Made for Madison: Mum

Showing posts with label Mum. Show all posts

Thursday, 22 April 2021

Teslachair experience at Body Catalyst

Product Review April 22, 2021

Hi everyone! If you’ve been following me over at @madeformadison you’ll already have seen my latest awesome find, Body Catalyst. Body Catalyst has been around for over 6 years now. They are Australia’s largest and leading body shaping and wellness company, combining a holistic approach with non-invasive and clinically proven body shaping treatments. As a mum of two girls, my body has never been the same, and I’m sure I’m not the only one! I suffer from bad lower back pain, so bad that I haven’t lifted my girls in the past three years. It’s very sad, but unfortunately, that was my reality. On top of the lower back pain, it turns out that my stomach muscles are separated by the width of three fingers—another common thing after childbirth. My bladder is worn, and I’ve been suffering from mild incontinence. It goes without saying that I wouldn’t trade my children for anything, but people don’t talk enough about how hard it is on the body, and how long it can take to recover. Not being able to lift my girls or carry things easily has been so hard, and I feel like I’m missing out on opportunities because of my pain.

So when I was offered the opportunity to review the TeslaChair pelvic floor strengthening treatment at Body Catalyst and I learned that it could help with all my issues, I literally screamed with excitement! The process started with a very thorough consultation at their clinic In Burwood Westfield. The body shaping and wellness expert asked me a series of questions about my diet, Lifestyle, health issues or concerns, and any body issues including various aches and pains. My therapist was AMAZING! I absolutely loved how comfortable and at ease she made me feel. She addressed all my questions and concerns and made me feel calm and excited about the whole experience.

Filing in my questionnaire

All the therapists were fantastic and very pleasant to deal with. The therapists at Body Catalyst also have knowledge and prowess in nutrition, which I think plays such an important part of recovering from the strain our bodies undergo during pregnancy and childbirth. Healthy living is critical in this whole process, and the Body Catalyst staff were very helpful in this regard as well. The TelsaChair technology is aimed at helping women who have experienced childbirth. Oftentimes childbirth results in abdominal separation and creates pelvic floor concerns. Fixing these problems requires muscle strengthening, and the TeslaChair is designed to do this with a series of simple treatments..

“The TeslaChair is a medical device (registered on ARTG) developed for treating weakened Pelvic floor muscles and urinary incontinence using Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) Technology. The pulsed magnetic field generated by the device causes the muscles of the Pelvic floor to contract, which results in increased strength and endurance of the pelvic region and pelvic floor muscles. This therapy is suitable for all kinds of urinary and faecal Incontinence as well as chronic pain in the pelvis and back.”

First session on the Teslachair

I completed 6 sessions on the chair. In each 30 minute session the TeslaChair stimulates up to 50,000 muscle contractions, and it’s completely painless! I could feel the paddle on my lower back, buttocks and upper thighs.

Before I started the treatment

- I had to use a hot water bottle on my lower back every night;

- I couldn’t lift simple things like full shopping bags;

- Literally needed to run to the toilet so I didn’t wee my pants;

- Felt weak walking up the stairs.

At the beginning of my treatment I had to fill in a questionnaire that asked about the frequency and intensity of various issues such as incontinence and pain. After 6 treatments my questionnaire score that started at 4 was reduced to 0 points! I also benefited from the below results;

- My tummy feels stronger;

- I now can run up my stairs feeling strong;

- Not only can I hold shopping bags, but I can even hold heavier items; -

- I have not needed a hot water bottle on my lower back;

- No lower back pain;

- My pelvic floor muscles feel stronger;

- No incontinence.

This treatment has truly changed my life! I will forever be grateful to be given the opportunity to try this, but I'll also be continuing as a paying customer.

Next up, I'll be embarking on a personalised treatment plan with the TeslaFormer on my abdomen to help repair my muscle separation and improve my core strength, so stay tuned for more on this. If it works as well as the treatments have for my back and pelvic floor, I'll be overjoyed. I’m also pleased to let you all know I have two great discounts to offer you:

4 sessions for $1000 for TeslaFormer/Chair treatments

To activate this offer, please use code “MFMxTesla” to get 4 sessions for $1000 (each session will be $250 vs. the normal price of $700 per session). This offer is valid for both TeslaFormer and TeslaChair treatments. Alternately, you can use the code “MadeforMadison50” to get 50% off your first treatment, across all of treatments offered at Body Catalyst!

