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Tag: Reviews

  • Aussie Giveaway Linkup #80: When you tell Santa the wrong thing

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup #80: When you tell Santa the wrong thing

     

    Letter to Santa

    We did our annual visit to Santa yesterday. As predicted, Holly cowered, petrified of the big fat man in red. Ella, on the other hand, fought her way to the front.

    “Have you thought about what you’re going to say when he asks you what you’d like for Christmas,’’ I said to her as we waited. She thought about it, then looked a little stressed. “Can’t think of anything?’’ I asked. “How about saying that you’d like your family to be happy and healthy’’.

    She looked at me with a screwed up nose. “No, Mum. That’s silly,’’ she said. “I’ll ask him for a toy giraffe.’’ This may have had something to do with our recent visit to the Melbourne Zoo – or more likely just a random thought.

    So, off she went, to ask Santa for a stuffed toy. Something we really don’t need looking at the state of her bedroom.

    Half an hour later, walking through a major toy store to fit a helmet for Holly (Santa needs her measurements), Ella spots a Barbie camper van and starts jumping up and down with excitement. “I’ve found what I want, Mum. I want a camper van.’’
    “But you’ve already told Santa you want a giraffe,’’ I reminded her.

    After a rather sad face, yesterday afternoon was spent writing a letter to Santa.

    News just in – Santa has ran out of camper vans. Or, more correctly, she already has waaaaay too many gifts for us to add another one to the pile. Now praying her memory is short.

    Do your kids have their hopes pinned on a gift that’s unlikely to arrive under the tree?

    OK, let’s see get into some last-minute Christmas giveaways.

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup instructions:

    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 and be run by Australian-based bloggers or businesses.
    3. Grab the button below 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! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.

     



    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses



  • Aussie Giveaway Linkup #79: We’re in Melbourne… again!

    Waiting for the seal show at the Melbourne Zoo with class bear Tinker Brownie. Of all the weeks to have to look after a huge bear...
    It’s Saturday and the Aussie Giveaway Linkup is live – a day early. I’m doing this week’s linky from Melbourne via the iPad! It means anything could – and likely will – go wrong. If it does, send me a comment below and I’ll fix it up at 7.30pm Sunday.
    We headed to Melbourne with Tinker Brownie, the class bear. Of all the weeks to have to take responsibility of it. We so didn’t need the extra luggage.
    It does mean we have a great story to put together for his little book. He had his photo taken with a giraffe at the Melbourne Zoo, did some wheelchair olympics at ScienceWorks and nearly got eaten by a goat at the Collingwood Children’s Farm.
    Has your child had responsibility for the class teddy yet? What did it get up to?
    PS. For those who were wondering, yes there were technical glitches with last week’s product launch. Stay tuned…
    OK, let’s see what other giveaways we have.

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup instructions:

    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 and be run by Australian-based bloggers or businesses.
    3. Grab the button below 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! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.



  • Aussie Giveaway Linkup #78: It’s coming…

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup #78: It’s coming…

    Top SecretIf all goes well with the universe, I’m launching two new products on Wednesday. One I’ll be giving away and the other will be a product to sell. It’s taken me a bit to put them together, hence why I’ve been a tad quiet around here lately. That and lots happening with the business at the moment. Not to mention trying to be the best darn mum I can be.

    I can’t say too much more, but all will be revealed here on the blog Wednesday…

    Do you hate when people say they have a secret but then don’t share it? Yes, sorry, I hate that too.

    OK, let’s see what other giveaways we have.

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup instructions:

    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 and be run by Australian-based bloggers or businesses.
    3. Grab the button below 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! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.

     



    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses



  • Life Happens and What To Expect When You’re Expecting (giveaway)

    Life Happens and What To Expect When You’re Expecting (giveaway)

    Date night doesn’t happen here often. OK, who am I kidding? It never happens.

    If we go out, it’s always for a business-related event. Or we have children in tow. We’re celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in December and we’re seriously contemplating going out for dinner – with the girls! As long as we end the night with a movie. Although, Julian will probably choose to watch Love Actually – again. No joke!

    When Roadshow sent through two movies to review last month, we thought it was a good excuse to curl up on the couch and just forget about the world for a while. We got a nice bottle of wine, a block of Cadburys and headed for the big lounge. It’s got to be a special occasion to go in the big lounge during colder months, because it means putting on an extra heater. I know… sad, isn’t it! It brought it home to us that we need to do this sort of thing more often.

    What to Expect When You're Expecting and Life Happens

    Here are the two movies we watched:

    What To Expect When You’re Expecting

    Speaking of Love Actually, What to Expect When You’re Expecting is set up in a similar fashion, with different storylines coming together at the end – though it doesn’t quite reach the same heights. It features a who’s who of Hollywood and a myriad of plot lines. These involve Cameron Diaz as an up the duff fitness instructor, Elizabeth Banks as a heavily pregnant babywear shop owner and Jennifer Lopez as a baby photographer who takes the path of adoption.

    I went through all gamut of emotions with this one – laughing out loud one minute and bawling my eyes out the next. Julian said he enjoyed it, but it wasn’t something he’d rave about. I think it’s the ideal film to see with girlfriends, because so much of it is relatable. The characters are well crafted and funny, and the storylines predictable but will certainly sustain your attention. We spent much of the film trying to figure out which couple we were! Insert pregnant pause…

    Summation: A parenting version of Love Actually, that doesn’t quite reach the same heights.

