If you are like me you love receiving gifts and especially if they are ones that allow you to pamper yourself. I recently received a box of Natralus Australia skincare products to test out and share my thoughts with you my lovely readers.
My skin always gets so dry in autumn and winter so having a good quality moisturiser on hand is essential. The weather in the mountains during the colder months means my skin deals with harsh winds, cold temperatures, warm heating, and of course layers and layers of clothing too that don’t help with dry skin.
The wonderful smelling Hand & Body Lotion – Rose, Lilly Pilly & Berries
NATURAL DEODORANT – WILD ROSE This deodorant is so wonderful and makes me smell like a rose all day long. It is not a strong scent, in fact, it is more a subtle rose that makes you feel like you are on holiday or it is summer still. You can get natural deodorants in Cool Spice, Lemon Myrtle, Zesty Citrus, Citrus Spring, and Sea Berry.
NATRALUS NATURAL PAW PAW BALM This natural paw paw balm is so moisturising and stays on your lips for ages. It is thicker and really helps keeps my lips feeling good and also looking amazing. I think you will be super amazed at the quality of this paw paw balm and it will soon be a firm favourite for you too.
This is my favourite item and a must-havefor anyone… you seriously need to get yourself some Natrualus Natural Paw Paw Balm today!
All the amazing natural products from Natralus Australia
Natralus My Little One Gentle Cleanse Shampoo & Wash smells so good, so marshmallowy!
Natralus My Little One Rangecovers all stages of care for children, including lotions, cleansers, and shampoo/conditioners. The creams and washes are so gentle, moisturising and soothing for babies’ and kids’ skin.
We loved the My Little One Gentle Cleanse Shampoo & Wash, it was like a big bunch of crushed-up marshmallows, My Little One Comforting Touch Massage Oil helps protect bubs skin, you can also use the massage oil during pregnancy and post-pregnancy for your skin too.
The oil is “enriched with paw paw to help nourish and protect delicate skin, Rosehip oil to deeply moisture and help support your little one’s skin natural elasticity, Jojoba oil, is gentle and easily absorbed, helps to prevent dryness and leaves skin silky-smooth. Calendula, known for its calming and soothing properties.”
Thanks to Naturalus Australia for sending me such amazing products to try.
I loved them and will definitely recommend them to friends and family. If you are looking for some amazing natural products, make sure to check out Naturalus Australia.
I was lucky to be sent a gift box from Silent Pool Gin. This gift box included a bottle of Silent Pool Gin and a stunning glass for my gin and tonic’s that was decorated with fabulous gold flowers just like my gift box.
This fantastic gift was a nice surprise during lockdown. It really put a HUGE smile on my face.
I do love gin and enjoy testing out all the different types that are now available.
The Luxury Gift Pack from Silent Pool Gin
The very pretty box that the Silent Pool Gin and Glass came in
With such pretty bottles for gin, it means that I cannot get rid of the bottles. Maybe they might be good water bottles for the next dinner party?
The pretty Silent Pool Gin Glass
Inside the fabulous glass from Silent Pool Gin
I was very surprised to get a very big and pretty glass alongside my new bottle of Silent Pool Gin. It is so pretty and makes me feel very glamourous when I have my sundowner.
If you have no idea what a sundowner is it is any drink that happens once the sun goes down. My Nana called her Gin and Tonic’s a sundowner and by the way, they were drunk regardless of where the sun was…yes the sun could still be up and it was still called a sundowner.
“Suzi the sun is down, see…. we can now have a sundowner!” said my Nana
I would then say, “Nana but the sun is still up?” As a kid, I was very confused, but now it makes perfect sense.
What did I think of Silent Pool Gin?
The decoration of the bottle, glass, and gift box really impressed me. It looks regal and very fancy.
Having gin delivered was much needed, as I had just finished a bottle of gin that I was testing out.
I really liked Silent Pool Gin as it has floral and slightly herbaceous flavours. It is perfect with a twist of orange or lemon.
I have tried the gin with homemade SodaStream and added fresh lime juice as well as slices of lime too! It tasted delicious and really made the drink pop with the addition of fresh juice.
Enjoying a Silent Pool Gin – It was a Gin and Tonic
What an attractive bottle and glass, thanks to Silent Pool Gin
Some drinks from Silent Pool Gin below
Would I buy Silent Pool Gin Again?
Yes, I would, it had a nice floral and refreshing taste that makes it a perfect summer drink or evening cocktail after work.
You can buy a bottle of Silent Pool Gin from Dan Murphy’s for $75 a bottle.
I did love it so much that I have finished the bottle and now need a new gin for my sundowners. Maybe that was lockdown or homeschooling that made the bottle go faster? I am not quite sure, but I think it was more like it was super yummy so it got drunk.
Games that make you think and solve problems are fun, a game that means you can only leave the room when you have the right pin code to open the door is even better.
TRAPPED Escape Room Games allow you to turn “ANY room into a family-friendly escape-room adventure where you move around the room actively solving puzzles.”
We have never played an escape room game so as you can imagine the kids and I were rather excited.
I loved the fact that it was a game that made the kids think and is engaged, plus not staring at a screen for a while.
“Each pack contains everything you need to create your very own escape room in your own home. Wall posters, cards to display, hangers for door handles, ID cards, and secret envelopes are just some of the things you might find inside the pack along with clues to solve and awesome puzzles to crack.”
All the posters, clues and tools needed to crack the puzzles and solve the mystery.
