The Top 4 Bands To Hire For Your Birthday Party

If you are looking to raise the bar with your birthday celebration, you should consider hiring a band. And, if the band is great, you can bet your bottom dollar that your guests will have a wonderful time. However, you should be careful when hiring a particular band. You should be careful to only select a high-energy performer. A band that boasts a singer that has great vocals and performs great dance covers should be high on your list.

This article will highlight some of our favorite bands that are bound to put on a great show for your guests. Here are the top 4 bands to hire for your birthday party in Brisbane. The list isn’t in any particular order as it would be an injustice to place one over the other as they are all great. If you are looking to hire a band, Brisbane based Black Tie Group are worth checking out.

 

  • Band 369

 

Although Brisbane Band 369 is relatively new to the scene, the band doesn’t lack in the talent department. The band primarily focuses on playing tunes that are written by bands from New Zealand and the land down under. The band specifically excels at performing songs from the artists, Dragon, Australian Crawl, Hello Sailor, The Church, The Narcs, and The Mutton Birds.

 

  • Brisbane Band 708

 

Brisbane band 708 is unquestionably one of the best live music performing bands in Australia and they’ve been active on the music scene for more than 11 years! With over 11 years of experience, the band conducts itself professionally and the members always dress to impress. It also helps that the lead singer of the band is an internationally renowned musician. The band largely performs funky pop rock hits. The members of the band seek perfection, giving attention to detail to everything from sound to light production. So, if you are looking to up the ante, you should consider hiring the services of Brisbane Band 708.

 

  • Band 557

 

The 4-piece covers band, Band 557, is truly worth hiring. The band is extremely versatile and performs a variety of numbers from different genres including rock, blues, funk, dance, reggae, and pop hits. However, the members largely focus on funky and groovy numbers. The band never fails to impress and has been active in the music scene for over 3 decades.

 

  • Duo/Band 389

 

This band has been performing wonderful musical sets since their inception in 2012. The band particularly excels at performing at wedding receptions, club events, corporate and birthday parties. Since the band has a wealth of experience, you can bet your bottom dollar that the band has the ability to read the crowd and perform numbers that complement the mood of the event. What genres of music does the band perform? Well, the Duo/Band 389 is well capable of performing jazz numbers, easy listening tunes, dinner and dance songs.

Tips for throwing a child’s birthday party on the road

Your child’s birthdays are special, no matter where in the world you might be located. There’s no need to postpone the party; there are a number of ways to make it an extra-memorable day. Whether you’ve committed to the nomadic lifestyle or simply find yourself away on holiday during a family member’s birthday, here are a few tips to celebrate in style.

1. Connect with friends back home.

Everyone gets homesick, and when you’re away on your birthday it’s only natural to be missing friends and family back at home. You can start off your child’s on-the-road celebrations by setting up a group Skype date with their closest friends. Hang up a few balloons or streamers in the hotel room and let them have a chat to catch up. You can even put on some music and make it a video-enabled dance party!

2. Throw multiple small celebrations.

If you’re moving to a different place every day, use the opportunity to connect with your child in different ways. This may entail throwing smaller parties in different locations as you visit different friends. Your daughter may start off with a tea party in London on Monday followed by a day out with friends in Paris on Thursday.

3. Enjoy local treats.

It’s not a party without cake, but if you’re traveling in far-flung destinations it may be hard to find the ingredients you’re used to. You can order something special, or make the most of this by offering your child local delicacies. Find out what local residents do to celebrate birthdays, and enjoy the new cultural experience whether it’s red bean paste-stuffed pastries in China or sugar cookies in Ecuador. Your child may just find a new tradition for the future.

4. Give your child control.

You might do a lot of the travel planning normally, but your kid’s birthday is one day to take the backseat and let them do the driving. Ask what they’d like to see, do, and eat that day. Brainstorm together and show them which attractions would make sense. Beaches and parks always make good go-to backdrops for impromptu celebrations. In some cases, if you’ve been traveling for a while your child may simply want to spend a quiet day celebrating indoors.

5. Make it a costume party.

Finally, if you’re looking for a way to make any ordinary day a special occasion, throw on costumes. It’s easy to source baby costumes all the way up to adult-sized fancy dress in most locations, so make it a fun theme even if it’s just the family! You can parade around the local streets or simply throw the party in your own hotel room, complete with cake and music.

