Busy Mums Magazine: Sept 17: Spring Summer Fashion, Outdoor Play & Creating Balance

Busy Mums Mag

Volume 17 September 2017

Outdoor Play

Home Organisation & Balance

SS17

Kids & Mums Fashion

Fraser Island

Editors Note Welcome to the September Edition of the Busy Mums Magazine . Our September edition focuses on enjoying the warmer weather with Outdoor play ideas, toys and tips. We have also done our Spring Summer Fashion Shoot and have loads of gorgeous Children’s Wear and Women’s Clothing & Accessories to share with you.

Most of the mother ’s I talk to, discuss their ongoing struggle with stress, feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope . We look into the role Home Organisation and Diaries can play in minimising stress and other ideas to help you achieve a balance .

We hope you enjoy this edition and would love to hear from you! We would love your suggestions on stories for the next Magazine or your own personal stories.

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

Fashion

Rediscovering time under the open sky Best Outdoor Toys for School Aged Children 5 Spring Activites to enjoy 30 Minutes of Mum CHILDRENS SPRING SUMMER FASHION Beach Safety - Are you sun smart enough?

Toy Corner Latest Kids Reviews

SPRING SUMMER 2017 FASHION Spring into Style How to extend the life of your footwear

Lifestyle Home Organisation Creating & Maintaining Balance Maintaining your work-life balance Kitchen Counters: The No Clutter Zone

Food Great Family Recipes

Travel Other New Releases New Books New and Noteworty items

Whale Watching on Fraser Island Affording your Family Holiday

Parenting

Rediscovering Time Under The Open Sky

5 Outdoor Sensory Play Ideas for Slowing Down with Children If there were a theory of the fantastic as there is for logic, then we would be able to discover the art of invention. (Novalis) In 1973, the Italian writer and children’s book author Gianni Rodari set this quotation in the introduction to his magnum opus, The Grammar of Fantasy. However, imagination requires no theory, merely time.

Time is the main element children need to discover their personal art of invention. They are driven by their innate intuition, imagination and creativity as they handle, explore and experiment with objects and materials. The joy of learning is also stimulated by imagination and not only through logic.

With a young child’s physical health and well being in mind, I tried to imagine outdoor spaces where children can slow down, enjoy time, develop their soft skills, and experience psychomotor learning. These prepared environments nurture the child’s self-guided exploration of sensory perception, motion, creativity and imagination, in nature & daylight.

Each prepared environment can be set up and equipped by the parents or teachers themselves, or together with the children. Any outdoor space can be used: gardens, backyards, terraces or the areas surrounding day care facilities. I have designed 5 play ideas children can engage with just by following their intuition. Here they are free to experiment, understand and apply anything their innate creativity suggests.

Take time to observe the children, slow your pace along with them. Do not set any rules or explain how a play idea might be improved, simply listen to their stories and enjoy the quality of your time together.

1. “The Fairy Tale Forest”

A fairy tale forest exists somewhere in the outdoor space around every house, school or day care facility. It is a space children seek out to play by themselves with no, or very few toys, and where they use nature as the stage for their games, adventures and stories. This can be a shady place under a tree where light and shadow form particular patterns, or one near large stones where moss grows to form a green carpet for their stories and games.

If your children won’t have discovered this place in the outdoor space yet, you can prepare the environment: lay out Willow branches, some rocks and half cut smaller tree trunks to create an inviting retreat to serve as stage and scenery for the great stories and fairy tales children will invent.

2. “The Outline”

Children love rocks! They love throwing them, rolling them and using them to build things. «While the child builds up the tower, she is actually building herself too,» wrote German pedagogue, Hugo Kükelhaus (1900–1984) in his reflections on the ways that bodies are able to learn.

How about giving children an opportunity to compare natural shapes with their own shape? Feeling comfortable in space is something children

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Parenting need to experience starting with their own proprioception. Learning in outdoor spaces allows them to explore how their body feels comfortable in relation to the earth and gravity.

3. “The Cretan Labyrinth”

This is a place/space that kids can explore in all sorts of ways: barefoot for experimenting with their tactile sense, balancing on the edges, moving backwards, forwards and sideways, going inside and coming back outside, discovering shortcuts and playing with their sense of direction. The most fantastic thing for children, though, is actually building the labyrinth. They can use sticks, stones and ropes to do so, or dig it in sand, mud or grass.

Designing labyrinths challenges children and helps them discover the complexity within simplicity.

4. “The Humming Bucket”

Remember Peek-a-boo? While the goal here is not to help kids grasp the concept of object permanence, the Humming Bucket does make use of the psychomotor basics of that game, alternating light and darkness, sight and invisibility, and presence and absence. Here’s how it works: a child starts out by observing a bucket sitting on a tree stump outside in the daylight. She then puts her head inside the bucket and begins humming or buzzing to herself, experimenting with her auditory perception and feeling her body’s vibrations. She might choose to close her eyes to “look at” or simply concentrate on herself. Afterwards she will experience the joy of “resurfacing” into the daylight. The “humming bucket” construction can also be used to improve children’s communication and language skills, and to help them find their way to resilience. All you need is a plastic bucket (or a large vase or soup pot) and a tree stump!

5. “The Laundry”

Your own childhood memories play a crucial role in designing the Laundry. Do you remember the fresh smell of clean laundry hung up to dry in the backyard or garden? Do you remember the sensation of the washing brushing against your skin as you walked through? Wasn’t it just wonderful and tempting to play among these clothes lines? And wasn’t it a shame that your parents wouldn’t allow it? Can you recall the stories, adventures and playful ideas that were born in this laundry landscape?

A garden or the outside areas of preschools can easily recreate this wonderful opportunity for creative outpouring. Transferring this everyday experience to your outdoors prepared environment is a wonderful and playful way of promoting the development of a child’s physical abilities, movement patterns, social-emotional skills and imagination.

Written by Tommaso Lana. Tommaso Lana is an education consultant who has worked for several years on nurturing children’s self-guided learning experiences through motion, sensory perception and outdoor play. To learn more about his work please visit tommasolana.com.

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Parenting

The Best Outdoor Toys for School Aged Children

1. Sporting Balls

High Bounce balls or tennis balls for hand ball; soccer or netball balls to kick, catch or shoot hoops with, are all a great way to keep your child entertained in the backyard. The balls don’t need to be fancy, nor do you need goals or other sporting equipment (unless shooting hoops). Instead create goals or targets utilising trees or other indicators. Create games like poison ball to give them greater fun. A flat wall or fence is a great option to kick a ball against or to practice your tennis shots.

2. Bikes/Scooters

If you have a backyard or driveway where your children can ride bikes or scooters, these outdoor toys are a must. Not only do they help build coordination, gain confidence and provide hours of enjoyment; they are fantastic outdoor toys that can be taken out for family fun days at a local bike track or on holidays.

3. Water Balloons

Perfect in the warmer months, water balloons are a hit with boys and girls alike. They love throwing them at each other or playing catch or cricket.

Getting wet is a hit with children of all ages and with the hot summers we have, they offer a perfect way to cool down. Gone are the days of spending 30minutes tying up water balloons for 5 minutes of fun, thanks to Bunch O Balloons. Within under a minute you can have 100 Balloons ready to go.

4. Walkie Talkies

Walkie Talkies are a fun way for the children to play games outside. We originally got and used ours for Camping, however the children just loved having them and wanted to extend their use to playing in the backyard.

The Walkie Talkies have become an extension of their pretend play and enjoyment in the yard. We love the Uniden Walkie Talkies as they are easy to use, durable, good quality and importantly affordable.

5. NERF Guns

1,2,3,4 I declare a NERF War! My children each have a NERF gun (to make it fair). The boys really enjoy this activity, however when my daughter has friends and they become teams the girls get really involved too. They can run around after each other aiming and shooting; hiding and creating strategies when playing with a group of friends. The key to this outdoor toy is to have enough for everyone to play and strict rules around their use. Our rules are: Never in the face, Privates or at close range. The other rule is that you are responsible for your bullets – after you shoot, you pick them up, as mum is not going to continually purchase replacement bullets.

Thanks to our good friends at Uniden, we have a 4 pack of Multi Coloured Walkie Talkies to giveaway to one of our readers. Enter here

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See the Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers Here

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Parenting

Five Spring Holiday Actvities to Enjoy with the Kids Spring holidays are here and time is running short to start making plans for the next great family adventure.

Here is a list of the best 5 spring holiday activities to enjoy with your kids.

Camping

Camping is a great way to spend quality time with the kids during the upcoming spring holidays. By being indulged with nature, not only do you help your children embrace life at its very core but also to enhance their curiosity to learn and understand the cycle of life.

As David Attenborough once said, children are curious by nature. The problem is that once you reach adulthood, it seems as though the natural curiosity is lost. Prove him wrong by going back to your roots of exploring the world all over again.

Not only does camping allow your child to be one with nature, but it also encourages them to learn basic survival skills that may prove to be useful throughout the rest of their lives.

Beach Activities

With winter being too cold, the summer sun being too hot, and spring being just right, there is no better time to enjoy the beach than springtime. There’s just something serene about being by the beach, listening to the waves crash onto the shoreline, the gusts of wind blowing in your face, that it almost feels magical.

There are no limits as to what types of activities you could do at the beach. From building a sand castle to water sports such as canoeing, jet skiing, banana boating, the spring holidays will fly by quickly. After all, teaching your kid to swim in the sea could be a great way to build their water confidence as well.

