Tag Archives: Babysouk.com

Online Shopping | The only way forward for busy mums | My personal top 12 favourite websites

When I left London 8 years ago, one of the biggest things I missed was online shopping. I missed Waitrose/Ocado deliveries, John Lewis deliveries, Notonthehighsteet and most of all Amazon deliveries.  Shopping for me these days is an inefficient use of my time. Going to the mall, struggling to park, walking 1km to the store I need, and probably passing a toy store on the way with 4 children in tow begging and negotiating why they need to add to the growing plastic toy graveyard in our playroom.  This also does not include the time spent supermarket shopping for 4 children.

Online in the UAE has taken off in the last 18 months to two years.  Most overseas stores like Net-a-Porter were amongst the first to deliver to the UAE, and now more and more international websites will deliver to your front door.

The landscape of technology is changing the way we live.  Online shopping has become one of the most efficient ways to search for gifts and products.  I am always searching for new online websites as part of my #mummyhacks2017 – we all need to simplify life.  I have personally ordered from all these websites myself, paid for the purchases except for Next but that’s because I just got told about it by the grapevine.  I am going to check that out next month.

Here is a list of my Top 12 most used websites for online shopping.

#1 Selfridges.com – Best for clothing, stationary, toys, beauty products, gifts. Ships internationally.

I ordered tons of Christmas presents and birthday gifts for international destinations from Hong Kong to Aspen directly to friends’ homes for their children.  I was impressed by the tracking and efficiency.  There is a wide range of items that can be shipped but Home and Kitchenware is not allowed for shipping in the UAE.  Selfridges also remove the VAT before shipping and vary on shipping charges but nevertheless very useful.  I paid £35 to have free shopping for a whole year – best investment of 2016.

#2 Net-a-PorterBest for luxury clothing and cult beauty products. Ships internationally.

This website really needs no introductions.  We all need the occasional pretty dress for a cocktail party, work, holidays and I rarely have time to shop for clothes. I find it more useful to have clothes delivered to my front door at competitive prices rather than traipsing with 4 impatient children through the mall.  Also, it is a great website to search for cult beauty products that are still not available here.

#3 Childsplay.comBest for children’s designer labels (Location: UK). Ships internationally.

It is an online children’s luxury website selling designer labelled clothing from Gucci to Stella McCartney.  It is a great place to get birthday gifts for friends especially new borns.

#4 Mumzworld –  Best for everything child related (Location: UAE).Ships internationally.

I have used this site when Amazon.com failed me in the US to deliver my Elf on the Shelf on time.  I couldn’t believe the depth and breath of the products available from Mumzworld.  It is a one-stop shop for mums who need anything from nappies delivered to gifts.  Also, if you need revision books for children, they have a great collection including Bond papers which can be hard to find.

#5 BabysoukBest for baby and children’s equipment from strollers, to cots to clothing and gifts. Ships internationally.

This would probably be your quintessential boutique collection of baby products effortlessly curated to make motherhood an easier journey.  A more boutique online store with our family’s favourite cuddle-dry brands to a wide range of prams.  Brands include Aden + Anais, Beatrix NY, Mountain Buggy and Phil&Teds.

#6 Noah’s GardenBest for everything organic for babies plus cult baby items (Location: UAE) Ships internationally.

This online organic website is the brainchild of two best friends who were in search for unique and genuine organic and educational items for children.  The items on there are inspiring, and make stunning gifts especially their new borns and an absolute must for mums who love organic.  They have cult brands like Sapling Child and gorgeous blankets from Coveted Things.

#7 Cultbeauty.comBest for cult beauty products at competitive prices. (Location: UK) Ships internationally.

There are so many new beauty brands that are not available, and this beauty store delivers some of the best brands to your home including my favourite Tata Harper, Charlotte Tilbury and byTerry products.  Delivery is by far one of the longest but I don’t mind.  It’s nice to have something nice in the pipeline to look forward to.

#8 Melijoe.com – Best for children’s designer labels. (Location: Paris) Ships Internationally.

A luxury website for children’s designer clothing that delivers to your front door.  It makes website to search for presents, especially during the sales.  One of the fastest deliveries from Paris to Dubai – arrived in less than 48 hours.  Worth looking at especially during their sales.

