My Life in Mono...

Sponsored: Growing Minds

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but the views and opinions expressed are purely my own.

In less than 3 weeks, schools in WA will be back in session.  The Lil’ Tiger will be going to Kindy this year and I have been given her school supplies list.  I am not sure who is more exited to get this list, me or the Lil’ Tiger.

Like last year  I am taking my list to Officeworks again to use their School List Service . I was really impressed by how fast they work.  It was literally drop your list and then pick up in the next couple of hours or so.  Of course if you are a lover of all things Officeworks or you happened to have a child free day, you could browse the isle and pick up everything from your list. I do have to say, they have a lot of cute stationery, lunch boxes and water bottles in store at the moment.  LOVE!

School stationery sorted. Check.

Next on my “to-do” list that I would like to share is how to get your child school ready.  My mum was a pro at this, being the mum of 3 daughters; I am guessing she needed a sense of control over our daily life.  I however have only 1 child and already I am wondering how she does it with 3!  So here are my “How to get your child ready for school and not look like you are struggling” tips.

1. Routine.  Routine.  Routine.  Very important in my life and in the Lil’ Tiger’s life.  This is so she knows what is expected of her and sometimes, I can hear her mumble to herself as to what she has to do next.  I am quite strict of our routine on school nights but I do know that life happens and I need to be a little flexible.

2. Shared calendar.  I have a physical diary (a cute one from Officeworks of course) and also a shared electronic calendar with my husband.  It is my non-negotiable rule to write down whatever appointment or plans that we have in our calendar, especially the shared one.  This is so it is easy for me to organise who goes where with whom.  This also will avoid us double booking ourselves to parties or catch ups.

3. Healthy Meals.  Healthy meals create healthy minds.  Most days, I cook our meals at home from scratch with the help of my Thermomix of course. Haha.  I try to cut out processed food from our meals at home.  With her lunch box, I try to do the same thing.  She always has a sandwich, I make my own bread most weeks, a piece of fruit (usually whatever is in season, currently it’s mangoes) and a tub of homemade yoghurt.  Her school has a policy of a shared fruit bowl for morning tea so we also add another fruit in her lunch box for the fruit bowl.

4. Having the right and good quality stationery.  If you buy cheap stationery, it will break and sometimes be rendered useless after one use.  So always have the right and good quality stationery in hand.  Officeworks also offers “Parent’s price promise”.  This means if you find another supplier selling it cheaper, Officeworks will beat the price by another 20%.

5. Take time out to have fun.  After school, I usually encourage the Lil’ Tiger to either run around in our front yard, ride her bike, blow bubbles or play with her dolls in the house.  This is so her mind can relax after all that learning in school.  There is also another benefit to this, it allows her to play independently from me so I can get on with cooking our meals, sharpens her imagination AND get her to use whatever energy that she has left in her tank.  This will ensure a smooth bedtime routine. HEHE

Do you have any tips to share? Please share them with me here or on my Facebook page 

The good people of Officeworks also have this new app called "The Great Minds App" on the Android and iPhone stores.  The games are set in a number of different school-related environments, including a science lab and playground, with activities such as a dynamic card game and virtual dodgeball to keep the learning interesting.

Each game encourages students to work different cognitive functions of the brain, including memory, attention, speed, knowledge and flexibility, by presenting a variety of fun problem-solving puzzles. 

I had a couple of plays on it and it was so much fun.  

Lastly, did you know that Officeworks Glebe and The Smith Family Foundation is having a “Back to School Appeal”?  Officeworks Glebe is encouraging local residents to help children in need succeed in the 2015 school year by supporting its Back to School Appeal for The Smith Family children’s charity, who help disadvantaged young Australians to get the most out of their education.

During the Appeal, which runs from January 1 to February 15, you can go in-store and buy a stationery donation card, write your name on it and place it in the store’s display to show your support. Alternately, donations can be made at the register or online at officeworks.com.au.

A National Fundraising Day on February 12 will see all 153 Officeworks stores host various fun activities for the local community. All contributions will go towards The Smith Family’s 94 Learning for Life communities to provide disadvantaged young people with school supplies and support to help them participate fully at school.