National Park Walking

One of the most amazing wonders Australia has to offer is its vast numbers of national parks.

Spring is a beautiful time of year to explore both flora and fauna as the plants start to grow again bringing new life into the forests.

So why not boost your child’s fitness this spring holiday with some good family bonding time walking around and exploring the national parks?

Grow a Garden

Now that winter is over, it could be the ideal time to start testing out how green your kid’s thumb is.

Not only will you be teaching them about the life cycle of plants, but you will also be giving them the opportunity to feel responsible for the growth of life. Continue reading the article here

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Parenting

30 Min of Mum:

A game to provide quality time with each child After watching a heart-wrenching story it became all too clear that the only thing in life that really matters is FAMILY. It would be great to be able to constantly spend quality time with our children; however we have to live in the real world where work and housework need to be done as well, so how can we create a balance in the everyday juggle.

Inspired, I created a new game with my kids called: Thirty Minutes of Mum. The idea behind this is that each child gets thirty minutes of mum doing an activity they want. What I like so much about the concept is that the time amount can be reduced to 10-15minutes when school is on or our time is more limited.

My children loved the idea and each child came up with activities they would like to do with me. Miss E (my crafty one) chose to make a Raspberry Slushie and coloured pasta necklaces. Master L chose to have Mum play Mario Bros on Wii U with everyone, while Master J chose a water balloon fight.

While we were doing each activity, I didn’t time them exactly and some took longer than the thirty minutes, however I didn’t mind as we had time to play with. We also ended up doing one of the activities the following day, however as the children had lots of fun already doing the other activities, they didn’t mind. As the mum, an ideal part of this game is that you can provide guidance to your children with which activity will fit into the time slot available.

For me, the game was a great success.

I liked the ability to give them the opportunity to decide what they wanted to do and I enjoyed allocating pure quality time to have fun with them. It also helped managed the holidays as I could complete household chores in between the activities and they didn’t bother me as they knew they had time with me coming up.

I would love to hear your thoughts or if you have tried something similar and it has worked for you. Lorie

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Parenting

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The Widdle Waves Shirt and hat set ($49.99) along with the Widdle Waves Boardshorts ($39.99, right) both from Rashoodz offer a gorgeous, bright and visible swimming outfit. The Shirt and hat set can be clipped together to avoid the hat being taken off or lost.

The Boardshorts are quick drying, and comfortable with a drawstring waist.

This Pineapple Party Rashie Swimsuit ($59.99, above) offers great sun protection while at the beach for young children. The Swimsuit provides UPF50+ protection and is Chlorine Resistant. Ideal for babies and toddlers, the hat is attachable to the shirt with clips and it also offers easy nappy changes with clips there too.

The Polly in Pink Long Sleeve Bather ($39.99, right) is a sweet costume for girls that offers additional sun protection with long sleeves without being a rashie.

Chlorine Resistant, it offers UPF50 protection and the zip makes it easier to get into and out of.

Swimwear from: www.rashoodz.com.au Towels pictured from: www.tesalate.com Umbrella pictured from: www.beachkit.com.au

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Parenting

These bright, cute toddlers printed Funky Trunks ($28.95, above) offer a front lining and drawcord with a wide elastic at the waist to provide a more comfortable fit. Funky Trunks are made with an exclusive C-Infinity fabric, a 100% Italian polyester offering a breakthrough in chlorine resistant fabric technology. Also make with the C-Infinity fabric; the Funkita Party Army, Girls one piece ($39.95) features full back coverage and a racer strap finish with full front lining.

The Funkita Sweetie Spike ($34.95, right) is a cute printed one piece for young girls. This classic style is easy to put on and take off with full back coverage and a racer strap finish along with full front lining. Available in sizes 1 - 6.

Swimwear from : www.funkytrunks.com & www.funkita.com

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Parenting

Funkita Prickly Pete ($64.95) features a diamond back strap finish and modest rear coverage as well as front lining. Made from exclusive C-Infinity fabric which has exceptional strength and can retain its durability far beyond other elastane swimwear fabrics. Ideal for frequent pool use for recreational and performance based swimming.

Funky Trunks Classic Boys Briefs ($29.95).

Cut with 5cm sides and flat elastic waistband and flatlock stitch finish. There is a drawcord and single front lining.

Swimwear from : www.funkytrunks.com & www.funkita.com

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Parenting I love this cute look from Eternal Creation with their Cool Blue Overalls ($52) and their Blue Strip Cotton Shirt ($37). Perfect for going out and looking great while feeling comfortable in 100% Cotton. The overalls feature 5 handy pockets in contrasting fabrics to stand out. With a snap button inseam for easy nappy changes this outfit is perfect for Summer.

Perfect for the Spring Weather, this Nimmy Luxe Organic Romper ($24.95) is teamed with the Pappe Dewy Check Pant ($79.95, right) from Pappe. The Organic Romper is made with Turkish cotton to bring comfort, and a soft touch to your babies skin. The Check pants are made with soft premium Japanese cotton, and perfect for young explorers. With deep pockets for treasure they find along the way, this quality, easycare piece makes a bold statement.

As the weather warms simply swap the check pants with the comfy and stylish Beau Bloomer (74.95, left) to add a little of old-world charm to your outfit. Made from a mixture of Cotton and premium Turkish cotton linen, these bloomers will keep your little one comfortable and stylish wherever you go.

Eternal Creation: www.eternalcreation.com Pappe: www.pappe.com.au Towels pictured from: www.tesalate.com

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Parenting

The Flyaway Sundress ($59, left and below) is bright and comfortable – the perfect mix of ‘park ready’ or special occasion. Fitted with a comfy elasticated waistband and a pretty frill neckline, the flowers and butterflies are perfect for every princess.

The Hoopla Frill Dress ($50, above and right) has a beautiful floral pattern and is versatile with cute angel sleeves and a frill hemmed skirt which is great to create a lovely twirl. It can be fastened with a bow tie at the waist or worn loose if preferred.

Both are made from 100% Cotton and available Dresses from Eternal Creation: from Eternal Creations; a fair trade company aiming www.eternalcreation.com for long term sustainability.

Swimsuit from: www.rashoodz.com.au

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Parenting

These gorgeous dresses are perfect for a big occasion, parties or just to look and feel like a princess.

The Bluebird Dress ($54.95, above and below left) from Oobi has layers and layers of soft tulle to create a lovely skirt that is comfortable while the top of the dress features a gorgeous hand stitched embroidered bird and love hearts. Made from 100% Cotton with Nylon Net Skirt.

The Colette Dress ($49.95, above and below right) is delightful and offers a good fitting dress that every girl will love. The bodice is fully smocked and features layers of Oobi-printed cottons with a pretty net tulle at the bottom. For a limited time is also comes with a free felt and fabric brooch.

Oobi: www.oobi.com.au

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Parenting

Let your little one enjoy fun in the sun while looking chic in quality baby and children’s wear from Pappe. The Putney Luxe Organic T-Shirt ($34.95) For days of playing, this T-Shirt is a classic piece made from premium, soft organic Turkish cotton for pure comfort and exceptional wearability. Pair it with the Beau Bloomer ($74.95) cotton and linen shorts to ensure your little one will be able to do whatever he or she wants. Why not let them climb, slide, build and explore while looking and feeling great.

This Green Deer Singlet Bodysuit ($20.35, below) from Bespoke baby is so cute. Made from 100% Cotton it is soft and breathable. The low cut legs are ideal at hiding the nappy and the V neck makes it easier to get over baby’s head. Cute by itself, you can add the matching Green Deer Shorts ($16.95) for a great out and about outfit. Also made from 100% Cotton, they are easy to put on, crawl in and super comfortable, making them the perfect everyday outfit.

Towards the end of our shoot, this gorgeous Zebra Sleeping Bag ($35.96, left) was perfect as nap time drew nearer. Made from 100% pure cotton super soft fabric it is breathable and ideal for summer sleeps. Featuring a twoway zip for easy nappy changes with a protective strip of material at the top of the zip to stop it from annoying baby. The Bespoke Zebra sleeping bag has a 0.3 TOG rating.

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Pappe: www.pappe.com.au www.mumsdelivery.com.au Bespoke Baby: www.bespokebaby.com.au

The towels pictured throughout the shoot are from Tesalate ($59USD). They are fantastically vibrant, fold up to a very small size and are designed to be sand resistant which I love as they make it easier to dry yourself without gaining additional sand.

I love the Daytripper 210cm Beach Umbrella ($89.95) from BeachKit; the larger size is perfect for big families.

The Daytripper Umbrella was easy to set up and I like the way you can tilt the umbrella to best suit your needs. Overall the umbrella is lightweight and finished with quality features: anodised non-rust poles, UPF 50+ protection and mildew resistant fabric.

In addition to these, an essential beach accessory is good quality sunscreen.

There are many sunscreens available to provide different coverage and to offer different ways to apply the sunscreen. Choose one that best suits your needs. It is easiest to apply at home and then remember to reapply every 4 hours or after a good swim.

Tesalate: www.tesalate.com BeachKit: www.beachkit.com.au

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Beach Safety - Are you Sun Smart Enough?

The weekend rolls around, it’s a beautiful sunny day and you and your family head to the beach. The picnic is packed, shade tent is in the boot and the children are covered in sunscreen. Do you really need much more sun protection than that?

Actually, the answer is yes.

The Australian sun is harsh and can easily cause serious damage from the intense UV radiation. Direct sunlight, especially on days with a UV index rating of 3 and over, can result in painful sunburn which is linked with skin cancer. According to the Cancer Council Australia, the UV damage caused through sun exposure in childhood can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. It is vitally important that younger children, are protected with sun smart clothing.

