Crochet Watermelon Rug

A few months ago I had an idea to crochet a watermelon rug for Willow's room! I mean, because what kid (and adult) doesn't love watermelons! I used Zpagetti yarn, which is so fun to work with, and you can crochet rugs and bowls and all sorts of things, its stretchy and 100% cotton. Anyway, I finished it a while back, and then because I loved it so much, and I got some great feedback about it,  I decided to make another! And I am planning to make even more!

PacaPod Designer Parent Bag Review and Giveaway

Alright, so I LOVE a good nappy bag. Especially because I use one pretty much every day, and I am always shoving things in them, digging around or trying to find something for the kids every five minutes when I'm out! I'm always lugging kids and stuff somewhere. So for me organisation and space is essential. But, I also know that most Mum's I hang out with, and me included, actually like to have a stylish bag, that doesn't make it look like you've given up on all sense of fashion and just lug kids stuff around! Right?

Well, I've found the bag that has both! The PACAPOD Portland is new to Australia, it has great organisation, heaps of space and looks really nice and is easy to carry! Pacapod actually has a great range of parent bags!!  PLUS, it has the added bonus of including some other daily essentials like an insulated bag for food and drinks, that can become a back pack for little ones!! And a separate changer pod for nappies, clothes and creams. It includes heaps of really thoughtful features that when I used it for the first time, I kept discovering new things and I was constantly thinking, Ohhh thats cool, ohhh good idea, ohhh nice.

With my last nappy bag Joel absolutely refused to look for anything in there because it was absolute chaos. He could never find anything and it would frustrate him so much! He actually really likes this one, and especially now that he knows where everything is, plus, he doesn't mind carrying it because it isn't super Girly!

All of the PacaPods have the 'POD SYSTEM' which is so clever, and its nice not to have to dig around your whole bag to find wipes or nappies or whatever they all have their own little home!

The Pod System is 3 great parts
1: The parent bag! That is stylish and lovely and even can fit an iPod or Laptop! Plus a zip pocket for your phone, keys, wallet and such!

2. Changer Pod: Which has 7 pockets, clothes pouch and comes with a padded change mat. The amount of stuff I can squeeze in the pod is awesome!

3. Feeder Pod: Which is insulated and has enough room for your kids food! And, it also detaches to be a neat little back pack, which Ez keeps telling me 'thats me's backpack' so obviously a hit with the kids!

This particular Portland bag retails for $279, but there are a great range of PacaPod bags that start at $159

If you want to check out the range of Pacapod Parent bags available in Australia click HERE
And you can also check out your local baby store to see if they are a stockist!

I'm really excited because I also have one the PacaPod Parent bags from their range to GIVEAWAY!

For your chance to win, just follow the Rafflecopter Prompts Below!! 

And GOOD LUCK!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Kindness of a Stranger

Isn't it nice sometimes when a stranger does something unexpected. Something that makes you feel like there are still a lot of really lovely people around! Earlier this week as I was pushing the trolley out of the shops an elderly man approached us. He intercepted the trolley and told Ez that he had something for him. Then out of a plastic bag he pulls a little stuffed Koala, tags still attached. He says here you are you little cherub you! And then walks away, simple as that.

He may have seen us entering the shops. Where Ez ran towards the little toy carousel thing (you know those ANNOYING things in every shops), and when I told him no and that we were in a hurry, he simply got off and followed me, which was pretty impressive I thought, and not all that common! So that maybe could explain the little gift. But, even if it was totally random, thats pretty awesome too.

A little boys whole day was filled with joy because of his new toy. He said to me on the way home 'this the best present me ever have.' Which is a little disappointing to hear that it out ranks all the things I bought him, hah! But it was pretty sweet none the less. He took it on our walk, and the photos aren't set up at all, I looked up to see him sitting there with the Koala and snapped a couple of pics, because I couldn't not record something quite so precious!

So, I guess, being kind and thoughtful is pretty great!

We're Building A House: Kitchen Almost Complete

Last week I finally found some bar stools for our kitchen, they were on sale for $39.95 EACH, so I swiftly napped 4 of them. I had been looking and looking for ages to find decent bar stools, and these just popped up on my facebook newsfeed, that was handy! I absolutely love them, they are the Hudson Stool from Mocka

The last thing to go up in the kitchen is our pendant lights, two Muuto unfold lights from Scandanavian Design Center. But, my brother the sparky is a little occupied with his new bub, so I thought it best not to pester him!!

