Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Category: Uncategorized

  • Oasis of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Cruises

    Oasis of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Cruises

    I’ve never been on a cruise and up until this week I was pretty sure they weren’t the type of holiday me and Boo would enjoy, however on Wednesday I along with a handful of other bloggers were invited aboard the Oasis of the Seas by Royal Caribbean to see what a cruise had to offer families.

    Oasis of the Seas had docked Southampton for the first time, ready for its ocean voyage back to Fort Lauderdale after a dry refit in Rotterdam. My inner geek could have a little party of facts and figures when it comes to the largest cruise liner in the world; like it’s as long as The Shard is tall, it’s 40% larger than its nearest rival, or that it’s designed to carry 5,400 passengers and 2,294 crew – ok ok I promise to stop with the geek fest, if you’re lucky I may even devote a separate post to the top 20 facts of the Oasis of the Seas.

    I had lots of preconceptions of what a cruise was like and the only one that proved right was their desire to feed you at every opportunity; we were lucky enough to begin our trip with a visit to Giovanni’s for lunch – the food was amazing, I had Veal with Tiramisu for dessert with perfectly paired wines that really showed just how much attention to detail Royal Caribbean put into making sure every aspect of your cruise is memorable for all the right reasons.

    After lunch we got the chance to look round the on-board gym, as a gym junkie I was really impressed with the facilities, not only a great range of cardio machines and weights but also gravity machines plus a spin studio with a difference; say hello to Flywheel – currently only available in the US and on-board Royal Caribbean cruise ships, it brings a whole new dimensions (and a pretty big competitive element) to spin. Oh and did I mention you can sign up for morning yoga sessions on the helipad at the helm of the ship, early morning workouts never looked so good.

    Flywheel spin Oasis of the Seas

    After all that hard work, what better way to relax than with a trip to the spa. We were treated to a hand and arm massage and the only criticism I have is I didn’t want it to end! The spa is stocked with Elemis products and the beauty therapists are trained to the highest standard and make you feel super relaxed and comfortable, the perfect on-board retreat for some holiday pampering. I even managed to squeeze in a green smoothie from the healthy juice bar on my way out – no excuse for at least trying to maintain #operationyummymummy while on holiday (just don’t mention the Tiramisu!).

    Green Juice Oasis of the Seas

    Now that we were all relaxed it was time to head up onto the top deck to get our blood pumping again, in the form of an 82ft zip line 9 decks above the boardwalk, I couldn’t wait to give it a try and I loved every second. I can’t even begin to imagine what it feels like zip lining surrounded by the Caribbean sea – big thanks to Carissa from Little Likely Lads for catching all the action.

    Zip Line on-board the Oasis of the Seas

    Next up was a trip to the facilities on-board specifically for children – Hugo and his team: Candy and Ladybug were so enthusiastic and passionate about their work with the children and the services they offer – it goes so much further than just ticking the box of childcare; from art classes to science lessons (check me out being the perfect little lab partner while Donna from Red Head Baby Led snapped away!) there’s something to suit every little one’s interests and the level of care is second to none – it didn’t take long for me to feel reassured that not only would Boo be completely safe while in their care but that she’d enjoy herself so much; which after all isn’t that what it’s all about?

    Science Lesson 1 Oasis of the Seas

    Science Lesson 2 Oasis of the Seas

    We got the chance to explore some of the seven neighbourhoods that make up the ship, from the phenomenal Central Park with real life birds to the carousel and plentiful (I’m not one to use that word lightly) shopping opportunities – there literally is something for everyone from the youngest of guests, right up to the most seasoned cruisers.

    Central Park Oasis of the Seas

    Kids Pool Oasis of the Seas

    Before we knew it, it was dinner time and we settled down at Chops Grille. I’m not going to waste time trying to do it justice so here’s just one word to sum up the food and drink… Wow. I went for the beef carpaccio, followed by the fillet mignon and not forgetting the deliciously sweet yet tart huckleberry cheesecake.

    Chops Grille Oasis of the Seas

    Alas our time on the Oasis of the Seas had come to an end, I didn’t want to get off. My time on-board had taught me so much about the possibilities of a cruise for a family holiday and with Royal Caribbean’s passion for excellence you can see just why so many families return year after year. I was trying to put my finger on what really sets it apart from other family holidays and apart from the obvious facilities, I realised it was in fact the people that made it second to none; every member of crew I met had genuine pride in their ship and the team they are part of and that’s something really special that Royal Caribbean have.

