A day in the life: 22.11.11

The magazines: I will never ever tire of magazines... This lot is on sale now. (Mr Tonic: "Is that my HOUSES magazine?")

The "treat": The children are loving treat nights sick right now. This might be why:

Thank you Cadbury Bubbly people. One bar will do just fine next time! And yes, Anoushka-Tonic approves.

The salad: Loosely based on Heidi Swanson's Carrot, dill & white bean salad, mine went like this:

Carrots (slowly sauteed in ghee, as per the recipe), 1 tin of cannelini beans, asparagus, chopped red onion, toasted almonds, chopped mint. Olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. And chilli flakes. And to my surprise, Mr Tonic loved it!

The mention: I did a little happy dance when I saw Jen's name in Harpers this month! Too funny..

The smoothie: Whoa! Are you ready? This one blew the tastebuds right out of my mouth yesterday: 4 tablespoons rolled oats, 1/2 - 1 cup oat milk, 1 banana, 10-15 raw unsalted almonds, 2 tablespoons chia seeds, pinch of cinnamon, ice. Chuck it all in a blender (yes, I am still LOVING my Vitamix!) and enjoy. And you will.

(above) Bassike dress (buy it here), Alexander Wang sweatshirt, Converse sneakers

The Zingy Springy thank you: Huge thanks to Loni for featuring Table Tonic's Neon Lime Spot Ikat cushion (yes, the same one that was recently featured in Inside Out magazine!) on her beautiful Adore Home blog last Friday:

Mmmm... all that lime makes me want a Margherita and a trip to Bali, thanks! PS Don't forget to shop the Table Tonic 25% off storewide sale! And yes - the discount can be used on pre-orders too! Happy shopping Tonic-ettes!

Baby Wipes: 21 get-outta-town-good cleaning tips!

On Saturday afternoon, I had a friend popping over. I did the obligatory whip around, scooping up Lego, packing away tupperware, dirty socks, Barbie dolls... Things were looking good. Until I (at the last minute) caught sight of the stove top. Oh my giddy aunt that will NOT do. I frantically reached for the closest thing - a (Huggies) baby wipe. Well. My life changed at that precise moment. It was the easiest, quickest, most painless experience involving a dirty stove top, like, ever! So what did I do? I tweeted about it!

And the response was enough to write a dozen blog posts. But for now, one will do.

spearmintbaby

These were your best baby wipe cleaning tips - too dingin' good not to share (thank you all!):

@lisap1409 brilliant for around light switches!

@shoadley123 baby wipes have taken fruit stains out of new white exxy tshirt yay for baby wipes!! Always use them!! 
@Wrenesse I love cleaning with baby wipes! One thing they're great for is light switch plates.

@LadySmaggle I use baby wipes to clean spilled loose make up off my dressing table. Also as a quick shower for lunch time gym going.
@mauriceandking I use mine to clean little finger marks off my kitchen cupboards and stainless steel appliances. Gold!

@katecooper_ When sippy cups get swung around and milk falls on our "new rug" I like to spot clean with wipes! 

@NatashaG15 If baby wipes strong enuf to clean the stove, imagine what chemicals and allergies we are exposing babies to! 
@lucygol they are great for cleaning shoes and getting spot stains out of clothes too

@kellyexeter You can clean your iPhone and iPad screens with babywipes and like you, I have also cleaned my stove with them! 
@LittlePaperLane Will baby wipes work for Mac screens then? baby wipes are the best thing ever! 
@EmpowerSM babywipes are fab for cleaning the car dashboard...too easy & great results! 

@c_H_i_T_a i use babywipes as make-up remover, laptop keyboard, drink holder bracket in car, outside of my make-up colour palate cases! 
@blushfully I like Curash fragrance free baby wipes and the chamomile baby wipes =) handy and affordable! face feels refreshed

@margaritajg I've always used them to clean my dashboard, cupholders, etc.

@shesaid_aus I saw note about working on leather pouffe but I've also had warnings not to use on leather. So tread carefully. p.s is this really our sat night!

@BelindaJane76 The only thing I use to clean my suede sofa. But must be u scented from Aldi. If u looked at it u would never guess a toddler lived here. Underneath diff. story. Have even used then to remove texta. Also use them to clean Barbies and other toys and if really lazy (or tipsy) will use them to remove make up. 
@TigesandWeince I find them useful to do a mini mop on the floor, cleans marks on the tiles saving your pulling the mop out all the time 
@purple_cath carpet, clothes, shoes, purse everything
@belindagraham They're my fave cleaning product. Even got ink off my leather pouffe! Particularly brilliant for getting spew out of carpet :)

@NatKringoudis BIG fan. (have you used them on the bathroom sink? BIG winner). I totally use them for the walls too! They are aw-sum! But why? I'd hate to think what I'm wiping my mini me's butt with... The best are the wall's by far. Oh and the car interior. Oh oh and the bottom of the shower...you name it they wipe it! 

@jeningermany Hi just found your blog by chance looking at Isabel M, I am in Germany and I will use baby wipes even when my twins are 20!

@laurenskyeacc Just cleaned my leather lounge with babywipes! OMG! 

Cult beauty brand Kiehl's announces price drop!

I bring good news, Tonic-ettes! As of this week, Kiehl's (aka "iconic New York purveyor of fine skincare") are slashing the prices of over a quarter of their best-selling products. I know. The price drop is effective this week and will last… forever! It includes many iconic, cult Kiehl’s products including (below) L-R: Crème de Corps Body Moisturiser (500ml) Was: $89 Now: $68, Facial Fuel Moisture Treatment For Men (125ml) Was: $68 Now: $48, Ultra Facial Cream (125ml) Was: $105 Now: $64. Admittedly, it's a bit of a splurge, but Crème de Corps Body Moisturiser is the bees knees of moisturisers. I've been using it for a decade, and it's the only thing that gets me through Winter!

Now, I have a favour to ask of you, Tonic-ettes - The lovely Kiehl's people are holding a wee competition for us bloggers:
1. Simply head over to the Kiehl's Australia Facebook page, "Like" it, and write the following on their wall “I found out about the Kiehl’s Price Drop from Table Tonic and my favourite product is (insert your fave Kiehl's product)”

The blogger with the most comments on the Kiehl's Australia Facebook page will win the competition & receive a deluxe pack of Kiehl’s best-selling products (woo-hoo hopefully that's me!), plus a plethora of deluxe samples to use for reader competitions/giveaways (woo-hoo that's you guys!).

2. Post the “I found out about the Kiehl’s Price Drop from Table Tonic and my favourite product is (insert your fave Kiehl's product)” comment on Twitter directed to @egpr_beauties, and I will receive extra points.

Right. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to grab half a litre of Creme de Corps. Weeeeeeee! PS You can shop online for Kiehl's products here at Mecca Cosmetica.