obsession in Death J.D Robb

JDRobbobsessionindeath

Another brilliant crime thriller from J.D Robb AKA Nora Roberts. Entertaining and indulgent.

A crisp winter morning in New York. In a luxury apartment, the body of a woman lies stretched out on a huge bed. On the wall above, the killer has left a message in bold black ink: FOR LIEUTENANT EVE DALLAS, WITH GREAT ADMIRATION AND UNDERSTANDING.

Eve Dallas is used to unwanted attention. Famous for her high-profile cases and her marriage to billionaire businessman Roarke, she has learned to deal with intense public scrutiny and media gossip. But now Eve has become the object of a singular and deadly obsession. She has an ‘admirer’, who just can’t stop thinking about her. Who is convinced they have a special bond. Who is planning to kill for her – again and again…

With time against her, Eve is forced to play a delicate – and dangerous – psychological dance. Because the killer is desperate for something Eve can never provide – approval. And once that becomes clear, Eve knows her own life will be at risk – along with those she cares about the most.Nora Roberts published her first novel using the pseudonym J.D. Robb in 1995, introducing to readers the tough as nails but emotionally damaged homicide cop Eve Dallas and billionaire Irish rogue, Roarke.

With the In Death series, Robb has become one of the biggest thriller writers on earth, with each new novel reaching number one on bestseller charts the world over.

Obsession in Death is available here.

 

At The Break of Day Margaret Graham

margaretgrahamatthebreakofday

Another brilliant novel from Frost favourite Margaret Graham. Brilliantly researched and engrossing. A must read.

It is 1946, and as Europe slowly picks itself up after the trauma of war, Rosie Norton faces a bright future in America. Evacuated in 1939 by her grandfather, she escaped the cramped streets of London to a new world in Pennsylvania.Suddenly, at the age of sixteen, she is called home to a Britain bruised by war and still suffering the hardships that America knows nothing about.While struggling to become accepted again by her family she is supported by her childhood sweetheart Jack.Until Jack is sent to war in Korea and a homeless Rosie, together with the child he doesn’t know they have, is left to fend for herself in London.

At the Break of Day is available here.

 

When I Met You Jemma Forte

whenimetyoujemmaforte

The new novel by best-selling author and TV personality Jemma Forte. When I Met You is the third book from Jemma. Jemma writes about a range of hugely relatable issues with reverence and emotional intelligence including family, illness, life decisions, romance, love and growing older. This is the perfect novel to lose yourself in. Imaginative, clever and addictive.

Marianne Baker is happy. Sort of. She’s had the same job for 15 years. She’s 31, still living at home with her mum and sleeping in a single bed. Playing the violin is her only real passion – but nobody like her does that for a living.Then one night everything changes. The father who abandoned Marianne as a child turns up on the doorstep, with a shocking secret that changes her live forever. Suddenly her safe, comfortable world is shattered. If her father isn’t the man she though he was, then who is he? And more to the point, who is she?

When I Met You is available here.

 

And if you are getting married…

Check out our editor’s book The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity by Catherine Balavage. It has had some five star reviews and covers every aspect of wedding planning from the perceptive of someone who survived planning their own wedding. It is well-researched and entertaining.

wedding, weddings, wedding planning, wedding book, wedding advice, wedding tips, wedding  planning tips, wedding survival guide

Engaged? Daunted by wedding planning? Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, this book is a no-nonsense guide to planning the perfect wedding no matter what your budget. With time and money-saving costs, advice on handling difficult relatives and hints and tips to plan your perfect day. This is the only wedding book you will ever need.

The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity is available here.

 

 

 

The Fashion Week Energiser: Emergen-C Review

emergenCreviewWe got sent Emergen-C to review whilst being reminded that fashion week is nearly upon us. Yes, it is indeed. That whirlwind of shows, people, meetings and parties. Anything that gives you more energy is sorely needed. This vitamin drink was launched in Autumn 2014 and quickly became popular.

We like the taste and the convenience of it. You can carry the sachets in your bag and you just sprinkle them in water. They do give a boost and are perfect if you have a hangover. We will make them one of our fashion week accessories. They taste pretty good too.

Perfect for busy Brits, Emergen-C is a completely new concept with a double hit of energy release and immunity support in handy fast dissolving wallet-sized sachets. Emergen-C has three fruity flavours which contain real fruit extracts: Super Orange, Zesty Lemon and Juicy Strawberry. It has an impressive mix of 15 key nutrients: Vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, B12 and D, Folic Acid, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese,  Chromium and Zinc.

Find it at Boots.com and Tesco.com now. Emergen-C costs £4.99 for a pack of 8, £13.99 for a pack of 24 and 99p for a single sachet.  Adults should take up to one sachet per day.

 

 

 

Andreas Wendt Haircare Review

Andreas Wendt Haircare Reviewhair Andreas Wendt Haircare Review Andreas Wendt Thermo Protector Styling Spray reviewNothing makes you feel amazing like great hair, so we are always on the lookout for the next big thing to make our hair look brilliant. We got sent some products from Andreas Wendt Haircare. The range launched exclusively in the UK on idealworld.tv in January.

The exclusive range, created by haircare and styling professional Andreas Wendt, looks to target specific elements of hair styling in particular colour and care. Andreas Wendt is best known for his hair-shows and make-overs throughout the entertainment circuit in Germany and Luxembourg, often frequenting the biggest fashion shows.

But is it any good? We tried the Andreas Wendt Age Vital Shampoo and Conditioner which we thought was great. It left hair shiny and more manageable. We couldn’t stop stroking our hair. The shampoo has horsetail-glycogen energy complex, which helps to cleanse and revive hair. The conditioner really hydrates and nourishes. Both give shine. 