We often speak to parents who wonder why we need all this sun protection that they didn’t have as children – are parents too pedantic and fussy nowadays? In fact, studies have shown that UV levels have increased over the last 50 years. Our romanced version of our childhood frolicking on the beach for hours is a distant memory.

As skin cancer caused by UV radiation is on the rise, the Cancer Council recommends slipping on sun protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible. In addition, many people are unaware that different fabrics and colours of clothing provide vastly different levels of UV protection, white cotton, for example, offers very little UPF sun protection. Choosing tightly woven fabrics made from polyester or nylon offer the best protection and have the added bonus of being quick drying.

With children, you want protective clothing that is not only lightweight and comfortable but also UPF 50 + as this can block out up to 98% of the sun’s harmful rays. You also want the rash guards or sun protective clothing to protect areas such as the neck, shoulders, chest and back. It is also essential to make them wear a hat to protect the face.

Rash guards with a zip are especially kid friendly as it makes it easier to get on and off the child. As you know at the beach, the kids are rearing to go and get impatient. The quicker you can get them sun protected and having fun the better! Wearing protective clothing is also a way of reducing reliance on sunscreen – which frees up valuable time, otherwise spent reapplying sunscreen every few hours.

Another attractive feature of rash guards is that they dry really quickly. As kids will be in and out of the water often, this is a great point. They can also even add a layer of warmth when they are playing in the water on the shoreline. Fabrics also offer more protection when dry.

Author: Husband and wife duo Justin and Cath Dowling are passionate about sun safety which lead them to launch sun protection label Cat & I - https://www.catandi.com.au/ Their range of stylish, high quality rash guards for adults and children are designed to protect from sun damage during harsh Australian summers.

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Christmas is coming...

Get ready with our Christmas Gift Guides: Stocking Fillers Babies Toddlers Pre-schoolers

School Aged Children Tweens & Teens For Her & For Him

Out early November

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Parenting

Toy Corner

Showcasing Fun & Exciting Toys

Mayka Toy Block Tape instantly transforms virtually any

surface into a base for toy building blocks, figures and accessories, giving a whole new lease of life to this beloved pastime. One side features a bendable, flexible surface with a toy block pattern that is compatible with leading toy block brands and can be cut to any desired size. The other side has a re-usable adhesive backing to allow builders to construct on nearly any object, around corners and on curved surfaces to make 3D creations. So, in other words, building blocks are no longer limited to vertical creations.

Mayka Tape - The Original Toy Block Building Tape comes in numerous sizes from RRP$9.99.

Available from all good toy stores including Kmart, Big W, Target, Toys “R” Us.

Marvel Retro Top Trumps

No need to call on Iron Man, Spider-Man or Captain America to help you win these retro-style, Marvel Comics Top Trumps – they’re all already in the pack!

Discover who is the strongest, who has the best powers and who is the bravest.

But watch out, Loki and Galactus might pop up to trump your mightiest hero!

This Top Trumps pack is perfect for ever little superhero out there. RRP: $9.99 Available from: Big W, EB Games, Dymocks, Toys R Us and various independent toy stores.

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Toy Corner

Parenting

ZURU Tangle

Twist, shape and fidget with ZURU Tangle. ZURU Tangle has endless uses - they can be a puzzle, a movable sculpture, a desktop toy, a fidget, a brain tool, an anti-stress device, accessory or even a cosmic art toy with special powers! The possibilities are limitless! Available in four styles, each with 6 colour combinations: Classic, Crazy, Metallic & Sparkle.

Available in Australia exclusively from Kmart (other stores from November). RRP: $4.00 Available in New Zealand from end October at Farmers, Kmart, and Whitcoulls

Shnooks Get ready for the opening surprise! Pop the bubble, shake and bring your new best friend to life. Shnooks magically grow 8x in size from their shnubble-bubble pack! Style their luscious hair with their collectable comb and friendship hair clip, and they'll SHNOOK after you! Six loveable colored Shnooks to collect, all with their own personalities. Shnooks, character and accessory packs, RRP $10.00 Available at Big W.

Pokémon Trainer Guess is the all new amazing electronic guessing game!

Just think of a Pokémon and answer the questions, and Trainer Guess will figure out what Pokémon you are thinking of. This awesome game features voice recognition so you can talk to it too. There’s all 151 original Pokémon to capture, add to your collection and tick them off in your guide book. How many Pokémon can you catch? RRP $29.00. Suitable for ages 6+. Available exclusively at Big W. Super Sand is an all new, 100% natural alternative to traditional

dough, designed to create the ultimate sand moulds! Each Super Sand Set includes a variety of moulds to create all kinds of sand designs including mega sand castles and super cute sand animals.

Best of all it never dries, so you can use it time and time again!

Super Sand Starter Pack RRP: $19.99 Suitable for ages 4+. Available exclusively at Toys R Us.

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Parenting

Cool Baby Finds Violet & Lily Pram Liners Violet and Lily stock an exclusive range of high quality, boutique 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. We feature designs for boys, girls and also have neutral and organic options. Violet and Lily pram liners are machine washable and all purchases include Free Shipping Australia wide.

Special Deal for Busy Mums: Enter code busymums10 at the checkout for $10 off your purchase.

RRP: $99 - $129. Purchase from: www.violetandlily.com.au

Grubeze is a waterproof, full body coverage suit

specifically designed to protect little grubber's clothing from liquid spills and stains during feeding. A highly effective alternative to a bib or smock which allows parents to encourage baby-led-weaning and self-feeding without the associated mess and stress.

RRP: $74.95 Available from: https://grubeze.com.au

Kaboost

KABOOST is the one-of-a-kind portable chair booster that raises the height of 4-legged chairs, allowing your child to sit, talk and eat comfortably at the table alongside the rest of the family. There's no tricky assembly required, and KABOOST snaps onto the chair in seconds. Plus, KABOOST weighs just 1.6kg.

RRP: $79 Available from: https://www.kaboost.com.au

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Parenting

Reviewed Disney 3D Crystal Puzzle The Disney 3D Crystal Puzzles are a fantastic way to challenge your Millennial to do something more than be on the computer.

Each 3D Crystal Puzzle comes with translucent crystalline pieces that interlock to create a 3D shape of your favourite Disney Character. Read the Review VTech My Zone Laptop Designed for 3-6 year old’s; the VTech My Zone Laptop can help your child prepare for school or simply have a bit of fun.

With two older children; I liked the idea of having a tech toy I could give to my youngest (4.5 years) that he could be proud of and that would help him prepare for school next year.

Read the Review

Dream Start Baby – a baby sleep & routine education resource Dream Start Baby is a series of instructional videos to guide parents through those sometimes daunting first twelve months.

The videos are split into age categories, then further categorised by topics (such as sleep, feeding etc). Read the Review

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CoziGo a portable pop up sleep cover for baby Life is busy with a baby and two older children. You have the added complexity of trying to get to all the children’s activities whilst attempting to keep some sort of sleep routine for the baby. Not to mention the very occasional night out for dinner. Read the Review to see how CoziGo helped achieve a sleeping baby while out and about.

Xalien the Purple Alien Goes to School by Michelle Path This book is about an alien returning to Earth to revisit the three children she met and became friends with on her first trip. Sarah, Jessica and Adam show her what humans do by taking her to school. They also learn from Xalien about what they do on her planet.Read the review

Rosie’s Dolls Clothes Dolls clothing, shoes, accessories and more. Rosie’s Dolls Clothes are committed to providing quality doll clothes that are fashionable, easy to put on and come with a 100% money back guarantee. See what you can get and Read the Review

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Fashion Lifestyle

Step into Spring with this Freez Bees Knees Jumpsuit ($49). A casual, lightweight, ontrend, piece that is great for busy mums. The black colour is ideal to offer slimming properties and hide children’s mess. It can be worn with sneakers or dressed up with heels and a bright necklace. It features an elasticised top and waist with two side pockets and back pockets.

Freez: http://www.freez.com.au

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Fashion

Perfect for Busy Mums, this Poetic Gangster basic Tee ($25) will keep you feeling comfortable while being a little sassy. Made from 100% combed ring-spun cotton it features side seams for a slim fit while offering a longer body length.

This Freez Dreamer Dress ($69) screams Summer lovin’ with its bright colours and open shoulders. For mums it offers great versatility; in that you can look great wearing it with sandles for everyday activities or dress it up with heals when going out. The elasticated scoop neck is comfortable and I like the shirred waist with the front split. I teamed this dress with the Oodles Pink Rose Gold Leather Sandles ($129) from Cinori Shoes for a comfortable yet stylish look. The Kay Cool Tote ($85) is practical with loads of space and a insulated interior (removable) bag that is ideal for mums wanting to keep bottles or food cold while out. The cream colour will work well with any outfit while making a statement of its own.

Poetic Gangster: https://poeticgangster.com/ Freez: http://www.freez.com.au

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Shoes: www.cinori.com.au Bag: www.coolclutch.net

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Fashion Lifestyle Perfect for the Spring Season, the Freez Bliss Top ($39.00, right) is bright and on trend with the floral design. This lightweight top is great as the weather warms up and can be worn with pants, skirts or even shorts. The design ensures you can wear it wherever your going; from work to play dates it will be suitable everywhere.

The Genie Pants ($49.00, right) are my go-to Spring Fashion item. Comfotable, stylish and perfect for the warmer weather. Teamed with the Opium Nude Rose Gold Leather Sneakers ($169.95) to add a touch of elegance to the outfit.