Setting up the game
I put all the contents of the game onto the floor of the girl’s room. I then proceeded to read the instructions to understand what I needed to do. There are a lot of little clue cards and a few posters that need to be stuck around the room, on each card/poster it says where you should put them. Some will say stick on the wall and others say they should be near the exit and so on.
Fun playing the game and solving puzzles.
The pack comes with a book of clues and a code cracker (this is a cardboard cover that allows certain words to be read and others not. You need this when you get asked to read a clue). We did have some interference from a four-year-old who tried to scrunch and rip the code cracker but this was foiled by mummy distracting him and allowing sisters and their mate to play their mystery game.
The instructions didn’t give a great deal of information. I wanted to know if we had to put all cards out. Do the clues on the back of the work passes get read at any time or will that spoil the game if it happens earlier? The mystery envelope with the clues to the code that unlocks the door was already organised so I had no idea what was in there.
If the kids did decide to play in teams how do they negotiate time with the clue book and code cracker? This might prove difficult. Oh well, currently it was just the girls and their mate, so a total of 3 kids originally I was playing but I had to spend time distracting the four-year-old so that he would leave the older kids alone to solve the puzzles.
Cracking the code
Initial thoughts of the game
At first, we didn’t really know what we were doing. The kids and I were in teams. This was proving hard due to not having time at the clue book and one team saying that what they were looking at was super important.
It was then decided that they would work as one group and not have teams. It was a bit confusing about picking clues to work on. I suggested to the kids that they pick one clue and solve it and then go from there. I later found out that they took all the clues off the wall and solved them together, but also one at a time.
I thought the kids might solve the game quickly but it was a good couple of hours before girls and their friends emerged telling me that they had solved the puzzle and finally had the code to leave their room.
What did we think?
I think the game was a lot of fun and definitely worth playing. It was great to see the kids get so involved, help each other, and solve puzzles by finding clues. I believe that games that get kids thinking and away from screens are best.
This is how long the kids were playing the game for
Recommendations
I do have a few thoughts to make Trapped The Art Heist even better. When you have all the clues and materials ready to set up for the game, I would recommend having a few options for how you can set it up. It would be more like a chose-your-own adventure. You pick scenarios A, B, C, or D. These different options give you different clues in the room and different answers in the envelope when you finish. So if you pick Scenario B, you only put these clues up throughout the room. The posters might remain the same, and the mystery envelope would be different for each scenario that reveals the winners and the secret code.
The girls told me that no matter which way they went the answer to the puzzle was the same.
Great gift/party game
The kids really enjoyed this game and they were playing it for nearly 2 hours! We did thoroughly enjoy this game and it is a great gift or party game. If you are wanting a fun game for the family this Christmas Trapped Escape game would be a good one to try.
Trapped has two other escape room games to try; The Bank Job and The Carnival. You can get all three to have some fun during the holidays.
Stay tuned for the Trapped Giveaway
2 lucky readers have the chance to win a Trapped escape room game for the holidays.
I have the following to giveaway: Trapped The Bank Job and Trapped The Carnival. The Giveaway is going to be on my next post so make sure to follow and enter.
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If you wish to purchase a Trapped Escape Room Game they are available at ZING/EB Games, Mr Toyworld, BIG W and Mr Puzzle!
A HUGE thank you to U Games Australia for sending us this amazing and fun game to try. Plus the extra giveaways for my wonderful readers.
Winter is upon us and it was like it knew it and hit with a vengeance. From June the 1st we have had icy temperatures and winds and just very cold days and nights.
Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin with Special Flower Fragrance
You would think that living in the Blue Mountains has made me love the cold and winters but that is so very wrong, I long for the summer days and the warm weather and to keep happy during this freezing time I am happier with toasty warm feet, a roaring fire and a nice warm drink to keep my super warm.
I was very pleased when UGG Expresssent me some of their new Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin’s to test out, and boy did it come at just the right time (My feet were pleased about this new addition to my wardrobe)
There are a number of bright colours to pick from and I for one normally go for black or blue, however this time I wanted to inject some colour into my world.
I was tossing up between red or purple but decided upon the purple – am more partial to blues and thought that the purple would go with my PJ’s, loungewear, and of course jeans.
When sent my request for the purple UGG Moccasin I thought it would be a bright and vibrant colour, when the shoes arrived I was eager to see the stunning colour and to try them out, however, I was relieved that they were not neon purple and a nice shade that goes with my other clothing.
Getting ready to wear my Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin with Special Flower Fragrance
You can get pink, purple, yellow and red EVER UGG MIRACLE MOCCASIN WITH SPECIAL FLOWER FRAGRANCE
My normal shoe size is 7 and a half, and lately, it seems that no one makes a half size shoe. Due to not being able to get exact I always opt for the size 8 for my feet as I believe that this will give adequate room. I am not sure if it is just due to the moccasins being new and possibly my feet being a bit swollen but I have found them to be rather tight. However, after a while of wearing my new Purple UGG’s I have noticed that they are giving a little bit. I am not sure if I need the next size up or just to wear them more and break them in.
While wearing my new snazzy Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin‘s I have found that my feet stay so warm and it is like I am walking on a cushion of wool and air.
I live in a very cold place and lately, it is getting colder and colder by the day, and of course, my feet without shoes or socks get ice cold and therefore my whole body becomes freezing.
Doesn’t the purple colour match my jeans, I love purple what about you?
My Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin has been a savior to ensure that my whole body is not an ice block and allows me to wear comfortable shoes inside the house and look fabulous too.
The moccasins have a great grip rubber sole that means that you will never slip or fall over while wearing them…well I have been super impressed and with a four-year-old playing and tumbling I have been able to grip to the floor and make sure that my tootsies are comfortable to boot!
