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My Spreadsheet Brain

A South African parenting blog, complete with clever quips and a dash of humor

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  • Win!
  • Parenting
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  • My spreadsheet brain
  • Kids fashion
  • Features
    • Bath time
    • Beauty
    • Nelson Mandela Bay
    • Reviews
    • Tips and tricks
    • What my kids are playing with
  • Win!
  • Home
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  • Contact
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  • Reviews,  Win!

    Cookie Creative makes cookie decorating festive this Christmas! {Giveaway!}

    December 19, 2025 /

    When it comes to being the mom of a kid (so yeah, basically all of us) there’s literally only so much we can do before we start feeling like we know all the words to Moana. They say no man is an island (“the island gives us what we neeeed”) and all of that, and so I always welcome fresh ideas and interesting activities that will encourage some creativity and quality time with my little ones. So I was so chuffed when Cookie Creative sent Kari and I a christmas cookie decorating kit. Ahhh, finally, a crafty project that I can eat! Winning already! Cookie Creative is the brain child…

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    7 Comments

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    So we made christmas tree ornaments in our LG NeoChef Microwave Oven

    November 24, 2025
    DVD's are great Christmas gifts

    Gifting with intention: Why DVD’s are great Christmas gifts!

    December 18, 2025
    Top 25 Christmas Hymns

    Music Monday: Top 25 Christmas Hymns compilation

    November 20, 2025
  • Reviews,  Win!

    Festive season fun from Hasbro (Giveaway!)

    December 18, 2025 /

    If you love your kids as much as I love mine, then you’re probably wondering how on earth you’re going to score those cool mom points, this Christmas. I mean, cool mom points are totally necessary. Cool mom points are what keeps us young. Well, my friend, I bring you glad tidings of great joy! Our pals over at Hasbro has guaranteed us a ton of festive season fun – and cool mom points – and we don’t even have to bake anyone cookies to get ’em! Plus we’re giving a whole hamper away! Aaack! Here are some of my favorite Hasbro Christmas gift ideas and a chance for you…

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    122 Comments

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    Top 25 Christmas Hymns

    Music Monday: Top 25 Christmas Hymns compilation

    November 20, 2025

    Hasbro’s Top Toys & board games has something for the whole family {Giveaway}

    November 26, 2025

    Review: Goodsky vacuums your blackheads!

    October 17, 2025
  • Reviews,  Win!

    Inspiring Christmas gift ideas for teens

    December 13, 2025 /

    Buying gifts for my teen is a bit like extracting teeth. Yep, it’s painful, for the most part. And that’s only because I never know if the kid is actually going to like the gift. But more than that, I hate getting him gifts that are meaningless and just for show. I know, I come across as all hip and stuff (humor me, please), but in reality, my brain is like a spreadsheet (hence the name of this here blog) so I gauge everything according to how useful it’s going to be in the long run. Anyways, long story short (because let’s face it, I was babbling) I found a…

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    Your awkward moments could score you a prize with Clorets SA’s ‘Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer’ game

    November 13, 2025
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    On the move with Opalescence Go

    February 3, 2025
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    Music Monday: Lauren Daigle – Behold

    November 6, 2025
  • Win!

    Inspiring Christmas gift ideas for him {Giveaway!}

    December 5, 2025 /

    I get it. Buying a cool Christmas gift for that special guy in your life can be a tad bit difficult. I mean, unless he’s okay with getting socks and underwear every year. Men are a fickle folk though and I know that my Hubstopher has faked many a “I love it!” exclamations over the past few years, because, let’s face it ladies, socks and underwear is not that exciting. But they’ll never tell us this. (Bless their hearts) So I thought to investigate and find a few really cool and inspiring Christmas gift ideas for him, with the help of Cum Books. How trendy is this Galatians 6:14 stainless steel…

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    42 Comments

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    Peaceful sleep with the Tommee Tippee Grobag

    Peaceful sleep with the Tommee Tippee Grobag {Win!}

    April 16, 2025

    Easy peasy mommy makeup with Essence {Giveaway!}

    March 12, 2025

    Gary Chapman’s Conversation Starters made my family talk {Giveaway!}

    November 30, 2025
  • Funko Gifts for the whole family
    Win!

    Funko: Gifts for the whole family! (Giveaway!)

