I'm a full-time mummy

We are a big fan of Little Critter's apps and I think it is great to be able to review this app as our kiddos are growing up and have been nagging us to get them dog as their pet. We're still waiting for our kiddos to be older a wee bit before we even consider dogs as pets. For now, our kiddos have a few tortoises which were a gift from their aunt recently.

* Title: Just One More Pet - Little Critter
* Price: $1.99
* Category: Books
* Released: Sep 08, 2015
* Version: 2.7.1
* Size: 37.2 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: Oceanhouse Media, Inc.
* Rated: 4+ Made for Ages 5 and Under
* Requirements: Requires iOS 5.1.1 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Description from the product page:

"Join Little Critter in this interactive book app, where he finds a lost doggy hiding in the bushes. He isn't sure who the doggy belongs to, but he tries to take very good care of him until his owner shows up. When the doggy goes missing, Little Critter gets worried. Can Little Critter handle just one more pet?

* This app is engaging and interactive and I love that we can also touch the objects in each page on the screen and the words pop out to tell you what it is!

* There are options to go to other numbers instead of going through one by one.

* I like that there is an option to use new narrator's voice (aka me!)

* I like the storyline where it teaches us how to care for animals and pets, to be kind and caring if you find any lost pets.

* I also used the opportunity to educate our kiddos on the big responsibilities and commitment required to own a pet.

* Overall a nice story for the family!

You can purchase the "Little Critter Numbers" app from the iTunes App Store.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"

I have been cutting down on doing product reviews ever since our 3rd kiddo came along in end of Sept 2013. I do still accept review pitches but only when time permits and if it is something that I can see it being useful and beneficial to our family. Also, as busy as I am with 3 kiddos, home cooking, taking care of hubby's administration site of the business and swamped up with managing my FB page and blog, I just can't say no to reviewing good books! Reading is my passion and coupled with books that are of parenting, children, family or religion or educational genre, all the more I gotta say yes!

Title: The Adventures of Squirky the Alien #2: What Happened to Planet Q?
Author: Melanie Lee    Illustrated by David Liew
Publisher: MPH Group Publishing Sdn Bhd (01-OCT-2014)
ISBN: 9789674152550
Paperback: 36 pages

Description from the product page:

"Squirky and his sister Emma discover that the capsule that he came to Earth in can also transform into a spaceship. They embark on an exciting space adventure with their first stop: the South Star! At the South Star, they meet Queen Stella, a beautiful and kind lady who seems rather sad and secretive. What is she hiding? Will she be able to help them find Squirky's birth parents?"

The Adventures of Squirky the Alien is actually a series of six (6) storybooks altogether. Currently, three (3) books are already released and available for purchase now at bookstores while the fourth (4th) book is in progress. If you wish to know more about the series, you can find out more at the FB page started by the author, Melanie Lee. The author, Melanie Lee, a writer based in Singapore, is also an adoptive parent herself. She adopted her son, Christian, who is now a healthy and happy 2-year-old boy living with her and her husband, Darren. Inspired by her son, Melanie then began working together with her friend, David Liew, who is the illustrator of these books, to produce the series."

I have blogged about our review of the 1st book, "The Adventures of Squirky the Alien #2: What Happened to Planet Q?" and for today's post, we continue on the journey with Squirky. I quickly refreshed through the storyline from book #1 and continued on with this book.

When we reached this page, I had to explain to our oldest child (he is 6.5 years old) as I had previously been telling him about gravity, oxygen and humans not being able to breathe in space due to lack of oxygen. Unlike the usual astronauts which he sees on other books, news etc that wear the special space suit with breathing apparatus, I told our boy that for Squirky and Emma, they do not need special devide to help them breathe, maybe because the environment in the planet is similar to planet Earth. That seems to satisfy his weird looks hahaha...

The illustrations in the second book are still gorgeous as ever. Love the stained glass feel of the illustrations.

As feedback in book #1, there are some letters in the second book that we feel is a bit difficult to read, for example, the letter 'i' and 't' as it sort of looks similar. Again, it is fairly easy to read through and understand the storyline. Do stay tune for the 3rd book as we find out what happened to planet Q.

