Featured

Thursday 30 June 2016

The Aviary - Watergardens Town Centre + GIVEAWAY


Are you in the Melbourne area and looking for something to do these school holidays with the kids that won't cost a fortune and you can go to the one place to get all the groceries done, maybe shop for some new winter threads and allow the kids to  have a fun shopping experience?

Well coming in this weekend from the 2nd of July, Watergardens in Sydenham will transformed into a paradise of natural beauty and bird life with its very own aviary. 
REAL LIVE birds, with exotic birds I tell you. On your shopping trip you will be able to see parrots, cockatoos and owls soar and dive in breathtaking shows, delight in the colourful plumes of exotic birds and learn all about our feathered friends from specialised handlers. This will be a truly spectacular and unique event that will captivate of any age onlooking. 


Not only can you watch bird shows and see live birds, there will be an array of acitivies of course focused around birds for the kids to participate in, which include: Bird Activity Craft Centres, Community bird displays and TeePee talks about the birds.

All activities are FREE and will run daily from Saturday 2nd July - Sunday 10th July.
The Aviary display will be open during centre hours.
Live Bird Shows will be on daily at 11am & 1pm.
Activity Centres will run from 11am until 2pm daily - Opposite Pumpkin Patch.
TeePee Talks will be on daily from 12pm & 2pm at the Atrium.


To celebrate with Watergardens Town Centre for their school holiday activities with The Aviary - we have a very special Bird Prize Pack valued at $50 to giveaway to a reader. 



Enter below via the Gleam form.

Giveaway ends: Monday 11th July at midnight.
Winners will be drawn: Tuesday 12th July, 2016.
Winners will be contacted via email and will have 24hrs to contact back otherwise redraw will occur.

@watergardenstc
#theaviary #watergardenstc




Disclosure: This post is has been made in collaboration with Watergardens media agency. I received  the opportunity to run a giveaway in exchange for its promotion here. I received no payment for this review and all opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. 

Wednesday 29 June 2016

Crayola Color Alive REVIEW

Crayola has been around for many, many years and is a fond memory of my childhood and what I would use when getting all artist with my drawings whilst being a kid.
The innovation of all the new market products that have been released from Crayola just grab you at how they come up with these ideas. They keep the experiences lasting longer whilst a new notch to it.


Recently we were sent out Crayola's new Color Alive products in which you are able to have a normal everyday coloring book that you would color in as per normal once again but then once you have completed your color in this is where 'Color Alive' happens.



Alongside with the Crayola Color Alive color in books you will need to download their app from your app store (Downloadable from iOS, Windows and Android). Once your color in has been completed you then enter into the app you will need to make your selection of which color in book you are working from, in which you will then place the camera onto the color in page - scanning the image and then seeing where 'Color Alive' comes into play.

Either of two things can be done once you have scanned your image:
- Special effects - Parts of your creation will start glowing, twinkling, flashing or moving about on the screen.
- 4D - See your creation come alive from the book page in a full 360 degree angle with audio sound back from the characters happen in front of your eyes.




The 4D view was our personal favorite with lots of laughs shared and eyes gazing at what was happening, even us 'big kids' where entertained for quite some time.


Every custom you have made to the color in which show, whether you wanted Elsa from Frozen to have a pink dress rather than a blue one you can make this happen through Crayola Color Alive.

Crayola Color Alive books retail for an inexpensive price of $7.99 each, the app is free to download and you will have hours of entertainment with 16 pages to be colored in till your child's heart is content in each book.
Each book comes with a set of 7 crayons each (other crayons can be used as well) inclusive of a special crayon to each book which is a new color to Crayola unlocking virtual effects.


Crayola Color Alive would be the perfect kids entertainment on any day even though car trips where you will be on the road for a while.
There are four books in the Crayola Color Alive range and sure to be something to please everyone from Enchanted Forest, Marvel Avengers, Disney Frozen and Mythical Creatures.



