Review: Philips PerfectCare Aqua

When my boys were younger, I had a weekly ritual. Friday night, after they had gone to bed, I would get out the ironing board, pop it in the lounge room and iron while I watched whatever movie was on. Now, I'm pretty sure back then, I was ironing things that didn't really need it - sheets, tablecloths, t-shirts etc, but I found that little weekly ritual relaxing. I had always been an ironer. It was one of the first "big girl" jobs that my mum let me do.

When I was asked to try the new Philips PerfectCare Aqua, I wondered why I stopped this ritual. Was it that I didn't have as many things that needed ironing, did I not have the time, had it become a chore? I do remember that about two years ago, my ironing board got put out in the hard rubbish as it had seen better days and I replaced it with one of those smaller table ironing boards.the plan was to use that on the bench in the laundry, but everyone kept popping stuff on the bench, and I had to clear it every time I wanted to use it - annoying! I even bought one of those steaming irons thinking that would be better, but I couldn't really use it in my laundry and if I set it up in the kitchen, of course that would be the time that everyone needed to be in there so it was just inconvenient. So, apart from Josh's work shirts, I stopped ironing regularly.

When the Philips PerfectCare Aqua arrived after I agreed to test it out, I freaked out a little - what on earth was I going to iron? I'm sure just ironing two or three work shirts for Josh wouldn't be very interesting. So began the hunt. Opening my wardrobe door and having a good look, I found a few shirts that I always bypass wearing because after I wash them they need ironing. Hmmmm, I think I accidentally found a whole new summer wardrobe in there without going shopping!

The Philips PerfectCare Aqua is the latest in a range of revolutionary steam generators and makes getting those annoying creases out of your clothing a speedy and simple experience. What I loved about the Philips PerfectCare Aqua was I could iron any item of clothing without having to worry about the temperature setting. I used to sort the clothes into piles of temperature settings – delicate through to denim so I could adjust the iron accordingly. With the Philips PerfectCare Aqua, I was able to iron the shirts pictured above (viscose, cotton, silk, polyester) without worrying about the pre-sort.The Philips PerfectCare Aqua maintains a perfect combination of temperature and steam using OptimalTemp technology so there was no need to adjust temperature settings or worry about burning clothes. It has a SteamGlide soleplate so it glided across the clothes without sticking.
The Philips PerfectCare Aqua iron only weighs 1kg so it was also nice and light compared to my iron. I loved how quickly it was ready for use (2 mins) – no more waiting for the iron to reach the temperature needed.being able to use the iron 3 ways was an added bonus – ironing without steam, steam ironing using the steam trigger and steam ironing using the steam boost function. The only issue I had the the iron overall was the position of the steam button. I found I was accidently pressing it occasionally as I normally hold my iron up high on the handle. I’m sure that’s one thing that I would used to after using the iron over a period of time.

For more information on the Philips PerfectCare Aqua head over to the Philips website
*Disclosure: I was sent a Philips PerfectCare Aqua to try for this review. Images and video, other than my own, were supplied for use in this review. All opinions are my own.

Review & Giveaway! Dymo LetraTag Labelmaker

I love trying any product that helps keep things organised and while I do have a labeller, it’s pretty ancient and definitely not as cool as this one :( So, I was very happy to test out the Dymo LetraTag Labelmaker.

So, what to label first…. I remembered that my “kid files” had written tags on them so I thought I would test out the Dymo LetraTag to see if the labels would fit inside the suspension file tags. Big ol’ happy dance, because they do!!!

Here are my “kid files” before:

And here they after they have had a mini-makeover with Dymo.  Very, very spiffy huh :)

Then Jacob got in on the act and decided that we needed to label his “special pen”. It was really easy to roll the label around the pen so it was easy to read. You know that I am going to be spending the school holidays labelling everyone of his pens with him now :)

And since Jacob was so impressed with the little crocodiles that the Dymo LetraTag could print out we labelled him as well – just in case I forgot who he was.

The Dymo LetraTag Labelmaker is really simple to use and the labels are available in paper, plastic, metallic and iron-on.

There are a couple of really nifty features:

• two line printing
• has 195 symbols!
• 6 font styles
• date stamping
• manual cutter
• 9 label memory - nothing worse than needing to type in the same thing over & over again!
• auto power off

Now of course you want to know where you can buy a Dymo LetraTag Labelmaker so head HERE for a list of stores. If you’d like a chance to win a family escape to Hawaii worth $20,000 or one of 50 x $100 vouchers head into Officeworks! All you have to is purchase a Dymo (or Sharpie, or Papermate product) from any participating Officeworks store and enter online. (Offer starts 15 May - 15 July). For more info check out Dymo’s Facebook page HERE

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Giveaway!!!!  For your chance to win one of two Dymo LetraTag Labelmaker’s, simply leave a comment on my blog telling me “How a Dymo LetraTag Labelmaker would help you be more organised”. For an extra entry, simply share this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter and comment to tell me you have.

• Open to residents of Australia only.
• Giveaway closes 5pm EDST Friday the 6th July, 2012. 
• The winner will be announced on my blog and Facebook page on Saturday 7th July.
• If a winner doesn’t reply or is not contactable by Friday the 13th July, I reserve the right to redraw.