Keeping warm in my new purple UGG Moccasins and relaxing with a glass of wine
My new UGGMoccasins come with a subtle fragrance of lavender, I was worried at first if this would overpowering but it is just a hint of lavender and makes the shoes smell nice even after you have been wearing them for a while.
If you are looking for a gift for mum, your wife, girlfriend, or anyone then these amazingly warm and comfortable Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin with Special Flower Fragrance would be perfect.
They are now priced at $50 and used to be $129, so that is a $79 saving.
Ever UGG Miracle Moccasin’s Will Help me Stay warm this Winter
What did I think?
A little snug at first but starts to loosen up (I would love to see what the size 9 feels like but happy with my purple shoes – make sure to measure your feet to ensure you get the best fit)
Love the bright colours
The wool inside makes it super soft and comfortable and my feet are always so warm
The bottom of the shoe has a great grip for a moccasin and since I live somewhere wet and cold this is great for the Blue Mountains.
I would recommend them to friends and family as they are stylish and keep your feet warm.
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One thing that I have missed with the lockdown restriction is eating out.
With the restrictions easing, we were lucky to experience dining at a wonderful restaurant on our wedding anniversary.
Pins at Lurline in Katoomba – Yummy food and great service
A few weeks ago we were lucky to be able to book a table at Pins on Lurline
If you have kids and wish to get your fix of some yummy fancy food, then don’t worry Pins on Lurline cater for kids too!
“At Pins believe that it is never to early to appreciate good food and we welcome well-behaved children. Our younger guests can order from our a la carte menu, we will do our best to adapt for their tastes. We reserve our earlier bookings for guests with young children.”
I know a family-friendly restaurant that can give you a stunning meal is a winner, but we did not go out with the kids and finally had an adult meal for the first time in months.
Pins on Lurline offers an intimate space for dinner
We opted for the Omnivore Tasting Menu if you are vegetarian there is a menu that you will love as well. Pins on Lurline have only two options for their menu at the moment a Tasting Menu that changes daily.
The menu works with local and fresh produce so you will always have a new and amazing food experience at Pins on Lurline.
Oh and if you are having a special celebration make sure you mention this when booking…we didn’t and only mentioned it on leaving. Executive Chef Adam Shaw will work his magic and add a special surprise for you during your dining experience.
When we entered the restaurant we were made to feel welcome and seated immediately. Due to restrictions, there were only a few tables of diners and it was a very intimate experience, so in a way perfect for an anniversary dinner.
Jody made sure we were all sorted and gave us some yummy freshly made bread and gave us our first glass of wine that will be paired with the first course (in the tasting menu we had 6 courses)
You can just have the tasting menu or have the tasting menu with the wine pairing and we did both. I must admit due to not going anywhere for months this was a fantastic treat, and a great way to break the drought on not going to any restaurants or anywhere.
So if you are interested in costs: Tasting Menu $80, and the Wine Paring is $40
Entree
Zucchini Flowers filled with Ricotta, Sundried Tomato, Fig & Preserved Lemon, with a Capsicum Cream Sauce
Wine: Veuve D’Argent, Blanc de Blanc, Burgundy
Zucchini Flowers filled with Ricotta, Sundried Tomato, Fig & Preserved Lemon, with a Capsicum Cream Sauce
Scallops served with a Lemon Gel, Radish, Spiced Mayo on an Orange & Ginger Sauce
Wine: 2017 Domaine Des Aubuisieres, Vouvray Sec, Loire Valley
Scallops served with a Lemon Gel, Radish, Spiced Mayo on an Orange & Ginger Sauce
I loved the way the scallop dish was presented. It reminded me of under the sea and coral. It was one of my favourite dishes, and very yummy!
Under the sea Scallop Plate – YUMMY
Mains
Slow-cooked black garlic & Rosemary Pork Belly, with Sweet Potato Puree, Asparagus, Gourmet Tomatoes, and Smoked Jus
Wine: 2018 Tooloagni Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria
Slow-cooked black garlic & Rosemary Pork Belly, with Sweet Potato Puree, Asparagus, Gourmet Tomatoes, and Smoked Jus
Moroccan Spiced Lamb Cutlets, served with Crumbed Haloumi, Cous Cous & Wilted Spinach
Wine: 2017 Tyrrellls Hunter Valley Shiraz, Hunter Valley
Moroccan Spiced Lamb Cutlets, served with Crumbed Haloumi, Cous Cous & Wilted Spinach
Dessert
White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Walnut & Almond Crumb, Peach Puree, Seasonal Fruit & Mango Sherbet
Wine: Yarran NV Sparkling Moscato, Riverina District, New South Wales
White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Walnut & Almond Crumb, Peach Puree, Seasonal Fruit & Mango Sherbet
Yarran NV Sparkling Moscato, Riverina District, New South Wales
You can add side dishes for an extra $9, your choices for sides are Pins House Salad, Roasted Chat Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables.
After dinner sweets. Berry coconut slice and mint chocolate balls – So yummy!
I must say after my six-course with tasty wines I was very full, I couldn’t have had sides as well. However, if you are a party of more than two people maybe a salad or some extra vegetables might be helpful.
What Did We Think?
We loved our time at Pins on Lurline from the moment we stepped inside the door. We were greeted warmly, nothing was a problem, our glasses were always topped up, any questions about the food where answered and we felt at home and comfortable.
The food was divine and was very high end. I was worried at first as the courses are smaller but with six dishes plus wines for each course you are full and there is no need to worry that you will leave hungry.
