Vacuum bags and other annoying essentials

A few years ago, I wouldn't have thought of buying anything other than clothes, makeup and perfume online. Now that I've flown the nest (I view my current living arrangement, back with the parents, as strictly temporary) and will soon be working fulltime again, life has changed. I'm busy, and I have to find time to buy essentials. Groceries, cleaning products etc.

Thank goodness for online shopping. It's possible to buy all of those *not fun to go searching for* items with the click of the mouse, and sometimes for cheaper than if I had gone in store.

Vacuum bags are a particularily annoying, "speciality store only" item.When Alec from VacuumSpot approached me and asked whether I'd like $50 to spend on their recently revamped website, of course I obliged. I chose vacuum bags, and a pet stain and odour removal spray.

Here's the kicker - VacuumSpot stocks all manner of vacuum cleaner parts (both mechanical, and things like hoses, belts and roller brushes) for all of the well known brands (and some I haven't even heard of). How many times have you used a vacuum cleaner with a broken hose (mended with masking tape) or seen a junked vacuum cleaner on the kerb? I bet you wouldn't have thought of going online to VacuumSpot, buying a replacement part and DIY fixing it (maybe you did, but I wouldn't have...). It would work out a lot cheaper, and there are even YouTube tutorials available on how to fix certain parts of different models. Harness the power of the internet!!!

They also stock carpet cleaning products (like deoderisers and shampoos as well as spot cleaners), vacuum accessories and tools and new vacuum cleaners.

Back to the subject at hand, I was very happy with all aspects of the transaction. The online website is easy to use, you can find out the shipping cost before you put in your details, and the products arrived at my doorstep in Perth (coming from the East) within 2 days. They were brilliantly packaged, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from VacuumSpot again.

The Olympics + Super Talents = Sponsored Video

I can't believe how soon the 2012 Olympics are! They start on 27 July.

 Source: Reuters

The official mascots are called Wenlock and Mandeville. To me, they look like aliens from a childrens TC show. The (fictional) story behind their creation is as follows:

"At the steelworks in Bolton they are finishing building the last girder for the Olympic stadium. Two drops fall out of the molten-steel, and once cooled are picked up by a man named George. The day happens to be George’s retirement day so he signs the finished girder and cycles home... Later when everyone else is asleep he decides to make a gift for his grandchildren out of the steel drops. The next day George and his wife give their grandchildren the steel Wenlock and Mandeville. The two children take the mascots up to the attic and place them on the windowsill when a rainbow forms going through the house. The rainbow brings Wenlock and Mandeville to colour and to life where they learn sports from the children, posters and the TV..."  Source: Wikipedia

Erm, yes. The only explanation I can think of is that the creative agency who thought up these creatures were specifically instructed to think of a way to involve children in the Olympics and get them interested.

I think a much better mascot would be "Winston" the British Bulldog:

See? They should have hired me to come up with the mascot. I would have been cheaper, and gotten a better end result. Kids love dogs, especially dogs in clothes.

Mascots aside, I would love to watch the Olympics in person at some point in my life. London would be a great place to do this, as I could combine the Olympics with shopping on Oxford Street. That's enough to make any girl happy!

If you have a special talent (and no, we're not talking being an Olympic athlete yourself), film it and submit it to this competition and you could win a trip for two to the Olympic Games in London. The top 10 videos will also be  featured globally on TV (and on the big screens at the London 2012 Olympic Games). I wish I had a video worthy talent!!!

This video gives you more information about the promotion. I especially like the guy who can ride a bike while jumping over a skipping rope:

Do you have a special talent, or know someone else who does? I'd love to hear about it, or see your entry!

Hot Cross Buns and a Giveaway!

When Bakers Delight approached me and asked whether I'd like to taste test their hot cross buns, and host a giveaway for my readers, I jumped at the chance. I already knew that I *love* their hot cross buns, especially the choc chip ones. I wouldn't exactly call myself a connoisseur, but I have tried my share of supermarket sold HCBs and can definitely recommend the Bakers Delight ones as being fresh, substantial and delicious.

The buns arrived yesterday, and were promptly relegated to the fridge by Daddy. I'm not sure why, and it meant that I didn't know they had arrived. I don't recommend refrigerating your HCBs, I don't think it's necessary for freshness - after all, how long are your buns really going to last!?

By the time I found them, there was only one chocolate hot cross bun left! In fact, it seems like Bub and Daddy went a little crazy with them last night for dessert.

I know some people are critical that chocolate hot cross buns are a "corruption" of traditional fare, but I think that's overkill. My moto is that if it tastes good, we should enjoy it! That's not to say that I don't also like traditional buns with their cinnamon-y goodness, with a smattering of butter for extra decadence.

I love nothing more than a microwaved choc chip hot cross bun with its choc bits all melted and gooey accompanied by a cup of coffee on a weekend morning. Otherwise, we tend to eat them for afternoon tea, or even for dessert.

Yum yum

Look - they're bigger than my hands!

If you want to try Bakers Delight buns, why not buy one on Bundraiser day. This year, it's Saturday 24 March and $1 from every six pack of buns will be donated to children's hospitals.

Now for the giveaway! I have not one but THREE $10 Bakers Delight vouchers to give away, so that my readers can also enjoy some HCB goodness. To enter:

1) Be a follower on Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin; and
2) Leave a comment with your email address.

Winners will randomly be drawn on 25th March, which should give Australia Post plenty of time to deliver your voucher in time for Easter. They are redeemable at any Bakers Delight store.

Linking up with the Aussie Giveaway Linkup :)