Author: thewordbird

I'm a PR consultant, copywriter, social media manager and blog editor. I grew up in South East England, but have lived in France, Italy, Australia and in the beautiful Lecrin Valley near Granada in Spain. Now I work from home in the pretty village of #Limpsfield, Surrey, surrounded by the rolling hills of the North Downs and the hum of the M25!
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For Sale: Unique, Stunning Property in the Gorgeous Lecrin Valley, Andalucia

Casa Callistemon is a unique and beautiful village property, consisting of a large main house and characterful cottage. It is set in the heart of Chite (pronounced ch-ee-tay), a gorgeous little white-washed village, surrounded by the orchards and stunning scenery of the beautiful Lecrin Valley, just south of Granada. EUR375,000. 

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LOCATION:

Hugely convenient for a rural retreat with all the benefits of the city and the coast, Casa Callistemon/The Lecrin Valley is mid way between the largely unspoilt Costa Tropical and the historic and incredibly beautiful city of Granada.  Both Granada city and the costa are 25 mins drive. Granada airport, 35 mins; Malaga 1.5 hours.

PROPERTY:

The property is like a village oasis. You won’t believe the space until you walk through the big portico gate! Hidden inside are two beautiful houses: The main house and the casita, which between them have 5/6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, a beautiful garden and plenty of outdoor terraced sunbathing and seating areas. There’s also a large pool, pool-side WC, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen with built in BBQ/Pizza oven and electric cooker/gas hob and an abundance of fruit trees. You’ll never go hungry!

The main house, Casa Callistemon is very spacious, cool, light and airy with high ceilings and double glazed heat deflecting glass and persianas. Downstairs, the huge open plan living room has french doors leading to an outside gravelled seating area, whie the big eat in kitchen, leads onto a smaller terrace overlooking the orchard – perfect for breakfasts and lunches. There is a good size utility room, downstairs bathroom (shower) off it and a lovely sunroom that overlooks the garden and pool area.

Upstairs the house boasts four large bedrooms and a bathroom/dressing room with linen cupboard. Each bedroom has built-in wardrobes, remote ceiling fans and a door to the wrap around balcony with spectacular views down the valley to lake Beznar. One bedroom has its own vine covered private balcony overlooking the orchard trees.

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The cottage, or “Casita”, is the converted and extended coach house/stables of Casa Callistemon, with gorgeous old doors and the traditional blue shutters that are typical of the village houses. It has amazing views across the valley to lake Beznar and up to the snow on the top of the Sierra Nevada.

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On the ground floor there is a large open plan kitchen/dining and living area, with a lovely fire place (and new woodburner).

On the first floor are two very spacious, light and airy rooms with shuttered windows overlooking the garden and terraces and out to the beautiful countryside beyond. These rooms are set up as a huge master bedroom and upstairs living room. Each room has a door to shared bathroom (shower). Just let us know what you need in terms of beds and configuration before you arrive.

A fantastic first floor terrace provides a fabulous private area for breakfast or evening drinks and leads up onto another (roof) terrace which has amazing views across the rooftops and countryside and is a great suntrap for sunbathing.

The gardens and terraces are truly beautiful with loads of relaxation areas, colourful flower beds and bountiful fruit trees, including tangerines, nisperos, caquis, grapes, pomelos, lemons, avocadoes and of course oranges!

And for outdoor dining you can’t get better than the fabulous summer kitchen, with BBQ/pizza oven, cooker and gas hob and huge seating area close to the pool’s pump house and convenient poolside WC!

CONTACT: Danielle Gouwens at At Home in Andalusia.

At Home in Andalusia
Avenida de Andalucía 10B
18658 Restabal (Granada)
Tel: +34 678 41 97 32
http://www.athomeinandalusia.com

The house website is here: www.casacallistemon.com  and we’re also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/casacallistemon.

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Delay Tactics: The creative ways by which children try to delay bed time!

Delay tactics - CareforKids.comMy daughter has always been a great one for delay tactics. For everything. Her favourite and most used word is actually, “wait”! It really is. She uses it as a general punctuation now without even thinking.

Children learn the art of delaying very early on; around about the same time they learn to play their parents off one another and get their certificate in advanced negotiation skills.