Our first journey out since lockdown was a highly successful one and it was a great place to celebrate our 16 year wedding anniversary…yes this is a long time to be married (however we’ve been together for over 20 years, just married for 16)
If you wish to go to somewhere that is impressive, has quality food and wine then Pins on Lurline is for you. Due to the restrictions on numbers, you will need to book to ensure you can get a table.
I loved my experience so much I had to share with you all and showcase a fantastic local business that is open and looking forward to seeing more people. If you are traveling or visiting the Blue Mountains make sure that you check out this amazing restaurant. You will not be disappointed.
Note: This is not a paid partnership. I live in the Blue Mountains and with the recent bushfires and now coronavirus we need to support as many local businesses to help them out.
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Last Thursday (16th of January 2020) I took Alexander to see the stage show of “The Snail and The Whale”, the show ended on the 21st of January.
The stage for the show The Snail and The Whale at the Opera House.
I wanted to expose Alexander to more theatre and something that would be just for him and not his sisters.
I purchased the tickets and then decided to get the book of the Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It is an award-winning picture book, and like the rest of their work, it is fun and has wonderful pictures.
Alexander told me that there is a fire truck on stage.. not a real one, it was a toy. Alexander loves fire trucks.
Alexander takes a while to warm up to new books and when I originally got him Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man he took a year for him to become interested and then obsessed with Stick Man, and this followed with the Gruffalo, Zog the Flying Doctors and I thought it would continue with The Snail and the Whale.
The book of the Snail and the Whale was given to Alexander for his Christmas present and he was interested but lost interest after about 2-3 pages. I read it to him nightly and we managed to the end a few times. I thought I was winning as Alexander didn’t know that he was going to see the stage show of the same book.
I had no idea what the show would be like, but thought it might follow the book. It did, but with the injection of Father and Daughter characters that told the story of the snail and the whale.
The snail was represented by a stuffed toy and also some wooden models, and the whale creativity came into being after the cast maneuvered the bed, bookcase, and armchair to create the whale.
There were a few times where they wanted audience participation and some pantomime fun too. The kids were busy yelling, screaming and laughing about where the daughter was hiding and to great glee pointing out where she was hiding to the Dad.
I think that this show was just the right length for my little boy, however, there were moments that Alexander seemed more taken with his seat and straddling the armrests like he was a gymnast and balancing on the top of the seat before it gets put down. (these are the seats that rise up if you are not sitting on them. He thought this was rather entertaining.
Alexander waiting for the show to start. We were getting excited to see The Snail and The Whale.
For my little boy, he loved the action and the fun of the kids yelling to the actors, and some of the story. However, I think he is a little young to take in the story, it needs to be more action-packed for my little person.
I did note that other kids of similar ages sat very well and were not doing tricks on their chairs like mine was. Maybe it was his age, maybe it is just getting used to the theatre or needing to have a show that is more action-packed for my little boy that he was a little bit fidgety. I am not sure…. but I think it was a good experience for him to be there.
Mummy and Alexander enjoying the harbour
So what did I think?
I thought that the way they brought the story to the stage was interesting with the inclusion of the Father and Daughter characters, but for little kids maybe it was too much dialogue. I know it is based on the book and the words and some parts were directly taken from the Snail and the Whale, however maybe for future it could be more visual and action-packed.
I liked how the cast involved the audience with some dancing and games, and of course when the kids were yelling at the cast about where each person was extremely fun (Alexander loved this and couldn’t stop laughing and smiling at me during this section of the show).
Before the show, Alexander and I had a drink and a bite to eat at the Opera Bar. He had honey toast and bacon, while I had a coffee and some toast.
Relaxing at the Opera Bar, Sydney.
Alexander was very happy after food, if he doesn’t’ eat regularly he is a very grumpy person. Having a happy and fed kid before a show at the Opera House was key.
Enjoying some bacon before the show at the Opera Bar, Opera House, Sydney.
While we were eating at the Opera Bar, Alexander noticed the water slide on the top of a cruise ship that was in the harbour. He was super excited about it. He then told me, “Mumma after the show we are going on the slide”
The cruise ship that Alexander wanted to go on. Geez, I just got tickets to a show at the Opera House and now this kid wants to go on a cruise.
I then tried to explain that we cannot go on this water slide. He said, “We can Mumma!” I said that only people that paid to go on the big cruise ship can go on this slide, and said that maybe one day we can go on a cruise and then we can play on the slide.
The slide Alexander wanted to go on..however, it was on a cruise ship and we were not passengers.
After seeing The Snail and the Whale there was some free play at the Opera House. There were heaps of pool noodles with connectors for kids to push and to attach into wooden holes. Alexander loved this. He spent ages connecting noodles together and even moved things together to attach different groups together.
Free creative noodle play at the Opera House.
I think Alexander loved his time in the city and I hope that he enjoyed his theatre experience.
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The girls and I were invited to the premiere of The Biggest Little Farm, Open 16th January 2020 in cinemas.
I knew it was about a husband and wife that ditch city living to start their own farm, however, I didn’t realise the size of the farm, what was involved and of course how stunning the film would be.
The kids and I were transfixed and amazed at John and Molly Chester’s journey.
John was a filmmaker and Molly was a chef to the stars, they both lived in Los Angeles (LA) and did have a dream to one day buy a farm. However, this dream was never realised due to not enough money, not knowing how to start and of course, being busy in LA.
It wasn’t until John shot some footage about a house that was housing hundreds of dogs that he met “Todd”, a gorgeous and well-mannered dog. John couldn’t let this dog go the pound, so Molly and he adopted him.
