I’M GOING on a jet plane to Adelaide today. Or Radelaide, rather. Although, who am I to make jokes. I live in Tasmania. I think we shut our shops half an hour earlier than the city that always sleeps.
The occasion is a Kelloggs Bloggers Brunch, where I get to eat cereal and talk kids, health and my favourite meal of the day. And can I just say, you know you’ve made it when you get your blog on a cereal packet. Right?
So anyway, I thought I’d best ditch the holey jeans and trakky top for something a little more appropriate. Considering I don’t do fashion – I tend to buy classic items that I can still wear 10 years from now – this is the portrait of a non-fashionista trying hard to be a fashionista. Possibly trying too hard.
OK, enough with the woof whistling. I have to thank Koolaman Designs, ECCO Shoes and Swish ECO Hair for helping me try and look chic.
Koolaman Designs:
A beautiful Audrey pendant, hand stamped with Princess Ella and Li’l Holly’s names. The appeal is its daintiness. I’m not into chunky jewellery. Everything I wear is very petite – probably because I’m very petite. This one measures 2.8cm high by 2.8cm wide and can fit 34 characters on it. At $170, it’s something to buy that special person this Christmas. It has timeless appeal (big tick) and is something I’ll pass on to the girls one day. You can buy online.
ECCO Shoes:
I fell in love with ECCO back when it released its Autumn/Winter range. The Kalama 50mm is a cute ankle strap sandal made using genuine leather. In fact, its leather is of such high quality it sells to luxury designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Coach and Porsche. That’s classic enough for me. I love that the straps are adjustable, it has ample cushioning and there’s no such thing as “breaking in’’ required. At 150cm short, I probably require something with a little more heel though. But otherwise, I’m impressed. There are quite a few styles from the 2010 Spring/Summer range I have my eye on.
Swish Eco Hair:
If my hair feels good, then I feel good. So yesterday I indulged in a cut and a few extra foils to tie me over till my next appointment. This little ‘do I can thank my lovely hairdresser at Swish Eco Hair in Devonport, Tasmania for. And we probably should give a little shoutout to her ghdstraightener for that smooth, shiny finish. Swish have a Facebook group.
I have a giveaway coming this week to make you look just as gorgeous. *ahem* So don’t forget to subscribe via the homepage. In the meantime, get a little style from the links below.
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.
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.
BEFORE buying baby products I’ve always spent hours reading reviews to make sure I was buying the best for the girls. Valco, Oricom and BabyBjorn kept slapping me in the face while I surfed the net. You know, back in the days when I had hours to waste on the internet.
We were fortunate enough to be in a position to buy quality products from the start, the majority of which have lasted the distance – two children and four years. If only I could say the same for me. Looking a little worse for wear these days.
When Li’l Holly turned one this month, I began packing away what have become some of my favourite products. As each product was placed in a box, I thought how nice it would be for others with young children to experience just how fabulous some of those brands are.
So, without further ado, here are some of the Baby Products We’ve Loved.
Valco EVO2 stroller
WALK into our house and you’ll see Valco dotted throughout – Valco feeding chair, baby rocker and our beloved T3 Plus stroller. What won me over with the T3 Plus is that, while it’s a compact umbrella style stroller that’s easy for me to handle (I’m only little, remember), it’s still extremely sturdy. Ella has even been known to jump into it now at age four. Yes, poor Li’l Holly.
Our zip-in storm cover and zip-in UV mesh have been well used (more the storm cover, with Tassie’s weather) and are easily stored in the underneath basket. I also have easy access to Twitter, with the zip storage pocket at the back holding my smartphone. Throw in a five-position reclining seat for sleep times, 4 wheel suspension for smooth travelling and some easy grip, ergonomically angled handles for mum’s poor arms and you can see why I find this one hard to fault. We’re even taking it to Melbourne with us next month.
OK, so maybe if it looked a little more like this one
– the Valco EVO2 stroller – then it would be perfect. The EVO2 is the newest model, which comes in two funky designs: Chainz and Arctic.
How nice is Chainz? It features a no-pinch-hinge to save pinching fingers when it’s being folded, along with lockable swivel wheels, adjustable footrest and compact fold with carry handle. And guess what? You could win the NEW EVO2 MODEL.
Favourite part: It’s easy to assemble and pack away, which means more reasons to go shopping. Hmmm, slightly dangerous. EVO2 is valued at: $199.
You can find more about Valco at www.valco.com.au, plus be sure to connect via Facebookand Twitter to keep up with future specials, news and competitions.
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Oricom Secure610 Premium Digital Baby Monitor
I confess, we bought a different brand of baby monitor when Ella was a bub and soon regretted it. There was static noise, interference and the antennae started to break. So when Li’l Holly came along we decided to upgrade. After hours of research, the end result was our much-loved Oricom S500.
