Busy Mums Magazine May 17: Autumn Winter Fashion & Beauty

Busy Mums Mag

Volume 15 May 2017

2017 Autumn Winter Fashion

Building Confidence in Kids

Winter Beauty Problems

Winter Holidays

Editors Note Welcome to the May edition of the Busy Mums Magazine . This issue is dominated with Autumn Winter Fashion Trends for children and mums.

Interestingly this year we undertook the Fashion Shoot ourselves to test the Nikon D5600. As a result, I would love any feedback on the photographs and suggestions for what you would like to see in our Spring/Summer Fashion Shoot.

Following the Fashion tips and information , mums can find out great ways to solve Winter Beauty Issues for both their skin and hair. In addition to this, we undercover some great bathing products to help Busy Mums De-stress.

I hope you enjoy the latest edition of the Busy Mums Magazine . We would love to hear from you with any thoughts, questions or suggestions.

Best Wishes, Lorraine Lorraine Salvi Editor and Founder of the Busy Mums Magazine and MumsDelivery

Get in touch: Editor: Lorraine Salvi lorraine@mumsdelivery.com.au Advertising Enquiries: info@mumsdelivery.com.au Office: (02) 9940 3097 2

Would you like to become a contributor for Busy Mums Magazine? We are always on the look out for stories and mums wanting to share their experiences & tips Stay Connected

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Table of Contents

Parenting

Lifestyle Women’s Autumn Winter Fashion 2017 What to know about your next Coat Winter Hair Care Tips from the Experts Top 5 Winter Hair Trends

Children’s Autumn Winter 2017 Fashion Kids Winter Fashion Tips 8 Steps to Build Confidence in your Children Helping to build confidence in young children Top Tips for Nursery Separates Children’s Products Reviewed Toy Corner

Food Party Food Quick and Easy recipes

Beauty Common Winter Beauty Problems Essential Winter Beauty Items Taking care of your body & skin in the dryer months Bathing Products to de-stress a busy mum Beauty Spot

Other New Books New and Noteworty items

Travel Sun Chasing Holiday Top 5 Australian Winter Destinations Escaping to a Winter Wonderland Reviewed

Parenting

Kids Autumn Winter

These cute new looks from Eternal Creation are perfect for the upcoming winter. (Above)The pop of colour in the ‘Whale of a Time’ Roll Sleeve shirt ($39) is gorgeous and will brighten your child’s winter wardrobe. The cotton shirt is comfortable for your little one to wear, while keeping them looking stylish and smart. The Tailored Smart Navy Cord Pant ($49) comes with an adjustable waist and you could roll up the cuffs to make the pants last longer. 100% cotton, they are soft and the red detail around the front pockets makes the pants look even more stylish. In addition, I like that Eternal Creation is a fair-trade brand.

To the right and below, these Navy Leggings ($26) pair perfectly with the everyday Stripy Skivvy ($34) which has a roll neck for extra warmth. They are simple and easy everyday items that your child will get a lot of use from as you can mix and match both items with a variety of other clothes in your wardrobe. We have also mixed the Navy Leggings with the Vintage Flare Dress ($54). The Vintage Flare Dress is right on trend with the classic retro look embracing Florals. Made from soft corduroy and complemented with velvet trims. This dress can be dressed up or down based on the occasion.

Clothing From: Eternal Creation: www.eternalcreation.com Shoes pictured above: Cute to Boot www.cute-to-boot.com.au/

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Fashion 2017

Parenting

The X-Tend Sleepsuit ($74.95) featured on the right is very interesting and a perfect winter accessory. I love that is grows with your child. Suitable for babies from 6 months to 7 years of age, it is so versatile with removable sleeves, hand and feet mittens and two way front zippers.

For the younger children, the back can be unzipped as well, making it easier in the middle of the night for nappy changes or going to the toilet.

In creating this photo we utilised the Comic Landing Strips from Mini Beanz (pictured to the right). These lovely bean bags feature cool comic wording and graphics. The heavy PVC exterior is perfect for children as well as both indoor and outdoor use. See more in our Bean Bag review.

The 365 Sleep Bag 2.0 ($174.95) pictured to the left is made of super-soft, certified organic cotton with no polyester, harmful chemicals or pesticides. I like that the sleeping bag can be used over numerous seasons by combining the Summer and Spring/Autumn bags to create a warmer winter sleeping bag. It also takes advantage of the X Tend system so that you can extend the sleeves to create a bigger size and or remove the long sleeves for the warmer seasons.

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Parenting

Comfy, Warm Winter Shoes for growing feet

We chose to use these gorgeous shoes from Cute to Boot within the fashion shoot. They offer a range of fashionable yet comfy toddler and learn to walk shoes. The models enjoyed wearing the shoes, not noticing the shoe changes or getting annoyed with the shoes. They were excited by the new shoes, constantly commenting and pointing to them. www.cute-to-boot.com.au

The 2017 Autumn Winter Fashion Shoot was taken by MumsDelivery (seriously amateur photographers) to test the photographic ability of the Nikon 5600. We would love to know what you think of the images included. Find out more in our Nikon D5600 review 6

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Parenting

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Parenting

Kids Winter Fashion Trends Keep you baby cosy and cool this winter

For this winter the trends in kids clothing is the Luxe look but with a splash of fun. Kidswear designers are going against the usual conventions this winter seasonal with oodles of exciting new looks.

COLOURS

The best place to start when selecting clothes for your child this season is colour. Kids love colour and bold is big this winter so let them be daring with vibrant mustard yellow, deep midnight blues, rich reds, sharp oranges, emerald green and strong charcoal grey as a point of balance. These jewel like colour adds an energy burst and warmth to your child’s Autumns & Winter wardrobe.

For the more classic look and for those basic mix and match items go for softer muted earthy tones and pastels. Shades of light grey to charcoal again and winter white, pale turquoise, light aqua and baby blues with mauves and a soft pinks and citrus lemon yellows. Shades of Grey – and think mono-tone grey pants, grey top, grey jacket - combining neutrals together create the ultimate luxe look of sophistication and pared back style.

The trend of black and white is not going away and in fact seems to be getting stronger and like neutral tones the look is gender neutral and great for boys and girls too.

GO WILD WITH THE ANIMALS

Animal motifs and placement prints of forest or jungle animal graphics stand out on jumpers and tops. Foxes are still very on trend but I have seen some wonderful tigers, giraffes, polar bears and squirrels prints too. Nothing is more charming this time of year, baby will look adorable.

SPOTS, STRIPES AND CHECKS

Spots, stripes and checks are always in fashion but what makes then shine is the way they are worked in with other elements.

Classic Stripes are still here to stay and huge I mean literally large strong candy stripes are so much fun and create a WOW factor. For a more conservative and tradition look go for pinstripes in navy, white and red for chic French retro inspired look.

GIRLIE PRETTY

There are so many adorable girl’s dresses to choose from start with colourful floral prints. Pretty little floral dresses are so for sweet little girls with old-fashioned smocking is a big trend and looks lovely with simple block colour or lovely floral dresses and although conservative add a fur vest, woolen beanie and hot pink sunglasses to up the ante.

A must-have for baby girls and toddlers every season is soft long-sleeve cozy cotton knit dress with matching hat bonnet and booties. Leggings are an essential item for girls not only because they are so comfortable but work under dresses and with long tops.

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Parenting

COSY KNITS For Cosy knits, cardigan, jumpers and knitted hats go for something in a neutral colour as well as one in your favourite bold colour. With so much to choose from stick to fabrics that are premium quality and natural, soft true knits in wool or cotton. Natural fabrics feels silky soft and cosy on your child’s skin.

DENIM LOOK The denim look and chambray is a must have to everyone’s winter wardrobe young and old. Chambray can be matched back with anything from floral prints to stripes and geometrics. Comfortable soft stretch denim jeans are a must have items. Babies and toddlers look so cute in jeans and these days come is very soft stretchy fabric so a super comfortable for your tot.

TOP TOPS Henley tops and rompers are great in all colours. This season top pick I would go for a mustard yellow, white, red and navy and as well as a soft pink for girls.

Jacquard sweaters are a must – choose something that had a cute animal print For the basics you need look no further that Grey marle in bamboo, cotton or tight knit – soft or quilted fabric and for the little ones the zip-up onesies are a must to make it easy for busy mums.

GLITZ & GLAMOUR Girls love a bit of glitz and glamour and nothing is too over the top. I am loving fake furs in electric colour palette, glitter and sparkles with sequins and load of printed gold and silver metallic teamed with any colour. Metallic silver or gold

WINTER WHITE For a look that chic and simply sophisticated all white is beautiful. To get it just right mix up the textures by combine a true knit cotton-blend white jacket with white quilted pants and simple bamboo jersey with a simple body suit underneath this is the perfect gender neutral look for any occasion. Quilting is big in have to have a quilted winter jacket, pants and vest tops. Keep your child cozy and warm but look luxurious.

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Parenting CLASSIC RETRO STYLE

Classic 70's style looks new with bold colour that pops, while prints take the form of ditsy floral and geometrics. Inspiration from 70's retro is hot creating a newer fresh take on boho aesthetics.

Throw in a bandana for shades to create some serious baby - toddler attitude.

OUTERWEAR

Puffer jackets and fluffy or padded vests lined with a cute print are practical and kids will adore these. There are so many great designs to choose from block colours, geomantic, stripes and metallic in rose gold and sparkling silver.

For the really luxe look for kids to be wearing Burberry styles trench coat or tailored navy jacket velvet with gold buttons is so smart and elegant for both boys and girls and will dress up any outfit for that special occasion.

