Holey Slippers........

Let's just say my slippers have seen better days. With this in mind while shopping at The Warehouse www.thewarehouse.co.nz for Jacob's gumboots I spied a rack of good looking slippers close by. Now I do like a bargain so I hot footed it over there and was thrilled to see they were also New Zealand made with Sheepskin inside. Quite cosy in fact. I was sorely tempted as the price was right(something like $44.95), however as they were the first pair I've found I decided to hold back and look around a little more elsewhere. I thought I'd mention this as if you want a reasonably priced pair of New Zealand made, warm slippers check out The Warehouse. I will keep you posted on my search for my dream slippers....

New Gumboots and a haircut......

I am sooooooooo over Gumboots that split round the heal area. I vowed to myself I would get decent gumboots next time round for my son Jacob. So in the holidays we got haircuts and new gumboots. I was thinking I would have to go to RD1 or Wrightsons to get some decent ones but as we were passing The Warehouse www.thewarehouse.co.nz I remembered I had got my daughter some cute little New Zealand made gumboots from there last year so thought we'd pop in.

I was thrilled to find a pair of really good kids gumboots that were made in New Zealand for $22.95. They are good too and have a really decent grip. Jacob was thrilled and so was I. Here he is proudly wearing his new gumboots before they hit the mud. I also found they have smaller kids gumboots and adult gumboots locally made too.

Bestest Natural Sunscreen......

Just while I was mentioning Oasis Beauty I thought I'd mention their Sunscreen, Oasis Sun. It is awesome. We used it all of last summer and it is fantastic. It is a Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ and really works without all the yucky chemicals. It is PH balanced, has a natural colour and fragrance and is paraben free. It is non-greasy, non-whitening and contains good stuff like Jojoba oil, Shea butter and vitamin E. Love it. Buy it at stores around like Naturally healthy but also online at www.oasisbeauty.co.nz. Oasis Beauty also have heaps of other yummy products which I will mention at another time.

Serious Hand creams found....

I have been searching up and down for a seriously good hand cream for some time. I've tried heaps but usually am left feeling disappointed. I like the ingredients to be all natural and as you know I also like them to be made right here in New Zealand. Thought I'd let you know about about two that fit my requirements and also are very good.

The first is made by a company called Infused with Nature (previously PMS skincare) www.infusedwithnature.co.nz. They farm Calendula in the Waikato region and this is what they base their skincare on. It really is amazing stuff. I have found their Calendula ointment and Gardeners Hand cream to be really good. They really are very healing and have made a huge difference to my skin. I have to say I don't love the texture of the cream but the results are worth it I think. They also have a large range of other creams, soaps etc. I was given their Pumice soap recently at it is lovely to use. Great for getting your skin silky smooth.

The other one I have found really good is made by Oasis Beauty in the South Island www.oasisbeauty.co.nz. It is Rhino Repair(cool name too). It works really well and is easily absorbed. I have heard that some people take it up Mt Everest on expeditions too and find it awesome in the extreme weather conditions.

Awesome kids socks....No excuses for cold toes!!

While I'm on socks, thought I'd better mention some for the kids. We have ordered some Lamington www.lamington.co.nz stripey socks from www.lolaben.co.nz for both of our children. They are made from merino wool and are really long and snug so kind of look like tights under my little girls skirts. My son prefers to push them down of course but at least I know he has extra warm ankles!! Gorgeous colours, sizes 0-6 years. All made in New Zealand and our kids just love them. Here is Edie wearing one of her well loved Lamington socks. Her brother ran away and hid the other one. The things we go through for photos. The other stripe in them is a pink although you can't see it very well here. They are so cute and pull up really high so really are really great for keeping their legs warm.

The other place I can think of that does merino wool socks for children is www.cosytoes.co.nz. I have also bought socks from them for my children and they have been awesome too. Nice colours, wide size range and super stretchy. They wash up really well. My kids seem to be wearing them this year too so fantastic value.