FlipFold

We've found a cool gimmick which we just love so much we had to share.







We've tried the FlipFOLD ourselves and it is as easy to use as in the video. This great folding tool is now available in Australia at Green Apple Organising.

The FlipFOLD which is frequently featured on The Big Bang Theory and used by Sheldon, one of the main characters.

The FlipFold is lightweight and easy-to-use tool which really does make folding clothing quicker, easier and neater

FlipFOLD is available in two sizes to accommodate everything from children’s tops through to long sleeve business shirts.

The FlipFOLD is priced at AUD$44.99 for the Adult and AUD$42.99 for the Junior with a Combo of both sizes available for AUD$84.99 plus postage.

Buy the Flip Fold online at Green Apple Organising.


Dad Rating

Mike
A bit of a gimmick but so much fun

Stevo
I love it. Perfect for packing your gear for trips.

Science

It's not only dad's job to get the kids interested in science, but for many of us, it was an interest during our school years and we love seeing our own kids interested as well.

Cliches like "make learning fun" probably don't help anyone and are vastly overated, but how about "have fun, and maybe learn something as well"?

There are heaps of science experiments and toys that do just that, and one of our favourite businesses is Aussie owned, Mad About Science.

Mad about Science has an easy to use online store where you can pick up lots of great gadgets (we've spent hours playing wiht our Levitator) and even has an "experiment of the week".

The shop is run by skilled teachers with qualifications and experience in science research.


Dad Rating

Mark
Lab coat anyone?
Matt
Hard not to have fun and you can justify all these great toys as "science".

Belkin iPod and iPad Accessories

Some of us dads love having the latest technology - most of us get it when everyone else has it and we are feeling left behind. This means that (a) most of us have an iPod (b) some of us have an iPhone (c) a couple of us have iPads.

One thing we all know though is that once you've forked out the how ever much for the iWhatever, the first think you need to do is go out and get yourself a good case. One that's not going to interfer with your use of the iThing, is going to be comfortable in your hands, and is going to protect it when you (or the kids) drop it on the floor.

We've tried a few covers and cases, but we all agree that the Belkin Grip Vue range is the way to go. These translucent cases provide durable protection and "grip-ability" for your iPad, iPhone or iPod.

Other features include:

• Translucent case provides durable protection and enhanced grip-ability
• Made with impact-resistant TPU material
• Allow your iPad to charge while in the case
• Colours: Blue, Clear, Royal Purple, and Black
Grip Vue for iPads start at  RRP: $39.95. Visit http://www.belkin.com/ for more info.

Dad Rating

Mike
Hard wearing and worth the money
Stevo
Protect the iStuff you spent so much money on

Brocky - Peters Own Story

Toranas and Commodores- Peter Brock was a holden racing legend.

And whether your a dihard Holden fan or not, when Peter Brock was tragically killed in 2006, the outpouring of grief from around Australia revealed how this charismatic hero had touched the nation

Brockytranscended his own sport through his good looks and the power of his personality, but it was on great race circuits like Bathurst that the man became a legend.

'BROCKY' is his very own story of a remarkable career. Most of it was written before his death, and was checked and approved by the man himself. It is therefore as close to an authorised biography as there can be. This is the story of his life in top gear, as he wanted it told.

Written by long-time friend and collaborator David Hassall, an award-winning motoring journalist, the book covers his turbulent relationship with Holden, the infamous Polarizer and recalls all the great races that made the Brock legend, taking you behind the scenes of an intriguing and often controversial sport.

Dad Rating

Simon
A good read about a man who is a part of Aussie history

Steven
Well researched and full of interesting info.

Light Up Her Day

If the special lady in your life likes candles, take a look at The Candle Factory.

With a good range online and an even better range at thier store at The Rocks, Sydney, we picked candles from "The Burning Heart" range for our girls.

Made onsite from quality waxes and oils, these candles are available in 5 colours - cherry red, pretty in pink, dreamy blue, deep purple and noir.

The Candle Factory website is quick and easy to use, although the addition of a site search function would make it even better. Also note that the refund and returns policy is not great, so make sure you choose carefully.

Buring Heart candles are $9.95 each (and $14.95 RRP for candles with custom love notes like 'I love you' and 'Be My Valentine') available at 80 George St, The Rocks, Sydney or online.

