threelilprincesses.com

Category: Reviews and Giveaways

  • WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #32

    WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #32

    Mum PRLAST night I launched Mum PR’s online Media Room. Considering how many bloggers and women in business visit this linky each week, I thought it might be a good place to share my news. And, well, I’m just a bit excited about it and need to tell someone.

    If you’re a blogger and want to know what certain businesses are doing, you can regularly check in to view press releases or subscribe via RSS. If you’re a business contemplating working with us, this will give you a small taste of what we do.

    There will be an email subscription option soon. It’s on the list, at least. Even more important is the fact there’ll be some exciting news announced there on Monday. But in the meantime, I’ve got some giveaways to enter.

    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 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! Please note: Entering giveaways is at your own risk.

     



    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses



  • How to keep cool in summer (+ Coolgel Mat review and giveaway)

    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).

     

    Coolgel Mat

     

    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.

     

    Coolgel mat

     

    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.

     

    Coolgel mat

     

    And apparently teddy also wants one.

    Coolgelmat

    Looks like we’re going shopping.

     

    Coolgel matDISCLOSURE: We received a pillow-sized Coolgel Mat to review. All opinions expressed are our own. 

     

  • WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #31

    WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #31

    Aussie Giveaway LinkupSome things in life are worth bottling, like:

    • Hearing your four-year-old daughter announce: “My beautiful dress is all ruined’’ while throwing her hands in the air. I swore it was a line Princess Ella was taking straight from one of her fairytale books, complete with over-the-top melodramatics. But, alas, she’d merely spilt a bit of jam on her Dora dress. A dress that I wouldn’t categorise as “beautiful’’.
    • Then having a similar reaction when I hit the “update blog theme’’ on this site on Friday night. “My beautiful blog is all ruined’’. Like mother, like daughter. Anyway, with a lot of tweaking and not much sleep, we got it back to some sort of order. Really though, this is all about as important as Kerri-Anne leaving Nine to tackle Seven’s Dancing With The Stars. (PS. If you have problems viewing any of the site, please let me know).
    • Seeing the little ticker on the free downloadable My Tasmanian Backyard 2012 Calendar continue to click over.  Wow, you people must be desperate for a calendar or either too stingy to pay for a good one.
    • Guest posting on Woogsworld yesterday. Enough said, really.
    • Getting that winning feeling. Yep, I’m feeling lucky this week – bring on the giveaways. *rubs hands greedily, then turns to see if anyone is watching*

    What moment was worth bottling for you this week?

    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 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!

     



    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses



  • WIN: Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag review and giveaway

    WIN: Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag review and giveaway

    Stylish Little Me Stroller BagSOMEHOW 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.

    Stylish Little Me Stroller 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.

    Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag

    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.

    Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag

    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.

    Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag, nappy bag,

    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!

    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!

  • WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #30

    WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #30

    A BIG Happy New Year to YOU. Thanks for supporting us throughout 2011. After a week’s break, we’re BAAAACK!

    What a break it was. We somehow managed to fit in three Christmas lunches (the joys of big families), ruined any chance of Princess Ella ever going on a waterslide again (full story to come later) and last night at Devonport’s Eve in the City: Lantern Dreams Festival our family latern with all our hopes and dreams sailed off somewhere on the Mersey River.

    Devonport Eve in the City: Lantern Dreams Festival

    Unless it sunk to the bottom after the Spirit of Tasmania went passed.

    Devonport, Eve in the City: Latern Dreams Festival

    Then, of course, there was the most important day of all. You didn’t forget, did you? When I woke Friday morning, The Bloke in The Shed and the two princesses had this for me:

    GHD, Christmas, travel hairdryer,

    Spoilt much?

    Don’t stress about your gift for me. I know it’s still coming. This week I’ll even shower before 8am, so the poor postie doesn’t have to witness me in my puppy dog PJs for the fifth time in two weeks. In the meantime, I might have to win myself something from below while I wait.

    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 to add to your post.
    4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.

    Start entering the giveaways!




    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses



  • …And that’s the end of the story

    …And that’s the end of the story

    WHAT a year, hey? I stepped into the mummy blogosphere and, just like Alice, ended up in some bizarre wonderland. Lucky I’m already short and could fit through the door. What I’ve learnt through the online world, not to mention juggling two children instead of one in 2011, astounds me some days. Twitter was merely an idiot I’d rather avoid and Facebook fan pages were for people with big egos.

    I know my brain is sure to get another workout next year. Look out Google+ business pages. For now though, it needs a bit of a break. I won’t be here or on social media much either. I know, shock, horror. How on earth will I survive?

    For those wondering, the Aussie Giveaway Linkup will return Sunday, January 1 due to the limited number of giveaways running at the moment. In the meantime, I’d love to bore you to tears with my bad poetry. Brace yourselves.

    Christmas tree

    Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

    Not a creature was stirring, not a Zhu Zhu nor a mouse.

    Stockings were hung by the plastic tree with care,

    Including Dad’s tie. Who put that there?

    Zhu-Fari, elephant, Wharton,

    Ella and Holly were all snug in their beds,

    While visions of more Zhu Zhus danced in their heads.

    And Mum she drank wine, Dad a Bourbon night cap,

    With Carols on, while playing with a new iPhone app.

    Zhu-Fari, elephant, Wharton, Zhu Zhu,

    When on top of a pressie there arose such a clatter,

    Wharton, the Zhu-Fari, had made the presents scatter.

    Across the room, as the wrapper he did bend

    Still didn’t reveal if the gift was another Zhu friend

    Zhu Fari, elephant, Wharton,

    He would have to wait, just like each girl and boy,

    Though Wharton had to admit, Mum was looking rather coy.

    As he finally drifted off, he was confident of Christmas glory,

    And that, my friend, is the end of the Zhu story.

    As I said, my brain needs a break. And the tie thing? That was Ella’s way of decorating the tree.

    Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to tempting you with lots of good things in the New Year. Take care. xx 

    DISCLOSURE: I have spent much of this year as a Zhu Zhu mummy blogger ambassador. This was my final project for Zhu Zhus and Hunter Toys. If you’re still looking for a stocking filler for the kids, I highly recommend a little furry Zhu Zhu. They are little lifesavers when witching hour arrives.