TOP 5 Stocking Fillers from Adelaide-based Small Businesses

I am an AVID supporter of local, work-from-home small businesses. These businesses are operated by Mums and Dads that have made the choice to stay at home, raise their children and make a go of their passion - And who doesn't want to support and encourage that?

As a fellow work-from-home Mummy, I really had NO idea of just how many of these little businesses were out there until I became one. It's like a whole other world!

Bearing this in mind, this is my first Christmas since having my own business, and my first Christmas since having my eyes opened by these fabulous businesses - and I am really proud that I have been able to support them by buying local for the majority of my Christmas presents this year (including those presents handed out at the recent AMM Christmas Party).

I wanted to show you MY favourite 'Stocking Filler' ideas from 5 FABULOUS local businesses - These items are priced at $15 or less.

ONE: Ezza's Inner Child Creations

I have a bit of a 'crush' on this business, to the point that I am actually scared to go through my bank account to see how much money I have spent! Erin (Ezza) is supremely talented, and has a lot of fabulous creations available.

As a mother of boys, I can't help but LOVE Erin's trucks. They're fabric, which means that they're easy to clean, but also SUPER practical to use as storage (just check out the trailer space!). Perfect for DVD/Game storage (larger trucks), or random little toys... OR just on display as they are!

Mini Truck: $7.50
Mini Trucks measure about 15cm long and are available for $7.50 each. And you can personalise the trailer fabric to suit whatever theme you wish.

TWO: House of Baby Piranha

Christmas isn't just about toys in my home. I have a rule that 50% (or less if I can get away with it!) are toys, and the other 50% is made up of clothing and educational things like books/crafts, etc.

Logan (my nearly 7-year old) just loves craft. He loves making things, colouring in and just being able to use that creative side of his brain... It means that there's often mess involved when he's cutting things out, not to mention the glue and glitter!

House of Baby Piranha have these fabulous little packs that have eliminated the need to cut things out, and have some great puppet packs which come with their own glue AND themed crayons to match.

Puppet and Crayon Pack: $12
There's an array of themes available from Santa, Pirates... and for the girls there are Fairies and Princesses.

I can't wait for the Puppet Show when Logan sits down with his after Christmas!

THREE: Little Boy Blue

I have heard, quite regularly, that there aren't many businesses out there for boys. I happen to think that there are HEAPS out there, and Little Boy Blue is a big favourite of mine, there's just so much funkiness for boys!

My favourite at the moment is this gorgeous Santa Suit at $15 with FREE postage:

Santa Suit: $15
I am picturing some VERY cute photos on Christmas Day!

FOUR: Always Present

If you're a softie/sentimental mummy like me, your child's first Christmas is very special. I find that they don't 'need' much, but there's usually something sentimental involved... and Always Present can create you some cute Christmass tree baubles with each of your names hand-written onto them.

I've seen these at the shopping centres before and have always thought that they were a fabulous idea - and also cheap enough that you can go ahead and get the whole family done at the same time!

Personalised Christmas Bauble: $6 each
FIVE: Limealicious

Did you think this was just about stocking fillers for Kids? Us adults need a little present, too!

Limealicious is a fabulous Cake and Gourmet Food business located in Greenwith - I've tried MANY of Meredith's fabulous creations, but her jams are simply amazing. Oh and her Lemon Butter. And Sticky Date Pudding.

Home made Jams: $7.50 per jar
Jams are available at $7.50 per jar, and range from Spiced Pear, to Blueberry, Apple and Cinnamon and Strawberry and Lime (one of my FAVES!)

I am suddenly REALLLLLY hungry right now!

GIVEAWAY - 'Baby Royale' Organic Baby Food

Wholesome Natural and Organic Baby Food
Yummy meals, snacks and cereals for babies and toddlers.
Born in Australia. Perfect for little ones everywhere!

At Baby Royale, the natural and organic baby food company, we believe that introducing your baby to the real tastes and textures of food early in life sets them up for a lifetime of healthy eating. Our commitment to providing parents with the best quality, safe and convenient products can be seen in everything we do.

The good guys go in; pear, apple, banana, mango, apricot peach, sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin, spinach and lentils.

And the bad guys stay out. You can be confident that Baby Royale products contain:

NO Added Sugar or Salt
NO Artificial Colours or Flavours
NO Additives or Thickeners
NO Genetically Modified ingredients
NO Hidden Nasties.