Check out Body Catalyst here

Using the V fitness activity Monitor for our exercise routine

tech for kids May 06, 2019

I love doing as many activities I can with my girls and have recently started to try and incorporate family walks – gotta get those steps in! With the weather getting cooler and the evenings getting darker, we all need a little encouragement to rug up and get moving. So, we’ve been using the activity monitor by Laser. The girls feel like such grown ups when they’re using it – it’s so funny. I think I’ve got a couple of fitness fanatics on my hands!

We’ve been using the V-Fitness Activity Monitor and are absolutely loving it. It links to my phone, so I can keep track of our family fitness efforts as we go. No excuses here! The kids monitor is amazing, too – the perfect way to get them interested in staying active and understanding the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Here are the details:

V-Fitness Adult Activity Monitor – RRP $69.95 (NAV-ACTMA20)
Made for the fast-paced lifestyle, the V-Fitness Adult Activity Monitor tracks your steps, distance travelled, and calories burnt, while monitoring heart rate and sleep. Slim in size with a big screen that displays tracked activity, time and quick view of smartphone messages and alerts, stats can be viewed, and preferences set up via the easy-to-use free i-gotU Life app (Android/iOS). Packaged with a black and red interchangeable silicon band, the Adult Activity Monitor is IPX7 water-resistant and scratch-resistant, meaning it can go wherever you go. Featuring up to seven days of run time and easy to recharge via the included USB charger, it’s easy to stay on track with your fitness goals this summer!

Key features:
● Tracks distance, steps, heart rate and calories
● Waterproof and has stopwatch abilities
● Notifications and call alerts
● Four modes: Daily, sleep, sport and nap
o Daily mode: Analyses daily data, including steps taken and calories burned
o Sleep mode: Tracks your sleep pattern and quality, ability to set silent alarms
o Sports mode: Starts a workout and displays information including duration, steps taken, calories burned, and distance travelled during workout
o Nap mode: Awakes you via vibration after a short nap
● Up to seven days of battery run time (Fully charges in three hours)
● Includes two adjustable bands: Black and red
● Ability to share results with friends/other users via social media
● Uses GPS location from a connected smartphone to report accurate activity path
● Bluetooth 4.0
● LED screen

V-Fitness Kids Activity Monitor – RRP $39 (NAV-ACTMK18)
A great gadget for the sporty kid, the V-Fitness Kids Activity Monitor is slim, discreet and easy to fasten on the wrist. Tracking steps, distance travelled, calories burnt and telling the time, stats can be viewed via the free i-gotU Life app (Android/iOS). The interchangeable wrist-band made of soft silicon is comfortable and stylish, with black, red and blue colour options, set to suit different personalities and styles. With up to seven days of battery life and easy to recharge with the included Micro-USB cable, the V-Fitness Kids Activity Monitor is a fun, safe and affordable way for the kids to see how far they walk in a day and keep on track with their fitness.

Key features:
● Counts steps, distance travelled, and calories burned
● Sweat resistant and has stopwatch abilities
● Notifications and call alerts
● Up to seven days of battery run time (Fully charges in 1.5 hours)
● Includes three adjustable bands: Black, blue and red
● Ability to share results with friends/other users via social media
● Uses GPS location from a connected smartphone to report accurate activity path
● Bluetooth 4.0
● LED screen

If you and your family are looking to step up your game and move your bodies more, the V-Fitness activity monitors are a great way to stay accountable. Make it a competition to see who can get the most activity in, and challenge each other to get fit and stay healthy!

How do you keep fit as a family?

Check out more HERE

How to Help Defend Against Head Lice

Mum January 22, 2019

So, you’ve battled your first encounter with head lice, and you’re feeling like a super-parent. Go you! Head lice are an unfortunate part of childhood, but they affect nearly all of us so if you’ve just tackled your first outbreak, you’re doing great!

