Review ~ The Master Plan...

I am a bit of a stationery addict!  Over the years I've amassed dozens of diaries, planners and organisers in the hope I would find 'The One'.  It never happened.  I would use one, trying it for a while but something was missing and I couldn't pinpoint what it was.

 

I tried a day to a page diary but wasn't really busy enough to fill it.  Next was a week to an opening.  A little better.  But since becoming a part time worker with a little one attending kindy, taking on a P&F Secretary role and blogger with a Facebook page I needed something that I could group those roles and see them at a glance. 

 

And then I found it.  The One...a horizontal planner.  The Master Plan.  I.love.it.

 

 

 

The horizontal planner lets me see in columns what is coming up for the week for each role.  This year with the addition of an extra column I was able to add a Projects line, which is fantastic and allows me to write down specific projects I'm working on. 

 

Use it to keep track of after school activities, play dates and appointments.  Being A5 size it's portable, pop it in your handbag or keep it at home as part of your Family Command Station.

 

I love that this year the pages are white which means if I have to use white out it doesn't stand out (I know, OCD much).  I'm also this year using my washi supplies and cards to brighten up my week ahead.  

 

The Plan is a 15 month calendar commencing in September & while I start using mine at the beginning of the year, I use the extra pages to write notes etc. There's also a removable notebook included. 

 

 

 

 

The menu planning section is a favourite because as you know we love to menu plan, 5 years and counting and saves us so much money and time.  Being able to see at a glance what's for dinner prompts me to get the meat for that night out of the freezer ready to go.

 

Even if you have already bought this years diary, it's never too late to change to the perfect planner.  When you make the switch you'll be buying it every year, trust me!  This is my second year and I haven't looked back.  The hardest part is choosing the colour.  I love the Mint, my signature colour for the year.

 

 



Thanks to the lovely ladies at Sweet Creations for sending me The Master Plan in mint to review & keep.  As always the opinions are my own. 

 

Annabel from Milestone Press has also kindly given me a copy of The Master Plan for one of you to win and love.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

  

Giveaway details

The Giveaway will run here on the Because Everything Counts blog page.

It will run from Tuesday 28 January and end Tuesday 4 February 2014.

Entry is open to Australian residents only.  One entry per person.  This is a game of skill and the winner will be chosen based on the answer given.

 

Comments require approval by me before publishing.  This reduces spam comments.  All genuine responses are published. 

 

If you have any issues with Rafflecopter please don't hesitate to message me via my Facebook page

How to Enter

Please leave your answer below and include your full name & email address. Good luck xx

 

 

 





 

Winners Winners...

To say I'm excited about this weekends Confetti Fair is an understatement.  I have been stalking the vendors all week and can't wait to meet them and check out their stalls.

 

The fair is perfect timing too as I am in the throes of organising Miss Matilda's next birthday.

 

And without further adieu the winners of the two double passes to the Perth Confetti Fair are;

 

Sallyann Silver & Laura

 

Congratulations ladies, thanks for providing your email addresses.  I'll send you the tickets tonight.

 

 

 

First Blogiversary Giveaway Winners!

OMG I'm so excited to announce my First Blogiversary Giveaway winners!  I had butterflies clicking on the Choose A Winner button. 

Before I announce the lucky winners, I'd like to say thank you so much to my Sponsors.  Such fabulous ladies to work with and I so appreciate their support.

Thank you too to my amazing readers - you are all gorgeous and I love your interaction on the page.  I look forward to seeing you around long after the giveaway.

Without further ado.....drumroll please

Congratulations to ~

Amberelief Amber Baby Set Winner ~ Keegan Rigby

Bright Star Kids - Agent Tenille Webb Teapot Chalkboard & Chalkboard Texta ~ Toni Sieg

Giggle'n'Groove Tweens Whimsy <3 Garden Pendant ~ Hannah Nix

My Obsession Designs $40 including postage Voucher ~ Jill Troy


Two Little Blue Birds Custom Design Invitation & Party Stationery Pack ~ Melinda LeClergcq

Lime Tree Kids Water for the Week Bottle Set & 2 x Neoprene Sleeves ~ Melissa Gasson

Cavania Australia 4 x Greeting Cards chosen by the Designer ~ Jess Davey

Congratulations to all the winners.  Please message me via my page Because Everything Counts to arrange delivery of your awesome prizes.

