Everyday hacks part three

Leave a comment

It’s a new month so here are some new tips and things 🙂
Last month I did my first few everyday hacks which I dubbed #ellabellatips I wanted a place to share quick tips I came across or knew of so I took to instagram to post it. I then realised that I should do a monthly round up,for those who don’t follow me on instagram (you should though, just saying) so here we are with my third installment 

A quick keep busy tip…mix a bunch of small toys and buttons into play dough and give it to your toddler to uncover 😉 

Weird tip to get sand out of curly hair…baby powder and light vacuming…CRAZY but true

Although dehydrated kale flakes would be way better for him. Otees cereal packs make for the ultimate picky eater travel food. Shove it in his bag no mess no fuss

Have a bag of toys ready for the long road
, play dough, colouring and small cars are always a win 

you can make a quick little gift by cutting out two felt hearts and tacking together
leave a space on the top to make a book mark or the bottom to make a pencil holder

Incorporate your kid in your daily exercise to cut down on mommy guilt

colouring in letters of the alphabet are a great way to teach letters 🙂

Please tag me @justellabella or #ellabellatips with any tips you would like to share 🙂

Where the magic happens (in my mind mostly)

Leave a comment

Today I thought I’d share my working space with you guys…
I’m a bit of a crazy creative (you get neat ones too) but when it comes to me things can get a little messy while I work and I don’t really mind. That being said I like to surround myself with pretty things, so it can get “pretty messy” hehehe

My little file that goes around with me
There are sections for family, Oh!Boy, the blog
and yes that is loads of stationery in the background
the boxes are filled with things as well – I wasn’t kidding about my addictions
The wall above my head, I love that mantra!
also I love being surrounded by pretty pictures
Some pretty material in my shelves

My trusty sewing machine
The overlocker/serger is under the table, we are not friends right now

Some pretty things on my walls
Book shelf, wayyy too small
How messy things can get – this is a pretty tame day

My absolute favourite part of the room is my giant green mat covered in oversized pillows
This is where Aidan crafts and Robin plays X-box or they read or play board games…
This is where my heart is

Unplugging at Mentors Country Estate

Leave a comment

So this weekend a group of friends descended on a wedding venue with their kids in tow to show engaged couples what their lives would REALLY be like.
We fed the kids sugar and let them run wild and think we broke up at least three engagements as we were sure to fight about who left the towel on the floor in full view of the loved up couples…

In all seriousness though this past weekend Rob, Aidy and I accompanied our good friends on a weekend away to Mentors Country Estate in Jeffreys Bay Although it is known as a premier Eastern Cape wedding destination the venue ended up being just what eight exhausted adults and their brood of seven little ones needed.

Each couple had a bedroom with en-suite bathroom, there is a pool on site, two play areas, and for some reason, loads of animals.

Here is some pics from an awesome, well deserved, really needed weekend with great friends:

Def not the last time we do this!

EC Blogger Meetup is about to be a thing

Leave a comment

I love blogging…not just the sitting in my PJs typing up things part…The “community”, the “likemindedness” the “somebody gets me”.

There’s such a great spirit of “learn from each other” and “share with each other” in the blogging world it’s hard not to get hooked (also occasional  bitchiness but like in high shool. ..ain’t nobody got time for that).

In CT and JHB they have yearly meet ups hosted by awesome bloggers  Cindy (3 Kids, 2 Dogs, 1 Old House), Heather (One Step at a Time, SA Mom Blogs) and Laura (Harassed Mom, SA Mom Blogs) which has been cause for much Fomo on this side.

It wasn’t until Megan from (By Megan) started an Eastern Cape Bloggers group on fb and all these bloggers came out of the woodwork that I thought “hey we could do that here!”

It stayed a thought until Luchae from (My Spreadsheet brain) was all like hey! Lets stop talking about it and do it already…
She got the ball rolling and as always she got me pulled into her avalanche of excitement (she does that).

We started contacting people and businesses and in less than a week things are coming together nicely… so WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

We aim to make it a get together with industry experts sharing secrets and amazing sponsors to connect with.

