Giveaway :: Play all day with Small Fry's latest book

Yay! The Small Fry ladies have been busy making another book. This one is dedicated to one of our favourite things to do (and I'm sure one of yours) — play!
We all know play is super-important for little minds, helping them to build essential life skills and make sense of this world, but as an adult I sometimes find myself resisting play. I get a case of the I'm-too-busies or let's-not-make-a-big-mess-that-Mama-has-to-clean-ups. Do you ever find yourself doing that? Sometimes there are legitimate things you need to do (like make food so that your littles are alive tomorrow to play some more) and it's also great for children to have some independent play time but I really think we adults could play a bit more. It's fun so why not, huh?
So if you need any encouragement on making play time a priority this book is it. It not only explains the importance and relevance of play for growing minds and bodies but gives lots of practical applications with great games and crafts and ideas on making your spaces fun and safe.
It also celebrates the connection play brings between family members. Nothing brings my littles closer than a game of mud pies in the back yard and I know how much they value Mama and Dada letting go and getting into the swing of a game of fairies or moon explorers.
One thing I'm really loving about this book is the sense of simplicity it imparts. Play doesn't have to be complicated or hard work. You don't have to devise crafts that would outsmart Martha Stewart. We all know that the simple things in life can bring the greatest joy and the area of play is no exception to that. Sometimes a rock can be all you need to have a fun-filled day with your special little people.
One of the authors of Play, early childhood guru Sue Cant has kindly shared her top 10 tips for Play with us:
1. Time to relax. Make time every day to let your children play freely. This will build creativity and social skills and give them time to de-stress.
2. Create balance. Make time and space for active, noisy play and quiet, alone play. Children need both to fuel their minds and bodies.
3. The toy debate. Find toys and other items to play with that have more than one use. A blanket can be a tent , a flying carpet, the skin of a dinosaur or something to cuddle up in when we read a book together. When buying toys ask yourself what will my child do with this toy? Will it stand up to the job!
4. Mess is good! Busy minds shouldn't have to worry (within reason) about mess. If it's really messy take it outside or plan a space where it is OK to be messy.
5. You're the parent. Set simple limits that make sense to your child and stick to them! In play your child is learning about the world and their place in it, sometimes that means children need limits to help them play safely.
6. Build resilience. Encourage your child to try new things and to challenge themselves physically and mentally according to their skill and development. The world can be a tough place at times so help them to learn how to manage that risk by building determination and self assurance.
7. Expand your child's world. Be brave try out new things and places together. This builds interest and curiosity which will enhance your child's play.
8. Interact. Make time to read, sing, dance and talk to your child everyday to build connections that will last a life time.
9. Make time for you. Parenting is challenging. Make a little time each day to do something for you. Five minutes might be all you can get but use it to feed your own spirit.
10. Hug them every day no matter what. No matter what the day has brought hug them before bed. This gives them the message that they are important and in turns feeds their self confidence to explore and create tomorrow.
And to celebrate the book's release and spread the love of play the lovely Small Fry team are giving away three copies of their book.
All you have to do to enter is drop a comment below. That's it. The competition will close Sunday October 11 at midnight AEDST. Good luck.
For me this book has sparked a dedication to make this school holidays all about connecting with my littles through play so I'm giving the blog a rest. I'll pop back in to let you know who won the books but other than that I'll see you all in two weeks. Have fun x

WIN! Cushie Tushies for your little one's cute tushie

Hey, weren't Shell and Cath from Cushie Tushie's fantastic in their Super Mum interview?
And those nappies. Goodness me. Too. Cute. Babies these days, huh? They really do have it all.
Well, they are so super fantastic that they have a little surprise for a {mum space} reader. That's you. Yes. You. The one reading this.
The lovely ladies want your little one's tushie to get the deluxe treatment so they are giving away a couture nappy and matching wet bag in the winners choice of print. Just head on over to the Cushie Tushie site and then swing back here to leave a comment with your choice of print.
Want extra entries. You can get three more big ones. Here's how to get 'em:
Blog this giveaway and get 1 extra entry
Subscribe to or follow this site and get 1 extra entry
Twitter or Facebook this giveaway and get 1 extra entry
Just be sure to leave separate comments saying which of these you have done to get your extra entries. Good luck!
I'll be drawing a random winner next Friday, September 25.