Please show your support.

 

Community: CARE Australia

I believe it takes a village to raise a child.  I believe that we all need human companionship regardless of whether we like it or not.  I believe that everyone has the right to be accepted in a community. I believe that we should give back to these communities when we can.  I believe in CARE Australia because of the work that they are doing by giving opportunities and empowering women and girls in their communities who failed to care for them.

Did you know that in some countries, it only cost $69 a year to educate a young girl in her community? $69 a year!  We spend more than that as a family for one Friday Dinner.  I think one day, I would suggest to M and say, "Hey, let's eat at home this Friday and donate the money that we would have spent to CARE Australia."  :)  I am not sure how that will go down but M is a pretty reasonable guy and he would most probably agree with me.

It's tax time for Australians and it is the perfect time to give generously. CARE Australia has made it easy with thier handy dandy Tax Calculator for Australians to see how much they would be getting back from the Tax Man for making a donation with them.  By donating to CARE Australia,you will not only be assisting someone in need, but will be boosting your tax return at the same time. 

With cuts to the Foreign Aid budget, a whole $7.6 billion over the next 5 years,  by the Australian government this year, there couldn't be a better time to donate to charity.  So give with an open heart and give as much as you can because what might not be significant for you, would be a huge significance to another.

 

10 Minutes Cookies...

There is no doubt that I love the River Cottage Series.  I often day dream that I live in a small sustainable self sufficient farm.  I would make everything from scratch. Eat what ever I got from the garden that day and get fresh chicken eggs from my chooks. One day.  One day it would come true. 

Until that day comes,  I will just browse and look through my favourite cook book from him.  River Cottage Everyday.  One of my favourite recipe from this book is his 10 Minute Chocolate Chip Cookies. Perfect for days when you have cravings for something sweet. 

Over the weekend, I had one of those cravings.  I was craving cake, but I ran out of milk.  So I made these chocolate chip cookies instead.  I tweaked it a little because I didn't want it too sweet. 

My ever so eager baker's apprentice helped me today.  It's such an easy recipe to make with kids.  I think her favourite bit was to lick the wooden spoon at the end and of course the end product. 

Ten-Minute Chocolate Chip Cookies (Adapted from River Cottage)

Makes 14-16

125 unsalted butter

25g organic stiva (I use Natvia) but if you dont have it, 100g of castor sugar*

70g light brown sugar

1 medium egg

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

155g plain flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of seasalt

100 dark chocolate, chopped up into small chunks (you can use milk chocolate)

1. Pre heat oven to 190 degrees C
2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. I prefer it a little burnt so I leave it longer.  
3. In a bowl mix flour, brown sugar, stiva, baking powder and egg.  
4. Pour in cooled butter and mix well. Add Vanilla extract.
5. Your mixture should be on the sloppy side.  Now add the chocolate. 
6. Line your cookie tray with baking paper and teaspoons of the mixture on. 
7. Bake for 10 minutes until pale golden brown.  Carefully cool them off in a wire rack. 

  

Sponsored: Shoes you can Live in

I use to suffer in the name of fashion.  Pre child, I use to wear really high heels and walk up and down St Georges Terrace while doing my errands.  At the end of the day or my rounds, I would take my shoes off and swore never to wear them again, but I never learn.  My feet would hurt so bad and I would sometimes have blisters. Ouch. 

Now, I go for shoes with comfort.  Sure I do not go out and run errands as much anymore but I do have to stand for a period of time for a work function.  I remember the last work function I went to, I had to take my shoes off under the table because my most "comfortable" shoes was not really made for standing too long. It was only comfortable if I sit in the office. 

Ziera Shoes is made for comfort.  founded by podiatrist, Mervyn Adams and David Robertson, they set out to find shoes that you can actually live in and can't live without.  They also made them stylish and not nanna like. Their Winter range this year have me swooning over this (pictured) gorgeous riding boots.  I can never find comfortable boots and these looks very comfortable. They are quite reasonably priced too. They make other types of shoes that are comfortable too and they are really stylish.  I have a few in my wishlist all ready to go.  You can check out the whole range on their website. 

