ATTRACTION: LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTRE MELBOURNE, CHADSTONE THE FASHION CAPITAL

Having grown up in Denmark, where Lego is from, I have naturally spent hours and hours playing with LEGO and LEGO DUBLO, and not to mention, visiting the original LEGOLAND Theme Park in Billund, Denmark almost every summer with my family. So when I heard news of the Melbourne LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, I was naturally very excited, as it meant an opportunity for my two little boys to experience some of the same fun I had when I grew up.

Every kids dream..

And this morning, we were so lucky to be invited to the official opening of the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne. Oh, and sorry in advance if this post is a little picture-heavy, but there were so many cool things there..



Watching the hustle and bustle of Melbourne city

The LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is an indoor attraction, located in Melbourne's biggest and best shopping centre, Chadstone the Fashion Capital. 

Luna Park

The LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere, though more centres are planned for other cities in Australia. (the Sydney centre will open soon!), and it is encouraging creativity through play for all ages - and here's something you may not know LEGO is actually a combination of two Danish words "LEG" and "GODT", which translated means play well!!

MCG

The centre is filled with more than 2 million LEGO bricks and features among others; 

• 13 family friendly attractions including
• Lego Factory tour
• 4D cinema with LEGO-Themed movies
• Workshops
• Café
• Several play areas and rides for kids of all ages 

 

Docklands and Melbourne Star Observation Wheel

 

And there are over 25 iconic Melbourne Landmarks made from LEGO in mini land, which includes Docklands, The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, Luna Park, Flemington Racecourse, MCG, The Arts Centre, Eureka Tower, Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, The ANZAC Memorial, Brighton Beach, to mention just a few - and all with so much activity as the days change to night, and you can watch the trams drive through the city the horses race or the footie being kicked off. This mini land also features over 3000 mini figures.

 

4D Cinema

At the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre there is also the ultimate LEGO shop filled to the brim with the latest LEGO sets, including limited products, and also a cool wall filled with all the odd shapes ands sizes you can purchase by the bucket/cup to top your LEGO collection at home.

 

The LEGO Shop - Pick &Mix..

 

Time for a shave Mate..

My two little boys, almost 2 years old and almost 4 years old had so much fun exploring the centre. They enjoyed the play zones, and building with the LEGO, and they had so much fun looking at the Melbourne Mini Land too, and I enjoyed watching them have fun, as much as I enjoyed the experience myself, so I know it won't be the last time we visit LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.

 

 

New friends..

 

If you got kids, then I highly recommend that you visit, I know you'll have as much fun as we did!

 

BTW, even the toilets were cool..

 

For more information visit LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Online, where you can also purchase tickets to secure your entry.

* Tickets to the event were kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy. 

 

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EVENT: FUN4KIDS FESTIVAL 2017

As a parent, aren't we always looking for fun ways to keep our ids entertained! Well look no further than this years Fun4Kids Festival. Last week, on a gorgeous sunny autumn day, we went to a special preview event as well as announcement for the headline act for the Fun4Kids Festival at the Polly Woodside in Melbourne, where all the kids got dressed up as pirates (try keeping track of where you kids are when they are all dressed the same!!). 

My two boys listening to pirate stories before going on board the ship.

And in case you didn't know, Polly Woodside is a three masted cargo tall ship built n Belfast in 1885, which was used to carry coal and wheat between England and South America. And after travelling 1.5 million miles and circumnavigating the world 17 times, The Polly Woodside is now permanently docked on South Wharf, smack in the centre of Melbourne. I have passed the ship many times and always wanted to go explore, so bonus for me!

Anyway, back to the Fun4Kids Festival. At the launch event the kid were dressed up as pirates, which was naturally very appropriate considering the location, and on board the ship, they got a real taste of what life at sea was like, with some fun activities.

 

Fun activities on board the ship for all the little pirates.
My two boys to the very right.

And afterwards, there was a special meet and greet with the headline act for the Fun4Kids Festival, who turned out to me none less than TV Host Jimmy Giggle, from the popular kids show, Giggle & Hoot. Along with Jimmy Giggle, there will also be other performers, including rolls, Lah lah's Big Live Band, The Snor's Travelling Circus and many more. 

 

Meeting Jimmy Giggle. My big boy to the right.

The Fun4Kids Festival is a five-day festival that runs in the winter school holidays from July 5 to 9 2017 in Warrnambool in Victoria. The festival a 2.5 acre indoor village of fun for kids, with nothing but entertainment and activities.

The festival is like a theme park, and once you've paid the entry fee, you're ready to explore. The festival has themed zones, and include interactive workshops, games and activities, as well as a selection of the best children’s entertainment from Australia and around the world. 


My two little boys haven't stopped playing pirates, wearing their gifted costumes since the event

 



My big boys is a feisty pirate

and the little one tries to charm..

