David Beckham & Harper: Kiss-Cam

Is this not the most adorbs thing you have seen all day?

David Beckham plants a kiss on his daughter Harper at a sporting game.

Harper's reaction is nothing short of super-cute!

Watch:

Honest Toddler: 'Convos With My 2 Year Old' - Episode 1: VIDEO

The Facebook page 'Honest  Toddler' is one of the funniest pages I have seen. After all, conversations with a toddler are some of the funniest, most hilarious, most brutally honest you will ever have.

Honest Toddler know this, and so, they have cleverly started  video series, titled  'Convos With My 2 Year Old'. Here is episide one (it's acted by the creator of the page Matthew Clarke, his partner Leila Harrison... but the child - Coco - is hilariously played by a fully grown man, David Milchard).

Watch + share:

How fabulous is the hair clip and heart necklace? And yes, that's the couple's daughter Coco at the very end. CUTE!

Pregnancy cravings: Bethenny, Ellen... and raging hormones

Bethenny Frankel appeared on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show ' a few days ago and - in prep for her upcoming talk show produced by Ellen - she answered some audience questions from the roomful of pregnant women assembled during the Ellen's special Mother's Day show.

The first woman who asked a question talked about a well-known pregnancy 'payoff' - a heightened sex drive - and asks Bethenny what she thought about it, and if it's 'normal'. The woman also talks about the erotic dreams she's having. Bethenny comes up with a novel solution. Watch:

Is this something you can relate to? Are you pregnant now? Are you more 'in the mood'? Or less? And are you having x-rated dreams? Or, do you recall feeling this way when you were pregnant? Share!

Fridge-To-Go product review

Okay. So you've survived term one of the school year. [For me, it was the first year of school. Ever. Kindergarten! Times two!]. But... has your child's lunchbox fared okay?

I was offered the opportunity to trial these most-excellent lunch boxes called Fridge-To-Go for my kiddies and you know what... they're really fab. They've last term one. And I have no doubt they'll continue to survive being knocked about for several years.

Initially [and this whole thought process is a really big deal for mothers of first-timers] I wondered: do they put the strap on their little shoulders? Do I take the long strap off? And they can carry the lunch box by the sturdy handle? Do I pop it in their backpacks? We started off this way but my kids are teeny, so now they carry them in one hand, and pop them in their plastic tubs inside the classroom. Little kids - and mums - find their groove with a lunchbox as they get to know what suits.

In the first few months of school, being the summer months, the Fridge-To-Go was brilliant. Keeping sandwiches cold even by home time [seriously, at 3pm their cheeky leftover cheese sandwiches were still edible] was a surprise I discovered with the special lunchbox. Here are some examples of the large version:

Fridge-to-go is in fact so clever it's an award winner. Lunch packs that keep food fridge cool for up to eight hours, which makes healthy “nude food” lunches completely possible, eliminating the need for processed, preserved and over-packaged lunches.

Standard lunch boxes - even those with an ice drink or bulky ice brick in them - just don’t keep cold for long. Especially on hot summer days. In a test, the contents of Fridge-to-go lunchboxes remained at a temp of 3.4°C throughout the five hours – still below the crucial 4°C level, whereas a standard cooler bag had a temperature differential of 13.9°C during the five hours. The result is significant in terms of temperature, enjoyment of the product and the potential for bacteria to reproduce.

By the time those carefully prepped 'sangers' are consumed; the temperature inside the box may have increased enough for food-borne bacteria (such as e-coli and listeria) to start breedng.

Fridge-to-go lunch packs use a patented 'Surround Cooling Technology' to keep food cool, fresh and bacteria-free for up to eight hours, and minimise risk of food poisoning.

In a range of colours [we have the red for my girl, the blue for my boy] and compact enough to fit in backpacks without weighing kids down too much, the Fridge-to-go is loved by fussy kids and parents alike. Kids can personalise them with clips, gel pens and key rings.