This is only the beginning so drop your email below if you are a local blogger who wants to get swept up by the avalanche too 🙂

Cheapy things I love, volume 2

7 Comments

So I’m frugal / budget  conscious/cheap, BUT I do like “nice things”. Last year I did my first list of Cheapy Things I Love  and I thought it was about time I did another installment, esp as the budget speech happened  and we are now acutely aware that we are all broke (or is that just me? please send donations to ********)… So here goes 🙂

budget
Relax with Art Magazine (under R40)
I do the adult colouring thing, actually my friend Sal and I were colouring to relax before adult colouring was a thing, buying good quality kids ones and chilling with snacks, GOOD TIMES!.  Adult colouring books can be a little pricey which isn’t ideal when you have kids who want to help out. I got a fancy R200 one as a valentines gift which I keep on the highest shelf (I can reach) but for hanging out at the park or for a nice gift bag filler I buy the Relax with Art Magazine, it is under R40 (suddenly can’t remember exactly) but the pictures are crisp and clean and the paper is great and it’s a bargain, available at most supermarkets, PnP for sure.
BIC colouring pencils (R27)
For colouring I have many different markers and pens and pencils (I have a stationery habit actually)I never thought of BIC for colouring but when Luchae from My Spreadsheet Brain bought Aidan BIC crayons as part of a Christmas gift I was hooked. The crayons are super smooth and bright and I wondered about the colouring pencils and YES! they are equally awesome and a steal. Smooth comfy colouring buddy!!!
Satiskin Moroccan Spice shower gel (R35)
This stuff is amazing, it’s a bigger bottle than most brands, leaves your skin nice and soft and THE SMELL!!! What is this even?! It’s like a warm cup of spice tea on the balcony of a stone palace… hahahaha, okay maybe not that, but it’s great and the smell lasts longer than my other body washes. Is it strange to sniff myself? yes! do I do it anyway? yes! (Got it on special at Makro two for R45) hows that for budget savvy
Woolies Vanilla Chai (R31)
If you are now craving tea because of my beautiful explanation above (because I’m an amazing sales person type) You should try this Vanilla Chai. This is SO yum!!! I actually brought some to work to give out to all the tea lovers and then I was briefly referred to as a “tea dealer” but I digress… This is 40 cups of awesome (you can taste the spices) chai at around R1 a cup (not counting the water) It smells so amazing I stuck a tea bag in smelly gym bag and it’s all chai deliciousness now (I threw away the tea bag after, I’m frugal, I’m not gross, lol)

Smart Seal by Tevo ( R106)
My mom isn’t into gimmicks, okay that maybe that’s a lie as I recall a drawer of miracle whisks and openers (wait, no, I’m pretty sure that’s my dad’s doing)  any who she got these smart seal lids recently and I was sure it was not not worth it, I mean its a silicone circle, how well could it really work? AWESOMELY that’s how. It suctions like prize octopus (is that a thing? a prize octopus?) you place it on your pot or bowl and tadah! you have a lid. It’s microwave and oven safe and works on the stove top or to seal in freshness with a salad. TOTAL WIN!


You can get all that for under R300 how cool am I ? also if you like this comment below and I will do more cheap finds 🙂

*Please note that I bought these things, no sponsorships or products for review 🙂

When the baby talks back

6 Comments

Aidan will be three in April and is such a chatterbox… I thought I’d share some of his comments with you guys 🙂 Disclaimer: He replaces the R sound with L and when there is a L in a word he just skips it, hahaha

-(While watching TV) I can’t see nicely I maybe need glasses (Rob and I both wear glasses, think he feels left out)

-Ma looks sad ill take her some of my happy biscuits (crackers) Then watches her eat while asking if she’s happy yet

-We don’t have to buy Caleb birthday gifts he can just share with me and other people can buy for me and I’ll share that too

-Sorry I’m nagging maybe I’m tired

– (We are always arguing about eating) You don’t have to keep giving me lots of foods I only want toast,cereal,apples and yogurt, easy, see

-They don’t pay you at school I want to work rather

-(Replying to someone asking Caleb’s name)…You know he can’t tell you because he can’t talk

– (Caleb trying to get Aidan’s attention) You must use your words, no one understands you

– I’m only going to talk in singing so you must sing at me today

-I don’t want to wear pajamas tonight, can I sleep in a tummy and legs rather 

-(Seeing the sun stream through the door)… its going to get hot here, better find shade

– It’s fun in Caleb town (Cape Town) we must come again

– (Me doing yoga) Why you sleeping on the floor, is the bed broken? (comes running to me with pillows) the pelloes will help

– Oh no it’s the moon (I ask why he is upset at the moon) the moon means night time then you are going to want to dudu (sleep)

– (I tell him to get ready for sleep) It’s okay you can dudu I will play quietly (reduces volume on his leap pad)


This is such a fun stage, have your kids said anything funny lately?