MM Approved: The Baby Event

Bargain time! I just want to remind everyone that I am not an Aldi ambassador or paid advertiser or anything like that; I just genuinely love Aldi, and sharing my shopping bargain tips and whatnot with you. I get really excited (how boring am I?) when I pick up the flyer and see something really fabulous advertised for the next week... like the Baby and Toddler Event! It started yesterday, people, so get yourself down to Aldi. This week I picked up:

This Nuby Baby-Led Feeding Set. All of these dishes, cups, containers, and utensils (and a handy carrying bag) for £4.99! I mean, I saw one bowl with a spoon in Mothercare last week for £5. Just saying.

This not-Bio Oil. I oiled my belly twice a day with coconut oil when I was pregnant, and I was so proud to not have stretch marks. Until three weeks before my due date, that is, when I woke up with a really low belly and the San Andreas fault line under my belly button. For those last few weeks, I dreaded looking in the mirror each day as my "tiger stripes" got bigger and bolder. Sigh. Fingers crossed that this stuff works! At £3.99, I couldn't pass it up.

A highchair! Little miss Chloe is starting to love her rice cereal, and will need a proper highchair for *real* food soon! We've looked around in a lot of stores, and the next best option was a Joie Mimzy Snacker highchair for £40 (and we were about to get it, too!), until we saw this for £18.99. No lie. So, obviously, it's home now.

My mother-in-law picked up an adorable matching crib bedding set with a hanging crib organizer, and a hooded towel with matching wash mit for when we stay at her house. Also, they have adorable super soft popcorn (we all know it's Minky fabric, but we can't call it that) blankets in pretty, bright colors for £3.99 so one of those might find its way into our house - who knows!

MM Approved: Diapers, Chocolate, and Laundry- Oh My!

Ubbi Nappy and Wipes Storage Caddy with Changing Mat (Pink) 

Amazon, £29.99

Ubbi Wipes Dispenser (Pink) 

Amazon, £14.99

You know how sometimes you're walking around IKEA, and you come across some brilliant storage/organisational device/object and it stops you in your tracks and makes you say, how have I ever functioned without this? Pretty much the same thing happened when I got my hands on the Ubbi Diaper Caddy and Wipes Dispenser. With the limited space in our one-bedroom flat, I don't have tons of room for a fancy changing table and shelves (Chloe still shares a bedroom with us!) and this compact changing station has everything at an arm's reach. 

I love how the wipes dispenser is easily opened with one hand (how annoying can the plastic wipes packets be to open one-handed? Aargh!) and it stays open. It has a clear window in the side, so you can see when you're getting low on wipes - no more surprises mid-diaper-change when you pull the last wipe out of a packet! I use Mamia Sensitive wipes, and they fit in this universal dispenser just fine, and I've tried Pampers wipes in it as well.

 The wipes dispenser alone is worth its weight in gold, but combine it with the Diaper Caddy and it gets even better. There's a changing mat in the slot at the back, and a drawer that can fit a full-size bottle of baby powder with room to spare. With space for about 20 diapers (size 3 at the moment), it's enough that if we want to go away for the night (like when we went to my in-laws' over Easter weekend), you can just grab the caddy and go without worrying if you've packed enough diaper-changing supplies. 

Or, if I'm in the living room and *someone* needs a diaper change, I don't have to grab ten things (or ask Steve to bring me this, that, and the other thing)- just grab the caddy and you're all set! The size isn't too big that it's a pain to lug around; if we were road tripping, I would just keep it on the backseat and it would hardly take up any room at all. By far one of the handiest baby products this on-the-go family has come across- five stars!!

Choices Dairy Free Caramel Easter Egg

Sainsburys, £3.50

I was convinced that I wouldn't get to enjoy Easter chocolate this year because of my dietary needs, but I was proven wrong! Now, I love me some good dark chocolate, don't get me wrong, but I'm sort of missing milk chocolate and candy in general. In particular, I've had a recent craving for caramel. I was pleasantly surprised when the hubby found me this dairy-free Easter Egg from Sainsburys in the "Free From" section - and it's caramel to boot! Super yummy, I ate the entire thing in one sitting. Whoops! 