But what now? Are the lice gone forever or will they come back for another round of combing, spritzing and spraying?

Sadly, there’s a good chance you’ll be faced with them again. They’re very common and can spread very easily.

But luckily, MOOV have the ultimate defence against head lice for you and your family. Enter MOOV Head Lice Defence Spray!

I never knew there was a way to help defend against lice, but now there is. Madison starts big school this year, and my cupboards are stocked up with the stuff to help minimise her chances of bringing home a few new additions to the family on her scalp.

The good news is, if I do come across head lice, I know I can reach for the MOOV Head Lice treatment products and get rid of the lice quick smart. I’ve got my combs ready, too, and I’ll be doing regular checks to make sure our household remains lice-free!

If you do find your children come home itching and scratching, don’t panic! Head lice are a normal part of childhood – and subsequently parenting. Ensuring you have access to the right tools and treatment is the best thing you can do for your family to hep protect them from head lice.

Watch our how-to video here to learn the easy, step-by-step defence process.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND USE ONLY AS DIRECTED. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.

Ready for Halloween with PJ Masks

Mum September 17, 2018

What is Halloween without dressing up?! Every year at our house there are two excited little girls and one majorly stressed out Mamma as we go through the crazy scramble for that perfect costume.

This year, I’m skipping the stress and preparing early. Yep, it’s only September and I’m already all set for Halloween – supermum, I know, I know. I surprise myself at times!

What kid doesn’t love dressing up as a superhero? The colours, the glitzy logos and of course, that superhero name! Madison and Macie love the PJ Masks. When it’s time for bed, the characters hop into their pyjamas, activate their animal amulets and magically transform into Catboy, Owlette and Gekko.

Catboy is super fast and agile, Gekko is super strong and can scale walls better than Superman, and Owlette has the ability to fly high and see far and wide.

I bet you can guess who we’re dressing up as this Halloween! Yep, the girls are off trick or treating dressed as their favourite PJ Masks characters!

While I’d love to pretend I got all creative and made the costumes myself, I’m afraid I didn’t. But with the PJ Masks Hero Dress Up Set at $39.99 RRP, I didn’t have to!

You can get a set for each character, and included is a highly detailed full-body outfit in the characters signature colours. You also get a comfortable fabric mask, so your little ones can really fool your family and friends. Available in sizes 4-6 years, these dress up sets are available now from Target, Big W, Myer, Mr Toys, Toymate and Toyworld.

As it’s Halloween – aka the fiesta of sugar and lollies, we also picked up PJ Masks Pez Dispensers! These are such a throwback for me – I remember them being cool when I was little.

Sticking with the PJ Masks theme, your tots can stay in character even when popping the
tasty Pez pellets! Each collectible dispenser comes with 2 packs of fruit flavoured candy in either strawberry, lemon, orange, cherry, raspberry, cola and fizzy. Available now for $3RRP in major retail and department stores, convenience stores and other speciality confectionery outlets.

Want more PJ Masks goodies? In the lead up to Halloween PJ masks merchandise is available in manu major retailers nationwide.

That’s the costumes sorted – now I’ll get to planning my scare-worthy treats and pumpkin carving skills! Anybody else planning ahead for this Halloween? Let me know what you’re planning and share your dress up ideas and scary food recipes in the comments.

Top 5 hacks to store kids’ costumes and party decorations

Tips August 16, 2018

Kids absolutely love a party and dressing up, but what we don’t realise until it’s too late is how much space is actually required to store tutus and superhero masks. Too often party decorations get lost and we just keep purchasing more even though they’re probably hiding in the back of the garage. Here are a few hacks to help store your child’s costumes and decorations.

Make space in the wardrobe

Consider the dress up clothes as part of the wardrobe collection and leave hanging space. If the costume is suitable to be folded, reserve a drawer for it. If it’s too hard to incorporate the clothes and the costumes, consider using a portable rack.

Categorise the costumes

Hiring a box from a company such as Hire-a-Box is an efficient way to store costumes and decorations. Categorising the costumes from superhero to princess to animal will also make it easier to identify them when they’re needed.

Vacuum seal the fiddly costumes

Some costumes have more accessories than others and you may have some that have bits and pieces that can easily get lost. Fold the costume and group the little accessories into a little bag. Put all the items into a vacuum seal bag to minimise the size and keep everything together.

Store balloons in zip lock bags

Keep your balloons in zip lock bags, away from extreme temperatures and sunlight to avoid popping too many of them when it’s time to use them. You can tap a small amount of talcum powder into the bag to stop the balloons from sticking. If you colour coordinate the balloons, it becomes an added bonus.

Use a mini craft drawer unit to store your decorations

One drawer for balloons, one drawer for streamers… you get the idea! There may even be space for birthday cards, wrapping paper and confetti.

This article was written in collaboration with box hire and packaging supply company – Hire A Box & Influencer Management Service – #AsSeenOn.

Home Safety with Dreambaby

saftey April 30, 2018

Ok ladies, let’s talk about the S word – SAFETY!

Having kids around the house means every little detail needs to be thought of when it comes to safety. Even the slightest oversight could end in disaster.

I’ve made a list of some important safety products I have around my place thanks to Dreambaby®. It’s a brand I’ve loved for years since having kids, and you need to know about some of this stuff! Trust me guys, it’ll change your life.

2 Up Step Stool

I like to give the girls independence now that they are much older, like brushing their teeth on their own and helping me with things around the house. We use the Dreambaby® 2-Up Step Stool to help them get to higher surfaces safely. It has a grip top, two handles to help make it easier for their little hands to carry and it’s very easy to clean. They can grab it whenever they need it and I don’t have to panic that they’ll hurt themselves.

Soft Touch Potty Seat

Madison has been fully toilet trained for a while but now is starting to use our toilet (yay!). No more potty! She loves using this Soft Touch Potty Seat as it makes her feel like a real grown up. We take it when we go out to the grandparents’ house and she feels much more independent when she uses it. There’s an anti-slip surface which makes it easy to position on your existing toilet, and it’s made with high moulded back and sides for premium comfort.

Watch Your Step® Anti-Slip Bath Mat with “Too Hot” Indicator

Have you seen this? I love this clever little bath mat. There are multiple suction caps to keep it secured, and it changes colour when the water is too hot. Perfect for helping to preventing burns and uncomfortably hot bath water.

Bath Tub Spout Cover

Anyone else’s child find the need to touch the bath spout, as well as knocking themselves?

I’ve finally gotten around to getting one of these. It protects the spout with a soft cover so nobody gets bumped and bruised. Of course, this is not a substitute for adult supervision, but this can help avoid knocks and give you even more of peace of mind – must have when baby-proofing.

Bed Rails

Madison is in her “big bed” and I’m such a stress head that she’s gonna fall! Having a bed rail has been my sanity-saving best friend. We use the Harrogate bed rail, and it’s so easy to assemble and disassemble, and it’s got a breathable mesh, which is very important for me in picking a bed rail, and really gives this mumma peace of mind! We have the navy blue colour and it really looks lovely against her white bed.

Motion Sensor LED Night Light

Madison and Macie still need a light on at night. We tired out this movement night light and it’s worked wonders. It automatically turns on in the dark when movement is detected. So, if they’re sound asleep, it won’t switch on, but if they wake up scared, it’ll light up and reassure them that everything is ok. It uses a long life LED globe and can easily be wall mounted or stand upright.

Peli’s Bathtub Play Pouch

How many bath toys does your child have? We still have LOADS! This play pouch is super easy to install and so cute! It actually makes the girls want to pack their toys back in as they get to open and close the pelican’s mouth! My bathroom has never been so tidy!

Bump Guard® Corner Protectors

I have SO many of these – they’re a total baby-proofing staple. Those little ones are so curious, and even the most unassuming corners can cause injury. You can never have too many I say! They help prevent bumps and scratches from sharp edges and corners, so they’re ideal for desks, tables and shelving.

