threelilprincesses.com

Author: Kellie O’Brien

  • 4. #BloggingPrompts: Share what you’re good at – you may be surprised where it leads

    4. #BloggingPrompts: Share what you’re good at – you may be surprised where it leads

    #BloggingPrompts

    When I first started blogging, I undertook Problogger’s 31 Days to Build A Better Blog. As part of that, Darren asked readers to start a series. I decided I’d do mine on how bloggers could gain media exposure. Being a journalist, I thought that was an easy one for me to do.

    Little did I know it would springboard into my own business (Mum PR) where I now work with a team to do PR, social media, blogger outreach, writing, marketing and media management for various clients. You just don’t know who’s reading!

    What could you explore on your blog? What are you good at that has business potential? Go on, we’d love to hear it!

    This mini post is part of a regular microblogging series, #BloggingPrompts. 

  • Has respect been lost?

    Has respect been lost?

    The Bloke in The Shed appeared on Today Tonight last night, as part of a story on the Show Some Respect campaign he has been pushing in his role as Advocate newspaper Editor.

    The idea for the campaign came about after witnessing vision of a police officer having to resort to using pepper spray on a teenager, along with the rising level of verbal abuse and assaults on emergency workers. The North West Coast of Tasmania is no different to anywhere else in Australia in dealing with these issues. However, the difference is they’re trying to create some change and bring back respect.

    Click to watch the story (and yes, that’s The Bloke in The Shed in the still)…

    Show Some Respect

    What do you think? Have young people lost respect for our front-line workers – police, ambulance officers, firies, teachers and nurses? What is our responsibility as parents?

    And did anyone else grow up in absolute fear of the thought of having to encounter a police officer? *shudders*

  • Aussie Giveaway Linkup #60: The Media Edition

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup #60: The Media Edition

    Can I tell you there is no greater feeling than being able to breathe through your nose – and not hear children sniffing up snot. Good riddance colds and flus. In other exciting news this week:

    • The Bloke in The Shed has had a few media appearances lately, due to the Show Some Respect campaign and forum he’s heading (watch him on Today Tonight this week) and the passing of one of the Coast’s great icons and newspaper man, Lloyd Harris. During an ABC Radio interview on the latter subject on Friday, Li’l Holly heard her Dad’s voice coming through the radio and promptly ran around the room trying to figure out where the phone was. Needless to say, we don’t listen to the radio much in our house.
    • I went for a face peel yesterday, because I’m becoming paranoid about the ravines and canyons gracing my face. I’ve also stupidly booked two incredibly important meetings this week. Is there anything more distracting than watching a woman’s face fall off while you’re trying to talk business? They’re men; maybe they won’t notice!
    • Devonport is hosting the Devonport Jazz Festival at the moment. When The Bloke in the Shed turned the Olympic Opening Ceremony on yesterday morning, Ella’s first comment was: “Is this the jazz festival, Dad?’’. Ummm, not quite.

    Now, time to score ourselves something nice. Just click on any – or all – of the links below for the chance to win.

    If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
    1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
    2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
    3. Grab the button below to add to your post.
    4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
    5. Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.

     



    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses



  • A father’s tears

    A father’s tears

    smiling child

    By Julian O’Brien

    Last week I broke down in tears. It’s a simple sentence, but not an easy one to write.

    The reason? Princess Ella’s first kindy school cross country.

    You see, Ella had a rough night before and was starting to show signs of the winter ills that had gripped our household, but we decided to send her to school anyway as she was excited about the run.

    I rolled up to school later in the day to watch Ella run. There was a freezing wind around the school ground and there was poor little Ella looking pale and frozen awaiting the run.

    A couple of times she came over to me complaining of how cold she was, but I sent her diligently back to her class mates, despite growing in concern.

    Eventually, they got the kindy girls race started. Ella got out of the blocks quickly over the first 20 metres and then faded in a heap. She stopped to a walk while the others ran on. It doesn’t help that she is the tiniest in her class, but the 450 metres must have felt like kilometres to her.

    Ella struggled to half way (with all the other kids in the home straight). When she saw me, she went to come to me and I encouraged her on. Gamely she battled on and by then kids from older classes who had been marshalling the other littlies had all dropped back to help Ella on.

