I’ve been busy

So I spent the day Wednesday baking biscuits, cause, well, I can. And I felt like baking. After we’d been grocery shopping. As you do.
So fast forward to batch 3 (choc chip cookies) and I turn around to see Miss K playing with some of the groceries I hadn’t got around to putting away. Not a real problem. Nothing she can get into and do any harm with. Or so I thought. Fast forward 5 minutes and I hear a soft giggle and the sounds of something being done. Turn round to this

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Miss K ‘washing’ her hair. With Dettol body wash. As you do. She’d worked out how to unscrew the lid & had poured the body wash onto the picnic rug (a play toy from earlier in the afternoon) and was rubbing her hands into the suds & then rubbing her hair *sigh* so off to the shower to rinse her off while hubby put the remaining body wash away. Lesson learnt.
Will b back later with some food pics. Just had to blog this so I can scrapbook it later.

Random bits from the interwebs

If you printed my entire Twitter timeline….. it would cover 22297 A4 pages, that would use 445.9 ml of ink! That’s nearly 37 ink cartridges! All the printed pages together would weigh 111.5 kg (That’s equivalent to the weight of about 16 red foxes!) Laid side-by-side, the paper would cover around 1,390.67 square metres! (That’s enough paper to cover a tennis court 7 times!) Stacked on top of each other, it’d be around 2.23 metres tall! That would take about 14 hours and 41 minutes to print using a single inkjet printer! During that time, around 229,854 babies are born worldwide

Find out about your Twitter timeline at The Print Effect

A three-year-old went with his dad to see a litter of kittens. On returning home, he breathlessly informed his mother there were two boy kittens and two girl kittens. ā€œHow did you know?ā€ his mother asked. ā€œDaddy picked them up and looked underneath,ā€ he replied. ā€œI think it’s printed on the bottom.ā€

(found on BabyBuds Blog)

 

Bega Stringers

Let me just start this post by saying I LOVE CHEESE. Ok now that’s out of the way. I was provided three packets of Bega Stringers to try (along with an awesome cooler bag, some Bega caps & some rather funky Stringers pens) and then post about.

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I was a little hesitant to try Bega Stringers as the last time I ate Bega cheese I wasn’t really impressed (that said it was at a BBQ, in the middle of summer) but I was curious after seeing the ads on telly, thinking it might be a great and easy way for Miss K to eat more cheese and an easy way to get more calcium. Cutting slices of cheese of a block ends up with cheese everywhere (couch, floor, hair, toybox etc). Bega Stringers are those individually wrapped cheese sticks that can be pulled apart into ā€˜strings’. They are made from 100 per cent natural mozzarella cheese and have no artificial flavours (always a plus).

So when the box arrived, we opened it up and decide to try the Bega Stringers Original (at 7.45 in the morning lol). Well they were a huge hit (with both mum & bub LOL) I seriously want to know how they make it string like that. awesome stuff. I love the Original Stringers & the Swiss Stringers, Miss K loves all of them. So they seem to be a hit & I’m sure they’ll end up in the trolley during future grocery trips.

Miss K had a ball playing with the box all our goodies arrived in, pulling out the hats, playing with the hats and then wandering over for some more cheese (did I mention I’m kinda addicted to these things now lol) and being me, I captured it on video (ignore the kitchen & messy lounge room lol).

Bega-Stringers a video by Nightwolf_Designs on Flickr.

We ate the packet of Original Stringers in two days and there is now one lonely Stringer left in the fridge. And of course being the good scrapbooking mum I am I made sure I took a heap of pictures Winking smile

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All in all, Bega Stringers were a hit in our household and I think they are a yummy snack to have on hand. And they are giving Miss K some extra calcium. And I learnt a few useful hits while surfing the Bega site (like spraying your grater with a little oil to stop cheese sticking – well, why hadn’t I thought of that lol) and things like It takes 10 litres of milk to make just 1kg of cheese! and a Turophile is someone who love cheese.

You can read more about Stringers (& other Bega products) on their website

Miss De Jour tampons

I was recently contacted by the PR person for Katrina Allen, creator of Australian tampon brand Miss De Jour (her name was Caroline so she must b pretty cool LOL) to see if I was interested in doing a blog review of the new Miss De Jour tampons. I thought why not? But, as most mums know, the return of ā€œAunt Floā€ after the birth of a baby is unpredictable to say the least and if you breast feed, even more so.

I used De Jour tampons bb (before bub) and loved the funky packet design & the fact they came in a plain zip lock bag not the usual flip top box. Those boxes are one of my pet peeves. How many times have you opened your bag to find the contents of the flip top box all though your bag? Or your little one, playing in your bag, pulls out afore mentioned box & proceeds to empty the contents out, usually at the most inappropriate time.