#9 StuckonyouBest for cute stickers to label all children’s items from shoes to lunch boxes. (Location: Several with a UAE franchise website but I have only used the UK website).  

This website provides children’s name labels for clothes, shoes and lunch boxes that are always handy around the house.  I still try to order from the UK website because with the weak pound, prices just are more competitive but it does mean my family have to bring it over.

#10 Next DirectBest of high street clothing for all the family. (Location: UK) Ships internationally.

Next has been listed on the FTSE100 as far as I  remember during my investment management years.  Next is often placed into clients’ portfolios as a survivor in the retail business because it is always at the forefront of change.  It resolves challenges efficiently and adapts to market changes. Today it is one of the most popular websites for most expat mums here.  They can’t stop ordering from Next Direct.  I have hear excellent reviews although I haven’t ordered myself from here yet but it is just a matter of time when the need arrives.

#11 Matchesfahion.com Best for luxury designer clothing. (Location: UK) Ships internationally.

I switch and change between Net-a-Porter and Matchesfashion.  It is important to compare prices between the websites because each have their curated collection of designers and collections.

#12 MrPorter.comBest for luxury men’s clothing and gifts. (Location: UK) Ships Internationally.

It is a great place to search for presents for my husband.  They have a good edit list of gifts to choose from, and they aren’t necessarily just clothes.  I know friends’ husbands who trawl the website often picking up clothes as they go along – it is an easy shop for guys.  Again, they are competitive on pricing and it is great to wait when they have free delivery offers.

There are other websites that I am still wanting to try out like these clothing websites like Namshi.com and SoShru that are based in the  UAE but heard they are fabulous too #nextmonthsbudget. More to come in the future.  If you have websites that you love please share with us too.

Baby Leonardo reviews The Boba Carrier 4G Vail

I started having children 6 years ago, and The Boba Carrier was not an available option.  I used a baby bjorn for many years with the 4 children, and it has worn well until now so it has been definitely a good investment.  The problem with the baby bjorn that it works for me only for a limited time with my children.  By 8 months, my shoulders feel sore with the baby bjorn after a short walk as all the weight is all on your upper body.  As an infant carrier I still rate the baby bjorn as it is quick to get in and out of airports and aeroplanes but after 8 months to 1 year I had to switch to other alternatives.

The Boba baby carrier has been tested by baby Leonardo and dad. (the ultimate test).  Leonardo finds the carrier very comfortable, and he feels like he is in hammock and is lulled into a slumber easily.  My husband also finds it comfortable but he would prefer to use it in a mall or abroad in colder countries as the Boba is made from strong and thick fabric and finds it too warm so would prefer the baby bjorn for a hot and humimd walk on the beach.  For me, I thought that the baby’s weight was more evenly spread across my body as the majority of the weight is on the waist and shoulders, and I could carry him for longer on the Boba carrier.  I also love the feeling that the Boba gives which is ‘the hug’ because of the position  you are carrying the child.  In my crazy schedule, I love the intimacy of holding my two youngest so close to me even if I am charging through the supermarket.  My two year boy (cost centre number 3) also enjoyed being carried from behind ‘like a backpack’.  The Boba has adjustable footstraps to help support the child too.

There are also an array of designs but this was our personal family favourite.  Neutral enough for dad to also use it.  We are looking forward to taking it away with us on holiday next month.

The Viel family rates this product 9/10.

The Boba carrier can be purchased at babysouk.com 

Win a DREAM holiday to Mauritius and stay at the St Regis Hotel

WIN A DREAM HOLIDAY TO MAURITIUS WITH THE BabySouk.com GOLDEN TICKET COMPETITION

Shop with babysouk online between until the 1st December 2014 and you could win a holiday to Mauritius staying at the stunning St Regis Mauritius Resort for 2 people.

The golden ticket is your chance to win the holiday – every 5th order babysouk receives we will give a golden ticket!

INSTAGRAM or post on FACEBOOK an image of your golden ticket, and your shopping bag from babysouk and ‘tag’ babysouk.com #babysoukgold

The more times you buy, the more golden tickets you may receive, and the more chances you have to win!

The winner will be notified on UAE National Day- 2nd December 2014