 This is a sponsored post but opinions are my own. 

Sponsored & Giveaway: Officeworks Back to School

It's that time of the year again where all school parents start to panic a little. The kids will be back to school in just 2 weeks and parents are frantically trying to organise uniforms, booklists and etc. 

Though the Lil' Tiger won't officially go to school until 2016 (pre primary), her new day care, has a Montessori teacher coming in everyday from 9am to 3pm and she goes in full time, so it is kinda like "school" (actually they do address themselves as a school).  I was given a list of things that she needs for the year and off I trotted to my nearest Officeworks. 

Have I mentioned before that I love Officeworks? When I was childless, I use to go to my nearest one and just look at stationery for hours.  Those were the days where there was no one tugging on my shirt telling me they need to go to the loo or telling me that she is hungry for the 50th time that hour.  Now I would be lucky to even go in for 15 minutes. :) 

Thankfully, Officeworks offers "School List Service", where you can drop off your school list and come back the next day to just pick up and pay. In and out in less than 5 minutes (unless there is a super long queue because everyone is also buying school supplies).  Its a One Stop School Shop! Owh yeah! 

Unfortunately, luck was not on my side today, there was a long queue and one family had 4 kids and 4 school lists to pay!! Eeekks. I overheard a mum telling another mum about her experience last year on how she left it too late and almost everything was sold out and how she had to go to 6 different KMart and BigW only to find things from half her list and she said she didnt even care how much they cost and probably would even buy some stuff on her list for twice the amount becuase she desperately needed it. Owh dear.

So for the month of January, Officeworks is offering every parents their "Parents' Price Promise**". This means that they will beat any identical quoted school item on the list by 10%.  That means, you do not have to pay premium price on identical school items. 

Lesson learnt.  Don't get supplies from your child's book list late AND don't pay premium price. :) 

I left Officeworks happy and relieved that I got everything on the list. Now for show and tell. This is what I got. I am pretty excited that the Lil' Tiger will be able to learn more in this "School" than her old daycare. She is all set to go now. 

The lovely people at Officeworks is giving you a chance to win a $50 gift voucher for you to shop for school supplies with them. :)  All you have to do is tell me your version of School  stationery (or work or personal) list disaster story? 

I will draw the price on 1 February 2014 at 8pm (Western Australia Time) and the winner will be announced on 2 February 2014.  Unfortunately, the competition is only open to Australian residents BUT you can still tell me your story. I love a good read. 
 

**Valid on identical stocked or Officeworks-deemed equivalent items where identical products are not available. Excludes competitor out of stocks, categories or items not ranged and items available only for customer order at Officeworks. Offer available from 01/01/14 to 31/01/14. Cannot be used in conjunction with Officeworks 5% Lowest Price Guarantee. 

Sponsored: Cold Brewed Tea

It's been really hot here lately and I have been craving cold teas more than ever.  I went to a store opening before Christmas and was introduced to "Cold Brewed Tea".  I thought the concept was BRILLIANT and so simple. Perfect for those hot summer days. 

The concept of a "Cold Brewed Tea" is that you do not use hot water at all.  Room temperature water is all you need is to set it in the fridge.  Cold Brewed Teas are usually milder in taste and the down side of it is that you have to brew it for at least 3 hours in the fridge. 

So I came home, gushed about it to M and experimented with teas that I have at home.  I found out that fruity teas works best and green tea, a definite no no because green tea is bitter when it's cold. 

Here is one of my favourite concoction

Ingredients 

• 4 tablespoon of your favourite fruity tea (mine was Pumping Pomegranate from T2)
• A jug of cold water or room temperature water
• 2 sachets of Norbu Sweetener. 

 

Method

Add tea, sweetener and water in a jug.  Let it chill in the fridge for 3 hours.  Enjoy with a slice of lemon or as it.  That is it! Simple! 

 

*I was given  Norbu Sweetener in exchange for a series of recipes. To read more about this natural sweetener, please go to their website. It is made from the Monk Fruit, also known as Lo Han Guo in Chinese.  Growing up and even now, I still brew Lo Han Guo when I have tonsillitis.  It cools the body down. 