Disclosure: This post has been made in collaboration with Nuffnang and Crayola.  I received the above pictured the range of Color Alive books as above mentioned in exchange for its promotion here. I received no payment for this review and all opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

Thursday 23 June 2016

Monster Jam Monster Trucks are returning to Australian soil + GIVEAWAY

OK... I'll tell you right now I am a big tom boy when it comes to monster trucks and I have no idea why I really do love them so much.
Actually, I think it was because of my younger brother when were together he would always want to watch or play monster trucks and I would easily do so over the barbie dolls.
I recall Mum taking us to see monster trucks when they had it at The Royal Melbourne Show and then they stopped appearing there and that was a sad time.

BUT... Prepare yourselves as Monster Jam is coming back to Australian soil where they will be doing donuts and racing around making your jaw drop or holding your breathe for their stunts.

Last year when Monster Jam was here in Melbourne I sadly wasn't able to attend as I was away, but this year I'm sticking around for it and have it locked in the diary already. However, I did get to hear them on my trip up to Sydney which I was staying around the road from them and could hear them as well as see them on display in their party. The sounds of them excites me.

The show will feature four competitions in which the Monster Jam drivers will be competing for as well which will see them go head to head by stunts.

 

The 2016 lineup will see a number of fan favorite Monster Jam trucks including; Grave Digger, Monster Mutt Dalmatian and Max-D. They'll also be bringing their newbie friends around with them; Alien Invasion, Pirates Curse and El Toro Loco.

These Monster Jam trucks are custom-designed machines that weigh over 5,500kgs each- that's the weight of leg pressing 80kgs for 15 reps by about 4.5 sets IN ONE!
The acceleration of the Monster Jam trucks can go from 0-100kph in under 3 seconds. They fly through the air covering up to 50m in a single leap (14 cars wide distance)  and up to 12m skywards.
Monster Jam saw three out of the four states sell out, now this year they will stopping by in Adelaide, which will see a fifth state added to the tour.


Monster Jam trucks kick off their tour from October 1st:

October 1st - QSAC, Brisbane
October 8th - AAMI Park, Melbourne (2 shows)
October 15th - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
October 22nd - ANZ Stadium, Sydney
October 29th - Domain Stadium, Perth (2 shows)

Tickets are very affordably priced with prices starting from $28 (other fees may apply).
Get in early though as 170,000 tickets were sold nationwide last year and three of the four shows sold out.

Party in the Pits anyone? You or your little one's can get up close and personal with the Monster Jam trucks as well as meeting the superstar drivers. Each city will be hosting one of these parties.


We have been very fortunate to have some giveaway tickets on hand for TWO lucky prize packs (valued at $358 each) for families or groups of friends (4 tickets per pack) to see the show on October 8th in Melbourne at 7pm.

Prize packs:
4 x Tickets to the show are valued at approx $250
4x Pit Passes are valued at $60 (pre-show experience) ** Pit Passes valid for pre-experience of 2pm show. 
1 x Merch bag valued at approximately $48
Monster Jam merchandise bag consists of: MJ yearbook, MJ ear muffs and a truck.  

Want a chance to win these tickets? All you have to do is enter via the gleam form below.

Giveaway ends: Monday 11th July at midnight.
Winners will be drawn: Tuesday 12th July, 2016.
Winners will be contacted via email and will have 24hrs to contact back otherwise redraw will occur.


Disclosure: This post is has been made in collaboration with Monster Jam media agency. I will be receiving tickets myself to a show as media in exchange for its promotion here. I received no payment for this review and all opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

** Updated information regarding pit passes 27-6-16 as per information coming to attention via media agency.

Wednesday 15 June 2016

The Organic Place


The Organic Place is a local family business located in the western suburbs of Melbourne and the only organic company within their service area.

Food is such an important part of a humans needs. In order to function we require nutrients that can be consumed within food. Our food choices should be considered to ensure we are getting the maximum quality from its raw self.
It's becoming more of a lifestyle change for majority of consumers to eat a nutritious diet and look at sourcing organic foods. There has been proven evidence that the reason we have all of these allergies, skin conditions or intolerance's is that the food quality just isn't what it once was.
These days we are having to mass produce to ensure we can cater to everyone and with mass producing it causes boosters to be provided into our food so that they can ripen, grow or supply more to keep up with the demand.