Travelling on special occasions can make them even more memorable if you use a bit of creativity. Use these tips as a jumping-off point to make the day special for your child.

WIN – Baby Magic & Boudreaux’s Butt Paste

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

Finding Great products that you can use Day in and Day out with your little one is very important, but can be very tricky. These must have baby items from Baby Magic and Boudreaux’s will be sure to leave you completely satisfied.

About Baby Magic:

Baby Magic is a true legacy brand – they believe in a tradition, and that nothing bonds parents together like shared experiences. Take comfort in knowing that when you bathe your little one with Baby Magic, that just a few short years ago your parents were probably doing the same. For 65 years, they’ve been creating magical baby smiles from one generation to another, and bonds that last a lifetime.

About Baby Bath Time:

This wonderful Baby Magic Original Hair & Body Wash has the original scent that moms have loved for generations. This easy-rinse baby wash is gently formulated to preserve the natural moisture of your baby’s skin, and is enhanced with vitamins for extra care.

About Original Baby Lotion:

The Baby Magic Original Baby Lotion is a rich, creamy, non-greasy lotion formulated to absorb quickly, while softening and nourishing your baby’s skin. This hypoallergenic baby lotion formula is mild enough for baby’s sensitive skin, and enhanced with vitamins A and E to help retain the natural moisture of baby’s delicate skin. It is specially formulated for baby skin conditioning and protection.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely love Baby Magic Products and have used them with all 3 of my children. The soaps and lotions not only smell amazing, but they also work just as amazingly. I have always and will continue to use these awesome products.

About Boudreaux’s Butt Paste:

Maximum Strength Butt Paste.

  • Twice the rash-kicking treatment of Original and non of the harsh ingredients of some competitors.
    • Provides thickest barrier of protection against diaper rash
    • Paraben – preservative-, and phthalate-free
    • Maximum strength treatment and protection
    • Pediatrician-recommended

My Thoughts- This product is absolutely amazing. A diaper rash is something that happens to every baby at some point. It helps to know that there is a great product out there to end the Diaper Rash swiftly. I am happy to own this product and continue to use it on a regular basis as well as a preventative measure.

Giveaway:

Baby Magic & Boudreaux’s Butt Paste are both giving away a $35 prize. 1 Lucky winner will receive:

  • 1 Baby Magic Original Baby Lotion
  • 1 Baby Magic Original Wash
  • 1 BBP Max Strength Jar
  • 1 BBP Max Strength Tube

Giveaway Ends July 12th @ Midnight

Open to U.S. Residents Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kids’ Clothes Don’t Have To Cost You A Fortune

Whether it’s back-to-school time or you’re in the run-up to summer, your kids need clothes. With the crazy speed at which young kids grow, you need to be smart with your money when it’s time to hit some department stores again. If you know you’ve spent too much on children’s clothes in the past, here are some handy tips to make it less of a strain on your budget…

Stay Away from Collections

A lot of kids’ clothing stores will group all their collections right at the entrance of the store, where you can easily see all the pieces in one spot, and get tempted into a knee-jerk impulse-buy. Yes, those tops, skirts, along with the matching shoes and accessories might look adorable on the mannequins. However, your child really doesn’t care how well the different pieces of their outfit mesh together. If you see a pair of pants that you have to see on your child, then go ahead and pick them up. However, don’t get looped in and buy everything else in the collection. Try to bypass the new collections, and head to the back of the store, where you’ll find all the affordable clearance items.

Start Couponing

A lot of parents think that couponing has more popularity than it’s worth, and all those offers you come across are only there to get you in the store. Sure, businesses get on couponing schemes as a marketing ploy, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t save a huge amount through taking advantage of what’s on offer. Head over to a site like DontPayFull.com, and you’ll see a range of discount codes for popular department stores and kids’ clothing brands. These couponing sites go through their ups and downs, but it’s always worth having a look before you head out and start shopping.

Plan Ahead

Department stores start to close out jackets, sweaters and other cold weather gear once the spring range comes out. Obviously though, this doesn’t mean that your kids aren’t going to need winter gear in a matter of months. Start checking out more end-of-season sales, and save money ahead of when your kids actually need to change their wardrobe. Make a point of buying seasonal clothes that are just a touch large for your kids. This way, they can wear a certain item for a month or two, then store it away until the winter rolls around again. By leaving your kids room to grow, you’ll be able to go that much longer without having to buy more clothes.