I really can’t emphasise enough the importance of safety at home with kids. Whether you have kids yourself or you’ve got friends and family visiting with tots, always make safety your first priority. I hope that some of these gadgets will help make your home a safe and fun environment for kids to enjoy! Let me know if you’ve tried and loved any products, too!

SMIGGLE Turns 15 years old

stationery April 27, 2018

Iconic Australian stationery superhero SMIGGLE are celebrating their 15th Birthday in May! Can you believe this.. 15! We LITERALLY shop in this store every time we head to our shopping centre, My girls are just obsessed ( I am a little too)

In 2003 in Melbourne the first Smiggle store opened and since then they have grown to 332 stores in 10 countries! Go Smiggle! Im not surprised, as Smiggle really is a fun and original stationary brand that would leave kids happy to do home work or go to school in style and bright colour. Their core philosophy remains the same, to inspire and develop the creative spirits of kids with the ultimate colourful, fun, fashion-forward stationery.

To celebrate this massive occasion, smiggle has created a limited-edition collection of 15th Birthday goodies! In two different colourways, Pink and gold, or black and gold and packed with celebratory bling, Im sure all kids will want them all. Available in store and online from 2nd May till 22nd May. You have only three weeks to secure the kids with some original, fun and affordable Smiggle history.

Heres a SNEAK peak of a few cool products

15th Birthday Hair Brush $12.95

Keep your tangles tame in style! Fits perfect in your school bag, purse or pencil case, it also features the 15th birthday pink designs. It’s the perfect size for cute little hands to hold and also encourage them to brush their own hair.

15th Birthday Sneaker Wings Keyring $12.95

Who wouldn’t want pink sneaker keyring with glitter wings! Attach to your bag or keys, this is so cute. I find having a bright coloured and unique keyring attached on my girls bags makes a nice pop of colour. Madison loves this one and wants it on her school bag.

Are you excited with this sneak peak? Be sure to celebrate with Smiggle from the 2nd May!

Id love to hear if your a Smiggle fan, Let me know below xx

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Mum April 24, 2018

Mother’s Day is about showing appreciation to your mother or mother figures in your life. It’s approaching fast, so it’s time to get your present-buying hat on. I’ve scoured the internet for the ultimate gift guide that’ll have your Mum grinning from ear to ear – only the best for Mum, right?

For the Gym Mum

Jabra are an audio company that has developed a wide rangeof headphones and wireless earbuds for Mum. Whether she's a gym goer, a cyclist, a busy executive or office worker, Jabra have the perfect products. The Elite 65t (wireless earbuds), Sport Pulse (connected earbuds) and Jabra Move (over the ear headphones) are my absolute faves, so give your Mum a reason to pump out her favourite beats this Mother’s Day. Why not make her a bespoke Spotify playlist while you’re at it? Check out Jabra HERE

For the Style Mum

Say It With Polish is the perfect gift for Mum or the motherly figure in your life this year! Say It With Polish is the first and only Australian Brand to offer beauty products that can be personalised. Imagine how happy Mum will be opening a nail polish personalised with a beautiful message. Whether you want to tell Mum how much you love her, or brand her a total #MumBoss, the choice is yours. Say It With Polish caters for all with a big variety of gorgeous nail polishes for under $30 Check them Say it with Polish HERE

For the Wine-Lover Mum

The Travino wine cup is not only stylish, but also clever! Basically, Mum can enjoy her wine and not worry about any spills! It’s designed with a slide-lock double seal lid, keeping all that precious vino safely inside the cup! She can take this anywhere and never have to worry about spilling or staining! Available in lots of colours – Check out Travino HERE

For the Organised Wine–Lover Mum!