Hot busy days are made easy with the outfit on the left. Comfortable, stylish Opium Nude Rose Gold Leather Shoes with the lightweight, comfortable Peace Out Shorts ($39.00) and the elegant floral Freez Dreamer Top ($49.00). The Dreamer top is lightweight and on trend with its Cold Shoulder Cut-Out and Batwing Sleeve. It offers a nice relaxed fit. The Shorts offer additional style and comfort with tie up bottom hems and 2 side pockets. Their stretch shirred waist helps create a better look around the waist while the rayon cotton keeps you a little cooler. The Jeroboam Leather Tote

by Indepal ($240) pictured is the perfect nappy, travel or everyday bag for mums requiring a large quality handbag.

Freez: www.freez.com.au Shoes: www.cinori.com.au Bag: www.indepal.com.au

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Fashion

Increase your fitness levels and enjoy being an active mum with this active wear from Mummactiv. The 3/4 Pregnancy and Postpartum Leggings ($69.99), feature a pregnancy panel to accommodate a growing bump which is also great for mums who aren’t pregnant as it helps hold your stomach in. Constructed with high performance Supplex material to ensure there is no VPL when bending over, these tights are perfect for exercising all year round. Motivate yourself by embracing the Active Mum Revolution with this bamboo/cotton loose fit tank ($35). Comfotable and chic with rolled back straps it is designed to be paired with a sports crop.

Mummactiv: https://mummactiv.com

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Featuring classic white piping and a front patch pocket, you will feel like a vintage Hollywood movie star in these luxurious pyjamas. Made with ettitude's exclusive Organic Bamboo Lyocell fabric, these pjs exceptionally soft, silky smooth, hypoallergenic and breathable. Available in five colours, long and short sleeve, you can mix and match them to dress up or down, in and out of bed. Who said pyjamas are for sleeping only anyway?

Bamboo Lyocell Pyjamas Long Sleeve Shirt and Pants (sold separately, available in Pepper, Blue Nights, Dove Grey, Cloud Pink and Feather White colour) Shirt: $70-$75, Pants: $45-$50 See all sleepwear: https://www.ettitude.com.au/collections/sleepwear The iKotton Organic Cotton V Neck Camisole is designed for maximum comfort with no heavy elastic band. Wear it with or without the removable bra pads. RRP: $31.53 Pair it with the iKotton Organic Cotton Bikini Panty. Offering a classic bikini decorated with lace, Low-rise front and curvy back for a perfect fit. RRP: $18.92 iKotton designs organic cotton undergarments that are kind to your skin and gentle on the planet. Available from: https://www.ikotton.com/

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Black & White Stripe Tankini by JoJo Maman Bebe $79.95

Calypso Swimsuit by Cache Coeur $99.95 - Available in 3 colours; Black, Bordeaux and Lilac.

Cheyenne Swimsuit by Cache Coeur $119.95

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La Mer Striped Navy Swimsuit

by Pez D'Or $95

Fashion Lifestyle

Spring in to Style Spring is here! Well that’s what the date says but the weather still feels colder than north of the wall in the Game of Thrones on some days.

Your style is a reflection of your personality and an expression of your identity. It’s very important to make time for yourself even if it is only 10 minutes here and there. That might be something as simple as applying a nice colour of lipstick.

Dressing up can make you feel like a million dollars and give your confidence a real boost.

Looking good also makes you feel like an adult instead of some child’s play thing.

Be organised!! You’re a mother now and your

whole world evolves around little people, if you are anything like me you get everyone else ready, pack the nappy bag, snacks, drinks and throw on a load of washing on as you walk/run out the door and have only 5-10 minutes to dress yourself.

Be organised have an outfit laid out ready to go, even decide what you are going to wear the night before.

Spring clean your wardrobe. Put away items from winter till next year and keep any Trans seasonal pieces to tie you over till summer arrives.

Make sure you can see every item of clothing in your wardrobe. This will cut down the time you spend looking for that navy top you know you own but cannot find.

Everything must fit you Right now. If not, put it away until it does or donate it. You don’t need to be reminded of the past. Be Present.

Now you are organised you can pull an outfit straight from the wardrobe in less than 3 minutes, Right!

I’ve gone from corporate wardrobe to casual mum attire; Jeans are now my new best friend. Find the perfect fitting jeans for your body and buy them in three different colours. If you don’t like jeans than the same applies to pants, find the perfect pair and buy in 3 different colours.

The white shirt is a necessity in any wardrobe. Personally white and children don’t mix. Children see white as the perfect canvas for finger painting. I strongly recommend a shirt or blouse in a print that can disguise finger marks that does not required ironing. Image the time you can save.

Monochrome has made a real comeback this season. Dressing in head to toe in navy can make

you look taller and slimmer. Black and white combinations are really strong. These looks are really simple to put together but can pack a real punch.

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Fashion Floral is one of the biggest trends this season for both men and women. Adding a floral dress to your wardrobe can add a really nice feminine touch to your style. There are so many different styles and lengths to suit every body shape. Find your dress and add a leather or denim jacket with a sneaker for an edgier look.

Accessories can lift any outfit. You can take an outfit from day to night simply by changing your

accessories. Statement earrings are big and bold this season. Necklaces are fine and layered giving a nice touch to any look.

I don’t know about you but my feet have grown and my heel size reduces every year. Don’t get me wrong I love my heels and have a slight shoe addiction but I only wear my heels on special occasion (and those are few and far between). Sneakers are the hot ticket item this year. They are versatile and can be worn with jeans or a dress and are super comfortable.

You CAN look fabulous on any budget. You can be inspired by Gucci on a Target budget, that’s the best thing about fast fashion. It’s available to the masses. My only advice is buy pieces that you LOVE and that you will wear it to death. I’m all for sustainability in fashion but that is a whole another conversation.

To all you gorgeous mothers out there my biggest message is ‘Be kind to yourselves’ and to remember that you have created a little miracle.

Ema Smith is a mother of three and a Professional Stylist at Style Rebellion who helps people to find their style and regain their confidence through fashion. ‘Be bold, Explore and Transform’

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How to Extend the life of your Footwear Mister Minit’s Top Tips to maximise the life of your shoes:

1.

Sole mates

While great shoes take you great places they’ll take you even further if the sole is one of quality and substance. Many shoes come with a leather stitched sole which is a great start however they can wear down quickly, absorb moisture and become slippery in the wet. Having a rubber protective sole applied will avoid both, and ensure longevity. You can also have fun with coloured soles – so if you are a fan of the famed Christian Louboutin red leather sole shoes, choose red rubber soles to add a dose of high fashion as well!

Fashion lovers may also like to know that there is a new premium range of Italian heels, soles and accessories at Mister Minit – which not only protect and lengthen the life of precious footwear, but also provide additional comfort with their soft base for walking. If this sounds like you, enquire about ‘Casali’.

2.

Love your Leather

3.

Keep yourself Well Healed

4.

Scratch and Polish

It is important to remember that just as your skin needs nourishing so does Leather. To ensure the best results and longevity for leather shoes, apply a leather conditioner every 6-8 weeks. And if you pack your shoes away at the end of a season, apply a conditioning treatment along with a water and stain protector, and store in a dry, dark and cool place. Ensure the leather can breathe, to prevent mould, mildew and any other nasties from forming. Should your footwear get wet, pack them with scrunched newspaper to assist in drawing out excess moisture. Fact: Never use a hairdryer or heater to dry your shoes, as this may crack the leather!

Keep those favourite heels in tip top shape for those deserved nights out! One of the most common issues is the heel tip wearing down. The team at Mister Minit suggest replacing the original plastic heel tip with a rubber heel tip to ensure your feet stay firmly on the ground and the heel block is ultra protected.

With so much to do and so little time it’s no wonder we overlook the life of our shoes. The dirt and scuff marks really start to show just how busy our lives can be. Why not give you and your shoes some T.L.C with a professional polish?

Not only will a professional polish give your shoes a new lease on life, deep scuff marks and scratches can be filled in making them as good as new. Giving you that confidence for your next business meeting!

You can see the transformation between this pair of boots with a professional ‘Scratch and Polish’ at Mister Minit – using world class French shoe care products including 7 kinds of waxes and resin to inject moisture and shine.

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5.

Weather (child) proof your shoes often

6.

Recycle your shoe bags

It is important to treat your shoes with a quality water and stain protector before taking them out for spin! This will ensure maximum protection against the environment, whether that be dirt, rain or even your little ones! If you just can’t say goodbye to your old favourites, invest in a thorough clean, followed by a leather conditioner, keeping your shoes protected, moisturised and rejuvenated.

Not only is this better for our environment but it will extend the life of your shoes. By keeping shoes in a soft bag between wears, you can prevent structural damage and scuff marks. Although these shoe bags will protect your shoes from their environment, remember to always keep them out sunlight and away from hot areas.

For further shoe care tips, repairs and advice, please visit one of Mister Minit’s stores nationally. www.misterminit.com.au.

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Home Organisation Home Organisation is a hot topic for Mums.

Every mum I talk to has a similar struggle, feeling over worked, over tired and stressed. While utilising diaries and better home organisation strategies will not solve all of these feelings; they can help you cope better on a day to day basis.

were also more likely to take verbatim notes, and this 'mindless transcription' appeared to cancel out the benefits.” This can be useful when recording information for school activities and what you need to do before handing it in or what you need to bring.