Share the Basics

One of the great things about having young kids is that they can share a lot of their clothes. Of course, your son might not be crazy about the idea of wearing a Frozen shirt, or your daughter a Star Wars one, but when it comes to the basics, kids can share all kinds of items. Plain snow pants, hoodies, jackets and gloves are all good items for this, and will save you having to buy two sets of everything for your kids. The next time you’re shopping, try not to get a theme on everything, and look for clothes in neutral colors like black, gray and brown. Graphics of your kids’ favorite cartoon characters can add a ridiculous amount to an otherwise affordable piece of clothing, so keep sharing in mind on your shopping trip.

Think Work and Play

There’s a big difference between what your kids should be wearing to school and what they can use for play time. Mainly, the distinctions you should be worrying about are price and quality. When you’re at the start of summer, and your kids have got months ahead of riding bikes, running around parks, and so on, target cheap, low-quality clothes. There are usually great deals on around this time that allow you to buy a few shirts at a bundle price, along with discounted graphics tees, sweat pants, shorts and flip-flops.

Sell their Old Clothes

Baby onesies can make a nice memento, but as your kids grow out of their clothes at a ridiculous rate, you’ll need some way of getting rid of them. Why not get some of your money back by selling them at a garage sale? Just like you, other parents are going to want to save as much money as possible on clothes for their growing kids. Gently used shirts, pants, and shoes are all good items for a garage sale, and the little money you’ll make back can make your next shop that much cheaper.

Great Kid Products from Educational Insights

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

I’m sure that you all know and remember by now that my girls absolutely love doing craft projects and playing with things hands on. My girls were definitely big fans of these great products from Educational Insights.

About Educational Insights

Educational Insights are play enthusiasts. They aim to create experiences filled with sheer joy and uncontrollable laughter. They are champions of curiosity and those “eureka” moments of discovery. In addition to inspiring creativity, imagination, good sportsmanship, and out-of-the-box learning, their inventive line of kid-powered toys and engaging games are packed full of fun, designed to delight, and are certain to satisfy kids’ natural curiosity.

Their Playful Promise – We want to exceed your expectations. We work hard to ensure that our products are of the highest quality, and that kids feel happy, confident, and inspired after playing with them. If the product you’ve purchased is not giving your child and exceptional experience, then you can simply return it and you will get your money back. That’s it! No short return windows, no endless rationale needed – just ship the product back within a year of purchase and you’ll get your refund. 

About IllumiCraft Light-Up! Jewelry Organizer – 

Are your jewels in a jumble? Not for long with the light-up jewelry organizer! Kids cna engineer a circuit to light up their hanging organizer, and can personalize it with stickers and paint. Holds up to 20 pairs of earrings and 10 necklaces or bracelets.

They are learning!

  • Introduces basic circuitry and engineering
  • Develops problem – solving skills
  • Encourages a love of science and experimentation
  • Promotes artistic expression and creativity.

My Thoughts– I was a big fan of this awesome product. My oldest girls are 5 and 7, and the absolutely loved putting this awesome product together. They had fun picking out their own personalized design and really loved that they were truthfully the creators of their Jewelry Organizer.

About Playfoam Go! – 

Get ready for the squishable, squashable fun ….on the go! The Playfoam Go! portable carrying case includes 8 cool Playfoam colors, each kept neat and tidy in its own compartment. There’s even a ninth bonus compartment for mixing Playfoam colors!

They’re Learning – 

  • Encourages creative play
  • Helps develop fine motor skills
  • Provides tactile and sensory stimulation

My Thoughts – My girls LOVE this foam. I love that it is truthfully a no mess activity. There are weeks that I feel like we spend all of our time in the car traveling from activity to activity. I love that I can put the Playfoam in the car, and they can have an enjoyable playtime even if we aren’t at home.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing these great products from Educational Insights, or just looking around at all the other amazing products that they have to offer, head on over to their website.

Superfoods Snack Time with The First Years

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

Dinner Time and Snack Time can be quite the feat with young children, as anyone that has eaten with a child may well know. The First Years is going above and beyond to make sure that it is a much more enjoyable experience for everyone.

