Luna Blu Bags Olivia Nappy Bag Set in Indiana Rose Review Plus A Special Reader Offer #SLHFeaturedThursdays

Have you discovered Luna Blu yet?

Luna Blu is a company founded by two best friends who share a passion for shopping and sourcing lovely things. Their business specialises in beautiful printed oil cloth bags and accessories and they have so many stunning carry options to choose from in their online store.

You've really just got to check it out if you've a passion for bags!

Their very newest addition to their gorgeous store, is the stunning Olivia bag in the Indiana Rose design and this bag is the first of their line touted as a dedicated nappy bag by Luna Blu.

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How Do You Know When Your Family is Complete?

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Durex.

They're universal parenting questions aren't they?: How do you know when your family is 'complete?'
"Are you finished having kids?"

I am faced with these queries constantly and it is asked by both myself and those who gaze in awe at the size of my family. Being a Mum to six children means you are a kind of 'public property' wherever you venture. Everybody is curious about large family life and most don't hold back asking about it either!

Back before I became a Mum, I was adamant that when the time came to start a family, I would be more than content to have just two children. Ideally I wanted a girl first, followed closely by a boy and then that would be that - Back to the career and whatever joys life held for me down the track.

While I did get my pigeon pair and in the desired order too, this initial plan clearly wasn't to be.

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Banana Muffins Recipe Easy Bake!

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Tefal.

It has been so cold this Winter hasn't it?! I can't remember it being so freezing in Melbourne (for at least 4 years anyway). To top it off, we've had pretty spectacular heater troubles too. Our central heating unit has properly died - maybe it was too cold for it too.

Anyway, I've been making up for the 'freeze factor' with comfort foods instead, because there's nothing quite like an extra bit of fat layer to keep the cold away...

Actually, now that I think about it, I think I'd prefer the heater to work instead!

Winter foods are truly fab though aren't they? Our slow cooker is getting a real workout, with plenty of hot curries and chunky stews. (At least something's getting a workout of sorts around here.)

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GoldieBlox Construction Toys for Girls Giveaway! #SLHFeaturedThursdays

Do you:

Have a girl child? Check.

A girl child who likes to build? Check.

Do you live near an ALDI supermarket? Check.

Well, if you head on down to your local Aldi store (and I mean like, yesterday - literally), you could be lucky enough to chance upon the very latest addition to the GoldieBlox family - the GoldieBlox Builder's Survival Kit which is available exclusively at ALDI stores from Wednesday the 22nd of July.

Excitement huh!

(Okay, I can hear some of you thinking - Whoa slow down! What are we on about here?)

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Enjoy Lighting Flameless Wax Candles Review

There's no better way to create a calming atmosphere in your home than with candlelight. The beautiful, soft and warm glow of candles flickering away in a dark corner or on a mantle is quite blissful to absorb and given the ideal circumstances, I'd be enjoying it every day...

Pre-children, I was very big on candles in my life. There were always several flickering around my home to both light it, scent it and create a relaxing space.

...And I miss that so much since having kids!

I've never trusted the safety of candles at any time, but this is especially true now that I have children.

As parents, we well know that telling a child not to touch something dangerous, doesn't always translate and with so many kids running about my home, I'd be a complete nervous wreck with unattended flames burning around the place. And so, candles have been demoted in our home, to only make rare appearances at the odd special dinner or at Christmas time to create a pretty space before being tucked safely away in drawers until the next worthy occasion. So not fair!

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Dream Big with DryNites - Huggies DryNites Dream Maker Competition is Calling All Creative Kids!

 

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Huggies DryNites.

Who hasn't got a child who loves to draw fantastic monsters, imaginary friends - their dreams?

We've all got a few of our children's wonderful images tucked away somewhere, that are special because they're full of fantastical creatures, colour and wonder - images that are cute, scary, funny or ingenious in some way and loaded with happy memories.

Huggies DryNites have a Dream Maker promotion on the go for the next 10 weeks - until August 17th, that can see your child's favourite image become a plush reality.

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Sweet Books For Kids - A Review, a Giveaway and a Funfetti Cookie Recipe #SLHFeaturedThursdays

Cooking with kids - where do you stand on it? Are you in favour of it? Or are you the run and hide until they forget about the suggestion altogether type? (I've just written a post this week about my Best Bad Mum Tip and hiding may well be it... You can check it out here.)

I do like to see my kids playing about in the kitchen, either while I cook or while they have a little go at it themselves.