Understanding that overwhelmed feeling well, I decided to delve into the world of diaries to see how they work as a tool for busy mums. There are many mums who are reliant on electronic notetaking and diaries, and while they can be beneficial; I am talking about the Calendars and Diaries made from paper. Now I’m sure many of you are questioning why I am going ‘old school’ so let me tell you why I believe paper diaries are more beneficial than electronic diaries.

3. Keeping everything in a diary keeps everything handy in one spot. Using a

smaller diary that will fit into your handbag is a great tool to jot activities in, notes to remember, shopping lists, important contact details and more that can all be accessed at any time.

While you can do this with your phone, I prefer writing it down as this increases my ability to remember it.

4. It can be kept in a prominent spot for the whole family including children to your brain and when writing your activities, tasks view. Having a family calendar in addition to a 1.Writing it down helps you to better remember it. There are various sections of

to do, and more; you are linking the spatial part of your brain (the writing part) with the verbal part of your brain and in turn strengthening the information stored in our memory (1). Writing within a diary that I can refer back to when needed helps me to de-stress, as I am not worried about forgetting important commitments or can go back through it to see what happened when if need be.

diary is beneficial if you have: anxious children, too many children, each doing a thousand things at once, if you want to teach your children responsibility in getting organised for their daily activities or for when your children are older and may be home by themselves to understand the family schedule and when everyone will be home.

Now with diaries there are many options available. I have pictured some of the ones 2. Writing information down leads to better I have tested and like on the following page knowledge over storing it electronically. and suggest that when purchasing a diary you Numerous studies have been undertaken to consider: determine the effect of writing vs. typing when taking notes or studying with the outcomes 1. Size. When and where will you be using your preferring ink over electronics for better learning. diary most? A5 diaries are great to fit into your According to the Association for Psychological handbag or carry around with you. Desk diaries Science(APS) (2), there is “something about ink are perfect if you are always at work and and paper that prompts students to go beyond Calendars are ideal to keep at home in a family merely hearing and recording new information— spot where the whole family can see what is and instead to process and reframe information happening. in their own words” and that Laptop users “..

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2. Functionality. What can you fit into fit. Do you need a lot of space – i.e. a page for each day or would you prefer something smaller which only offers a page for each week? Do you want sections for each family member and/ or space to meal plan?

3. Personality. There are colourful diaries, diaries with brain teasers or puzzles to help keep your mind active or diaries in which are more lifestyle accommodating and include recipes, suggestions and more.

I would love to know‌Are you a diary person? What do you love your diary?

Sources: 1. http://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/writing-and-remembering-why-we-remember-what-wewrite.html 2. http://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/were-only-human/ink-on-paper-some-notes-on-notetaking.html

Home Organisation Tools The Puzzler Diary

The Puzzler Diary will keep those noggins buzzing! The A5 Week to Opening layout includes all of the standard important diary features and what makes it unique are the brain training exercises and challenges.

RRP: $20.99 Find out more at: www.collinsdebden.com.au/diaries

The 2018 Master Plan Diary

There is an art to juggling the family schedule, and it all comes down to having a Master Plan. This beautiful diary makes it easy to see everything at a glance, with a planner for mum (or dad or nanny) and up to five children. This Family Organiser is stylish, bright, modern and is a week to a view. The layout is unique and vertical so you can arrange your day the way it suits you best. It includes an elastic Closure, ribbon marker, perforated removable notebook, perforated corners help make this Master Plan Diary so very functional. RRP$ 35.95 Available from: www.milestonepress.com.au

The Master Wall Calendar A 12 month Calendar with a two week display on each page.

Choose how you format it. Space for family members or times of the day. A great way to keep track of teenagers is to get them to write their comings and goings on a shared wall calendar.

You can use it for chores and rewards too.

Undated - so it never expires! Start using today.

RRP$ 24.95 Available from: www.milestonepress.com.au

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Lifestyle

Creating and Maintaining Balance for Busy Mums The number one thing when creating and maintaining balance is to take time out and take a very hard look at what is going on in your life and what is causing your life to have no balance.

Too many people do not want to face the fact that they could be the cause of their life being out of balance, because it is too scary, embarrassing to acknowledge that they are the ones causing this.

Do not punish yourself if this is the case, because you could be doing this without really realising it, or, you may not realise there is a solution.

The very first step is to make sure you have a diary, journal and note pad to work out what is going on.

What to do with the diary:

Write in your diary exactly what you do during the day, including times. This may seem excessive but you do really need to see what is going on. Let me give you an example, you wake at 6:00am.

You mark in your diary 6 – 6:30 shower. 6:30 -7:00 pack lunches, 7:00 get breakfast ready..

If you do this for one week you will start to pick up where you are wasting time, where someone is taking up all your time, where you could be more organised, where you could ask for some help.

When doing this, please be aware that there are no excuses being brought into this. This picture is fact, what is happening in the moment. if you are not truthful you will not be able to have a very clear picture of what you need to do to maintain balance.

What to do with your Note pad:

Ask yourself, ‘what does balance mean to me?’ (and list these in your Note pad) Is it?

Exercise Read a book Date with partner Free time without children

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Lifestyle Not taking work home Meditating A night out with girlfriends Having a facial Having a massage Require more sleep Talking to someone (professional) about your out of balance life Talk to your partner about not having balance in your life Require less stress Ask a friend or family member what they think you need to do Cut back on your working hours Change jobs Own up to the fact you love your job and want to work long hours Once you have your picture of times and what is done/achieved in those times and what balance means to you, can you slot in anything from the list of ‘what balance means to you” in any times you can see where you can fit something in?

If you have been able to fit something in, what do you need to do to make this happen? (Note pad) Is it: Require a babysitter Book an appointment for a massage Go to the gym Hire a cleaner Be confident in saying ‘No, I am not taking work home’ Put action items in your diary and commit If you choose not to do something about your balance, you will become regretful of others, start blaming others, become bitter, start to cause relationship problems. When it gets to this stage, it may be time to book in to see a professional who will support on your journey of improving your life balance

What to do with the Journal?

As you are going along doing these exercises, jot down your thoughts, both positive and negative because you need to be aware of your excuses/blockages. This is where you have a major breakthrough and start picking up what is really stopping this work/life balance for you.

When you have a break through, or as I say, when you have a ‘light bulb’ moment, congratulate yourself, give yourself a gift as this is huge.

Another part of journaling is for you to become aware of your ‘emotions’. Emotions are a huge factor in our lives. It is very, very important to be aware of your ‘negative emotions’. These negative emotions can do so much damage and can stop you from having your balance.

If your work/life balance disappears go back to these exercises. This is where you will pick up an old habit which really needs to be removed. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is great for this and I recommend that you always see a trained EFT practitioner.

Article by Denise Neville, EFT Practitioner and Success Coach. Visit www.tranzform.com.au for more information.

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Lifestyle

The secret of maintaining your work-life balance from a Tenacious Mum.

Maintaining a work-life balance is like a marriage. It takes time, commitment, and a willingness to try new things to keep it harmonious. There is no perfect solution that has a long-lasting effect, but it is possible to find a balance that provides excitement each and every day. I find my work-life balance through three simple strategies.

These strategies, which I will share below, allow me to fulfil all of the roles I must entertain every day. It has not been easy as I manage time commitments between being a full-time carer to my daughter and a business owner. Add into that mix a wife and a mother to three school-age boys.

I certainly know I am alive and some days I am not at my best. At times owning a small business has been overwhelming, when I’m managing the carer role for my disabled daughter too. However, the requirements of running a small business must fit around the needs of my caring role. It’s a daily dance between these worlds, but running my small business gives me a sense of freedom and self-worth that I am not willing to part with. And it’s these three strategies that assist me in keeping my sanity and enjoying my family and business.

First, start small with any new project that straddles the family and business worlds.

Take the time to learn how parenting and the business role will work together. If it looks like it will work, then start listing out any steps needed. It provides reference points as to where you are up to, if you are suddenly pulled away in busy times. This works beautifully for home or business projects. I keep a pad of paper handy to make notes, add new steps or jobs that must be achieved. This way I never forget where I am up too, and can add to it if I have an inspiring thought while cooking dinner.

My second strategy is finding assistance when you need it, whether in the family or the business.

If your business does take off, there will be less time for housework and making school lunches.

Assistance can be in the traditional forms of housekeeper or online shopping, but also consider upgrading any appliances to make the work load easier, like a new washing machine or a dishwasher.

My last strategy, and my secret weapon, is a powerful and inspiring organisation system for projects, appointments and general family needs. I use three tools to assist me with the mountain of scheduling between family, caring and running a small business. I keep a larger A4 diary for all appointments. Every appointment, from the boys Scout events to my daughters medical appointments and finally the business meetings are included in this diary. I have a second diary which is only a list keeper for the business. Its split up into weeks, and as tasks arise, I add them to a list for the week they need to be completed. And lastly I use an online app such as Asana/ Google Calendar that can be altered to suited your needs. I use Asana to remind me of important

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Lifestyle events and tasks (such as checking the rain tanks or birthdays), but also as a project management tool with my staff within the business.

These three strategies assist me in keeping a work-life balance that is perfect for my wellbeing, my business success and the joy of the family. The trick to these strategies is that they are adaptable and can be made to fit for your family. I hope those tips help you on your journey to find your work-life balance. Just remember, there is no one solution, it takes time and experimentation to find what is right for you and your family.

