Win 2 Tickets to the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show + a Family Meal Out!

I'll bet that everyone has heard of the acclaimed chef Raymond Blanc and his amazing dishes. His son Oliver Blanc has created a wonderful children's app called 'Henri le Worm' which is all about teaching kids where their food comes from in a fun and engaging way through games and storytelling. It's definitely something that I will be introducing to C as he loves to learn. 

This year, Oliver has a children's garden at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in Surrey and I've teamed up with French restaurant group Brasserie Blanc to offer one lucky reader the chance to win two tickets to RHS Hampton Court Flower Show (30th June to 5th July and a fabulous meal for the family at their local brasserie. 

Amble through the beautiful gardens at the Hampton Court Flower Show and while you are there visit the Henri le Worm children's garden, also available as an interactive app, where Raymond Blanc's son Olivier has set up a marvellous edible shed and livestock area for kids to enjoy! 

Then once you've worked up a hearty appetite, visit any Brasserie Blanc restaurant of your choice for an indulgent meal with French favourites such as slow-cooked duck leg confit; roast pork belly with sauté potatoes; and pan-fried hake fillet in a white wine, clam and samphire broth to name but a few. The menu is complemented by a selection of irresistible desserts and well-crafted wine list. Pint-sized tots also have their own Henri le Worm menu with delights in half portion sizes such as charcuterie platters, mini moules pots, crispy chicken and lip-smacking puddings.

Before entering, due to the time limit on these tickets, please be sure that you will be able to attend the show on Friday 3rd July and that there is a Brasserie Blanc in your location or one that you can travel to as a family (see locations here). 

This giveaway will run from 20th-26th June so get your entries in quickly! 

T&C's:

• One winner will win 2 tickets to the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show on Friday 3rd July and a family meal for two adults and two children at a Brasserie Blanc of their choice up to the value of £150. Any additional food and drink will be charged for
• The prize for a complimentary meal must be taken by 1 December 2015. Not available on any bank holidays. 
• The prize is non-transferrable and has no cash value. Subject to availability. 
• The prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
• Winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter
• No automated entries
• One entry per person

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More competitions at ThePrizeFinder

Munchkin Lil' Apple Plates

I'm so pleased to be on the Munchkin/Lindam Panel of Bloggers for 2015. I have loads of reviews planned over the next couple of months but first up, I want to introduce you to the Lil Apple Plates - how cute are they!? 

This set contains three Apple shaped plates (green, yellow and red) which are segmented.This makes them perfect for little ones mealtimes as you know how toddlers can strop when their different food items touch. Heaven forbid! 

They have ridges to minimise spills so your toddler can eat away by themselves. 

C is a huge fan of a "fun lunch". This usually includes foods like brioche, cheese and a variety of fruit. The foods he enjoys most! These little plates are the perfect way to display these to him. I think he finds his meals more exciting and I've found he eats a bit more. 

They are so easy to clean and they even stack together neatly. As they are suitable for ages 6mth+, E can now use them too! 

The Lil' Apple plates retail at only £4.99 per pack. 

You can find out more about Munchkin at their website or you can follow them on Facebook & Twitter. 

(Disclaimer: We received this set as part of our role as Munchkin/Lindam bloggers. All thoughts and opinions are my own). 

Belo & Me Colour Me Placemats

I first heard of Belo & Me about a year ago when I spotted their fabulous lunch bags. 

They have recently introduced Colour Me Placemats to their range and we were so pleased to be offered the chance to try them out. 

I previously wrote a post about eating out with toddlers and I really wish we had these before now! I do struggle to keep C entertained whilst waiting for our food to arrive in restaurants but these are the perfect solution. 

We received the Space & Robots set which are designs which capture C's attention. Inside each pack there are six A3 placemats in total; three of each design, a swap point crayon and glue dots to fix the sheets to the table. 

Seeing the swap point crayon really brought me back to my childhood, I loved those! C had a little bit of trouble changing colours so I did have to help him a little which is understandable considering he's only 2.5. 

The glue dots are a genius idea. They are so easy to stick the sheets to the table. C tends to get a bit overexcited so his paper usually slips around underneath him but we don't have that problem anymore, nor does he accidentally (or purposely!) drop it on the floor. 

The Belo & Me Colour Me Placemats are also available in Animals & Pets, Owl & Butterfly and Princess & Cats and they retail at an amazing £3.99!

You can find out more at the Belo & Me website. You can also follow them on Facebook & Twitter. 