About The First Years:

3 Things The First Years believes above all else:

  1. Your journey as a parent is uniquely your own.
  2. The not-so-smooth moments are more memorable than when the stars align.
  3. Think out of the box and trust yourself; you’ve got this

The First Years was founded by parents more than 65 years ago. Mr. & Mrs. Sidman from Roxbury, Massachusetts were looking for the next big thing to grow a business. Marshall Sidman found it in an innovative diaper pin developed by a friend – one that wouldn’t prick parent’s fingers or baby’s skin. He approached local stores and The First Years journey began. Today, The First Years is a leading global juvenile products brand, recognized for it’s breadth of thoughtfully designed products that help parents through the many unexpected twists and turns on their own parenting journeys.

About Double Duty Plates:

It’s easy to “Put a lid on it” with The First Years Take & Toss Double Duty Plates! The plates double as lids for on-the-go meals, with a built-in utensil compartment for added convenience. Each leak-proof compartment seals independently so food stays separated and fresh.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love this product. I know that once my youngest gets a little older this product is going to be a very important tool for me. I love that the compartments stay separate even as you put it together on the go. 

About Stackable Soft Spout Trainer Cup- Pink:

This is the perfect cup for Baby’s First sippy cup. The First Years Stackable Trainer has easy-grasp handles and a soft spout that’s gentle on gums. Spill-proof and easy to clean, the one-piece lid is interchangeable with The First Years reusable cups, with no small parts to lose.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love these cups. My youngest is still at the stage that the soft spout are the cups that she prefers. I love that there are not multiple pieces to these cups. I hate when moisture gets in between all of the layers in the cup and then you have to work about mold and such. The design was adorable and my daughter was in love!

About The First Years Simply Spoutless Cup – 2 Pink:

The First Years Spoutless Cup lets your little one drink naturally from anywhere around the rim (just like an open cup), and it automatically closes tight when they stop sipping.

My Thoughts: Yay, I love these cups and I want to know why they didn’t exist when my other girls were younger. I can’t wait for my youngest to grow into these cups. I love the look and style of them, as well as the No spilling. 

About The First Years Inside Scoop Suction Sectioned Plate Pink:

We know that feeding time can be messy time. The Inside Scoop Section Plate is designed for easier self-feeding, with a unique curved rim to help guide more food onto forks and spoons. With a suction base to avoid slips and slides, plus three sections to keep food separate, it’s the plate you’ll reach for again and again.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love this awesome plate. My daughter is not quite to the age where she uses utensils, but she has gotten very excited about having her own plate and different foods in each section of the plate. 

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing any of these awesome products, make sure to click the links provided above with their explanations of the products.

6 Tips for Raising a Child that has Allergies

Taking care of your kids is sure to be top of your to-do
list each day. There are many medical issues that may arise over time, and
yous ideal to be aware of some of the top treatments you
can provide to decrease any discomfort your child may have.

Tip #1: Buy
hypoallergenic clothing

The things your child puts on each day to wear can have
either a positive or negative impact on allergies. Its ideal to clean your home thoroughly at least once a
week to get rid of excessive dust that is likely to accumulate. This is one of
the simpler things you can accomplish to help your child feel well with ease.

This can potentially reduce many of the unwanted symptoms of allergies and allow your kid to suffer more than necessary. Be sure to click here to find some of the highest-quality clothing that can help you child feel good every day.

Tip #2: Keep your home dust free

One of the ideal ways to help your children feel well when allergies are a part of life is by keeping your home free of dust. This will take a bit of extra effort on your part to accomplish but is well worth it to prevent your child from sneezing and feeling bad all the time.

It’s ideal to clean your home thoroughly at least once a week to get rid of excessive dust that is likely to accumulate. This is one of the simpler things you can accomplish to help your child feel well with ease.

Tip #3: Stock up on
medicines

The key to dealing with severe allergy attacks is by being
as prepared for these as you can be. Taking time to keep a stock of various
medications on hand is sure to helpful to you.

In fact, you should restock your shelves during asthma
awareness month
to allow you to never run out of things, such as epi pens,
nasal sprays and many others that can keep allergy symptoms at bay.

Tip #4: Be mindful of
food

Did you know that many of the foods your child eats can
worsen allergy symptoms? This is a fact, and you may even have a kid that is
allergic to peanut butter, peanuts or other food items.