They do it before they can even talk. And as they get older, their excuses and reasons for one more minute get more and more creative. These are some of my current favourites:

  1. Wait, I need to brush my hair (never brushes it during the day).
  2. I haven’t brushed my teeth (yes, you have).
  3. Can you stroke my back/head for a few minutes?
  4. I haven’t got any water/my water doesn’t taste nice.
  5. Could I have a hot chocolate/milk & honey?
  6. Can you get me the cat?
  7. The cat’s annoying me – I can’t sleep.
  8. I just need to do 5 more handstands.
  9. I haven’t done my homework.
  10. I need to go to the loo (again).
  11. Can I just watch until the end of the episode?
  12. I feel sick (usually a strategic plant for not wanting to go to school the next day).
  13. There’s a fly in my room.
  14. I need to charge up my DS.
  15. My foot’s itchy, have you got any cream?
  16. My Band Aid’s come off my verruca, can you get another one.
  17. My pyjama bottoms have gone up my leg. Can you come and pull them down?
  18. My legs feel funny. I can’t sleep.
  19. I’m too hot/too cold.
  20. It’s too light/too dark.
  21. The TV’s too loud – I can’t sleep.
  22. Can you turn up the sound on the TV – it helps me sleep.
  23. Can I read you one more chapter?
  24. Can you read me one more chapter?
  25. I can’t stop thinking about Tsunamis.
  26. I need to get my special pillow.
  27. These pyjamas are too tight. I need to change.
  28. Can I just go and say good night (again) to the kittens?
  29. Mum what happens when you die?
  30. “Wait! Oh, wait, I’ve forgotten what I was going to say…”.

By Sophie Cross for CareforKids.com.au. Posted: http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2013/june/26/delay.html

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NITS: THE FOUR-LETTER WORD EVERY MUM DREADS!

It’s back to school time, which means it’s NIT SEASON!

Are you itching already?! No? Well, read on.

Head lice, commonly known as “nits” or “cooties” if you’re in the USA are the most incredibly frustrating and annoying little insects, that will, at some point, be the bane of every mother’s life.

The head louse is a tiny greyish-brown insect, about 2.5mm long. These little critters cling onto hair and are usually found in the scalp. They live on the blood of their generous host – your child! The female lays eggs that are attached to hair, close to the scalp and can be very difficult to remove. The baby louse hatches after about a week and leaves a little white eggshell on the hair, which is called a “nit”.

No matter how clean your child’s hair, he or she will not escape lice. In fact the greasier and dirtier a child’s hair, the more likely they are to avoid lice, because the female lice find it hard to grip to the hair to lay eggs. Some schools and child care often advise not washing your child’s hair for the first week of school to minimise risk. I’m not really sure if this works, but of course most small children love the excuse to remain dirty!!!

So how are they transferred? Well by any close contact. Cuddling, huddling, reading close to each other, whispering etc etc. That louse will not miss an opportunity. Lice are flightless and can only jump a short way, but when your children are always in close contact, it’s not very hard to make that leap!

You won’t necessarily know straight away. Bites from head lice can cause intense itching and irritation on the scalp, but these symptoms may not appear until at least two months after the lice first arrive. Are you itching now?!

The only truly effective way to find lice is to use a nit-comb. You can get these from any pharmacy. The best thing is to wash your child’s hair and then put in conditioner. Don’t rinse. Comb through with a normal comb to get out the tangles and then start with the nit comb in small sections of the hair. Comb right from the very base at the scalp to the ends. Lice will be on the scalp, so make sure you get as near to it as possible to pick them up.

It can take a while, but it’s not nearly as awful as people make out. Do this in the bathroom with a full basin of water. After every run through with the comb, tap the comb into the water.

If there are lice, you’ll soon see them. They can be quite tiny, but if you train your eye you’ll spot tiny little brown/grey and almost transparent critters in the water. Of course you can’t see the eggs like this, but if there are lice, there will be eggs.

There is no miracle cure and they are hardy little buggers that will resist as long as possible! You can buy chemical and natural Lice shampoos and prevention sprays in pharmacies, but every doctor will tell you that no matter what you put on the hair to kill the lice, by far the most important part of de-lousing is an extremely thorough comb-through. Really you can just use conditioner and a comb without any lotions and potions.

One good natural killer is tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil. Just buy a bottle from the supermarket or health food store.

  • Smother the hair in it and put a shower cap over the hair. Get your child to close his or her eyes while you apply the liquid, because the vapour from the tea tree or eucalyptus can get a bit overwhelming
  • Leave for 10 minutes and rinse
  • Then apply conditioner and start combing with the nit comb as above
  • Repeat on EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY. If one of you has them, it’s likely all of you will!

This treatment works pretty well. Your child will smell a bit like a cold remedy for a few days after treatment, but the lice will stay well away!!!

Amended from original article posted http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2013/september/25/nits.html

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SIMONE KESSELL: Ere Perez Natural Beauty Ambassador

IMG_0074Simone Kessell is an acclaimed Australia-based actress, model and television presenter, who was born in New Zealand, but calls Bondi home. She has recently starred in Channel Nine’s ‘Fat Tony & Co’, alongside Josh Hartnett and Neve Campbell in the feature film ‘The Lovers’ and is currently appearing in Channel Ten’s Wonderland.

Simone, who is known for her healthy lifestyle, is the Natural Beauty Ambassador for Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics. Here she talks her beauty regime, and how she tries to blend in healthy living to the daily life as a busy working mum.

What is your daily beauty regime?

I always cleanse morning and night. A light spritz of rose water and a light Summer Moisturizer followed with a tinted SPF 30. At night I use an oil (Rosehip) or richer moisturizer. It just feels right. I only wear foundation if I am working or going out at night. I try to keep my skin clean when I can.

How do you keep fit and healthy?

I try to run 4-5 days a week. I find I have to exercise or I go a little crazy. It’s my time to calm my mind. I gym it through Winter as I know I won’t go running, because I’m not a fan of the cold! And I do pilates, and aerobic exercises (rowing machine, stepper and skipping). I think if you move your body for 20 minutes or more every day (or get your heart rate up) then your body and mind will work in harmony. it’s about keeping strong and feeling good about yourself.

You like to eat healthily. What foods do you love to eat?

I love all fruit and veg. I could happily eat them all day. Legumes as well super important. My favourite go-to healthy dish would be lentils, cherry tomatoes, greens – rocket, spinach, avocado and cucumber. All mixed together with flax seed oil, LSA (Linseed, Sunflower seeds, Almonds) and cracked pepper. It’s quick and easy and gets me through the day.

What would be a typical day in terms of what you eat?

I love Breakfast natural Organic oats with blueberries and acidophilus yoghurt. Lunch would be a salad or a wrap filled with quinoa and spinach or sushi. I try to eat smaller meals more often and always have snacks when I’m hungry. Banana, almonds, kiwi etc. I drink coffee once a day and always hydrate with many glasses of water at room temp. That’s not to say I am strict when it comes to chocolate, or an occasional ice cream at the movies with my son; a glass of red wine in the evenings or coconut yoghurt ‘love’. I think you need to eat well, but also to treat well!

Are you vegetarian?

I’m not a vegetarian, but I do limit meats. I decided at the age of 16 that I didn’t want to eat red meat or pork. I never loved the taste and I guess I couldn’t get past the idea of cruelty to animals. I have always had animals in my life; you will never see me without a dog. I adopt them all over the world and find homes for strays. I love animals. I lived on a farm for three years of my childhood and loved the cows and calves on the farm across from us. Every morning I would walk over in my gumboots with an empty milk jug and come back with fresh warm milk with cream on top. The idea of eating them just didn’t feel right to me. So I stopped.

How do you build healthiness into your busy day?

I think being aware of your body’s needs and knowing what fuels you will get you through the day, it is vital especially with young children.  Lots of sleep when you can and eating energizing food, high in protein and carbs and lw in bad fats and sugar. Life is to short to waste on empty foods (high salt foods like chips, soda’s, deep fried etc) if you can take the time to nourish and eat well then health and happiness will follow…You will look better as well.

What are your top natural beauty tips?

Maintaining a natural beauty comes from inside as well as out. When I feel tired and grumpy I always need to check in with myself and ask why. I find that the reasons are simple such as sleep deprivation (baby) or red wine at night and not enough water or not exercising.

Once I reset my mind and go running or to the gym or even pushing the stroller up to school to pick up my son I start to feel and look better I’m sure.

Natural beauty is knowing who you are and what makes you happy. Natural beauty is looking after your mind and your body. Nourishing it with natural products and eating well. We have no excuse not to look after ourselves.

Taking 15 mins away from the family to walk or sing or call a friend, read a book, walk in the rain, it doesn’t take much. To know you are loved and loving and to always be the best person you can be. I know sometimes that’s so hard to do and you have piles of washing in front of you and the baby wont sleep and the TV is blaring and life can become too much. That’s when you need to re set and check in with yourself.

