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:
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.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the button to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
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!
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!
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.
Unless it sunk to the bottom after the Spirit of Tasmania went passed.
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:
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:
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.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the button to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
LAST night The Bloke in The Shed and I hosted the Carols in the Blogger Domain Party here on the blog and it was an absolute hoot. Thank you to all those who took part.
You can click on the post to see the transcript of the night. But beware: it gets a little rowdier as the night wears on. I think after Michael Buble was on, we all went a little giddy in the head. There also may, or may not, have been a photo that made one attendee respond with an “oh my’’.
We’re looking at hosting some regular events throughout the year, so if you have suggestions on online parties you’d like to be part of, let us know. Australia Day, maybe? In the meantime, it’s time to win some goodies before Christmas arrives.
If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
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.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the button to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
IT’S hard to believe Strahan’s Macquarie Harbour is six times larger than Sydney Harbour. In Sydney you don’t get to experience the narrow and treacherous Hell’s Gates, see the salmon farms which supply to some of the world’s top restaurants or be entertained by real life stories of cannibalism while on notorious Sarah Island. Oh yes, believe it.
It’s been a while since I’ve done the cruise. It all takes place onboard the Lady Jane Franklin II, which is nothing short of pure class. And this is the cattle class,
not the premium section.
If she was a real lady, she’d be wearing Prada and having her hair set weekly (do ladies still have their hair set?).
Hell's Gates
We scored comfy seats at the front of the vessel – near the toy box. Make a note: take children.
I don’t know how many people with purple rinses told Princess Ella to: “look out, you have a snake around your neck’’. They thought it was funny. Ella thought it was funny. Really, what else matters?
Without exaggeration, the pristine World Heritage area on the world-famous Gordon River is breathtaking and was even more so on the stunning day we headed out (it’s world famous because a fight to save the river in the ‘80s attracted national attention).
Although, a dead whale wasn’t so pleasant. Poor fella.
When we reached the salmon farms, Ella’s main point of question was whether they had pigs at the farm. Hmm, not that sort of farm, darling.
We then came in to moor at the feared penal colony Sarah Island – the highlight of the trip. However, it’s also where we chose to end our trip, because of mechanical problems with the boat. Of all the days.
We decided not to continue on with the other boat that was offered for a few reasons: the Bloke in The Shed and I had done it before (actually, I’ve done it twice – that’s how much I enjoyed it) and the boat we were being transferred to already had a full load (we weren’t keen on battling the girls on a crowed boat).
But please, don’t be put off by our decision. I highly recommend doing the entire tour. You would not want to miss witnessing the ruins from the old penal buildings. Nor hearing about how the convicts built incredible boats from Huon pine. And don’t miss the gory tale of cannibalism by one very desperate convict. This is not your average history tour. To top it all off, there’s a chef prepared buffet lunch.
The kids will love wandering around the island and it’s a good way to get them to be good – if you’re naughty, this is where we’ll send you. Maybe. As far as family experiences go, this one is hard to pass up. The staff onboard were so accommodating, especially with the girls. The toys are plentiful. Space is abundant. And the penal settlement is unlike what you’re likely to have seen before. Truly sensational.
How to travel: Cruise in Comfort with two-levels of seating and buffet lunch; or Captain’s Premier Upper Deck, with leather seats, Tasmanian produce and beverages and private deck.
Duration: 5.5 hours. Leaves at 8.30am and, in peak season, 2.30pm.
Christmas Day: 10.30am to 4.30pm
Children: Aged 3-14 are entitled to child fares. Aged 2 and under travel free. Child fares are not available on Captain’s Premier Upper Deck, but children and infants may travel on an adult fare. See the website for more details.
Cost: Between $85 and $210, depending on the time of year and travel class.
DISCLAIMER: We received Cruise in Comfort tickets to board the Gordon River Cruises, thanks to Pure Tasmania. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
Some things in life are worth bottling, like:
