Black Friday shopping New Zealand

Black Friday Bliss: One-Stop Shopping online at TheMarket

I first fell in love with the phenomena that is Black Friday when I spent six years living in the states.  Our eldest son was born on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and I was up-and-at-em 5 days later on Black Friday to hit the awesome sales that American retailers are well known for. I can’t say I’m mad about the …

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Parents, this is how you win at the internet – MindLabKids.com

Summer school holidays are almost upon us here in New Zealand and, as far as I can tell, there are two distinct methodologies parents use to tackle the school holidays; The Organized Planner: Days, playdates, excursions,  picnics are all planned with military precision – only to be completely at the mercy of the sometimes/usually unpredictable January weather (especially if you live …

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Parenting – Bright Ideas for Young Minds

A couple of weeks ago I attended an event that was a little bit different from those I normally go to each week.  It wasn’t a cosmetic/foodie/makeup event, it wasn’t a glamorous, heels and frock, dress-to-the-nines occasion (thank god!).  It was a book launch.  A beautiful thought-provoking, inspiring book launch that gave me all the feels and left me with an …

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The Ultimate Under $20 Gift Guide

‘IF’ I was an organised shopper and had nearly finished purchasing, wrapping and hiding gifts (I’m not, I’ve barely begun my Christmas Shopping!), then I’d probably be ready for the fun of filling the stockings with those ‘little’ things that often bring some of the biggest smiles on Christmas Day. I think a really good Christmas stocking is a combo …

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Shop Local – Undercover Sleeping Bags

Coming up with super-stylish, innovative products is something kiwi women do amazingly well so it was no surprise to me to find out that the uber-cute range of Undercover Sleeping Bags for kids are designed, manufactured, and distributed right here in New Zealand by Marlborough resident, Kate Guthrie. It’s almost our prime camping and glamping Summer season here in New Zealand and I …

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Top Toys for Christmas 2015

This is the very last gift guide for 2015 which means two things;  Santa is very, very close It’s time to wrap gifts! I know some of you are last minute shoppers, some totally thrive on it.  A good friend of mine is notorious for doing her Christmas shopping for her 3 kids on Christmas Eve!  I get stabby thinking about …

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A New Christmas Tradition to Share

To be honest, my Christmas mojo totally needed a big fat injection of Festive Spirit this year.  December has arrived in all of it’s red-velveted glory but my head was still back in September.  Where oh where did spring go? One thing that never fails to get me in the Christmas mood is seasonal baking – whipping up shortbread, gingerbread …

Top Mummy Blog new Zealand Gift Guide

Christmas Gift Guide – For Her (which is probably you right?)

How ironic that the final Christmas Gift Guide I put together is for women like myself, maybe Mum’s, often the member of the family that is overlooked until the last minute, partner/husband frantically rushing to the mall on one of the final shopping days before Christmas to grab something, anything to pop under the tree.  Let’s not be martyrs ladies …

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The Christmas List – The Young Hipster

I don’t have a teen (yet), but Ethan celebrated his birthday in the weekend and at 11, his wish list was incredibly short, expensive and totally lacking in inspiration.  Something along the lines of; Xbox One Money Sound familiar?   I’m not one for buying-for-the-sake-of-buying so in order to come up with something to go under the tree (that wasn’t a …

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The Christmas List > Toys for Little Boys + Giveaway

So shopping for my little guy is so much easier than for #1, the possibilities are pretty much endless and I find before I even think about hitting the toy aisles I have to write a list, check the budget and be FIRM in my resolutions.  It’s way too easy to keep purchasing ‘little bits’ here and there because toddler gifts are …