    L!fe Happens

    Deena (Kate Bosworth) ends up with the last remaining condom in the house, leaving Kim (Krysten Ritter) unprepared. Nine months later, Kim is a single mum living with Kim and Laura (Rachel Bilson). The movie tracks Kim’s struggles as she comes to terms with dating and being a mum.

    This took a lot of getting into and we really had to persevere with it. The first half is quite dark and doesn’t feel like it’s moving anywhere. It was worth hanging on for though, as the final half of the film lifted and made the wait worth it. One of the themes of the film – friendships between women of a certain age as they change from partying to parenthood – is an interesting one. However, the script really needed some work. This will appeal if a bucket of ice cream on the couch is on the agenda.

    Summation: Worthwhile seeing for the theme it touches on, but will need to persevere through the first half.

    We’re giving THREE DVD packs of What To Expect When You’re Expecting and L!fe Happens. All you need to do is tell us your funniest or most embarrassing parenting moment. Fill out the form below.

    Terms and conditions: The DVD competition will be judged on creativity and originality. The competition opens Friday, November 30, 2012 at 9pm AEST and closes on Monday, December 17, 2012 at 7.30pm AEST. One entry per person. Australian entries only. There are three prize winners. The winners will be notified via email and name published here. Entries remain the property of Three Li’l Princesses and may be republished.

    If you would like to learn about more of our giveaways, make sure you sign up to our eNewsletters. You’ll also find more giveaways in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup.

    DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting and L!fe Happens to review. I have not been paid to write this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

  • Aussie Giveaway Linkup #77: Birthday Recovery

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup #77: Birthday Recovery

    Last week was Ella’s fifth birthday party, which had a Wizard of Oz theme. She had a bit of an obsession with the book and movie for a while.

    The kids at the party were all so incredibly well behaved. And I had to laugh, because every time we asked a question, they all raised their hands and when someone did something well, they all applauded. Credit goes to their teacher for that one.

    I have so many blog posts to come:

    number 5 pinata

    How to make the piñata

    Wizard of Oz birthday cake

    Lessons on making a Wizard of Oz house with rainbow insides

    Wizard of Oz take home party boxes

    Yellow Brick Road take-home boxes

    Face painting

    Party food ideas and Wizard of Oz party entertainment

    The thing is, I’m still recovering. I can confidently say it will be another five years until Ella’s next birthday party. Phew!

    So stay tuned for the posts to come!

    Do you have a theme for birthday parties? What themes have you gone with before?

    OK, onto the important stuff now – how to win yourself some gifts for Christmas.

    Aussie Giveaway Linkup instructions:

    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 and be run by Australian-based bloggers or businesses.
    3. Grab the button below 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! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.

     

    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses





  • Going back to my teen years

    Going back to my teen years

    Puberty Blues DVDHaving two girls in the house, I’m already worrying about the teen years. Ella was in trouble this year for kissing the boys – and she’s only in Kindergarten. Seriously, what hope do I have as a parent?

    I was a pretty tame teenager. Read: boring. The only bit of mischief I got up to was having an extra nip of Cottees red cordial in my water, resulting in three hours of giggling and then having the munchies. Now, how to make my two girls just as innocent…

    With Ella having aspirations of being a singer and Holly quite obviously on track to become a dancer… well, need I say more?

    The coming-of-age Puberty Blues TV series, based on the classic Australian novel by Gabrielle Carey and Kathy Lette, has brought back so many memories of that awkward teen period for me. I recall reading the book as a young adult and thoroughly enjoying it. Being able to see it come to life and to be transported to my teenage years was wonderful.

    What I love most about the TV series was watching the parents growing up, just as much as the kids do. Best friends Debbie and Sue are so wonderfully played by Ashleigh Cummings and Brenna Harding – a real credit to such young stars. Claudia Karvan as Judy and Rodger Croser as Ferris are also real highlights for me. Sure, there was the odd slow moment where you wished the story would move a little faster, but ultimately it’s one of the great TV moments of this year. It’s up there with Howzat!: Kerry Packer’s War for me this year, which coincidentally features the same producer in John Edwards.

    EXTRAS: (Re)discovering Puberty * Knight House walk thru * Meet the Family * Now and Then * Directing Puberty Blues * and more…

    Here’s a promo for those who missed the series this year:

    Did you see the TV series? What did you think?

    How would you like a own a piece of the ‘70s story? We’re giving THREE copies of the two-disc Puberty Blues DVD set (valued at $39.95). All you need to do is tell us what moment from your teenage years makes you cringe now? Fill out the form below.

    Terms and conditions: The Puberty Blues competition will be judged on creativity and originality. The competition opens Friday, November 23, 2012 at 7am AEST and closes on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 7.30pm AEST. One entry per person. Australian entries only. There is three prize winners. The winners will be notified via email and name published here. Entries remain the property of Three Li’l Princesses and may be republished.

    If you would like to learn about more of our giveaways, make sure you sign up to our eNewsletters. You’ll also find more giveaways in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup.

    DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of Puberty Blues to review. I have not been paid to write this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.