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Category: For Mum

{Finding My Style} Do you shop on eBay? + $50 Paypal giveaway
I am the worst shopper in the world. I want to get better. My husband wants me to get better. (I know. How many of you can boast that?).

I often flick through magazines and just wish I had the budget to clothe myself in the gorgeous classic coats, well cut tops and designer jeans that the celebs wear. Their figures and a few more inches in the height department would probably help too.

So with that in mind, and some play money from the wonderful people at eBay, I went shopping.

I got drawn by this:

I don’t know why. I am a mother. I would never in a gazillion years get away with wearing it, but it did draw my attention. And yes, I know, she is a mother too! It was at this point it was time to *step away from the computer*.

I scrolled through a myriad of trench coats and jackets, trying to find the perfect one.

Then this gorgeous number caught my eye:

I was ready to buy until something else popped up in my eBay feed. My heart started racing. May palms got sweaty. I became short of breath. I was instantly falling in love.

I was torn. Do I go with the one I’m in love with and spend a bit extra? It’s reversible, so it’s like buying two coats in one. Right? Or do I go with the cheaper option and have money leftover?

I couldn’t decide, so I asked Facebook. They’re a smart mob over there. Just to confirm Facebook was right, I asked The Bloke in the Shed. He agreed with the Facebook crew and I came away with this gorgeous reversible Marc Jacob jacket.

I am happy.

See? 🙂

So, if you want to know how to find THE perfect fashion item on eBay:
1. 1. Use the search options to whittle down the myriad of items to an easily searchable list. Add in the size, the brand, the type of garment and even the colour if you’re so inclined.
2. 2. Buy something from a brand you already wear so you can find something that will fit. This was my biggest mistake with the Marc Jacob jacket. I was taking a gamble in buying it. It’s slightly big. Yes, even at size 8. Where as I knew the Portman’s trench would fit.
3. 3. As you find things, add them to your “Watch List’’. You can delete them later. Like taking a handful of garments into the dressing room to compare and decide exactly which one you’re going to buy, your Watch List can work in much the same way.
4. 4. Check out the feedback on the seller’s page. It’s always good to see if people have been satisfied with the service and product they’ve been supplied with.
5. 5. Have some money ready in your Paypal account. There is nothing worse than seeing something you want to buy instantly, only to realise you don’t have any money in your Paypal account and it’s going to take 3-5 days for any fund transfers to clear.
Just so you know, this post wasn’t just a tease. We’re giving away one $50 Paypal credit to help you do a little shopping on eBay for yourself. To enter, all you have to do is tell us in the comments below your “best’’ eBay purchase. It could be anything that was weird, funny, personally meant a lot or was an absolute and utter bargain. The winner will be judged on creativity and skill. The giveaway closes Monday, June 25 at 7.30pm and winner announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. One entry per person.

Feel free to share the post via Facebook and Twitter and don’t forget to sign up to my eNewsletter so you never miss any of these fabulous giveaways.

**DISCLOSURE: I received a $100 Paypal credit to spend on eBay. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW CLOSED
May 25, 2012
Beautiful last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas (+ giveaway valued just under $400)

Last Mother’s Day I got this beautiful plate of food for breakfast.

Initially, I thought it was a plate of fruit with excrement on it. You know, some sort of joke. It turns out, after uploading the photo to the blog, it’s a We Love You written in chocolate and mandarin. I feel a tad bad for criticising my little Masterchefs now.

This year, I’m hoping for something a little more beautiful. In fact, here’s my little wish list:

Rose gold Swarovski Crystal edge pendant, I Love You & Baby Feet coin and single ball chain from InnerPower (RRP: $255)

There is such a heartwarming story behind InnerPower. Sonia Merlino, at age 24 and pregnant with her first child, was told by her parents she was adopted. Her mother told her that as she passed Sonia’s cot Sonia wriggled her hand out of her tightly wrapped muslin as if to say `pick me’. Sonia’s mother walked past her cot – but soon turned around. “Then she picked me up and, so she says, ran for her life,’’ Sonia said. It was the start of a special bond between her and her mother – the woman who is her support and inspiration for her business.

The double sided I Love You and Baby Feet coin (top photo)is enclosed in a Swarovski Crystal edge pendant (above) and thread on a matching single ball chain

and is just perfect for new mums on Mother’s Day. What I really love about the three-piece collection is that you can customise it to suit your style or mood by adding a different pendant, coin or chain each day. There are over 100 coins on the website at the moment, 12 pendants and many options for chains. Sonia herself admits to changing from leather to ribbon and even solid choker chains to mix it up.