Dad Rating

Stevo
Easy to use websites and good range
Mark

Hand made candles are always popular

Labrador Retrievers

It's a well known fact that the reviewers here at Dad's Choice are made keen pet lovers. It turns out every one of us has at least one pet if not more. And a quick poll established that the pet we love the most? Labrador Retrievers!

Labradors were originally found, not in Labrador as the name implies, but in Newfoundland. In the early 1880s the breed started to develop in the north of England, developed as a sporting and working dog.

Most early Labradors were black, the yellow making its appearance in 1889. Chocolates were well known in England at the turn of the century and today form an integral part of the breed.

The Labrador Retriever Breed Standard focuses on soundness and activity together with strength and build. The greatest focus is on the head, the coat and the tail.

The first Labradors were imported into Australia in the 1930s and are still an enormously popular breed even today. Labrador owners are fiercely loyal, and its not unusual to see them with not just a Lab, but also decked out in labrador lovers gear!
Dad Rating

Simon
Gotta love a Golden!

Matt
Loyal and full of energy. Ideal for the growing family.

Ideal Valentine's Day Gift - Travel Documents Set

Looking for a Valentine's Day gift for the lady who likes overseas travel? Something that's very popular right now is a stylish travel document set and we've got our hands on a couple that are currently in the market

The travel document set from GirlyGadgets.com.au contains a document wallet, passport cover and two luggage tags. The document wallet contains separate compartments for each of tickets, passports, travellers cheques and other documents making it really easy for your lady when she is struggling in the queue with handbags, beauty cases and suitcases.

The travel set comes with a bit of extra bling to add some sass and is  $39.95 online at GirlyGadgets.com.au. The Girly Gadgets online store is simple, almost stark in its design but is easy to use and fast loading. Shipping is $9.95 for orders under $50 and free for orders over $50. They do have an exchange policy but products must be returned unopened within 7 days which could be a challenge for a gift.

If you want to take it up a notch, take a look at the travel accessories gift pack from Catherine Manuell Design. 

The beautifully boxed travel set from Catherine Manuell  contains two luggage tags and a passport ticket walllet in various colours - we're going for Oversize Rose for Valentine's Day, but there are heaps of other choices (floral and otherwise) to suit your lady's tastes.

The Catherine Manuell Design travel accessories gift set is available at the Catherine Manuell online store  for $79.95. The website and online store itself is well designed and easy to use and contains heaps of beautiful designer travel accessories that we're sure the ladies will love. Shipping is $9.95. They do have an exchange policy if goods are returned within 10 days which again is tight in the case of a gift.

Dad Rating

Stevo
For the stylish lady flyer

Matt

Get one with lots of pockets, will keep things well organised.

USB Bling for the busy lady

Just in time for Valentine's day, you should take a look at the office bling available at Madam Charli.

Most mums now days have at least one or two usb keys floating around at the bottom of the handbag, but Madam Charli has a nice alternative with stylish heart pendants set with "bling" which conceal a USB Key. Available in 2GB and 4GB options, these silver USB heart pendants are priced from $30 we definitely recommend you take a look at these as a "small token of your affection" this Valentine's Day.

You can order online at http://www.madamcharli.com.au/ and while the prices are good and the service quick, we do have to say this is not the easiest website to use.

Dad Rating

Stevo
Perfect for the busy mum

MikeIt's a bling thing

Valentine's Day

Yep, Valentine's Day really is a Hallmark Holiday, designed by retailers to encourage you to buy things for your lady love. However, even though it has only a tenious historical basis and was blatently designed to part you from some of your well earned, you ignore it at your peril.

We've found that the best tactic is to agree with your wife's comments thats "we shouldn't spend any money this year on Valentine's Day" gifts, but then go out and get her something to show that you appreciate her. Unless you've dug yourself in to a hole and gone overboard in previous years, you don't have to break the bank to make her feel appreciated.

Remember though, stuff for the kitchen or shed is a no-no. Romantic is good, but if you can't do that, something she'd like but doesn't really need is the way to go. Something she can tell her friends about (or even better, show them) is ideal.

If you're looking for Valentine's Day gift ideas for your wife, you can pick up one of the many books available such as "7 Sexy Gift Ideas to Make your Valentine's Day Sizzle"  or watch out as we blog our suggestions for Australian valentine's day gifts over the next few days.

Dad Rating

Mike
Don't kid yourself, you gotta get her something

Stevo
A day to remember the lady you love