The book is available at all major bookstores in Malaysia. You could also buy it online from mphonline bookstore.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a copy of the book in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"

** Note: I have disabled the commenting feature on my blog engine thanks to all the spammers who happily spam my blog every day. If you wish to ask me any questions, you can find me at my Facebook page (I'm there almost everyday) or just drop me an email if you wish to maintain some anonymity.

I have been cutting down on doing product reviews since 2014 and only accepted those that I feel will definitely fit into our family dynamics (especially books on parenting or homeschooling stuff, family products, something along those genre)

Few months ago, I received an offer to review Corelle’s latest dinnerware line. Wow, I would be crazy to turn down this opportunity for my whole family to try out new products right? Anyway, let's continue with my review below...

About the product:

"In celebration of Corelle’s 45th anniversary, World Kitchen introduces a brand new collection Rosabelle. In line with World Kitchen’s commitment to provide and innovate to meet the world’s evolving needs in homes, the kitchenware world leader has produced a new collection available in both dinnerware and cookware.

Inspired by the French language, Rosa means rose and Belle means beautiful. Rosabelle is available under both of World Kitchen’s Corelle and Corningware brands. Chip-resistant, stain-free, durable, easy to clean and fashionably designed, Corelle Rosabelle is ideal for home use, for the busy yet innovative Malaysian home cooks. It is a favourite among households for its revolutionary material that is comprised of a special three layer glass laminate called Vitrelle® glass. This material is responsible for Rosabelle’s exceptional lightweight and durability. Under its cookware line, Corningware Rosabelle acts as a uniquely versatile cookware that allows you to cook and serve beautiful dishes with just 1 pot."

Those of you who followed my blog will know that I've only started buckling up and cooking for the family since this beginning of 2014 (prior to that, my mum-in law cooked for us mostly) and I do feel that the look and feel of the dinnerware plays an important part in building up the excitement of the dishes I whipped up every weekdays LOL.

I received 5 pieces of Corelle Rosabelle dinnerware and 1 Corningware casserole for my review. The moment I received the items, I was already plotting and planning for opportunities on how I should use these dinnerware.

FYI, Corelle dinnerware is made out of Vitrelle®, a unique three-layered laminated glass for superior strength and durability. The Vitrelle® makes its dinnerware resistant to breakage and chipping. I took a while admiring the beautiful designs, love love love the pastel colors of the flowers. I also tried to scratch and chip off the designs to no avail LOL.

One thing that impressed me the most is how light and thin the dinnerware are. Everytime I hold one of the dinnerware, I have to remind myself not to get too excited as it is just so so so light! It also stacks up easily and takes up lesser space compared to my other dinnerware.

I love it so much! I looked forward to using them during mealtimes!

Btw, Corelle dinnerware is also oven and microwave safe, I've tested this out haha..

Now back to how I used these dinnerware...

I used them for my famous ayam masak merah dish.

I used them for my stir-fry chicken in ginger and scallions, Sweet & sour pork, curry chicken,

Spinach in anchovy soup...

Stir-fry sweet potato leaves with Japanese tofu and fishballs...

And...

Yes, even durians. I don't know how, I can't explain it, that piece of durian just looks so gorgeous on the plate!

Apparently the Corningware cookware can be used straight from the freezer, to the stovetop or oven, and onto the dining table for fuss-free yet stylish serving, I have yet to try this out due to being tied up these recent 2 months with GST, year end closing and auditing queries for hubby's company. Possibly will do so one of this days with my other famous dish, braised pork.

Overall feedback, I'm very happy we get to review these products!

Definitely will be using them again and again and again!

The Corelle Rosabelle 16 piece set is priced at RM729 and the Corningware Rosabelle 6 piece Casserole Set (1L, 1.5L & 3L) is priced at RM629.

Both are available in leading departmental stores.

For more info such as product updates, promos, and tips on cooking and kitchenware care, do check out World Kitchen Facebook page.

Do note that I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the products in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine.

** Note: I have disabled the commenting feature on my blog engine thanks to all the spammers who happily spam my blog every day. If you wish to ask me any questions, you can find me at my Facebook page (I'm there almost everyday) or just drop me an email if you wish to maintain some anonymity.