Talking chalk.....Fiona Kate Chalkboard Labels

Remember our Project Playroom?

Well we had an awesome TROFAST storage system from IKEA that now houses the majority of our toys.....there is just one problem.....

It was looking like this....

No it's not the poor excuse for lighting when taking a photo

and yes some have been put back into their spot with a crooked lid.....

Notice the labels?

I am a MASSIVE fan of labelling things. 

 Organising and storage are great but without labels 

the items will NEVER find their way back to their home.

My label maker and I go way back.

But this was just one job too big for my little DYMO.

I have had many attempts at conquering this problem.

I tried printing out labels on the computer, laminating them and sticky taping them on....

Only one has survived (the little puzzles label at the bottom).

I then tried to use some letter stickers from a dollar store.  

These were ok, but after a month, wear and tear had got the better of them.  

Funnily enough they had a way of coming of the boxes when I needed them on and 

then when I wanted them off I had to scrub them off!!!

But finally we have a solution.........

Enter Fiona Kate - Simple Storage Solutions

Fiona Kate

Chalkboard Labels!!!!!

Simply write, using chalk onto the labels

For younger children you can add some little pictures to make it easier for them to "read"

Stick them onto your containers and....

You have a fun and functional way of labelling your containers!

Here is what I love about them.

Function.  

They can be written on and personalised.

You can change them with a simple wipe.

We are always culling and resorting toys as the kids grow older so the labels need to be changed accordingly. This is sooo easy with the chalkboard labels.

They can be used anywhere!

They are easy to apply

They are durable

Fun.  

Who doesn't want to have a turn using the chalk to write on them.

A great way to help your children take ownership of organising

 is involving them in the process!

Master O has sneakily been found wiping off the labels so I will let him write on them!

Style

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your project.

Price

Affordable!!!!

The "dot" and rectangular chalkboard labels retail for $12.95

We have used them in our playroom but you could use them;

In the kitchen to label tea and coffee jars or pantry containers

In the wardrobe so your clothes stay organised on the shelves.

Near the phone to jot down messages.

The possibilities are endless.

Fiona Chandler (the owner of Fiona Kate) established the business in 2007 and as a busy Mum of 4 children,  (and 6 chickens, a rabbit and a cat) she HAS to be organised!

Her online store is stocked with clever and innovative storage products.

From Giant storage boxes that double as tables to the divine "postie" for displaying pictures and cards, her products are all made "toddler tough"

Her fresh and creative designs are created at night after the kids have gone to bed.

So what does a typical day look like for this WAHM?

"Up in the morning post the blog,
cup of tea- very important
 load of washing on
breakfast
make lunches and beds
 chase the kids to feed the pets
 clear up
 remind kids to get dressed
sort out the deliveries
try and fit in email
 remind kids to get dressed
hang the washing
 remind kids to get dressed
sign notes
 remind kids to get dressed
walk to school, oli rides home with me
drop deliveries at post office

this is the same most days
then it’s a mix of fun stuff for Oli , a bit of email , a trip to manufacturer and or warehouse
walk to school for pick up and the afternoon begins
homework, friends over, sport, music etc
"work" doesn't begin until 7pm!

You can find Fiona Kate on Facebook

or online at 

fionakate.com.au

Now that we have the toys labelled and organised we just need to find a way to 

make them pick themselves up!!!

Review, Rave and Giveaway - MediBuddy

Between "My Pigeon Pair" we have had bumps, scrapes, bites and even a broken leg!  

But worse still, is that all of these "accidents" have occurred whilst we have been out and about, 

with the First Aid kit (that is now so organised) at home!

 Lauren at "Handmade by Lauren" has introduced me to a great little travel first aid product! 

The "medibuddy" is an all in one travel first aid kit designed especially with kids in mind!

The handy little plastic container is sturdy and wipeable, easy enough for adults to open but hard enough for little hands to steer clear.  I love that they have really thought about the needs of kids.  The colourful bandaids would be a great to distract a crying child, with the cute little stickers included to cheer them up.  As every mother knows having wipes on hand is a must and the kit also includes soap cleansing wipes.

For me, this little kit is just perfect for my handbag.  But you could use it in the car, nappy bag, for airplane travel, or in the bottom of the pram! I have added some adult bandaids and Panadol to the "medibuddy" for Mummy Emergencies!  This is definitely a clever, child focused, practical product that is definitely worth its very affordable $12.95 price tag!