For more information, visit www.innerpower.net.au and make sure you follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

***

Nana Huchy full apron with stripe ($33) and set of three linen tea towels with stripe ($37.50)

As Nana Huchy owner Lucy Morrison put it, the apron is good enough to wear to the table. I have to agree. I’ve been fortunate enough to be sent the full apron with stripe and set of three tea towels and they’re exquisite. It’s made of linen, features a blue stripe at the side, a pocket at the front and has been superbly designed. I just love the French classic colour scheme. This is not how I remember aprons to be.

You can also purchase a set of three matching tea towels with stripe.

These are very sweet. I just love the luxurious linen feel.

Make sure you view the entire range at http://www.nanahuchy.com.au/ and follow them on Facebook.

***

flowershop.com.au Mother’s Day bouquet (RRP: $69)

Who doesn’t love flowers on Mother’s Day? While it’s nice to pick fresh flowers from the garden, they’re never quite presented to the same standard as a florist can. Especially when children are involved! Then there’s the sheer variety on offer. The Mother’s Day Bouquet is a gorgeous bunch of fresh flowers with a pink theme that any mum would love. Well, you all know we love pink here.

The bouquet can be delivered anywhere in Australia and if you order before May 10 you’ll have them in time for Mother’s Day. Flowershop.com.au also sends internationally. The flower shop is based in Brisbane, but has an easy process to order completely online. Flowershop.com.au offers such a huge variety of bouquets, there’s sure to be something to suit every occassion and fit most budgets – with same day delivery free. If you’re unsure of what to get, there’s plenty of categories to go wandering through. You may just get lost with the choice!

Check out the full range at www.flowershop.com.au and be sure to follow them on Facebook.

Would you like to win ALL these gorgeous gifts? For a chance to win a Rose gold Swarovski Crystal edge pendant, I Love You & Baby Feet coin and single ball chain from InnerPower; Nana Huchy full apron with tea towel; and flowershop.com.au Mother’s Day bouquet VALUED AT $394.50, simply leave a comment telling us the best thing about your mum. The most creative answer will win. The giveaway closes Tuesday, May 8 at 7.30pm and winner announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. One entry per person.

Feel free to share the post via Facebook and Twitter and don’t forget to sign up to my eNewsletter so you nevere miss any of these fabulous giveaways.

**DISCLOSURE: I received a Nina Huchy apron and towel to review ONLY. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED. Visit the WIN page for the winner.

May 1, 2012
I Don’t Know How She Does It DVD review ($100 Rom Com DVD giveaway)

Reviewing I Don’t Know How She Does It, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, has been on my to do list for… well, for a while. The aim was to have it out well before its release date, which was Thursday, March 1, by the way. However, my to do list has been so out of control of late with the business, the blog and my all-important role of being a mum, that this one got pushed down a little.

Last weekend, I finally had a chance to sit down and take in the movie – with a glass of wine too. Apart from the odd Tweet and Facebook (about the movie), I even put the laptop down. Shock. Horror.

Maybe I was in the right frame of mind to see this, but it resonated – big time. As a working mum, the movie was highly relatable – the juggling of family time, with work time and everything else in between can take its strain some days. I live by to do lists and working to plans, but not everything always goes to plan.

Parker plays Kate, an investment banker with two young kids and a low maintenance husband. She gets picked to work on a big deal with Wall St fat cat Jack (Pierce Brosnan). This constantly takes her away from her family and puts her in a position of awkwardness with Jack as they begin to get closer.

OK, so my life isn’t quite like that. But the ball juggling thing is. The real hero of the movie is Kate’s dry humoured personal assistant, played by Olivia Munn. She pulled the biggest laughs for me because of her view on parenting from an outsider’s perspective.

By the end of the movie I was in tears. Maybe I was tired, but mostly I think it nailed its message of trying to find balance. Sure, it could do without the interviews which are a little distracting. And, at times, it was a little overdone (really, whose life is like that?). However, this was good fun nonetheless.

And, before I finish up, there’s a giveaway. Of course there’s a giveaway.

I have a Rom Com DVD pack, valued at $100, to giveaway. It includes Life As We Know It, The Switch, No Reservations and I Don’t Know How She Does It. One runner up will received a copy of I Don’t Know How She Does It.