    November 26, 2025 /

    When it comes to Christmas gift giving, I’m one of those “making a list and checking it twice” kinda gals. I love giving gifts that have meaning! And hey, the thing is this: everyone is a fan of something, right? If your kids or hubby are into movies, gaming, music, sport or even anime, then I’ve got the perfect gift idea for you! And friends, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your couch to make your purchase. Exactly. You can thank me with chocolates. Funko I was recently introduced to the whimsical quirkiness that is Funko collectables. These totally rad figurines, brought to SA by Gammatek, feature…

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    6 Comments

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    Dress like a princess

    Dress like a princess with Classy Baby Boutique {Win!}

    March 9, 2025

    Easy peasy mommy makeup with Essence {Giveaway!}

    March 12, 2025

    Gary Chapman’s Conversation Starters made my family talk {Giveaway!}

    November 30, 2025
  • My Top Five Christmas Party Games
    Tips and tricks

    My Top Five Christmas Party Games

    November 22, 2025 /

    If you love a good end of year party, like I do, then you’re probably the designated Christmas party planner for your office or group of friends. I see you, kindred heart! We’re the Jessica Day’s of this world, and that’s okay! So, obviously, you’ve sent out your invites (weeks in advance, duh, coz that’s how we roll) and your party is obviously a costume party (because what is a party without a theme.) And now you’re looking for a few super fun Christmas Party games and activities to entertain your guests with. I got you girl! Here are some of my favorite Christmas Party games: Christmas Carols Remix You’ll…

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    Best hobbies for full time moms

    September 25, 2025
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    Five things to do while he’s watching UEFA Champions League soccer

    February 22, 2025

    What you really need in your hospital bag

    August 15, 2025
  • Reviews,  Win!

    JOHNSONS® Vita-Rich Smoothies for your skin! {Giveaway}

    November 19, 2025 /

    So when it comes to skin care, I’m usually not this dramatic. But you guys, when my friends over at Johnson’s Skincare sent me their new JOHNSONS® Vita-Rich Smoothies range, I pretty much freaked out! I mean, to be honest, everything feels tired this time of the year and my skin was in need of a vita boost. The timing was perfect! The new JOHNSONS® Vita-Rich Smoothies range captures the power and goodness of Peach and Coconut or Honey and Oats, combined with yoghurt concentrate, to help effectively care for your skin. The range was designed to deliver lasting hydration – I’m talking 48 hours’ worth of moisture. Yep, it’s…

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    1 Comment

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    Prima Toys: 44 Cats brings the cool! {Giveaway!}

    March 23, 2025

    The big chocolate covered marshmallow egg comparison

    April 16, 2025

    Jislaaik! Want a Jislaain SOS Tee?

    April 8, 2025
  • Christmas Tree Night
    Tips and tricks

    Our Christmas Tree Night traditions

    November 16, 2025 /

    Christmas Tree Night is the best thing! Yep, as the name suggests, the night is dedicated to unboxing and decorating our Christmas tree. For us it pretty much marks the start of the festive season and, because of that (and mainly because I’m a loony toon), I kinda made a whole event out of it. Whaaat, tis the season to be extra, fa la la la laaa la la la laaaaa! *cough* Right, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, allow me to share all the deets of a typical “Christmas Tree Night” ‘round about these parts. I mean, one does not simply just set up a Christmas…

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    4 Comments

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    5 ways to prepare for December in January

    January 21, 2025

    C-Section tips: 10 things you want to know before

    September 27, 2025

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    June 18, 2025
  • I blame my family for Christmas
    My spreadsheet brain

    Christmas Crazy: I blame my family for Christmas

    November 1, 2025 /

    I blame my family for Christmas. Most of my childhood memories are centered around the festive season and you guys, this explains a lot about why I’m Christmas Crazy! I mean, growing up, Christmas was always been the BEST time of the year. I grew up with a bunch of sweet Christmas traditions,that made it really hard to hate the season, if you know what I mean.When I was younger, Christmas usually meant new clothes (right down to the undies, yo), fresh hair, going to church in the morning and coming home to open presents and enjoy family time. In our neighborhood, the kids would go from house to house,…

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    Celebrate the festive with a gingerbread house kit!

    October 1, 2025 /

    It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Whaaat? I mean, it’s October, it’s time to take out the Christmas decorations, right?! Okay, fine, I’ll curb my enthusiasm for a few more weeks. But while we outchere talking about Christmas, I need to tell you guys about the amazing Gingerbread House Kit my missy and I tried out the other day. That’s right… a gingerbread house kit! It’s okay you can “aaack”, I’ll wait. Have you composed yourself yet? Great. When Gingerbread House Kit contacted me, asking if we’d like to give one of their kits a go, I was like, heck to the yeah! You guys know how much…

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    Three ingredient meal cooked to perfection in my LG NeoChef Microwave Oven

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    What my kids are playing with: Mega Bloks Treehouse Adventures

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    Book review: The Masterpiece – Francine Rivers (GIVEAWAY!)

    April 26, 2025
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