Not only does it offer crystal clear sound, but every night Holly drifts off to the sound of lullabies that play through the base and handset. The handset also features a torch – perfect for our night feeds and displays the room temperature – it even has an alarm sound and/or light when it’s too cool or hot. Then there’s the parent talk back system: “Go back to sleep, Holly’’ and charger. I might add that fully charged it lasts for hours and has a pretty extensive range.
This is one smart little unit and is still being heavily used in our house – and probably will be for a while. The latest Oricom SC610 monitor has many of the same features. In addition, it projects soothing starry night images onto the nursery ceiling. Oh, I want one of those. It also has 19 classical tunes, lullabies and nature sounds and vibration alert with alarm function for feeds. And guess what? Yes, the winner will get the new Oricom SC61 model.
Favourite part: Being able to grab the remote in the middle of the night and turn the lullabies back on if Li’l Holly stirs without having to get out of bed. Lazy? Yes! Oricom Secure610 Premium Digital Baby Monitor is valued at $199.
You can find more about Oricom at www.oricom.com.au and buy direct from the site. There are some exciting giveaways coming up on the Oricom Facebook page so don’t forget to like them.
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BabyBjorn baby carrier Miracle
The BabyBjorn carrier was our saviour for both girls. With Princess Ella (pictured above), it was the one thing that allowed us to settle her when she was battling colic in those early months. I’d do a couple of laps of the house and she’d be out to it. It was the upright position and being close to me that were the keys.
With Li’l Holly, the BabyBjorn saved my back. She is twice the size of her sister at the same age, so popping her into our beloved BabyBjorn made carrying her so much easier. And I’ve mentioned before about using it during arsenic/witching/feral hour.
What I love about BabyBjorn is how it’s ergonomically designed for parents and children, it has good head and neck support, it allows the change from inward facing to outward as baby gets older and it has plenty of cushioning for support. I was also able to unlatch the front and place the girls straight into their beds without waking them.
The latest version, the BabyBjorn baby carrier Miracle, is designed to be used from newborn to 15 months thanks to consulting leading peadiatricians. There’s even an innovative size adjustment buckle on the inside of the carrier to make it larger as baby grows.
Favourite part: Hubby and I are worlds apart when it comes to our shape and size (see photo above for proof), so easily being able to adjust it was essential for us. The new BABYBJORN baby carrier Miracle is valued at $199.95.
You can learn more about the latest BabyBjorn carrier www.babybjorn.com.au. BabyBjorn has an active Facebook page so make sure you add yourself to their page.
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Would you like to win all three products? For a chance to win a Valco EVO2 stroller, Oricom Secure610 Premium Digital Baby Monitor and BabyBjorn baby carrier Miracle VALUED AT $600, simply leave a comment telling us your favourite baby product. The giveaway closes Monday, November 28 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of four entries.
Want extra entries? Then here’s how you can up your chances in the draw. Each task is worth one extra entry, but must be included as a separate comment (or it won’t count).
Click the Facebook button below and share this giveaway with your Facebook friends. Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Facebook’’.
Click the Twitter button below and share this giveaway with your Twitter followers (Twitter handle is @ThreeLil). Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Twitter’’.
Follow me via the Google Friend Connect button over there in the sidebar and leave a comment telling me you’re now a follower.
**DISCLOSURE: I did not receive any item for review. All products were purchased. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
Check out more giveaways in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup.
I think vacuuming would be the perfect dad and daughter bonding experience. What do you think?
If you want to be as lucky as my husband, then start clicking the links below. And might I just add that you REALLY should come back tomorrow, because I have one almighty big giveaway!
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.
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.
AFTER mistaking her teacher for the woman with the umbrella who flies, we finally arrived at “big girl school’’ on Friday for Princess Ella’s first pre-kindy session. While I suffered heart palpitations in the corner, she strolled in, threw her drink bottle in my bag and headed straight for the pretend play area to hang the washing on the line. If only she’d do that at home.
This has been our big win of the week. To be honest, we kind of already knew there would be no tears involved. There were a few reasons for that:
Ella knew the session would only go for just over an hour. Although, she did plead for “just five more minutes, Mum’’ at the end.
Half her childcare friends were there. That’s cheating, I say.
She has her father’s confidence. While I struggle to make small talk (yes, watch out at the Bloggers Brunch next month), Ella will happily tell you her name, her age, her sister’s name and both their toilet habits for the morning.
Mums or dads (or in our case both, because The Bloke in The Shed hates missing out on things) have to stay with the child. And Baby Holly had a wow of a time eating the orange and green play dough.
