Family night is a night of fun, laughter and games. The five of us needed a new challenge, so we tried the new game, Five Crowns. It’s different to other games as it is played with a double deck and five suits (the fifth suit is Stars). There are no 2s or aces, so the game has to start with a hand of three cards, meaning that 3s are wild. Each succeeding hand adds a card and makes that card wild, e.g. four cards make 4s wild, five cards make 5s wild etc. The game ends when the Kings are wild.

Like Rummy you need to put out sets of cards and try to finish first. The rest of the players then get one chance to get rid of their cards.

The game is a lot of fun and requires a lot of strategic thinking. My nieces and nephew have learnt how to calculate the outcome of each move and are becoming masters at the game. Sadly my sister and I started well but we’re losing ground fast.

This game is for older kids (10 years and older), but could include younger ones by letting them count and referee. It is highly recommended for family entertainment.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

Although it seems complicated, it took my eight-year old nephew about five minutes to learn how to play the game. It is fun as it is like travelling around Europe in a train and I try to add interesting stories and anecdotes for my niece and nephews’ sake to make the game even more interesting.

The board and game pieces are exquisite and large enough for little hands to handle. The board is also a large version board, so you don’t have to struggle with building your train line. Travelling across Europe is easy with the various train cards, destination tickets etc. and you can soon be racking up the points.

My niece and nephews enjoyed the game immensely as did I. It livened up games night and I’m sure that we all learned a few more deductive reasoning skills. Where there were disputes, the rule book was easy enough to consult and follow, so there was never an unpleasant air to the evening or indignant shouts of “no fair!”

I love the game and we regularly play it. As family entertainment this award-winning game come highly recommended.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

My nieces and nephew love to play board games and they are quite keen on LEGO as well, so I was delighted when I saw a combination of both in the LEGO Minotaurus Game.  This really has been a huge hit in our home and the only downside of it is that they expect us to play it every night!

The object of the game is to get your pieces to the centre by trying to block the opponent’s path and avoiding the Minotaur.  It is simple to play and children will love it.  Another great feature of this game is that the kids actually get to build the dice and when I tell you they have great fun with the dice it is down to the fact that it actually bounces because it has rubber edges.  I have spent countless nights chasing the dice around the room after it has been bounced off the table. 

My nieces and nephew love this game but they are not too impressed when they have to go back to the start because someone else has sent them there.  Adults will find this game great fun too as it really does bring out the competitive side to your children, which is fun to watch.  This really is worth buying.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

Every Christmas I buy a board game for the family to play after dinner.  Some of them have been great and to be honest some have been more than a letdown.  Last Christmas I decided to buy Quiddler because it really got great reviews.  I wanted something that the whole family would enjoy and from what I had read, this would be it.

The object of the game is to get rid of your cards which are all printed with letters on them.  The game is similar to rummy but you can get rid of your cards by making a lot of words or fewer, longer words.  Each round the number of cards you get increases.  You will get points for discarding your cards so it can sometimes pay to get rid of smaller words instead of waiting for a longer word as if you get left with the cards you will pay the penalty.  The great thing about this game is that the leader usually changes after every round so nobody runs away with the game.  My family loves it.  I have a nephew aged ten and two nieces aged eleven and six.  My six year old niece usually plays with me and we have great fun making up words that she knows. 

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

Sometimes running after the kids and managing a busy schedule just isn’t enough to make the unwanted weight stay off and away. Unfortunately there isn’t always time to go to the gym or to exercise properly. This is where the Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board comes in.

The Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board gives you the opportunity to not only exercise, but to keep your kids (and husband) occupied as well. This is done with creative fitness software to suit every age and gender with a variety of exercise types to keep kids of all ages entertained and fit.

Working out on the Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board is as simple as getting onto the Board, selecting the exercise routine that suits your needs and following the instructors on your television screen. The kids will find it amusing to watch Mom doing exercise and you can even get them to exercise along with you. Then, while you’re taking a break, let them play one of the many games that the Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board software has. The interaction will also let your kids blow off some energy and stay fit.

The Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board also allows you to exercise in the comfort of your own home where you will feel more comfortable in donning those unflattering exercise garments. While the kids are at school you can fit in a quick exercise routine that will leave you satisfied with your fitness progress.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

If you are having trouble sleeping and tossing all night to find a comfortable position, it is high time for you to invest in a quality memory foam mattress.  Choosing the correct mattress is essential to get the quality sleep that your body needs to function at its best. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve lost sleep because hotel mattresses were uncomfortable.

