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Getting to know Melissa from Memories of Mine Photography

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Today we’re getting to know Melissa from Memories of Mine Photography.

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a single mum with 2 beautiful kids aged 9 and 12.  I discovered my passion for photography later in life.  After my divorce, I decided I needed a hobby, one I could include my kids in and so I took up photography. Fell in love and did a course.  Seven years later and I’m now building my own business, the rest how the say “is history”.

 

2. Describe Memories of Mine in one sentence?

A boutique photography service office quality products and personalised service.

 

 

3. What do kind of services do you offer?

I specialise in outdoor portraiture. I work with my families to create beautiful portraits that unique to you and reflect your family’s personality. I offer quality products such as prints, canvases, collage/storyboards, albums and images on CD. I also do Pet Photography and Weddings.

 

4. What do you love most about what you do?

I love meeting many wonderful families, especially the kids.  Often mums get a little upset or frustrated because their kids are being kids, running around letting off steam and  not wanting to co-operate. Then when they see their photos and see that I have captured a moment they didn’t think possible. The mum becomes very happy and having a happy client is the best feeling in the world.

 

5. What are your favourite labels or stores for little ones?

I love Carnival Designs for all things girlie and Spirithoods are another favourite which are great for kids and kids at heart.

 

 

6. What’s one item you can’t live without?

Obvious answer,  my camera.

 

7. What’s one item your kids can’t live without?

My daughter couldn’t live 5 minutes without her i-pod, I swear it is permanently attached to her.

 

8. Favourite place to shop for yourself?

OMG, I spend way too much time in camera stores and not enough time in shoe and accessories land. I am looking forward to meeting some fabulous designs at the Melbourne Mamma’s Market in August and finding myself some new favourites.

 

10. If you weren’t running the Tick the Box what other job would you like to do?

If I wasn’t a photographer, I’d probably be in IT customer support which was my full time job before becoming a photographer.  Some might think that being a photographer is a big career change but when you think about it, it’s not so different as good customer service is what I pride myself on and believe my previous job has given me excellent skills in this area.

 

 

11. Favourite place to take the kids in Melbourne or Victoria?

For something different my kids love going to the Open House Melbourne event.  This free event is on once a year and allows the general public access to some of Melbourne’s iconic buildings that aren’t otherwise open to the public.  Most building have guided tour.  It’s a great experience if you have kids over the age of 8 or 9.

 

You can find Melissa and Memories of Mine Photography on Facebook or at www.memoriesofminephotography.com.

Getting to know Virginia from Tick the Box

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Today we’re getting to know Virginia from Tick the Box.

 

 

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a mamma to Sophie (aka the Wonderchild) who is a 9 year old pocket rocket and tomboy who keeps me busy and grounded. When I’m not trying to keep up with Sophie, I’m running my new shiny business Tick The Box. I’m a Melbourne girl through and through I love this town.

 

2. Describe Tick the Box in one sentence?

An online store exclusively for GIRLS ONLY where you and your girlfriends can shop for your ideal girl’s day/night out, weekend getaway, hens party, birthday or any occasion.

 

 

3. What do kind of services do you offer?

Our girls only activities include, chocolate tastings and making (and of course eating), cooking classes, helicopter trips, chauffeured driving and cycling tours, manicures, makeovers, pyjama parties, cocktail making, sailing, art classes, ceramics, beading, floristry, knitting, millinery, bespoke bag making, hairstyling workshops, photoshoots, a garden party@ Madame Brussels, tarot reading, Feng shui, Tai Chi, aromatherapy, golf lessons, basic car mechanics, and more…

 

4. What do you love most about what you do?

I love seeing and hearing from my customers their stories of fun, the smiles on their faces, their excitement and to know that I have helped create some “remember when” moments.

 

5. What are 3 of your favourite labels or stores for little ones?

Converse footwear, DC and Roxy girl

 

6. What’s one item you can’t live without?

My iphone is my life.

