Baby Sleepytime Bath Review and Giveaway!

I am always on the lookout for good quality, natural bath products that are easy to find. The Brauers Naturals Baby range of products is fantastic and it’s all available at my local supermarket, so I’m one happy mummy!

We've been test driving the Baby Sleepytime Bath for the last month and I’m really happy with it. The kids are noticeably calmer when we’ve used it, going to bed is a lot smoother and the solid sleep has definitely improved. Mister 10 months loves his baths and when I use the Baby Sleepytime Bath product he has a great night sleep … so I’ve started using it every night, who wouldn’t!

What I personally love the most about this product is that it cleanses and moisturisers and is gently on Miss 2’s skin. She suffers from Eczema and before I would have to bath her in just plain water, now she is happy for me to use the Baby Sleepytime Bath and it doesn't affect her skin.  

What Miss2 loves most about this product – the bonus rubber duckie that comes with it of course.

About this product:

• No nasties: free of petrochemicals
• Soap free
• Only pure, natural ingredients
• Gentle on sensitive skin
• Eczma-friendly
• Softly scented

You can view the whole Brauer Naturals Baby Bath and Skin Care Range here. They list the entire range, directions, pricing and ingredients.

This product is a dream come true to for us. We love it, we'd love you to give it a try. It would also make a great gift for someone having a baby (as all mothers know how sleep depriving that first year+ can be).

Brauer is giving 3 of our lucky readers the chance to win a full sized Sleepytime Bath product worth $11.49! It includes the bonus rubber duckie.

All you have to do is enter via the box below. 

"Like" Brauer facebook page and the Mums Take Five facebook page.

Bonus entries for answering our easy question 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

Kmart Home Range and Fantastic Giveaway

Review of the new expanded Kmart Home Range and Giveaway

So Kmart Australia has this week launched a new “Expanded Home Range”

They set themselves a new mission:

“To inspire Aussies to once again make their home their sanctuary, without breaking the budget.”

I like to have a nice home.

I like to have a few items that are trendy and in style.

I usually don't and yes the budget generally restrains me.

I was offered the opportunity and well yes I jumped for it. To check out the new expanded home range, put some to use and let you all know what I think.    Brilliant!

I went with the idea to maybe update, replace and revamp a few things in my kitchen as part of my spring clean.

I was honestly impressed.

I liked the ideas,products and colours. I liked that it’s all modern really versatile and that there is everything you are looking for accessories for the home, new bed linen, light fittings, wall hangings, new furniture and storage options Kmart have changed the lot. Its fresh, it’s a little trendy, its smart and its affordable.  They have a couple different themes being Urban, Classic and Coastal and I’m sure there is something for all within those styles.

You have to admit this isn’t the old Kmart!  Its just gorgeous!

 

I put a lot of thought into what I wanted before I went down to kmart, checked it all out on the Kmart Website studied the catalogue and tried really hard to stay to my list. I did come away with an extra few impulse purchases but the whole lot still cost me under $100!

My kitchen is sorted for organisation, a couple of things needed to be replaced, a couple of pretty things I loved and had to have.  Heres what I picked up. You can read all about my purchases here!

  

I was able to ask a couple of questions to Kate Tulip the Head of the Kmart home design team (thank you Kate) to get a better understanding of how it works :

Mum: Where do you draw most of your inspiration from?

Kate: We literally look everywhere – from global trend researching sites (who pull together future forward trends for the global retail market), magazines, blogs, catwalks, historic homes and nature! We are constantly looking – one of our recent quilt cover designs was inspired by a sea shell.

Mum: How long does it take for a product to go from an idea to on the shelves?

Kate: We work at least a year in advance so we have to be fantabulous style spotters and identify the trends early. We work hard to design the best possible items for our customers, so we can offer them our amazing prices on the most wanted styling and home pieces.

Mum: Does one person or a team decide whether a product would be good or not and do you test them all out?

