Family - Food - Home

Blogging break

Hi everyone

I've just popped in to say I'm having a mini break from the blog. I know some of you message me to see if I'm OK (and I love you for that). I wanted to let you know that everything is absolutely fine, it's just that school goes back this week and there's a LOT of work to do around here to finish of the renovations (we're getting carpet laid this week too...woo hooo!!!!). 


So as you can imagine there is very little time left for blogging.

I plan to be back at it in about 2 weeks with some more giveaways, recipes, renovation pics and I might even do some more beauty videos.

Take care and I'll see you soon.


Personal Planner Winner Announced

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway for a $45 gift card from Personal Planner.

The winner is.......

Alba.

Congrats, Alba. Can you please get in touch with your deets so I can organise your prize for you?

You can email me at 
threepickles@optusnet.com.au

Thanks again everyone and stay tuned for some giveaways over the next couple of weeks.


Back to the Gym & a great offer for January

I'm back to the gym this week...time to work off the Christmas flab.

This is a really quick post as I just wanted to share this great offer from Genesis Gyms for January



Hopefully I'll see you there?


Kids Crafts {keeping them busy on the school holidays}

Well are your kids driving you nuts yet?
I've come close to losing it a few times.



It always happens (at least to us) towards the end of the school holidays.
Boredom can easily set in.........
...........such needy little creatures.
They require food & shelter 
and fancy learnin'
PLUS they want entertainment and mental stimulation!
COME ON!
really?



Of course, I'm kidding
sort of.........


So what do you do with them once they've exhausted themselves silly?


Well, we like to get out arty farty on.


 They were dying to get stuck into these craft kits that were kindly sent to them from Riot Art & Craft.

 And stuck into them they did..............

Pickle #2 chose the Majestic Castle kit.


Pickle #3 (and Mr3P) worked together on the Crocodile kit.
It was lovely seeing them create this together.


 Pretty much all the bits and pieces that you need to create are supplied in the kits (except for scissors)


 Pickle #1 chose the Photo Frame making kit.


We spent a really enjoyable afternoon creating our works of art.



 There was some drying time involved, so we finished everything off the next day.


 I loved how I didn't have to find everything needed (or come up with the ideas and instructions...they're all there).
Riot have taken all of the boring work (sourcing the "stuff") out of it for you so you can just enjoy some creative time with your kids.....or get then out of your hair for a while....lol.



Mr 3P did a very nice job as Pickle #3's assistant.



 He hasn't stopped playing with that crocodile...I think he has even named it!!



Pickle #2 is very proud of his castle. True to his personality, he changed the look of the castle a little.
It NEEDED more windows (with curtains)
Castles can get windy...you see.


Pickle #1 could have put anything on and in his frame, but he chose this picture and wording.
he's such a beautiful little guy.


As you can see, I'm impressed with these kits and will be buying more. You can get them online if you can't get to a store.

I was thinking they would make great little "bonbonniere"  as an activity for kids birthday parties.

Check out the Ricky Riot website for kids. There's a stack of creative ideas, free downloadable templates & kids can even add pictures of their creations to the online art gallery.

Have fun & happy crafting.




Disclosure: This product was provided for editorial consideration.   3pickles has no affiliation with any companies mentioned and has receives no remuneration for posting reviews. All of my opinions are honest and are only influenced by the awesomeness of a product or service.
3pickles receive lots of products to review, but only the things that we (Marnie & the pickles) love end up here on the blog.

Planning to get organised! (plus a Giveaway)


Want to get organised in 2013?
I do.
Are you one of those have to write it down, list type, plan it type people?

I am.

Have you ever found a diary or planner that fit "you"...like, really fit...like it was made for you??

I haven't.......until today.



If I told you that you could design & create your own planner, online and it would be printed and delivered to your door...would you want one?



If so, Personal Planner's got a great idea I think you’ll love!


Their planners provide you with endless design possibilities. You can change colour, text and design on front/back cover as well as inlay. There are also clever boxes for to-do list, gym session, preschool, idea of the week and weather. Friend’s and family member’s birthdays can also be added to the inlay directly from Facebook. They print and deliver the finished product directly to our your doorstep.  Here are a few things that I like about these planners:
  • Design the front/back cover
  • Tons of ways to design the inside to suit your style & 
  • needs.
  • Add friends & family members birthdays to the inlay 
  • Choose between 4 different sizes
  • You pick the start date. 
  • And best of all its fun and easy :)
Click here to visit their website and facebook page.

This giveaway is now closed...thanks to everyone who entered.
Now would you like the chance to win one?

The lovely people at Personal Planner are giving one lucky reader an email gift card (valued at $45) to be redeemed on their website.

This GIVEAWAY is open to everyone...international readers welcome.
 All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me what's been missing from "your" planners of the past. For me it would be a "Me Time" section...lol

Entries close on Saturday 26th January (Australia Day) at midday Melbourne time.

I'll pick my favourite and announce it here on the blog and on my Facebook page on Sunday 27th January.

The prize cannot be exchanged for money.

It would be really nice if you dropped by the Personal Planner Facebook Page and gave them a nice big Like too!


Good luck and happy planning.


December Beauty Favourites & NEW YouTube Channel

Well, I finally started a new channel, dedicated to all things "beauty".
For years I have worked on many faces from family & friends to bridal clients, models and even the odd celebrity or two. 
You know the one thing most of these women had in common?
They wanted to be able to create beautiful make-overs for themselves, at home, just like a make-up artist would. Not much different from wanting to get that "just out of the hairdressers" look that is so lusted after.
Many times, I've been creating a look on someone, while their friends/family (or mine) look on, ask questions and take notes. I've even had people call me while they were out shopping to double check on a particular product name or shade.....lol, I've joked that I should start a make-up counselling hotline number.
So, instead, I've started the YouTube Channel...especially for those people...and anyone else who loves make-up, nails, hair & beauty, just like I do!!
A lot of the make-overs will be done on myself, family & friends (mainly Mums, just like me) so if you're in the 35+ group, you may find the little tid bits and tutorials useful, or at the very least a bit entertaining (even if it's just to have a chuckle at me...just be nice OK...I don't put up with trolls here or anywhere).

So here's my first video and post, which I hope will be a regular monthly thing. "Favourites". The swatches, details and any relevant links will be here on the blog.
So, please subscribe and give my video a thumbs up if you like it.
I'd love to hear any requests for tutorials....let me know OK?

(the video is at the very end of this post)

DECEMBER FAVOURITES

Jurlique Rose Body Oil

Jurlique replenishing Foaming Cleanser

Clairol Nice'n Easy, home hair colour.
My colour is 101 Natural Baby Blonde
The conditioning gloss is amazzzzing!!
The pictures below were taken on my phone just after I did the colour (I need a trim...badly), the second pic was taken near a window and the sun was setting, so it does look a little golder.
Soooo happy with this colour AND I did it myself!!




John Frieda Sheer Blonde shampoo

Coles Zinc stick

La Mav Bio-A7 Firming Eye Lotion
from The Mineral Miracle online store

Face of Australia blush in Outback Primrose


Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation


Australis lip pencil in Tickled Pink (I just checked and it's NOT discontinued...yeah!!!)

Blush, Eyeliner, Lipliner
and my hands are extremely dry...eeew)

NYX Nude on Nude Palette (link for US)

Link to Crush Cosmetics (Australia)


Miss Dior Cherie

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think...I'd appreciate your feedback.