It’s the end of July, and while I’m in part questioning how are we here, it’s been a fun month dominated by European travel and preparing for the arrival of my second child.
Many of my favourite products of the month tap into this theme — travel and kids.
But there are plenty of other great beauty, fashion and homewares buys nestled amidst the suitcases and toys.
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Below, I reveal my seven top buys for July, and why you need to invest in them right now.
1. Yoto Player, currently $149.99
Any parent of a toddler or school-age child will know the battle to get the kids off tech.
And so when I heard that this revolutionary kids’ tech brand that is transforming playtime globally was set to launch in Australia in July, I couldn’t wait to give it a try.
Yoto is a kid-friendly audio platform and portable speaker system offering stories, music, educational activities, podcasts, and radio — sreen, camera, mic and ad-free.
For $149.99, parents can get their hands on the ultra-impressive Yoto Player, and you then buy “cards” or tapes via the Yoto website.
This features thousands of titles from the likes of Peppa Pig, Disney, Sesame Street, Beatrix Potter, Enid Blyton, Paw Patrol, The Beatles and so much more.
As soon as this landed on my doorstep, my 2.5-year-old daughter Florence’s interest was piqued.
Something that played her favourite tunes from Encanto and Frozen or stories from Beatrix Potter that she could control and change when she wanted to?
Say less. And since it arrived at the beginning of the month, it has become a mainstay in our bedtime and wind-down routine.
What I love about Yoto is that it’s an educational toy that gives kids access to their favourite worlds, whether Disney or Enid Blyton, but without having to switch on a screen.
Already trusted by 6,000 Aussie families and celebrities including Serena Williams, Mindy Kaling and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, I love that I’m in great company providing a fun learning experience for my toddler.
And as an aside, we’ve had far fewer meltdowns and tantrums since we brought Yoto into our home.
I even packed it for our recent trip to Europe, such is it an essential mainstay in my parenting arsenal now.
If you’re on the fence about screen-time for your child (like me) and looking for something to fill the void, let this be your next investment.
It’s on my Christmas shopping list for every parent I know this year.
What other kids’ buys have I been loving this month?
- DreamBreeZzz Cot Mattress 2-in-1 cot mattress ($346.62): The inspiration of celebrated paediatrician and sleep expert, Dr. Harvey Karp, this breathable cot mattress is a must for parents of newborns and toddlers craving a decent night’s sleep. Featuring a side for babies that’s a bit firm (as recommended by Red Nose), as well as a cushier side that helps toddlers nod off, it’s the ideal buy for parents of kids age 0-3. I can’t get enough.
- EVERAU Ugg Boots Kids Sheepskin Wool Lion Kids Plus ($89): Looking for an adorable shoe or boot to take your child through winter to the warmer months? Look no further than Ugg Express, whose adorable kids’ styles are not only super cute, but will keep your child cosy in the winter and cool in the summer too. I love these $89 lion boots, which are made from high-quality materials and feature a sweet lion’s face.
2. Augustinus Bader The Cream, from $149
I’ve previously waxed lyrical about The Rich Cream from Augustinus Bader, so I was keen to see how this lighter daily moisturiser held up to my favourite product.
And yes, I know it is outrageously expensive, but the lighter Cream version did not disappoint.
Featuring a lightweight texture that is perfect for everyday use, the fragrance-free buy had my skin looking the best it has looked in ages within three weeks.
The secret to this comes from German skin professor Augustinus Bader, who uses TFC8, Trigger Factor Complex TFC, in all of his products.
TFC8 is a proprietary blend of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and peptides.
TFC8 technology guides key nutrients and powerful natural ingredients to the skin, creating and supporting an optimal environment for cellular renewal.
The result for your skin is a fresh and glow-y look that will have people asking you what facialist you’re seeing or where you’ve recently been on holiday.
It’s worth its weight in gold, and I have already forked out for a new bottle.
What other beauty buys have I been loving this month?
- Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser: I’ve been a dedicated Glossier fan since the brand’s inception in 2014. And so while I’ve felt it’s a long time coming that the brand comes to Australia, that doesn’t mean I’m not delighted to have it here. The Milky Jelly Cleanser ($37) is one of my top picks from the brand. I love its soothing rose water scent and nourishing, pH-balanced finish.
- Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Swivel Stick ($7): Beloved by Victoria’s Secret model Candice Swanepoel, the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Swivel Stick is a must-have for travel given its ability to soothe and nourish dry skin and assist with chapped lips. I recently brought the Swivel Stick with me on holiday and it was the one product that kept my lips nourished on the brutal 24-hour flight to the UK. I am recommending it to everyone.
- Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50+ Luminising Serum Skinscreen ($52): It’s a cult bestseller for a reason. And now. Ultra Violette’s Luminising Serum Skinscreen is back and better than ever with a fresh new formula that promises to deliver a glossy finish and sun-protected, hydrated skin. I’ve been road-testing this one for the past couple of weeks and am highly impressed. Add to cart.
3. ECCO Pot Bag in Wave, $219.95
Embraced by downsizers and minimalists alike, this cute-shaped “Pot” bag by ECCO is perfectly-sized for a phone and essentials only.