Sainsburys Little Ones Nappies

Size 3, Midi, Pack of 56

Sainsburys, £4

My mother-in-law stopped by last week and saved me a trip to the supermarket by picking up some nappies for me. I've mentioned before that I mainly use Mamia from Aldi, and although I've tried quite a few brands by now, I hadn't yet bought Sainsburys nappies. I'm really quite happy with them; Chloe has just begun sleeping through the night (about 9pm-6am) and they've held up really well. She had one leak, but I really can't fault the nappy at all - it was HEAVY and FULL to capacity; I think any nappy would have leaked with that much wee in it. They're soft, they fit well, and they seem to be pretty absorbent. I'd definitely buy them again! 

Anco So Soft Fabric Conditioner

Aldi, £1.40?

I accidentally threw away the receipt and can't find it online, so I'm not sure how much this fabric conditioner cost; I think it was around £1.40 but I can't be sure. Not that it matters too much to me; because sadly I won't be buying it again. Even though it has the "Good Housekeeping" seal of approval, I was let down by this fabric conditioner. It smells... cheap, and strong (too strong for "sensitive" fabric conditioner, if you ask me) and my clothes came out crunchy once dried. Yes, we hang-dry our laundry, but with a good fabric conditioner, it's not too bad. But this time? Yikes. It was like folding cardboard when I took my towels off of the drying rack. Maybe it's not as concentrated as other brands, but all in all, not a winner for me. Sorry, Aldi! Still love you, though. 

Have you tried any of the above products? Love em? Hate em? Let me know in the comments!

MM Approved: Nursing Covers and Chocolate (The Necessities)

This week totally covers the basics of motherhood: pretty nursing covers and good dark chocolate. Oh, and a bonk-proof phone cover (we hope).

First up, the nursing covers. As a breastfeeding momma, I've wanted one of these discreet little accessories for practical reasons. I briefly considered making one, then decided that I couldn't be bothered, since the only time I would be able to is during Chloe's nap, and the sound of the sewing machine would probably wake her up, so that idea quickly went out of the window. I've seen nursing covers in baby shops for up to £30 (!) so the idea of paying that much for a glorified apron was not going to fly. So I hopped on over to Amazon to have a look on what they had to offer, and ended up ordering two. I thought I'd return one, but as you'll see below, they both have different pro's so I ended up keeping both!

Pink Mum Udder Breastfeeding Cover

£6.60

This is my favourite of the two covers, because it's large, has a pocket on the front (to pop a binkie, nipple shield, lanolin, my phone, etc into), a toggled back strap to help keep the sides closed for extra modesty, wiring in the top so that it stands out and allows you to look down at baby, and it's just plain pretty with that pink and green paisley print. The fabric is a really nice quality and has a nice handfeel to it and it comes with a little matching bag, so it folds up neat and tidy in my changing bag. The only downside to it, as I mentioned on my Amazon review, is that the fabric doesn't seem to be very breathable so I can imagine it might get hot under there in warm weather. But otherwise, it's brilliant. Click here to buy.

MultiWare Baby Breastfeeding Cover

£3.99

Even though I only gave this cover 3 stars, I still kept it because it's a really no-fuss product, and you can't beat it for the money. Unlike the other cover I ordered, this is a nice lightweight 100% cotton, but thanks to the dark black print (which is pretty, too!) it's not sheer.  It does lack anything fancy, like wiring or boning in the top, a pocket, or anything more than a neck strap. It's not too long, either, so I imagine it might not completely cover a taller person (luckily, I have a really short torso). But it covers what needs to be covered, and is quicker to throw on than the other one, and is nice and lightweight for use in the summer. Plus, free shipping (in the UK at least). I don't think you can really fault it for the price, so I'm pretty happy with it! You can buy it here.

Shockproof 360° Silicone iPhone 6+ Case

£2.99

I finally bit the bullet and upgraded my old iPhone. I mean, I walked into an Apple store and came face to face with a rose gold iPhone 6 plus, and I lost all self control. The last thing I want is for my pretty new [ridiculously expensive] phone to come to any harm, so I wanted to get a really good case. Save splurging on a bulky waterproof one, I really wanted something that covered both the front and the back of the phone. Amazon turned up no luck, so I moved on over to eBay. I'm always a bit hesitant to use eBay because you can't read reviews on specific items, but since this was only a few quid it turned out ok. I'm really happy with this silicone case - it fits perfectly, and the holes over the speaker/camera/buttons are exactly where they're supposed to be (which is not always the case with cheaper cases from China). I like silicone cases because they're shockproof, and this one covers the front screen as well without inhibiting the touch screen or the fingerprint reader on the home button. It's not thick or bulky, either. I really like it, and if you want one, here's the link.

