books

Review: Josh & Cherie - Children Book Subscription (+ Giveaway & Discount Code!)

9:47 AM
In today's increasingly digital world, it's a common sight to see people glued onto their smartphones. I don't want to go down the slippery slope of introducing gadgets to Elise too early, so I've stocked up on a decent number of books, mostly pre-loved. I believe that children should enjoy reading from a young age as it helps with their comprehension and language ability. 

 However, the problem with buying preloved is that it's a hit-or-miss. I've bought bundles where some books came with missing flaps, creased pages and yellowed edges.

Also, there is something magical about brand new books. The crispness, the knowledge that you're the first one to read it and there won't be weird stains of unknown origin on the next page (coffee? drool?!). 

Today, Elise received a pizza box.  
Pizza for you?

It opened up to reveal a handwritten message and 3 presents tied up with string.


Hello mama, what's inside?

Let me open it up for you~


What was in the box (0 to 2 years old):

3 brand new, beautiful board books! 
This book has LARGE printed sentences so it's easy for parents to read (YES!) and for children to understand.  
There are various illustrated scenarios (one question per scenario) which you can flip up to see the appropriate response e.g.
Mommy says "Do you want peas for breakfast?" 
What do you say? *flip* "No, thank you!"

It's never too early to instill good manners in children!

This book teaches children that friends come in all shapes and sizes and they all get along. Idealistic in the adult world, but it is a children's book after all! It reminds me of a Dr Seuss book with colourful illustrations, rhymes and contrasting font sizes for emphasis.
It's an enjoyable book to dramatise and act out for toddlers. 
Elise chose to dance along to the Wheels on the Bus while exploring her book
Saving the best for the last, this book was definitely Elise's favourite. I have a few sound books which read stories out loud, but this one plays the tune of the Wheels on the Bus! Each page shows a different verse for you to sing along to. 

Elise could NOT STOP pressing the big red button! She clapped and bobbed along to the tune while flipping the pages. She was so thrilled. 
Press press press
Pretending to read...
Let's just dance!

Josh & Cherie Books:

 Started by a pair of local newlyweds Cheryl and Julius (Josh and Cherie are actually names for their future children!), Josh & Cherie Books is a premium children book subscription for children from 0 to 7 years of age. Every month, depending on the child's age, 2 to 3 books are carefully hand picked, gift wrapped and couriered.
Josh and Cherie Books
The idea came to life during a trip to a bookstore on a search for a child's gift, where they noticed that there were more assessment books than picture books! As the both of them were exposed to good books since young and grew up with the habit of reading, they wanted children to experience the magic that books provide. 

They hope to make reading exciting for children, convenient for parents and affordable for everyone with this service.

What I find unique:

1) The books are gift wrapped so children will be excited about their "presents" and want to read them. When I was a child, I received a present of a huge carton containing pre-loved Enid Blyton books from my cousin which sparked my childhood reading habit. Books are an investment. 

 2) The subscription price is cheaper than buying from the bookstores. The titles are also not readily found in local bookstores so it is unlikely that there will be duplicates. However, if you happen to already own the same book, take a photo of you giving it to a friend for a $7 deduction off your next renewal! 

 I find the pricing is reasonable for the effort it takes to search for interactive, age-appropriate books and its packaging. 

4) Suitable as a birthday gift because it's prettily packaged and educational.

5) Mandarin books are available for subscription, which is great for parents who want to introduce Mandarin to their little ones early. 


If you would like to try it out for yourself, take part in our giveaway or use the discount codes for a discounted pricing on your subscription. The book titles will be different from that which I've received as you will be receiving next month's box. 

Special Discount Codes (Valid till 31 Oct 2016):  
$12 off a 6-months subscription with JAMIE12OFF
$30 off a 12-months subscription with JAMIE30OFF 

This code is also valid for existing subscribers! Just drop them an email beforehand as they need to confirm your subscription. 

 Giveaway:
Josh & Cherie have very kindly sponsored a box of books to one lucky reader!
To enter the giveaway, simply follow the steps:

 1. Like Josh & Cherie's FB page
2. Like Days with Baby E's FB page
3. Share this blog entry on your wall (set to public)

For bonus chances, tag 5 friends after sharing the post (set to public). Leaving a comment on this post also gives you an additional chance! :) Good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

** I received a box of books for review purposes. No monetary compensation was received. 
discount

Review: Haenim UV Steriliser (with Discount Code!)