Opening with a one-click magnetic closure to reveal a main compartment lined with soft microfibre and a convenient leather card pocket, this bag looks fantastic whether you pair it with jeans and boots or a dress and sneakers.
It also comes in a range of colours, whether you prefer classic brown or black or something brighter.
I’ve been wearing the bag out at the weekends when I want to travel light and have even brought it into work when I am without lunch and want to feel like the sort of woman who has the ability to move around uninhibited by personal items.
What other fashion and homewares buys have I been loving this month?
- Looking to get the hotel-worthy look on the cheap? You could do worse than invest in Bed Threads’ Heavy Linen Bed Covers ($450). Crafted from ultra-luxurious, heavyweight 100 per cent French flax linen, these sheets can be overlaid on your duvet or sheeting for a magazine-ready look in seconds.
- Argent Silversmith’s bespoke styles have been wowing me for months recently. So I jumped at the chance to create my own personalised signet ring with the head designer Elizabeth Herman comprising the birthstones of significant people in my life. If you’re looking for a truly unique gift for someone, the Argent Silversmith website is a fantastic place to browse.
- I’ve been a fan of Who Gives A Crap toilet paper for years now, and can’t believe it took me as long as it did to get on to the excellent sustainable brand. And now, the brand has released a cute new Poetry Edition of rolls (from $30) that features 48 unique words that you can stack, swap and show off in your loo.
- Joseph Joseph is a byword in my house for smart storage solutions, and this month I particularly love this dish drainer rack that has been marked down by 50 per cent to just $80.70. Expanding to twice its size, it features a draining spout with three different positions, raised ribs to prevent water being trapped under glasses and bowls, and non-scratch draining prongs and a chopping board rail.
4. TheRY Maternity Compression Socks and Leggings, $45 and $189
Flying at 32 weeks pregnant is no joke. No less flying long haul when you’re in your third trimester.
So in order to travel back to the UK at the start of this month, I knew I needed to invest in some compression gear.
It wasn’t long before I stumbled across the TheRY brand and in particular their compression socks ($45) and tights ($189), both of which I wore on all four of my long-haul flights.
Both were exceedingly comfortable on board.
When it comes to the socks, the great news is that compression socks do not have to not look like your dad’s office socks.
Modern designs made from ultrasoft lightweight yarns that are pure bliss for your tired and swollen feet and ankles.
And TheRY have a range of colours to choose from.
Next, the tights — which I have lived in since I invested.
Featuring graduated compression (15-20 mmHg) through the legs to enhance circulation and help reduce fluid retention, the tights are both great before giving birth and to alleviate post-partum swelling in the feet and legs.
It’s not just me who loves them, as reviews on the TheRY website are glowing.
“Perfectly designed with great abdominal support post-partum yet not too tight. Sizing great. Wish I’d bought them sooner!” one shopper wrote.
“Great quality compression tights. Very comfortable and warm,” another added.
What other travel and miscellaneous buys have I been loving this month?
- The JetKids by Stokke suitcase ($279) for toddlers got another outing on our long-haul flights, and it was a huge success with our daughter — who slept on the built-in inflight bed or leg-rest for hours on board.
- Nike’s Pegasus trainers have long been part of my running arsenal. And the new Pegasus 41s are no exception to this. The $200 shoes feature responsive cushioning for an energised ride for everyday road running. The shoes are also light and breathable — perfect for running training in Sydney’s unpredictable climate.
5. Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick, currently $16.69
A good lipstick is worth its weight in gold.
And there are none better IMHO than Revlon’s Super Lustrous collection.
Dubbed Australia’s number one lipstick range, the various shades offer a breathable formula with maximum comfort, but also a long-lasting creamy finish.
There are also countless shades to choose from, whether you’re in the market for a bright and bold red or a wear-everywhere nude.
The great news is that from now (Monday 29 July) until Wednesday 7 August, $2 from the purchased of every Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick purchased at Chemist Warehouse will be donated to Look Good Feel Better.
LGFB is a free national community service program that has supported over 170,000 women, men and teens undergoing cancer treatment since its inception in 1990.
The unique program has been designed to help cancer patients learn practical strategies to manage the physical, psychological, and social impacts of cancer treatment.
For more information and to shop the impressive collection and donation, head to Chemist Warehouse here now.
What other makeup and skincare buys have I been loving this month?
- Recreation’s all-natural perfumes have been my go-to this pregnancy, particularly the newest fragrance, Lost in Dusk ($119). The scent took over three years to perfect and had a waitlist of over 12,000 people when it launched earlier this month. It has a spicy, sexy vanilla scent with a hint of amber and whiskey. It’s sultry and sophisticated, perfect for a night out with notes of vanilla, saffron, amber, spices, bergamot and oakmoss.
- Look, winter is never kind to our skin. But you can keep it looking smooth and silky with Dermal Therapy’s new Nourishing Foot and Leg Cream ($9.99). Enriched with a luxurious blend of hydrating shea butter and urea, the new daily essential cream is a nourishing powerhouse that hydrates, softens and renews — exactly what we need during these cold winter months.
- Dreaming of a European summer but stuck in cold Australia? Look no further than Summer Fridays’ new Iced Coffee Lip Butter Balm ($40), which is the scent of a summer holiday packaged up into one hydrating and nourishing lip balm product.
