John Crane and Sevi - An Exciting New Partnership

Anyone who knows this family and blog will know that we love good quality, wooden toys. Favourites of ours are John Crane so I was thrilled to hear about them introducing Sevi and keen to look closer.

I was really impressed with the range I discovered and like how they produce not only toys but objects that express warmth, wonder and friendliness of a child's world. I can really see how they match the quality and values of John Crane.


All these toys are bright and colourful looking, instantly appealing. Some of my favourites include these gorgeous pull along toys, perfect for youngsters just learning to walk:

Every little one deserves a toy kitchen and this one is adorable. Hours of fun would be had with this and it would not be outgrown quickly either:

Ooohh breakfast in bed anyone? I love role play and could watch my eldest play for hours with toys like this. Her little imagination would be let lose:

I love this novel way of getting little ones to brush their teeth too, so cute:

Not forgetting Christmas decorations too. This adorable little snowman would fit in perfectly with our Christmas tree colour scheme:

For more gorgeous looking toys and to keep up to date with this exciting new partnership then simply follow John Crane on facebook and twitter.


Karen x


You can also check out the Blog Match linky for more Sevi posts 

Win A Le Toy Van Tea Set

You might have seen a few weeks ago my girls got the opportunity to review a Le Toy Van Tea Set from The Wooden Toy Shop.

It was a definite hit in this house, the girls absolutely loved it! We have enjoyed endless cups of pretend tea and strawberry tart ...delicious!

Fortunately for you guys, I have now been given the chance to give one away as a prize to one of my very lucky readers.

This really is a fantastic prize and would make an excellent Christmas present. Its a gorgeous bright red, white and aqua blue colour which makes it ideal for both little girls and boys too. Made to last, this tea set will bring hours of fun and encourage imaginative play in your little ones.

To Win:

Simply head over to the Wooden Toy Shop Facebook page and like it. While you are there just leave a quick message telling them you were sent by me and come back here to tell me you have done it. Don't forget to leave me a way of contacting you if you are the winner.

For extra entries you can:

1. Follow me by GFC or if you do already, try networked blog or twitter
2. Like my facebook page
3. Tweet the following "I really want to win a gorgeous Le Toy Van tea set with @wouldliketobe and @WoodenToyShopUK http://bit.ly/vmVOYH"

Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do.

This competition will run until 7pm Monday 7th November 2011.

Many thanks to the Wooden Toy Shop and good luck to you all.

Karen x

Review Of The Le Toy Van Honeybake Tea Set

The very lovely people at the Wooden Toy Shop have kindly sent us the Le Toy Van Honeybake Tea Set  to review.

Le Toy Van Honeybake Tea Set

My regular readers will know that we love all things pretty and girly in this house and this really is a beautiful tea set fit for a Princess (or Princesses in this case).

The set includes  2 cups and saucers, a spoon, tea pot and tea bag, a milk jug and cake all presented on a lovely tray. It really is gorgeous. The colours are pretty and vibrant and the pieces are well made and sturdy/ heavy compared to some of the plastic/ flimsy ones I have seen. Although we have only had it a few weeks I can tell it is going to last. 

Not only is it nice to look at, it has captured the imagination of my eldest (aged 3).  I could watch  her play with toys like this for hours. We have enjoyed dolls tea parties, teddy bear picnics and of course Mummy and Daddy have been made endless cups of tea and enjoyed fresh strawberry tart. Its wonderful.

Here are a few pictures of my girls playing with it:

Although is says for age 3+, Rosie is only 15 months and happily plays with it too. She enjoys copying her Sister and even plays along drinking a nice cup of pretend tea:

If they wanted to add anything it would be a sugar bowl but this may have been intentional to not encourage children to take sugar.

We love it and give it a huge 9/10. Another fantastic traditional wooden toy from Wooden Toy Shop.

Karen x

Our Family Is Growing, Meet The New Addition

Meet Pluto, he is Rosie's new best friend and was named by her Sister.

He is the Plan Toys Sit and Walk Puppy, another beautiful wooden traditional toy sent to us from the lovely Jean at Toyjeanius. He is a very adorable pull along toy and you may be pleased to know, made from environmentally friendly materials and of course toxic free paint. 

The preservative free rubberwood  feels very sturdy and is easy for chubby little hands to grab hold of. Rosie has taken to him immediately. She loves his floppy felt ears and springy tail and they tolerate her constant pulling well. She is currently 14 months, a little under the recommended 19 months but that doesn't seem to be a problem.  She toddles around pulling him along and watching his little body wobble from side to side. She also enjoys making him sit so she can talk to him, wiggle his tail and gives him kisses:

Everyone loves kisses

Even her Sister loves him and happily pulls him along too despite being 3 years old. She even wanted to take him to bed on the first night but I said no!

If you have wooden floors you will be pleased to know the wheels are rubber trimmed, meaning they will protect your floors and make less noise. We have carpets and he works well on that too.

Don't just take my word for it though, here's a little slide show to demonstrate how much fun they are:

Customize your own free slideshow

To find out more or discover other beautiful toys, head over to Toyjeanius yourself. 

Karen x