More features:

EASY TO CLEAN: After use simply unload the remnants, put the cool panel into the freezer to be ready for the next day and wipe clean with soap and water - baking soda and/or vinegar can be used for those nasty spills. Its slimline design is fab to pop in a freezer corner each evening.

ECO FRIENDLY and SAFE TO USE: Fridge-to-go products also use bio-degradable
panels. The bags are bpa-free and lead and pvc. The panel is non-toxic and contains
purified salt water with biodegradable panels.

PATENTED TECHNOLOGY KEEPS FOOD and DRINK FRIDGE-COOL FOR UP TO 8
HOURS: Contamination of food can occur for a number of different reasons, but one key cause of bacteria growth in food is temperature. Most mesophiles, which include bacteria such as listeria and e-coli grow at temperatures between 5°C and 63°C, commonly referred to as the growth or 'danger' zone. They have an optimum temperature for growth of about 37°C. Listeria bacteria will grow very slowly below 5°C, but they start to multiply more rapidly as the temperature rises above that level.

All in all, I am very happy with the Fridge-to-go as the perfect choice for my kids' lunch. I highly recommend this system not only for school, but for work lunches, picnic lunches, and for any food transportation that requires long-time cooling.

Fridge-to-go® lunch packs retail at RRP$29.95 for the small and RRP$34.95 for the
medium sizes. For more, visit the website at www.fridge-to-go.net.au

Hi-5: 'Some Kind of Wonderful' Movie

How fabulous are the group of young funsters which comprise the ever-evolving children entertainer's group we know as Hi-5?

My family and I recently went to 'Some Kind of Wonderful' - and they loved it.

Here is the trailer:

The doco-style film centres around the group's quest to find three new members for the enduring, international phenomenon.

It's suitable for ages five and up, and older kids [say, 8+] will appreciate it even more, as it's a kinda fly on the wall approach to showing how the team auditions new members.

It hit screens on March 23 and will screen throughout the [NSW] school holidays, until April 28, 2013.

And look! Here is the new team! That's Mary Lascaris, old members Stevie Nicholson and Lauren Brant, and Ainsley Melham [he's a Fairfield, NSW boy!], and Dayen Zheng.

For screening details, check local guides. And to like the group on Facebook, click here and to follow them on Twitter, click here.

Here are the appearance dates for the group - yes, they'll be at various screenings:

VivoBarefoot: school shoes for kids - product trial

When I was offered the opportunity to trial VivoBarefoot I was thrilled. I mean, I had two five year olds ready to start school and has zilch idea about which shoes to buy.

Does heavier and chunkier mean more durable? Are they meant to flex right back when you bend them in your hand? Gah! What do I do? And I had to buy two pairs, so I just could not afford to get this wrong. Also, my son has autism - this means a whole slew of sensory issues. Proprioception - the sense of how your own limbs are oriented in space - is a big one. Will I shell out big then he decides he steadfastly won't wear them - anyone with a child with autism knows what I am talking about. You can read more about proprioception from a VivoBarefoot perspective right here.

VivoBarefoot - thank you, thank you. You solved my podiatry - and kindergarten - quandary. Here is a clip to intro you the world VivoBarefoot. Be prepared - it'll change your perception of school footwear. For good. And for the better. Watch:

VivoBarefoot kids' shoes are based on the simple principle that being barefoot is best
for growing feet. Yes, that is the cornerstone of their thinking.

The shoe itself is made with a puncture-resistant sole and an anatomic shape, which allows the foot to flex as nature intended, while providing protection for any kind of adventure your child undertakes.

Here are the shoes my children now wear and love daily - from every angle [because I know caring parents are super-choosy! Like I am]. First, the school shoes for girls:

And here, the shoes for boys [although they're definitely unisex]:

Tracy Byrne, a leading podiatrist and mother of two, says: “The human body knows just what to do without ‘help’ or interference, therefore feet need nothing more than the ground in order to develop as nature intended.”

