Thursday 25 February 2016

Interior Secrets: Melbourne Furniture Warehouse Sale

{Post brought to you in conjunction with Interior Secrets}
 
Now if there is one thing you can count on from me, it is that I can most definitely sniff out a bargain from a mile away! If you are in Melbourne, the Interior Secrets Furniture Warehouse sale is set to be a bargain hunters paradise if you are in the market for some gorgeous new furniture for your abode.
 
 

What's on Offer?

 
Up to an amazing 70% (that is not a typo!!) off samples and their ex-display stock!
 

When?

 
The sale kicks off next Thursday 3rd March and finishes up on Sunday 6th March 2016.
 
I can see the bargains getting snapped up pretty quick on the Thursday when the doors open, so I would be doing a bit of a detour after school/kinder pick up or perhaps use a little bit of sick leave that day... cough, cough....
 
 

Where?

 
Interior Secrets HQ over at 80 East Derrimut Crescent, Derrimut
Google Map Info can be accessed here
 
 
For more information simply head over to the Warehouse Facebook Event Page here.
 
 
 
 
If you do get along, love you to pop some pictures on my Facebook Page or tag me over on Instagram with the bargains you have picked up - enjoy!!
 


 

Tuesday 23 February 2016

Healthy 3 Ingredient Strawberry & Yoghurt Icy Pole Treats

A little while ago on my Facebook page I shared this very picture of some Icy Pole treats that I whipped up for the kiddos.



By popular demand here is the recipe, perfect for hot summer days like today (38 degrees in Melbourne after Winter last week!) and while the strawberries are so darn cheap!!
 
I use my good old fashioned Tupperware Icy Pole Maker moulds which take me right back to the 80's when it was me running around eating my icy poles in one of these! If you don't own a set, head to you local K-Mart store where you can pick up this kit for $2 - yep seriously $2.
 
Image Source and To Buy
 

You'll Need:

 
  • 250g punnet of Strawberries
  • 250g tub of Natural Yoghurt (I use Greek)
  • A splash of honey or maple syrup to sweeten (if desired)

Method:

  1.  Remove the tops from the strawberries
  2. Add strawberries to the blender or thermomix and blitz
  3. Add yoghurt and sweetener of choice and blend until smooth
  4. Add to moulds and pop in freezer until frozen (3 hours +)
  5. Enjoy!
 

Tips:

  • These would also be brilliant with fresh mango (while it is cheap and in season!) or raspberries (ditto!)
  • If your kiddies like things a bit sweeter, you can try a flavoured yoghurt such as Vanilla to give it that extra sweetness (and leave out the honey/maple syrup)
  • If desired, you can create a 'tip' like the photo of mine shows. This is just the pure strawberries blended and added to the mould prior to combining with the yoghurt
 
I don't know about you, but I have absolutely loved having a fairly decent Summer this year in Melbourne but am dreading it being over very soon...
 
Tried these? Love to know what you think...
 

Thursday 11 February 2016

Organise Yourself with Bellhop Files: Review, Reader Offer & Giveaway!

{Post brought to you in conjunction with Bellhop Bags}
 
Well I have almost made it through the second full week of kinder - but boy it definitely has required some effort and a lot of organisation all round to get up and moving and out the door by 8:10am (should be criminal!). One of the things that I have been trialling since kinder kicked off is a set of Bellhop Files from Bellhop Bags.
 
 
Created by a super clever (and organised Mum), the files are designed to give us busy Mammas a hand when it comes to organising our bags - and our lives - each day. The Bellhop Files are a set of 4 files with little tabs at the top so that you can label using the printed labels (included) or customise according to your needs.

What I Love...

  • The files themselves are made from a heavy duty clear mesh, so that you can quickly and  easily check to see at a glance the contents (do I have my keys and phone?!) before you pop in your bag   
  • The files are a great size, not too large to fit in your nappy or tote bag, and not too small to be useless to fit all of your essentials in! 

  • There are SO many different ways to organise yourself with these files; 
          * Have a different pocket for each child (and Mum!) and organise contents accordingly
 
         * Create a file for our most utilised items such as Snacks, Toys, Personal (phone, keys etc)
            and Essentials (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses) 
  • When I don't need a certain file then I can simply unclip and leave at home. For example if we are heading to dinner and I just want to grab a few toys and things to keep the kids amused, then I can just grab the Toys file I need and leave the rest at home. This also makes it easy when bag switching - whether it be to a smaller handbag for a trip to the park, or a larger bag for a day at the beach. Instead of having to repack and organise, you just pop the file in you need and away you go!
 
  • It stops bag rummaging!! I cannot tell you how many times I have missed calls on my mobile simply because I couldn't dig around fast enough in my bag and find the darn thing! I am sure that I am not alone here...
 

Reader Offer & Discount

Like to try for yourself? Well Bellhop Bags are offering readers the chance to receive 15% off the RRP of the price of the files. To purchase, simply use the code UTTERLY at checkout. This code is valid until 31 March 2016, so don't delay if you want to get organised for the busy school/kinder year!  
 
You can also try your hand at winning one too! One lucky reader will have the chance to also try out the Files by entering our giveaway. To enter, simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below and please comment below with which colour you would like to win - Red (Manhattan) or Blue (Kaikoura). Please ensure that you also pop your full name next to your comments too!
 
 

Enter Here

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Terms & Conditions

- The giveaway will be hosted by Rafflecopter and is open to Australian residents only
- There will be one (1) lucky winner of this prize
- Winner is permitted to select colour of the files - red or blue
- To enter, entrants must follow the Rafflecopter widget instructions and MUST comment below as to which colour they would select if they won - Manhattan Red or Kaikoura Blue
- Each comment must be accompanied by the entrants full (first and last name). Failure to do so will result in the entry being disqualified
- The announcement of the lucky winner will be made on the Utterly Organised Facebook Page
- The lucky winner will have 5 days to contact Utterly Organised and claim their prize
- Failure to claim prize within designated period will result in another winner being drawn
- Entrants must like the Utterly Organised Facebook Page
- Any questions on the competition can be directed to utterlyorganised@gmail.com 
 
Good luck everyone!
 
 

Thursday 4 February 2016

Healthy (and Easy) Banana Oat Pancake Recipe

With Shrove Tuesday here next Tuesday (9th February) I thought that I would share with you our quick, easy and healthy pancake recipe that we LOVE in our house.
 
These pancakes use the goodness of oats (instead of flour), no refined sugars (if you choose not to sweeten and depending on what you pop on top!) and honestly taste better than your regular old pancakes if you are partial to bananas. Definitely worth giving a whirl...
 

 

You'll Need:

  • 1 Cup Rolled Oats
  • 1 Tsp Baking Powder
  • 4 Tbs Milk (Almond, Rice, Regular - you choose!)
  • 1 Banana
  • 2 Eggs
  • Optional: Sweetener. I usually pop in 1/4 - 1/2 Tsp of Natvia - but you can leave out or add a bit of regular sugar - up to you!
 

Method:

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender (or Thermomix) and blend until smooth (20-30 seconds)

2. Heat butter or spray pan and add batter to pan to create pancakes in the size you desire


3. Cook til batter starts to bubble and turn over and cook the other side

4. Serve with the topping of your choice! We love fresh berries with a touch of honey or pure maple syrup and a dollop of yoghurt - yummo!


I find that this makes around 10 average sized pancakes, but this will vary if you make larger/smaller.
 
Tuesday is a non kinder day for us each week, so we can actual have an easy morning at home and whip these up (without the mad rush) for Shrove Tuesday.... Hope you enjoy these too!!
 
 
 
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