Learning Through Play :: Australian "Aussie" Animals

 

Disclosure:  I was given a gift certificate to Woolworth to get supplies.  Opinion and how I go about to using the gift certificate is my own choice.

 

If you have been following me on Instagram, you would know that this season, I have started teaching the Lil' Tiger about Australian "Aussie" Animals.  I was inpired by Woolworth's Aussie Animals cards and the Lil' Tiger's love for animals.  What better way to teach her about native animals right?  

I think Woolworth hit the jackpot with kids this time.  These cards were a huge hit.  Albums sold out everywhere and there was even a swap meet at certain stores where you can swap and trade these cards.  The Lil' Tiger's album is almost completed, I did not get her the album but I used an old business card holder I had lying around. But she loves going through it naming each and every animal. Well... she did try to.

Anyways, I couldn't find a lot of "lesson plans" from the Internet, so I decided to just "wing" it and see where it would lead us.  I made a "Montessori" insipred nomenclature cards, went to our library to borrow books inspired by Australian Animals and even YouTube a couple of sounds or calls that these animals make. 

We got books featuring native animals from the library and I even found wooden puzzles featuring them as well! Wooot.  Every night before bedtime, we would read a book about The Wombat or Josephine the Dancing Kangaroo or the Bunyip. She absolutely loves them. The Wombat is her favourite.

I used the Gift voucher I got from Woolworth to get laminating pouches and coloured pom poms (shown above) so we could play matching games. I would name the animal and she would place the pom poms on each photos.  She did really well and was asking to do it over and over again.

The most amazing thing happened when we were going for our last swimming lesson for the term, a little friendly Kookaburra was sitting on top of a car and the Lil' Tiger squealed with joy and was able to identify the Kookaburra straight away!  He even let us come really close to snap a photo.

Sponsor + Review: Kenza Threads

One of my favourite accessories in Winter and sometime in the cooler Spring or Autumn days, is the humble scarf.  It may be a woolly  one that I crochet or a beautiful light cotton one, I love them equally.  

I have been anticipating the launch of Kenza Threads for a month now  with anticipation and finally they have opened their virtual gate and launched a beautiful collection.  I was lucky to be able to receive 2 of Kenza's beautiful scarves to review and I have to say, I am in love with them already. They are made of cotton and is the softest scarf I have worn to date.  Already, I have been stopped by girls sitting next to me on the train asking where I got my scarf from and I tell them Kenza Threads. :) 

This season, they have 5 different collections.  Colours, Ethnic, Monochrome, the Classics and Tough Chic.  Personally, I love the Classics and Ethnic (pictured above).  I am in love with the vibrancy of the colours from the Ethnic scarf above and since the staple colour of my clothes are usually Black and/or White, this scarf adds a little bit of colour without making me feel self conscious.  The scarf from the Classics collection adds a little bit of formality to what I wear at work without making me look too matronly. Major plus points if you are not into statement necklace or accessories like me. 

Now comes the best bit.  The beautiful girls from Kenza Threads are giving all of my readers a 10% OFF from your purchase (until 8 September 2013)! Just use the code MONO10 at check out and wait for the mail man to deliver your beautiful scarves (yes I said scarves because you can not stop at one) 

WOOHOO! Bargain I say, since most of their beautiful scarves are no more than $20 AND if you live in Australia FREE SHIPPING! If you are not currently residing in Australia, why not drop the girls an email and they will work something out.  Already their Ethnic scarf pictured above has sold out so you better hurry! 

I will remember you, will you remember me?

{This is a sponsored post but the views and opinions expressed are purely my own.}

I have been thinking about death lately. Pretty morbid and grim I know. I just can't help it. With everything that is happening around the world today, it's hard not to think about your mortality.  It's true that no matter how careful you are, if it is your time to go, it's your time to go but the chances are at these days are higher.  *sigh* The things that I think of during my free time eh? 

What would you want your loved ones to remember you for? 