I’m keeping it simple today – no forms. Just leave a short fun story below relating to the notion of “I Don’t Know How She Does It’’. Maybe you have a story about rocking up to a meeting with a head full of lice. Or have you walked down the street in your best outfit, complete with spew (I have my hand in the air for this one). Or told your boss you were having a mammogram when you were late for work? (No. Never). Whatever it is, leave it below to give us a giggle – even if it’s someone else’s story! The best stories win on Saturday, March 24 at 7.30pm.

The same rules apply though.

Terms and conditions: The Rom Com DVD pack competition will be judged on creativity and originality. The total prize value is $100. The competition opens Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 7.30pm AEST and closes on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 7.30pm AEST. One entry per person. Australian entries only. There is one prize winner and a runner up prize. The winner will be notified via email and name published here. Entries remain the property of Three Li’l Princesses and may be republished.

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

March 5, 2012
Philips Avent single electronic breast pump review and giveaway (RRP: $249.95)
NOTE: This model is no longer available. However, you can get the Philips AVENT Single Breast Pump here and Philips AVENT Microwave Natural Steam Baby Bottle Steriliser here.

As most of you know by now, this week I hung the two girls out to dry. Girls, meaning “milk tankers’’. Li’l Holly, at 16 months, was ready to wean herself from breastfeeding. She no longer had interest in my bazookas. Unlike The Bloke in The Shed.

My two favourite items during breastfeeding both girls were my:
- Avent ISIS iQ UNO handheld electronic breast pump
- Avent Express II steriliser.
They enabled me to continue feeding Ella once I headed back to the office after 12 months of maternity leave and, more recently, assisted me in getting some much needed rest when Holly’s sleep issues left me spent. Dad may not have boobs, but he can still feed the baby.

The breast pump was incredibly easy to use and meant lots of trashy daytime TV viewing while the girls were backed into the milking shed. The cushioning inside the suction cup and the gentleness of the vacuum also meant I never had to deal with red mountains after milking time was over. I fully understand the tagline “inspired by nature’’. Even better, the breast pump doesn’t have teeth.

It was also much easier to use than I ever imagined a breast pump would be. Maybe I didn’t spend enough time in Dad’s dairy shed growing up. There’s also the benefit of being able to use it manually if you prefer. And when it comes to cleaning, a bit of soapy water in the sink was all that is needed.

Along the way, I learnt a few tricks to help make the expressing easier:
- Lie down and do nothing for five minutes before expressing to help you relax.
- Have a hot drink before and during pumping, as it seems to help that initial letdown. For me, it was a Milo.
- Do some breathing exercises. I breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds and breathe out for four seconds. Repeat only a couple of times, or you’ll pass out!
- Some people swear by having a photo of their baby in view. This didn’t seem to have much effect on me, but is worth trying.
- Sometimes even having baby in front of you works. Although, it also prompts them to want to have a feed.
- Make the pump action slow and steady. Fast pumping can result in sore boobs.
- Relax!
You can learn more about the Avent Single Electronic Breast Pump on the Avent website.

COMPETITION IS CLOSED! To mark the end of the milk train, Three Li’l Princesses and Avent are giving away an Avent single electronic breast pump valued at $249.95 to one lucky reader. All you need to do is fill out the below form telling us: Why you decided (or why you’re planning) to breastfeed your baby? The most creative and original answer wins on Sunday, March 18 at 7.30pm.

Terms and conditions: The Avent Single Electronic Breast Pump competition will be judged on creativity and originality. The total prize value is $249.95. The competition opens Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 7pm AEST and closes on Saturday, March 18, 2012 at 7.30pm AEST. One entry per person. Australian entries only. There is one prize to be won. The winner will be notified via email and name published here. Entries remain the property of Three Li’l Princesses and may be republished. Please note: Some links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you choose to do business with them in the future, I may receive a commission. This won’t affect what you’re charged.

WIN – Find the best Online Competitions brought together all in one spot. It’s free and updated daily!
February 18, 2012
How to keep cool in summer (+ Coolgel Mat review and giveaway)
A FORTNIGHT ago, back when it was summer, I posted the following on my Facebook wall:

“The windows and doors are wide open in preparation for another scorcher. Now, any other tips for a Taswegian who doesn’t have air con (because, really, it would only get used 3 days out of 365!)?’’

Suggestions came thick and fast, including the fact opening the doors and windows was not such a good idea. Apparently, I should shut the doors and windows and close the curtains to keep the heat out. It worked. As you can tell, I’m slightly clueless when it comes to the heat.