Miss De Jour is even more funky. The zip lock bags are still there (YAY). As Katrina Allen says

ā€œMiss De Jour tampons are packed in fashionable boxes to help make women feel a little bit glamorous in a time when they might be feeling a little bit icky. We’ve also packaged them in handy zip lock bags, which means the tampons don’t end up rolling around in the bottom of our handbags, which most of us can relate to,ā€

So I have a few boxes to give away (1 regular & 2 super – I kept a box of regular for myself, you know, just in case). All you need to do is post a comment and answer this question – What is the most embarrassing thing your little one has pulled out at an inappropriate time? & if you don’t have little ones? Just share an embarrassing moment.
Sorry to my international readers but this give away is for Australian readers only.
ETA: Giveaway now finished

Miss De Jour, and De Jour, is available in supermarkets across Australia as well as Priceline stores and other usual sanitary product outlets.

Below is the media release I was sent, feel free to read it to learn a bit more about Katrina Allen & Miss De Jour

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Media ReleaseĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  3 March 2011

Business queen of tampons keeps brand fresh with all-new Miss De Jour

A woman knows what she wants and needs; and what better person to create and champion a tampon company than…

Katrina Allen.

An inspirational business woman, highly creative and the brains behind De Jour; the first Australian sanitary brand by a woman, for women, Ms Allen is launching a sassy new brand, Miss De Jour, to cater to the ā€˜Mademoiselle’ market of Australian women.

Chic, savvy and stylish, the Miss De Jour range of tampons launches in stores from March 2011.

ā€œMiss De Jour tampons are packed in fashionable boxes to help make women feel a little bit glamorous in a time when they might be feeling a little bit icky. We’ve also packaged them in handy zip lock bags, which means the tampons don’t end up rolling around in the bottom of our handbags, which most of us can relate to,ā€ Ms Allen said.

Ms Allen, 43, began her career in advertising, paving an enviable career as Art Director before changing tact some 13 years later to begin De Jour in 1998.

ā€œLike many big breaks in business I recognised a market gap in the sanitary products’ space that spoke directly to the female market. Such as – who she is, what she aspires to… and I was confident I could deliver a product that would meet the customer’s sanitary requirements as well as fit with her value set,ā€ Ms Allen said.

ā€œI looked around at what was on offer and didn’t like the options. The available tampon packaging was loud and gaudy, the purse packs unhygienic and the advertising insulting,ā€ she said.

Rather than accept the status quo, Ms Allen used her creative nous to design the De Jour brand, which launched to market in 1998.

Miss De Jour, and De Jour, is available in supermarkets across Australia as well as Priceline stores and other usual sanitary product outlets.

Ms Allen has her own David and Goliath story to tell – taking on the male dominated big guns and coming up trumps.

She believes the secrets to her success include knowing the target market, filling a gap in the market, and importantly delivering a quality product that works, is price competitive and appeals to its audience.

Ms Allen also goes beyond the standalone product by sharing tips, advice and information on the De Jour website, and Miss De Jour Facebook page related to various women’s issues including but not limited to PMT, cystitis and thrush.

ā€œI like to look at myself as a big sister. Perhaps that’s why I’ve launched a new line of De Jour, we’ve been on the market for over 10 years now – little sister’s all grown up and it’s her time to shine. Today’s women care about their careers but not to the neglect of their femininity. I’ve kept their values top of mind when designing both De Jour and Miss De Jour. Miss De Jour is part of a sisterhood brand that knows what women want and can deliver a product that delivers on it,ā€ Ms Allen said.

ā€œThe packaging is also such that the man in a girl’s life won’t be embarrassed to be seen with Miss De Jour in his shopping basket – in fact, he’s likely to feel good about it as other women shopping will be familiar with the brand and think he’s a grand boyfriend indeed!ā€

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For more information, images or to speak with Katrina Allen, Founder or Miss De Jour, please contact Immerse Agency PR Consultants:

Caroline James – team@immerseagency.com.au, p: 0413 481 579

Michelle Palmer – michellepalmer@immerseagency.com.au, p: 0412 774 280

updating

Well I’m back but not really online much this week.

As I alluded to in a previous post, a family member isn’t well. They had a small op last week & have another tomorrow. Fortunately it isn’t as bad as first thought, still not great but not worst case scenario.

Things should be back to ‘normal’ next week. Thanks for your understanding šŸ™‚

Pandora Jewellery

This week I’m going to look at the Pandora app. Yup there is an app for the Pandora jewellery.

Site: http://www.pandora.net/welcome
About: Browse all the collections, beads, charms, etc. View your wish list and add and remove from it.
Get it through iTunes
Cost: Free

What I think: Love that I can browse through all the Pandora collections.
I like: the ability to add to a wish list and send the wish list to people (get for gift ideas to send to the other half). I also like being able to see what charms I already own while out and about. Also the Find store section is great.
What I’d like to see: the build a bracelet feature from the website
What I don’t like: the search isn’t the best. I’d like a wider variety of search options. For example, I wanted to add a new bead I received as a gift but had to scroll through all the silver beads to find the one I wanted. No just typing in the bead name or description (in this case a fish).

February 2011 Roundup

(Did anyone else notice last month I put January 2010? No. Neither did I til today LOL)

(The idea & questions for my round up come from Katie the Scrapbook Lady.)

What books and/or magazines did I read this month? Nothing for myself. Lots of books for Miss K.

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?
TV – Law & Order, Bones, NCIS, Holmes Inspection, Glee, Time Team, Spartacus Gods of the arena , Mythbusters, Moonlight 
Movies – Dragonlance

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends? Birthday dinner for Miss K with my parents & the inlaws. Birthday party for Miss K

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
Gave – clothes and some toys to Miss K.
Received – a box of choccies.

What special or unusual purchases did I make? Spent lots on Miss K.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have? None.

What were my accomplishments this month? Organising two parties.

What were my disappointments this month? Struggling to keep up with AJC & LYM logbook challenges

How did I do on my goals for the month? (Or any current short or long term goals) Journaled everyday; took heaps of photos; got a couple of days scrapping with mum.

Anything else noteworthy to include? Mum still not 100% but the doctors are looking into it.

Tasks to do

  1. Back up all digital pictures. Format memory cards. Sort all February photos into 2011 folder. Make a backup copy of the photos onto my desktop computer and EHD. Burn off 2010 DVD. DONE
  2. Backup any other documents or files as needed. DONE
  3. Backup my blogs. DONE
  4. Clean off my work area, empty my inbox, and clean up my computer files.  DONE

Goals for March
Journal every day. Note to self – Print out LYM 2011 logbook pages for March
Take more photos
Finish off Journal Your Christmas album
Try to get at least one day with mum scrapping
Work more on my art journal
Work out a plan for what type of classes I want to take this year .

As of 1 March I am aiming to

  • Start Flylady again. Will do each Babystep for 7 days before moving on to the next.
  • Move Miss K into her own room. I want our room back lol
  • Drink more water. Exercise more. Use Spark People.

Miss K. Turns one

(or the story of two parties and a car accident)
Wednesday was Miss K’s first birthday. We decided to have 2 parties for her – one with us and the grandparents and another for family and a couple of friends.

The first party was on the Wednesday, which turned out to be a rather eventful day. We went to town to pick up the last of the presents, decorations for Saturday and a few other bits and pieces. Pretty uneventful. Coming home and we get sideswiped by a truck, pushing us into the gutter. Fortunately it was not on the side Miss K was on, we were all fine and it was minor damage to the car (we’ll b getting a door replaced).
Onto more happier things – the first party.
The menu included prawn cocktails and garlic bread, then roast lamb and roast veggies, then creme caramel and caramel oranges for dessert. We had drinks & cake after that.

IMG_3643Butter cake with pink butter cream frosting (yummo) Want the recipe? You can grab it at Taste.com.au
Miss K was spoiled with lots of new clothes and some new toys.

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Fast forward to Saturday… and it was pouring with rain… all day! But we had a great day. We got to Mum & Dad’s bout 10ish and set up all the decorations & finished cooking food.

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How good does that spread of food look? I can tell you it was yummo and there was hardly any left.
Miss K got even more spoiled with heaps of clothes and some new toys.

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Chocolate cake with chocolate or vanilla cupcakes (both with butter cream frosting)

We got home bout 7ish and Miss K flaked it about 8. Poor little mite was stuffed but had a great day. Now to start planning for her 2nd birthday (not really LOL)

Happy mail, creating & something to read

Today I got some gorgeous happy mail.

This

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how I love SJ & her gorgeous Little Musings.

and this

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(plus a couple of other colours) Look for some projects with it coming soon. How I love me glittery goodness.

I’ve been busy creating. Managed to get some paper scrapping done last weekend (no pictures yet – I didn’t take any photos). Some more digi pages.

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and invites and a banner for Miss K’s first birthday (which is next Wednesday!!!!)

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(Will share more about Miss K’s birthday later)

and finally something everyone, but especially men, should read.