A delightful bloggy event and a delightful giveaway too. SNAP!

You guys know that from time to time I organise and coordinate bloggy events on behalf of brands and PRs. Last Wednesday was my first one for 2012.  And it was all shades of delightful!

Mainly because the venue was in The Wine Room. The. Wine. Room.

That up there is Flying Fish’s wine cellar. And it’s like  six freaking metre wall of wine. 750 bottles of red wine suspended onto a rich gold coloured Thai silk wall covering. Could you imagine having one of those walls at home? Me want one!

So anyway, I invited a few mum bloggers to the event. Because I am all about sharing the bloggy event love. I wish I could invite everyone. But there’s this little thing called budget that I have to be mindful of. Buggers.

The event is the exclusive launch of Nature’s Own brand-spanking-new-super-yummy,-you-won’t-believe-it’s-fish-oil-can-totally-make-a-mango-daiquiri-out-of-it product. Or Omega Delight for short.

Seriously, no fish taste! I especially love the mango/peach flavour. My Mr10 loves it too. He keeps it in the fridge and glugs glugs about 1 tsp of it first thing in the morning. Nice.

What does fish oil do anyway? Well according to Miss Milena, the dietitian who was there on the day.

Our bodies do not produce Omega-3 fatty acids. But, oily fish like salmon and mackerel are mega-loaded with them. These fatty acids are good for us. They make our hearts, brain and joints in tip top condition. Ask Dr Google if you don’t believe me.

Melina said we should be eating fish at least 3 times a week. And no, fish and chips don’t really count. Well maybe it does. I’m confused now.

I gotta tell you though. Our family love fish and we love eating them. But sometimes, I am too lazy to cook ‘em. So, being a super responsible mother and all, I give my kidlets vitamin supplements including le-fish oil. I hate hate the fishy aftertaste though. You know, when you burp and you can totally smell it. Yuck.

Omega Delight does not have that yucky fishy aftertaste. WIN!

If you’d like to give them a go. You can buy them at Coles/Woolies for about $21.95.

Today though, I am giving away 3 bottles (Citrus, Pineapple and Mango/Peach flavours). Just because I am nice and all. First to comment wins it. How freaking easy is that?

And go!

PS. Giveaway open to Aussie residents only.
PPS. The giveaway will run for 1 week from today 23rd  January 2012 to 29th January 2012.
PPPS. Make sure to leave your email address on your comment. Okay?

GOOD LUCK!


What I am…

I wanted to post something profound-ish for my maiden post in 2012. I tried going all philosophical and shit but I am way too sleep deprived to string together a Zen post.

So I thought I’ll share with you this Youtube clip of Will.i.am and the Sesame Street gang instead. Because who doesn’t love Elmo???

One question though. Doesn’t Will look a bit stoned? No? Really? Well it’s just me and my sleepy brain cells then. Henjoy!


Things I have learned – The year in review edition

I was gonna do a video montage. But then decided…NAH. Couldn’t be arsed. Plus. Editing is a bitch. So NAH.

But YOU get the next best thing. You get the bulletised (is totally a  legit word) version. You can thank me later.

SO with much pom pom shaking, I give you the bullet points of the crazy ride that was 2011. I am NOT going to cry. Promise I won’t.

  • I have learned that turning 38 is not as scary as I thought it would be. I still look hot. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.
  • I have learned that putting together a blogging conference is a LOT of hard work. BUT the pay-off is totally worth it. Hence the reason why I am putting together another one next year. And it’s going to be amazing. Promise.
  • I have learned that Nicole aka The Planning Queen is like THE most organised person ever. I wanna be just like her when I grow up. Love you, Nic.
  • I have learned that I am bulletproof. I wish.
  • I have learned that the “water off the duck’s back” saying sucks. Sometimes.
  • I have learned that being an online community manager is hard work BUT I kinda like it. So I shall continue doing it.
  • I have learned that blogging will take you places. Like you know. San Diego, USA.
  • I have learned that you will feel a tad lonely in a sea of 3000 bloggers. And it’s totally okay to admit that.
  • I have learned that raising a teenager is super fun. Yeah right.
  • I have learned that finding a best friend on the internet is actually possible.
  • I have learned that I need to listen to my husband more. Dude is like always spot on when it comes to suss things. It actually borders on freakyness.
  • I have learned that I need to trust my intuition more. Full stop.
  • I have learned that I need to let go of some things. Full stop.
  • I have learned that I kick ass at some things. And suck at some things. But I am still hot.
  • I have learned that being a SWAHM is NOT easy. At all.
  • I have learned that I really really suck at bookkeeping. Hence the reason why I have decided to outsource it. Best decision ever.
  • I have learned that  finding work-life balance is like finding that holy grail. There has to be a dummy book for this one already. Surely.
  • I have learned that Everything looks better with instagram filters.
  • I have learned that nits nits and more nits on my children’s hair will drive me batshitcrazy.
  • I have learned that nits on MY hair will drive ME batshitcrazier.
  • I have learned that eczema sucks. Lots.
  • I have learned that the power and passion of the blogging community is freaking AWESOME.
  • I have learned that it’s okay to step away from blogging when you feel the need to.
  • But most of all I have learned that blogging is supposed to be first and foremost be fun for me. Otherwise what’s the point.

I was aiming for 50 lessons but I am kinda pressed for time seeing that it’s New Year’s Eve today and I have to cook 50 million spring rolls.

See you all in 2012 my lovely and ever loyal readers. Be safe today. Mwahs.

 


From our fam to yours…


The one where you say to yourself again “where has the time gone”?

This is Mr Teenager when he still had his baby hair and baby teeth.

This is him an hour ago about to go to his Year 10 Formal.

I made that. Can you believe? I shall now quietly bask in my awesomeness.


Speak Out

 

I am supporting Kristin of Wanderlust and her Speak Out Campaign. Go and visit her site.

Helpful organisations:

National Services

Police or ambulance or fire - 000 (Australia only)

Violence Against Women, Australian Says No(Specialises in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault counseling and referrals) – 1800 200 526

Relationships Australia - 1300 364 277

Mensline Australia - 1300 78 99 78

VIC

Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria, formerly Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre (information and referral to local services, lending library and training)
Address: 292 Wellington Street, Collingwood 3066
Phone: (03) 9486 9866 Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm or TTY (03) 9417 2155
Email: dvrcv@dvrcv.org.au

WIRE – Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (Information, support and referral for women)

Ph: 9654-6844 (Mon-Fri 9am – 7pm) OR 1300 134 130 (country callers)

email: inforequests@wire.org.au

Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria (24 hr Crisis support, information, referral to safe accommodation (refuge) for women experiencing abuse in their relationships)
Ph: 03 9322-3555 OR 1800 015 188 (toll free for country users)

Centre Against Sexual Assault Crisis (support, counselling, information for people who have been sexually assaulted)
Ph: 03 9344 2000 (daytime) OR 03 9349-1766 (After Hours Telephone Service) OR 1800 806 292 (Country)

Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service (For immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence)
Ph: 03 8413 6800 (public line) 1 800 755 988 (free) (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

NSW

Domestic Violence Line (24hr telephone support)
Ph: 1800 656 463 OR 1800 671 442 (TTY)

Rape Crisis Centre – (02) 9819-6565 OR 1800-424-017 (Country Toll Free)

Immigrant Women’s Speakout (Association For migrant & refugee women who are victims of violence, counselling, bilingual workers)
Ph: (02) 9635-8022 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

Victims of Crime Support Line (Twenty Four (24) hour telephone information, support and referral for victims of crime)
Ph: (02) 9374 3000 (metro) OR 1800 633 063 (toll free) OR (02) 9374 3175 (TTY)

ACT

Domestic Violence Crisis Service (24hr telephone counselling, referral)
Ph: (02) 6280 0900 OR (02) 6228 1852 (TTY)

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (24 hr) – 6247-2525

NT

Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Darwin
Ph: (08) 8945-6200 (9-5 Mon-Fri)

Crisis Line (General crisis counseling – 24hr service) – 1800 019 116

Sexual Assault Referral Centre Counselling (support, information, & 24hr crisis care for recent sexual assault)
Darwin – (08) 8922-7156
Alice Springs – (08) 8951-5880

QLD

Brisbane Rape & Incest Crisis Centre – (07) 3391 0004

Immigrant Women’s Support Service (Support for immigrant or refugee women victims of domestic violence, bilingual workers – Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Domestic Violence (07) 3846-3490
Sexual Assault (07) 3846 5400

SA

Domestic Violence Outreach Service (Telephone and face to face counselling, referral to safe accommodation – 24 hour service 7 days a week) – 1300 782 200

Crisis Care  (After hours crisis support for violence and abuse, suicide, child protection etc, 4pm-9am plus weekends & public.hols) – 08 13 1611

Women’s Information Service of South Australia  – (08) 8303-0590 OR 1800 188 158 OR 0401 989 860 (SMS)

TAS

Domestic Violence Crisis Service (Mon-Fri 9am-Midnight, weekends 4pm-midnight) – (03) 6233 2529 OR 1800 633 937 OR 1800 608 122 (Statewide)

Sexual Assault Support Services (Telephone and face to face counseling) – 03 6231 1811

WA

Women’s Refuge Group Telephone (support, referral to safe accommodation, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) – (08) 9420 7264

Crisis Care Unit (24hr crisis support for violence, child protection, suicide, etc) – (08) 9325-1111 or 1800 199-008 or (08) 9325-1232 (TTY)

Sexual Assault & Referral Centre (24 hr Telephone and face to face counselling, female doctors) – (08) 93401828 or 9340 18 20 or 1800 199-888 (Country callers)

Women’s Refuge & Multicultural Service (Outreach support for immigrant women who are victims/ survivors of domestic violence) – (08) 9325-7716


There are rules for being human? Who knew?

Saturdays are *usually* my clean-up-the-house days. The process usually involves some vacuuming, some mopping and some spraying and wiping. That whole thing about cleanliness being next to Godliness. That one doesn’t really apply in my house anymore. And my God is totally cool with that. She’s super open minded like that. Love her.

Anyway.

As I was vacuuming the dust under Mr Teenager’s table. I found this note posted on his wall:


The Girlies on a Friday Night

My girls. They are growing up so fast. It scares me sometimes. I think I am doing an okay job. Yeah, I think I do.


A birthday, a review and a giveaway. You’re welcome.

And the winner is….DUN DUN DUN….

BIG CONGRATS! Loving the rap, Ash!. Hehe. Email me your details at mummytime(@)gmail.com and I’ll get the Sony Ericsson peeps to organise delivery of your awesomely awesome phone!

***

The Second Boy turned 10 last week. Hitting double digits age is a huge thing. And befitting a double digit age is a grown up bike.

Wearing pink sunnies is totally hardcore, yos!

Mind you though, he doesn’t know how to ride a bike. But he’s one determined boy. And I’m proud to report that as of 2 days ago, he’s mastered it! Without my full-on assistance! A proud mama moment indeed.

And cue your gift…

Yes my dear very loyal readers. You’ll get the chance to win that baby up there! Because I am all about sharing the birthday love.

So anyway, just a bit of a backstory. I got invited to this Sony Ericsson event a few weeks ago. A big ass limo and copious amounts of alcohol were involved. Behold some photographic evidence:

And ooh look, a totally stolen pic of me modelling the unit.

Seriously though. I love this phone. Not as much as my iPhone though. I need to say that in the interest of keeping my integrity. Ahem. 

It takes great pictures as it’s got an 8MP thingymajigs as compared to the iPhone 4′s 5MP something something. Now, if you wanna go all geeky on me about the specs. You’re more than welcome to check out their site.

And ooh look, more pictures…

So, wanna score the  Smartphone? Of course, you do! It retails for about $500 big ones! Just leave me a comment below telling me why you think the Sony Ericsson Experia Neo rocks the shiz. Alternatively, link me up to your blog. And show me a sample of your rocking photography. Okay fine, that’s a bit much. Just link me up with some pictures that you’ve taken. I wanna see them, okay?

I’ll choose the winner and announce it here on this post 2 weeks from now. So come back and check if you’ve won the awesome prize. And oh, make sure to leave a valid emal address too.

That’s it. And let the flow of comments begin…

Disclosure: I was not paid for this post. I was loaned the phone though for about 3 weeks or so. My words are my own. Purely my own. So there.

PS. Score some extra entries by tweeting and/or FB sharing this giveaway.  One tweet and /or FB share /day only. Don’t be greedy. Heh.
PPS. Open to Aussie Residents only. A thousand apologies to my overseas peeps.


Digital Parents Conference 2012. Ready Set Go!

I promise I won’t squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Much.

In case you’ve missed my overly excited tweets and equally overly excited announcement on Digital Parents. The conference that is set to be bigger, better and bad-asser (so totally a word!) is happening next year. In Melbourne.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Just indulge me, okay? I haven’t had much sleep the last few days. On account of I’ve been too busy coding HTML stuff for the website. Okay maybe not. But still, I was doing loads of things behind the scenes. Just call me Ninja Brenda.

So anyway, without much further ado-dage. I present you….

Click on the image and you will be taken to the Land of Narnia. Bwahahaha. Go on. Click click click. And whilst you’re there, make sure to click this super cute button.

The early bird tickets are on sale now. So grab them while they’re hot hot hot, okay? Okay?

Oh, check out the Team of Awesome too. They’re mighty fine lookin ladies. If I may say so myself. Thanks heaps to Grace, Trae (I’ve forced her into outing herself. Ahem.) Tina, Maria and Kirrily for coming on board this year. Let’s rock this thing, y’all!

OVER and OUT.