10:38 AM
You know how some brides-to-be turn into Bridezillas? While I was quite relaxed about my ROM ceremony, I was definitely a Momzilla. I googled incessantly on "essential newborn items" and tried to create my own list of what was really needed.

The problem about these lists is that most of the things aren't even needed. Baby cots end up being used to hold laundry and fancy diaper bins get banished to the cold palace. There's no point buying a changing table when the baby gets changed on the bed anyway. Baby products you think you need, but don't really.

There's one item which outlasted most of the items on my initial shopping list.
I'm not particular on disinfecting every surface my baby comes into contact with because it simply is impossible to do that all the time. However, I am still sterilising her bottles and my pump parts at least once a day just for a peace of mind.

For newborns and younger infants, it is necessary to sterilise milk bottles and pacifiers because their immune system may not be strong enough to cope with viruses.

I noticed that Korean parents had been using UV sterilisers for a long time. In Korea, almost every eating place provides free drinking water and their cups are stored inside large UV sterilisers. Therefore, this item naturally got bumped up to the top of my shopping list.


The Haenim UV steriliser. There are other brands in the market, but there were many positive blog reviews in Korea  (Bambidonna, Happy Diaries of the Seo Sisters, MomsBlog) so I decided to go with it. I made the right choice because recently, another Korean brand recalled its sterilisers due to its toxic (!) filters.
I sent multiple variations of the same email to my husband who was working overseas then to make sure he would bring it back.
After multiple emails and constant reminders, my husband and his brother lugged it back to Singapore from Korea.

Unlike steam sterilisers or the old-school boiling method, UV sterilisers have drying functions so there's no need for the additional step of waiting for the bottles to dry on a separate drying rack! Although slightly pricier, these little machines make sterilisation a breeze and there's no risk of your bottles getting warped.

When your baby grows up, the steriliser can still be used for soft toys, toothbrushes and cutlery. You can even sterilise your smartphones and remote controllers!



I really hate wasting time. With this, I just wash the bottles and flanges with baby safe liquid detergent (Tollyjoy!), place them into the steriliser and press the AUTO button once where a cycle takes about 30 minutes. It lights up at different stages of the sterilisation process and when switched off, its mirror-like window hides the mess inside! :D Steriliser plus drying cabinet all at once.

Features & Benefits (2015 model)
  • Large storage capacity 
    Fits up to 16 standard sized baby bottles, 1 large plushie and probably a hundred smartphones.
  • Timer & Temperature Display
    Know exactly how long more you need to wait.
  • LOW MAINTENANCE No de-scaling needed. Just change the UV lamp once a year.
  • Frustration-freeHave you ever warped a baby bottle or melted a teether in the steam steriliser? There's no such risk when you use a UV steriliser.
How to Use
  • Arrange items upright on rack, widest openings facing up
  • Choose from AUTO, UV or DRY - each button has 3 different modes.

    AUTO:     Press once for 30 mins fan circulation (25 min dry + 5 min sterilisation)
    Press twice for 50 mins fan circulation (40 min dry + 5 min sterilisation)
    Press thrice for 70 mins fan circulation (60 min dry + 5 min sterilisation)

    UV:
    Press once for 5 mins fan circulation (5 mins sterilisation)
    Press twice for 10 mins fan circulation (10 mins sterilisation)

    DRY:
    Press once for 10 mins fan circulation (9 mins drying)
    Press twice for 20 mins fan circulation (19 mins drying)
    Press thrice for 40 mins fan circulation (39 mins drying)

    STORAGE (2016 version only):
    Auto sterilise every 2 hours for a total of 8 hours
  • Wait for the sterilisation to be complete, or forget about it until the next time.



    • Just like smartphones, UV sterilisers are constantly being updated with new technology. The latest 2016 model comes with bluetooth so you can control your steriliser through an app! If I'm not wrong, it's the first of its kind.




Instead of getting someone to lug it back from Korea like what I did, the Haenim UV steriliser can be easily purchased from thelittleonesinmylife which provides a 1 year local warranty and free delivery. thelittleonesinmylife is the exclusive distributor of Haenim in Singapore.
    DISCOUNT CODE: Get S$70 (!!!) off your purchase of a Haenim UV Steriliser from thelittleonesinmylife when you use j-amieee at checkout.

    * Code is valid for both 2015 and 2016 models of Haenim UV Sterilisers
    * Expires 31 Dec 2016
Disclaimer: I received store credits in exchange for a review of my 2015 Haenim UV steriliser which was purchased directly from Korea.