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Archives for 2016

Back To School With Smiggle + Giveaway

By 62 Comments

When you hit the shops for back to school everything is the same old. It all looks the same as it did last year with minor variances and no kid wants to have the exact same gear as half the kids in their class.

Smiggle have once again changed things up and offered some cool back to school stuff! From books and bags to cutlery and drink bottles, the bright colours and patterns draw the eye and say how cool am I?! The Smiggle school bags are fantastic quality; my 6 year old had one last year and it lasted all year and still looks in near new condition! I was surprised as usually the boys backpacks last 6 months if we are lucky before we need to replace them. The Smiggle ones are definitely worth the money!

Then you of course have accessories, Smiggle pencil cases and holiday fun to look forward to. The latest release of pencil cases and accessories are funky and certain to have your kids start the year with a grin from ear to ear!

Good news for parents that we have got some to give to a lucky parent for their children.  

Prize includes: 1 x Spinning Top Marker $3.50 (pink), 1 x Pocket Smiggle Pencil Case (purple), 1 x Open Wide Media Pouch $15.95 (purple), 1 x Pocket Calculator $12.95 (purple).

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final.
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the above products for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Cheap Online Shopping Australia + $250 Crazy Sales Giveaway

By 136 Comments

Cheap Online Shopping Australia

It’s time to get money savvy. Bargain hunt, research and save yourself some cash!
You have worked long hours and don’t want your hard earned dollars going down the drain. These days everyone is doing it tough and is trying to get the most bang for their bucks. Cheap online shopping in Australia makes it possible!

Save time and money

Shopping online allows customers to compare, shop and save at the click of a button. No more going from shop to shop, trying to find a parking space and then comparing prices. Online shopping in Australia is convenient and easy!

Many online stores like Crazy Sales offer almost every category of item you could possibly want. They have everything from sporting goods to bedding. Their outdoor & leisure equipment has bargain swimming pools, sunshades and awnings, tents, BBQ pits, lighting and so much more. This not only has the essentials your family needs to go camping or to enjoy the Summer sun, you can do it at affordable prices!

 

Parents are typically always on the lookout for babies and kids toys they can put away for Christmas and birthdays. This is especially the case when they are a bargain-basement price and a sale too good to pass up. Bikes, trikes and wooden kitchens are always a winner. No child will turn down a water table, pogo stick or a cubby house and parents won’t turn down a bargain!

New Year’s brings resolutions; many that won’t be kept and will generally cost you money. Instead of wasting hundreds of dollars buying the best instruments you can (because you plan on becoming the next big thing!), start with something more affordable and if you stick with it, then go big. Crazy Sales has heaps of instruments and accessories at hugely discounted prices!

Sport and fitness is another area that people seems to spend thousands on. Exercise and health is fantastic but it doesn’t have to cost obscene amounts. You can now get fit at home with fantastically priced sporting equipment such as home gyms, cross trainers and even trampolines. If poor quality is a concern; read the reviews by previous customers on the product you are looking at to put your mind at ease.

Be smart with your money! Don’t waste it on overpriced products when you have cheap online shopping in Australia available to you.

Prize Includes: $250 Crazy Sales voucher.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions:
(1). Entries open to Australian Residents only.
(2). Comments on blog and shares via social media are required.
(3). This is a contest of creativity, the most creative entry will be chosen as the winner by the blogger. Judges decision is final.
(4). Prize costs will be borne by Crazy Sales, however Crazy Sales will take no responsibility for the package once it has been shipped.
(5). Winners are required to photos of the prize and share them on social media with a link to the product page.
(6). Commenting on the relative post announced on CrazySale Facebook page is also eligible to enter.
(7). NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.
If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I joined forces with Crazy Sales to bring you this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

5 Foodie Ways to Get the Kids Through Witching Hour

By 3 Comments

5 Foodie Ways to Get the Kids Through Witching Hour

Guest post by Simone Emery from Play with Food.