Anyway, I love the way it turned out, the simple things like the plain white subway tiles look so good with the charcoal grout, and because I just love everything grey, and  I'm so happy with the way the cabinets look, they are new graphite colour by Laminex. Our fridge doesn't quite fit properly in this spot, its too skinny and the door opens the wrong way making it really awkward, but it just has to do for now!

We put the shelves up, they are an oak look laminate, the brand is Big Boy I think! We got them from a Temple and Webster sale. I think the shelves fill in that wall and make it feel less stark and more homey! Now just to figure out what to put on those shelves!

The kitchen is where most of my effort has gone, its nice now that its almost complete that I can start dreaming about other rooms! But, the kitchen is our hub, the heart of the house, so its nice that it feels finished!

These picture are not so great, just taken with my phone, because I feel too lazy to pull out the DSLR, but you get the idea!

New Aussie Designed Cot Bedding: In Bed With Fred

Last week I stumbled across this beautiful new Australian company that has just launched their first range of nursery linen! I love their name: In Bed With Fred, and I love that it was started by three Aussie Mums!! Who obviously saw what was missing in the kids linen realm! I think their collection of cot sheets and quilt sets are GORGEOUS!  So, I thought you might like it too!
Their linen is all made from 300TC Cotton Sateen so as well as looking great, I'm sure it is pretty nice  to sleep on too. And, you can pre-order now for delivery late this month.

I feel like only a year ago when I was hunting for cot linen for Willow, it was so hard to find anything really nice that wasn't pink polka dots or just plain boringness! So this is so, so refreshing to see really lovely cot bedding for both boys and girls!

There seems to be a bunch of big companies diving into the kids linen arena lately, but if you look just a little harder you can find some gorgeous small businesses and independent designers that have some really great pieces, that will give your kids rooms a little more individuality!

Plus, I really like the idea of supporting small Australian companies and designers, even if it does cost a little bit more than the mass produced stuff!

To Check Out their entire range and pre-order head to their website: www.inbedwithfred.com.au

(And this post is totally not sponsored, just love what these ladies are producing, and wanted to share)

  Photo Credit: www.tobyscott.com.au

What do you think? Do you love it too?

Yo Gabba Gabba LIVE is coming to PERTH (WIN A FAMILY PASS)

*This is a sponsored post: but all opinions, and dance moves are my own!

Have you heard yet that the Yo Gabba Gabba Live show is making its way to Perth for the 1ST TIME EVER?

To be honest, I was pretty excited when I found out that DJ Lance and the crew were including Perth in their tour this time round. I may have actually jumped out of my seat and squealed a little bit (who have I beome?!?). A few years ago I never thought I would get excited about something like this, and then well, I became a parent, and the thought of my little boy having an absolute blast, being super excited and  getting his Dancey Dance on makes me pretty stoked as a Mum, and the fact that I get to enjoy it with him is pretty special. I mean, we had a pretty awesome dancey dance time ourselves this afternoon, rocking out to some Spoon and Led Zeppelin, playing air guitar and singing into plastic cutlery microphones, but I'm so looking forward to seeing his face when he realises that all his favourite characters have come out of the TV!

 Plus, I will totally admit that Yo Gabba Gabba is one of my favourite kid shows, I love their positive messages in each episode. But, it might also have something to do with my punk-rock loving teenage years and the fact that one of the creators is from the Aquabats, so the show includes heaps of awesome bands (like The Roots and MGMT) and famous personalities, so I like to watch too! I'm also pretty keen to find out who the surprise Super Music Friends live band will be at the Perth show, and who the special dancey dance guests are! See, its not just for the kids!

We've been listening to the Yo Gabba Gabba CD's since Ez was a baby, basically because he loves it, and I can't stand any other kids CD's. I know the Super Music Friends album off by heart, and of course I find myself singing "You can't always get what you want" song to Ezra fairly often, and I probably get a little too into Pool Party by the Aquabats, to the point that people in other cars stare. So, just like when I was 13 at my first Silverchair concert, I will be one of the many I'm sure singing along to every word! Luckily, my kids aren't old enough to be embarrassed by me yet!