Based on my own experience, I tend to favour memory foam mattress because it is made of a material sensitive to body weight and heat.  After you lie down, it instantly molds into the shape of your body, providing the support where you need it.  Unlike other mattresses, memory foam does not immediately spring back if the body moves.  Instead it slowly expands back into shape, preventing disturbance to your sleep.

Another advice I have for you is to never buy a too small mattress. Trust me, it is one of the mistakes that most new bed buyers make.  Double mattress is just nice for a couple but it leaves very little space for the partner to move about. In fact, it is more recommended for teenage children.  Queen or king size is wider and makes all the difference in comfort, especially for couple as each would have as much personal space as on a twin bed.

If you cannot afford to replace your existing mattress, the cheaper alternative is to get a 2-3” thick memory foam mattress topper pad which is equally good in reducing discomfort.

Disclosure: http://cmp.ly/3

Gifts for Mom:

1. Belli Gift Sets: Belli is the world’s safest skincare line available to address the specific issues of pregnant women, new mothers and babies. The line is divided into three parts: Pregnancy, Motherhood and Baby. www.belliskincare.com

Motherhood Essentials Kit: Belli’s Motherhood Essential’s kit helps ease the transition into healthy, preventative, long-term skin care routines. The kit contains everything new moms need to restore and reclaim her body. Four hero products formulated with proven ingredients that quickly deliver results. Retail Cost: $29.99

2. The Little Bra Company features a line of sexy, comfortable and stylish lingerie for smaller-proportioned women that make women feel beautiful and sexy at any size.

During the holidays, women pile on layers upon layers of clothing to stay warm during cold winter months. But sometimes bulky sweaters cover up a feminine silhouette and women (especially small-busted women) are left searching for ways to feel sexy and beautiful underneath all the layers. The Little Bra Company’s red-hot Luciabra and panty set is the perfect gift to spice up the holidays and keep women feeling hot despite the cold weather. RRP : $56.

3. Luxe Beauty Brand, Votre Vu: A luxurious skin care brand that brings the best naturally-based skincare solutions to the U.S. market and beyond. www.votrevu.com

On Holiday Gentle Body Scrub: Key to relaxation for moms who “need a break.” This natural treatment will virtually transform any environment into sumptuous, infinitely soothing mini-vacation. Its gentle glycerin base leaves skin feeling soft, never oily, and its natural extracts help to moisturize and smooth skin while you exfoliate. Retail Cost: $35.

 4. Hobo Handbags from Yak Pak – Leading fashion trade WWD has published that “classic hobo handbags” are among the top holiday items in 2009. Yak Pak has an array of hobos in selection of sizes to fulfill all of your purse-purchasing needs! The Nobu is the biggest hobo offered, with the Megu coming in right behind it. The Sabrina is a more petite version of the hobo and also comes with an adjustable tied shoulder strap.

Ranging from just $25- $45, all of Yak Pak’s  hobos are made with a soft cotton twill exterior and a shiny satin interior and come in a plethora of stylish prints that are classic to the Yak Pak look.

Gifts for Dad:

1. Votre Vu’s Luxe Beauty Products for Men: A luxurious skin care brand that brings the best naturally-based skincare solutions to the U.S. market and beyond.

POUR HOMME: A trio of French-made skin formulas including an anti-aging face cream, an organic shave balm, and a 3-in-1 hair, face and body wash. Retail Cost: $35.-$42.

2. Fitness for Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere with Hit the Deck: This innovative fitness device at home or on-the-go tones the body while burning off stress hormones. www.powerhouseperformancecoaching.com

Hit the Deck: Easy to use and cost-conscious Hit the Deck consists of a programmable interval time and 30 cards divided into three categories: No Sweating, I’m Glistening and Sweating Buckets. Retail Cost: $19.99

3. Grunge Buds : www.atomic9.com

You know we could all use a little extra ‘bling’ in our lives and for anyone with an iPod, Blackberry or MP3, the new techie must-have, Grunge Buds add that extra pizzazz you’re looking for. Set with Swarovski crystals, these ultimate headphones incorporate eye-popping style with superior quality noise-isolation and are complete with a microphone so you can flow from the latest Kanye track to your call and back in no time. Available in unisex styles such as edgy skulls, angel wings and frosted cats these headphones would be a great stocking stuffer and will make a statement under the tree! $39.99

4. Godiva Home Fragrance Collection Inspired by hand-made Peppermint Bark, Peppermint Bark Candle features: Fine dark and white chocolate characteristics married together with Madagascar bourbon vanilla and the essence of crushed peppermint. Give a gift of luxury!