A 100% Australian owned company, Baby Royale first sprouted in 2009 with the philosophy of “Simply honest, wholesome food for baby.”

TO CELEBRATE BABY ROYALE HITTING FOODLAND SHELVES,
we are giving away 6 SAMPLE PACKS including one each of the following yummy flavours:

Lamb Dinner
Beef Ragout
Lamb with Sweet Potato and Carrot
Apple, Blueberry and Raspberry
Apple, Peach and Banana
Apple
Banana, Sweet Potato and Pear
Sweet Potato, Pumpkin and Corn

ENTER BY RAFFLECOPTER: a Rafflecopter giveaway


PLEASE NOTE: Winners will be notified by Email, and are required to pick up the Sample Packs from Hallett Cove (5158).

Sample Packs can be posted at winner's expense (Approximately $13 - Unregistered)

Sample Packs will be available for collection/postage from Monday 7th January 2013.

This Giveaway is open only to South Australian Residents.

WIN! Tickets to Disney Live! Mickey's Rockin Roadshow

© Disney/Pixar. All rights reserved

Disney Live! MICKEY'S ROCKIN' ROADSHOW is coming to the Adelaide Entertainment on the 21st and 22nd of January, but before that, one of the stars of the show will be in town on 13th December and we’re heading along for a meet and greet opportunity.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE OUR GUEST? We are giving one lucky winner the chance to attend the meet & greet session with their children at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on 13 December at 10.30am plus win 4 tickets to the show in January PLUS a show programme.

To enter, simply visit the AMM website, and Good Luck!

For information on the event and tickets, visit www.disneylive.com.au

© Disney/Pixar. All rights reserved

I'm Turning my Flab to Fab

When I was growing up, I was thin. Not super skinny, but just thin enough. Back then I thought I was fat, and I look back at those photos and just want to scream at myself for thinking it.

Here I am, 30-years old and I am not thin. I'm not fat either, but I am not happy with how I look. My skin wobbles. I am covered in stretch marks and cellulite, and my skin may as well glow-in-the-dark.

About 5-weeks ago, I had enough. I was sick and tired of feeling like a victim, of making excuses for myself and I made the decision to take responsibility for how I look, and change my habits. I needed something drastic, because I am a quitter. If something gets too hard, or I don't get results, I quit. It's all too hard and it's just far easier to revert back to what I was doing... even though it wasn't making me happy.

5-weeks ago, I reluctantly decided to join the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation. I'm being 100% honest here when I say I was reluctant, but mostly at my own commitment. I was so apprehensive about it all, and the intensity really turned me off (leading up to the start of the 12-weeks there were videos and 'homework' that I just felt was far too strong for someone like me). I admit, I haven't done my homework. I also haven't done the fitness test. And while I am at it, I may as well admit that I haven't been keeping to my meal plan. BUT! I have been keeping to my daily calorie allowance, and my workouts... and I have never felt better.

My "Before" Picture - 3 weeks ago (Ryder quietly playing in the background)

Me "Now" - Progress Shot
I am *starting* to feel good about myself. I am starting to look like a 'fit' person. I am enjoying my workouts, and I am enjoying knowing what it is that I am putting into my body.

I have set myself a goal weight that means my goal is to lose 10kgs. I am halfway there (just a tad over after today's weigh-in), and a quarter of my way through my 12-weeks. I don't really know what I want to weigh, but I know that I want to feel great and look great... I want to look as great as I looked when I first met my husband.

I was never going to make my 'Before' pictures public - I feel as if I was at a pretty low point, and not happy with myself. BUT I am hoping that these images (and REAL images at that) show people that changes, even the small ones, can give results. By sharing my 'before' picture, it will also motivate me to keep on going and not fail.

My "Before" Picture - 3 weeks ago (Ryder quietly playing in the background)

Me "Now" - Progress Shot
I've become a gym junkie again - I am at the gym doing a class every day (Sunday = Rest Day) ranging from BodyPump and BodyCombat to BodyAttack (which saw me dislocate my pinky finger... tres embarrassing!).

But the best thing of all is that I am feeling good about making these changes to my body. Part of me feels as if I am finding myself again, amidst raising children, being a wife, etc. I feel 'me' again, and I feel happy.