Mark Cucuzzella, a leading American doctor and father of two, says: “A foot builds its own intrinsic support by communication with the ground. Changing anything from the natural in a developing child is never a good idea.”

An independent study, published in Footwear Science Magazine in 2009, observed
children aged between 7-11 who wore only VivoBarefoot shoes or went barefoot for two months. They found an improvement in foot muscle function, strength, and proprioception… in some cases up to 36%. These results revealed the benefits of children being barefoot over conventional supported shoes.

VivoBarefoot kids shoes are based on the simple principle that being barefoot is best for growing feet. The shoe itself is made with a puncture-resistant sole and an anatomic shape, which allows the foot to flex as nature intended, while providing protection for all types of adventure, of the school playground kind.

According to barefoot running coach Lee Saxby, barefoot shoes should fulfill the following criteria:

- The shoe must provide maximum proprioception or sensory feedback.

- The shoe’s weight must not unbalance your foot’s natural position.

- Your foot should not be restricted in any way by the shoe. The shoe must allow for spread.

A little more about VivoBarefoot: in 2003, VivoBarefoot became pioneers of the barefoot movement by launching the first patented, ultra-thin, puncture-resistant shoe offering maximum sensory feedback with protection.

From the beginning, design for sustainability was at the core of the company’s philosophy. Low-impact materials, efficient distribution, durability, design for disassembly, and lifecycle analysis have all been part of the production process. Since VivoBarefoot's inception, all shoes have been rated against a public eco-matrix that qualitatively details the impact of each design.

In 2011, VivoBarefoot joined forces with Dr Kate Fletcher, Reader in Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion, to create an updated design commitment that moves beyond standard environmental risk management. Their aim is to develop an approach to business that enhances the lives of people and the environment on all levels.

Galahad Clark, Managing Director of VivoBarefoot, explains:
“VivoBarefoot was originally part of Terra Plana, a sustainable fashion shoe line. However, we were faced with an obvious paradox: how do you have a truly sustainable business when you are creating a product?

"Working with Dr Fletcher, we realised the answer was to create products that enrich people’s lives and connect them with the environment. We are passionate about the health benefits of being barefoot and fully committed to not just reducing impact, but to making improvements in the planet, so we made VivoBarefoot a standalone brand that we are focusing on full time.”

"Over the last twelve months, VivoBarefoot has been working to embrace sustainability as a new approach to business. Beyond working to promote the resourcefulness and ethical integrity of the product supply chain, the company is developing commercial opportunities in new ways. The recently launched VivoBarefoot Coaching Program and free eBook by the “world’s best barefoot running coach,” Lee Saxby, help people reconnect with their environment and rediscover the skill of injury-free, natural of movement.

VivoBarefoot is also developing a range of barefoot shoes with Soul of Africa, a non-profit that creates sustainable employment by teaching previously unemployed women in South Africa to hand-stitch products. Soul of Africa donates all profits to a local African orphanage. 

The best part? How the VivoBarefoot is made. Behold:


ORGANIC CANVAS
All the canvas they use in their shoes is 100% organic and comes from sustainable sources.

ECO PU
Unlike most Polyurethanes, the PU’s they use in our Vegan line are non-toxic. They are
made with minimum effluents and maximum efficiency in a factory where all byproducts
are properly treated to ISO14001 standards.

THINSULATE
Synthetic fibre thermal insulation used between upper and lining to trap air in between the fibres, so the heat stays in and the cold stays out.

FAUX FUR
This non-toxic thermal lining is used as a replacement for sheepskin. Suitable for vegans.

THICK MESH
This is a functional mesh used throughout the collection. The cover is composed of 100% recycled plastic bottle fibres, the middle layer is completely biodegradable and the lining is made from 50% recycled  plastic bottle fibres.

RECYCLED NYLON
All the nylon we use in our shoes is made from 100% recycled plastic bottle fibres.