Me, I hope that when I die, people remember me as being compassionate, loving and fiercely loyal. I would want my daughter to remember all the time I spend with her pushing her on the swing or singing and dancing crazily in our living room to one of the Wiggles' song. I want her to remember that we once went down to the park just to stomp on mud puddles from the rain.  I want her to remember that I sing (albiet out of tune) to her every morning in the car on our way to day care. I want her to remember all those tears that I wipe when she is upset about things (eventhough she might look back and think "gee that was stupid"). Nothing is ever stupid to me my darling baby. 

To my husband, I hope he remembers me all the nights we spent awake on the bed just talking about things or just staring at the ceiling.  I want him to remember our passionate fights about things (I always tell him that the moment I stop fighting with him, is the moment that he should worry because it means that I don't care anymore). I want him to remember the first time we met and what drink he bought me that night. :) I will always love you my dear, even from the grave, you will hear me nagging you to throw the rubbish. HAHA ;)

To the rest of the family, I hope you remember that I love each and everyone of you (the good, the bad and the ugly). I hope you remember how we always have bubble tea after dinner and how we always can't decide what to have for Friday Dinners.  How we always give each other slack for not coming or missing one Friday Dinner.  I hope you remember our trip to Nepal for my wedding and how we got stuck in the stinky airport in Dharan trying to kill 6 hours by doing absolutely nothing. Please remember to come at 7pm sharp at the designated restaurant this Friday. :)

Another thing I need to remember to do is sort my Will and remember to get life insurance  (important I guess because I do not want my family to be left with my debt).  I also need to sort out how  and where I would to be buried.  The list goes on and on. 

So, your turn? What would you like to be remembered for? 

 

For more information about life insurance you can visit TAL Insurance HERE and HERE. 

Adopt-a-Kitty

Animals play a big part in my family. There is not a moment in time when we did not have a family pet or even strays included in our family. Pets play a big role in my live. They are my best friend, my confidant and my love. Every time I see a cat or a dog on the streets or in the park, I would slow down and watch them play, not in a stalkerish manner. :)

I am always a big advocate of adopting animals from the pound or rescues. I think we have always either adopted dogs or cats from someone or bring home strays. We have only bought 2 dogs from the pet shop, but more on that later.

Today, we are focusing on adopting kitties. I love cats! Growing up we had a few cats living with us. The earliest memories of us having a cat was Snowy. She was a gorgeous White kitty with blue eyes and a very very long tail. I am not sure where she came from to be honest. It might just be one of strays that I picked up on the way home from school or something. HAHA... I have to say mum was not impressed with me that day.

Whiskas (the guys that makes yummy cat foods) are supporting the guys from Pet Rescue this Chirstmas to help with kitten adoptions with their Get a Kitten drive. I mean how can you resist that cute face! They are soft, fluffy and quite often FUNNY!  Like any child in the animal kingdom, they are a lot of work BUT it pays off.

I remember adopting Toby (I still miss her by the way) as a kitten and she was the most fluffiest thing EVER. She followed me around the first few days and after that, she came out of her shell and became very independent. She was a smart Kitty as well. All I did was showed her where everything is and she knew what to do. During her first few years with me, she was very very active. I would never see her at home during the day and at night she would come in and have a snuggle with me in bed. When we moved into an apartment, she adjusted to becoming an indoor cat quite well. I remember she loved sitting by the window just watching the day goes by. I would find her in her favourite spot everyday just looking down on every thing. Giving her up for adoption when we had the Lil’ Tiger was the hardest thing I had to do in my entire life. I had her for 9 years, even before I met M and she was the bestest friend I had. She was with me through my break ups and when I met M.

So this Christmas, if you have a little room in your home and in your heart, Get a Kitten and give them a home. There are so many out there that is being put to sleep. Despite what others may say, cats are really really really easy to care for. They do not need as much attention as dogs would and sometimes would prefer minimal contact with humans at all BUT the love and the snuggles that you get in return are priceless.

Go on, Get a Kitten and give them a home this Christmas.

 

{This is a sponsored post but the views and opinions expressed are purely my own.}