Author Bio: Tennille is the Cloth Nappy Doctor which encompasses blogging, product development, retail and the distribution of Bummis, Breastvest and Funky Fluff in Australia. A tenacious mum to 3 boys and a beautiful daughter who has severe disabilities. She is always looking for the next adventure.

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Lifestyle

Your Kitchen Counters: the NoClutter Zone Have you ever been tempted to post a “No Dumping Allowed” sign on your kitchen counters?

It’s often difficult just keeping them visible, let alone actually clutter-free! But your kitchen can be optimized to help it be as functional as possible, and the benefits are tremendous.

Little ones especially grow and flourish being in the kitchen with Mum. Life lessons can be given in the course of making something delicious, and our children can build strong associations from such moments. That being said, we have all the more reason to spend a little time on kitchen organization! Being able to find what we need and keep little fingers safe is a tall order when you have toddlers in the kitchen. Here is one solution that has made life a little easier for mums with eager helpers. While there are many ideas about how to organize what belongs in the kitchen… what about all the stuff that doesn’t belong there? Here’s one suggestion for keeping habitual dumping of clutter on the counters at bay.

Recycle Jars!

It may not seem like much, but this one step can really make life a lot easier. Sometimes, you need to be able to keep utensils upright - stash them in a jar. Didn’t use up the entire package of something? Pull out a jar for visible, upright storage in the pantry. They are so handy because they are transparent, so they don’t require a label.

With the variety of products that we often end up purchasing, in no time one can end up with a wide range of sizes and shapes available. Use them for leftovers, layering parfaits or storing cut-up vegetables that can be mixed into a salad later.

They are so versatile! And they are the perfect size for organising - they can only get so full before it’s time to empty them out with a purge or by putting things away. Think about the things that end up on your counter. Loose buttons that fall off of clothing, hair pins, pencils or crayons, etc. Where and to whom do all of these items generally belong? Unfortunately, it’s pretty common during busy days for everyone to contribute to the clutter on kitchen counters, and it’s mum who needs her work-space clear at the end of the day! It can be an exhausting chore to put everything away and get your counters back, and recruiting help is sometimes just as big of a challenge.

For some, the solution seems to be having a “junk-drawer” into which one can sweep the whole mess when counter-space is required. But it’s more practical to have a system in which you can easily get the counter-space you need without creating another mess elsewhere, or putting dinner on hold while you are redistributing items all over the house.

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Lifestyle

Get Your System Going - Just Not On the Counter!

One space-saving hack is to have a small shelf nearby on which you can put a line of recycled containers, each one designated for a different room in the house. Again, jars are great because they are transparent so it’s easier to remember that things need to be put away. But, if you notice something has been left on the counter, and it belongs in another room, rather than drop what you are doing to get it out of your kitchen, drop it in the corresponding jar. Have one for the bathroom where you can drop hair pins, ponytail holders, etc. Have an office jar where pens, pencils, and paperclips can be stashed. You get the idea.

Or the jars can be designated as one for each family member. It’s not as hard to get people to tackle big items - it’s the little bits that take time to gather up and put away. But it makes the job easier for you if abandoned items can be gathered up in the owner’s jar - and it’s less work for others if they can remove everything that’s theirs all at once rather than make several trips.

Make it easy for the family to jump in to help declutter. You know what tends to land on the kitchen counters in your home, and who the culprits are, so plan your “redistribution solution” accordingly.

Large items shouldn’t end up on the counter, to begin with, and they are easier to patrol - “Don’t set that down here - take it to your room, please” - and bins can be easier to neglect until they are overflowing. I have found that jars hold small enough volume that they are more likely to be emptied regularly and the job stays small and manageable for everyone. Put them in a visible place near the surfaces that endure the most clutter, but OFF of the counter, and make it a routine to “empty the jars” before bed each night.

Every night, do a “once-over.”

It’s hard to be consistent, but every night before bed, clean everything off that doesn’t belong on the kitchen counters. This sounds like an enormous task! But, try to implement something to break the job down into more manageable pieces, such as the home organization idea mentioned above. If all the little bits of clutter are gathered up in an organized way, then it’s not so bad at the end of the day, when it really matters. But don’t let it stop there! We all know what happens when we implement a new “system” only to forget about it and let the work pile up afresh. Stay on top of it - every night, hand your family members jars to empty.

Even if it’s just you two parents redistributing items because the little ones are too small, you still have something going for you with this system. Husbands often don’t jump into the decluttering fray because they don’t know what to prioritise. This makes the job very straight forward, letting him know what activity is the most helpful to you in your kitchen organization efforts.

Once your kitchen is a “food-preparation zone only” you’ll find all sorts of cute ways to optimize the items that belong there. That’s when organisation becomes fun!

Here’s to your success!

Have other solutions for foreign items in the kitchen? We’d love to hear them!

Author bio: Writen bh Katya Bowd, mother of 2 and owner of Mumsy & Bub; an Australian-based community of mothers who aim to inspire and educate mothers about the ups and downs, and inbetweens of motherhood.

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Food

Find these recipes and more at: www.MumsDelivery.com.au

Malaysian Prawn Laksa Too lazy to cook or just need a quick dinner fix? Enjoy this soulwarming laksa and transport yourself to the streets of Malaysia.

Serves: 2 Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Ingredients 185g jar AYAM™ Malaysian Laksa Paste 1/2 x 270ml can AYAM™ Coconut Milk 1 1/2 cups water or vegetable stock 250g fried soybean curd or tofu, sliced 250g cooked and peeled prawns 2 cakes of AYAM™ Instant Noodles 100g bean sprouts Chopped coriander to garnish Method Combine Laksa Paste, Coconut Milk, water or vegetable stock in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Cover and bring to the boil.

Add soybean curd and prawns then reduce heat. Meanwhile, prepare noodles according to the packet instructions. Drain and divide between 2 bowls.

Ladle the soup over the noodles, top with bean sprouts and coriander.

Tip: Add a halved, hard-boiled egg. Substitute prawns with cooked chicken or fish pieces. Add some sliced red or green capsicum.

Recipe provided by AYAM. Celebrating 125 years of delivering authentic Asian flavours to kitchens around the world to make family meals easier while full of flavour.

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Chinese Fried Rice

Food

If you’re after something simple yet full of flavour, this Chinese fried rice recipe will be a weekly favourite. Mix it up and serve with prawns, chicken or pork and choose your choice of spice level.

Serves: 4, Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Ingredients 1 ½ cups white long-grain rice 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 eggs, lightly beaten 400g small cooked school prawns, peel and devein 150g cooked chicken, sliced ¼ cup AYAM Light Soya Sauce 2 teaspoons AYAM Chilli Sauce (Hot) 1 teaspoon AYAM Sesame Oil 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger 2 green onions, chopped 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method Cook the rice according to the instructions on the packet.

Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or frying-pan to medium, add the eggs and cook until just set, remove.

Add the prawns and chicken and stir-fry until hot. Add the soy sauce, chilli sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, green onion and lemon juice and stir to combine.

Add the rice and stir-fry until hot. Slice the egg and serve with the rice.

Recipe provided by AYAM

Adam Liaw’s tips on overcoming fussy eaters Thanks to AYAM, who are celebrating their 125 years of creating great Asian flavours, I was invited to a cooking class with celebrity chef Adam Liaw. Naturally, as a mum of three children, including one fussy eater; I took the opportunity to ask Adam what his tips were to get Children more interested in food and how to overcome fussy eaters.

With two children of his own, and despite a hectic work schedule, Adam is passionate about cooking nutritious meals three times a day. He believes that the secret to creating nofuss meals is keeping things simple by using good ingredients, straightforward recipes and pantry staples.

Here are his key tips to overcoming fussy eaters 1.

Change the texture or flavour. When your child tells you, they do not like eating a certain item, try to change the flavour or texture as this may overcome their initial roadblock. For example, if your child doesn’t like carrots, boil them in stock or cook with honey to change the flavor and make them more appealing. You can change the texture by trying them raw, boiled or roasted.

2.

Get them involved. According to Adam, there are three phrases of the cooking process; the prep stage, the cooking stage and then the serving stage. Depending on the meal and your child’s age, the cooking stage may not be the best opportunity to get them involved. However, getting them to help with the prep by getting the ingredients from the fridge/pantry or by washing the veggies/herbs will create a knowledge of different foods and a natural curiosity. They can also help with the serving stage by setting the table and thinking of the food for dinner and what condiments they would like to serve with it. This gives them a sense of ownership and contribution to the meal which in turn may help increase their willingness to try the food.

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Food Designed with the busy mum in mind (quick, nutritious and under 30 minutes) Serves: 2, Time: 20 minutes

Simple chicken salad

Ingredients 150g raw chicken breast Salt and pepper Lemon juice 80g organic salad leaves (approximately 2 loosely packed cups) 1 spring onion ½ medium Lebanese cucumber ½ medium avocado 1 tbsp seeds of choice (eg pumpkin, sunflower) 3-6 cherry tomatoes Parsley

Instructions • Cut a rectangle of baking paper (enough to wrap the chicken breast), wet and wring. Place the chicken breast onto the baking paper. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and lemon juice and wrap the chicken breast inside the baking paper, sealing the edges by folding them into each other.

• Prepare a pot of steaming water with a steamer attachment and place the chicken wrapped in baking paper inside the steamer (I used a Thermomix but any steamer will work). Bring the water to the boil and steam on the highest temperature for 15minutes (will depend on thickness of chicken breast – please increase cooking time if cooking more than one breast at a time). Set chicken aside to cool slightly.

• To prepare salad, wash and chop all remaining ingredients and arrange in a bowl. Slice the chicken and place over top.

• Dress with lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

Tip: Double the recipe to prepare your lunches ahead of time.

Recipe from: Krissy Ropiha is a Certified Nutrition and Health Coach and Psychology graduate, passionate about supporting, inspiring and empowering busy mums. Find out more at: www.hernourished.com

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Food

Overnight chocolate chip banana oats Serves 1 Time: 5 minutes prep + overnight

Ingredients 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 tsp chia seeds 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp granulated stevia (optional) 1 tbsp cacao nibs 1/2 ripe banana, mashed 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk 1/2 cup water Instructions Grab a glass jar and add the dry ingredients first (oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, granulated stevia and cacao nibs); Layer with the mashed banana and then pour over the almond milk and water; Give the mixture a quick stir with a long spoon or knife. You don’t need to over-stir, just enough to combine; Cover and leave it in the fridge overnight (or for at least 4-6 hours); The next morning simply grab out of the fridge, top with fresh fruit and ENJOY.

Recipe from: Krissy Ropiha is a Certified Nutrition and Health Coach and Psychology graduate, passionate about supporting, inspiring and empowering busy mums. Find out more at: www.hernourished.com

Pumpkin, Feta Quinoa Salad

This Pumpkin, Feta and Quinoa Salad is a great lunch time meal that is both fufilling, healthy and good for busy mums. Eat at the park, at work or at home.

Method: • Place cup pumpkin pieces into a roasting dish, add 200g Pumpkin, cut into cubes oil and salt and pepper, toss around and place in the 2 Tbsp Olive Oil oven on 180 degrees to roast, turning occasionally.

Salt and Pepper Cook for 15-20 minutes until cooked through but not mushy. Allow to cool.

1 cup Quinoa 100g Feta, cut into small cubes • Rinse Quinoa and place into pot with 11/2 cups water.

2 Tbsp. Pine Nuts, roasted With the lid on, bring to the boil and then turn to a 7-8 leaves rockets, washed and broken simmer for 10-15minutes until all water has been absorbed. Once done, add to Salad bowl. in two • In Salad bowl add Pine nuts, Feta, Rocket, Quinoa and Pumpkin.

• Season with Salt and Pepper and our Lemon, Cider & Shallot Vinaigrette Ingredients

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Beauty Lifestyle

Beauty Spot

shedding light on beauty tricks, products and more QV Gentle Facial Cleanser 250g A gentle and moisturising daily cleanser suitable for all skin types. With added Safflower oil and antioxidants to boost skin health, this cleanser will keep your skin feeling fresh and soft to touch.

RRP: $12.95 Available from: Amcal, Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and other major pharmacies across Australia. Visit www.egopharm.com to see full stockist details.

QV Shower Milk 250ml A lightweight in shower body moisturizer suitable for sensitive and irritated skin.

Perfect for everyday use to keep your skin soft and silky smooth. RRP: $11.20 Available from: Amcal, Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and other major pharmacies across Australia. Visit www.egopharm.com to see full stockist details.

Meet your muse‌ Introducing IME NATURAL PERFUME! This Australian-based brand offers a healthy and safe approach to mainstream fragrance with a collection of certified natural perfumes based on the nine muses of Greek Mythology that help women release their inner muse through a holistic sensory journey of inspiration, colour, mood and scent.

RRP: $69.95 Available from: www.ime-natural-perfume.com.au

Akhal Beauty’s Organic & Pure Rosewater Mist (100ml) is a dry skin quencher and hydrator. This distillate is extracted from rose blooms picked by the indigenous women of Morocco.

Perfect for the warmer weather, blushing summer brides and/or as a setting spray for silly season, keep this natural beauty staple nearby at all times. RRP: $20.00 Available from: https://akhal.com

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Reviewed Designed for lovers of vintage, retro, art deco and pin-up styles; Erstwilder creates fashion jewellery and accessories that will make your wardrobe pop and brighten your outfit. Made from high quality resin, each brooch, necklace or earring set is assembled by hand. For the pieces where painting is required, that too is loving done by hand.

Read the Review

GetSocked No longer do socks need to be a boring present, the funky designs from GetSocked means that Dad or Mum can enjoy new socks while looking and feeling great. Best of all, with a sock subscription, it is the present that keeps on giving as you receive a new pair of comfy socks to add to your wardrobe each month. Read the Review

Philips All in One Cooker For years, our family has loved our Slow Cooker and the simplicity it has brought to meal times, This made me interested in testing and reviewing the Philips All in One Cooker; a Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker combined into one cooking appliance.

Read the Review

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Travel Lifestyle

An Experience of a Lifetime: As a mum, you work hard all day for the ones you love, setting yourself last and hardly taking a hard earned break, a break that is essential both for your mental and physical health. It’s normal for a mother to get burned out, and there are times which makes you want to flee and escape for a while.

After an extended period of stress, you might need something to look forward, and a trip to Fraser Island might be the answer to get away from your daily routine. You can bring your children with you since they will surely get entertained with a lot of activities most especially whale watching in Hervey Bay. Read on to know more about the fun activities that you and your kids can enjoy while taking Fraser Island tours.

Close Encounter with the Gentle Giants

Travelling to Fraser Island not only guarantees that you can explore some of the best wonders of nature on the world’s largest sand island. The place also offers guests a chance to witness migratory humpback whales that take a detour just to rest, play and socialise in the clear and calm waters of Hervey Bay. The little ones will be jumping for glee as the humpbacks jump out of the water and play in the ocean very close to the boat. The astonishing intimacy of these gentle giants will surely take your breath away, leaving you with remarkable photos and even better memories with your kids.

According to Australian Geographic, these giant sea creatures start to arrive in Hervey Bay from the middle of July, where they stay until the end of November, before heading again to the south. Fraser Island protects the waters of Hervey Bay that’s why it became a favoured area for humpback whales to rest before continuing their migration.

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Travel

Whale Watching on Fraser Island Fraser Island Bonding with Kids If you’re not busy locking eyes with the gentle giants in Hervey Bay, there are still a lot more places to visit on Fraser Island. Visiting the coast is not all about breaching and fin-slapping because you and the kids can also enjoy plenty of on-land activities.

Here are some of the places and top things to do with your children.

Get Wet in Wetside Water Park - Hervey Bay’s Wetside Water Park is an eco-friendly water education park that opened in 2009 to educate individuals about water sustainability in a fun environment. Your kids will jump for joy when they catch sight of the water park, and your wallet will also do cartwheels since it’s for FREE! Go Fishing in Urangan Pier - Take your little ones fishing on one of the small jetties along the end of Urangan Pier, where fishers catch Whiting and Garfish, even some of the big fish like Blue Fin Tuna and Trevally. Even if you don’t catch anything, your children will certainly get entertained peering into the water and seeing what others catch.

Meet Mary Poppins - It won’t take a spoonful of sugar to get your little ones excited to do this! You can take the kids in Maryborough, heritage listed bank building where P.L. Travers, the author of Mary Poppins was born in 1899.

You can also visit Town Hall Green to take a photo with the life-sized statue of the original Supernanny and have the children carry a notebook and crayon to make rubbings of the five characters from Mary Poppins books etched on the brick plinths.

Discover Fraser Coast - If you got limited time to see everything on the Fraser Coast, you can still visit Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere and immerse your kids in the diversity of the region. It’s easy to weave a little education into your trip with a stunning, full-sized replica of a humpback whale skeleton and kid’s activities such as marine life storytelling and arts and crafts.

Mums are exceptional at so many things and what they do every day is not an easy task. That’s why it’s important to escape for a while and take time to travel with your kids. Taking a tour around Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia might be the perfect place to relax and enjoy. Being able to witness the magnificent humpback whales in Hervey Bay, getting wet in Wetside Water Park, and go fishing in Urangan Pier are just a few of the plenty places and activities on Fraser Island that will certainly give you an experience of a lifetime.

Written by Shiela Apura is a proud Millennial, single mom. Shiela's interest mostly focuses on travelling, that's why she makes sure to travel with her daughter to different places and meet new people from different cultures.

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Travel Lifestyle

How to Afford your Family Holiday

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to take the whole family some place they’ve never been? Most families love to travel, but it’s cost prohibitive. Caring for a family is expensive, and so is taking a holiday. This leaves a lot of mums and dads scratching their heads. When will it ever be possible to pack up the car and make memories in an exciting destination? A combination of netting more cash, thinking ahead, and budgeting might free up more extra money than you think.

Think Far Ahead If you’re planning on flying out somewhere, you’ve probably already realised how expensive it would be to book round trip flights for your whole family. Flights become substantially less expensive the further in advance that you book them. If you know you’ll want to take a vacation in six months; you can probably book the flight now. The same goes for the things you want to do when you go – certain tourist hotspots bundle together admission for multiple attractions, and purchasing a multi-pass ahead of time can significantly cut costs.

Renting and Sharing If you have a basement, a garage, a spare bedroom, or a large storage shed that you aren’t using, you can rent it out on sharing community sites. Someone will keep their stuff at your house and pay you a fee just for using that space. You don’t have to do anything but make sure the stuff is safe and collect the money. If you have a spare bedroom, you can advertise it as a short-term rental room.

Choosing the Right Destinations Some places are much less expensive to visit than others. Consider currency exchange and cost of living if you’re planning to travel to a different country. Thailand, for example, is a culturally rich location where you can vacation like a royal family for less money than you probably spend on your daily expenses at home. You’re really only adding the actual travel costs to your budget because your cost of living would be similar or lower.

Picking Up a Little Side Work It’s easier to save money when you’re making more money than you were before. If you have some spare time, consider freelancing or picking up a gig job. You can make your schedule, set your rates, and you only need to work when you feel like it. Even if you’re only bringing in a little bit extra every week, that little bit adds up. It will add up even more if multiple members of your household all pick up side work specifically to pitch into a family vacation fund.

Adhering to a Strong Budget Saving is almost impossible when you have no idea how much you’re spending. Your expenses may not be as they seem, and you won’t know that unless your budget and monitor your finances very carefully. It’s easy enough to get a budget app for your phone and update it every time you make a purchase or receive a bill. You might want to cut back and restructure things a little bit. It’s a great idea all around, and you’ll want to keep doing it even after you’ve already gone on a great vacation.

It might take you a while to gather up all of the funds you need, but good things are worth the wait. Make sure you save more than you need in case things don’t go according to plan – it’s always better to have a safety net.

Article from: Emma Lewis a loving mother, a devoted wife and a part of the team supporting Spacer – a company helping you find storage space whenever you need it.

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The new Wiggles DVD NURSERY with a special bonus feature Cinder Emma: A Musical Fairy Tale A nursery rhyme collection that Emma, Lachy, Simon and Anthony have selected, arranged and performed for you. Nearly everybody has a favourite nursery rhyme from when they were children. Simon tells us his favourite was, and still is, “The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe”, Emma can’t go past “Three Little Kittens”, Lachy loves “Wheels on the Bus”, whilst Anthony’s favourite is “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”.

DVD and CD also includes counting and colours in multiple languages.

Transformers: The Last Knight Transformers: The Last Knight is a cinematic masterpiece that sees Mark Wahlberg at the center of a cataclysmic battle to save Earth unlike the world has ever seen. Cade (Mark Wahlberg) is joined by an English lord (Anthony Hopkins) and the kick-ass brains and beauty combo of Oxford Professor Viviane Wembley (Laura Haddock) to unravel centuries old secrets that threaten the demise of the world as we know it.

Transformers: The Last Knight is available on 4K Ultra HD™, 3D Blu-ray™, Blu-ray™ & DVD from October 4, 2017.

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Silly Lily and the First Day of Kindergarten Meet Lily, a feisty, cheeky and (unintentionally) naughty character who’s experiencing her first day at kindergarten. Rather than being tentative or fearful of “first experiences”, Lily confidently dives head first into them – with amusing (and sometimes disastrous) results! Silly Lily aims to introduce children to what they can expect with places, people and events that they are encountering for the first time. Through the wellintentioned but misbehaving character of Lily, it will also aim to subtly guide kids as to the expected acceptable behaviours for these new situations. RRP: $16.99 Available from leading book stores.

Super Moopers Written by writer/producer/actor Fiona Harris with art by Scott Edgar (Tripod), the Mooper series launches with four books, each introducing a new character from Moopertown: Musical Markus, Nervous Nellie, Dramatic Dom and Giggling Gertie. Mooper’s have unique traits, which at first is viewed as a hindrance but eventually transforms them to superhero status. The series highlights that our differences are what make us unique and reiterates that we are all capable of being superheroes when we see the best in ourselves. The Super Moopers books are a bridge between an illustrative picture book and junior fiction, using the language of an early reader, but are humorous, character-driven stories children will engage with and cherish. RRP $12.99 Available from all good bookstores.

Jonar & Kitty: The Timekeepers Void What if Earth is connected to other dimensions and realities where animals can talk and different beings exist? What if everybody on Earth holds the secret to connect to these other realities?

In the new age children’s fiction book, Jonar & Kitty: The Timekeepers Void (A&A Publishing, $15.99) author and illustrator Bobbie Richardson has crafted an enchanting tale that draws the reader into the true beginnings of a new world full of magic. We follow the story of Jonar & Kitty, two teenagers who don’t fit into the system but find each other on the same path - a path that takes them through a porthole to a new reality, full of magical beasts and animals that can talk, mysterious lagoons and lost souls. A reality that always existed and needs their help.

RRP: $15.99

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Entitlement. Irregular emotions. Obsession with social media. Premature discovery of sex. These are just a few of the issues that parents raising a new generation of girls are dealing with. As a parent, navigating a healthy relationship with your child during these teen years can be challenging if you don’t have the proper tools to communicate.

In the new book, Parenting Teenage Girls In The Age of a New Normal (Ark House $24.99), teenage expert and author Michelle Mitchell draws upon decades of experience working with teenage girls and provides her unique parenting strategies in response to the biggest issues impacting this generation of girls, such as Bullying, Social media, Sexuality, Disrespect, Drugs and Anxiety. Featuring straight forward advice that really works, Parenting Teens In The Age of a New Normal book is a practical and empowering resource to help foster stronger relationships between parents and their teens and pre-teens.

Only For Me Being quoted as 'possibly the best book on the topics of body protection and sexual abuse prevention' by Kids' Book Review, Only For Me gently teaches your children that their body is private and that they have a right to protect their privacy. Through its clever use of rhyme and engaging illustrations by former Disney artist, Nicole Mackenzie, Only For Me gently empowers your children with the knowledge that they need to know, whilst still protecting their innocence. Written in consultation with child protection experts and adult survivors of child abuse, Only For Me is also endorsed by one of Australia's leading child protection agencies Act For Kids.

Available from: www.onlyforme.com.au RRP: $11.95 (plus $4 postage Aust. wide) MOTHERLOAD Bondi Beach mother of three Abigail Montgomery is wondering how her life got so screwed up. She keeps meaning to have the breakdown she needs to have but can’t find time in her never-ending motherload schedule. Maybe her situation is the result of her husband Ed who is missing in action more than involved in the action? Perhaps the passing of her beloved mother, who lost her battle with breast cancer set Abigail off course? Whatever set Abigail on a downward spiral to being deeply dissatisfies with life, she has well and truly arrived at that destination. MOTHERLOAD is the latest novel by prolific self-esteem author and inspiring women’s speaker Alison Nancye is on sale now to inspire mothers around the globe to ‘laugh, learn and let go’.

RRP: $19:95 USD Available from: www.amazon.com The Umbrella Girls Book Series Self-Esteem Authors and Creative Collaborators Alison Nancye and Pippy Pomeranz have produced their book series, The Umbrella Girls. Their self-esteem messages and heart-warming books are intended to encourage and empower girls around the world to shine. They celebrate cultural diversity and offer lifelearning through their character’s experiences. Through their fund, energetic and colourful stories, The Umbrella Girls fiction characters and their real life readers will learn valuable life lessons about how to weather the storms of life at school, home, with their friends and family. No matter what gets thrown their way they, The Umbrella Girls discover just how resourceful they can be, when they look for the answers within. RRP: $19:95 Avaliable from: www.theumbrellagirls.com

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Mother Earth introduces Vege Fruit Sticks. A delicious and wholesome snack designed for children’s taste buds. Available in two flavours Beetroot, Apple and Berry and Carrot, Apple and Orange. Made with real vegetable puree – not juice or concentrate, they contain more vegetables than fruit in the filling. Each pack contains 8 bars per pack and are available in Coles supermarkets for a RRP of $3.50 Find out more at: www.motherearthfoods.com.au

Solar D is the next generation of sun protection that will change the way that we use sunscreen.

Offering protection via a broad spectrum

Dreambaby® launches the patented Strollerybuddy® Strollaway®. This ingenious space-saving storage solution hangs neatly over doors to store and hang strollers when not in use. Perfect for young families living in apartments or smaller spaces or indeed anyone trying to make life with small children a little easier, safer and less cluttered!

RRP: $39.95. For more information visit www.dreambaby.com.au

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Pilot Pen has launched new Frixion Stamps featuring a range of fun and colourful motifs, designed to stamp important dates on a family planner or diary, or to decorate letters and cards. The stamps contain the ever-popular Frixion erasable ink, which means that if you change your mind, you can erase the stamp using the rubber tip on the end. With 24 different motives to choose from – ranging from champagne, smileys to symbols in different colours you can add a bit of personality to your stationery collection. Available from Officeworks stores, price $2.99ea

SPF, laboratory studies prove that Solar D lets in some of the UVB light that our bodies use to make Vitamin D. The products are scientifically formulated with compositions that optimise sunlight filtering for Vitamin D production while helping to protect from sunburn. Available from: Woolworths, IGA, Target, Amcal, Soul Pattinson Chemist, About Life RRP: $22.95

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Perfect for any skin type - including sensitive - Organic Care’s Baby range includes; a Body Wash, Bubble Bath, Conditioning Shampoo and Moisturiser, designed to gently soften, soothe and protect your baby’s skin, as well as reduce any inflammation or irritation along the way.

Free from nasty chemicals and parabens, all four products feature only the best in naturally sourced ingredients, enriched with Coconut Oil, Guar Seed, Chamomile, Cherry Flower and Dandelion designed to soothe your baby’s skin during bath time.

RRP: $7.99 Available from: www.naturesorganics.com.au

Thankyou Nappies Thankyou’s new and improved nappies are even more absorbent for better leakage protection. Thankyou’s triple layer technology helps prevent nappy rash by drawing moisture into the core keeping baby drier for longer.

The super soft nappies are enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E, hypoallergic and free from fragrance, chlorine and latex. Plus, 100% of the profits from the range help get child and maternal health programs to families in need. Available from: Coles, Woolworths, Baby Bunting and the Thankyou online store - shop.thankyou.co RRP: $33

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