HYDROPHOBIC MESH
A non-toxic, breathable, lightweight, waterresistant thin mesh.

ABRASION LEATHER
Durability is a key factor when making sustainable shoes. We increase the life of our products by using a non-toxic PUcoating to prevent abrasion issues.

DRI-LEX® FANTASIA S PERFORMANCE LININGS
Lightweight, multi-purpose pique fabric made from renewably sourced ingredients that replace those made with petrochemicals.

HYDROGUARD
Waterproof, non-toxic lining made to perform up to 50,000 flexes.

INSOLE
Our insoles are non-toxic and made from cold-pressed EVA, which is easily recyclable.


And now, more about Galahad Clark:

Galahad is a sixth generation shoemaker from the Clark family, brings a dynamic approach to VivoBarefoot that drives the success of the company and inspires the team working there. A passionate environmentalist and fanatic barefoot runner, Galahad guides VivoBarefoot to create shoes that are good for the body and the environment.

Galahad’s unique heritage meant growing up immersed in a world that honored tradition and pushed boundaries of design innovation. As a teenager, he spent summer holidays on various shoe production lines in Europe learning the family’s trade from his father, Lance, and uncle, Nathan, who is credited with the invention of the Desert Boot.

After finishing school in Somerset, Galahad was offered a Morehead Scholarship at the University of North Carolina, where he earned a degree with honors in Chinese and Anthropology. While there he founded ‘Students 4 Students International,’ an organisation created to help disadvantaged students in Africa go to university. There are now three such projects thriving around the world.

Galahad’s degree led him to Taiwan and China, where he studied the language and researched technical shoe production. This rekindled his passion for shoe development
and, when back in the US, he designed and developed ‘Wu-Shoes’ for rap/hip-hop trailblazers, Wu Tang Clan. In 2001, after returning to the UK to be with his sick mother, Galahad took over Terra Plana and set about transforming the fortunes of the brand by reinventing the product range and introducing new concepts. Every product was designed with a sustainable concept in mind, and eco-friendly materials were actively sourced from all corners of the world.

According to Galahad, “sustainable design is just good design.” For Galahad, sustainable products are efficient, durable, lightweight, enjoyed by users and don’t cause any unnecessary harm.

In 2003, Terra Plana became pioneers in the barefoot movement when Galahad launched VivoBarefoot, the original and authentic barefoot shoe with a patented, ultrathin, puncture-resistant sole that allows the body to move as nature intended. Nine years on, the company has introduced a total barefoot lifestyle solution, and VivoBarefoot has become a leading brand in the category, inspiring people to move naturally.

Outside of work, Galahad continues to spread the barefoot message. He completed the 2009 New York Marathon - barefoot, of course.

Click here for where you can buy VivoBarefoot. The RRP for all leather kids' shoes is $109.95.

I highly recommend these shoes - and will be a repeat customer, year after year. They are truly worth investing in.

Scunci Products + Reader Giveaway

Scunci hair accessories - they are my number one staple for a very glam five year old who has seriously good hair.

No, really. Look at it! Natural curls, her natural colour (obv!)... and I like to say she got it from me!

And so, the fabulous folk at Scunci have been super-kind to readers of Twinnie World and organised TWO gifts packs for you to win!

Here is what each pack contains:

Those teeny, tiny Scunci snag-free hair elastics - 180 of them!

You can never have enough of these babies

The fab new Bendini clip... so easy to use!

The above clips are monster-big!

A fabulously flexible headband

To enter, simply follow these easy steps below:

- Like the Josie's Juice Facebook page - simply click here

- Share this link on your Facebook wall

- In the comments section or on email, tell me why you'd love to win this Scunci hair accessories pack

- Email me at josiegags@optusnet.com.au

For more, click on the Scunci Australia website here.

And you can 'like' the Scunci Facebook page here and follow them on Twitter here.