win one of SIX LEGO Friends prize packs GIVEAWAY

 Greetings all,

How much fun are latest offerings from the LEGO Friends range??!!  My four children really enjoy this series - fun girls with friendships, hobbies & personality - including my son, this LEGO is not just for girls!!  They have adventures & ambition which young ladies can relate to.  Meet the girls . . .

Emma’s Karate Class (RRP $15.99) Practice Emma's favorite martial arts and help her to prepare for another fantastic performance. Train hard to win the trophy by chopping the practice block in half! After a great practice, wind down in the tranquil environment with the cute bonsai tree and drink some water. Includes Emma mini-doll figure.

 My children all learn Japanese at school so spotted lots of cool things in this set - like the Samurai accessories & the LEGO bonsai.  

 Mia’s Magic Tricks (RRP $15.99) Mia's practicing hard for the big Heartlake City magic show. Help her to learn tricks with cards, a magic wand, flowers, her bunny and a top hat. Build her stage for the big performance then stun the crowds with a cute performing bunny that disappears into its own magic cabinet. Amaze the crowds when the bunny disappears! Includes Mia mini-doll figure. 

This set is so cute with the bunny & magic tricks were such a part of my childhood - my Grandfather was always pulling something out from behind my ear or playing cards.

 Win 1 of 6 LEGO Friends prize packs, valued at $31.98 each! Each prize pack consists of Emma's Karate Class and Mia's Magic Tricks!!

Leave a comment at this post & make sure you follow this blog for your chance to win!!  Six lucky winners will be randomly drawn after midnight Sunday 3rd March 2013.  Australian residents only.  Extra entries (one per link) of this giveaway on your social media (Blogs, FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter etc!!)  Thank you. 

 Thank you LEGO & One Green Bean for the goodies to test drive in the school holidays, we had a great time.  Good luck everyone, love Posie

PS please contact me if you were a winner of my last round of giveaways in 2012 (announced here) as i have lots of prizes to send off.

do you feel like a winner?? announcing giveaway winners!!

 Greetings all,

I enjoyed a new hair cut yesterday & i thought it looked cute.  As i was describing how i'd like my hair cut . . . i couldn't work out whose hair i was copying.  Then my husband looked at me & said i looked like a German preschooler.  I wasn't offended as i realised who i was copying - my Austrian sister-in-law - who we're spending Christmas with, so now i'm all single-white-female copying her.  Only she has a freshly broken arm, so i'll be her double in the kitchen!!  

 My husband said i just needed a pair of lederhosen!!  I thought my hair was a winner??

NOW to announce the winners of my latest giveaways . . . drum roll . . .

win an autographed copy of Andy Griffiths' The 13-Storey TreeHouse

Congratulations Yana from White Mouse Creations 

Lego Duplo Read & Build GIVEAWAY: WIN 1 of 3 TRIPLE sets!!

Congratulations Jacinta from Sew Model Mama 

Melissa from WoollyButtHill &

Mel from Coal Valley View.

Win 1 of 3 Harry Potter xBox 360 Kinect games

Congratulations Leslie/ Melbourne Girl from Life at Number 10,

Kylie from mealy & i &

Mel from Coal Valley View.

Mem Fox 'Good Night, Sleep Tight' autographed book giveaway

Congratulations Shar from Mum on the Run!!

Ladies, please email me (via my profile) your delivery address & the prizes will be sent out to you.  Lego & xBox game winners - please ensure your delivery address is not a Post Office Box, as your goodies will be delivered by courier from PR company One Green Bean.  You can choose a business address of course, for your privacy.  Thank you!!  All winners were chosen randomly . . . after confirmation they were indeed legitimate bloggers who follow my blog (sneaky entries - we do check you know!!)  Love Posie

Mem Fox 'Good Night, Sleep Tight' autographed book giveaway

Greetings all,

I was lucky enough to attend the sold out reading at my local library, with my author Tania McCartney (a National Year of Reading Ambassador) & our primary school daughters . . . to listen to the engaging Mem Fox read her book Good Night, Sleep Tight.  I doubt there is a home in Australia without a Mem Fox book in it.  We have dozens.  She was a delight. 

It was so much fun, the nursery rhymes in this book (as told by Bonnie & Ben's babysitter, Skinny Doug) made me teary, remembering how many times i'd sung them to my four children . . . the sweetest memories as they are timeless & generational.  

Mem is also a University lecturer & campaigns for children's literacy . . . it has been proven, if a child can know 6 nursery rhymes by heart by age 4 . . . they will be the soaring with their reading in primary school.  Fascinating & seriously, who can't belt out a few "Round & Round The Garden, Like a Teddy Bear, One Step, Two Steps, Tickle You Under There" while changing a nappy or "Star Light, Star Bright, First Star I See Tonight, I WIsh I May, I Wish I Might, Have The Wish I Wish Tonight" while taking one last look at the sky before putting a toddler to bed?? 

 I had already spent $70 before the event started, my children are ravenous readers & who can resist a book which comes with a green sheep??  Straight up, Mem came over to my 3rd daughter & asked if she could borrow her green sheep, which Mem promptly tucked under her blouse for the finale of reading "Where Is The Green Sheep??"  As my youngest child is nearly 9, it's been a while since i bought these kinds of children's books, but who cares, i'll keep them for the grandchildren!! 

 It was just so much fun, the atmosphere electric, until . . . the wind was taken out of my sails when Mem stopped reading a few pages into the first book to request we didn't take any photos.  I know, WHAT??  How about some publicity & capturing the experience??  Judy made a spiel about not appreciating the moment if you're busy taking photos to look at later.  If you're that famous, SURELY you can't stop people taking photos at a public event.  No one was trampling anyone, no blinding flashbulbs, no media . . . just mums sitting on the floor with iPhones & a baby in their lap taking a few snaps.  I've been to zillions of book launches & events, big & small, this 'no photos' was new to me.     

They had zero issues with you buying some books though.  I purchased an extra book to be autographed & given away on my blog, to one of my gorgeous readers!!  They also requested "no photos" at the signing table.  Seriously!!  It's terrible public relations.  I hope everyone in the queue at least got something autographed.  

So here you go, the mixed world of the book industry.  I assure you, i will always give an honest account of any public relations, products & events.  The books are excellent.

Please leave a comment here if you'd love to win an autographed copy of Good Night, Sleep Tight, autographed by author Mem Fox & illustrator Judy Horacek.  You must be a follower of this blog (on the side, sorry i can't tell if you are RSS fed) & i'd like this to be won by an Australian resident, if you're overseas - i'll gladly post to an Australian friend!!  Of course, an extra entry for every mention of this giveaway on your social media platforms of Blogs, Instagram, FaceBook, Pinterest, Twitter etc.  This is something really special, thank you for sharing the love!!  

 Good luck everyone, winner will be drawn after midnight Sunday 11th November.  Love Posie
EDIT: i am proud i wrote this post as-it-happened-from-my-perspective, i have reconsidered to make it more gushing, then thought . . . wouldn't you prefer your child to have a photo of their hero in Mem Fox, an educator . . . than a sports star or celebrity with questionable real life morals (that your child may be aware of)??  No photos at a promotion, it really is completely bizarre, full stop.  Especially as we were not standing in the crowd of 200 children with flash bulbs, blocking people's view or calling out to the author "look here, work it Mem" . . . we were politely sitting on the side lines, listening to the reading & taking photos discretely because we are fans & paying good money for their products!!

what do your family & friends think about you having a blog??

Greetings all,

Busy with school holidays so a quick post's a good post right??

Here's a little insight to my brutally honest marriage . . . 

Posie: "At Blogopolis, a mum with 4 boys called Kim from All Consuming blog, declared 'years ago i told my husband i was going to start a blog & he said it was the most conceited thing i had ever done.'  Do you think having a blog is conceited??  How you answer might be the basis of a blog post."  

Handsome Soldier: "I'm quite happy for you to force your opinions on total strangers, it saves me having to endure all of them."

Posie: "Hahahahahahhahahahhaahhahaaaaa!!"

Explaining to people who don't blog or read blogs, is difficult, thus the huge success of a blog conference, we get each other whether you're a niche food blogger or dedicated to celebrity gossip & style.  I only recently discovered my in-laws read my blog, hello family!!  My family do not, they're just not on line kind of people - they get my agenda, it stemmed from my design business & for when my husband's away.  Anyway, i do understand Mr All Consuming's point, blogs can be me me me as we indulge in our passions. 

Me, conceited/ selfish/ insular/ self indulgent??  After dinner the other night, just as i was ready to quit for the evening . . . my husband said he fancied something tasty, chocolatey, warm & delicious.  So i leapt up & started on an amazing recipe involving a stove, mixmaster & oven . . . 2+ hours later . . . i presented my sleeping husband with a double decker Women's Weekly family chocolate cake stuffed with cream!!