NOOK knows us Mums love a stylish storage solution – especially when it stores wine! Made up of modular packages that seamlessly slot into each other, NOOK helps turn unusedspace into a functional storage – for wine! Store your favourite grape or precious reserve labels in these easy-to-use storage units. It’s kinda like Lego for wine! Check out NOOK HERE

For the Music Mum

Whether your Mum is a cashmere girly girl or a black-on-black classic, there’s a WONDERBOOM to suit her style. This cute Ultimate Ears compact speaker doesn’t just have amazing sound, but it’s also waterproof so she can blast her beats at the beach, around the house or even in the shower! Gift her the joy of music on the go. Check out Ultimate Ears HERE

For the Foodie Mum

The paring knife is every chef’s go-to tool for precision jobs in the kitchen. The Swiss Classic Paring Knife 8 cm by Victorinox is a knife drawer standout – you’ll be expecting a call from Masterchef any day now! Loved not only for its fresh colour palette but also for its sharp edge and pointed tip, this is a knife that every kitchen-savvy Mum should have in her armoury. Check out Victorinox HERE

For the Insta Mum

How hot is rose gold right now? It’s so elegant and Insta-worthy, so if your Mum loves nothing more than finding on-trend alternatives to her dull and boring tech items, then she’ll love the new Audiofly AF33W Bluetooth Headphones. Lightweight, durable and sweat resistant, these stylish ear buds will take you from chill out to workout. Check out Audiofly HERE

For the Jewellery Loving Mum

Kestia knows all about how important beautiful, from the heart jewellery is to us Mums. These cute enamel baby elephants on a chain can be the perfect way to show Mum you care this Mother’s Day. Representing the bond between mother and child, the big and small elephants are joined together on the chain. I’d love one for myself, BUT today I’mgiving ONE of you the chance to win one for yourself! Keep reading for more details in the end of the blog. Check out Kestia HERE

For the Adventure Mum

More than a century ago, Victorinox launched the original Swiss Army Knife. Today, it is still an icon of sleek functionality. With each one is built to last a lifetime, you will find all the functionality you need for your everyday adventures. So why not give your Mum the gift of a super sleek tool with 7 handy functions in a sweet packaging this Mother's Day? Check out Victorniox HERE

For the Fashionista Mum

Who still loves a good old bum bag?! ME! When I saw these I just had to add to my gift list. VIVRA have designed a fashionable bum bag for adults, giving your Mum the gift of functionality without the cringe 90s throwback! The patented bi-fold design removes the need for belt and straps and instead folds over the waistband of you pants, jeans, skirts or shorts, and snapping into place with special magnets to ensure your VIVRA is secure. They now have a “MUMMY and ME”design which is honestly so cute! Check VIVRA out HERE

For the Subscription-Loving Mum

The Wanderess Beauty subscription box would be perfect for the Mum who’s into clean, green beauty and ethical self-pampering. Each month, seven products are sourced and added to your box. Eco –friendly and organic, every product is doing the best it can for your skin and the environment.Check out The Wanderess Beauty HERE

For the Coffee-Loving Mum

Coffee is my saviour every morning, so I had to add a cool coffee cup in my gift list. Uppercup is a reusable cup that’s made from high quality Eastman Tritian copolyster plastic. It’s free from nasties –BPA and BPS free – and has a durable glass-like frame that makes this mug ODOUR and STAIN resistant! What’s more, it’s dishwasher safe – can I get a hallelujah!? Its available in plenty of colours, so you’re sure to find one in your Mum’s fave shade. Check out Uppercup HERE

For the Fragrance-Loving Mum

If you’re stuck for what to get Mum this Mother’s Day, you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous fragrance. I love trying new perfumes, and I’m a sucker for nice packaging, and that’s what drew me to this scent. So…? Kiss Me is a beautifully fresh, neutral fragrance that lifts your mood keeps you smelling sweet for hours. Compact enough to carry around in your handbag, this handy little spritz is your must-have Mother’s Day gift this year. Why not grab one for yourself, too?! After all, twinning is winning!

Have you found an awesome gift for Mother’s Day that you think everyone needs to know about? Let me know in the comments – I’m always on the hunt for gifts-piration! Whatever you choose, remember to show your Mum the love she deserves this Mother’s Day. Treat her to a gift, take her out for coffee or just show her you care with your presence. That’s what really counts. Happy Mother’s Day to all the bad-ass Mums out there. You’re doing such a fab job.

To win your very own Kestia necklace in comments below describe your mum in one word. This giveaway is open on my Facebook and Instagram account, Can enter in all if you wish. Open till the 3rd May 8pm AEST Goodluck