    Gangplank Oasis of the Seas

    Family holidays are much more than sun and sea, they’re golden finite windows to share experiences and build memories with you children that stay with you forever and after even the briefest of onboard experiences I would whole heartedly trust Royal Caribbean to not only deliver our perfect family holiday but to be part of the everlasting memories.

    Thank you Royal Caribbean for a brilliant day on-board the Oasis of the Seas, you did such a good job of showing me just how good a cruise is for me and Boo that I’m a convert to cruising; so much so that I’ve not even been on one and already I’m signing your praises to anyone that’ll listen (I’ve literally not talked about anything else since I got back on dry land!). Not since I was a child have I had such a wow day, I spent most my time in awe of the sheer scale of the ship and I seemed to have the most amazing feeling of excitement throughout the whole day, a feeling I didn’t want to end; I can’t wait one day for Boo to step onboard and feel the same, if she does, then it will be the most amazing experience. Royal Caribbean have the formula for a perfect family holiday, and that’s something pretty special.

    I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network Research Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity.

  • Joolz Day Quadro Collection

    Joolz Day Quadro Collection

    Boo may be 3, but that doesn’t stop me appreciating a fine pram. I’m a lover of Joolz already after their Blogger Breakfast last year, so I was super thrilled to find out the launch of the new Joolz Day Quadro Collection. Joolz have combined their love of luxury Italian design to create their new premium pushchair. The Quadro’s soft mélange fabric features quilted stitching and comes in four new colour ways; Blu, Carbon, Denim and Grigio.

    Joolz Day Quadro Collection colour options

    As with all Joolz prams, a tree is planted in the name of your baby in a Columbian rainforest – the Joolz Birth Forest; and with now you can track the growth of the tree along with your baby, such a thoughtful detail that really sums up Joolz’s ethos of postivie design

    The Joolz Day Quadro Collection is available from October 2014 with and RRP of £799.

  • How to Secure a Baby Crib Properly

    How to Secure a Baby Crib Properly

    For the first part of your baby’s life, their crib is vital. A crib is a safe place to sleep, rest and view the world as the child grows. Like most parents, you go out of your way to ensure the crib is as comfortable as possible. But you may not be aware of how to secure a baby crib properly. 

    Baby crib in middle of white room

    Fit the Right Bedding

    Like your own bed, your baby’s bed should be comfortable enough for a sound sleep. This means in addition to a sturdy crib, your baby needs multiple items for a good night’s rest. The most comfort comes with items made specifically for the crib, such as baby fitted sheets for Moses baskets and cots. Additionally, the crib should be equipped with breathable dimple quilts for a soft and soothing sleeping environment. 

    Remove Toys and Stuffed Animals

    Your child’s nursery is a great place to stimulate their senses with plush and colourful toys like stuffed animals and toys. Yet placing these in the crib, as is common, can be a hazard for a baby. Various health organizations recommend that you don’t let your child sleep with stuffed animals and soft toys until they are at least 12 months old. It is thought that the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is higher in newborns and even more significant in the presence of such baby items.

    Check for Hazards

    In addition to detachable sides or harmful mechanisms, some cribs are designed with many hazards. Most specialist baby manufacturers are aware of most risks and will create their products accordingly. Yet, there are still some things to watch out for. These include:

    • Sharp edges: try to buy a crib with rounded edges.
    • Nuts and bolts: cover nuts and bolts with tape if possible.
    • Cracks in wood: sand or seal any cracks.
    • Toxic paint and varnish: check for volatile organic compounds.

    It seems counterintuitive, but not all baby products are manufactured with the baby’s safety 100% in mind. By staying aware of some of the dangers of a crib and regularly inspecting it, you can reduce the chances of injury to your bundle of joy when you bring them home. 

    Close Gates and Lock Movement

    There are various types of cribs. Classic cribs allow you to place a baby from the top-down position. Yet, others, such as practical and functional cribs, will enable you to detach the sides. These can present a hazard when not appropriately secured. In addition, some can slide down and trap a baby’s fingers. In contrast, others may separate and potentially let the baby roll out of their crib. Therefore, you should always follow all safety guidelines, as demonstrated in a crib manual. And secure all fittings and mechanisms every time you place a child inside a crib.

    Remove Cords and Dangles

    One of the most dangerous hazards of a crib is that of loose cords and dangling toys. For example, you may want to place a mobile above the crib, yet if it were to fall, the strings might present a severe choking hazard to your baby. The same goes for anything that is to be secured to a crib. For example, some crib bedding sets use strings and cords to fasten to a crib. So always ensure these are firmly secured and excess cords are tucked away and out of reach of a baby. You should also be aware of hanging toys over the side of the crib.

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • Fun Hobbies You Can Take Up With Your Kid

    Have you been thinking about taking up some kind of hobby with your child? Perhaps you would like to spend more time with them and you would like to do something that you can both enjoy rather than just watching TV. This is a fantastic idea, and we’re going to be looking at some of the hobbies that you can take up in this article. If you would like to find out more about this topic, then keep reading down below.

    child's hand pouring paint into a paint palette

    Arts And Crafts

    The first thing that you can think about is arts and crafts. This can be a lot of fun for kids and adults alike, making it the perfect choice. You are going to need to purchase all of the supplies, but this doesn’t have to be too expensive if you know where to look. For example, if you need a glue gun, you can look at a company like Glue Guns Direct, and the rest of the things like construction paper, sequins, or whatever else you want to use can be found in various places both online and in store. 

     

    Arts and crafts provides a creative outlet to you and your child. You can channel how you are feeling and show people who you are through the art that you make. Of course, it doesn’t have to be this serious, it can literally just be sticking pretty things to other pretty things in order to create something.

     

    Music

    Another thing that you might want to consider is music. If you both love music, then you might want to learn to play an instrument together, or you can take singing lessons. Something that brings you closer to music is always a good choice if you love it. Who knows, your child might love it so much that they go on to become a master at their instrument or they might have the voice of an angel. It’s just something fun to do to bond though, so don’t try and push it on them if they don’t seem to be enjoying it. You can always find another hobby.

     

    Adventuring

    The final thing that we are going to suggest is adventuring. If you love to explore new places, you can try to include your kids in this as well. Take them on adventures through woods, walk down beaches, and find new places that you can fall in love with together. It’s a lot of walking so it’s great for exercise, making it an all-around fantastic idea. At least consider it, even if you only go out on adventures once every two weeks or so.

     

    We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the hobbies that you can take up with your kid. There are so many different hobbies out there, so if these ones aren’t for you, we’re sure that you can find one if you look hard enough. Think about the kind of things that you both like in order to find something that you are both going to enjoy. We wish  

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • Mudderella: Owning My Strong

    Mudderella: Owning My Strong

    It’s three weeks since me and two friends took part in Mudderella and I think it’s fair to say I’m hooked on obstacle course racing – there will be a full review of the race itself in the coming days but I wanted to spend a little bit of time first on my reasons for signing up and how the experience as a whole made me feel; yes this one is all about feelings.

    Mudderella is an American concept with this having been it’s first UK event – there is no clock, no chip timing, no medals; it’s all about competing with, not against everyone. The rules are simple: be safe, have fun and you must help your fellow Mudderellas; but let’s not beat round the bush, it’s still nearly seven miles of physical endurance and twelve obstacle challenges.

    I’ve completed quite a few 10Ks so I had a good understanding of the distance, but why did I have to add obstacles and mud to the mix surely I knew I could run 10K why did I have to make it harder?

    Mudderella: Owning my Strong

    If I’m honest I wanted to do something that was completely new – can you remember that feeling you got when you tried something new when you were a kid, ever since I had Boo I’ve been determined to not give up trying new things, I want Boo to see how constantly exploring and having fun is so important to be happy inside. Who am I kidding, setting a good example for Boo wasn’t the only reason I decided to complete Mudderella – I wanted something for me, an achievement all for myself that wasn’t something to do with work, or family life or anything else – is it completely wrong that I chose not to raise money for charity? . So on the 30th August (which is my birthday – taking my madness to a whole new level) for the time it took us to get round the race, I wasn’t a mother, blogger, daughter, fundraiser, friend – I was Rosie – one of the thousands of women who along the course owned their strong. I discovered I have a newfound phobia of heights but I overcame it and finished the course complete, happy and proud as punch.

    Owning my strong, I discovered, is so much fun – it’s a feeling I’m chasing already.