The Medi Buddy contains

* red, blue and yellow novelty crayon bandages (15)
* knee/elbow bandage (1)
* aloe vera packet (1)
* gauze pads (6)
* soap cleansing wipes (4)
* fun stickers (12)
* carry-anywhere case (1)

RRP $12.95

You can buy this Mummy must have

 from

handmadebylauren.com.au

But wait there's more......

You can win one of these amazing MediBuddies!

Simply

1. "Like" My Pigeon Pair's Facebook Page

2. "Like" The Handmade by Lauren Facebook Page

3. Leave a comment here on the blog!

DONE!!!

SIMPLE AS 1, 2,3!!!

AND.....

as a special offer to all of the "My Pigeon Pair" flock

Handmade By Lauren is offering 10% off the entire Handmade By Lauren store!

Tutus, chalkboard mats, wall art the lot!

Just enter the word

PIGEON

at the checkout!

This offer expires Midnight, Sunday 15 May 

COMPETITION CONDITIONS

Only open to Australian Residents (due to postage)

One entry per person

Winner chosen via random.org

Competition opens 7am, Monday, 9th May

Competition closes 7pm, Thursday, 12th May

Winner announced Friday 13th May

Good Luck!

Rave and Review - The Karma Soap Company

I have that typical mediteranean oily skin. 

 I tan with the slightest bit of sun, have never had sensitive skin or suffered eczema.  

Before you hate me it also means I am prone to pimples and shiny face syndrome!

My husband is the same and this dark eyed, dark haired couple were expecting Master O our first baby, to be a little "olive" baby.  

And there he was blue eyes, fair skin and a touch of ginger in his golden hair!!!  

Where did he come from!  

His fair skin is prone to eczema and sensitive skin outbreaks when we change washing powder, he swims in too much chlorine, use a new soap, well lots of things!!!  

We recently had an "itchy" bath after Master O was determined to use his Birthday present "Thomas" bubble baths!  

I know I am not alone!  I have numerous friends, with children in the same position and our conversations are often dedicated to whats working for us!

There are so many companies out there now claiming to be "sensitive" on the skin 

(Have you seen the new Dove ad campaign?") 

but they still come wrapped in a mountain of packaging and artificial ingredients. 

So determined to try something new,

 we have just used "The Karma Soap Company's" Goat milk soap.
  

WE LOVED....

1. That is comes in a limited amount of packaging that is all recycled
2. It is made form natural products without fragrance. (but still smells lovely)
3. It feels so luxurious and still foams up beautifully! (unlike some other natural soaps)
4. No IRRITATIONS!!! NO "itchy" bath!
5. That we are supporting a Mummy owned, australian business! - THIS IS A BIG ONE FOR ME!

Ok so its not as convenient to order soap separately from the rest of your shopping, but Karma soap is available online through their Facebook page so it is still sooo easy!  Karma soap comes in 17 different kinds and I  (this one was for the kids!) would love to try a few different varieties.  For me I would love a bit of essential oil fragrance (something to mask the smell of baby spew?) for those long luxurious baths (ok so now I am dreaming!)

Here is just a snippet of Felicity's, Karma Soap Company story...

 As we had started a new tradition in my hubby's family in 2009 where we buy presents for the kids and make them for the adults and as an avid soap maker i made a variety of fragranced soaps and body scrubs etc. My wonderful in-laws paid my products compliments all day and repeatedly said 'People would buy these you know, you should do this as a business'. So after a few days of thinking of nothing but just that I decided i would start the business and share my beautifully crafted soaps with everyone, not just my family. The Karma Soap Company was born a couple of days after Christmas 2010. 

Im located in Merrylands in Sydney's western suburbs, However as i am setting up an online store am accessable to everyone, not just people local to me.

Goats milk soap is a wonderful alternatitve to the store bought soaps with all sorts of nasty chemicals and things i can't pronounce, let alone know what they are - and thats IF all the ingredients are listed! I add NO alcohol or petroleum based products into my products and am conscious to only have ingredients I myself would use on my guinea pigs, I mean children and family!!  

SPECIAL OFFER for

The "My Pigeon Pair" Flock


Buy 5 bar soaps for $20 
and 
receive a sample size of a different fragranced soap FREE
Just Mention "My Pigeon Pair" when you order!


What products are you raving about this week?