Good Luck everyone and I can’t wait to read all your answers!

Review: Soul Virgins

Being a mum of five boys who all constantly need to be dropped off and picked up, I miss having the occasional Cosmopolitan. Enter Soul Virgins. Non-alcoholic beverages that taste similar to the alcoholic versions.  They are available in Soul Mojito – lime, lemon and mint and Soul Cosmopolitan – cranberry and lime.

It was hard to pick my favourite of the two but I think the Soul Cosmopolitan just won over the Soul Mojito. Soul Virgins are a great option for anyone participating in “Dry July”, expectant or breast-feeding mums, or simply for those of us that want to enjoy the taste of our favourite cocktails without the alcoholic component.

Soul Virgins are available in supermarkets and come in 330ml bottles.

Review: Little Quacker Rice Biscuits

These days, finding something quick and easy for a treat isn’t too hard. There are shelves full of pre-packaged items that make it super dooper easy. Well, that is if you don’t have a child with allergies. Then it’s not a simple task of just popping something off the supermarket shelf in your trolley. And finding something that your child enjoys eating, well, that’s a whole different story.

When I was asked to try “Little Quacker Rice Biscuits”, I knew exactly who I was going to call in as a taste tester. Meet Daniel, a gorgeous active little dude with allergies to dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, strawberries and tomatoes. (Mum, is there’s anything I missed?)

 

So, I brought a box of “Little Quacker Rice Biscuits” with me to one of our mum’s coffee mornings for him to try. According to Daniel, they were pretty yummy and the fact they came wrapped in little packs of 2 was pretty cool!

 

“Little Quacker Rice Biscuits” are gluten, nut and egg free with no artificial colours, additives or ingredients and they are oven baked. They are available in original and strawberry flavours (we tested original). Little Quacker Rice Biscuits are available in Coles and Woolworths and online at www.LittleQuacker.com.au and have a RRP $3.75 for a 60g box

Disney/Pixar’s Brave

 

Last weekend we were lucky enough to be invited to a preview of Disney/Pixar’s new film “Brave”. now, I’m not ashamed to admit, I’m a massive sucker for a kids movie, so I was nearly more excited than the kids to go and see it.  We decided to make a bit of an adventure of the day and take the train ride in. For the record, 1 hour and 4 minutes on a train with two excited kids feels like an eternity!

We arrived in time to see the fantastic bagpipe players and Scottish dancers performing who were wonderful.  The kids were then told about the face painting so off they went to get their faces decked out in Scottish clan and Brave pictures.

Of course, they both then had the photo taken in front of the very awesome looking Brave display.

Then it was off to see the movie in 3D.  This was my friend Fiona’s very first 3D movie so we won’t mention what happened to her when she need to take Steph for a loo run during the movie. Let’s just say that her depth perception was a little off and she nearly became very friendly with some people sitting along the aisles :)

Brave is a wonderful movie.  It was refreshing to see a kids movie with a strong female character who doesn’t need the “prince” to save her.  Brave is the 10th Disney/Pixar film and stars voices from Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson.  It follows the story of Merida, a young fiery red head teenager who struggles with finding herself, with creating her own destiny. It’s a story of courage and above all true bravery. Brave is rated PG and opens nationwide on 21st June 2012 in 3D and 2D

To find out even more, visit the Brave section of the Disney website HERE

Thanks to the very cool goodie bags the kids got, the ride home on the train was a lot quieter *sigh*

Thanks to the wonderful people at Disney/Pixar and Mango, here are some colouring sheets for you to print out for your kids to enjoy (or you, I know I love a good colouring-in activity)

Brave Activity Sheets

Hubby & boys spend the day @ Highpoint shopping while I get pampered by Ottoman3 and L’Occitane

It’s coming up to that wonderful time of year where we celebrate our mothers and show them how much they mean to us.  Now, my birthday falls before mother’s day, so I have my boys, my hubby and parents asking what I would like and I never know what to say could explain some of the gifts I have received :). What I really would like is the ability to teleport, an extra hand, to be able to move at the speed of light or more hours in a day – don’t think any of that is going to happen in the near future. 

So, when I was told that Highpoint Shopping Centre had a Mother’s Day Gift Guide and asked if my hubby and boys would like to give shopping a go there, we jumped at the chance.  To make the day even better, some beautiful pampering had been organised for me while the boys were off shopping.  Armed with the gift guide and a camera they set off to hunt for a Mother’s day present. Now, I honestly have no idea what they ended up buying, I was just handed the camera at the end of the day and this is what I found:

Ummm Mr Jacob, I think these will fit you not me……..

I see you found the ride on cars and yes Zachary, 17 is really to old to be attempting to squish yourself into one.

OOOOOHHHH!!! Puppies!! Now, I didn’t see anyone carrying a puppy out to the car, nor have I seen or heard one around the house, so I’m going to take a wild guess and say, I am not getting a puppy for Mother’s Day.

Oh dear Lord, a M-O-U-S-E!!!! Hang on, it’s not real, I can breathe again, but if anyone hides that in my bed next Sunday morning, LOOK OUT!
 