Article written by Eugenie Pepper from Plum Australia. Plum Australia, has fabulous and extensive collection of adorable and stylish clothes for your child. Plum clothes using soft materials that will keep your baby comfortable, which is why so many. From retro inspired designs to fashion forward trends you will find something you love on the Plum Collections website. https://www.plumcollections.com.au/

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Parenting

8 Tips to Build Confidence How do we instill confidence in our children? This is a question pondered by many parents. The most common mistake one can make is to forget that our children are a part of the whole. We are here to provide guidance, and to nurture our child's individual needs. There is a difference between encouragement and over-bearing force. But don't be too hard on yourself, parenting isn't supposed to be easy. It is a valuable lesson for you, just as it is for them. Here is an 8 step outline on how to promote confidence in an effective way:

1. Acceptance. A common mistake parents make, often unconsciously, is to live through their children. We all have an idea of what we would like our children to be. Perhaps we dream of our daughter being an actress, or our son being an accountant. We must refrain from getting attached to our idea of our children, and remember that their life is their own. When we do this, we allow them to follow their highest purpose. This alone will plant the seeds of courage within them. A lack of confidence often comes from a lack of acceptance. Our children have their own unique identity. It is up to us to nurture that, not force it in another direction.

2. Guidance. As parents, we are here to guide our children down their individual path. Think about all the times in your life when you didn't quite know the way forwards. Reminisce over your younger days and give your inner child advice. This mental time-travel can prepare you for the different ways in which you may need to guide your child. If your child has a clear sense of support and direction, there is less risk of insecurity.

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3. Unconditional love. I can't stress this factor enough. If we withhold love from our children when they don't do what we want them to do, we set them down a dark path.

As adults, we seek the love that mirrors our childhood home. If we only show love when our child acts a certain way, we set them up to love themselves conditionally. This puts them at risk of unhealthy relationships in adulthood. If we reflect our child's desires and validate them, we provide them with a healthy sense of self.

4. Teaching. Knowledge is power. The more we know, the wider our world-view. Needless to say, teaching our children about the world around us will enrich them. Imagine a child that has never been educated. That child would be lacking in direction and empowerment. It is our job as parents to pass down our wisdom. While we are teaching, let's not forget to listen. See into your child and learn from them. Recognize their gifts and cater your teaching to their individualism.

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Parenting

in your Children 5. Recognizing your own inner child. Every adult has an inner child. This is a person's supposed authentic self, or, who we are in truth. If we haven't healed our inner child we are still under the thumb of our own childhood needs. This makes us susceptible to projecting those needs onto our children. It is important for us to have self-awareness if we want to have pure intention.

Being aware of our own wounds will keep our children safe from our projections.

6. Understanding. It is important to understand the feelings of your child. Instead of invalidating your child's emotions, sync up with them and empathize. For example: your child may be fearing the first day of school. Instead of implying they harden up, meet their needs by understanding their feelings. Lead them through the experience.

7. Attentiveness. As parents, we must be aware of our child's development. What works for them? Don't be afraid to be creative! Start piano lessons, practice the alphabet, embrace your artistic side. Activities such as these help a child's cognitive development. Have fun with them, and always give your undivided attention.

8. Encouragement. There will be times when your child lacks motivation. Inspire them. Show them new roads to achievement, and remind them of their capabilities. Never make a child feel inferior. It is up to us to uplift them so that they can live to their highest potential.

Article from Joshua Uebergang. Joshua helps men build friends and influence people at Tower of Power. He is author of the free guide "How to Build Confidence: 100+ Self-Confidence Tips".

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Helping to Build Confidence in

Confidence in young people, especially teenagers, is one of the greatest hurdles they will face in their development. Young people have a particular desire as part of their teenage development to be accepted by their peer groups more than their family and teachers.

Access to social media has created a problematic situation in which young people can appear extremely confident online however struggle to be the same in face to face interactions and settings that involve bigger groups of people. The mere thought of having to talk in front of others (particularly their peers) is enough to trigger young people into a phobic like responses. Shyness too is something that can become so crippling that it stops a young person from achieving their fullest potential due to perceived outcomes and reactions of others if they were to put themselves out there and been ‘seen’.

The nature of social media has made it problematic for young people to transfer their online personas into face-to-face reality.

So how do we help young people to overcome these fears and shyness? As we know it is almost impossible to work in a career that is completely autonomous without any interaction with others (unless you’re a toll booth operator) but they hardly exist these days anyway.

Thanks to a scientifically validated healing tool called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or ‘tapping’ we now have a handson approach for helping young people overcome their extreme shyness and improve their confidence. This healing tool works on the pretense of releasing emotional charges that are held in our bodies when we experience negative feelings or emotions.

Think of Chinese Acupuncture combined with psychology. But instead of putting needles in us we tap on certain parts of the body whilst talking about the issues that they are experiencing. It has now been identified in the new science of understanding the link between the mind and the body means it is no

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longer just enough to talk about the problem, we also gain so much more by also releasing the feelings of that problems that are felt in our body.

EFT allows us to give the fear we have words as well as where we feel it in the body. When we talk about the problem it is like bringing it to the surface and this then allows us to also shift the phobic feelings associated with the problem. We use phrases such as “All this fear about speaking in public makes me feel nervous, and I feel it in my stomach and my chest…’ whilst saying these phrases we tap through a series of points allocated on our upper body. This tapping sends kinetic energy through our body thereby releasing the ‘negative charge’ that a problem has in our bodies. EFT has been proven to help people overcome life-long fears and phobias sometimes in as little as minutes.

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Young Children

Parenting

The great thing about EFT is that once you have learned it yourself you can use it on anything (phobias, anxieties, stress, physical pain). As a tool for parents and children tapping can be done together thereby allowing everyone to experience the shifts. The benefits of that for young people is profound and gives them back their confidence and ability to interact with adults and peers in a variety of settings. What no longer needs to be accepted is that there is no hope. Emotional Freedom Technique is giving young people exactly that, emotional freedom.

There are innumerable resources online that can be accessed to learn this tool. Obviously with deeper issues such as phobias’ of public speaking, traumas and other mental health issues, people would need to seek the support of a practitioner.

What is so affirming for parents is there is now hope and there is now a way to help their children live the fulfilling and confident lives they deserve.

This article is from Sonja Courtis. Sonja is a qualified secondary school teacher and an EFT, Matrix Reimprinting and NLP practitioner. Specialising in treating stress and anxiety disorders. Has 15 years of teaching experience working with “at Risk and Vulnerable youth” Through her work I have helped improve the confidence of young people by removing their fears and phobias using the techniques mentioned.www.sonjacourtis.com

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Parenting

Top Tips when purchasing Nursery Separates

• Choose décor that will go the distance: Opt for accessory pieces such as beautiful lamps and wall hangings that will grow with your child. Aesthetically and from a dollars and cents standpoint it makes sense.

• Opt for cute accessories: Pillows with cute sayings are very big right now with phrases such as “l love you to the moon and back”. These, along with wall art with cool catchy phrases, can add a really nice handmade, homespun touch.

• Finders keepers: Go for a collection feel and choose different items to mix and match in different fabrics and textures to bring depth and individuality to the room. Our Avery Appliqued fur blanket and Avery bumper offer a beautiful ensemble that can fit with a number of different colour schemes.

• Mix it up: Choose a variety of different nursery separates such as blankets, swaddle cloths, bumpers and sheets in different textures and weights. Parents are spoilt for choice these days, so why not experiment with light cotton blankets, chenille blankets or beautiful 100% nylon blankets that feel like mohair.

Article from Childsmart. Kidsline is one of the quality brands in the Childsmart family. Established in 2002, Childsmart http://www.childsmart.com.au is a family owned and operated business and is Australia and New Zealand’s leading distributer of high quality toys, nursery and kids lifestyle products.

With an extensive range of products from some of the world’s leading brands, Childsmart caters for all infants, toddlers and pre-school toy, nursery and kids lifestyle markets and aims to introduce little ones to fun, educational and lifestyle products in an imaginative, interactive and entertaining way.

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Parenting

Reviewed Cherub Baby Colour Change Glass Bottles and Sippy Cups Glass bottles for kids? Are they serious?’ may have been the first thought to come to my mind when agreeing to review Cherub Baby Colour Change Glass Bottles and Sippy Cups. I have never tried glass bottle ranges on my kids, and curiosity finally caught up with me.

Blood n’ Guts Zombie FX Lab

by Wild Science Wild Science offers a range of children’s science kits that offer fun and excitement while incorporating interesting facts and scientific concepts. Their latest kit: Blood n’ Guts Zombie FX Lab boasts that you can make Levitating Zombie Eyeballs, Zombie Gizzards, Blood Drops, Clots and more. Read the Review

Ultimateskies Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Pillow A good night’s sleep can be a real challenge when pregnant! Issues I had were the width of the pillow meant I was taking up more room, pushing poor hubby off the edge of the bed and ultimately lacking in bump support and more. Read the

Chibebe Snuggle Pod and Rocker With three kids 5 and under and only 2 arms life can become extremely hectic, especially late afternoons, when your trying to get out of the house, when you’re coming into the house, actually it’s hectic all the time.

Introduce the Chibebe snuggle pod and suddenly you have one less hand required!

Read the review

review

Xalien the Purple Alien – Children’s book review

Pramrolla; getting babies to sleep by mimicking pram movement As a parent with a son that will not sleep

Written by Michelle Path and Illustrated

by Charlotte Roberts. This book

in a stationary pram, the Pramrolla was an appealing product. The Pramrolla is a device designed to mimic the sensory motion of a moving pram, while the pram is stationary. I was sceptical so find out how Pramrolla works.

Read the Review

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Find out more

is about an alien who crash lands on Earth, meeting three children who accept her.

Sarah, Jessica and Adam show her what humans do on earth by taking her to the fair.

They also learn from Xalien about what they do on her planet. Find out why Sara enjoyed

the book.

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Toy Corner

Showcasing Fun & Exciting Toys

CATCH the FOX! Unleash your inner Shepard and save the flock by stopping the Fox! Voted the best new game at the 2017 London Toy Fair, Catch the Fox is a hilarious game where players have to stop a greedy fox from stealing chickens. He can lose his trousers at any moment, and when he does, you have to rescue as many chickens as you can. The first to 5 chickens wins! Catch the Fox is great family fun and suitable for 2-6 players aged 4+. RRP $39.95 Available from leading toy retailers

Cake of Soap Kit

The soap in this kit can be melted and moulded to make almost any solid shape. Whipping the soap creates a stable foam that can be piped onto soap cakes to make any sweet creation you can imagine.

Suitable for Ages: 8+, RRP: $28.00 Stockist: Selected Wild Science items available at Australian Geographic, Big W, Kidstuff, Myer, Toys R US and all good independent retailers.

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Toy Corner

Parenting

With a mission to inspire people to care about the planet, the National GeographicTM Society is one of the world’s largest non-profit scientific and educational organisations. We are thrilled to introduce this special line of products which embody National Geographic’sTM adventurous spirit and values!

National Geographic Dinosaur Fossil Dig Kit

Journey to the Prehistoric Era and uncover genuine dinosaur fossils! This hands-on kit includes genuine specimens, custom digging tools and learning guide. Age 8+ RRP $24.00

National Geographic Gem Dig Kit

Dig up 3 genuine gemstones! This hands-on kit includes genuine specimens, custom digging tools and learning guide. Age 8+ RRP $24.00 From April 2017: Australian Geographic, Big W, David Jones, Kidstuff, MYER and all good toy retailers.

Fantastic Gymnastics

Get into the swing of things with this compelling and unique Fantastic Gymnastics game. Players time their speed and rhythm to gain momentum to flip the gymnast figure around the high bar.

At the right moment, hit the release button to let him fly, and try to stick the perfect landing. Get him to land on the mat on his feet for the win! RRP: $39.99 Available from: Big W, Toys R Us and Myer

Toilet Trouble

Toilet Trouble will have players laugh hysterically and share some silly, suspense-filled moments as they take turns spinning the toilet paper roll, flushing the toilet handle and hoping they don’t get sprayed with water! RRP: $29.99 Available exclusively from Target

Pass the Pigs

A classic game for generations. Pass the Pigs currently has a 4. star rating on Amazon with children and adults alike raving about the game. Pass the Pigs is a version of the dice game ‘Pig’ whereby each turn involves one player throwing two model pigs, depending on how the pigs land, points are scored or deducted. It comes in a convenient carry case which is perfect to take on holidays.

RRP: $19.99 Available from: Mr Toys Toyworld, Dymocks, Kidstuff, WH Smith and various independent toy stores.

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Lifestyle

2017 Fashion: Autumn Winter Everyday Style Jeans are the perfect everyday wardrobe item for mums. From school drop-offs, park outings and more you will look and feel good in a great pair of jeans.

They can also be dressed up or down with accessories.

These Everyday Jeans ($49.95 from Kee Clothing) are super comfortable and perfect for everyday occasions. I was impress at how well the ‘mid rise’ style and size fitted me.

They have a lovely soft feel to them as well. Roll up the cuffs for a day look or use ankle boots to style them up.

The lace top (above) from Rockmans adds a soft touch to the outfit and is perfect for warmer days. Cold weather can then be combatted with a quick poncho or jumper. The CharliBird Bamboo Poncho ($99) (right) is lightweight and ideal for Autumn and Spring as the temperatures are warmer in the day, yet you may need additional warmth while out and about.

As the weather gets cooler, the Twilight jumper from Kee Clothing ($58) with 60% cotton and 15% wool will help keep you warm. The jumper is soft, not scratchy and has an interesting neck detail which gives you a fresh, on trend look.

Clothing on this page from: Kee Clothing: www.keeclothing.com.au Rockmans: www.rockmans.com.au Charlibird: www.charlibird.com.au

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Lifestyle Genie Pants make the perfect Autumn piece as the weather is warmer during the day. The black and white Genie Pants (right) from Freez ($49) offer a little more pizazz to your wardrobe while still being easy to pair with a number of tops or jumpers. They are very comfortable pants to wear with an accommodating elasticised waist band. Perfect with flats or sandles, you can upscale the look with a stylish top and accessories.

The Freez Cold Shoulder top (right) ($39) offers a light knit that is comfortable and on trend with the open shoulder look. This top works perfectly with all types of pants and would become a wardrobe staple. Tip: Wearing a singlet underneath will help keep you warmer while looking great. It is also pictured to the left with the Kee Jeans.

Accessories above: Charlibird Double sided wool blend scarf in black/white ($49) Hansel 18k Gold Bracelet with Torquise Stone Inlay ($100)

Similar in feel to the Genie Pants, the Freez Studded Pants ($49) (above and right) feel good and are easy to wear. They are flat fronted, tapered and feature a pleated hem with press stud closure at the ankles. The studs are a great idea as you can roll up the pants at the beach or to allow more movement. The studded pants can be dressed up or down and I received a number of compliments when wearing them, which is always a good sign. I think they have been designed with Busy Mums in mind as I simply hang them up after washing to remove creases.

Pictured above and to the left, the Freez Zip back knit ($49) is perfect for everyday use. It is a great way to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe while being comfortable. The Zip back knit is soft, featuring a round neckline and the back is slightly longer to the front. The knit is thick enough for cool weather and thin enough to fit under jackets, making it the perfect day top.

Accessory above: The Sak- Cruz Tote www.thesak.com

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Clothing on this page from: Freez: http://www.freez.com.au Hansel: www.hansel.com.au Charlibird: www.charlibird.com.au

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Lifestyle

Dress it up....one dress, many ways

I love the versatility of the Freez Twist Dress ($59). Perfect for the current Autumn weather as it is; you can then add boots and a jacket or jumper during winter or pop tights and ankle boots on to change the look of the dress. Just a few of the looks have been pictured on this page. The Twist Dress is so comfortable. It offers easy movement, which is important for mums on the go, especially if having to run after cheeky toddlers. The twist to the side of the dress is a great way to draw attention away from the tummy, while the hem line sits at the knees. The area near the shoulders on the dress sits well and is ideal at hiding any lumps created by age or your bra. The Twist dress could be perfect for work, date night, dinners with friends and so much more.

The 2017 Autumn Winter Fashion Shoot was taken by MumsDelivery (seriously amateur photographers) to test the photographic ability of the Nikon 5600.

We would love to know what you think of the images included. Find out more in our Nikon D5600 review 22

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Lifestyle

It’s in the Bag...

A good handbag can make all the difference to how your day goes and how your outfit looks. I’m loving the Cruz Tote ($199) from the sak. An ideal everyday bag, it offers a number of compartments, zipped, buttoned and open to suit your every need. This black leather bag features caramel stitches on the outside and bright coloured lining on the inside. The straps are the perfect length to allow the bag to hang nicely on your shoulder ending around the top of your hip. The leather is soft and comfortable and provides the benefit for mums that it can be easily wiped clean.

Perfect for Functions, Date Nights and any other time you wish to look uber chic, this Jem Grey Croc Clutch ($187) from MOOI is sure to lift your look. I love the over-sized clutch as you can actually fit everything you need to into it. Big enough to even conceal an iPad or tablet which we know is the perfect companion to keeping kids well behaved when out somewhere special. It feels as though this clutch has been designed with mums in mind. It has a feature tassel, detachable leather wrist strap and detachable shoulder sling, perfect when your hands are occupied holding children. It is a genuine leather hide which means that no two are exactly alike, making your clutch as unique as you are. www.mooistore.com

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Lifestyle

Stand out Accessories...

CharliBird Double sided wool blend scarf in black/white ($49). Soft and warm, the scarf is thick enough for winter, yet light enough to wear for long periods of time. This scarf helps to add style and sophistication to your outfit. I love that it is double sided as this makes it more versatile and adds a depth to the outfit. RRP: $49.95 www.charlibird.com.au

Showcasing Jewellery from Hansel

Hansel Jewellery is designed in Melbourne. We chose to feature and accessorize our Winter Fashion looks with the following key pieces:

Hansel 18k Gold Bracelet with Torquise Stone Inlay

I love the pop of colour this bracelet brings to your outfit. The thick gold bracelet is on trend, stylish and is a great stand out piece. The 18k gold is plated over a high quality allergy free brass base metal and sealed with a non allergenic coating for increased durability. The turquoise stone inlay is from a sustainable source making it more environmentally friendly as well. RRP: $100

18k gold vintage inspired earrings

My favourite Jewellery Accessory from this shoot. These earrings offer a timeless accessory that can be worn with many different looks, elevating your look and helping to elongate your face. Made from high quality non-allergenic brass base metal and plated 18k gold my sensitive ears didn’t have any issues with them. Detailed with a small turquoise bead, they are an easy addition to any wardrobe and a perfect match with the gold bracelet with torquise stone inlay.

RRP : $60

Short light necklace with turquoise pendant

We chose to feature this necklace as it compliments a busy Mums lifestyle where shorter necklaces are safer and easier around babies and toddlers. This necklace features a sustainable reconstituted turquoise pendant which can be easily fastened with a sturdy lobster clasp. The necklace offers a pop of colour and style to your wardrobe.

RRP : $100

The 2017 Autumn Winter Fashion Shoot was taken by MumsDelivery (seriously amateur photographers) to test the photographic ability of the Nikon 5600. We would love to included. Find out 24know what you think of the images www.mumsdelivery.com.au more in our Nikon D5600 review

Lifestyle

What to know about your Next Winter Coat Ahhh, winter. Heaters, cake, a lower frequency of shaving and my favourite – the clothes!

One thing we can all agree on is that getting the perfect winter coat can be hard when our old one dies and it’s also an added expense from anything between $100 and even into the thousands if we’re talking designer. But how do you know what you’re paying for and how can you pick the right one?

We asked Alarna from That Effortless Bitch how to shop for a winter coat effectively so you can buy an investment piece that you hopefully won’t need to replace for years.

HOW TO SHOP FOR A WINTER COAT:

Step One: Consider your climate: We get so caught up in the idea of winter and a big heavy coat that we sometimes forget the Australian winters aren’t as harsh as other parts of the world like the United States or Europe.

What we do need to think of is what the coldest times are likely to be so you can consider your cost per wear, if it’s the type of coat you’ll only wear on a random cold snap day in winter, it’s not the best investment. – Alarna Hope However, if you buy a medium weight coat, you can always layer underneath on a particularly freezing day and you’ll at least get more wear out of your new coat.

Step Two: Understand Fabric Quality: Brands constantly trick us into thinking something is better quality than it is, and that’s usually indicated by the price. If it’s a few hundred dollars, we’ll automatically associate that with quality, if it’s black it can look more expensive, if it’s a statement coat we’ll get excited by the colour and forget the fact that it needs to keep us warm and last through a few winters. So, what’s good quality and what should stay on the rack?

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Look for woolen coats, and search the inside tag for a fabric list. Every item of clothing you purchase will have this little tag tucked away somewhere inside. It may also tell you if the garment has canvas or fused interfacing, the best quality for wash and wear is always canvassed in this respect but fused can be a cheaper alternative and if you’re looking for a cheap quick fix that you only plan on wearing for two seasons than the latter is the way to go.

Step Three: Make Sure It’s Winter Proof: Check the jacket for lining to ensure it’s thick enough and if the coat has a rather high price tag ($550 or more) then try to feel between to lining and the external fabric for any wadding or insulation. If the lining and the exterior is made of a thinner fabric, it’s not going to keep you warm.

Step Four: Check For Fit: When buying a coat, you want there to be enough room to wear a knit underneath and you want to be able to button it up and have it not pull across your bust or stomach.

If you start seeing an ‘X’ shape forming where the button closes, you’ll know it’s a touch too tight.

Also, check the length, if you plan on wearing the coat with heels, you can afford to do a longer length, but if you want to do either flats or heels, consider buying a shorter (knee length) style or have it taken up.

Always look at the shoulders. The shoulder seam should sit right on the edge of your shoulder, not hang over the edge or be sitting closer to your neck. If the area where the shoulder meets the arm sits flat and doesn’t make your upper arm bulge, you’ve found the right one. Don’t ever let a sales assistant talk you into buying a jacket that the shoulders don’t fit correctly on, it’s the most expensive alteration to get.

Last but not least: REMEMBER YOUR STYLE! Think about your wardrobe and the colours in it so you don’t come home with something completely different. You don’t want a statement coat that goes with nothing and feels like a one trick pony.

Save your self some money and invest in a coat that makes you feel fabulous and keeps you warm while you strut your stuff.

Article from Alarna Hope from That Effortless Bitch

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Lifestyle

Winter Hair Care Tips from the Experts

The Winter weather will affect your hair differently to the warmer summer months and with de-hydration being a huge issue, we spoke to a number of Hair Care experts for their tips on maintaining great beautiful hair over the winter months.

Never ever go to bed with wet hair. This will maintain a damp surface on your scalp, and when the heater is on, combined with the cold, the body doesn’t know exactly how to adapt. The key would be to wash your hair at night, and apply a strengthening and moisturizing treatment as due to the changing elements winter can dehydrate the hair. Dry your hair with a leave-in moisturizer or heat protectant spray and blast completely dry. By doing this, you can go straight into ironing or styling your hair in the morning, with a clean surface to work from.

TOP TIP - Give hair one final rinse with ice-cold water, this will seal the cuticle and give you shine like no product can! Be frugal with product also as too much of anything weighs your hair down.

You want your hair to have hold, but maintain swing and shine. Healthy shiny hair is hot hair!

Emiliano Vitale, Creative Director, e SALON Sydney Often people don’t wash their hair as often in winter to avoid having wet hair and feeling cold. To keep your hair looking and smelling fresh, use a dry shampoo in between washes. Jenni Tarrant, Owner/Creative Director, Bond Hair Religion, Canberra Ensure you use the highest quality shampoo and conditioner your budget will allow, and have your salon professional recommend the combination that is specific to your hair needs. During winter, moisture is your hair’s best friend (especially if it’s frizzy), so be sure to use a moisturizer as well as a regular conditioner. This will help to maintain equilibrium in your hair. Emiliano Vitale, Creative Director, e SALON Sydney Heating in colder climates can be just as damaging to hair as any other heat source. Apply a heat protectant product to your hair when it is damp to keep your hair wonderfully healthy throughout winter. Jenni Tarrant, Owner/Creative Director, Bond Hair Religion, Canberra Use a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair well hydrated during the winter season. Jenni Tarrant, Owner/Creative Director, Bond Hair Religion, Canberra These are expert tips, we would love to hear what works for you and the tips you would offer other mums.

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Lifestyle

Top 5 Winter Hair Trends This coming Winter, be prepared for retro fun, volume and bangs as well as a touch of classic and timeless.

For those always searching for their 'next seasons’ look' there is so much choice. Choose to be daring with either a rockin’ super mini choppy fringe or the “XXLong in my eyes but I love it” look.

Ultra volume with mass texture, even crimping is making a comeback with the likes of Jeremy Scott and Gucci creating 80's inspired hair looks for the runway.

Also try a popular wet look on occasions to amp up those cool glam feels.

For the classic fashionistas, effortless long lengths and long fringes with subtle layering will be key to best complement new fashion trends, as seen on the runways of H&M and Elie Saab.

Lobs are gaining length, and introducing bangs or soft texture will revamp the old favourite styles into 2017 hot trends. In styling, super elegant retro rolls and waves as well as hair embellishments have also been favourites spotted at Marc Jacobs, Gucci and Alexander McQueen.

Top Colour trends for 2017 Colour is nowhere near as questioned as it used to be. With more and more companies using ammonia-free products everyone wants in. This season’s key technique will be revamping the ombré where one colour merges into another.

We're taking it next level with numerous colours being blended into each other throughout the length of the hair. The trick is to keep a harmonious colour palette so there is hardly any contrast and you can't see where colours stop and start. The darker root won't be quite as contrasting this season and an overall seamless result will be the demand.

Key fashion shades are still very much pastelized with white being the new grey and blorange being the new pink. Imagine cutting open a blood orange then pastelising it. #amazing With tamer palettes you can expect to see warm blondes and cool brunettes. Darks are getting darker, choosing shades closer to black for extra depth and intense shine.

Undertones of cool auburn and matte chestnuts will also feature.

Blondes are becoming brighter with peekaboo strands of extreme lightness framing the face and overall tones of honey, caramel and roses golds making an appearance.

Tips from Sam James-Cockayne, Creative Director, EVY PROFESSIONAL Thermal Styling Tools and Salon Director, Orbe North Adelaide

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Food

Healthy Popcorn Healthy Fun Chicken Balls Ingredients: 1 packet of dates 1 cup of desiccated coconut 1/2 cup dried apricots Ingredients: 2 Chicken breasts, boneless, skin removed 1 Egg ½ tsp Paprika ½ tsp Garlic Powder Pinch of Salt and Pepper Bread crumbs Cooking oil spray Baking paper Method: 1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees and line a baking sheet with baking paper.

2. Chop chicken into bite size/popcorn pieces.

3. Crack the egg into a bowl, whisk lightly and dip chicken pieces into egg mixture.

4. Place all other ingredients into a zip lock bag. Add chicken pieces, close bag and shake to coat chicken.

5. Arrange chicken pieces onto the baking tray, spray lightly with oil and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.

6. Serve with a range of sauces or dips.

dark/milk/white chocolate Method: 1. Soak dates in hot water.

2. Blend and add chopped dates and coconut until forms a ball 3. Roll and cover with extra coconut or drizzle in chocolate and caramel 4. Can use other fruits or nuts to make them friendly to all allergies Recipe provided by H Baker

Recipe provided by Mickey

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Party Tea Cups

Cos Lettuce Boats Ingredients: Cos Lettuce leaves, washed Rump Steak Tomato Cucumber Red Onion Cheese

Method: 1. Take cos lettuce leaves and wash and keep whole.

2. Stir fry quickly some finely sliced rump steak (marinated in your either a wet marinade or just sprinkle some spices and salt and pepper which is what we prefer).

3. Finely dice tomato and cucumber and red onion and mix in the same bowl. Grate some cheese and put in a bowl.

4. Grab your lettuce “boat”, add some cooked beef and sauce of your choice if you desire (ie. tomato, bbq etc) and top with salsa mix and grated cheese – Kids love it and so quick and easy and healthy. (ie. you can also use chicken, beans etc – whatever meat you like or even different salad stuff too).

Recipe provided by S Williams

Food

Cheesy Cob Loaf

Ingredients 1 cup of colby cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, 1 block of Philadelphia cream cheese, 1 large jar of thickened cream, 6 bacon strips, 1 bunch parsley, 2 cob loafs Method: 1. Hollow out 1 cob loaf and leave lid aside. Break 2nd cob loaf into bite sized dipping pieces and place on baking tray along with contents of the first cob loaf 2. Chop bacon into small pieces, place in microwave on plate with paper towel on top and cook in bursts of 60sec until cooked and crispy.

Set aside.

3. Combine cheeses, cream cheese, cream & chopped parsley in a bowl 4. Add bacon to the bowl, gently mix through, season with salt and pepper and pour into a hollowed out cob loaf, place lid back on top.

5. Wrap in foil and cook in an oven at 180 degrees for 60 minutes.

6. Place 2nd cob loaf bread in oven when 5 minutes are remaining.

7. The best cheesy goodness in the whole entire world!! It’s the biggest hit at every party.

Recipe provided by T Hogan

Ingredients: Method: Party Ring Biscuits 1. On the party ring biscuit place a little melted chocolate and Life savers stick the large marshmallow to the biscuit Marshmallows – Large and Mini 2. Cut the lifesaver in half and using the melted chocolate Melting chocolate as glue stick the lifesaver to the marshmallow to form the handle.

3. Pool a little melted chocolate on top of the large marshmallow and decorate with the smaller mini marshmallows.

4. Enjoy Recipe provided by Renae

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Food

Mexican Beef Slice Vegetable Tagine with Olive The Mexican Beef Slice is a great dinner idea that can be frozen into portions for smaller children or you could bake more than one and freeze for another dinner Ingredients cooking spray 400g lean beef mince ¾ cup onion diced ½ cup green capsicum, diced ½ cup frozen corn kernels 1 tsp crushed garlic 3 Tbsp taco seasoning 1 tsp cumin ⅛ tsp dried chilli powder 1 whole egg 2 egg whites 1½ cups skim milk 1 cup self-raising flour ½ tsp ground black pepper 2 medium size tomatoes ½ cup 25% reduced-fat tasty cheese finely grated Method: 1. Preheat oven 200ºC fan forced.

