Sunday, December 18, 2011

A little bloggy milestone and a great big giveaway!

When I started blogging here back in February I had no inkling what this year would hold.

I thought I might have one of those fabbo household organisation type blogs because that stuff totally floats my boat. And lots of recipes because I love to cook. And of course a heap of gratitude posts because that is how I live my life.

And I was ALL OVER the review and giveaway stuff that was starting to pop up.

I had no idea that a large proportion of my posts would be about autism. If you'd told me then that a simple diagnosis would shake me to the core and tear my heart to pieces, then just as those pieces started repairing another diagnosis would push me to the very brink of sound mental health I may not have believed you.

If you'd suggested I might bare the depths of my despair, my distress, my confusion for all the world to see I may have laughed you off.

But here we are, and I am so incredibly grateful that the universe provided exactly what I needed when I needed it... a loving and supportive community during one of the most challenging times of my life.

Anyway enough of the emo kid, because I'm celebrating!

This little blog of mine has reached a milestone you see. It has just ticked over 100 000 pageviews, can you believe it? I'm amazed and thrilled and so happy! I love the community that exists here. I love all your comments and I love the dialogues that they create. I'm a happy little blogger today.

So to celebrate I've been planning something to say thankyou to YOU! I've been chatting with some of my favourite brands over the past week or so and they have generously provided some awesome prizes for my 100K Giveaway! (Meanwhile I totally wish I could give away $100K but that just ain't gonna happen, at least not until George finally Tattses me outta here!).

The Prizes

1. From a beautiful blogger who has been an amazing support to me this year. Love you Denyse!
Denyse Whelan  B.Ed M.Ed
former K-6 School Principal now an Education Specialist.
She is very experienced and now uses that knowledge to guide & counsel parents, advise businesses & brands, and speak to groups about matters relating to: schooling, education, schools
Denyse has double degrees in Education. She has been in education for 40 years.

Her full bio & contact details are on her website: www.denysewhelan.com.au
Subscribe to her monthly newsletter to be informed & up to date.

Denyse congratulates Kate on her blog’s achievements and joins in the celebrations with a prize pack valued at $40 ($1 for each year of Denyse’s Education Career). 

4 Pack – Classic Picture Books by Allison Lester – Australian author
CD Rom – PC Security Software
20 6X4 in – Photo Print Paper
1 Notebook & 3 coloured pens
iTunes Gift Card for $20.00
(degree pictured, and apple shape, not included….) 



2. Cars 2 BluRay & DVD plus soundtrack - RRP $70

You all know I have a little Cars fan at my place. Actually I have a few of them! We were lucky enough to receive an extra set of these when we attended the Cars 2 event a few months ago. I've been saving them for a special occasion... and here it is!



3. Vanchi Supersized Muslin Wrap - RRP $24.95

I'm still loving all over my gorgeous Vanchi Joplin Barrel Bag nearly 6 months on. It is truly the most versatile nappy bag I have ever owned (and I've owned a few!). The wonderful people at Vanchi have contributed a new release supersized muslin wrap for one of you, perfect for the warmer months.

Tired of wraps that don't fit your baby? VANCHI’s Pure Muslin wraps have got your baby covered! A fantastic gift for sleepless parents!

Why Mums Prefer VANCHI Pure Muslin Super Sized Baby Wraps:

Biggest muslin wrap on the market 180 x 110cm. Guaranteed to outgrow your baby, not the other way around!
Beautifully presented in a cylindrical shaped organza gift bag with VANCHI ribbon
Lightweight, supersoft, breathable, machine washable, durable & stretchy 100% pure cotton muslin
Allows baby’s body temperature to adjust naturally to prevent overheating
Swaddled babies sleep better & longer while helping reduce the risk of SIDS by keeping them on their back while sleeping
Versatile by design: They can be used as a swaddle, light weight blanket, nursing privacy cover, stroller cover and more.
Addictive: Impossible to stop at one!