Businesses like The Organic Place always catch my eye because I am a time poor person who finds comfort and trust within businesses who can help me out.
For myself with little Niah who is almost 3 now, shopping trips are becoming a little chaotic with Niah attempting to put many things inside the trolley, running off on me or the patience of going around the whole supermarket will were off if we are doing a complete restock for the pantry.
Not only that but for myself if I go to the supermarket I am easily tempted by specials and can be a repeat offender of allowing bad treats into the trolley now and again, also being that my supermarket of choice is in a large shopping centre so it has me walking past many other specialty stores that I didn't not need having me swipe my card in.

The Organic Place offer a convenient service to families where you can order online and they will deliver fresh, certified organic fruit, veg and other groceries to your door all over Melbourne on a weekly basis. If weekly isn't needed for your household then fortnightly orders are taken as well.
Orders are easily placed online, order by Tuesday 5pm for deliveries on Thursday.

The fresh organic produce that comes in your hampers from The Organic Place is so fresh that it is only picked 6 to 12 hours before you receive your delivery.
Delivery prices start from only $5, dependent on your location.


The Organic Place kindly gifted me a small office box hamper valued at $39.95 which is made up with an abundance of an estimated around 5kgs worth of fresh fruit produce. Inside the large brown bag, it was filled up with an array of organic pieces like cucumber, capsicum, turnip, potatoes, bananas, celery, apples, oranges, mandarins, cabbage and mixed salad leaves just to give you an idea of a few of the contents.

The mandarins were the first thing to go in our hamper. I am not a big fan at all of mandarins but these ones were absolutely amazing, like no other I have tried before. The flavor just bursts in your mouth and their was like no pips at all. I was speechless, completely changed my opinion on mandarins but there will be no place other than The Organic Place that can provide them tasting exactly that way I would think.


In our household I like to have the fruit bowl always filled with a variety of choices and placed on the kitchen counter where it can always be seen for if you need something to get you by, it's also a great thing to do for the kids to be able to see and choose from at snack time.

The Organic Place doesn't only just stock fresh organic fruit and veg by the hamper, you can order selection pieces of your choice or even get your organic bread, oils, muesli any many other cooking essentials from their online store.

The beautiful thing about The Organic Place is the inspiring story of why it all begin, in which I will leave you with the link here. It's worth a read, it makes you feel as if you know the people behind The Organic Place.

If you would like to place an order to try out The Organic Place yourself, we have a special free shipping for your first order code. Simply use: 'njtblogger' at checkout.



Disclosure: This post has been made in collaboration with The Organic Place, I was gifted a small fruit and veg hamper as above mentioned above. I received no payment for this review and all opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

Sunday 12 June 2016

Very Special Kids Fashion Sale Event

Very Special Kids care for children with life-threatening conditions by providing a children's hospice and professional family support services.
I was reminded of how lucky I am to have a healthy child when I attended the VIP blogger preview event for the Very Special Kids Fashion Sale. Unfortunately some children have life-threatening conditions and here is where Very Special Kids come into aid.


The event itself was for us VIP bloggers to have a preview of what the Fashion Sale would be like. The event was held at the Very Special Kids HQ in Melbourne where the hospice is also situated, they did offer us to have a tour but sadly for myself I am too much of an emotional person and decided last minute to not go along, I do however plan to try and volunteer some time helping in where I can.



During the event we found ourselves being able to try on clothing that would be at the sale and get in front of the camera taking some fun snaps to help get the word out about the sale.
Most of us at the preview event were Mums as well so we all felt touched being there and being able to help through our social media channels to raise more awareness of the sale.


Ambassador, Jess Dempsey - a well known fashion blogger and mother by the name of What Would Karl Do spoke to us all on the night advising of how she become to be the Very Special Kids ambassador and what it meant to her to be the VSK ambassador.