2. In a medium size non-stick frypan that has been coated with cooking spray, sauté mince until browned.

3. Add onion, capsicum, corn and garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Add taco seasoning, cumin and chilli powder, combining well.

Cook a further 1 minute, then leave to one side.

4. In a medium size mixing bowl beat egg, egg whites and milk together using an electric beater. Add flour and pepper and beat until well blended.

5. Pour egg mix into a quiche or pie plate that has been coated with cooking spray.

6. Spoon mince mixture over top, then level.

7. Cut tomatoes into slices and place on top of mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 35-40 minutes or until cheese has browned.

Variation: Replace beef mince with very lean chicken mince.

Recipe from Annette Syms’ SYMPLY TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE BOOK 7

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and Parsley Couscous

Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon olive Oil 1 medium red onion sliced thinly 2 cloves garlic crushed 1 teaspoon ground coriander ½ teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 500g pumpkin, chopped coarsely 2 medium potatoes, chopped coarsely 2 ½ cups vegetable stock 300g can chickpeas, rinsed, drained ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh coriander.

Olive and Parsley Couscous 1 ½ cups vegetable stock 1 ½ cups couscous 30g butter 1 1/3 cups seeded Kalamata olives ½ cups coarsely chopped fresh flat leafed parsley Method: 1. Heat oil in tagine; cook onion and garlic, stirring until onion softens. Add spices and seeds; cook stirring until fragrant.

2. Add pumpkin and potato; stir to coat vegetables in spice mixture.

3. Stir in stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for around 10 minutes or until vegetables are almost tender.

4. Stir in chick peas; simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until vegetables in tagine are tender.

5. Meanwhile make the olive and parsley couscous.

6. When ready stir coriander into tagine. Divide couscous among serving bowls, top with vegetable tagine.

Olive and Parsley Couscous Bring stock to boil in medium saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in couscous and butter. Cover, stand about 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed, fluffing with fork when ready. Stir in olives and parsley.

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Food

Marinated Beef, Veggies & Haloumi Kebabs

A great way to get more veggies into your diet or to use up veggies in the fridge. I created this meal as a quick dinner that the children will love. The versatility of creating individual kebabs allows you to cater for your child’s food preference, so you know they will eat their dinner without complaint.

Method: Marinade 1. Place all the Marinade ingredients into a small bowl, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil season with salt and pepper and whisk together or if 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce in a container, shake vigorously to combine.

2. Into another container place all the diced beef and 3 tablespoons soy sauce Juice from half a lemon cover thourally in marinade. Place into fridge and 2 heaped tsp Dijon mustard leave for at least 20 minutes or overnight.

2 heaped tsp Wholegrain Mustard 3. Soak wooden kebab sticks in water.

4. Cut capsicum, onion and haloumi into cubes for the 2 heaped tsp minced garlic (about 3 kebabs. medium cloves) 5. Thread meat, capsicum, onion and haloumi onto the 1 tsp brown sugar kebab sticks in preferred order.

6. Cook kebabs in a pan or Grill on BBQ until meat is Ingredients 1 kg diced beef, marinated cooked and veggies are tender.

1 Red onion, sliced into cubes Mushrooms, zucchini’s or cherry tomatoes would also Red Capsicum, sliced into cubes work nicely on the kebabs.

Green Capsicum, sliced into cubes Haloumi, cut into cubes

Basil Pesto Pasta

This Basil Pesto Recipe offers a quick and easy family meal. Perfect for mid-week nights, the pesto can be whipped up in 15 minutes while the pasta only takes another 10-15 giving you dinner in less than 30 minutes. Better still, double the pesto batch and freeze some for next time.

Ingredients: 3 gloves garlic peeled 3 cups Basil ½ cup pine nuts slightly toasted 1 ½ cups shredded parmesan 8-10 Tablespoons of oil A dash of lemon juice to suit your taste buds (optional) Salt and Pepper Method: 1. Lightly toast the pine nuts in the oven on 180 for 5 minutes or until toasted. Remove and set aside to cool down.

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2. Add the garlic, basil, parmesan and pine nuts to your food processor and blend until chopped well. Gradually add the oil while the motor of your processor is running to combine and stop when you are happy with the consistency.

3. Season with the Salt and Pepper and mix through.

4. Add a dash of lemon juice if desired to suit your taste buds.

Note: This amount of Pesto is perfect for 500g (or a little more) of pasta.

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Beauty Lifestyle

Common Winter Beauty Problems

The dry cooler months of winter are approaching and with them they bring a number of common winter beauty problems. Many of us will find our bodies getting dry, flaky, itchy and brittle skin issues. To combat this, we have determined the 5 most common winter beauty problems and offered our suggestions on how you can help solve them.

1. Scaly Skin

Winter is notorious for giving your skin the crocodile look. Caused by dry skin the pattern looks unappealing yet is simple to fix.

Regularly applying a moisturiser will help rehydrate your skin. On top of this, exfoliating once a week will remove any dead skin and encourage new skin growth. The most effective way to do this, is to follow your exfoliation with a good quality body moisturiser to provide long lasting nourishment. Warm baths are ideal in winter as they warmth will help open up your pores so that your moisturising effort is more effective. In addition to this, drinking a good amount of water will help to keep your skin hydrated.

See the Products we tested to combat scaly skin

2. Dry/Irritated Hands

There is no question around why our hands suffer more in winter conditions; the dry air, consistent washing and use of our hands mean that they quickly deteriorate. Wearing gloves while washing dishes will help and the constant use of a good quality hand cream is the most effective treatment. I recommend keeping a hand cream in your handbag and car so you can apply it whenever you get a chance.

Keeping another hand cream on your bedside table is also ideal for application just before bed. In addition to this, applying moisturiser each time you wash hands is a good routine to get into.

See the Hand Products we tested for Dry Winter Hands

3. Chapped Lips

A common problem suffered by many in winter, the best way to prevent chapped lips is by keeping a good lip balm handy and applying it constantly throughout the day. Avoid licking your lips as the water and dry air worsens the situation.

Exfoliating your lips will help reduce the chapped skin and you can easily make your own exfoliant with a mixture of sugar and honey. As with dry hands, we recommend keeping a number of lip balms handy so you can always apply as needed.

See the Products we tested for treating Chapped Lips 32

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Beauty

4. Dry Scalp and Frizzy hair

As with the rest of your body, your scalp is bound to dry out as well over winter. This causes dandruff to become a bigger problem. Using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner will help nourish your scalp to reduce this. In addition to this, dry hair also creates a static, frizzy look.

Frizzy, damaged hair tends to occur more in winter from the overuse of hair dryers to avoid damp hair. To fix this, a deep conditioner or nourishing hair treatment will help as well as specialised hair tools, designed to reduce the frizz or dry your hair quicker.

See the Products we tested for Winter Hair

5. Dry, chipped and flaky nails

Unfortunately, as with all the other common winter beauty problems, chipped and flaky nails are caused due to dryness.

Having your hands in and out of water constantly in combination with the dry air increases the issue. Using gloves while washing dishes will help reduce this somewhat, however the best method is to rehydrate your nails. You can do this with cuticle creams, hand creams and by applying a base coat before nail polish.

There are also natural health remedies available to replenish some of the minerals in your body that will help your hair and nails to grow stronger.

See the Nail Products we tested Winter Make-up Tip Keep the tones natural and using light and shade for face shape suitability. Natural is the key with the base, then Lashes can be enhanced with mascara or artificial fibres. Lips trends are strong and bold or just soft pink or bronze neutral. Choosing the right tone for your skin is an important decision so your make-up compliments with the rest of your complexion. Susana Montero, La Unica Salon in Drummoyne, Sydney.

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Beauty Lifestyle

Essential Winter Beauty Products Here are some of the Winter Essential products we tested.

Click the links within the previous article for further information on each product and others we tested...

MODELROCK Lip Scrub RRP: $35 Olive 100% Natural All-Purpose Balm RRP: $22.95 50ml

Fresh Therapies Nourishing nail elixir RRP: $24.50 10ml

Le Soin Des Mains RRP: 29.95 40ml

Rose Hand Scrub RRP: $27.00 (120g)

Coffee Coconut Scrub RRP: $18.00

Skin Moisture Boost Lotion RRP: $11.99 200ml Elegance Hand Cream Oud Jasmine RRP: 21.95 125ml

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Reference of Sweden Ultimate Repair Treatment Masque

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Beauty

Taking Care of your Body & Skin in the Dryer Months With Winter just around the corner, this means we can expect dryer skin, less sun exposure, the tendency to eat more and a feeling of wanting to do nothing but stay in the warmth of your bed all day. With this in mind, it is important that we adjust our daily routine to take care of our skin and body during this time.

When it comes to skin, the colder seasons will see a lot of dryness and patchiness in your skin (face and body)! One great way to keep your skin moisturised is coconut oil! This stuff can basically be used as an all over beauty product for softer feeling skin. Use it as a moisturiser, lip balm, or even as a great makeup remover!

Try adding an oil or serum to your skincare routine in winter. This will just give your skin that extra bit of concentrated moisture that you might not need in summer. Another great way to lock in the moisture on your face is an easy at home DIY face mask! One of my favourites is avocado, mixed with egg whites and lemon juice. Use this face mask once a week and your skin will thank you for it!

When it comes to your body, don’t forget to moisturise as much as you can (coconut oil can be used for this too)! The cooler air will make your skin look and feel dryer than the summer months. If your skin is feeling extra dry, try an exfoliator to get rid of any dead skin. An exfoliator with oils will also help really moisturise your skin! Although it is tempting to stand in the shower under scolding hot water, try keeping your shower water to a warm temperature – the hot water can often dry out the skin, which is the last thing we need in winter!

Now, let’s talk Vitamins. Vitamin D is a great one to take in winter, as the lack of exposure to sunlight means less Vitamin D for your body! Vitamin D helps maintain normal blood levels and has been proven to support a healthy immune system and be a mood lifter. Another popular one for winter is Vitamin C. We all know that although it can’t prevent you from getting a cold, Vitamin C helps boost your immune system and can therefore help fight of bacteria and prevent you from picking up sickness from others or it can sometimes also reduce the length of your sickness by a day or two!

Now in winter it is extremely common for the cold weather to encourage some people to stay in bed, have lazy days and feel a lower amount of energy than they normally do. Iron is a great way to give your energy levels a boost in the winter months! This is a great way to keep you exercising in winter which is important to keep up during the colder months. Although there is far less motivation to exercise in the cooler months as most of the time your body is covered up under layers of clothes, exercise is still important to keep your body in tip top condition!

Exercising also releases endorphins which is another mood booster for the winter months!

So there you have it, my top tips for looking after your skin and body over the Winter! Don’t let the cold weather get you down, and remember, coconut oil can be used for everything so stock up before everyone finds out about this beauty secret!

Article from Brooke Pagel. Brooke works as a naturopath at Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse.

Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse has become one of Australia’s leading retailers in health, beauty and medicinal products. Please visit www.goodpricepharmacy.com.au

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Beauty Lifestyle

Bathing Products to De-Stress a Busy Mum Bathing especially in winter offers a number of benefits for busy, stressed out mums.

Read our previous article about the Benefits Bathing can bring. Utilising specialised bath products can enhance the experience, offering solutions to ailments or simply increasing the opportunity to relax, replenish and revitalise

Relax in the Bath with: Jasmine Bath Salts Relax, warm and uplift your spirit. Jasmine oil heals dry skin and aids the fading of scars. Jasmine is good to heal eczema and dermatitis.

In a bath before bed, these salts will also promote a deep slumber.

MD Says: the Jasmine flavour is relaxing and helpful to destress and calm the nerves. I like the way the Jasmine will promote a deeper sleep as I often struggle to sleep well. Available from: www.freyasnourishment.com.au RRP: $16.00 Pamper & Bliss Gift Box Handpicked to create blissful "Me Time" for anyone who needs a little unwinding and relaxation. This lovely Pamper Gift box offer lovely organic bath products to ease the mind and soothe the body in a calm and natural way.

MD Says: Overall, the Pamper and Bliss Gift Box offers a lovely gift that is designed to provide an ongoing pampering experience with two 100g soaps and a large bath tea which will be able to be used time and time again. Read our review to see why it offers great value for money. RRP $43 From www.prettylittlesomething.com.au Coconut & Lavender Milk Bath With Epsom salts to sooth tired muscles, the coconut milk powder will nourish dry skin while the lavender essential oil calm will calm you down after a stressful day. As it is made from natural ingredients it is safe for the whole family to use.

MD Says: The Coconut and Lavender Milk bath has a nice creamy feel to it. The milk texture in the bath is calming and you can feel the oil within the water which will help make your skin feel smoother. The coconut and lavender scent is soothing giving you a relaxing bath. AU$16.95 Available from: Ohsococo.com.au Olive Refreshing Bubble Bath A gentle, luxurious bubble bath with extra virgin olive oil that cleanses and rehydrates your skin, leaving it feeling soothed and refreshed. The Olive Leaf extract is a great antioxidant while the pink grapefruit oil offers antiseptic properties, the olive oil nourishes and the balm mint helps you to relax.

MD Says: The Olive Bubble bath creates a good amount of bubbles and has a calming smell. I love that it includes an antioxidant and an antiseptic. The olive oil within the bath is great on your skin as well. $16.95 250ml Available from: http://www.simuolive.com.au

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Beauty

Body Enhancing Coffee Coconut Scrub This deliciously scented scrub leaves your skin beautifully moisturised and glowing. The caffeine in this scrub helps to plump the cells thereby reducing the appearance of cellulite. The coconut oil nourishes your body and the cinnamon is a natural antiseptic helping reduce the bacteria on your skin, helping to diminish spots and smooth out bumps and blemishes.

MD Says: The Scrub was easy to use. Dry in the pouch, it is easy to get the scrub and there is a slight coconut smell mixed within the caffeine smell.

Once you wash the scrub off, you can feel the coconut oil and your skin feels much smoother and softer. Available: www.freyasnourishment.com.au RRP: $18.00 Rose and Pomegranate Bath Salts Rose promotes circulation, reduces blood pressure and keeps your skin shining with youth and vitality. Pomegranate oil prevents free radical damage and slows the aging process by enhancing elasticity and promoting cell regeneration.

MD Says: The smell from the rose petals is lovely while the pomegranate oil feels fantastic. I really like the idea that the pomegranate can enhance elasticity and promote cell regeneration.

Available from: www.freyasnourishment.com.au RRP: $16.00

Targeted Cleansing and Detoxing

Original Mud Detox Bath & Body Mask MUD is a clay bath powder designed to detox your body, smooth your skin and relax your mind. MUD's key ingredient, Bentonite clay, has an electrical charge which comes to life when married with water.

The negative charge in the clay attracts the positive charge found in toxins, and this is how toxins are extracted.

MD Says: I like that the Mud Bath can be used as a masque or within the bath. We tested both and found both options to work well. You need to mix the liquid together which is easy to do. In the bath, it is easy to relax and simply enjoy the water as it apparently helps remove toxins. Compared to a coffee scrub, the mud bath is less messy and much easier to clean from the bath. As a masque, the mixture wasn’t very thick, yet I could feel a slight tingling on my face as it was working and it did harden. After removing the mixture, my face felt super smooth and my pores looked smaller.

RRP: $24.95 Available from: www.mudmudmud.com Earth tu Face Body Scrub Earth tu Face combines pure salt from the Dead Sea with organic plant oils to create a beautiful exfoliating blend that leaves the skin smooth and hydrated. Fresh uplifting botanicals provide a lovely light herbal scent. The result is a therapeutic body scrub inspired by Ayurvedic health principles that exfoliates and moisturises the body in the bath or shower.

MD Says: This scrub has great exfoliating properties. It is easy to get out of the tub, rub around and you can feel the exfoliation occurring.

The oil is both nourishing and smells great. Once dry, you feel smooth and your skin looks and feels great. RRP: $69 Available from: www.ecoture.com.au/products/salt-scrub

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Beauty Lifestyle

Beauty Spot

shedding light on beauty tricks, products and more

Winter Remedies Body Slimfit Cellulite Reductor + Slimming Serum 200mL Using unique Lipid Suction Fat-Burner Technology, the Body Slimfit Cellulite Reductor will fight and visibly reduce infiltrated cellulite and speed up the fat burning process in cells whilst unique actives block metabolism of glucose into fat deposits inhibiting lipogenesis. Skin looks youthful, toned & glowing for skin to show off. RRP: $49.95 Available from: alphakeri.com.au Plump & Renew Serum 30mL This highly effective multi action natural daily serum visibly improves wrinkles, hydration and corrects skin tone for youthful brightness. The Plump and Renew Serum uses effective anti-ageing ingredients such as Argan Oil and Echinacea Purpurea Extract. RRP: $21.95 Available from: naturalinstinct.com.au Fresh Therapies Nourishing nail elixir This organic Nourishing Nail Elixir from Fresh Therapies helps to regenerate new cell growth, nourish and condition the nails and cuticles. Rich golden in colour, its blend of Jojoba, Apricot, Neroli and Frankincense essential oils is perfect for most skin types, including those with psoriasis and eczema. With its antiseptic properties, the elixir also helps to soothe minor skin irritations around the cuticles.

And it's great for anti-ageing, too!

RRP: $24.50 10ml Available from: https://ecoture.com.au/products/ nourishing-nail-elixir ANTHEIA Liquid Micro Peel The ANTHEIA Liquid Micro Peel is the perfect blend of science and nature, packed with potent botanical extracts and AHA’s. The removal of dead skin cells in the right way contributes to allowing moisturisers and serums you use to better penetrate your skin, making them more effective and keeping your skin youthful. RRP: $29.95 Available from: www.shopantheia.com

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Beauty ECO TAN - FACE TAN WATER Eco Tan's Face Tan Water is a gradual tanning toner for face, neck and décolletage, building with repeated application to create a perfect sunkissed glow. Its non-comedogenic, lightweight formula applies just like a toner and its anti-acne and anti-ageing formulation hydrates the skin.

Suitable for all skin tones, the Eco Tan Face Tan Waterl: • Brightens & evens skin tone reducing the need for foundation/make up • Blend of aloe vera, orange peel and rose geranium • Free from synthetic fragrances, artificial orange dyes, parabens & GMOs • Made with natural and organic ingredients.

RRP: 29.95 Available from: https://ecoture.com.au/products/face-tan-water Airbrush Miracle liquid foundation Ultra light, breathable make up that gives the look & feel of bare skin - only better. This foundation gives a nice medium coverage for a fresh, silky flawless finish that won't settle into fine lines or leave your skin dry & cakey.

It's super hydrating Aloe Vera infused formula will quench parched skin for healthy radiance. Whilst the Apricot kernel, carrot seed & macadamia nut oils will replenish moisture & reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Available in four beautiful shades that adjust to your skin tone & allow your beauty to shine through.

RRP $29.95 Available from our website www.mgnaturals.com Organic Vegan Liquid Concealers Our liquid Concealer is lightweight and glides on silky smooth ideal for camouflaging skin imperfections. With the benefits of natural minerals, light reflecting properties help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and hide dark circles. It provides SPF protection and moisture to your skin while repairing damaged cells. Our formulation is made with premium cosmetic grade, organic ingredients which include Rose hip oil, Carrot seed oil and soothing Aloe Vera.