Other suggestions included:
- Pedestal fans
- Spray bottles with water to lightly mist yourself
- Popping sheets in a snap lock bag in the freezer for chilling
- Icy poles
However, there’s one little room in the house that refuses to cool down in summer – Li’l Holly’s bedroom. To this point, we’ve tried everything – portable air cons (just turned it into a sauna), window open and curtains closed (living in a quiet cul de sac means we all noticed when a car enters the street) and fans (too noisy and the cold air disturbs her sleep).

So, when the Coolgel Mat arrived, I was prepared to give it a try. Firstly, The Bloke in The Shed scolded me for not putting it in the fridge. “Ah, it’s permanently cool,’’ I said, before spending the next 10 minutes trying to explain how it works.

And it does work. I placed it in Holly’s bed and within minutes she was out to it. Usually she would toss and turn for two hours and only fall asleep because of sheer exhaustion. The Coolgel mat made the two weeks of hot weather we had (where has that weather gone, by the way?) much more bearable.

My explanation to The Bloke in The Shed went something like this… It works by the heat absorbing gel eliminating excess body heat for up to two hours. If only it stayed cool all night. It doesn’t require electricity to operate either.

I’ve only recently learnt it can also be used when sitting on the couch, at the office, travelling or while doing exercise like yoga or Pilates. And it would be a blessing for pregnant women.

We have the pillow-sized Cool Gelmat (RRPL $79), which seems to be just right for the girls’ bodies. However, it comes in three sizes, from the pillow size for head or feet to the largest size, which fits two across on a king-sized bed. Plus, there’s peace of mind knowing it uses non-toxic, high-density water.

Of course, there’s one little problem now. After complaining of being too hot one night, Princess Ella tried it on her bed and has decided she wants one too.

And apparently teddy also wants one.

Looks like we’re going shopping.

DISCLOSURE: We received a pillow-sized Coolgel Mat to review. All opinions expressed are our own.
January 14, 2012
WIN: Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag review and giveaway

SOMEHOW I’ve managed to trial a few nappy bags of late. If only I had more children. Actually, no, I take that back. The Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag passed through my doors two months ago. In that time we’ve taken it to everything from the Melbourne Zoo to the pool. Not to mention filling it with a laptop (among other things) for a plane flight.

What appeals about this one is the ability to place it on the back of the stroller thanks to eyelets at the top of the bag.

I don’t have to worry about it dragging on the wheels or swinging from side to side and swiping out little ol’ ladies. Although, a word of warning: it’s best to take the bag off the pram BEFORE you take the child out of the stroller or the whole thing will tip up. Not good when the earlier mentioned laptop was in it.

The bag is designed by two Sydney mums, Renee Tanner and Megan Boross, who wanted a bag that was stylish and functional. Weighing a meagre 1.2 kgs, it comes in two colours – midnight blue and platinum grey. The blue is quite classy, I might add. There are plenty of spacious pockets on the exterior and interior, including a zip pocket at the front for easy access when it’s on the pram or stroller.

There’s also a detachable change mat with compartment for wipes, nappies and tiny bot creams. Being detachable makes it ideal for those who are long past the nappy stage. And if that’s the case, lucky you.

Along with the eyelets for the stroller handles, it has a long and short handle to suit different prams, including single bar prams. This would have been an issue for us if Li’l Holly were still in her pram. With the exterior easily wiped down, it is this shiny effect that is my only small criticism – but that’s a personal thing.

The Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag retails for $199 and is available for purchase from www.stylishlittleme.com.au. The two mums have other product releases in the pipeline. You can also connect with them via Facebook.

So, would you like one for yourself? Then listen up , because things have changed a little around here. Due to the rules surrounding “games of chance” verses “games of skill”, I’ve now turned giveaways into games of skill.

So, what you need to do is tell us in 25 words or less: where would you take the Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag if you owned one? The most creative and original answer wins. You’re also more than welcome to keep sharing the giveaways with your social media networks. Excuse the title of the form too – amateur hour here!

<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://threelil.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3k1/">Fill out my Wufoo form!</a>Terms and conditions: The Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag competition will be judged on creativity and originality. The total prize value is $199. The competition opens Friday January 6, 2012 at 7am AEST and closes on Friday, January 27, 2012 at 7.30pm AEST. One entry per person. Australian entries only. There is one prize to be won. The winner will be notified via email and name published here. Entries remain the property of Three Li’l Princesses and may be republished.

WIN – Find the best Online Competitions brought together all in one spot. It’s free and updated daily!

January 6, 2012