Kate: It’s very much a team culture here at Kmart, and our workshops are always full of ideas as designers and buyers work together, talking products and trends. Our buyers have fantastic insight in regards to the now – So, what do our customers need and want? What are the best materials? How many options do we need? Our designers takes all this info and use the trends to create something unique for Kmart. We are always checking throughout the process that we are being true to our customers and what they want, and usually by the time it hits the shelves we can’t wait to buy the item for ourselves!!

Mum: Are a new release of homewares something we will see often, can we hope to find new looks each season?

Kate: As part of our strategy, we are focussed on making sure the key everyday items are on trend and available all year round. But, we also add new items to ensure we are including global trends and must have products in our range – plus we want to keep inspiring our customers!

Mum: If you could choose only one product from the new range to have which one would it be and why ?

Kate: The glass bell jar is a favourite of mine! It can look fab in any environment and it will show off my favourite things (plus it stops them from getting dusty!!)

The new expanded home range from Kmart is definitely something to go check out. I guarantee you'll come out with something; A candle, bowl, mug, kids cushion, wall hanging something its all covered and all at almost too good to miss prices. 

Now the "fantabulous" people at Kmart are giving one of our lucky readers the opportunity to do a little spring sprucing in the new Kmart Home Range with a $100 voucher.

All you have to do is follow the instructions and below - good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note :  Giveaway is only open to Australian Residents.

A $100 voucher is for draw to be won by those who enter correctly.

Please only one enter per person. enter twice you'll be disqualified.

The voucher has been very kindly given by Kmart Australia.  I was asked to do a review and was reimbursed for my purchasing. The products i chose were entirely of my choice and words are of my own.

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

Kmart NEW Home Range Review

The lovely people at Kmart gave me the opportunity to try out some of their new range homewares.

I was looking to Spring Clean my kitchen, replace a few things, get some better organisation and add a couple of things i just had to have.

Thank you Kmart for your inspiration, great range of products and affordable pricing

You can see our Kmart Home Range Review and giveaway:  HERE!

You can see our Kitchen Cleaning and Spring Cleaning Checklist: HERE!

I picked up these gorgeous Peony canvas prints for $12. I still can’t decide whether the kitchen or hall.  I like them even more now I have them home.  

 I love the clear plastic trays these are great they kinda disappear into the fridge and are handy to:

Store the kids snack foods,  stop you losing things at the back of the fridge, easy to take out stuff for lunches, reduce the chances of spilling things through the fridge, help keep it organised.

$7ea Storage turntable. I love this.  So cool. Use in the fridge for the little jars of things, in the pantry for your sauces, how about storing your breakfast spreads and seasonings and just move the whole thing to the table at breakfast time.     My five year old did think it was a playdoh pottery wheel sort of thing but I did think that a pencil and crayon holder was pretty good too.

Pullout storage $7. This is on castors. Genius the person who thought to put castors on the bottom. Use it for large things in the pantry. Fits all my baking jars perfectly or sometimes i do need an extra fruit and vegetable draw.  

 How great are these seriously large tea towels?!

2 for $5.  Brilliant! 

$5ea Under Shelf Basket.  This I like because it uses the space in the pantry that would totally be wasted.  My tea boxes and coffee pods can now sit above the rest of the teas and coffees saving me a lot of space, Great for small things like baby foods, or brilliant to hold safely seaweed and rice paper.

$7ea Three tier shelf.  I like the sturdiness of this. I like how you can fit a whole can on the shelf. Handy for bottle or jars.  You can also get a corner style shelving. 

Cereal bowls. I love these. They are high sided and a good 14cm size.  You can get them in stripes or spots in black, red, stone or these blue ones.  

Really handy bowl. The Mugs are so cute, they fit perfectly under my coffee machine and i love the silicon wraps.

At $2each you can’t go wrong.

I use the Large Pantry Shelf $4 to help sort the bowls.  Those plastic plates and bowls just get int the way all the time. not anymore

See those small glasses on the top right of the shelf. 6 for $2!
I threw out the kids plastic ones and replaced with these. 
Much better. 
and loving how all the everyday glassware fits together and takes up less space.

There is a great selection of scented candles now in tins or glass, small or large. Beautiful scents for Spring! This one was $1!

I replaced my chopping boards with these great flexible mats. 3 for $8!

This little candleholder is a great little accessory. Was thinking to put a little vase inside with some fresh flowers.   There is a great range of accessories now in Kmart!

You can see the new look Kmart Home Range on the Kmart Website.

We have a fantastic $100 Voucher giveaway running on our site currently thanks to KMART you can enter it HERE!

REVIEW - My Lil Pouches

I have found these pouches to be really quite useful in my house. I originally heard about them through word-of-mouth and didn't know a product like this existed on the market, “What a great idea” I thought. So when we were asked to review them I jumped at the opportunity!

What I have loved about these pouches is being able to take Mister 7 months lunch or dinner out and about with us. I pop 2/3 cubes of frozen food in a pouch and by the time it’s his meal time the food has defrosted enough for him to enjoy. Easy As! Then when I get home I rinse it out and pop the pouch in the dishwasher with the days load.

Mister 7 months is now eating 3 solid (mushy) meals a day so I have to be prepared and these pouches are very handy for that. My usual meals consist of some sort of steamed veggie mix with meat and carbs. So I always slightly over steam some veggies, mash them and freeze it for Mister 7months for lunch the next day.

When Miss 2 doesn't eat all her Weetabix in the morning I simply pop the left overs in a pouch with a little honey or Milo and extra milk and she thinks it’s a special milk drink and finishes it off in minutes! If I can, I will make her a banana smoothie to have after breakfast or lunch. She loves it and is a big fan of the pouches.

So my review is as follows:

I like this product because;

• They take up hardly any space in our overcrowded cupboard.
• The press lock seal makes it easy to fill and close.
• It can be used for babies (all foods), toddlers & children (yogurts, jellies, smoothies, juices)
• They are really tough and feel like they will last forever.
• The bright colour packaging make it fascinating for babies and toddlers & it’s easy to find them when digging through the Tupperware cupboard.
• They’re recyclable!
• It’s simple to purchase them online and you can by more lids if you lose them (this is a big plus for me, if something it too hard, I don’t bother with it)
• They are lightweight so easy to carry around on out and about days
•  I can pop them in the dishwasher and that is always a big positive for me!

     The negatives;

• They can be a bit of a struggle to wash and dry if you’re doing it by hand. When you have a young baby you need anything to be super clean and hygienic so you really have to get into the corners of the inside of the pouch. They take a while to drip dry completely. I had to shake the water out of them to help speed it along.
• They aren't for everyone. If your kids like to suck or drink from those types of squeezy yogurts/pre-made fruit mixes/jelly mixes then they will like these but if not they might not be a fan.
• They don’t fit a whole heap in there (200ml). Bigger kids might not be as satisfied with the one pouch.

Overall, I LOVE this design and product and I will recommend them to others. 

Favourite recipe for Miss 2: banana, honey and Greek yogurt OR Weetabix, honey and milk.

Favourite recipe for Mister 7 months: Plain old steamed pumpkin or carrot (he seems to likes the orange stuff!)

We've found lots of other great other uses for them: 

Storing dry baby formula and protein powder for outings.

Storing leftover cake icing for later use. Can be squeezed out like a piping bag onto cupcakes.

Carrying Milk when going on a picnic for coffees.

Storing and Freezing Pestos and Curd's.

Making and mixing salad dressing.

You can visit and contact My Lil Pouch below

We'd love for you to pop over to their Facebook page and "like". Tell them we sent you.

http://www.mylilpouch.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/MyLilPouch

Email: iwant@mylilpouch.com.au

We did receive some "My Lil Pouches" to review these products.  

All opinions and words are our own (or our kids) 

Something for others - Wordless Wednesday

“I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint — and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.”   Oprah 

Time Management - A work in progress

By Nic.

Time Management - A work in progress!

I never knew how truly valuable minutes of the day were until I felt they were running away from me. Things weren't getting done or going to plan.

Well this is what I have learnt so far:

Firstly, time management is something that is learned and unfortunately does take time to master and for this you will need patience and to be gentle on yourself.

When things started getting on top of me the first thing I did was jump on the computer (when the kids were in bed) and type up what happens in our day and what I would like to happen.

This is my guide for Monday to Friday routines for the day, for me and the kids. I typed it out and printed it up so I can refer to it whenever I need. I can also amend it easily as needed and we all know how quickly babies change their routines!

Now that I know my day, what is involved and where my windows of opportunities are I can plan my appointments better (so they don’t clash with nap times – sleep is my priority at the moment!) and add in the extra’s like: Get Licence renewed.

If you haven’t already got one, then get a planner/diary to write anything new down and have it with you always to refer to.

I love this planner at Kikki-k (it’s currently on sale! Click here to view!)

Each day I write a To Do List in my diary for the next day. This helps me a lot and even if something doesn’t get done I can just write it in the following day and on and on until it finally gets done.

Writing down everything that you know needs to get done. Everything from washing the dog, to checking the mail box. If your day is as busy and interrupted as mine then this will help. When I have a chance I cross the items that get done off, or sit down at the end of the day and mark off what’s been done. This gives me a sense of achievement and I can get organised for the next day.

To make up a routine like this you have to go with what usually happens and then tweak it to what you think should happen. In my case Mister 5 months was having lots of little short naps and this was becoming a problem. Also being so overwhelmed by the lack of time I kept forgetting things on outings. I needed a drastic change! 

Since typing up this routine a few weeks ago things have defiantly improved. 

Most days I don’t follow the routine exactly but having it as a guide helps me know what’s coming up next and where I have time to fit in jobs that have to be done.

Are you good with managing your time?

What works for you?

Nic x

Friends - keep them all or let some go?

Source: charmcitycurrent.com via MumsTakeFive on Pinterest

Nearly all my nearest and dearest friends are miles away from me.  i don't see them on a regular basis. Some i see once or twice a year, some once every couple of years and one i haven't actually seen for four or five years.  I've moved or they moved but it seems no matter where we are and what is happening in our lives we can still pick up the phone or catch up in person and it was like I'd seen them yesterday. 

The friends i have time for, the friends i give my time to any time of day. The friends i know i can count on for an honest opinion, to hear me when i need to talk, to share my secrets and fears. The friends i know i can rock up at the door no matter how long its been and they just go put the kettle on.   I love these friends no matter what I'd be there for them.



I have some other friends that i do see regularly or did see regularly but now not so much.  nothing has happened just life and time and i don't seem to be bothered by this. It seems too hard to catch up with them and when i do i dunno its just not that fun anymore does that make sense?

I have a friend i want to let go. we don't seem to have much to talk about anymore. when we do catch up i feel i give and give but don't get much back, its way out of balance. I don't rush to check her emails or texts i wait till I'm free. I don't return calls 'cos I'm just not up for the chat.  I feel tired after i see her like its a lot of effort.  I really can't be bothered with it i feel my time can be better put to use.
Is this wrong or has this relationship served its purpose and its time to move on.  Nothing has happened there has been no falling out or anything.  Am i being selfish.

Do you let friends go?

Do you stay friends for no reason?

By Bel

What's important to others.

So my 98 yr old Grandmother had a small heart attack on Saturday night. Shes never had anything like this before shes had some falls and broken wrists and things in the last five years which lead to moving her to a home about two years ago.  At 98 we're lucky she's here and has all her mind. Her ears and eyes don't work well now and her writing is no longer legible but believe me she knows whats what in our family.
I live interstate to my Mum and all her family and last saw my Gran in March and for the first time i said my goodbyes thinking i might not see her again (hadn't done that before) but i am at peace knowing i have done that (i didn't get to do that for other loved ones and it always hurts to think of it). I think i have made her proud i'm not sure but we don't really know each other well. Its been hard this week being the only member of that side of my family who's not there.  Its harder when i think i have two parents i'm going to need to look after and we're all in different states and i don't know how i'm going to be in three places at once. 

My Gran is of that lived through wars and depressions era. I smile sometimes when i think of the saving of margarine containers, saving and reusing of baking paper and washing out plastic bags and hanging them on the line to dry so they could be re used.  My Grandparents were successful they worked hard and long and did very well. In return my Gran has been very lucky to have money and not have needs unrequited through the last few decades.

Even this week she worked hard to pull through and appears to have done so with no damage to her mind, a little exhausted as you would be but no damage has shown in tests.  She has asked to go home and for everyone to stop wasting their time and hers "i'm 98 and going to die next week anyhow".
Chances are she right.

Last night she spoke to my exhausted mum who's been at her bedside since Sunday, making lots of decisions and having lots of conversations of no resuscitation's and no treatments etc  for her own mother.
Gran said to her "Dear in my room in the bedside table there is a key. The key opens a drawer over in the cabinet. In a sock in the back of the drawer dear is thirty dollars. You make sure you take that OK?"
Mum just nodded and thanked her.

I just have to smile at that.

Does he now ..... hmmm (thing hubby used to do)

So we all know how annoyingly frugal i am trying to be and really it is becoming such a personal challenge in everything i do.  It all adds up i keep telling myself and MRB when sniggers over me trying to save twenty cents on everything.

The other morning we'd decided to take the children to Canberra for the day we were meeting friends at ten am so it was an early start.  Its three hours from our place in Sydney to the science museum in Canberra.  I'd been up early, made and packed snacks and lunch for everyone but agreed to allow the purchasing of drinks because it was a special day.  I'd made the kids take water bottles anyhow hoping they'd forget buying one.

So 7.15am we pull into the service station around the corner to fill up for our drive.  MRB suggests i go in and order coffees and he'll fill up.  I order the large cap for him and a small skim flat for me (in turmoil with myself over the desperation for caffine and the cost compared to the machine i just left at home). When hes finished filling up MRB pulls the car into the first parking bay outside the shop to wait for me.

The girl brings the coffees to the counter puts them down and i say "Number 1 LPG as well thanks".  "Oh" she says and she turns and waves out the window to MRB who is waving back with a sheepish smile on his face 
"We know your husband very well" she says back to me
"Really" i say thinking well we do get fuel here probably three times a week.
"Yes he buys coffee here everyday" she smiles
"Does he now?" i smile back
"Yes hes our very good customer"

I exchange politeness as i quickly tally up all the bloody money spent on coffees a week here as well as the flashes of empty twisties packets, killer python bags and coke bottles that i have seen in the car or rubbish bins. 

"Very good customer honey?"  i say getting back in the car
"Well sometimes i buy coffee here on the way to work" he smiles and says as a five year old does when sprung doing something he shouldnt have been doing.
"Is that right?"  i say thinking of how we have just funded their new coffee machine and renovations.


Service station girl wasnt as friendly today when i went in to pay for my fuel.
I expect their coffee sales have dropped and killer pythons are in mass stocks this week.

TV Down Time??

Is there such a thing as TV down time?

I'm confused on this term "TV Downtime" its when the Children watch something in particular that the parent thinks is fun and/or noneducational. "TV Downtime" is this required in my Children's day or should i be asking how much time do these Children spend watching TV a day that would require an allotted "Downtime" period?

This term was used in a conversation amongst a group of ladies talking about what their children are watching on TV at the moment and we were discussing the latest UK created person in a brightly coloured suit talking ga-ga and someone said something like "Freddy loves that show we watch it everyday" and someone else said "Oh i can't stand it really but Joey likes it so he watches it sometimes and i go and do other things" and then Freddy's mum replies "oh its his down time" I just stayed quiet nodding, not having a clue on this whole "down time" scheduling.

The next day i sat with my toddler to watch this popular program and sure he was enjoying it but i don't get it and turned it off. My son is learning and absorbing information from everything continuously. He doesn't know if its "downtime" or up time or sideways time he doesn't know if the show is educational or not.

I'm not saying Children shouldn't watch this show, not at all. I just feel better knowing my son is watching and learning numbers and words and values and OK they maybe coming from Muppet's or wiggling men in skivvy's but I'd much rather than then him learning and observing from a something that doesn't use words and clutches a blanket all the time.