Godiva Chocolatier unveils a new way to indulge in the sensorial decadence of its chocolates – the Godiva Home Fragrance Collection. These scented candles are the brand’s first foray into the home fragrance category in its over 80 year history and represent a departure from Godiva’s traditional culinary innovations. Led by Laura Slatkin, CEO of Candela Group, the Godiva Home Fragrance Collection was developed by combining the talents of the fragrance industry’s master perfumers with the expertise of Godiva’s master chef chocolatiers. Price : $22.50

The above gift guide is compiled based on my own opinion. No payment or product was provided in exchange for this post.

The Don’t Bite Me! Patch is a revolutionary, new product that provides an alternative to traditional insect repellent. The Don’t Bite Me! Patch combines an old remedy with new technology to make an outstanding product! Only natural ingredients go into our topical patch which lasts for up to 36 hours. Now you can simply put on a patch, not messy sprays and lotions. Whether you are swimming, camping, golfing, gardening, hunting, fishing or watching an outdoor sporting event, you can now enjoy your time outdoors, not dread it!

If you are a follower of my parenting blog, you’ll know that my kids and I are dreadfully afraid of insect bites. These bites often result in swelling and a lot of pain, followed by itchiness due to inflammation. Therefore, when I stumbled upon the Don’t Bite Me! Patch, my curiosity was piqued. I wanted to try and see whether it really works!

The opportunity came when I went for a recent teambuilding trip to Lumut, Malaysia. We stayed at the Swiss Garden Resort which was a beachfront resort. Since I knew our teambuilding was going to last until 10.30pm that night, I did not want to risk being bitten my mosquitoes. From the instructions, the patch had to be applied two hours before going outdoor, so after lunch, I quickly slapped the Don’t Bite Me! Patch on my outer upper left arm. It was pretty easy as you just need to peel off the adhesive tape. I like the fact that the patch was transparent which meant no one knew I was using it.

My observation throughout the time I had the patch on, which was roughly 18 hours, I did not have a single insect bite. I’m not sure whether it was a coincidence as I am usually very prone to mosquito bites. I was also pleasantly surprised when I removed the patch and noticed that there wasn’t any itchiness even though my skin is generally sensitive to adhesive products.  However, my skin did look redder than usual but the colour returned to normal after a couple of hours.

Since the key ingredients are Vitamin B1 and Aloe, the Don’t Bite Me! patch is also safe for children. Thus, I’m keen to try it out again with my kids when we go for our next outdoor activity.  Other features such as being waterproof and able to last up to 36 hours are an added advantage. You can purchase your own here!

The Don’t Bite Me! Patch is a revolutionary, new product that provides an alternative to traditional insect repellent. The Don’t Bite Me! Patch combines an old remedy with new technology to make an outstanding product! Only natural ingredients go into our topical patch which lasts for up to 36 hours. Now you can simply put on a patch, not messy sprays and lotions. Whether you are swimming, camping, golfing, gardening, hunting, fishing or watching an outdoor sporting event, you can now enjoy your time outdoors, not dread it!

If you are a follower of my parenting blog, you’ll know that my kids and I are dreadfully afraid of insect bites. These bites often result in swelling and a lot of pain, followed by itchiness due to inflammation. Therefore, when I stumbled upon the Don’t Bite Me! Patch, my curiosity was piqued. I wanted to try and see whether it really works!

The opportunity came when I went for a recent teambuilding trip to Lumut, Malaysia. We stayed at the Swiss Garden Resort which was a beachfront resort. Since I knew our teambuilding was going to last until 10.30pm that night, I did not want to risk being bitten my mosquitoes. From the instructions, the patch had to be applied two hours before going outdoor, so after lunch, I quickly slapped the Don’t Bite Me! Patch on my outer upper left arm. It was pretty easy as you just need to peel off the adhesive tape. I like the fact that the patch was transparent which meant no one knew I was using it.

My observation throughout the time I had the patch on, which was roughly 18 hours, I did not have a single insect bite. I’m not sure whether it was a coincidence as I am usually very prone to mosquito bites. I was also pleasantly surprised when I removed the patch and noticed that there wasn’t any itchiness even though my skin is generally sensitive to adhesive products.  However, my skin did look redder than usual but the colour returned to normal after a couple of hours.

Since the key ingredients are Vitamin B1 and Aloe, the Don’t Bite Me! patch is also safe for children. Thus, I’m keen to try it out again with my kids when we go for our next outdoor activity.  Other features such as being waterproof and able to last up to 36 hours are an added advantage. You can purchase your own here!