Agoo giveaway

I've told you before how much I adore Agoo's sweet, sweet leg huggers.
One. They look crazy-cute on little legs. Our daughter has some and they triple the cuteness factor of an outfit in an instant. Check out the oodles of lovely prints they come in here.
Two. They are so versatile. One size can go from baby to five-year-old and even this mama's arms when I forget to take my cardy to the park. They can be worn alone or make for extra-toasty little legs when you pop them over a pair of stockings.
Three. I'm also really loving that they are made with bamboo.
I really dig bamboo as a fabric. It's so soft. Almost as soft as the little legs they adorn. And so comfy. I have bamboo briefs and I tell you, I have to check myself a few times a day to make sure I actually put underpants on — they are that comfy. And bamboo sheets are just dreamy. Like silk but not at all in a porno way.
Oh and I just learnt from Agoo that bamboo is also antibacterial, a great insulator, highly absorbent and even environmentally sustainable. Right on, bamboo. You are one truly super-duper fibre.
And because Agoo are rockin' peeps they are giving two {mum space} readers a pair of leg huggers and a two-pack of bamboo socks.
To be in it just leave a comment below.
For a second entry follow or subscribe to this blog (leave a separate comment saying you've done so or that you are already a subscriber/follower).
For a third entry Twitter or Facebook this comp (don't forget to come back and leave another comment to say you've done it).
Competition will finish next Saturday, July 25, 10pm AEST. And anyone in the whole wide world can enter.

Tommee Tippee Giveaway

To celebrate the fact that Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles have gone BPA-free (nice one guys) {mum space} has a lovely gift pack to give away.
The Closer to Nature bottles are excellent for mums wanting/needing to combine breast and bottle feeding or wanting/needing to ween, as the teat has good flex and stretch to mimic the way a baby feeds on the breast. And it's comforting to know that their bottles don't have any nasty BPAs leaching into your babies milk.

The prize pack includes:
2 x 340ml Closer to Nature bottles
1 pack Closer to Nature breast pads
Tommee Tippee first feeding bowl and utensils
Tommee Tippee bath squirties
Tommee Tippee bath appliques

To be in it to win it all you need to do is leave a comment below.
For an extra entry subscribe or follow this blog and leave a separate comment to let me know you have (current subscribers and followers leave a separate comment saying "already subscribed" too for your extra entry).
If you would like a third entry twitter about this giveaway and leave another comment to say you've done so.
Competition closes this Sunday, July 19, 10pm AEST.
Good luck lovely ladies.

WIN! A super hero softie

Softies are definitely having a big moment.
And why not?
They are so very cute, so very nice to cuddle and will be your bestie forever and ever (even if you drag them through the dirt and try to feed them mashed avocado).
And here's another hot tip for free: they don't come much cuter than the new Ze Super Heros.

How totally right am I?
Designed in France (ooh la la indeed), there are six characters, each with their own super power (Zonk the monkey is an ace climber) and super challenge to overcome (but he's scared of heights), a detachable cape that doubles as a comforter and a secret little pouch to hide treasures in (I'm thinking the perfect spot to stash that first lost tooth for a little fairy to come and collect).
And just because they are zuper-duper lovely little softies they have all agreed that two {mum space} readers should definitely welcome a little Zonk monkey into their family.