Thanks again for your support

x Bec
 

First Blogiversary Giveaway ~ Cavania Australia

I'll admit, I have a little bit of a crush on this gorgeous store.  When I saw the work being done on an old building in my favourite part of town I got very excited.  I visited it on their first day and fell in love big time.

Oh it is so pretty and much of it is made by the uber talented Karen.  This beautiful brooch followed me home that first visit.  I love it and wear it all the time.

Cavania Australia also stock brands Belle & Boo and Miss Rose & Sister Violet.



I've watched the store grow and blossom and the work Karen and Christian have put into resurrecting the store front has certainly paid off.  Stunning is the word.  It looks even better at night when the chandeliers are on, and the pom poms and lace doily bunting crisscross the windows.

Their mission is "To inspire with our greeting card designs and collection of retro and vintage goodies. ♥ Imagine ♥ Create ♥ Believe ♥ Inspire ♥" 

One lucky reader has the chance to win 4 beautiful cards from their range as chosen by the designer.  This is just a small sample.

Good luck x

Remember you need to complete both portions of the Rafflecopter. You must click on both entry options even if you're already a liker of either page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Blogiversary Giveaway ~ Lime Tree Kids

I have owned the fabulous Reduce water bottles for a little while now and I absolutely love them.  So when the gorgeous Shelley from Lime Tree Kids offered to send me a set for Miss Matilda I was very happy to say yes.

Just like any Mum I have tried so many drink bottles for Miss M, they either are too big, they leak, they're ugly! or they just take up too much room in the fridge.

Enter the Reduce Water for the Week drink bottles.  They are fab!  There are 5 bottles holding 470ml each. They take up less room in the fridge thanks to the tray they come with.  You just grab a chilled bottle and go!

Miss M chose the spectrum style because she liked the pink stripes!  She's quickly learning how to open the bottles herself which is great. 

So what's the low down on these babies;  they are leakproof, dishwasher safe, handbag/nappybag size and bpa free. 

But the best part is they save you money, never buy bottled water again.  I took ours to the Circus recently, I saved $5 per bottle and I was drinking rain water.  Win/win

 

My fridge before, see the collection of bottles, we have steel ones, Disney ones, straw ones. 

All trying to find the best style.

Taa-daa.  So much better. 

 

 

So, would you like to win a set of your own?  Thanks to Lime Tree Kids you can! 

 

You can choose a set of your liking. Naturals, Spectrum or Whites

 

And just because Shelley is super generous the prize also includes 2 neoprene sleeves for your bottles.  These sleeves are fantastic, they have a carabina so you can hang it off your nappy bag or pram.  They stop 'bottle sweat' or condensation and keep the water cold.

 

Good luck x

Remember you need to complete both portions of the Rafflecopter. You must click on both entry options even if you're already a liker of either page.

 

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Blogiversary Giveaway ~ Two Little Blue Birds

Are you looking for a blog makeover or logo designed, thank you cards or invitations?  Look no further than the super talented Gem at Two Little Blue Birds.  Oh and she's just a little chevron crazy too!

Gem has done some gorgeous work and I'm thrilled that she's a sponsor of my Blogiversary.

Check out these creations

 

Invitations

 

Logo Designs

 

 

Gem has also created some seriously cute printables for you to download free!

 

 

Thanks to Gem, here is what you can win!

 

The prize is open to everyone! Yay including non Australian residents. 

The prize is the custom design printables sent to you as a pdf.

Good luck!

Remember you need to complete both portions of the Rafflecopter. You must click on both entry options even if you're already a liker of either page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Blogiversary Giveaway ~ My Obsession Designs

Another giveaway from another gorgeous lady whose work I admire.  Introducing Tracey from My Obsession Designs and I'm lucky enough to call her a Sewing Sister.  She is a lovely lady, generous and oh so creative.

One look at her online store and you'll see just how talented.  She creates gorgeous fabric baskets, nappy pouches, swimming back packs, pencil cases...

Gorgeous Fabric Basket, perfect for the nursery, playroom or car.

 

  

Beautiful wallet for Mum

 

 

Super cute kids Messenger Bag

 

 

So what can you win?  How does a $40 including postage voucher to spend at the My Obsession Designs online store sound?  And just in time for Christmas!

 

The winning recipient of the voucher will receive an exclusive code to redeem at the online store.  The voucher is to be used on ready made items only.

 

Good luck!