You may want to avoid having certain foods in your pantry at
all that could trigger negative responses from your child if eaten. This is an
ideal way to avoid the temptation of eating these foods and may allow for
better results.

Tip #5: Encourage
sunglasses

You may have a child that just refuses to put on sunglasses
when playing outside, but doing so can be helpful in reducing allergies. Having
this protective item in place while outdoors can minimize the amount of pollen
or other things that can get in the eyes and contribute to problems.

Be sure to have a set of sunglasses for each of your
children to wear that has been diagnosed with allergies. This could be
extremely helpful and can decrease the amount of discomfort any kid may have
when living with this situation.

Tip #6: Work to have
cleaner air

There are various purifiers you can purchase that may help
keep the air in your home cleaner. This is an ideal situation for any
individual that suffers from allergies.

However, keep in mind it will take some time for this item
to work as it should. Even one of the top selling air purifiers can take at
least 15-20
minutes
to get the air in your home thoroughly clean.

Be sure to do all you can for the well-being of your child
when allergies are an issue. Being aware of what you can accomplish and working
to put these to use is sure to be the key for your kids to start feeling better
sooner rather than later.

 

 

What To Put In An Easter Basket

With Easter just around the corner, you are likely thinking of what you might put into your children’s Easter baskets this year. Here are a few fun suggestions that we think you and yours might enjoy.

Surprizamals are the perfect toy to put in your basket- they are cute for any time of the year, but love them for Easter baskets because they come in their own balls that are roughly the size of your basic plastic egg. The “surprise” is that you don’t know what animal comes inside each ball- there are even some very rare ones your child will enjoy looking for. These toys are small, cute, and inexpensive, and the “surprise” aspect of them really makes kids like them that much more. Not to mention, that they are easy to collect. An easy win.  Available at https://www.surprizamals.com/

We’ve mentioned Whiffer Sniffers before, but there is a new series out as well as new Spring/Easter exclusives that little fans or collectors will really enjoy. These scented plush characters really smell like they are supposed to.  They are fun toys that come with clips so that they can hand off your child’s backpack (or whatever they prefer). These small toys pack a large fragrance as well- several months later, I still smell the ones he’s had on his backpack from August. Not overwhelming. Also, the sweet smell of confections is one I will take over the gross “little boy playing” smell any day of the week, I will tell you that. There are several sizes and styles available for each character-  snuggley super size, a backpack clip, and scratch ‘n’ sniff stickers. You can also find exclusive characters only found inside specially marked mystery packs. Ah, the fun is in the hunt, right? Grab yours at a toy store near you or at http://whiffersniffers.com/ .

Perfect for Spring as well as any Doc McStuffins fan is the Doc McStuffins Baby Check Up Lil’ Nursery Pals doll collection. Yes, quite the mouthful of a name, but the doll is perfectly sized for little hands and arms and designed for kids in that Pre-K-K age. The outfits on the dolls (or doll styles) come in Bumblebee, Ladybug and Blue Bunny.  These baby dolls are inspired by the Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital Nursery your kids might watch on Disney Junior, and every doll wears her own spring themed costume and comes with an included pacifier. Available in most retails stores for about $9.99.

If you are traveling this holiday, you might want to take along a familiar friend. Peppa Pig has her own portable night light that kids will love and is easy to bring with you wherever you go- she also looks cute sitting in an Easter basket. So, fun meets function, my favorite. This Peppa Pig Soft Lites is plug free and needs 2AAA batteries (which are included) to emit a soft glow that will comfort kids as they fall asleep. $15 on http://www.tech4kidsdirect.com

Looking for a fun bunny to add? How about Mim-Mim? If your kids are fans of this newish TV show, they will love the toys available. Not only is there the large, purple bunny from Mimiloo, Mim-Mim, but also friends like Tack. You can get these toys in stuffed versions or in a figure pack. The Mimiloo Friends Figure Pack comes with Kate, Mim-Mim, Lily, Boomer, and Tack. These brightly colored and unusual creatures will be fun additions to your child’s basket, and let kids act out favorite scenes from the show or imagine their own adventures. Books and DVDs are also available, such as the new “Kate and Mim-Mim, The Mimiloo Zoo”. There are books for the littlest kids, such as “Kate and the Mitty Kats”, as well as stepping up readers. Prices vary.