Stylish family beach holiday essentials – 10% discount!

Beach holidays en famille are fantastic especially if you’re prepared and have the right kit. Vacation wear outlet, Flo & Joe,  was set up in 2004 after a very disappointing online search for stylish flip flops! Vanessa Holloway set up the company while on maternity leave with her first baby. Flo & Joe has since expanded the range to include beach and holiday wear for children and adults but still today have the largest collection of Havaianas.

We’ve negotiated a special 10% discount for My Nametag newsletter readers. Go to www.floandjoe.co.uk and use discount code SUMMER10.

Beach essentials

Pack essentials like a bottle of sun cream, phone, keys, money etc. in a large clutch for a bit of beach glamour. When you go for lunch you can take this with you and leave the bulky items on the beach, says Flo. Try the Nali Fluo Pink clutch bag £29 (€36).

Clear view

Put family necessities like insect sting spray, plasters, tissues etc. in a clear bag so the rest of the family can see what is in there without emptying the contents onto the sand! We think Flight 001’s medium clear toiletry bag £15 (€19) does the trick beautifully.

Wet suit bag

There’s nothing worse than a wet sandy beach bag! Keep super organised by stashing wet and sandy swimmers in a separate bag away from clean dry clothes, says Flo. Try Flight 101’s Clean Wet Suit Bag £20 (€25).

Kid-friendly sarong

A lightweight sarong/pareo made of soft, breathable cotton is far nicer than damp towelling for small children to snuggle under in the shade. We love the NY taxi sarong which comes in white or pink. Oh, and it’s a super stylish cover-up for you too for just £25 (€31).

Stylish and safe girls

Buy your children beachwear in cool, fun designs that they’ll want to wear but that are also safe in the sun. For girls this gorgeous Sunuva yellow rash vest with exotic orchid design is super cool, quick drying with UPF 50+ protection. Matching bikini and lovely summer dress available too. £39 (€49) each.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uber cool boys

We love this Indian Headdress design for boys. The UV rash vest in fabulous bright orange features a cool Indian headdress design is made of breathable UPF 50+ fabric, which blocks out 97% of the sun’s harmful rays. The matching orange swimmers feature the same fabric with UPF 50+ protection too. Both £38 (€48).

 

 

 

 

 

Havaiana heaven

Don’t forget your Havaianas. They come in a plethora of shades and styles and for the smallest of feet too! Kids Brasil Logo Navy Havaianas £16.00 (€20), Kids Freedom Pink Gold Sandal Havaianas £22.00 (€27).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out our (and your) green credentials

When My Nametags started in 2004 one of the key aims was to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Our biggest contribution to the environment is to sell a product that helps children keep hold of their belongings! And by labelling your children’s clothes, trainers, lunch boxes etc. you are helping to reduce lost property and waste.

The Managing Director of My Nametags, Lars Andersen, has always been interested in the environment. When he set up My Nametags ten years ago he was determined to make every effort to make it as green as possible.

“We have invested a lot of time researching the best materials available in Europe for our children to safely use. Our non-BPA, non Phthalates PVC colour labels are free of any toxic plasticisers,” says Lars. My Nametags’ colour labels are made with eco-ink and the cartridges are sent back to the manufacturer to be recycled and refilled.

We’re also environmentally conscious inside the office too. Last year we got a Carbon Smart Blue Certificate in recognition for using recycled paper, recycling eco-ink cartridges and reducing the carbon footprint in our office. See www.carbonsmart.co.uk/certification for more information.

Did you know that we will give you free blank labels to cover your child’s name so you can pass items on to older children, friends or charity shops? If you need some blank labels please email us. And do tell everyone that they too can be greener by labelling their things.

 

Send us a picture of your pet – win tags!

The UK is without doubt a nation of animal lovers. It is estimated that 13 million households have pets.  The pet population in 2014 stands at around 65 million – including fish, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association’s (PFMA) annual Pet Population report.

 

Owning a pet is a wonderful experience for children. We’ve had hamsters, goldfish, cats and now the kids are keen to get a dog. Having a pet helps children learn to take some responsibility for someone else’s welfare and teaches younger children that pets are real and have feelings too. I remember coming back after a tricky day at my new secondary school and finding great comfort in playing with my hamster or taking the dogs for a walk.

If you want to enter the My Nametags’ PET competition please email us a picture of your pet by Friday 13th of June. The My Nametags team will choose the best 20 pictures to post on Facebook. The pet with the most likes will receive a free set of nametags for each child in the household.