You can purchase tickets for the Fun4Kids Festival for just a day, or perhaps the whole 5 days, as there are different ticket options available.

 
Fun4Kids Festival
5-9 July2017
Warrnambool, Victoria

You can read more about the Fun4Kids Festival, and purchase tickets here.

* Tickets to the event were kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRODUCT REVIEW: STRETCH ARMSTRONG - FETCH ARMSTRONG

Are you of the vintage that grew up with the likes of Stretch Armstrong the buff and toned ken-like doll first introduced way back in 1976!? The If you are not, well it is a large, gel-filled action figure, and last year it was announced that the doll and all his side kicks toys would yet again be available in their original designs. 

Like Stretch Armstrong, Fetch Armstrong, his dog, can be stretched, and stretched and stretched - pull his legs making them super long, or stretch is body or his tail, in fact, you can stretch him to over 5x his original size - and then when you let go, and he will return to his original size and shape every time. You can even tie knots, and he will still release and return into his normal shape. 

Kids like to pull and yank toys and put them the test, - and no doubt, most other parents are as frustrated as I am at this, but with this Fetch Armstrong, your kid can be allowed to be silly, as this toy is seriously super strong and super stretchy, and it will give hours and hours of endless fun, for young as well as old, as Fetch is stretched into the most ridiculous long shape. 

It is recommended for kids aged 5+, but both my almost 4 year old, as well as his little brother, yet to turn two, are enjoying playing with it.


Stretch Armstrong Fetch Armstrong - RRP: $19.95
Available from most major toy stores

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRODUCT REVIEW: MAVALA SENSATION LIPSTICK COLLECTION AND ECLECTIC NAIL POLISH COLLECTION

Chance of season, means that the makeup brands often launch new exciting colour collections, and some of these new collections for the autumn and winter 2017 include the Mavala Eclectic Nail Polish Collection and the Mavala Sensation Lipstick Collection, which are available from April 2017. 

Mavala is a Swiss brand that has been around for over 50 years. I always thought the brand was only selling high quality nail polishes, so I was surprised to hear the brand also not only had a lipstick range, but actually a full makeup line too! 

What I really love about the Mavala Nail Polishes is that hey are free from all the chemical nasties including formaldehyde, toluene, camphor, phthalate, parabens, rosin, nickel as we as they do no contain any animal ingredients.

L-R: Basel, Sao Paolo, Barcelona, Singapore, Budapest, Firenze

I also love the small bottles containing 5ml, as I don’t actually recall ever emptying a nail polish, so these small sizes are perfect, and does allow you to select more, as they come at a lower price too.

The polishes come in small little bottles with a octagonal golden caps (like they have since 1962), and they not only look great, but the design of cap also makes it easy to hold.

The Eclectic Nail Polish collection is all about the "unexpected and eccentric, unleashes a passionate quest for beauty, rejecting simplicity while preserving total expressiveness. The six shades reveal a unity of strength and complexity, promoting a feeling of personal confidence. With their exuberant splash of vibrant shades, mixed with warmer and gentler tones, they will accessorise any fashion style of this coming Autumn/Winter season.
The collection contains 6 shades including: 

• 237 Basel, a warm taupe beige, both timeless and contemporary 
• 238 Sao Paulo, a grey-blue, sign of both modernity and stability 
• 239 Barcelona, a vivacious pink, stylish and cutting-edge 
• 266 Singapore, a bold red, confident and bursting 
• 268 Budapest, a gentle and light pink beige, both classic and state-of-the-art 
• 270 Firenze, an earthy russet brown, showing character and eternity 

All the colours are stunning on their own, but I never can resist a good bold red, so the Singapore shade immediately caught my attention, as well as the Sao Paolo with its bluey-grey dusty shade. The Basel is a grey-ish beige shade, and Budapest is a dusty pinky rose shade, both of wish are great nude shades. Barcelona is a purply-tinged pink that adds a pop of pastel to winter, while Firenze is beautiful coffee-chocolate shade. 

The polishes are easy to apply evenly and streak-free thanks to the wide brush, and the small bottle also means a shorter brush, which I personally feel makes it easier to control too. The colours are rich and intense, and while one coat gives a good coverage, like most polishes, it does take two coats for a solid colour.

Thank to two toddlers in nappies and two dogs, I do tend to wash my hands more frequently than most, but I am still impressed with the 5 days wear I get from these polishes without the use of a top coat. These polishes are seriously great, and can you believe it, there are over 100! - yes 100 shades in the Mavala nail polish range, ranging from cream, pearl and sparkly shades, so there sure is something for everyone. 

L-R: Flirting Pink, Gipsy Red, Sweet Lady, Wine Red, 
Party Girl, Brown Cookie

Then there's the Mavala Sensation Lipstick Collection, which like the Electic Nail Polish Collection aims to bring ingenuity, boldness, sublime, and extraordinary to the colder autumn and winter season. 

