IF I need the answer to something, I usually ask Twitter. Twitter is so knowledgeable. Did you know it helped my pizza dough rise perfectly on Friday night when the sun decided to go to bed early? Thanks to all the suggestions of putting the oven on low, but the ol’ bathroom IXL Tastic worked a treat.
However, it’s fair to say Twitter didn’t know the answer to whether my readers wanted extra entries as an option in my giveaways. Only you, my readers, could answer that. So I asked. And you answered.
If you can’t read that properly, you can find the results here. And by the way, that’s not to say I won’t mix it up every now again. Got to keep things interesting.
Anyway, back to the important things in life. Like the actual giveaways themselves. Bloggers and business owners, link up your giveaways below. For readers, simply start clicking the links and enter. Good luck…
If you’re a blogger 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.
Start entering the giveaways!
This linkup is a combined project with the wonderful Tina Gray. You can link up your giveaway on either of our sites – it all goes into the one linky.
PS. I have a new poll in the sidebar. Feel free to vote!
IN THE next few weeks I have an important event to attend. Everyone will be wearing designer clothes, while I wear my “breastfeeding outfit’’. There’ll be people with their iPhones and iPads, while I have my little Nokia. They’ll flick their fully styled luscious locks, while I hide my mop with grey highlights. And don’t get me started on the “laugh lines’’. They’re just plain not funny.
If you know of any giveaways where I can rectify all the above, let me know. And diamond earrings. Yes, they’d be nice too. In the meantime, I’m hoping to win from the below list. What’s on your wish list?
Bloggers and business owners, link up your giveaways below. For readers, simply start clicking the links and enter. Good luck…
If you’re a blogger 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.
Start entering the giveaways!
This linkup is a combined project with the wonderful Tina Gray from Tina Gray {dot} Me. You can link up your giveaway on either of our sites – it all goes into the one linky.
I'll give you this photo and save you the picture of me in the bath!
WHEN I volunteered to write a post about “me time’’ for mums, I thought how warm and fuzzy that exercise would be. Then I sat down at the laptop to write about my very last “me time’’ moment. (Insert long period of silence and fidgeting of fingers).
Nine months of breastfeeding a bub has meant I’ve been busier than a mosquito at a nudist colony. “Me time’’? What’s that? I don’t even get to go to the toilet alone. Sure, The Bloke in The Shed will argue I’m on the blog, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, 10 email accounts and whatever else I can get my typing fingers on every night. I also had a bath a couple of weeks ago, complete with bubbles. Please, hold me back. The five minutes of bliss before three-year-old Ella came in to ask if I was “having fun’’ was absolute heaven. She then proceeded to try and pop all the bubbles for me. How thoughtful.
In the early months of Baby Holly being born, I dashed out one Saturday afternoon for a quick facial. I say “quick’’, because I had to return within the hour so I could line up at the dairy to be milked. I also have a Mother’s Day voucher for a massage on the kitchen bench. The voucher’s on the bench, not the massage.
During my REAL “me time’’ (aka, breastfeeding at 4am) I often think about how I’d love to spend a night alone in a hotel, with the spa bath full, a bottle of Dom Perignon, girly mags and DVDs, an assortment of Cadburys chocolate and one full night of uninterrupted sleep. But truth be told, I’d hate to wake up alone, without hubby by my side and the girls wanting their morning cuddles and kisses. And whingeing because they’re hungry and want their breakfast. NOW.
So then, what would make me happy? All of this… but at home. For now though, I’ll just have to make the most of pretending to get rice cakes for Ella’s morning tea, all the while dipping into my secret stash of chocolate at the back of the pantry. Shh, don’t tell. By the way, if you want to know what to hide in your pantry, try the Cadbury Dairy Milk Mousse (RRP: $4.20) from Coles, Woolworths, SUPA IGA, Big W, Target, Kmart and other select retail outlets.
Would you like some “me time’’? Of course you would. Then we have five “me time’’ packs to giveaway to mums needing some pampering and well deserved “time out’’. To go in the draw to win one of five “Me Time’’ packs – featuring a block each of chocolate, caramel and hazelnut Cadbury Dairy Milk Mousse chocolate, an Ecoya candle, Palmer’s body butter and a copy of The Devil Wears Prada – simply tell us your last experience of “me time’’. The giveaway closes Sunday, July 24 at 7pm and a winner will be drawnrandomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three 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’’.
PRINCESS Ella crept out from her bedroom one night this week with Motley (the charming name for her new Zhu Zhu pet) in hand. “Mum, he’s making too much noise and just won’t go to sleep. Can you look after him for me?’’ She then turned on her heel and proceeded back to bed. Meanwhile, Motley sat on the kitchen bench making “squee…..squee-squee…..squee’’ noises for the next three minutes.
Ella has always wanted a pet, but The Bloke in The Shed isn’t keen. The other day, when the topic once again turned to getting a pet, I asked “well, what pet do you want?’’
“A giraffe,’’ she said. Oh, of course, what a perfect choice.
“And where would we put him?’’ I asked.
“In the back yard,’’ she said, matter of factly. Silly mum. Where else would you put him?