Remember you need to complete both portions of the Rafflecopter. You must click on both entry options even if you're already a liker of either page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Blogiversary Giveaway ~ Giggle'n'Groove

Here is a giveaway sure to elicit ooohs and ahhhhs.  And another sponsor whose work I love.  I am lucky enough to have won a pendant of my own in a naming competition, I called it  Groove Is In The Heart.  I love it and wear it often.

Having a handmade piece is so special.  Lisa at Giggle'n'Groove makes the most gorgeous hand stamped pieces for every member of the family and they make great Christmas gifts.

Here is what one lucky reader can win

The Tweens Whimsy ♥ Garden pendant can be worn from 8+ years, as they aren't super large, around the same size as a $1 coin.

This little pendant features a range of birds, flowers & insects - it is on a 1" disc in Sterling silver & it will be strung on a black cord. Custom designed individually, the pendants will slightly vary.

"I LOVE making these, they are super fun as they always look so beautiful. My girls adore these & every time I make them, they oooh & ahhh" Lisa tells me.

Good luck!

Remember you need to complete both portions of the Rafflecopter. You must click on both entry options even if you're already a liker of either page.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Blogiversary Giveaway ~ Bright Star Kids

I love Bright Star Kids products, we have quite a few including the gorgeous pencil labels and bag tag I've put aside for when Miss M starts kindy next year.

A revisit to their website showed me that they sell SO much more than school labels.  OMG they have gorgeous Wall Art for the kids rooms, for the living room, the kitchen..the list is endless.

The lovely Tenille a Bright Star Kids Agent has come on board as a sponsor of my blogiversary and I'm so thrilled.

Tenille has provided this fabulous Teapot Chalkboard for one lucky reader to win.

 

 

It has so many uses, pop it on the fridge, cupboard door or kitchen wall.

 

Use it to jot down notes, to do list or the shopping list.  It would be great for your menu plan too!

 

This would be super cute in a little girls room too especially if you don't have the room for a full blackboard.

 

To complete the giveaway we also have a Chalkboard Texta in white.  It writes like a texta, looks like chalk and can be used on the chalkboard as well as whiteboards, windows, tiles!  So versatile. 

 

 

 Good luck!

 

Remember you need to complete both portions of the Rafflecopter. You must click on both entry options even if you're already a liker of either page.

   



a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Blogiversary Giveaway ~ Amberelief

I'm so excited to begin my First Blogiversary Giveaways and with some amazing sponsors.

I'd like to introduce you to Michelle from Amberelief.  I've known Michelle for years and Miss M was the lucky recipient of an Amber Baby Set.

Can I just say I loved it!  Matilda cut her two year old molars without me even knowing.  No teething gel, no pain relief needed.  Just the necklace.  I didn't even think about it until I took it off her one day and omg I noticed the difference in her being grizzly.  So back on it went!!

But did you know Amber is not just for teething babies?  Read on;

"It is a natural remedy used for rheumatoid pains, migraines, general aches and pains, colds, sleeping, snoring, mastitis, arthritis, general well being, it can be used by everyone, not just teething babies"

You can get more information here

Here is what you can win.  An Amber Baby Set

Good luck x

Remember you need to complete both portions of the Rafflecopter.  You must click on both entry options even if you're already a liker of either page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And the winner is....

Before I announce the winner, I want to say a huge thank you to Hallmark for giving one of my lucky readers the gorgeous Abigail!  She will no doubt be loved by the winners just as she is by us.

I also wanted to say thank you to my beautiful readers for joining me, interacting on the page and for becoming friends.

Lastly (gosh this sounds like an Oscar speech!) a big thank you to my fellow bloggers who have shared this competition and supported my page, just a few of these beautiful women are and in no particular order, the lovely Kell from Mad Mummas Sweet Randoms, Allison from Utterly Organised: Business + Lifestyle + Events and Annaleis from Teapots and Tractors.  Having support when we are little fish in a big pond is so appreciated.

And the lucky reader is...

Jessie Hay

I love 'Guess How Much I Love You' because my boys love having it read to them. :)

Congratulations Jessie!

800 likers and a Giveaway

Wow I'm so excited to have reached another goal in my blog journey ~ 800 likers!  Thank you x

Thanks to the lovely people at Hallmark, one lucky Because Everything Counts reader has the chance to win this gorgeous prize!

You might remember I won an Abigail the interactive bunny recently thanks to Edan Rose and when she arrived we were instantly in love! 