{update, June 28th: Zonk was previously a bit off colour in his picture and was sporting a yellow cape. This is his correct colour. Sorry super people}
Hands up who wants one?
Just leave a comment below to be in the running and be sure to check out the great animations on their website with your littles.
Competition will be open until 10pm AEST next Friday July 3rd, when two random winners will be drawn.
Good luck.
:: these little guys are retailing at $54.95 each, phone 1300 881 940 or email enquiry@jasnor.com for a stockist close to you ::

WIN! This is your life... baby

Digital cameras are ace aren't they? You can easily take 100 snaps of your sleeping baby in a matter of minutes. Then you download them all and have well meaning plans to compile a baby book with all the details of every little gurgle and smile.
Next thing you know the nappies are a distant memory and you’re looking through the lens at a little person top-to-toe in school uniform. Click, click, click… that’s another 50 shots for (ahem) the baby book… I don’t know about you but a five-year backlog is looking a little beyond me. Or at least I thought it was until I discovered Laikonik’s Once-A-Year Books.

Artist Kasia Jacquot has really nailed the keepsake album with this clever idea. These gorgeous photo albums are designed to hold one photo per year of your child from birth through to 18 years of age. And there’s room opposite each photo page for you to record achievements, milestones and perhaps an unforgettable quote.
The albums are handmade by Kasia and come in a lovely felt bag. A lovely and unique touch is that the books fold out concertina style so you can really get a sense of the story of your child’s life and can watch them grow over and over and over again.

And guess what? Because Kasia is as lovely as her designs she is giving away a personalised Once-A-Year Book to a very lucky {mum space} reader. All you have to do is leave a comment below to be in the running to win. Competition closes this coming Saturday, May 9 at 10pm AEST.

WIN! Have a fine and Dandi day

Afternoon baking sessions are a favourite activity in this house but I must admit it can get pretty messy. Aprons are a necessity. And we are due for some new ones. How about a matching mother and daughter pini set from Dandi?

Pretty cute, huh.
Now that would make a nice Mother's Day gift, wouldn't it?
And you should see the other lovely offerings from the Dandi girls. There's tablecloths, ironing board covers, divine bamboo bowls, gorgeous pinboards and lots more.
So seriously, how about a pini set? For you. That's right. You.
The lovely (not to mention highly talented) girls from Dandi want to give one lucky {mum space} reader a mother and daughter pini so you and your little girl can get messy and still look totally glamourous in the kitchen.
Just head over to the Dandi site, have a peek at their lovely designs, choose your favourite from their halter pini styles then head back here and leave a comment with your choice of design for you and your little helper.
A winner will be chosen at random on Saturday May 4, 9am AEST.

Little Innoscents winners

The four mummy's who will soon be pampering their little bundles with the lovely Little Innoscents range are:
Claire
Jude
Becca
Renata79
Send your address details to contact[dot]mumspace[at]gmail[dot]com.
Thanks everyone for entering!

WIN! Little Innoscents organic baby care packs

Her Hair & Body Wash and Nappy Rash Cream has been given the thumbs-up by a {mumspace} review panel and now the lovely Antonette from Little Innoscents wants to spread her goodness to even more little ones.
Four lucky {mumspace} readers can win a complete range of Little Innoscents organic baby products (Hair & Body Wash, Baby Powder, Massage Oil, Massage Lotion, Nappy Rash Cream and Vapour Balm). Now you can pamper your little one on a whole new level!
You guys have the best gig. You see, all you have to do is leave a comment below to be in with a chance (do leave at least your first name, pretty please). Competition closes Saturday April 18 at midnight. Be in it to win it.

WIN! A snuggly surprise

I love polka dots.
I love pom poms.
Together they are so right.
Just look at this:

I also really love being warm and toasty under the covers on a chilly night.
So how super is it that Annabel Trends have released these hot water bottles with oh-so-cute covers just in time for the big chill?
My mum used to give us a hot water bottle to take to bed in winter when we were kids and we all had our different ways of utilising its snugness. My sister would put hers in the middle of the bed while she did her teeth and then hop in tummy-down and cuddle hers. My brother would stuff his down the back of his pants and jump in bed. And I would tuck mine right down the bottom and rest my feet on it.
How do you do the hot water bottle?
And if pom poms are having a moment in your house (they are always having a moment in this house) there’s matching throws to go with your hot bot.