The soothing aloe vera base will do wonders for healing & soothing any blemishes while hydrating your skin. Our concealer formulation is great for sensitive skin and sensitive eyes. *Vegan *Organic *Titanium Dioxide FREE *Fortified with Organic Cucumber & Japanese Green tea RRP $17.95 Available from our website www.mgnaturals.com

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Travel Lifestyle

Sun Chasing Holiday: Kid Friendly

The temperature has been dropping lately, and moods can often go down right along with it.

Now, don’t get us wrong, we love hot chocolate in front of a fire or a ski holiday as much as the next person, but sometimes, when it’s cold outside you catch yourself dreaming of balmy beaches, right?

And with kids it can be even worse. They’re stuck inside and bored - a combination that often leads to trouble.

But to help you skip the worst of your winter woes and instead make 2017 the year of endless summer for you and your family, we’ve asked Rebeccah Elley, lifestyle and money editor at Mozo.com.au to round up some of the best kid-friendly destinations to catch some sun.

1. Port Douglas, Australia

You don’t have to bundle the kids onto an international flight to escape the winter blues this year. Sunny Queensland can be a welcome escape, and Port Douglas is close to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, with temperatures in the mid 20s even in winter. This is a perfect getaway if you’re pressed for time, or don’t want to take young tots too far from home just yet.

Top travel tip: If you’re driving up to the Daintree National Park, be sure to keep some cash on you, because some of the shops and ferries along the way don’t accept plastic.

2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysian culture is very child-friendly, and Kuala Lumpur in particular is like an oversized fun park for young travellers. From the huge free water playground, Mega Kidzworld indoor play centre, to the aquarium or science museum, there’s so much to keep kids busy on a holiday in Kuala Lumpur, that they may even sleep through the entire eight hour flight back to Australia.

Top travel tip: If you need to exchange money for Malaysian Ringgit, avoid the pricey currency exchange outlets at the airport. There are heaps of forex booths in major centres and you’ll nearly always get better rates there than you would in an airport.

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is a great place for kids of all ages and your children will be instant celebrities in Thailand, where locals love tiny tots. Not only is the city a cultural hub, it’s also the heart of elephant tourism (just make sure to book an experience with an ethical elephant park). And for older kids, you’ll find plenty of fun activities like trekking, ziplining, and bamboo rafting.

Top travel tip: You’ll usually need cash for markets, street food or tuk tuk rides in Chiang Mai, but it’s a good idea to use a card for big payments, like accommodation, so you’re not carrying around a stack of cash.

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Travel

destinations for a winter free 2017 4. Brittany, France

France might conjure up images of Parisian cafes and riverside strolls, but if you’re after something a little different, you can do France on the cheap while embracing your inner outdoorsman. Brittany is one of our favourite spots for camping in France. There are heaps of campsites around, most of which come complete with elegant cabins and a pool. Sit back and relax while your children make friends with local kids staying at the camping grounds.

Top travel tip: The Euro is generally pretty strong against the Aussie dollar, so France is not the cheapest destination around. Keep an eye out for a good exchange rate, and think about locking it in on a prepaid travel money card before you go.

5. Šibenik, Croatia

Šibenik isn’t as well known as Dubrovnik, just down the Croatian coast, but there are a couple of great reasons to have it on your winter destination list. In late June to early July, Šibenik hosts the International Children’s Festival, and July and August are the European school holidays, so there are heaps of events for kids held at this time of year.

Top travel tip: When looking for accommodation, remember that kids under 3 often stay free in Croatian hotels, and you might want to consider renting a private apartment, which is usually cheap and gives you the flexibility of cooking your own meals.

6. Tenerife, Spain

How does this sound: you book in the holiday, arrive and then everything is taken care of from that moment on. A stay at one of Tenerife’s all-inclusive resorts is heaven for busy mums. Most resorts have a kids club, as well as poolside entertainment and events. Plus with food and drinks all included in the cost, this no-brainer holiday is all about lazing in the warm Spanish sun.

Top tip: This kind of holiday is designed for sticking to the resort, but there are plenty of day trips like whale watching or a trip to a volcano around if you think your kids might go a little stir crazy.

Just remember that these cost extra, so plan for them in your budget.

Author: Rebeccah Elley is the lifestyle and money editor at financial comparison site Mozo.com. au which helps everyday consumers get a better deal on everything from their travel money to savings accounts. Whether it’s an in-depth guide or quick blog, Rebeccah loves nothing more than passsing on her money saving tips to everyday Aussies.

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Travel Lifestyle

Top 5 Australian Winter Holiday

Whether you’re embracing or shunning the colder months, winter is a great time to take a mid-year break and spend some quality time with the family.

If you’re one of the few Aussies who can’t wait to dust off the sheepskin boots and curl up in front of a crackling fire with a mug of hot chocolate, there are plenty of Winter Holiday Destinations If you’d rather avoid winter altogether, the entire top end of the country stays relatively warm and dry throughout the year, offering plenty of options for families who want to escape the winter chill.

Fast Cover have handpicked five Australian winter destinations to suit all traveller types and budgets for your next family holiday.

Want to hit the slopes?

Selwyn Snowfields, NSW If you’re thinking of taking the kids to the snow this winter, you won’t have to agonise over a decision on where to go for too long. Your choices are fairly limited to either the Victorian Alps or Snowy Mountains in New South Wales.

Our pick is the Selwyn Snowfields in Kosciusko National Park as a more affordable and familyfriendly option than some of the other ski resorts. There’s a safe snow play area with a toboggan run that children of all ages will love, and daily ski classes for primary-school-aged kids and above.

Selwyn also has a choice of beginner runs for kids who are ready to hit the slopes on their own.

When the family has worked up an appetite, there’s coin-operated BBQs and picnic tables, or a cafeteria in the main lodge with plenty of options for fussy eaters. Everyone can warm up with a hot chocolate or cup of coffee before heading back outside for more fun.

Family fun in the sun

The Gold Coast, QLD If you’re looking to escape the cold weather, head north! Queensland has plenty of family holiday destinations perfect for escaping the winter chill. The Gold Coast is only half an hour’s drive over the border from New South Wales, and is a popular choice for young families.

Let the kids run rampant at one (or all) of the Goldie’s famous theme parks: Dreamworld, Movie World and SeaWorld – all of which have rides and attractions to cater to both little and big kids.

Then wind down your holiday with a visit to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to get close to some cute and cuddly animals and hand-feed lorikeets in a beautiful natural setting, or simply soak up the winter sunshine on one of the many beaches.

A relaxing family break

The Sunshine Coast, QLD If you’re looking for a more low-key winter getaway, the Sunshine Coast is only two hours’ drive further north of the busier Gold Coast. Not only is it home to the legendary Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, Sea Life and Aussie World, but also some of the best beaches in the country.

You’ll be spoilt for choice with almost 100 kilometres of spotless sand from Noosa to Caloundra – but our pick is Coolum or Mooloolaba beach where you can wander along the Esplanade and tuck into a fresh seafood basket straight from the wharf.

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Destinations for Families

Travel

The Sunshine Coast hinterland is also stunning. Take the kids waterfall and wildlife-spotting on a bushwalk in the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, or explore the quirky shops and cafes in hidden country towns like Montville. A stroll around the Eumundi markets on a Saturday morning is also a must to pick up some souvenirs and handmade fudge.

Get off the beaten track

Ningaloo Reef, WA For the more adventurous family looking to avoid the crowds and go remote, Ningaloo Reef is arguably one of the most pristine coastal destinations in the country. The 260-kilometre-long reef is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is Australia’s largest and most accessible fringing reef.

Enjoy a stunning western sunset and activities like fishing, snorkelling and four-wheel-driving in the balmy tropical climate where a typical winters day rarely drops below 25 degrees Celsius! The reef coast is dotted with camping sites rather than luxury hotels, but the Ningaloo Reef Resort caters for those who prefer indoor plumbing and a roof over their heads. It’s a decent drive from Broome or Perth though, so prepare some good road-tripping tunes in advance!

Escape to the tropics

Port Douglas, QLD If you’re serious sun-seekers, head to far-north Queensland where there’s almost no such thing as winter! Port Douglas is a coastal town with a relaxed holiday vibe and is a gateway to natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, Mossman Gorge, and the tropical Daintree Rainforest.

Book a river boat tour where the kids will love spotting wild salties basking on the banks, or you can take one of the Ngadiku guided walks to learn about Indigenous customs, bush tucker, and hear a few Dreamtime stories. Enjoy breakfast with the birds at the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat and a stroll along Four Mile Beach, or there’s jungle zip-lining, parasailing and speed boat tours if you need more of an adrenaline hit.

About us: Fast Cover provides Australian travellers with award-winning travel insurance that’s fast and simple. Their flexible policy options are backed-up with 24 hour worldwide emergency assistance and include free cover for up to 10 children when travelling with their parent or grandparent on the same itinerary. For more information or to get a free quote online visit: https://fastcover.com.au

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Travel Lifestyle

Escape to a Winter Wonderland this Winter If escaping the winter (completely) this year isn’t an option, we say embrace it! What better way to do this than combining a family road trip with a snow getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Let the kids tear up the slopes, rip around a toboggan run or simply enjoy an alpine lunch or hot chocolate among the snow gums; there’s so much do one day isn’t enough!

An easy three hours from Melbourne, Mt Buller is the most accessible major snow resort in Australia and offers a slate of reasons to embrace a Victorian winter. With over 300 hectares of skiable terrain, a huge network of lifts & runs, and an action-packed winter calendar of events and activities to appeal to everyone, Mt Buller may just be your big snowy answer to a long grey winter.

On the snow choose from skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and tobogganing - Mt Buller has two toboggan parks, complete with their own snowmaking machines to keep the kids happy for hours. Off the snow you can catch a movie at the cinema, hit the indoor rock climbing wall, pat a husky, roast marshmallows by an open fire or head out in search of the illusive Mt Buller gnomes with the Gnome Roam map (whilst Mum has a relaxing massage at the day spa).

Whether it’s for the school holidays or a quick weekender Mt Buller has made winter weekends even longer in 2017 with ‘Twilight Sessions’. On Saturdays and Sundays in July and August Mt Buller will extend winter hours of operation, with the Village Toboggan Park open continuously to 8.30pm each evening, all under lights, and from 15 July the Bourke St lifts will run through until 8.30pm too, so the kids discover the fun of skiing under the stars.