Abigail and The Balance Beam was an huge hit that night at story time.  She is cute and cuddly and oh such a delight!  Matilda's Daddy thought she was pretty funny too. 

Story time is such an important part of our night time routine with either myself or hubby reading to Matilda.

As you read, Abigail responds to specific lines in the book, her little voice and laughter is infectious, and the story itself is kind.

We've since bought two more books; Abigail & The Tea Party and Abigail & The Lost Purse.  We haven't read anything else since!  She's definitely Matilda's new best friend.

Abigail also has a free app for iPhone and iPad users!

To enter, tell me what is your favourite children's book?

Giveaway details

The Giveaway will run here on the Because Everything Counts blog page.
It will run from Wednesday 15 August 2012 and end 8pm (WST) Sunday 20 August 2012.

Entry is open to Australian residents.  One entry per person. The winner who has met the requirements will be chosen via random.org

How to Enter

To enter you must be a liker of the Because Everything Counts Facebook page.

Please leave your answer below and include your full name. Good luck xx



And the winners are....

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway.  It's so fantastic to see all the entries and to see you supporting my little blog.

These giveaways aren't huge but they're from the heart.  The prizes are self funded but I hope for that to change one day...hellooo sponsors.  Until then, I'm happy to share things I find and love and if that means I pay for them then I'm ok with that x

And now for the winners;

Larrissa, who happens to be the lovely lady behind My Pigeon Pair
What a great prize! I am new to your blog, but LOVE what I see! Larissa ~ My Pigeon Pair

Debbie Shotte
Love your page :-) My tip is - I have 5 young boys to do lunches for, and it is easier to do them the night before...I bought 5 white baskets from Coles, and I pop everything in there - snacks, fruit, crunch and sip, treats...and then in the morning it is super easy to pack the lunch bags....with named containers in there, even the kids can help out and pack ;-)
And even though I didn't hit 300 likers, the third bag goes to....

Fiona Isbister
I love this tote bag it almost looks like a hand bag, I am a preschool teacher and I think all the kids would think I was a pretty groovy teacher with this lol. Lunch box tip know if your child can manage glad wrap and other packets including yougurt ones where you have to rip the tops off. Half my lunchtime is taken up opening packets lol.

Can the winners all please contact me to arrange postage.

If you weren't a winner this time, please stick around..I plan on having lots of giveaways.  I'm pretty certain the next one will be a signed copy of my favourite book.  I also have lots more tips, tricks and stories to share.

xx Bec

~ Giveaway ~

I'm so excited to have reached 250 likers.  So as promised I have a little giveaway.  I have a bit of a bag fettish... handbags, beach totes and lunch bags.  I have a few favourites but they're mostly for Matilda.

When I spotted this one, I knew I had to have it..for me.  I work two days a week so this is great to take my lunch with me.  After using it, I thought it would make a great giveaway so other's could love it too. 

The bag itself is almost handbag like.  It's insulated and is a good size.  As you can see I can fit two Sandwich Keepers and a few snackpots inside.

I have 2 of these to give away and I will add another bag if the Because Everything Counts Facebook page reaches 300 likers by the end of the giveaway. That's potentially 3 chances to win!

Giveaway details

The Giveaway will run here on the Because Everything Counts blog page.   

It will run from Saturday 12 May 2012 and end 8pm (WST) Saturday 19 May 2012

Entry is open to Australian residents only (sorry, the postage overseas will be too much for me to bare).  One entry per person.  The winner who has met the requirements will be chosen via random.org

How to Enter

To enter you must be a liker of the Because Everything Counts Facebook page.

Please leave a comment below this post, the comment could even be your favourite lunchbox tip.  Also include your full name.

Good luck xx

PS, Please note the Tupperware is not included in the prize, it is the lunchbag up for grabs.  The Tupperware is to show just how much the bag can fit inside x

And the winners are!

With the help of Miss 2 (she clicked the button!) and random.org we have our winners!!

Clare from The HOME She Made

&

Jess from My Family, Our Home

Congratulations, you have both won copies of Christmas Sorted!

Can you both please contact me on BecauseEverythingCounts@live.com.au

Thank you to everyone who entered and helped me celebrate my first 50 likers, I loved reading your stories.

PS ~ I have found another copy of the book, I didnt realise I had bought three....
so a bonus winner is....
Keegan Rigby!!