Moser Roth Mint Dark Chocolate (Aldi)

£1.19 (I think)

I lost my receipt so I'm not positive about the price, but I can promise that it was less than £1.50. I've been having major chocolate cravings lately, and my dairy-free-ness has denied me some of my greatest chocolatey pleasures. This is a great milk-free dark chocolate (did you know that some dark chocolates still have milk in them? because until I started reading labels on everything for dairy, I was not aware!). It's super creamy and mellow, not bitter at all for dark chocolate, and if you have 0 self control, they've portioned it out into 5 mini bars for you (but no one will know if you eat 3 in one sitting). My new favorite chocolate, hands down. 

MM Approved: Nappies, Oaties, Laundry and More

I've decided that my first MM Approved post was flawed; I need to have some sort of a rating system, because I'm not going to love everything that I review. I'm going to work on a 5-star rating system, meaning, I'll give products 1 to 5 stars (5 being best) based on my own review of them. I also decided to do a side-by-side comparison this week, because we bought so many biscuits recently that it's possible. So, without further adeiu, here are this week's reviews:

Lidl - Toujours Nappies 

£2.49 for 44 (size 2)

I was surpremely disappointed with these nappies, especially after I had been so pleased by Aldi's. I guess I just assumed that they would be similar? I don't know. Anyway, they felt stiff and papery, and leaked two nights in a row, just from normal wetness, and don't we all love a 3am full clothing change? Sorry Lidl, these get 1 star and I won't be buying them again. In fact, I didn't even finish the pack we bought - went back to the Aldi ones (which are the same price, in case you were wondering).

Aldi Oaties vs Lidl Oaties

35p

Aldi

Lidl

Oaties are totes my fav lately (Did I just say those words? I think I'm having a midlife crisis and trying to "keep up with the young people"). Plus, I've been told that oats are great for breastfeeding, so these Hobnobs knockoffs have been next to me for every cup of tea over the past 6 weeks. Aldi are by far my favorite - more oat-y, slightly salty to balance the sweetness, crispy and fantastic, and are extremely simliar to their branded cousin. Lidl gets points because they have chocolate covered Oaties, but they just don't taste as... oat-y? I can't put my finger on it. I suppose the ones from Lidl seem more like a sugary crispy cookie type biscuit, while the oaties from Aldi are really flavorful and you know you're eating oats. I can go through about a sleeve a day if no one stops me (please don't try to stop me, you might lose some fingers).

Asda Little Angels Washing Powder 

£3 for 30 washes

I'm really pleased with Asda, because they're the only supermarket that makes their own label of 'baby' washing powder. I'm wary of the heavily-scented Persil and Ariel, plus, this has a light smell that just screams "baby" and makes you want to sniff everything. Dermatologically tested, we've had no issues with eczema or rashes from this powder, and it keeps whites super white, even when washed with other (light) colours. This will definitely be my go-to washing powder (or liquid, or gel, which they also make!) for baby clothes.

Waitrose Toilet Roll 

£3.50 for 9 rolls (240 sheets per roll)

Ok, call me crazy, but I'm really picky about toilet paper. Like, really picky. I had one type I liked in the States, and it has taken me about 18 months over here to find one that I liked. Too thin, too rough, too plush (which means you don't get a lot on a roll!), the reasons I have for disliking toilet paper go on and on. In a pinch the other week, Steve had to run to Waitrose, which is our closest supermarket, to pick some up. He came home with the store's own brand - I scowled a bit, and then I totally changed my tune. It's not quilted but it's super soft, it's not thin but you feel like you get a lot on a roll, so it seems like a great value too. Much cheaper than the branded alternatives, and I like it so much more. 5 stars without hesitation. And, I made it through the entire review without making a poop pun. Win.

MM Approved: Nappies, Steak, and Selfies

So this is the first part of a weekly segment that I've wanted to do for AGES. See, I'm a thrifty shopper. Always have been; I guess it's just how I was raised. Note: thrify does not mean cheap; it just means that I like to save where I can without sacrificing quality. If you're one of those people who only shops for name brands, then this weekly segment is for you! If I could convert my mother-in-law, I'm convinced that I can convert anyone. If you're like me, and you like to occasionally opt for the generics/store brands of things (when they're as good as/better than the name brands), then this is also for you!