I always remind myself what I have not what I don’t. I think of others around the world and know I am so blessed to have my family and friends, career and health. Most times that gets me through.

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What is it you love about Ere Perez products and which are your favourite/handbag staples?

I started using Ere Perez products four years ago. I love them. I have sensitive skin and all her products work for me. I like a natural look in the day and a splash of her Real Rosehip Oil Lipbar in LIFE, followed with lashings of her Natural Almond Oil mascara make me feel like I can face anyone I run into!

Ere has nailed the bronzers and highlighters. You always look sun kissed and natural. The pigments and colors she uses are so flattering to any complexion. I love the idea that what I am putting on my face is being absorbed by my body. I feel that if I can nourish and heal my skin with beautiful natural make up then I always want to wear it.

What makes Ere Perez makeup special?

I give it to my girlfriends and say: “Just wait, it does more than make you look good, it makes you feel good and you can eat it”, although I then quickly add ‘But don’t”! We are surrounded every day by all types of pollutions, free radicals and toxins. We don’t need to be putting more on our faces. And if we can get a little more than just colour from our cosmetics why wouldn’t we?  When you read what big cosmetic brands put into their lipsticks; then you apply that to your lips it doesn’t seem right. That’s why a splash of Rosehip Oil Lipbar and I know that I am not only healing my lips, but helping them too and I’m not putting animal fats or toxins into my body. Life is way too short for that!

www.ereperez.com

by Sophie Cross.

As seen in http://www.girl.com.au/simon-kessell-ere-perez-natural-cosmetics-interview.htm  and http://shesaid.com/au/qa-actress-simone-kessell-2/

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Ere Perez Cruelty Free Cosmetics (Vogue Ad)

Vogue SeptemberEre Perez Cruelty Free Cosmetics

Ere Perez, founder of Australian natural makeup brand, Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics, believes that it’s time for Australia to ban animal testing for cosmetics for good.

“There’s just no need for animal testing for cosmetics”, says Perez. “We are proudly certified Cruelty Free and believe there is absolutely no excuse for animal testing to occur anywhere in the world for the sake of beauty. Our brand has been around for ten years now and we have only ever tested it on friends and family. We simply don’t use any unsafe ingredients. Why would we?”

Ere Perez products are Australian, healthy and nourishing cosmetics. They are formulated from carefully selected oils, plant extracts and minerals and blended with antioxidants to create a gentle, highly effective, quick and easy natural makeup solution for all skin types, including sensitive skin. As well as being Cruelty Free and vegan, Ere Perez makeup is toxin-free and does not contain parabens or any other nasties.

www.ereperez.com.

[Vogue Australia advertising copy for Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics.  Author: Sophie Cross.]

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Lashtastic: The New Ere Perez Spectacular Eyelash Curler!

Get Naturally Spectaculashes!eyelashcurler

Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics, the Australian brand of natural, nourishing and healthy makeup, is famous for its original and best selling product, the Natural Almond Oil Mascara.

The brand has always aspired to creating the best out of natural lashes and now with its amazing new Spectacular Eyelash Curler, lashes will be transformed from naturally beautiful to absolutely spectacular!

Ere Perez prides itself on not only creating the best makeup, but also creating the best tools and the new Spectacular Eyelash Curler is no exception. It looks beautiful and is as effective as it is aesthetic.

With its perfect curve, it will not pinch or pull, but is gentle and easy to use, even for lash curling novices!

Soft and supple, the hypoallergenic state of the art white silicone rubber will treat lashes with the utmost care and sensitivity. The chrome curler is extremely high quality and will last for years.

“I’ve always been obsessed with eyelashes”, says Ere Perez, founder and creative director of Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics, “which is why my first ever product I created was my Natural Almond Oil Mascara. I still love it 10 years on and I can honestly say our new Spectacular Eyelash Curler is so amazing, it’s my best beauty find in 15 years! It is very likely to become your most prized makeup possession too!”

For best results, curl first, then build thick lashes with any of Ere Perez’s award-winning natural mascaras:

product-mascara-almondALMOND OIL MASCARA – Black. The original and the best, Ere Perez Natural almond oil formula strengthens and lengthens lashes with no smearing or flaking. It’s tear-proof and a real treat for lashes. It also smells divine! Beauty editors and celebrities rave about this mascara!

SUNFLOWER OIL MASCARA – Brown. A gentle formula with a base of sunflower oil, it’s perfect for all day wear. Great for a natural no-makeup look for all lash colours from dark brown to blonde. It particularly suits lighter skin tones where black might be too harsh.