Attention: Please do not send your entry by  replying to the Newsletter or emailing us to sales@mynametags.com. The entries should be emailed at marketing@mynametags.com. Sadly they will not be taken into consideration.

 

Here’s a list of the top ten UK pets in 2014 (based on running totals over two years), according to the PFMA.

 

 1. Fish kept in tanks: 20 – 25 million

 

2. Fish kept in ponds: 20 million

 

3. Dogs: 9 million

 

4. Cats: 8 million

 

5. Rabbits: 1 million

 

6. Domestic fowl: 1 million

 

7. Caged birds: 1 million

 

8. Guinea Pigs: Half a million

 

9. Hamsters: 400,000

 

10. Lizards: 400,000

 

Arts and crafts made easy with toucanBox – free trial

I know the kids have only just gone back to school but the summer holidays are just around the corner! It’s always good to have a few things up your sleeve to do with the kids especially if the weather is bad…

My children love arts and crafts projects but the problem is I rarely have all of the kit to make the robot or a hanging mobile that they suddenly want to make. We came across toucanBox and thought they were so good that we negotiated a special free trial for My Nametags newsletter readers.

Virginie, mum of two, says she came up with the idea for toucanBox when she was at home with a newborn baby and a toddler. “My three-year old daughter was desperate to make what she’d just seen on the television but the glue had dried up and we just didn’t have the ‘everyday’ materials including the 24 ice lolly sticks that the project required! “says Virgine.

“A lot of parents want to have quality time making things with their children but the big headache is sourcing all of the things you need. So I thought wouldn’t it be great if you could receive a tailor-made selection of materials and activities delivered to your door all in one handy box?” says Virginie. And, hey presto the idea for toucanBox was born.

Together with her business partner, Sara Barokas, who has 15 years experience as a Montessori teacher, they set up toucanBox – creative boxes for children aged 3-8 years. “Kids love the excitement of receiving a colourful box with their name on it. Plus the activities are not just fun but are educational too. The larger boxes include a book as well,” says Virgine.

It’s well known that arts and crafts help promote core skills including concentration, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving and numeracy. “The more practice they get at home at manipulating a paintbrush, scribbling with a crayon, cutting with scissors and squishing and pulling play dough, the easier it becomes for them to pick up writing skills,” says Sara.

Each box is themed, and contains 1, 2 or 4 crafts that bring that theme to life. There are over 50 themes, including Dinosaurs, Treasure Island, Garden, Minibeasts, Ocean, and many more. The boxes contain everything you need (except scissors). You can get party favour boxes too and toucanBox have just launched activity boxes for kids’ parties.

To get your FREE Petite toucanBox click on the link http://www.toucanbox.com/taster and use the code MYNAMETAGS. There’s no commitment and you can cancel at any time.

Spring fashion trends 2014

Spring has landed! It’s time to peel off the layers, ditch your boots and get your wardrobe ready for warmer weather. Our friends at Style Doctors, an award winning team of image consultants, have the low down on what’s hot this spring. Plus there’s a great reader offer on any of their styling packages.

Pastel everything!

Beautiful, bright pastel hues are a major trend this season. Whether it’s a soft pink, baby blue, or a peachy orange, you can’t go wrong. Keep it up-to-date with a cutout top.

Floral prints

Another must-have piece in your closet this season is anything floral. Just perfect with chinos or skinny jeans.

50 shades of denim…

Echo the pastel trend with a lighter wash denim this spring.

Brogues

Pretty pale shades are well-paired with warm, neutral coloured brogues.

Candy-coloured handbags

Not sure if you can wear the pastel look? Just add a gorgeous candy-coloured handbag to your outfit.

Printed shoes

These printed shoes will bring a smile to your face and keep a spring in your step…

Accessorize

Another great way to echo the trends of spring are through your accessories and makeup. Add a statement earrings or a necklace for an even more feminine touch or update your lipstick and nail varnish with the latest tones or to give the same effect.

READER OFFER

We’re really pleased to offer My Nametags newsletter readers 10% off any of Style Doctors styling packages—from a colour consultation or a wardrobe makeover to personal shopping trips. Prices start at £60. Quote Spring14 to get 10% off.

Style Doctors also have a great monthly service for £15 – your own stylist anytime, anywhere. For more info visit http://www.styledoctors.com/247_personal_stylist_shopchat.html. Call  0333 5777 110 or email info@styledoctors.com.