Very Special Kids hold an annual event where kindly donated clothing from top Australian and European brands that go up for sale at the Fashion Sale at up to 90% off the retail price. All profits from this Fashion Sale will go directly to Very Special Kids. Its retail therapy that's good for your heart. You can snap up bargains for everyone in the family with mens, women's and children's clothing as well as jewellery and accessories.

The Fashion Sale takes place at Malvern Town Hall on Saturday 18th June, 2016 from 9am to 3pm.  A gold coin donation will gain you entry into the sale.



Disclosure: This post has been made in collaboration with Very Special Kids. I was invited along to the above mentioned event and was gifted an outfit of choice on the night with no expectation for its promotion here. I received no payment for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

Wednesday 8 June 2016

Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival + GIVEAWAY


©Disney. All Rights Reserved 

Disney On Ice is back in Australia.
This time will be the first ever for the Number One animated movie of all time, Frozen to feature on the ice.

A special Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival will be touring Australia from June 2nd, 2016. Please see dates below for when Disney On Ice will be in your town.

National Tour Dates:

Perth 2 - 6 June
Adelaide 10 - 13 June
Wollongong 16 - 19 June
Brisbane 23 - 27 June
Melbourne 1 - 5 July
Newcastle 8 - 10 July
Sydney 13 - 17 July

Along with the favourite characters from Frozen, you will see Disney's The Little Mermaid, Tangled and Beauty and the Beast on the ice. The show wouldn't be complete without the popular hosts Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy.

Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival is a show for boys, girls and the rest of the family. Getting to see their favourite Disney characters ice skate around on the main stage to a storyline from their movie, overflowing with magic and have you sitting on the edge to ensure you capture every moment of the show.

Tickets are available now through Ticketek with prices starting from just $34.50*
(*When tickets are purchased with cash at the box office. Ticket price includes GST & Booking/Inside Fee. Additional Transaction & Credit Card Fees may apply.)


In collaboration with Disney we’re giving away tickets to ONE very lucky family (4 tickets valued at $48.50 each - total of $194 ) to see the show Sunday 3rd July at 6pm, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. 

Want a chance to win these tickets? All you have to do is enter via the gleam form below.

Giveaway ends: Monday 27th June at midnight.
Winners will be drawn: Tuesday 28th June, 2016.
Winners will be contacted via email and will have 24hrs to contact back otherwise redraw will occur.


Disclosure: This post is has been made in collaboration with Disney On Ice media agency. I will be receiving tickets myself to a show as media in exchange for its promotion here. I received no payment for this review and all opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Terms and Conditions available on request. 

Sunday 5 June 2016

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown the Musical + GIVEAWAY


The loveable Peanuts gang is coming to Melbourne for a musical.
Your favourite's Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Schroeder, Sally and Lucy are all going to be front and centre on the big stage.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is heading into newest The Alex Theatre, St Kilda from June 21st. The musical will see a storyline and songs based on American cartoonist Charles M. Shultz's much loved Peanuts comic stip.

At a super affordable price for the show that the whole family can enjoy together.
Presented by Alex Theatre founder Aleksander Vass said “We know how hard it can be for families to afford a great day out with the kids. Vass Productions wants to provide affordable entertainment for the whole family. You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown has been a smash hit on Broadway and Peanuts is everyone’s favourite. If you loved the movie come and see the show!
Join Charlie Brown, his beagle best friend Snoopy and the rest of the gang as they navigate their way through a day full of book reports, baseball games, kite flying, unrequited love, friendship, misunderstandings and a little philosophy.


To celebrate we’re giving away tickets to ONE very lucky family (4 tickets valued at $120) to see the performance on Tuesday 21st June at 7:30pm.


Want a chance to win these tickets? All you have to do is enter via the gleam form below.

Giveaway ends: Wednesday 15th June at midnight.
Winners will be drawn: Thursday 16th June, 2016.
Winners will be contacted via email and will have 24hrs to contact back otherwise redraw will occur.


Disclosure: This post is has been made in collaboration with You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown media agency. I will be receiving tickets myself to a show as media in exchange for its promotion here. I received no payment for this review and all opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.
Copyright © 2015 NJT Blogger