ALOE VERA GEL MASCARA – Clear

Perfect for nourishing wet-look lashes and tidy brows, the gentle formula does not irritate the eyes and is great for practice mascara for girls and teens. Great for holidays and on the beach, It’s also suitable for false eye-lashes.

VOLUMISING WATERPROOF MASCARA – Black

The essential mascara for the beach, the gym, special occasions, exercise etc.

This is the only truly natural waterproof mascara on the market and its formula is a blend of nourishing avocado and mamey oils. It has amazing 24-hour wear capability and is easily removed with a gentle oil like jojoba oil.

Spectacular Eyelash Curler RRP AU$29.95.

All mascaras RRP AU$28.95.

www.ereperez.com for info, online shopping and stockist info.

Ere Perez products are Australian, healthy and nourishing cosmetics. They are formulated from carefully selected oils, plant extracts and minerals and blended with antioxidants to create a gentle, highly effective, quick and easy natural make-up solution for all skin types, including sensitive skin. As well as being Cruelty Free and vegan, Ere Perez makeup is toxin-free and does not contain parabens or any other nasties.

For more information or online store go to: www.ereperez.com

ENDS

Notes to Editor: For more information on these or any other Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics, please call Sophie Cross at PR Chicks: sophie@prchicks.com.au

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Crazy About Copper!

EcoChic_828226_PrismaBuffetwithLagosVasesAt Eco Chic we’re crazy about copper!

It’s one of our favourite metals. Colourful, textured and beautiful, in its pure state is incredibly malleable. It’s simply the perfect metal for artisans to work with.

Copper is also very lightweight, corrosion resistant, and weatherproof, so it’s great for all sorts of indoor and outdoor uses.

And like aluminium, this amazing metal is 100% recyclable without any loss of quality. In fact it’s estimated that 80% of the copper ever mined is still in use today.

The beautifully warm tone of copper gives a cosy glow and depth to spaces. It’s a bit of a chameleon and has lots of different colours in its various states; from bright polished orange to burnt dark auburn, brown and blackened and green when it’s used outdoors in the damp.

So whether it’s used as a piece of cookware, decorative plate, pendant or table light or inlaid into a piece of furniture, it will look as at home in a traditional gentleman’s club as it does in a modern warehouse conversion!

PRISMA SIDEBOARD

An absolute showstopper, this buffet is as practical as it is beautiful. The geometric doors are made from hammered copper inlayed into mahogany. It makes a fantastic statement in an entry or as a servery in a dining room.

The warm rustic finish combined with sleek lines lets it mingle with traditional and modern furnishings alike. The Prisma Buffet is part of our Boyd Blue collection, which only uses suppliers who engage in fair trade practices and in most cases they have education programs for the surrounding communities.

Made from Mahogany Veneer, Mahogany Solid Wood, Hammered Copper Doors. Buffet Size: 178w x 51d x 81cm high. AU$4,135

MARCEL PENDANT LIGHT

These divine MaEcoChic_979851_MarcelCopperPendantrcel copper pendant lights are so very warehouse chic and will compliment any space! They look stunning over a dining table or in a group of two or three. With their black oxidised outer finish and shiny interior, they come in a narrow cone shape and wide conical Asian hat shape.

Hammered entirely by hand out of sheet metal, with lots of gorgeous imperfections these lights are handmade by artisans and craftsmen, which provides the dual benefit of creating jobs for people (not machines) and promotes historical and cultural handicraft techniques.

Narrow AU$380 and Wide AU$415.

AVA TABLE LAMPSEcoChic_979852_AvaCopperTableLamp

An elegant lamp with classic proportions, The Ava lamp features a polished copper base in either a bulb or amphora shape and will add gleam and sophistication to any room setting.

This incredibly tactile and pleasing lamp works beautifully when matched as a pair on bedside tables, but can equally hold its own as a feature lamp in a hallway or living room. All lampshades are made in natural fabrics from sustainable fibres like linen.

Bulb shape base AU$680 and Amphora shape AU$635.

For more information and to view everything in store at Eco Chic, go to www.ecochic.com.au.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR:

For more information, pricing, photography or product, for shoot, or for interviews with Cris Bucknall or Paula Breckman, please contact sophie@prchicks.com.au.