Todd
John and Molly lived in an apartment and it really was not for dogs. When they would leave for work Todd would bark all day and these caused complaints from neighbours and finally, they got asked to leave by the landlord.
Not wanting to go to another apartment and repeat what had happened previously, Molly said that she thought that this was their time to make their farm dream a reality. The issue was still money and no land or options, but she thought that it could happen.
Both John and Molly approached friends and family and they spread the word and then finally got told about over 200 acres of land that was in desperate need of revitalisation.
When John and Molly first saw their new farm it was barren. Nothing was living there, in fact, they found dead bees, dead everything! It was miserable and depressing.
The soil was so hard it was hard to dig into and when finally cut into wouldn’t break apart as it was more like a massive big stone.
So how did they get the farm (Apricot Lane Farms) looking green, lush, return wildlife and have the soil be so productive for crops and other plants?
“Alan York, one of the foremost experts on soil and biodynamic farming, is on hand to help them create an ecosystem. Farming, he tells them, has rhythms. It will take a few years, he says, but eventually farming will become “like surfing” to the couple.” (From Quad City Times)
With Alan’s help and advise John and Molly get more animals to help the biodynamics of the farm. The Chesters get pigs, ducks, chickens, goats and more to help the farm grow.
Greasy the Rooster and Emma the Pig
The first couple of years were tough but even by year two, there was a massive change in the soil and the environment. By year five many animals were creating a home on the farm. They had created a habitat for animals and plants, and it was a far cry from the drought-stricken wasteland that it started off as.
I was taken with the fact that Alan York insisted on having a ground cover for the soil – plants and grasses. In one scene there was a huge rain and wind storm that washed topsoil off others lands, but not the Chester’s. Since they had the ground cover on their soil they managed to not have the topsoil runoff and harness the water that dripped down into the aquifer to harness the water for their land.
Interview with John and Molly Chester – LRM Online
The cinematography was stunning and a few scenes were truly magical. There is a sequence when you are looking at the night sky and the stars are moving as well as the clouds, this is simply amazing to watch.
The other amazing moment is when you see a close up of a ladybug fly, it is so detailed, it is like you are right in front of these insects.
The Biggest Little Farm makes you think if a couple from LA can overcome such adversity on a drought-stricken parcel of land then it is achievable for others. Why don’t other farms use the same model? If they did I wonder how much better off they would be?
The Biggest Little Farm – In Cinemas January 16th
As we are facing a lack of water, hotter days and more due to climate change I believe that this film is a must to see as it shows us what can be done and how biodynamic farming is the way forward for a better environment and also healthier food.
At Newtown Dendy to watch the Premiere of The Biggest Little Farm
Oh and a HUGE thank you to the amazing woman who gave us her parking ticket.
The machine was not letting me use my credit card and I, of course, had no cash. I was about to make the trip to the ATM when she said she was leaving and didn’t need it. She paid for the whole night and it made our day, thanks again.
5 stars: We loved the film, the photography was exquisite, we laughed, cried and got angry with The Chesters in times of hardship, and felt joy when their hard work paid off.
The Biggest Little Farm – One of the best documentaries I’ve seen
Warning: If you take young kids you’ll need to be aware that there are scenes when animals are sick (don’t worry Emma lives but it is sad when she is sick) or killed due to being a pest (Kyote for killing many chickens). You don’t see anything horrible so you will not have to shield anyone’s eyes.
A BIG Thank you to Anne from NIXcofor our tickets to see this fabulous film. We had a great night out at the movies and in Newtown.
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Hello Fresh Australiasent us a box to test out. I’ve never used Hello Fresh, known anyone that has, or had a chance to experience their food… well that was until now.
We were excited to give it a go and see if all the hype and advertisements lived up to reality. Spoiler alert: Hello Fresh is beyond amazing and more!
Due to Father’s Day, we have been making some fabulous creations all from the help of the Hello Fresh box.
I would highly recommend getting a Hello Fresh Box to make dad an amazing, healthy and yummy meal.
It has made me not wonder what will I cook for dinner tonight… as it is already sorted.
The box came with everything that you would need to cook any of the meals that are listed on the recipe cards.
Some of the meals that we have had are:
Caribbean Chicken & Coconut Rice
Nonna’s Beef Taco’s
Lamb & Spinach Shepherd’s Pie
Chicken & Bacon Pesto Pasta
My little masterchefs helped me make Caribbean Chicken & Coconut Rice. It was so fabulous.
Food packs are in brown paper bags that have matching colours to the recipe cards. The bags fit neatly in the fridge and
Nearly 100% recyclable packaging (love the fact that Hello Fresh is focused on looking after the environment)
I’ve been super impressed with the quality of Hello Fresh’s food and how simple it is to create gourmet meals for the family, that I have signed up as an affiliate.
Below are the affiliate links for Hello Fresh. I know not everyone is in Australia so I’ve got links to the USA, UK and Canada to help you out.
A HUGE thank you to Hello Fresh for sending us a lovely box of yummy meals to test out. We loved it and will be getting another box soon.
Lamb & Spinach Shepherd’s Pie with added cheese on top.
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Being active is so important, walking, playing sport and just moving is ideal.
It is said that you should do 10,000 steps each day. I am not sure I get close to that at all times, sometimes close and other times I just try and move and do some exercise every day.
My kids wanted to get a Vívofit Jr. due to other kids at school having them.
It tracks how many steps and minutes of activity you do.