My favourite tool to have in my parenting arsenal is a good afternoon tea. A good afternoon tea sets the kids up for a decent window of opportunity to be productive without the “I’m bored” and “I’m hungry” complaints during the witching hour*.

*Actually, let’s be honest it should read hours. Next to afternoon tea is having something ready to occupy the youngsters. (Unless homework is in the picture for you and that is causing a whole lot of other “fun” at your place.)

Here are 5 foodie ideas to get through the afternoon that don’t require too much preparation. You should have most of the ingredients / resources on hand.

Play with food

1. Vegie Painting

Using some vegetables, try painting (or drawing around) them onto paper. You can make an edible paint by mixing a teaspoon of yoghurt with a drop of food colouring. Vegetables that make good brushes include asparagus, broccoli, rosemary stalks and carrot tops. Or you can cut a potato into two and make circle / oval stamps.

2. Grouping and Counting with Vegie Scraps

This is great if you have potato / carrot / sweet potato or the outer leaves of a leek available. Have the children tear them into pieces and then line them up in order from smallest to biggest. Or put them in groups of similar size pieces. Then they can tally up the number of pieces they have sorted out.

3. Mystery Sensory Challenge

In a shoe box, place some dry rolled oats and some small mystery fruits and vegetables for the children to find and determine what they are just by feeling them. This works well for small items like apricots, plums, cherries, beans, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes. You could use shredded paper, dry rice or dry pasta to surround the mystery foods too.

4. Bubble Painting

In a small beach bucket over a messy mat or outside, place some detergent, food colouring and water. Put some paper over the bucket and poke a straw through it. The child then has to blow OUT to make bubbles that will reach up and colour the paper.

5. Food Sculptures

A great way to use their imagination and also to make some use of your scraps again too. With toothpicks, get them to try and make things like a car, digger, castle or dog out of food items. This can be simply done on a placemat on the floor beside you while you are making dinner.

Simone, from Play with Food, has plenty of tips to help you master your family mealtimes, especially with fussy eaters. She always aims to delight the taste buds and imagination of children with food.

How do you incorporate food into play? Tell me in the comments. 

How To Leave A Domestic Violence Relationship In Six (Not So) Easy Steps

By 4 Comments

How To Leave A Domestic Violence Relationship

Escaping an abusive relationship is hard, particularly if children are involved. It is however essential for both you and your children!

Deciding to leave a violent relationship is difficult and not a decision that is easy to make. You want to leave but there are many obstacles that make this choice seem near impossible.
The most common hurdle is fear, for you and your child’s safety! You are scared about taking the next steps and the ramifications that may follow; this is completely understandable given your current situation. This is why knowing how to leave a domestic violence relationship safely is crucial.

Must do’s for a safe escape

You have reached the point where you cannot take the abuse anymore but don’t know what to do next. This step by step guide will help you take the first of many steps to your reclaiming independence.

1. Seek legal advice

Before you do anything, seek legal advice. They will be able to tell you exactly what you need to do in order to protect yourself. This is particularly important if children are involved. It isn’t uncommon for the abuser to use your children as leverage to get you to return. If you take the advised steps from your legal team and/or local police, you will not have this concern. They will also be able to put you in touch with emergency accommodation and DV groups. For Legal Aid advice click here for further information.

2. DVO

Get a Domestic Violence Order (commonly known as DVO). While this may aggravate the situation, it is essential. This allows police to keep an eye out and it will also help you should you be required to go to court. For more information on how to obtain a DVO click here.

3. Where will you go?

This is the question that scares most victims into staying. You may have been alienated from your family and friends and feel you have no one to lean on. This is a time of need and you don’t have to do it alone. If you have a good friend or family close by; stay with them until you can sort out alternative accommodation.

If you are living away from relatives; contact your local Salvation Army or other emergency accommodation provider. The Salvos help more than 2000 women escape violent relationships each year by providing them with refuge accommodation and on-going support. The Salvation Army details can be found here: http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/find-help/domestic-violence/.

4. Have a plan

Victims of domestic violence do not always have the luxury of having time to plan when and how they will leave. If you can, make a plan of where you will go and how you will respond to your partner’s calls and persistence.
If you feel your life is in imminent danger, get out now! Don’t leave it until it is too late.

5. Money

• If possible, start saving little bits of money when you can. This is easier said than done as most abusers know where every dollar is being spent. This is another way they maintain control and make it difficult for you to leave. For those fleeing and saving isn’t possible, the government offers crisis payments to those who are planning to or have left violent relationships. See more information here.

• Open up a bank account in your name only, with another bank you don’t use together. This eliminates any chance of your partner getting your personal details, including address or money.

• Call your bank and put a hold on all home loan redraws. While this is not something you would think of doing in the moment of leaving, it is smart for long term.

6. Privacy and safety

• Cancel your childcare and change schools if possible. This is to ensure your partner does not come and take the children out of school as a way to regain control.

• Change passwords and privacy settings on everything!

Far too many people suffer from domestic violence and the number of sufferers is only rising. The stats shown below from the Australian Bureau of Statistics are just terrifying.


Fleeing a domestic violence relationship takes strength, bravery and patience. This is why good support is essential. Please remember that regardless what you are told; it is not your fault and you are not to blame!

For support and domestic violence helplines see the numbers below.

If your life in immediate danger call – 000

National Domestic Violence (24 hours): 1800 737 732
Lifeline: 131 114
• QLD – Domestic Violence Telephone Service – 1800 811 811
• NSW – Domestic Violence Line – 1800 65 64 63
• VIC – safe steps Family Violence Response Centre – 1800 015 188
• ACT – Domestic Violence Crisis Service – 02 6280 0900
• SA – Domestic Violence Helpline – 1300 782 200
• WA – Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800007 339 & Crisis Care – 1800 199 00808
• NT – Domestic Violence Crisis Line – 1800 019 116
• TAS – Family Violence Counselling and Support Service – 1800 608 122 or Family Violence Response & Referral – 1800 633 937

For more helplines visit http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/finding-help.

*Disclaimer: I am not qualified to advise you on what to do or give legal assistance in your situation, I can only comment on my own personal experience and those close to me. Please call one of the helplines or seek legal advice before taking action.

Oddball Review + Giveaway

By 55 Comments

The first I heard of the movie Oddball was when my boys brought home a note from school requesting that they go on an excursion to the cinema to watch it. It wasn’t exactly sure what it was about but after a quick Google search, I wanted to see it as well.

Oddball Review

In all honesty I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie. It had every aspect of a good movie; love, a hero, fluffy animals, the underdog, the twist and much more. So what is Oddball about? Well it is basically about a penguin sanctuary that is loosing penguins by the day (technically night) to the claws of foxes. In an effort to save the penguins and Swampy Marsh’s dog Oddball; they take a high stakes risk and leave Oddball on the island. To their delight and the surprise of Swampy’s daughter, Oddball saves the day. He had found his true calling!


This is a wonderfully heart-touching film that is perfect for the whole family.

Roadshow Synopsis 
Happy Feet meets Red Dog in this hilarious and heart-warming true story about a mischievous dog who defies the odds and saves a penguin colony from extinction.He’s lovable, loyal and quite the handful. In fact, Oddball the dog has a reputation in his local community as a bit of a troublemaker. So when his eccentric owner, Swampy Marsh, suggests Oddball could be trained to protect the endangered penguins on the nearby island from foxes, the authorities think he’s barking mad. But Swampy always likes to bite off more than he can chew. With the help of his beloved granddaughter, the feisty farmer sets out to prove that man’s-best-friend can be a penguin’s best friend too.

Cast include: Shane Jacobson (Kenny), Sarah Snook (Dressmaker), Coco Jack Gillies (Mad Max: Fury Road), Deborah Mailman (Paper Planes) and ‘Kai’ the Maremma sheep dog star in the box office hit with a heart as big as Australia.

Released: December 16th 2015     Rating: $39.95     Rating: G

Prize Includes: 1x Oddball DVD. RRP $39.95.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final.
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received a copy of Oddball for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

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