So lots of singing, lots of dancing, lots of favourite songs and new ones too, plus special guests, and if the past shows on the east coast are anything to go by, it is going to be such an awesome show, for all ages!

It's coming up really soon, next month actually, so make sure you get your tickets!

(CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS)

You do not want to miss out on a chance to get your sillies out!

You can even get platinum tickets that give you the opportunity to get photos with the Yo Gabba Gabba Cast!

For ticket and event information visit www.zaccariagroup.com. 
For full tour information visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com.au.

DATES IN PERTH:

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!

Saturday 7 June, 2014 

Sunday 8 June, 2014 

Riverside Theatre, PCEC 

AND Thanks to the Zaccaria Group, You have the chance to 

WIN A  FAMILY PASS (Admits 4) to the YO GABBA GABBA LIVE SHOW IN PERTH! 

just follow this link to enter the giveaway on the Yellow Dandy Facebook Page! 

ENTER HERE

Here is a clip from the 2010 Yo Gabba Gabba Live show, if you want to get an idea of what you're in for!! 

Sorry Non-West Aussies, this is a special giveaway for my fellow WA dwellers!

Also linking up with Jess for #IBOT

Mother's Day Mistake & Wishlist

So, funny story!! This year, we got a little muddled up! And actually celebrated Mother's Day, today. I could point fingers (JOEL!!!!!!!), but I didn't actually pick up on the mistake until this afternoon, well after I had taken full advantage of milking everything I could from Mother's day. I got a nice cup of tea in bed, then read my book, and Joel took Ezra grocery shopping whilst Willow had her morning nap, and I read my book some more! I just started reading The Goldfinch and it sucked me in from the get go. I'm even  having a hard time even sitting here doing this because I just want to keep on reading. It really was a relaxing day, I thought about going out to eat, but figured it would be really busy, but I should have gone, because it probably wasn't busy at all, considering it wasn't actually a national special day for Mums.

But, the mix up happened I guess because I haven't really been watching any TV with ads, I don't get junk mail, and my internet browsing has been on a minimum, plus my Mum is away on holidays for the next couple of weeks. So I have just been totally out of the loop and Joel told me it was this weekend, and well, who was I to doubt that!! But, no harm done, I'll just take advantage of the ACTUAL Mother's Day next weekend! Bonus for me I suppose!

Seeing now I get to celebrate again, I suppose it would be a good idea to put up my Mothers Day Wish List! You can tell by my list that my mind is still consumed by fitting out our house!

Galah Print by Peter Cromer 
Lovestar Vase
New Balance Shoes at Urban Outfitters
Milk & Sugar Pendant Light
Big Pinapple Cushion from Ourlieu

Hexagon Crochet Baby Blanket

Oh LOOK!  I crocheted YET another baby blanket! This one is definitely the most time consuming one I've done to date, you know, out of all 4 of them! But, I wanted to make something a little different, and use some interesting colour combos! And of course, who doesn't love hexagons.  With changing the colours every round and then joining them all up it definitely took many, many hours! But I find crocheting helps me to relax and wind down, I'm a serial multi-tasker in front of the TV so this keeps me from getting fidgety! Plus, it was a very special project for new niece, Meadow, so really I didn't mind at all. 

So, I was really clever this time, and I took a picture of the colour codes of the wool I used. Brilliant right! So, hopefully that is helpful if anyone wants to use the same colour combos! It is all Cleckheaton, 100% wool. I have a thing about making blankets with only wool! But it is a little pricey, and the not so clever thing I did this time, was once again forget exactly how much yarn I used (SORRY), but I know I used at least 4 balls of each colour and more cream than the other colours because of all the edges. 

The pattern for the hexagons is from the lovely and talented Pip at Meet Me At Mikes, and that can be found HERE.

I used a 5mm crochet hook and 8ply wool.

I did 4 different colour ways you can see and count from this picture how many of each I used. I really should have done one more row on the left side (from the picture below), but I ran out of the blue/green wool and I thought it was already looking big enough.

I then joined them all together with a slip stitch, I found the instructions HERE.
This picture shows the back side of the blanket so you get an idea of what the join looks like.

If you have any questions, please ask!!

Now, onto my next projects!