If you do 60 minutes of activity or more you get a certain number of moves in an online game.
You can track chores and assign pocket money or if you don’t wish to pay money you can take kids to an event, movie or special outing.
The kids wanted one so that they could compete with their friends at school.
It’s also to waterproof so kids can wear while swimming or in the shower.
We decided that it the Vivofit was a good idea, and purchased one each for the girls just before they were nine. The girls love their activity watches and find it fun to hit goals.
What the girls have loved about the new vívofit® jr. 2
The new Star Wars themed game and characters on the activity watch.
It has colour now on the screen. The original vívofit jr. the screen is just black and white.
With the new colour screen when you hit a goal you get fabulous fireworks to celebrate.
You can get adjustable bands for your new activity watch so that your child can grow with it.
“The app experience corresponds with the style of band you choose. That means the fun never has to end. Purchase additional vívofit jr. 2 bandsto let your kiddo enter a whole new world of app adventures.”
Having cool characters from Star Wars is a plus, my kids are mad Star Wars fans.
The Garmin Vívofit jr. 2 is so easy to setup and start using.
All you need to do is to download the app from the app store, available for iPhones and on Google Play.
Pair the device and then set it up with name and details for the child that is going to wear it.
You can choose an avatar, pick a name (or nickname) and once done all good to go.
If you already had the original Vivofit Jr. all you have to do is to pair the device and set it up and then it will show up on the app.
The girls called their new trial Jeff, or otherwise known as BB-8 Vívofit jr. 2.
You can set up chores and also reminders for kids that need that extra boost to do a chore.
I just synced the girl’s info from their Garmin Vívofit jr’s to get all the updated info. As you can see Jeff hit 2 goals today.
From the above image, you will see that the number in blue on the far right-hand side is the number of moves each child has in their online game.
Moves in the game are dependent on how much activity you have done.
The BB-8 Star Wars game on the Garmin Vívofit jr. 2
After monitoring the kid’s activity for a while I can clearly see that they go above and beyond 10,000 steps per day.
The kid who was wearing Jeff or otherwise known as the Star Wars BB-8 Garmin vívofit jr. 2 did 13,080 steps on Monday the 2nd of July! Yep, that’s a lot of steps. No wonder the kids are tired after school.
The activity watches also monitor sleep patterns, after a while you can easily see if your kids are getting deep sleep or constantly waking.
The kids are sad that we have to send this tester back to Garmin.
I know you can picture it but I can hear it, the tears and the constant pestering to get the new versions. Maybe we need to get the new Garmin Vívofit jr. 2 for their 10th birthday (I still cannot believe my babies will be 10 soon)
I must say that the version 2 of Garmin’s Vivofit Jr is better than the original, although the kids still love both. I think the introduction of colour and the ability to have bands change the game you play is a fab idea.
If you haven’t it would make an awesome present and help kids be more active.
Kids have iPads, computers and the television to watch and it is all more screens. Having something that helps kids get outdoors and away from screens is fabulous.
Ohhhh and having chores and incentives attached is a plus for any parent.
You can set up chores and also reminders for kids that need that extra boost to do a chore.
We loved testing the new Garmin Vívofit jr. 2. the kids had so much fun with the new BB-8 Star Wars Activity Tracker.
Note: You can get replacement bands and have access to all new games on the Vivofit jr. 2. The girls were so taken with the new version of the Garmin vivofit jr 2’s that I got them a Marvel Avengers one for their birthday this year.
Get a replacement adjustable band that allows you to play new games and have a whole new look. The twins now have the Marvel Avengers Garmin Vivofit jr 2.
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My little boy gets Eczema and therefore has to have products that don’t upset his skin.
WaterWipes sent me a trial pack to test out and to see what I think.
I love the fact that the wipes are super strong, very moist and not too wet as to soak you, but just right.
They don’t have anything harmful added and are great for little people with allergy prone skin.
Alexander loved them too and had to check out the pack to ensure they were approved for use. If you have a little one you know they need to inspect everything.
“According to a Spark research study in 2014, 97% of midwives interviewed believe that WaterWipes are suitable to be used on the skin of newborn babies.”
WaterWipes are so tough and strong, plus good for babies with sensitive skin.
What are WaterWipes?
Edward McCloskey found that his newborn baby girl was always getting nappy rash and therefore realised that there were harmful and harsh chemicals in baby wipes. He then undertook years of research and scientific testing to have a safe alternative to regular baby wipes.
Originating in Ireland, WaterWipes has expanded to Australian, New Zealand and US markets and are continuing to grow worldwide. In Australia, WaterWipes are sold at Coles, Woolworths, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Terry White Pharmacies, various independent pharmacies and online retailers.
“WaterWipes are the only wipes that contain 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract and don’t irritate the skin. They are ideal for babies with sensitive skin and may help avoid nappy rash and other skin conditions such as eczema,” said Andrea Hawes of WaterWipes.
Our thoughts on WaterWipes
The wipes were fantastic.
Alexander who has very sensitive skin gets eczema often. It is nice to have a product that doesn’t irritate his skin and is also doesn’t have any harmful chemicals in them. During using WaterWipes no eczema breakout occurred.
A big thank you to the team at WaterWipes for sending me this amazing wipes to test out.
WaterWipes The World’s Purest Baby Wipes
Do you use these amazing wipes on your baby? If you don’t you should give them a go.
Disclaimer: I was sent these amazing wipes from WaterWipes to test out. I loved them and had to share, as my little boy is partial to eczema and nappy rash it is great to find a product that helps keep his skin.