Next up we tried the Andreas Wendt Full Tastic Powder. This holds hair and creates volume and texture, a great styling aid that really works.

The Andreas Wendt Thermo Protector Styling Spray is something that everyone should have in their bathroom cabinet. It helps to guard hair from damage caused by heat exposure, the Thermo Protector is a formulation that helps prevent hair from drying out, whilst nourishing it during styling. Containing Panthenol which helps to moisturise hair, improving the condition and giving hair a more visible shine. Heat is very damaging to hair and it is always wise to use a protector. This works well and smells great.

We were impressed with Andreas Wendt’s new haircare range and will continue to use it. We were impressed with the results.

All available from idealworld.tv

 

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2015

Well, it’s here again: Valentines’s Day. It is a mere ten days away so it is time to buy your paramour something wonderful. Here are some ideas we put together.
The Biscuit Box

The Biscuit Boxhappiness

The Biscuit Boxreview

The Biscuit Box You’re My Cup of Tea Biscuit Card- this is an iced teapot shaped biscuit with a personalised message. We thought it was super cute and the biscuit tastes great. Available from buyagift.co.uk

mr&mrsfamilyedition

Mr & Mrs Family Edition

If board games are your thing then you will love this. But if, like us, you are not too keen on board games you will still love this Mr & Mrs Family Edition game. Perfect for finding out more about your family and friends as well as finding out how well they know you. Mr & Mrs Family Edition Box Game is available here.

paulvalentinescake

Fraisier St Valentin from Paul. Tastes like heaven. The perfect size for two, heart-shaped and combines Genoese sponge, créme mousseline and fresh strawberries. It is then topped with pink marzipan. It costs £11.95 and is available from 12-15th February in London stores. You can also pre-order online.

arganiashampooandconditioner
Argania Desert Defence Shampoo and Conditioner.

Made with fairly-traded, certified organic argan oil to instantly nourish and hydrate hair, leaving it looking smoother, shinier and feeling healthier, naturally. A nourishing and restorative shampoo infused with certified organic Moroccan Argan. Great stuff that your girlfriend will love. Available from Boots.com

 

love print

Personalised Love Print

Very cool, stylish and gives an excellent personal touch. From buyagift.co.uk

mimisleepingbeauty

minisleepingbeautyreview

minisleepingbeautyreviewmakeyourownMIMI’s Sleeping Beauty Night Time Facial Oil

We love this. Such a smart idea and it looks great too. MIMI is a make your own skincare brand so you know exactly what goes into your skincare regime. All products are 100% natural and each kit can be mixed in minutes.  You can also adjust the ingredients whilst mixing, tailoring it to your preferences. It can also be used as a massage oil.

Available online at www.makeitmakeit.com, there are currently 3 kits in the range from £22-£35 and includes a night oil, body scrub and face mask.

MIMI’s Sleeping Beauty Night Time Facial Oil makes 35ml and comes with all the ingredients, recipe, instructions, mixing equipment and elegant bottle. Used every night will last four-six weeks so you can carry on enjoying this luxury face treatment for much longer past Valentine’s Day.
valentinesdaygiftguidechampagne

valentinesdayTaittinger_Brut_Prestige_Rose_Champagne

Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne 75cl Bottle and Taittinger Prestige Rosé NV

No words needed. Buy if you want them to love you forever more. Available from Amazon, sainsburys.co.uk and tesco.com

 

If you are stuck for where to take your love for Valentine’s Day then check out our Valentine’s Day restaurant guide.

 

 

 

Mila Kunis Wears Gemfields Mozambican For Jupiter Ascending Premiere

Mila Kunis wears Gemfields Mozambican For Jupiter Ascending Premiere1 Mila Kunis wears Gemfields Mozambican For Jupiter Ascending Premiere

The gorgeous Mila Kunis has taken some time out from looking after her new baby to make her return to the red carpet. Gemfields’ global brand ambassador made her return to the red carpet last night for the world premiere of her new movie ‘Jupiter Ascending’ in Los Angeles.

To mark the much-anticipated arrival of Gemfields’ Mozambican rubies, Kunis wore ruby jewellery by Miiori and Marina B, featuring Gemfields fine Mozambican rubies: Kunis said: “It’s a privilege to represent a company like Gemfields. I love wearing their beautiful emeralds and I’m so excited to be the first to wear the new rubies – these gems especially are perfect for the red carpet.”

Miiori Crimson Seduction Collection necklace – featuring 18 carat white gold station necklace set with rose cut diamonds and fine Mozambican rubies. 

Marina B platinum trilliant twins ring – featuring a 3.88 carat unheated Mozambican ruby and 3.11 carat diamond.

 

 

 

Reporter Compliments Rashida Jones On Her Tan “I’m Ethnic” She Responds

In what has got to be one of the most awkward interviews ever, a reporter decided not to use common sense, decorum or even background research when she complimented biracial actress Rashida Jones on her “tan”.

Rashida took it in her stride when TNT correspondent Danielle Demski said to her, “You look amazing — gorgeous! You look like you’ve just come off an island or something. You’re very tan, very tropical.” The actress was walking the Screen Actors Guild Awards red carpet and after giving a laugh she replied, “I mean, you know, I’m ethnic.”

Demski laughed after hearing the response and said to camera: “It’s just being ethnic. That’s what it is.”

Rashida’s father is the African-American record producer Quincy Jones, and her mother is white actress Peggy Lipton.
Reporter Compliments Rashida Jones On Her Tan "I'm Ethnic" She Responds

Next up, the Parks & Recreation star will appear in the TBS comedy Angie Tribeca.