Couch snuggling is totally sorted (and very much anticipated) this winter.
The lovely peeps at Annabel Trends are feeling so warm and cosy they want to give 7 lucky {mum space} readers a hot water bottle each.
All you have to do to be in the running is email your name, address and colour choice (pink, blue, navy or red) to contact[dot]mumspace[at]gmail[dot]com. Winners will be drawn randomly next Friday April 10. That will definitely make it a Good Friday!
For more loveliness from Annabel Trends go here and for stockists phone (07) 5593 4755.

WIN! Pretty eco bags (yes, they do exist)

When the lovely people from Ecosilk bags sent me one of their bright and delightful bags I immediately took it on an outing to the shops and filled it with goodies… silly me, turns out it’s really a superhero cape…
Seriously though, I’ve long been a fan of reusable bags at the supermarket. We all know about the disastrous environmental impacts of plastic bags clogging up our oceans and choking poor marine life. But I have always found the “green” ones you get at said stores a tad annoying and not all that attractive to be honest (sorry bags). I don’t know about you but I often find mine strewn across the boot of my car, in a messy bundle near the laundry door or nicked by my hubbie to be filled with grubby garage items. And there have been quite a few blowouts on the seams of my Coles greenies…
Enter these groovy numbers. Made from 100 per cent recyclable nylon parachute silk they are designed to fit supermarket racks and are strong enough to easily hold 14kg. One of the best features is that you can fold them into nice neat little rectangles (or birds depending on your origami skills) and keep them in the pocket of your handbag. No more getting stuck at the checkout without your reusable bags and having to either purchase what’s available there (that’s how we ended up with our hideous South Sydney Ruby League version…) or be driven to an early grave by ecoguilt.
I am also loving them for the post office run, the dry cleaning run and any other bits and bobs runs. Eco problem #100976 solved! Thank you Ecosilk bags. And because they really are super-lovely people at Ecosilk two lucky mum spacers can win a pack of three Ecosilk bags. All you have to do is leave a comment to be in the running to win. Competition ends Monday, 10pm AEDST. Be sure to leave at least your first name with your comment.

WIN! Sharing the love

It's a scientifically proven fact that little girls' lives are not complete until they have an arm full of serious bling.
Don't mess with science — enter the Lovelinks competition right here before midday Friday.
Just by leaving a comment you are in with a chance to win your little princess a gorgeous Petite Lovelinks charm bracelet set worth $200.
Go now! Quick sticks.

WIN! Sharing the love

This week on mum space it's all about LOVE as we head for Valentine's Day on the weekend.
And to help spread the love the generous folk at Lovelinks are giving away one of their Petite Lovelinks sets valued at $200.
How adorable are they? I can't think of anything more perfect than a charm bracelet to kick-start your little one's jewellery collection. Charms come in silver, gold and Murano glass beads so you can make a totally unique bracelet for your totally unique little person. What a perfect christening or naming day gift.
My favourite part of the Lovelinks concept is that you can add charms from a huge selection on special occassions (or whenever you like). A gorgeous idea to suggest to the gift-challenged grandparent. I can also see many special charms being proudly produced by a daddy for their little princess.
To be in the running to win just leave a comment, it's that easy! You can still comment anonymously if you like just leave a name or pseudonym of some description and when I announce the winner on the blog you can email me (I trust the right person to email in). Competition will close at 12 noon this Friday, February 13.
And for those of you who are not adverse to hinting to hubby on the gift front (hey, I send my man emails with links galore of all the stuff I want) I suggest you direct him to Lovelinks today for a lovely mummy charm bracelet for Valentine's Day. That way he will always have a gorgeous gift to add to come birthdays, Christmas, dinners missed, etc... If your man doesn't take the hint don't despair as a little birdy told me that Lovelinks will be doing more giveaways around Mother's Day.