 

7. What’s one item your daughter can’t live without?

Track suits we have the going out ones and the heavy duty serious sport ones.

 

8. Favourite place to shop for yourself?

Chapter One in Ivanhoe East, great statement pieces that are stylish and easy to wear and suit my busy work and family life.

 

10. If you weren’t running the Tick the Box what other job would you like to do?

I would be hosting tailor made girls day outs. I love being around happy people.

 

11. Favourite place to take the kids in Melbourne or Victoria?

Lucky Chan for Yum Cha, especially on a cold wintry Melbourne Sunday.

 

 

 

You can find Virginia and Tick the Box on Facebook or at www.tickthebox.net.au.

Sunraysia Juice Review & Giveaway

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As a vegetarian, I am a huge lover of fruit and one of my favourite things about fruit is their juice.

 

I’m a big juice drinker, so I recently jumped at the chance to review Sunraysia’s Prune and Cranberry Juices.

 

Prune Juice

 

We are already big fans of Sunraysia’s Prune Juice and drink it frequently to help keep us regular.

 

Whenever either of my kids are constipated, I give them a serve of Prune Juice, usually mixed in with their cereal, and it works a treat. I’ve always got a bottle or two in the pantry for this specific purpose.

 

Not only is Sunraysia Prune juice made from 100% fruit but it also has no added sugar, no preservatives, no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners.

 

It’s naturally full of antioxidants that fight free radicals and dietary fibre that contributes to digestive health and comfort. It’s hard not to love something that’s so good for you.

 

Cranberry Juice

 

I must admit, I have only ever had Cranberry juice with Vodka mixed with it ;), so I was curious to see what it was like on its own.


I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I really like the taste of it. When I found out that cranberries are full of antioxidants, which help fight the effects of ageing, I was wondering why I hadn’t been guzzling it (without the vodka) sooner.

 

Even though it’s the middle of winter, I really enjoyed it chilled with a couple of ice cubes in it.

 

Cranberries and cranberry juice have earned a reputation for packing an antioxidant punch and as a natural medication for urinary tract infections. Sunraysia’s Cranberry juice contains no preservatives, no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners.

 

Sunraysia is an Australian family owned and operated natural beverage company founded to provide people with high quality beverages that deliver specific natural benefits and taste delicious.

 

 

Thanks to Sunraysia, I have some juice to giveaway. Two lucky readers will each win 3 x 750ml Prune Juice and 3 x 750ml Cranberry Juice.

 

To enter the competition all you need to do is leave a comment below telling me “What your favourite fruit is”.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

This giveaway is hosted by Melbourne Mamma and is no way sponsored, endorsed or administrated by, or associated with Facebook.

 

All entries must be made directly through my blog and not via Facebook.

 

Entries close on Tuesday 7 August at 10pm AEST.

 

Winners will be chosen randomly via Random.org and announced via this blog.

 

Entry open to Australian residents only.

 

Good Luck!

Getting to know Stacey from Healthy Personal Finances

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Today we’re getting to know Stacey from Healthy Personal Finances.

 

 

 

1. Tell us a little about yourselves?

I’m married with one child (very active 2 year old) and baby number 2 due late July 2012.  Family is a huge priority, but I try to balance that out by watching footy (mad Hawthorn supporter) and spending time with friends.  Life before Healthy Personal Finances – quiet ! I have worked in tax, business services and finance for over 12 years including a 4 year stint in London.

 

2. Describe your Healthy Personal Finances in one sentence?

Helping people achieve their financial goals in a realistic way without missing out on important things in their lives.

 

3. What do kind of services do you offer?

We provide personal cash management plans to people aimed at helping them achieve their financial goals, reduce debt and plan for their financial future.

 

4. What do you love most about what you do?

Helping people achieve their goals and seeing their face when they realise they can do it.

 

5. What are 3 of your favourite labels or stores for little ones?

GAP, Snugglebum, Purebaby – but usually I wait for them to be on sale!