We're not conceited, i think we're rather generous with our time & energy, even if you have to endure some opinions along the way.  If you know Kim, she's a doll, the least conceited person on earth & an inspiration in life (as well as this post!!)  

So, tell me, how do you explain to the uninitiated . . . that you blog, what a blog is, why you blog, & what do people think??  Or are you like me, don't bother!!  Love Posie

PS last chance to win the 600th post prize!!

i've been shopping for my 600th post G I V E A W A Y

Greetings all,

Yahoo it's the weekend & welcome to my 599th post!!  The sun is shining, i have a cake cooling on the counter & i'm all packed for Blogopolis tomorrow.  Feeling pretty chirpy my sweet bloggie buddies.  

I've been shopping up a storm for all the goodies i love & offering them up as a GIVEAWAY to share as a thanks for reading, your beautiful comments (12500+) & cheerleading as i blog my little heart, mind, body & soul out.

 Do you fancy some Babushka measuring cups, packing tape with scissors & lace printed on them??  I spy some folder spine stickers, GONE VIRAL & tweet WORTHY stamps.  Oh & super cute lanterns (set of 10) created from dress making patterns for your studio!!  I spy some fabric, note books, pencils, paperclips & mini pegs too!!

 We love hand written note cards in the mail & cruising a fine mouse pad!!

 How about a set of Lotta Jansdotter stencils for some scandinavian style on clothes, textiles, walls . . . nothing like a handmade touch of unique creativity!!

So if you fancy 200 buckers worth of crafty goodness, leave a comment here, follow the blog & have yourself an extra lovely day!!  Extra entries for each post about this giveaway on your blog, twitter, FaceBook too!!  New followers welcome, don't be shy now.  Giveaway is open worldwide & closes Sunday midnight 8th July.  One randomly drawn winner takes it ALL!!  GOOD LUCK folks.  
Sponsored by my own hip pocket y'all, because i love you, yes i do.

Thanks for the good times gals, you make blogging a joy, love Posie

PS i know this is my 599th post for a 600th post giveaway, i can count, i just couldn't wait!!

The Best Ever Birthday story cook book giveaway

Greetings all,

NuffNang have featured an advertisement for this awesome story cook book on my blog for a few weeks & i was lucky enough to review it too, now i have one to giveaway!!  I purchased & blogged about the first book in this series 'My Grandmother's Kitchen' by Louise Fulton Keats (granddaughter to the Australian cooking doyen Margaret Fulton) . . . they are both fantastic!!  

The Best Ever Birthday starts off as a story, where you follow LuLu & Henry on a party journey . . . uh oh, Nutmeg the puppy + birthday cake . . . i won't spoil the ending!!

 Then the book is filled with recipes (from the story) with everything from sandwiches to drinks!!

 It's simple to follow with practical recipes you will use over & over.

 Jam packed with themes & ideas.

 Including a teddy bear picnic - yes please!!

 I'm now devoting my life to finding this pink pedestal, what a sweet way to present a meringue!!

 Now this Basic Butter Cake recipe is as close to my mother's i have ever tasted (perhaps my mummy was using Margaret Fulton's original??)  Printed with striped vintage straws, i love the layout, colour & quirky imagery in the book, page after page of pretty.

We left only crumbs . . . next time i'm doubling the batter as it is a fantastic school recess treat.

 Look at the inside back cover, see what i mean, scrummy.

Fancy a copy of this beautiful story cookbook in your kitchen library??  Just leave a comment at this post & please be a follower of my blog.  Winner drawn Friday 15th June, value $24.95, good luck!!  Love Posie

This was Product Talk by NuffNang.  Thanks!!

Beijing Tai Tai: life, laughter & motherhood in China's capital - BOOK GIVEAWAY

Greetings all,
I read Beijing Tai Tai a few years ago, when i first met Tania McCartney.  I went to her book reading & as i read the book myself, i heard her voice telling me her story, personally.  It's just that kind of fabulous book.  Now it has been relaunched with a fresh cover & extra content, the kind folks at Exilse Publishing have offered a copy of the new release for one of my lucky readers.

"I feel like everyone should know about Beijing Tai Tai... it's the Eat Pray Love for mothers." - author Dee White
& Tania is gorgeous, she'd star in her own Hollywood movie version too!!
The official word . . .
Intensely personal, at times a little controversial, Beijing Tai Tai is a rollercoaster ride of honesty and openness as a wife (tai tai) and mother juggles suburban family life in urban Beijing. Presented in a series of love/hate column-like snippets - on topics ranging from the consumption of bull testicles to the life-altering experience of walking the Great Wall - it exposes expatriate life in a country on the brink of great change
From tragic hair moments and bustling silk markets to China's quest to stay true to its ancient origins, Beijing Tai Tai is a book for anyone interested in this diverse and culturally rich country. It's for anyone from anywhere who knows what it's like to fall in love, explore new worlds and live with challenges. It's about life in a city full of soaring highs and disconsolate lows - but never anything less than remarkable.

"This book rewrites the myth of the full-time expat mother." - Lee Mack, Managing Editor, City Weekend Beijing

Me, well my favourtite stories in Beijing Tai Tai include . . . trying  open a bottle of wine on a train journey, sans corkscrew; her little boy's first day of International School - still wearing size 2 underpants (i hear you Tania!!); & the hilarious under current/ parrallel story of the housemaid, sometimes sinister but always entertaining, always at the McCartneys expense.  I didn't want the book to end, i savoured the last few pages, great entertainment for $24.95.  There is also a neat glossary at the back with all the must-know terms for life in China.  Yes, Tania thought of everything!!

 Cover Girl Tania & ACT National Year of Reading Ambassador Tania; wife, mother, author, writer, friend Tania, the lady is an incredible talent, you should see her blog - filled with craft, style, humour, travel, parties . . .

 Tania even runs this amazing KBR website, a must for young readers!!

Follow the virtual book tour - more giveaways, reviews & amazing blogs to discover too!!

Thanks to Exisle Publishing for sponsoring this book giveaway. 

You can also order a copy of the book here. 

Just follow this blog & leave a comment here to win a copy of this fantastic book, open now until midnight on Thursday 19th April. 

If you're in Canberra, come along to the launch at the National Library of Australia on Wednesday 18th April (evening), details & RSVP here.

Good luck everyone, i'll announce winners of all my latest blog giveaways on April 20th.  Love Posie

triple book review & GIVEAWAY from National Library of Australia

Greetings all & welcome to my reading chair . . .
i believe you need a happy place to indulge in books & the beautiful places they can take you.  The kind folk at the National Library of Australia have sent me 3 new, wonderful & very different books to review from 3 award winning & highly celebrated Australian authors.  I've very much enjoyed each book, lounging in my garden chair.  They are March releases & a blog giveaway too!!  

 Prolific writer & photographer, the late Leslie Rees, has his work continue in a new series of biographies about indigenous animals, created by his daughters Dymphna & Megan.  First in this series is Shy The Platypus, filled with stunning photographs, illustrations, prints - specially commissioned by the NLA for this heritage style edition.  The  beautiful story of Shy's adventures & discoveries, including encounters with humans was first published in 1944 - proving Rees was ahead of his time as an environmentalist. 

 I remember reading these Australian style books as a child, they are page turners, fragile native life versus the world.  At the back of the book you'll find platypus facts & information too.  Shy The Playtpus, 96 pages, $24.95 

 A fantastic first book bursting with colour & action for the 3 year old set, is Judy Horacek's These Are My Hands & flip it over to reveal These Are My Feet.  Have your little ones wriggling their fingers & tapping their feet as you read along together.

 Horacek is a popular cartoonist & visual artist, who has collaborated with uber famous Mem Fox  My favourite page is the footprints-in-the-sand, don't children love their own footprints!!  These Are My Hands, 48 pages, $17.95

 Love your Australian history but loathe that your children just 'google' what they need to research as you've forgotten??  Tania McCartney brings together all the major events of our nation's history on a timeline, which gives children a proportion guide from the explosive beginnings of our planet to modern day.  Australian Story: an illustrated timeline is a colourful factual book of images from the National Library's digital collection.

  This book is jam packed with exciting ecological change, social upheaval, politics, inventions, culture, modern technology & so much more.  Australian Story: an illustrated timeline, 47 billion years of history, $24.95 order here!!

Want to win an awesome prize of these National Library of Australian publications??  Just follow my blog & leave a comment at this post for your chance to win:
Shy The Platypus, These Are My Hands & a goodie bag from the Australian Story book launch.
Good luck & thanks NLA.  Giveaway open worldwide (to share our amazing country with you all), runs until midnight Saturday 10th March, love Posie