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ECO CHIC’S NEW VERSATILE & VIBRANT OUTDOOR RUGS

GIVE SUSTAINABLE COLOUR TO EVERY OUTDOOR SPACE

The new signature collection of outdoor rugs from Eco Chic will lift and give colour and vibrancy to every outdoor space this summer. These environmentally friendly rugs are the epitome of fresh outdoor décor and perfect for BBQs, parties or just relaxing in your own little summer haven. Not only will you love these hugely pleasing rugs, but you’ll also be the envy of your friends with your sustainably chic way of living!

Eco Chic’s outdoor rugs are fun, practical and good for the planet, which is why they’re some of our favourite store items and our best sellers.

Made from 100% recycled polypropylene plastic bags, these colourful rugs are a rewarding way to reuse, recycle and reduce.  They are plastic in feeling, not like wool rugs, perfect for use in messy areas.

These rugs are woven and therefore reversible with a slightly different look on each side. Robust and versatile, these rugs are equally at home on the deck, at the beach, in the kitchen, the garden or in the rumpus room – best of all, they only need a quick wipe over with a damp cloth and they’re clean! If they’re outdoors, simply turn the hose on them or give them a mop.

The three new designs in store for Summer 2014/15 are:

outdoor_rug_watermelon_life3FENTON

A bright and funky watermelon colour with a geometric motif, the Fenton rug is a versatile two-way winner. One has more watermelon, giving an instant tropical party feel; and the other has more white for more of a fresh and fruity day time vibe!

outdoor_rug_suzani_lifeSUZANI

Suzani fabrics and designs hail from Central Asia where this needlework style is used by many tribes in day-to-day textiles.

Popular design motifs include sun and moon disks, flowers, such as irises, leaves and vines, fruits (especially pomegranates), and occasional fish and birds. Brighten any space with the more yellow of the two sides or get a more subtle and mellow look with the whiter side.

ZAGORAoutdoor_rug_turquoise_life2

The beautifully vibrant turquoise colour and geometric motif of the Zagora rug are very Moroccan in feel. It conjures up images of the sparkling Mediterranean sea; holidays in the sunshine and some Café del Mar! Perfect for decks and sunny terraces or sunrooms.

Small Rug: 150cm wide x 240cm long  – $90
Large Rug: 180cm wide  x 270cm long – $130 N/A BUT AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Dispatch Time Approx. 3-5 days if in stock. Please email us to check current availability.

For more information and to view everything in store at Eco Chic, go to www.ecochic.com.au.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR:

For more information, pricing, photography or product, for shoot, or for interviews with Cris Bucknall or Paula Breckman, please contact sophie@prchicks.com.au.

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DO YOU KNOW YOUR APPS FROM YOUR ELBOW?

Help is at hand for IT Un-Savvy Parents!

It’s definitely a 21st century problem: Our kids know way more about technology than we do, and it’s time we did something about it. So says Yvette Adams, mum of two and author of new guide, “No Kidding: Why Our Kids Know More About Technology Than Us and What We Can Do About It?”

According to Adams, today’s kids are intuitively able to figure out every device, app, game and social network that comes their way. Just hand a tablet or a smartphone to a toddler, and watch what happens. They instantly, intuitively know what to do with it.

Children under two can already master laptops, smart phones and tablets with ease. My nine-year-old daughter said the other day: “It’s really funny watching old people try to use things like iPads.” And by old I hope she means anyone over 70, but suspect it’s more like anyone over 40.

Often technology is seen in a negative light. With cross parents getting exasperated over overuse of their gadgets, losing their phones to their 2 year olds and dishing out screen bans.

READ MORE HERE Written by Sophie Cross for http://www.careforkids.com.au

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LOOM RAGE!

Has Your Child Been Possessed by the Loom Devil?

By Sophie Cross

Rainbow loom bands are taking over the world. Literally. They are apparently one of the most popular trends since EVER, and the money-spinner of the moment for every discount store, toyshop and street trader. They are appearing in practically every playground in the world.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been photographed wearing them, as have David Beckham, Miley Cyrus and Harry Styles.

They are the eighth best-selling toy of all time on Amazon and a ridiculously cheap fad in comparison to XBox, DS games and other expensive computer games.

But these cheap and colourful little bands are taking over in more ways than one. Personally everywhere I look in my house and the garden I can guarantee I will find at least 20 loom bands. They get EVERYWHERE. They’re down the sofas, in the floorboards, drawers, bins, dishwasher, washing machine, in the dog… MILLIONS in the vacuum cleaner.

READ MORE HERE Written by Sophie Cross for http://www.careforkids.com.au