Children really love the aromas and creations that come from this space and it seems only right to encourage them - even if they do slow things down considerably and make far more mess than we'd like. (Insert very exaggerated eye-roll here and possibly a sigh or two!)

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Baby Food Ideas Your Toddler Will Love

 

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Heinz Infant.

No sooner have you passed through the parental testing ground that is sorting out your child's early baby phase (the trial period of purees and new tastes) than you find yourself smack-bang in the zone of the determined toddler stage.

It's a time of No's! and I don't want to's! and it goes on like that indefinitely.

Feeding your baby or toddler doesn't have to be difficult despite their unyielding developmental ways. So often it can feel as though it is however! Even though it seems to be so much work and effort, in reality very little equipment or skill is required to prepare happy little serves of delicious and creative meals for your young child in this next period of growth.

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My Best Bad Mothering Tip (That Always Seems to Work!)

 

I would be slightly kidding myself and others (like, a WHOLE lot), if I were to pretend it's a bed of roses in my life each and every day here with six lively children.

Are you surprised?

It's never easy to master this parenting gig we share but the one thing that almost all parents will agree on, is that the more kids you have, the bigger the minefield is, that spreads before you.

There's no avoiding it, it's a warzone that must be walked and it's a long, slow stroll through a nerve-wracking hell with plenty of trenches and a barrage of gunfire that will knock you flying if you're not armed with your wits about you.

To paint a general picture for you, as I type, my six children, both the big and the small, are killing my furnishings with food, drinks and grub, destroying my furniture with their incessant parkour practice (seriously, I am not joking) and from the sound of it, actually, I know they are killing each other too.

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Warburton Victoria - Three Family Friendly Things To Do #ShareAustralia

 

If you journey past Melbourne's outer Eastern suburbs, you will venture into what is colloquially known as the 'end of the line' - Warburton. It's a little way past my neck of the woods in the scenic Yarra Ranges and it's a popular playground for the inner Melbournians and international tourists who regularly flock here in droves, looking to experience idyllic weekends.

 

Why? Because it's simply beautiful here.

 

The area is dense with forest, wildlife and charm. Warburton is an old township; settled in the early 1900's and dotted with suitably quaint antique stores and homes, nestled amidst the lush valley scenery.

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Circus Oz But Wait...There's More! Review

 

Melbourners are a privileged lot to have the locally-based and internationally recognised, iconic Circus Oz currently playing at Birrarung Marr these school holidays and I am happy to report that it's a circus that's suited to all ages.

 

I fully realise that the 'all ages' statement may sound a little odd where a circus is concerned, but believe me, we've seen a few similar shows over the last few months that have been aimed at specific demographics and it's not always possible to say 'family friendly' here.

 

Circus Oz has certainly made a name for itself worldwide in its 37 year existence - they're an entirely Australian grown company of performers, musicians, acrobats and artists who have continuously produced intelligent and energetic shows that are uniquely... Australian.

 

There's simply no better way to describe it.

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Outdoor Entertaining Tips - The Basics for Organising a Successful and Memorable Event

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Super AMart.

Despite it being winter, it doesn't have to be a time to be stuck indoors when it comes to entertaining.

It can be quite refreshing to spend time outside regardless of the seasons - never more so than if you have kids. Children and outdoor spaces are a perfect match and arranging an event specifically in your garden ensures they will be happy, exercised and out of trouble while protecting your valuable interiors!

Social events held outdoors can be a fun way to entertain both your own family and your guests. Getting outside provides the benefits of good natural lighting, fresh air and space and gives you and your friends a chance to relax and admire your home and garden from its exterior, all the while allowing you to create some memorable moments together.

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Ezy Dry Bed Up and Under Review - Easy Bedwetting Solutions for Kids and a Giveaway #SLHFeaturedThursdays

 

Let's talk bedwetting...it's a real part of raising children and it's stubbornly ongoing until your child masters the whole bladder thing. (Which can take forever.)

I've three young bedwetting people in my family and that's not including the toddler in nappies. I have had these boys of mine wetting their beds for what seems like an eternity and it's hard not to be frustrated about it. It's both frustrating for my boys who are ever-eager to grow up and it's hard on me.

The washing from three bedwetting kids in a family of eight people is astronomical! We've only an 8kg washing machine and one overnight accident can see me struggling with endless loads for the rest of the week while I try to get on top of it.

Not a great situation at all.

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