The collection consists of six shades;

• 625 Flirting Pink, an outspoken, impertinent pink 
• 626 Gipsy Red, a passionate, blood red 
• 627 Sweet Lady, a soft, shy pinky beige 
• 628 Wine Red, a deep, bold, strong red 
• 629 Party Girl, an insolent fuchsia for the city night life 
• 630 Brown Cookie, a delicious, charming brown 

Again, I cannot resist a good bold lip, so for me, standout shades are the dark bold Gipsy Red, the deep and dark red wine shade Wine Red, and the blue-tinged fuchsia pink shade. The Sweet Lady is the perfect nude shade for casual everyday use, while the Flirting Pink is sure to add a pop of colour to your face, and will be just as good come spring. Finally, Brown Cookie, is a dark brownish shade that is equally great if you love a dark bold shade. 

L-R: Flirting Pink, Gipsy Red, Sweet Lady, Wine Red,
Party Girl, Brown Cookie

The lipsticks are treatment lipsticks containing Prolip, which is a mix of among others candelilla wax to add shine, gliding and a protective film on the lips, shea butter for its repairing, softening, nourishing and soothing properties, aloe vera to protect and regenerate the lips, vitamin E to add antioxidants and moisture, and UVB filers, and thus the lipsticks help protect the lips again external agressors including wind, sun and pollution.

The lipsticks are so buttery soft and smooth, and are so easy to apply, and a single swipe is enough for a full colour payoff as they are so pigmented. They have a gorgeous satin sheen, and are very long wearing, staying put for 4+ hours, and a little longer for the darker bolder shades, which I think is very impressive for a moisturising lip. And needless to say that they are also incredibly comfortable to wear, almost as if you're wearing a lip balm, which means that I am really impressed with these - and as there more thank 50! - so even if these new autumn/winter shades are not for you, there is certainly sure to be other shades that will hit the mark.


So there you have it, new season launches from Mavala. The new shades are so stunning, but more importantly, the quality and wear of these products is so impressive that while these products were the first I've tried from the brand, I can assure you they wont be the last - I've already got my eye on some of the makeup products too! 


Mavala Lipstic with Prolip - RRP: $27.95 / 4g
Mavala Mini Nail Colour - RRP: $8.50 / 5ml

Available from selected pharmacies and stockists
Or for more information visit Mavala Online

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: MEDIK8 HYDR8 EYE 360

If you're a regular reader of the Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter, you'd know that I have nothing but positive things to say about the cosmeceutical brand Medik8, so when the newest addition, the Medi88 Hydr8 Eye 360 landed on my desk, needless to say that I was excited…
 

I am at the age where a good eye cream is a vital part of my skincare regimen - not just due to age, but two toddlers keep me active throughout the day, and often waking me during the night, so I need all the help I can with fighting not only lines and wrinkles, but also keeping under-eye bags at bay.

The Medik8 Hydr8 Eye 360 is an all-in-one day eye cream, containing multiple active ingredients to help protect against everyday environmental factors with its SPF15.
The cream contains among others; 

• Hesperidin - helps reduce the appearance of puffiness and under-eye bags.
• Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (vitamin C) - an antioxidant which quenches UV-induced free radicals to fight against visible signs of ageing
• Hyaluronic Acid - draws moisture to the eye area and provides long-lasting hydration
• Caffeine - increases the microcirculation of blood vessels; helps to reduce the appearance of puffiness & dark circles
• L-Carnosine - an active ingredient which quenches AGEs and helps stimulate collagen synthesis, as well as protect against photo-aging

This means that the cream is perfect for those looking for an anti-ageing eye cream to help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, loss of collagen, and puffiness around the eye area. Due to the SPF, this eye cream is best used during the day only, prior to your usual moisturiser and makeup. The eye cream comes in a small tube, and the pointed nozzle makes it easy to dispense the tiny amount needed, without any wastage.

The cream feels quite rich, and it does take a few moments to absorb into the skin, but it is clearly intensely nourishing, so I don't mind as I can tell my eye area is clearly enjoying it. And once it has absorbed, it leaves the skin soft to touch and non greasy. I also love that it has next to no scent to irritate my sensitive eyes.  

And after just a few uses, I start to see the benefits. The skin around my eye area is clearly more hydrated and appears more plumb, with finer lines clearly minimised. I also notice that the bags and puffiness is reduced, and my whole eye areas in general simply looks clear, brighter, more awake and simply younger too. So yet again I can again say that I am nothing but impressed with Medik8.

  

Medik8 Hydr8 Eye 360 - RRP: $89 / 15ml

Available from Active Skin, Adore Beauty, Facial Co, RY,

Medik8 Online and select other stockists

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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