Now that’s pretty! I’ve been eyeballing these for a while. Nice full length mirror and it opens up so you can store your jewellery.

Awwww, hubby are you checking out cards for me :)


Awwwww, love this shot of two of my boys. maybe they will print this out and frame it for me???


Oooohhhh, pretty pink bag for the gym and even prettier pink boxing gloves. I’m thinking my family is pretty darn smart about now :)

Hmmm, a purchase had been made, but they could be faking me out…..

Now, I suppose you are wondering what on earth I was doing while my family shopped.  Well, I was in all sorts of heaven! it’s been a while since I’ve had any sort of pampering treatment and this was just fantastic!! First, I was taken to the beautiful Ottoman 3 Nail and Brow Bar where I was treated to having my eyebrows perfectly shaped and my nails manicured.

I was introduced to the lovely Mini at Ottoman 3 Nail and Brow Bar, who walked me through what I was having done. First was my eyebrows. At Ottoman 3 Nail and Brow Bar, they using an ancient technique called threading. I’ve got to admit, I had never heard of this before and after the explanation, I was well and truly intrigued.  I’ve added a little video from Ottoman 3 below so you can check it out for yourself.

The talented Nina looked after my brows and after the initial surprise, I found that there was really no pain more a discomfort that I found I could relax into. I had never had my brows properly shaped before and the finished look was beautiful.

Next was my sorry looking nails. being a nurse, I have to keep my nails fairly short, so usually before a shift, I just hack them off with a pair of toe nail clippers I’m so sorry I ever did that Mini, and promise to never do that again! Getting a manicure has been on my 40 things list for ages and now I can proudly strike that off! I have always been put of by the smell associated with manicures and since Ottoman 3 don’t use acrylic, there is no offensive smell! I was looked after by the lovely Suzy, who was able to turn my hacked nails into a nails I can be proud of, without making them impractical for work.

Ottoman 3 Nail and Brow bar are located at Highpoint Shopping Centre and Chadstone Shopping Centre. Personally I think they need to have another one closer to me so I can get my Ottoman 3 fix regularly!!

Next up was meeting the lovely Sabrina at L’Occitane where I was given a skin assessment and shown their gorgeous organic products, most of which I tried :)  Their Highpoint store, is so serene to wander through, with gorgeous displays and staff that know how to answer all your questions.

I loved that they had bunches of lavender in the store, yet there was no over powering fragrance, just a delicate waft, and beautiful displays of the immortelle flower which is known as the everlasting flower as it never withers.

I guess I’m just going to have to wait until Sunday to find out exactly what my family discovered at Highpoint.

Have you got any *wishes* for Mother’s Day??? Are you family tuned into you or they just get what they secretly want themselves?? I’m totally sure Jacob wants another puppy :)

*Disclaimer: My family received a $200 Highpoint Gift Card to shop with and all pampering treatments were complementary.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Cyber Shopping at hardtofind. Review & Giveaway!!!

I love a little bit of cyber shopping/browsing and have a nice little folder in my browser for all the fab sites I come across. One site that I was introduced to recently is hardtofind.

hardtofind. is like an online shopping centre with little boutiques offering a cool and unique range of goodies. The first thing that grabbed me about the website, is how it is set out. You can shop by categories such as home and garden, travel, gifts, women, men and kids and these categories are then further broken down so you can narrow your search. There is also the option to shop by brand. I love this option – it makes it very easy if your looking for something that goes together.

If all this wasn’t cool enough, most of the products have FREE shipping and gift wrapping! hardtofind. let’s you know if the shipping is free right on the products information page so there’s not disappointing feeling when you get to the checkout.

So, would you like to know what I’ve found on my travels around the “mall”???

I love Print Art. This “Play Room Art Print” by Milk n Honey Designs really caught my eye. I love the wording and the fact it can be ordered in a stack of colours means it will work with any decor!!A cool gift idea I found was this “Scrabble Mug” by Shop Until. Just imagine what you could have spelt out on your coffee table :)

Now if by any chance you’re hunting for a gift for me, you can pop this “Oilcloth tote bag in Doilie Berry” by Dandi on you list. Very, very cute!!

If you’re after a gift for a new little bub, this little”Dribble Bib” by miss lilly is gorgeous!!!!!

Now, before you leave me and pop off for a spot of cyber shopping, I have a little giveaway for you. For your chance to win a “Lunchskins sandwich bag” in a cute little

lizard design from Pukekos in Gumboots, as shown above, simply leave me a comment telling me about an awesome product you have found on hardtofind. For an extra entry, share this blog post via Twitter and/or Facebook and let me know as a comment. This giveaway is open to Australia residents and will close on Friday 23rd of March 2012 at 8:30PM EDST. The winner will be announced on my blog on Saturday 24th of March 2012. If the winner doesn’t reply or is not contactable by Friday the 30th of March 2012, I will redraw the winner.

Good Luck everyone and I can’t wait to read all your answers and check out any products I might have missed :)

***You can also find hardtofind. on facebook HERE

*****All images featured in this post are from www.hardtofind.com.au*****
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