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Model Citizen was part of The Sydney Festival. The festival is a month-long art and cultural celebration that have free, cheap events, and workshops.
Previous to going to the show I told the girls about Circus Oz. Circus Oz is a circus with no animals, the circus consists of acrobats, performers, entertainers, musicians, and more!
Waiting to see the show.
This year Circus Oz is celebrating their 40th year. The circus was formed in 1978 in Melbourne, read more about Circus Oz’s history.
What is Model Citizens all about?
The show starts with a whole group of people that are wearing similar looking clothes and all act the same. They all act happy and seem to be interacting with each other well.
Then suddenly a stranger is introduced to this group of people or maybe I should say society, they are not too fond of this stranger.
The model citizens want the stranger to wear the clothes that they wear. They give them a pair of blue overalls like the other model citizens are wearing.
Some highlights were when Freyja Edney used her special hypnotic powers while hula hooping. Freyja could manoeuvre a hula hoop around in her arm and it looked like it was gliding on air…it was magic and like no effort was used at all (although I know that this would have taken years and hours and hours of practice).
Not only did Freyja make a hula hoop look seamless in the air with barely any assistance, she flipped up hula hoops on the ground and shimmied until they were in different positions on her body.
She ended up having about 5-6 hula hoops all going on her body at the same time. It looked amazing.
Other highlights were the fabulous Mitch Jones with his escape from a straightjacket and also his super knife throwing. Tara Silcock was fabulous balancing parasols on her feet and toes in a giant martini glass.
Everyone was so amazing to watch. The acrobats, balancing on the string and then the artists on the trapeze made us all oohhhh and aahhhhh!
Everyone seemed to be able to do multiple jobs, sing, dance, be a strong acrobat by holding others on their heads or other parts of their bodies.
Circus Oz is full of extremely talented people. It is a fun and entertaining show and an excellent family event.
Go and have fun with the family, you will be so glad you did.
PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE CIRCUS OZ BIG TOP
CNR CHURCH STREET AND MARKET STREET
PARRAMATTA 2510
WHEN
WED, THU, FRI, SAT AT 7.30PM (EXCEPT 18 & 26 JANUARY)
SUN AT 3PM
SAT AND WED AT 1.30PM (EXCEPT 3 JANUARY)
18 & 26 JANUARY AT 1.30PM
AUDIO DESCRIBED: 12 JANUARY AT 7.30PM (TACTILE TOUR AT 6.45PM) & 20 JANUARY AT 1.30PM (TACTILE TOUR AT 12.45PM)
AUSLAN INTERPRETED: 20 JANUARY AT 1.30PM
DURATION: 2 HRS 20 MINS WITH INTERVAL
TICKETS
RINGSIDE $90
PREMIUM ADULT $80/ CONC $70/ CHILD $65
A RES ADULT $60/ CONC $50/ CHILD $45
B RES ADULT $45/ CONC $40/ CHILD $35
A RES FAMILY (2 ADULTS & 2 CHILDREN) $170
B RES FAMILY (2 ADULTS & 2 CHILDREN) $110
RESTRICTED VIEW $35
+ BOOKING FEE
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Christmas is fast approaching and I like any parent is on the lookout for a fun gift for the kids.
Something different, fun and of course that all kids can play with.
What is even better if the toy can be used inside or outdoors. Limbo Hopis a toy that does all this.
Limbo Hop is a fun active game for kids.
What is Limbo Hop?
Limo Hop from Worlds Apart is a fun game that 1-2 people or teams can play. As the name suggests it is like limbo, but with a difference.
You limbo underneath the sweeper that goes around in a circle.
Once the sweeper gets too low to limbo underneath you can then hop over it.
Teams can keep score with the tabs on the top of the main pole. Teams can either be yellow or blue and each time you miss getting caught by the sweeper (the arm that goes around the main pole) you score a point).
The team with the most points wins.
This toy is easy to assemble and can be sized for different heights. Limbo Hop can be packed away for easy storage.
All my three kids had a go and loved the Limbo Hop
Where can you buy Limbo Hop?
For Australian shoppers, you can purchase Limbo Hop online from Mr Toys Toyworld for $39.99, and also available on Amazon for $27.00 for Aussie Amazon shoppers (could be more for postage)
Alexander testing out the Limbo Hop before his sisters had a turn.
What I loved about the Limbo Hop Game
It encourages kids to get moving, be outdoors and to play with others.
If you are not able to be outdoors playing Limbo Hop indoors still means kids are getting more movement rather than sitting still and in front of a computer or television.
Limbo Hop is a healthy game for kids.
My kids love it and cannot wait to play it with their friends down the street.
The girls having fun with funny moves while playing Limbo Hop.
Get this cool and fun game for the kids this Christmas and watch the fun happen. I am sure you will love it as much as my kids do.
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LUSH sent me a box of goodies. Check out what I received.
As you saw in the video above I received three tubs of LUSH’s New FUN soap. The kids and I call it play dough soap due to the fact that you can create creatures/creations out of it before it melts away in the bath or the shower.
Monsters and Aliens FUN – scented with spicy black pepper oil and comforting Fair Trade vanilla absolute.
Rainbow FUN – lime and grapefruit oils will help cleanse skin, while fair trade vanilla soothes and softens.
Sea Monster FUN – relaxing lavender oil and bright, citrusy lime oil.
LUSH FUN Soap – All new and so much fun! Create monsters, aliens, and even rainbows. Your kids will be begging you for a bath with this soap.
Did You Know….
“2.5% of sales from every bar of FUN is contributed to the FUNd, a LUSH initiative which supports charities in Fukushima, Japan that create safe places for children to play outside.”
This version of FUN soap lets kids create monsters, aliens and even rainbows! Yes anything is possible with this brilliantly coloured and of course amazing smelling soap.
You can use this soap in a bath or the shower. Yes how brilliant to not have to have a bath. I have used it in the shower and I love the fact that it leaves my body smelling so wonderful. It is like I have put on an exotic perfume that also manages to perfume my clothes and the baby… I have noticed that when I have picked him up afterwards he now smells like FUN soap too!
FUN Soap is a 4-in-1 bubbler
Use as a soap
Shampoo
Bubble bar
Or malleable toy
The kids had a ball and made aliens in the bath. The FUN soap even creates so many bubbles, no need to add bubble bath mixture as well. Just use FUN soap.
Taking FUN Soap away with you is hassle free. It is not going to leak from the container as it is solid. After you use a little bit of it you can put the remainder back in the tub to use later. It is perfect for that trip away.
Have you seen the new FUN soap from LUSH? We loved it before but this has gone the extra mile. The girls love the bright colours, the fact that you can make weird creatures with the soap and also that they end up smelling amazing BUT the real fabulous thing that the twins loved was the fact that the bath turned a great purple colour.
On the side of the pots you have suggestions for what you can make. This is a great visual tool for kids and to help the creative process.
The new tubs are great and if you return 5 clean full sized LUSH pots or tubes you get one fresh mask free. What a great way to recycle and also get a freebie as well.
An alien created by one of the girls. Spooky looking and surrounded by bubbles!
LUSH is one of my favourite stores and the one thing that appeals is their imagination. Making things fun for all not just kids is what makes you go back again and again.
I do have my much cherished soaps which is the Honey I Washed The Kids Soap. It is a soap that just oozes of honey, it is so creamy and I’m sure is great for my skin. I also adore Sea Vegetable Soap as it reminds me of being on the beach. It is just like you have had a dip in the ocean as it captures all the nice smells of the seaside and leaves you invigorated.
The girls are now trying to organise their next bath. They want to use the next tub of LUSH FUN so they can create more creatures and weird colours in the water. OH and I suppose get clean at the same time.
Have your kids tried LUSH’s FUN soap? What do you think of the new improved version of FUN soap? Do they love it? Or do you use it too? Let us know.
Disclaimer:LUSH sent me some goodies to try. I loved them so much that I had to tell you all about them, I love sharing great products and new things with my readers.
I was lucky enough to be given a Dyson Cool to review and to try (Thanks to Dyson and the Bloggers Brunch by Kids Business). I must say I have always wanted to try out Dyson’s new fans and was very happy I now have the chance.
My Dyson Cool. It is so very cool and amazing! It has no blades so little fingers will not get injured. It is also so quiet when it is on.
My old fan is so noisy I just hate the fact that it is very loud. You end up having to yell to get yourself heard. Yes annoying I know!
So what was my old fan like? The below video will give you an idea.
And what is the Dyson cool like when on?
Some great things about the Dyson Cool:
Sound 75% quieter – I hate noise so this is amazing to have a fan and not hear it.
Energy Efficient – 40% less power consumed.
Remote control – The Dyson Cool has 10 airflow settings, sleep timer, on/off and oscillation control
Sleep timer – Fan can be programmed to turn off after preset intervals ranging from 15 minutes to 9 hours.
Super Safe – No blades so it is kid friendly! As you can see I put my arm in the fan when on and all is good.
Easy to clean – Just a quick wipe with a cloth and all is good.
Easy to put together – There is only about 2 steps to put this fan together. It is so easy and done in no time.
I love the Dyson Cool. We now don’t have to yell at each other when the fan is on. I don’t get annoyed and turn it off due to the noise. When the Dyson Cool is on I don’t notice it at all. It is amazing and such a change. I still cannot get over the fact that it has no blades. I do love this due to having kids who seem to touch everything and it is only a matter of time that they put fingers in blades of a fan. However with the Dyson Cool there is no worry that this will ever happen.
The girls excited about the Dyson Cool. Mummy is pleased it is safe for the kids.
I was very excited when I got home with my Dyson Cool and it was a very hot day, nearly 40 degree temperature. A fan was needed to make all of us cool. I opened the box and got out the instruction sheet. It was very easy to put together. One and two steps and you are done. No worry about putting it up and ready for use. I had it done in less than 10mins and we were all cooling down with a much needed drink with ice and a fan cooling us and the house down.
The Dyson Cool is easy to put together and you will be cool in no time!
If you need a fan for the house or the office this is something you should think about getting. It does the job, it is quiet, safe, energy efficient and so cool! It is a wonderful investment and of course will make you feel cool. (Yes I have used the word cool a lot in this post!)
One thing you need to remember not to say to the hubby. “I have to go and turn off my cool now” He responded with, you have had your cool off for ages now! Yes very funny! The Dyson is cool, and will be if off or on! Not sure about me, but I would think the same would apply.
Do you have a fan that needs updating? Been thinking of getting a Dyson Cool or other Dyson Fan? Then I would urge you to take a serious look as they are amazing! If you have a Dyson at home how has it changed things? Have you found that life is a little better? I have! I now can not have the noisy fan on at all… it is very calming now.
If you wish to purchase a Dyson Cool you can find all about where to buy here
Disclaimer: I was given a Dyson Cool to review due to attending the Bloggers Brunch from Kids Business. I would like to thank Dyson and Kids Business for this opportunity and for a cooler and quieter house.