 

6. What’s one item you can’t live without?

Sleep!  I can do without a lot of things, but need to wake up feeling refreshed in order to start the day properly.  Chocolate is a very close second.

 

7. What’s one item your kids can’t live without?

Books or music.  I know that is two things, but my son loves listening to nursery rhymes during the day or in the car, and we read a book before bed every night.  If we didn’t have those two things, our routine would be out the window and I would never get any work done.

 

8. Favourite place to shop for yourself?

Where do I start.  Wittner have great shoes, Sussan do great casual clothes.  But to be honest, I buy more for my son that I do for me.

 

10. If you weren’t running the store what other job would you like to do?

Something travel related.  I worked as a tour guide in Europe for two summers and my passion for travel has never diminished.

 

11. Favourite place to take the kids in Melbourne or Victoria?

Melbourne Zoo – not just a place for the kids !  I love it too.  If the kids get bored with the animals (which doesn’t usually happen) at least they can run around and burn off some energy.

 

 

 

You can find Stacey and Healthy Personal Finances on Facebook or visit them at www.healthypersonalfinances.com.au.

VIP Shopper tickets on sale now!

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Melbourne Mamma’s Market on Sunday 26 August 2012 is going to be the biggest and best one yet.

 

More than 30 local children’s retailers & designers will be clearing more than 100 designer labels at 50-80% off RRP.

 

If you want early entry, so you can grab all the best bargains before everyone else, you need to get yourself a VIP Shopper ticket.

 

As a VIP Shopper you will receive:

  • early entry to the sale (1 hour before the general public);
  • a VIP Shopper bag (so you’ve got somewhere to stash (ie hide) all the fab bargains you grab on the day;  and
  • 4 bonus entries in to the prize draw ($1000s of prizes to be won).

 

Tickets are $12 and there are only a limited number available, so grab yours now.

 

See you at the sale.

Getting to know…..Fiona & Miyo from Oishi-m

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Today we’re getting to know Fiona & Miyo from Oishi-m.

 

 

 

1. Tell us a little about yourselves?

We’re two mamma’s Fiona McPherson and Miyo Fallshaw. We both met in the surf industry in the pre-kids stage of our lives. Fi has two munchkins a skinny mini boy 3 years and a 6 year old girl and Miyo has two giant chubba girls 7mths and 2 and a half.

 

We live down Torquay way so our weekends are filled with beach missions and the outdoors.

 

2. Describe your label in one sentence?

Limited edition garments for skinny mini’s and chubba bubba’s.

 

 

 

3. What do you make?

We specialise in the coolest denim for nappy bottomed people. Though our limited edition range which is made in Victoria also includes; hoodies, T’s , Skirts with in built knickers, Track Pants and now Jeans for Bigger kids. Our fits suit newborns to 6 years old.

 

4. What do you love most about what you do?

Our customers are awesome. From our retailers to our consumer customers we all are multi-tasking super humans that are passionate about kids and beautiful kids products.

 

5. What are 3 of your favourite labels or stores for little ones?

Another made in Aus label Heavenly Creatures, Bergstein Gumboots for this winter and Hoochie Coochie our fav store in Nth Fitzroy.

 

6. What’s one item you can’t live without?

Both Fi and Miyo are iphone and mac whipped. We both love working, like crazy people.

 

7. What’s one item your kids can’t live without?

Oishi-m jeans, in and out of the wash every few days, they’ve lasted and lasted. They adapt with rapidly growing children and are super comfortable with soft denim and the tummy toastie.

 

 

8. Favourite place to shop for yourself?

Hmmm you could say we both have a Nancybird problem…

 

10. If you weren’t running the store what other job would you like to do?

Miyo – doing the marketing for something else that is awesome.

Fi – making some crazy clothing probably adults clothing.

 

11. Favourite place to take the kids in Melbourne or Victoria?

Miyo – Melbourne Zoo.

Fi – Yum Cha Shark Fin Inn.

 

 

You can find Oishi-m on Facebook or visit them at www.oishi-m.com.