So since Motley arrived she’s been beside herself. Finally she has her own pet – a hamster – who squees like a blogger, runs around the kitchen like a mad mother and can even power his own Drive-In Movie (well, I can do that too. It’s called a remote and a bean bag).
Ella had a choice between a blue or green hamster. And the Drive-In Movie or the Adventure Ball. She chose the blue one and the movie. I think she thought Mary Poppins might be showing.
Watching a movie together
Motley, her great new companion, is causing plenty of giggles as he chases her around the kitchen. However, there is one slight downside to Motley. My malting hair on the carpet (thanks to breastfeeding hormones) isn’t a good mix with Motley’s little wheels. So he’s a kitchen and dining room pet only. And he chatters a lot. Nearly as much as his owner. Although, thankfully his chatter is at a few decibels lower.
Zhu Zhu pets, voted Australian Toy of the Year Winner for Girls, are a great idea for children 3 years-plus looking for their own “pet’’. I can imagine quite a few boys would enjoy this toy too and all its accessories. He’s the size of a real hamster, a similar weight and makes rather cute noises (if I’m honest) when you press his nose or back – the back button also activates his little wheels. And boy, does he move fast, darting backwards if he runs into a wall (or Mum’s foot). In all, he’s just plain fun.
While there’s quite a lot of Zhu Zhu’s to choose from
there’s just as many accessories and playsets too.
The Zhu Zhu Pets retail for $20 each and the accessories range in price. They are available at Target, Kmart, Big W, Toys R Us and all major toy retailers.
You must be wondering what we’re going to do with the extra hamster and Adventure Ball.
The prize!
Well, your little one has the chance to win them.
To go in the draw to win a Zhu Zhu Pet and Adventure Ball accessory, leave a comment telling us your favourite toy as a child (even if it was a box and string!). The giveaway closes Sunday, August 7 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three 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’’.
**DISCLAIMER: I received a Zhu Zhu pet and Drive In Movie accessory for review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
For another chance to win, check out Naomi’s blog. She has a pet and another rather cool accessory to give away.
THE Little Engine That Could was one of those beautiful stories I grew up with and includes a message I continue to live by – I think I can, I think I can. In most cases, this motto has proven right. Especially during child birth!
If you remember the book, or read it to your child now (note: must get the book for Ella), then you’ll be filled with fond memories. With the help of some talented voice actors in Whoopi Goldberg, Jamie Lee Curtis and Corbin Bleu (you know, the kid from High School Musical) along with the minds behind The Lion King and Aladdin, they’ve made those pictures in my head into the most bright and colourful (and I mean colourful) animation.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, the Little Engine is a girl shunter train. A major bonus in our household. She leaves Dreamland to head over the mountain to the real world, all the while encountering many obstacles. She learns to put her fears aside and when the journey seems impossible, she remembers the words: “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t. Either way, you’re right.’’
You’re probably wondering how they fill out a whole feature-length movie. Well, that’s the bit that didn’t go down so well with 3.5-year-old Ella. You see, there’s the introduction of an evil “Nightmare’’ engine, who was just a little too scary for this li’l princess.
This part, unfortunately, we had to fast forward, so I can’t really tell you much more than that. However, children a year or two older with a love of trains would relish this tale. And, aside from this one moment, it really is a fun movie, with a classic storyline, sweet characters, one powerful and positive message and a rather cool pop soundtrack.
It’s released by Universal Studios. Running time: 1 hour 22 minutes. Rated: G
Here, take a look:
Want to watch more than just the trailer?
To go in the draw to win one of three copies of The Little Engine That Could on DVD, leave a comment telling us your favourite book from your childhood (or your child’s fave if you can’t remember!). The giveaway closes Friday, July 10 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three 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’’.
**DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of The Little Engine That Could on DVD for review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
Hosted by Three Lil Princesses and Tina Gray {dot} Me
AND THE WINNERS ARE:
Cate, who said: “I shared this on Facebook”
Sarah Asome, who said: “Flat Stanley. Just the best book. The twits almost got the win tho.”
Ella and Holly eyeing off a pair of shoes I got to review.
IT’S Aussie Giveaway Linkup time already. I know. Where did the week go? This week I thought I’d share five tips for a good product review.
Write a balanced review. Remember, most reviews will include some degree of constructive criticism. Very few things in this world are perfect, so there is always room for improvement. It not only increases the believability of your review, but it also builds credibility for you as a reviewer.
Provide a thorough description of the product – size, price, features, targeted audience, colour range, stockists etc.
Be personable. People want to hear what you think and how it was applied to your life. They don’t want to read what was in the press release. They also want to hear “your voice’’, so don’t change your usual writing style.
Use a photo to illustrate the product. People like to see what they’re getting and especially if the photos is of you (or your kids) using it.
Disclose what you received for doing the review – product, money, airfares to BlogHer (OK, that was someone else, not me!).
If you’re a blogger or business owner with a giveaway you want to link up, please read the below. For readers, simply start clicking the links and enter. I’ve got my lucky hat on this week. Fingers crossed…
If you’re a blogger 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.
Start entering the giveaways!
This linkup is a combined project with the wonderful Tina Gray, so don’t forget to pop on over and say hi. You can link up your giveaway on either of our sites – it all goes into the one linky.