Two days a week at child care has helped develop her social and coping skills beyond what I ever had as a kid. I recall tears on the first day of high school because I was the last of the Grade 7s left standing outside after the big kids forgot to get me for home group. (Just the thought of that is making my eyes well up).
She gets to do ABC Reading Eggs, which she is obsessed with. Except, after using my laptop’s touch pad, it was hilarious to watch her flicking her finger on top of the Apple Mac mouse and wondering why the cursor wasn’t moving. “Mum, this thing’s broken’’.
Ella is not yet four, so obviously young in the eyes of interstate mums whose children don’t start for another year. Although, in the end, a large part of it comes down to the type of person she is. Clingy Holly may be a whole other story…
Anyway, enough about school. Let’s rack up a few more wins for the week by clicking on the links below.
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.
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. NOTE: The linky will now be open until Fridays.
I KNOW that it’s about time I started promoting Tasmania a little more and what to do with your kids while in this beautiful state. Sure, we have big things – the Big Penguin at… Penguin, the Big Apple at Spreyton, the Big Coffee Pot at Deloraine, the Big Platypus at Latrobe, the Big Spud at Sassafras (more interesting than it sounds) and the Big Tasmanian Devil at Mole Creek (well, we are Tasmanian). There are, however, no Big Two-Headed People. Sorry to disappoint you.
However, there’s much more to this State. I’ve had an idea for about six months to do a tourism-related series targeted at families with small children. So, I finally decided I’d do something about it this week. I know I want to:
Provide more review-based information for families looking for things to do and places to stay with their kids, written by a fellow mum;
Give Tasmanian parents some inspiration on what to do with their children each week;
Create a place for tourists to find family-orientated activities, accommodation, events and attractions when they’re planning their trip;
Introduce those unfamiliar with this beautiful State to what’s on offer (hopefully we may just lure you here for a holiday. Let me know when you arrive and we’ll have coffee. Your shout.);
A reference of events for this time next year.
So with the trademark Three Li’l Princesses humour, we will each week show you a little of what we have in all corners of this State, but especially the North-West, West and North. There’s also a downloadable Tasmanian family focused events calendar in the pipeline.
If you have a specific question or place you want to know about, feel free to drop us a line in the comment section or contact us. Likewise if you have an event you’d like promoted in the calendar or an activity, accommodation place, event or attraction you would like considered for the series. The My Tasmanian Backyard page has been created where all the reviews and the calendar will be kept for easy access.
The first post will appear on Tuesday. If you’re like me and you won’t remember that, make sure you subscribe in the top right hand corner of the homepage or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
I know I love looking in other people’s backyards. What about you? Do you have a favourite place in Tasmania?
AFTER finally figuring out what to buy a girl for her first birthday, I thought I would share a small sample of the gifts Holly ended up with. Thanks for all the suggestions. They meant I didn’t have to think – always a bonus. With Christmas coming, hopefully they’ll inspire you. In the meantime, I’ve now got to come up with another list of presents.
Bracelet
The bracelet. Still to be engraved.
A keepsake for her. We’ll engrave her name and date of birth. You know, just incase she forgets it. In all honesty, I still have the bracelet I received about the same age. In fact, I even have photos of me wearing it. This is one to treasure.
Guess How Much I Love You Pop-Up book
So in love with this book – as is someone else!Keeping fingers away is the big challenge.More fingers…The last page in the book, where the whole page is part of the pop-up.And then as you pull down the bottom flap, Big Nutbrown Hare bends down and kisses Little Nutbrown Hare.
This is seriously the most gorgeous book. And that last page is too cute. I got this one out of the library when Ella was small and she had no real interest in it. Which was a shame, because I loved it. However, add some pop ups and interactive elements and this is now among the girls’ favourites. As long as I can keep their little hands away.
Lots of noises with this one. Thankfully, not irritating.
There are lots of noises with this one. Open the gate and it plays a song or a lion roars. Let the monkey swing across the branch and when he hits the bananas a monkey noise is made. Holly can now roar like a lion, brrr like an elephant and moo like a cow. I know, there are no cows at the zoo. Just thought you’d like to know though.
Finger Puppet Nursery Rhymes, illustrated by Annie Kubler
Nursery rhymes just got even more fun!The Baa Baa Black Sheep puppet
Nursery rhymes have also been a big thing in this house. We sing. We sing a lot. Just call us the von Trapp family. In fact, I’m in the process of uploading some singing for your listening pleasure in the next month. I know, brace yourselves. We have more nursery rhyme books than I care to count. But we’ve never had one with finger puppets until now. Too much fun really. It also has a puzzle at the back. Bonus.
Does your family love to sing? What are your favourite songs?
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