To make your snow trip more affordable, aim to travel outside of peak times (June and September are ideal), and avoid the crowds by arriving mid-week. The snow is still great in off-peak times and you can take advantage of special offers which offer great savings, like ‘Kids Stay Free’ in June and September (at participating venues).

For the first timers – a few tips on what to bring. In the snow it’s best to dress in layers to trap the warmth in, with a waterproof outer layer to keep you dry. Don’t forget a beanie, gloves, some sturdy waterproof boots, and most importantly – a sense of adventure!

For more information on spending a winter at Mt Buller head to the website www.mtbuller.com.au

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Reviewed Homedics Pedi Luxe Foot Spa Let’s face it, as busy mums we don’t always have the opportunity to spend a lot of time on ourselves or to indulge ourselves in luxuries like pedicures. so see what the Homedics Pedi Luxe Foot Spa can offer you. We were able to put it to the test and here is what we thought. Read the

review

Mini Lifejacket 3 The Altec Lansing Mini Lifejacket 3 is a portable blue tooth speaker suitable for a busy family’s lifestyle. I like the way the Mini Lifejacket 3 from Altec Lansing claims to be “everything proof”, so I had to test this. See what our tests

Pamper and Bliss Gift Box I love pampering gifts. They are a favourite ‘goto’ gift idea for mums, aunts, sisters and friends as everyone loves to feel a little special and I don’t know a mum who wouldn’t enjoy a reason to take 5 minutes to relax and rejuvenate. See our review of this lovely Gift idea for Mums.

Globber 18.0 by Kleefer I always wanted to be a ‘fun’ mum, being involved in my children’s lives and enjoying activities with them.

After breaking my wrist rollerblading with the kids; I thought the dream was over. The Globber 18.0 by Kleefer scooter has given me new hope. See the

revealed...

review

Philips Grain Master We have loved using a Rice Cooker for years, so hubby couldn’t wait to try the new Philips Grain Master.

Philips boasts that its Grain Master has innovative technology to ensure every grain of rice is well cooked to shiny fluffy fragrant taste. What a challenge we had; to test this and see if it lives up to its promise. Read the review

Spoil Mum and Raise Funds with Soy Wax Candles Candles offer a great way to invite fresh scents into the house, to promote relaxation and are the great gift idea. While all mums will love any gift they are given, I have found a great way to elevate Mother’s Day school stalls and other fundraising opportunities to offer women something they would really like. See the review

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‘Just Like Molly’ ‘by Pippa Dowling I have a friend called Molly, she loves playing games.

Molly sleeps under my bed, nobody can see her, only me.

One day Molly wasn’t in my room, she wasn’t anywhere.

That night I cried. This is a beautifully simple book that reassures kids that there is a friend out there perfect for them. A gentle story of friendship and having the courage to make new friends.

RRP: Soft cover - $17 Hard cover - $25 Available from: Empowering Resources http://www.empoweringresources.com.au/our-books/ The Leaky Story Set sail on voyage into the imagination and discover why books can be the best fun of all. A book sits abandoned on a living room shelf. While the Blossburn family happily gets on with other things like watching TV and playing video games, the book aches to be read. Slowly it starts to swell. Then it starts to leak! At first it’s only a small trickle, but when pirates sail out of the book, the family must band together to reclaim their living room. An action-packed adventure into the wonderful world of books, the power of the imagination, and the importance of family. RRP $24.99 he Leaky Story is available from www.ekbooks.org and wherever good books are sold Och Aye the G’Nu Legendary Australian rocker, Jimmy Barnes, has written a delightful collection of poems for his cheeky red-haired, blue-eyed grandson, Dylan, who he affectionally calls G’Nu. Written when he last visited Scotland, Jimmy’s enduring connection to his family and heritage is felt throughout the entire collection.

Available from: all book retailers, ABC Online, Big W and Target RRP: $19.99

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For Mum

The Great Australian Birthday Cake Book features 80 memorymaking cakes with a stunning range of creations to suit any occasion.

From bears, boats and ballerinas to pigs, pirates and princesses - and even the latest in emojis - The Great Australian Birthday Cake Book has the perfect cake for everyone. The book is designed to guide you step-by-step through all the basics with plenty of practical design and decorating tips. A laminated A1 template sheet tucked into the back cover of the book will help you create any cake you desire. The book is available from June 2017. RRP $39.99.

Engaging Adolescents Parenting teenagers can be tricky at the best of times. But when the tough issues arise — behavioural problems, unacceptable risk-taking, bullying, alcohol abuse — things can get extremely difficult and parents can struggle with what to do. Drawing on psychologist Michael Hawton’s 30 years of experience, Engaging Adolescents is a practical guide to help you steer your teenager through the challenging times with confidence.

Available from: www.exislepublishing.com.au and wherever great books are sold. RRP: $29.99

When Business Meets Baby All over the globe, women are taking control by starting their own businesses – businesses that (they hope) will grow around the needs of their babies. If you are ready to combine entrepreneurship with the rewards of motherhood, let this book show you how to do it with love, grace, business smarts and pizazz. RRP: $30 + postage Available from: www.whenbusinessmeetsbaby.com

RAA RAA THE NOISY LION: THE LION’S SHARE Raa Raa is a loveable, little lion who enjoys having lots of noisy fun adventures! He lives in the Jingly Jangly Jungle with his friends, Zebby the Zebra, Crocky the Crocodile, Huffty the Elephant, Ooo Ooo the Monkey and Topsy the Giraffe. Raa Raa has made a new toy and sets off to ask his friends if they can guess what it is. Can you guess what the toy does?

Available DVD 3 May & Digital Download 15 May

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JJ Cole Arrington Nappy Bag Find the perfect spot for everything with the multiple pockets and compartments in this fashionable tote. The Arrington comes equipped for your on-the-go lifestyle with three carrying options, a padded electronics pocket and coordinating changing pad. RRP: $129.95 Available from: www.babybunting.com.au

Dreambaby® EZYReach Organiser With its generous storage, it’s just the thing to store all your must-haves when you’re out with little ones. It has two internal drink holders and also comes with a Zip-On, Zip-Off wristlet with headphone access. RRP: $29.95 Visit Dreambaby® http://www.dreambaby.com.au/ or call (02) 9386 4000

Looking for a breakfast option with NO ADDED SUGAR? Wholey Foods Breakfast Smoothie blends are made from all natural ground oats, nuts and seeds, boosted with whey protein with absolutely no added sugar, nothing artificial and definitely no boring taste.

Available in luscious cocoa and natural vanilla flavours, Wholey Foods Breakfast Smoothies taste delicious when blended or shaken with your preferred milk and fruit or veggies of choice.

Available online at www.wholeyfoods.com.au RRP: $16.95 (for a 500g, 10 serve tin)

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ICONSPEAK ecococoon vacuum insulated, leak free and spill proof bottles keep cold water cold for 24 hours and hot water warm for 12 hours.

With a focus on simplicity and functionality, ICONSPEAK strives to ensure you can travel the world and speak to everybody, everywhere.

RRP – $44.95 Available online at www.ecococoon.com.au and selected retailers

Closer to Nature Express and Go System Tommee Tippee new Closer to Nature Express and Go System aims to make life easier by using a single pouch to express, store, warm and feed your child. There’s no need to transfer milk at any stage, so you’ll never lose a precious drop of breast milk. The Express and Go range is available at Babies R Us, Baby Bunting and Big W. Find out more at www.tommeetippee.com.au RRP: $130

Dreambaby® Strollerbuddy® Ezy-Fit Giant Stroller Hook.

This giant hook simply fits onto stroller handle bars to help with heavier loads. Made from strong, lightweight aluminium it’s also ideal for use on some wheelchairs, shopping trolleys, walkers & more. Great to take away on holidays to assist with carrying your retail therapy! The wave design ensures your bags won’t slip and slide.

Easy to install, it’s sturdy, compact design makes it easy to easy to store as well. RRP $14.95 Visit Dreambaby® http://www.dreambaby.com.au/

Lifenest™ Hammock Style Cot & Bassinet Mattresses Lifenest Bassinet and Cot Mattresses are not only soft and comfortable but provide a safer nights sleep for babies. Designed by a doctor, its unique woven cradle contours to the shape of the baby’s head avoiding damaging pressure and distributing it away from any soft spots. Assisting in preventing and treating flat head. The breathable netting also allowing the baby to breathe through the netting if he or she accidentally rolls onto their stomach.

Soft and comfortable, easy to care for. Available in a range of sizes. Sheets also available.

Available from: www.lifenest.com.au from 1 June or Protect-A-Bed 1300 857 123 RRP: Standard Cot 130 x 68 x 12 cm $599 (GST free)

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Violet & Lily Pram Liners Violet and Lily stock an exclusive range of high quality, luxurious pram liners. Our pram liners are a universal design, to fit all prams and come standard with extra thick padding and a butterfly cushion headrest, providing extra comfort for your baby whilst also protecting your pram. Violet and Lily pram liners are machine washable and all purchases include Free Shipping Australia wide.

RRP: $89 - $129 www.violetandlily.com.au

Caruso’s Kids Probiotic Immune Booster has been specially formulated to help support immunity and relieve digestive problems in children from 2 years of age.

Each chewable Caruso’s Kids Probiotic Immune Booster tablet contains 5 billion, good, friendly bacteria. It’s a one a day, dairy and lactose free chewable tablet that kids love. Also, it’s fridge free so you don’t need to store it in the fridge. RRP: $19.95 - 30 Tablets

Comic Landing Pad This is the perfect bean bag to catch your little (or BIG!) superhero. Made in a size that would be just as comfy for a toddler as it would for an adult.

Designed by our very own graphic designer, with imagination and fearlessness at its heart to embrace the essence of childhood that we should never grow out of.

Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, you can take this bean bag anywhere with the help of the carry handle. RRP: 129.95 Available from: www.minibeanz.com.au

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