(Disclaimer: We received this set for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own).

Top Tips for Hassle-free Meals Out with Toddlers

A few weeks before E was born Chris, C and I visited TGI Fridays for a "last meal out as a family of three". It was awful. C kept throwing strops over the littlest of things and we vowed we'd never go out for a meal again. We attempted it again just after E was born and the same thing happened but we put it down to him being tired. 

A couple of weeks ago we decided to eat at Pizza Hut. This time we planned it meticulously and I wanted to share with you my top tips for surviving a meal out with a toddler. 

1. Make sure they have had a nap. C is super grouchy when he's tired and nothing will calm him. I like to let him nap and wake up naturally as he'll be a lot happier. 

2. Bring books. We had two brand new books with us for C. He loved the fact that they were ones he'd never read before and was totally enthralled. 

3. Colouring sheets and pencils. We let him go wild and it keeps him quiet for a good while!

4. If possible, order similarly and ask if the kids meal can come out with your starters. C has to eat what we are eating. At our Pizza Hut visit, Chris opted for chicken strips as his starter as C was having them as his main. C happily ate them because they were the same as daddy's and he even stole some of daddy's too! He also has a strop if he sees that we have food before him, so do ask if the meals can come out at the same time. 

5. If all else fails, I turn to my trusty iPhone. If I have data on my phone or the restaurant has Wi-Fi I log onto YouTube and let C watch his cartoons. Peppa Pig is a current favourite and he'll sit in silence watching. I just keep the sound low so we don't disturb other diners!

What works with your kids? 

I'd love to try some extra options. 

OXO Tot Twist Bottle Review

Our house is packed with juice bottles for C. I'm always on the hunt for new ones. I think I have a strange obsession. 

Imagine my delight when OXO Tot very kindly sent us out one of their Twist Top Bottles to review!

This bottle is aimed for children 2years+ but C is pretty confident with a straw so he is able to drink through it fine. It is a thick plastic so it's a little heavy for him at the minute but I imagine a 2 year old would have no problem holding it.

The twist top is a lifesaver as because the straw doesn't have a stopper, juice will just pour out if the cup is dropped. Using the twist top keeps a lot of spills from happening! The straw is wide so its easy to retrieve liquid.

There is a fab loop which makes it easy for carrying too. We've been bringing it everywhere with us (C likes to hold the loop and move it across his highchair tray!). The cup itself has a wide rim so you can even add ice if need be and it's easy to clean.

My partner even said that he wants one!

Most importantly it is BPA free and dishwasher friendly!
This bottle retails are £8.00 and is also available in Aqua and Raspberry.

You can find OXO Tot at their website, Facebook and Twitter.

(Disclaimer: We received this item free of charge is exchange for an open and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own).

Date Night

Chris and I have been together for almost 4 years (sometimes I can't believe it's been that long!). I was 17 when we first met and when I turned 18, went to uni and moved in together we started going out for meals, to bars or to the cinema. Nowhere extravagant, just the occasional dinner at places like TGI Fridays or Chiquito. We really took this for granted and I've missed meals out since C was born.

On Thursday, we ventured out with C in tow. I'm still not used to leaving him so I wanted to bring him with us. We had four possible places in mind; Chiquito, Pizza Express, Frankie & Benny's or Spur Steak & Grill. We ended up in TGI Fridays, haha.

When we arrived, we were seated and C was asleep in his pram. We ordered our food and then he woke up. I got a highchair for him and he had a nosey about at all the lights and shook his rattle, banging it off the table. 

After a little bit of a wait, mine and Chris's meals came out. I had the Ultimate Southwest burger and Chris had the Ultimate Bacon Cheese Burger (yum!). At this point, C started leaning over the table trying to grab our food and crying because he couldn't have any. His mash then came out (the waiter was lovely and brought us a teaspoon as he assumed the mash was for C) and because I had to blow on it to cool it down, he had another cry. Whilst eating his mash, he still tried to get at our food. In the end, Chris had to give him some chips on a plate for him to pick up and eat himself. The whole way through eating them, he whinged.

We quickly ate our meals whilst trying to calm C down. His next tantrum came when he tried to put his chip down his straw and Chris told him 'no'. Everything felt very rushed as we were so focused on C and how he may be irritating other customers, which is a shame because the food and service was fantastic.

I definitely think in future, we either won't go out or I may have to reluctantly leave him behind :(

Have you ever had testing meals with your children?