4. Bump, Baby & Beyond - $100 Gift Voucher

For me there is nothing glamorous about pregnancy. I'm not one of those gorgeous glowing types you see with a basketball up their jumper. I'm more the side of a truck with cankles to match type. That said I wish I'd seen Bump, Baby & Beyond's range of maternity wear when I was pregnant because I think I would have at least felt a little more attractive! They have some beautiful and very affordable products for pregnancy right through to kidswear. And best of all if you don't live close to one of their stores you can shop safely and securely at their website.

You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Bump, Baby & Beyond have generously donated a $100 voucher for one lucky reader!



5. Garnier Miracle Perfector BB Cream - 3 sets valued at $83.70

I've been raving about the Garnier BB cream online and off for a few months now. It is a staple in my skincare routine and I can't see that changing any time soon. I love the level of moisture for my skin and the coverage it provides my uneven skintone. Love. It.

So I contacted the ace people at Garnier and asked if I could share a little more BB love around in case there is anyone out there who hasn't tried it yet. They're a fantastic group and have provided me three sets to give away, each includes the fair and medium toned creams.

I can't speak highly enough of this product, I hope you will love it too!



6. Escargot Kids - $100 Voucher

Escargot are new kids on the fashion block with a beautiful range of clothing for babies and children. I am in big love with the Baby Lulu One Piece, so gorgeous! Currently stocking Summer clothing and swimwear this is going to be a brand to watch.

You can find Escargot Kids on Facebook as well to keep up to date with new stock and promotions.

Escargot Kids are generously giving one reader a $100 voucher to use at their website!



7. Inner-B Menu Planning Pack valued at $26.90

You might remember my review of the Inner-B Mum Organiser a while back. I mentioned then that I've been using the Inner-B Magnetic Weekly Planner for quite a while now. It sits at the top of my fridge and is my go to many times a day to keep track of our week as well as jotting down notes and to-do lists down the side.

I LOVE that it has enough spaces for larger families... we even have a column free that I use to plan our dinners for the week.

If you're a bit of a systems junkie too and looking for a great addition to your planning tools for next year then this one is for you. Inner-B are donating a Magnetic Planner along with a weekly menu notepad to help you stay organised when it comes to meals. Hooray!



8. Cool Gelmat RRP $79

One of the challenges we've faced this year is our little mate's increased sensitivity to so many things. At the moment as the weather warms up one of those sensitivities is the need to have covers on at night and his refusal to have a fan on. This makes for some pretty uncomfortable sleeping conditions and we all know how precious sleep (both his and mine) really is.

I read a great review of the Cool Gelmat over at Stuff With Thing recently and had a bit of a hallelujah moment. And it's not just great for kids with sensory issues either, I reckon it would be perfect for those 'hot' sleepers (my big girl is one, has been since birth) and I've heard they are brilliant for migraine sufferers as well.

I'll be providing a full review here soon as we're lucky enough to be receiving one to try out ourselves. In the meantime you can win a pillow sized Cool Gelmat to try out yourself.

You can find their Facebook page here to keep up with all the news as well.


9. Sabco Cleaning Products - RRP $80

So you know by now that I'm a person who needs to clean. Let's consider it cheap therapy yes? But cleaning is not fun unless you have the right tools, and Sabco want to make sure you do!

Sabco are donating a Super Swish Spray Mop and a Super Swish Xtra Flat Mop, as well as a Delicate Surface Microfibre Cloth, a 2 in 1 Kitchen and Dish Sponge and a 2 in 1 Window Chamois Cloth. Truly you will have NO excuse to put off the cleaning any more!

Here's something I didn't know about Sabco until recently... through their strong relationship with Dualware and Yooralla they help support the employment of people with disabilities diffabilities. Acceptance and support of those who face greater challenges is a subject very close to my heart and I'm very happy to have discovered this about the company.

Make sure to check out their Facebook page for tips, ideas and even the occasional giveaway!

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So how's that for an awesome haul? You want in right? Right!

Entry is easy, simply use the form below and leave a comment telling me what you'd like to see more of on the blog next year. Systems junkie stuff? Recipes? Competitions and reviews? Less promotion and more personal? Or vice versa? 

Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway