Yesterday I attended a blogging event. My day started at 6 am so I could make it to Sydney on time for the event. I got there on time but most importantly, without getting lost! Sydney has so many bloody lanes – everywhere! Anyway the bloggers brunch was amazing, I learnt about some fantastic products, made some brand connections and had the pleasure of catching up with some amazing fellow bloggers. And of course enjoying some delicious food.

The day was ridiculously hot. The sun was burning and there was not a breeze around. Imagine dry desert tumbleweed but in Centennial Park, Sydney. So freaking hot! Anyway I collected all my goodies and said my final Good Bye’s, thanks for having us, wonderful to meet you, etc. and made my way to the car. I pushed the unlock button on my keys but nothing happened. I tried again and then again just in case. But still nothing. Oh shit the battery in my remote must be flat. I unlocked the door the old-fashioned way and thought I’d start the car and crank the air-con so Poppet could get out of the heat and cool down. I put the key in the ignition, foot on the clutch and turned the key. Nothing happened. I instantly looked down and realised I had left the lights on. FUCK! My battery is dead flat! FUCK FUCK FUCK!!

I made my way back to the restaurant with Poppet in the pram and asked the guys (waiters/chefs/etc) if any of them had jumper leads and were able to give me a jump but unfortunately none did. They told me to take seat and get out of the heat, relax and they bought me ice-cold water and filled up Poppets sippy cup while I rang around to get some roadside assistance. Stupidly I didn’t already have a membership for roadside assist as I am never far from home but of course now that I was it was going to happen. I rang NRMA and she told me it was cost me almost $300 – WHAT?! I just need a jump start. So I thought I’d try Allianz, $170 later and help had been dispatched. I sat and ordered a latte which was absolutely delicious and waited an hour for the truck to arrive. He kicked it over and we were free to leave, at 4 pm. Now to make our home to the Hunter Valley – of course we hit peak hour traffic so didn’t make it home until 7.30pm.

What a day! An adventure filled, hot, flat battery day. Even though this shitty thing happened and it cost me $170 (yes it was my own doing), I would still class the day as a wonderfully successful day. I made it home safely and had a fantastic morning meeting new people!

Have you ever broken down or had a flat battery? Share your story so I know I’m not alone!

The post A great day but then… appeared first on All Mum Said.

How do you add some spice or freshen up your kitchen without spending a fortune? Accessories!! Or more commonly known as utensils, ‘white’ goods. My kitchen was looking rather bland and boring with everything being black, white and stainless so I popped down to my local Betta Home Living  store and browsed each isle in search of the perfect colourful product. I had no idea what I was looking for but was presented with more than enough options! When stepping foot into one of these kind of stores the staff in my experience usually act one of two ways; rude and completely ignore you or they hover, hassle and are pushy. I was pleasantly surprised walking into my local store to find that they were welcoming, polite and the right amount of customer interaction. They had the balance right.

   After the initial ‘Is there anything I can help you with or something in particular you’re looking for?’ James (the staff member who assisted me) let me browse in peace without making me feel smothered. He approached me again a little while later when I was standing in front of the same items for while with a ‘oh my goodness these are gorgeous, I must have them look on my face’. Unfortunately they didn’t have the colour I wanted due to the products themselves being ridiculously popular. I could have waited however and got them to order the colour in or just waited until I got home and purchased from their online store with free delivery but I’m not really one for waiting for things if I can pick up something similar right then and there. So I left with blue. The last blue I might add.

I walked out of the store feeling happy and pleased with my purchase which isn’t usually the case when I go shopping at other electrical/home goods stores. I love that even though I didn’t spend a million dollars or even know what I was looking for when I walked in I was treated like I was valued. I was worth a few minutes of their time and in return for their great customer service they will see me returning next time I need something for my home. Great customer service isn’t seen often enough these days so when it is you take notice. Thanks so much James for your kindness and I absolutely love my new retro Delonghi Kettle and Toaster. As I said earlier simple colourful ‘accessories’ are a cheap way to spruce up any kitchen!

 As the heading suggests Betta have been kind enough to offer a $50 giftcard to 1x lucky Mad Mummas reader.

To enter all you have to do is follow the instructions on the rafflecopter below. Winner is decided based on skill and chance plays no part. Australian residents only! Sorry everyone else. **The mandatory instructions MUST be completed or your entry will be void!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Betta Home Living and Digital Parents Collective.

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