Call them store brands, generics, whatever you wish - I had this idea a while ago to review them! You see, aside from the occasional good fortune of finding the Good Housekeeping seal on something, you never really know if it's worth the price cut to buy a store brand item. My plan is to incorporate a few things into my weekly grocery shopping as I always do, sometimes things that I buy regularly and sometimes completely new items, and to try them and review them here for you. These posts are completely unsponsored - I do them because I want to help others to shop smartly, and for no other reason.

This week's review includes something that I picked up at Lidl, and yesterday was my first time doing the weekly grocery shop there. This won't really apply to readers in the States, but allow me to briefly explain: Lidl is just like Aldi. In fact, they're owned by two brothers, and the same one who owns Lidl, owns Trader Joe's. We have an Aldi within walking distance, but I've found a Lidl  in a nearby town that stocks a wider variety of fruit & veg, so I felt like shopping there this week. I'll try to change it up each week with groceries, beauty products, etc from different stores (and Amazon, because I order just about everything from Amazon). So, without any further delay, here's my weekly MM Approved review!

Lidl: Deluxe Ribeye Steak

£4.62

I'm sorry I don't have an image for this; just know that if you're going to Lidl, look for the meat in the black packaging. I thought I could Google an image of it, but alas, Lidl sources from small producers of grass fed beef and outdoor bred pork for their Deluxe range, so the selection can vary really widely from store to store and isn't the same nationwide (and therefore isn't available on their website). Just know that it's the meat in the black packaging, and you're good to go.

First of all, before I even review the steak, let me say that I was really impressed with the meat selection in Lidl. I'm used to shopping at Aldi, though we usually buy meat from Waitrose (3 for £10, we're not rich) or our local butcher. I loved how many cuts of grass-fed, free range, and organic meats were available. Such a wide variety of cuts, especially for the lamb, but I digress... back to the steak:

The finished product!

It had really gorgeous marbling and was pretty big; I'm going to guess somewhere around 10 to 12 oz, which you really can't beat for something like £4.60. The sirloins looked great too at around £6 per steak. I cooked it medium rare on a cast iron grill pan, salt and pepper, and it cut like butter. Steve is a steak-a-holic and it got his approval as (and I quote) "best steak yet". So, there you have it.  A big glaring two thumbs up for the Deluxe range of steaks from Lidl. 

Aldi: Mamia Newborn Nappies

£1.49 for 24

These are worth every single award on that picture (again, sorry for the stock Google image, the only pack I have left is open and half-empty, as I'll be trying out Lidl's own brand of nappies this week - stay tuned for that review next time!).  

In all of my freebie new-mum packs, I got samples of nappies from Asda, Boots, Pampers, and Aldi. Aldi won my favourite pick! And at £1.50 per pack of 24 (size 1, newborn) you can't beat it. The price didn't even influence my decision; I tried all of the samples before going out to buy what I thought was best. I'm going to have to run around knocking on every wooden surface in the house after this, but I'm going out on a very risky limb and stating that not a single poo has exploded out of an Aldi nappy. They even have the yellow-to-blue wetness indicator stripe that is usually only present on the more expensive name brands. Highly recommended and MM Approved!

Aldi: Mamia Sensitive Baby Wipes

57p (or 50p/pack if you buy a case in the Baby Event!)

Another winner from Aldi. I can't do much to describe them, except that they're fragrance-free and get the job done. The real reason they win is the price - at 57p per pack, they're almost half the price of most other brands and are just as good. 

Lastly for this week...

Amazon: Samar Bluetooth Selfie Stick 

£4.99

I was super excited when this arrived today. Admittedly, I've only used it for about 3 minutes before Chloe demanded to be fed, but it was easy enough to set up and test in those 3 minutes that I'm giving it an approval. I simply turned it on, turned on the bluetooth on my phone, chose the device, and stuck my phone onto the selfie stick. It worked perfectly from the first try, and is so much easier than setting a self-timer on a regular selfie stick. For £4.99 (plus 99p for shipping) you really can't beat it. I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of it... make sure to follow me on Instagram (@munchiemummyd) for some of my upcoming stick-enabled selfies!

I know that I haven't reviewed a lot this week, but that's because I just did the grocery shopping last night at Lidl. I'll be sure to update next week with some of the things I picked up this time. And in the future the reviews won't be so obnoxiously long; I just wanted to fill some space since I was only reviewing a couple of items this time.

I shop regularly at all of the big 6 supermarkets, as well as Aldi (and now Lidl, occasionally) so if you have anything you'd like to see reviewed, or that you're skeptical about buying, comment below and I'll let you know if I've tried it, or if I plan to in the future!