    About 100 metres out from the line, Ella reached into her pocket and wiped her nose constantly until the end of the race.  I was waiting at the finish line and wrapped her up in a big cuddle, reassuring her with “I am so proud of you for not quitting, darlin’’.

    “Can I come home with you, daddy,’’ was the reply.

    I returned Ella to her classmates and jokingly said to the teacher that I’d probably be back to pick her up in an hour judging by her health. Sure enough, the call came and I returned her home to Princess Kel.

    Waiting till Ella was safely lying prone on the couch and out of listening distance, I went to tell Kel about what had happened and just broke down. It broke my heart to see Ella, who was later diagnosed with both an ear and chest infection, battle like that and to think we’d put her in that situation.

    Yet on my return from work that night, Kel relayed a conversation which filled my heart with joy.

    Kel asked Ella how the run went.

    “I was a bit slow,’’ was Ella’s reply. “But daddy was so proud of me for not giving up.’’

    I certainly was, darlin’.

     

  • I Love Linen $120 voucher giveaway (Entries closed)

    I Love Linen $120 voucher giveaway (Entries closed)

    I Love Linen

    When I woke Sunday morning it was following by a little squeal of delight. And not because of what you might think. I slept through without being disturbed for the first time in three weeks thank to the flu.

    When you finally get reunited with your bed you want to shout it from the bedroom chandelier. Except it just doesn’t sound anywhere near as exciting as the bedroom antics from Fifty Shades of Grey.

    “I SLEPT THROUGH’’.

    “So? Did you see what Christian Grey did? Now that’s worth shouting about.’’

    Anyway…

    That full night’s sleep had an extra element of luxury, because it was done between two layers of I Love Linen 1000 thread count cotton hotel sheets. I was transported to a five-star hotel, where they leave chocolates on your pillow, a fluffy dressing gown to slip into and the only disruption is the room service you ordered 20 minutes earlier. And then I had to slap myself around the head to wake up.

    I Love Linen

    Fresh sheets and a newly made bed are something to get excited about these days. Sad? Extremely. Except after you have children it’s these little luxuries that go a long way. A good night’s sleep helps you function properly, enables you to tolerate the day’s challenges and your skin will always thank you for it. You don’t need a magnifying glass to see the ravines adorning my face.

    This set from I Love Linen came beautifully packaged, wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string – just like someone does when they really care about the recipient.

    I Love Linen

    There was even a beautiful handwritten note on the front.

    I Love Linen

    Inside I soon learnt what sort of a bargain I was being given.

    I Love Linen

    And can I add that these sheets look pretty darn good against our cream colour scheme and very smart with the stripe effect.

    I Love Linen

    Now, excuse me. I have a date with the bedroom….

    How would you like a little piece of heaven? We’re giving away a $120 I Love Linen voucher to use on whatever you want from the family-owned linen store. All you need to do is visit the store and tell us which colour sheet set best describes you. I’m ivory, by the way, because I’m not quite pure enough for white anymore!

    Terms and conditions: The I Love Linen competition will be judged on creativity and originality. The competition opens Monday, July 23, 2012 at 7am AEST and closes on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 7.30pm AEST. One entry per person. Australian entries only. There is one prize winner. The winner will be notified via email and name published here. Entries remain the property of Three Li’l Princesses and may be republished.

    If you would like to learn about more of our giveaways, make sure you sign up to our eNewsletters. You’ll also find more giveaways in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup.

    DISCLAIMER: I received an I Love Linen 1000 Thread sheet set to try. I have not been paid to write this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

    THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

  • WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #59: Still sick

    WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #59: Still sick

    sick girlSharing some “not so winning words’’ from this week:

    • “Mum, I think I’m going to …bleurgh’’.
    • The repetition of the two words:“Quick…. tissue…’’ If you don’t own shares in Kleenex at the moment, I advise you invest.
    • The entire family has now been given a prescription for antibiotics. Ella is the latest casualty, coming in with the double whammy of a chest and ear infection. We don’t muck around here.

    To brighten up my week, I’ll be clicking on as many of the below links as I can. How about you? Has this flu epidemic hit your house?

    If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
    1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
    2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
    3. Grab the button below to add to your post.
    4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
    5. Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.

     



    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses