Today’s Prizeapalooza prize will see to it that you can be both out and about and hands-free simultaneously!

It’s day seventeen of Prizeapalooza and we’re giving one lucky reader the gift of two free hands by way of a gorgeous BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Miracle Organic Cotton from Scanbrands, valued at $229.95.

Made with comfort for both you and your bub in mind, even distribution of your baby’s weight is paramount and made simple with the easily adjustable waist belt and back support. The use of organically grown cotton breathes beautifully and allows seams to be soft enough not to chafe sensitive skin.

The BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Miracle Organic Cotton can be used right from the very start being suitable for carrying newborn babies (weighing in at minimum 3.5 kilograms) aged up to fifteen months with no extra insert required – this carrier really is all you need!

To enter leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section telling us which BabyBjörn Baby Carrier suits your needs best and why. You have seven days, with points given for brevity, and entries close midnight 23 May 2012.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

What’s not to love about classic toys? Reminiscent of simpler times, with a charm all their own, they give adults just as much pleasure as children.

These tin toys tick all the nostalgia boxes – vintage look and feel, with simple wind-up movements that never cease to impress little ones. Let me introduce you to this band of misfits.

I’ll start with my pick of the bunch, Cowboy with Whip. This plump little fellow sits atop his trusty steed at mid-gallop. The cowboy swings his lasoo while the horse rears when the toy is wound up. He is incredibly detailed, and comes in a 1950s era box, which looks like a perfect replica. He’s recommended for children over the age of six and costs $27.95.

Then there’s Fantastic & Co Bi Plane Fighter for $39.95. The clockwork powered propeller gives the toy a touch of authenticity, and accompanied by an imaginative child’s obligatory plane noises, it comes to life.

The Ice-cream Vendor is just adorable – wind him up and he’ll deliver a cool delight to the entire neighbourhood. And he’s just $15.95.

There’s also a great selection of robots, including Fantastic & Co Lilliput Robot, based on that first, boxy tin toy robot from Japan. He just oozes retro-cool, and can walk the walk – as long as he’s wound up. The Lilliput Robot is $49.95.

The tin toys are available from the beautifully eclectic Childrens Dept, which ships all over Australia for a flat rate of $9.95.

There’s a distinct movement in other parts of the globe towards subscription-style clubs, that allow all manner of baby and child goods to be delivered to your door every month. It’s a stellar idea – reducing shopping time, and ensuring you won’t run out of essentials. Here’s the latest company launching into the home delivery stratosphere.

The founder of The Honest Company is Hollywood darling and mother-of-two Jessica Alba. She’s a big believer in safe and natural products for her children. “I’ve spent way too many hours researching products and driving around trying to find safer, eco-friendly options for my kids,” she explains. “I knew that most people didn’t have that kind of time, nor the means to pay the premium prices. We had to make it easier.”

What she came up with was an eco-friendly line of family essentials. The twist? They’re offered through a monthly subscription service. The hook for these products is that they’re safe, sustainable, beautiful and convenient. The line includes nappies, wipes, bath/skin care and household cleaning products made from natural, non-toxic ingredients.

Once a subscriber signs up to the service, they answer a few questions so the bundles can be tailored to their personal needs. The bundles are then shipped every month. The prices seem fairly competitive, with a monthly supply of nappies (and they’re rather cute, non-toxic nappies at that) priced at less than US$20 per week.

The Honest Company also ensures it gives back, with a portion of every dollar earned by the company going to an organisation that supplies families in need with baby gear. The subscription service is currently only available in the US, but we’ll keep you posted.

Babyologists, it’s time to hand in your membership to ‘Chocoholics Anonymous’ and be an out and proud chocolate lover. Day sixteen is without doubt the most delicious day of Babyology’s Prizeapalooza ever.

One lucky reader will win a year’s supply of Tim Tam from Arnott’s valued at $215. What’s a year’s supply of Tim Tam look like? Try seventy-two packets! Now if you’re pregnant and craving Tim Tam biscuits you might make short work of seventy-two packets but for everyone else, that’s more than a packet a week. Yum.

Tim Tam has been an Australian favourite since it was launched in 1964 and we chomp our way through some four hundred million Tim Tam biscuits each year! Per head of population, Tim Tam is the world’s most popular chocolate biscuit.

Whether you enjoy your Tim Tam straight up, or with the ends nibbled off to make the ultimate chocolate straw for your tea or even incorporated into a wicked brownie or cheesecake recipe, it’s hard to say no to a delicious Tim Tam.

To enter, leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section telling us which two Arnott’s products are seen in your cupboards most frequently. You have seven days and entries close midnight, 22 May, 2012.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

I’m a big fan of wagons -they’re the perfect option for those who want all the space they’ll ever need for a small to mid-sized family of up to three children. It looks like Australian families may have the option of a Jaguar wagon by the end of this year.

It’s the aesthetically-striking Jaguar XF Sportbrake wagon which recently made its first appearance via spy photos and an official announcement from Jaguar in March – it will officially launch at the Geneva Motor Show.

If you’re like me and love to know a bit of the nitty gritty, The Motor Report lists the following features for the new wagon:

Jaguar says the XF Sportbrake’s rear cargo space offers 1675 litres of space with the seats down, making it a solid rival for the 5 Series Touring and A6 Avant – although it falls short of the E-Class Estate’s cavernous back half by around 270 litres. Rear storage, with the back seats in their upright position, is listed at 550 litres.

The wagon’s wheelbase remains unchanged from its sedan stablemate, although the longer roofline means rear passengers benefit from an extra 48mm of headroom.

Highlighting its focus on practicality, Jaguar has only specified diesel engines for the Sportbrake for now, including the 202kW/600Nm 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 and the new 140kW/450Nm 2.2 litre four-cylinder diesel. Both variants will be offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission only, and self-levelling air suspension replaces the sedan’s coil springs at the rear.

The word is that the Jaguar XF Sportbrake wagon may be in Australia in the last quarter of 2012! Do you prefer a wagon to an SUV?

(via The Motor Report)

We’re huge fans of the Il Tutto Neon Minibag here at Babyology – I have it in pink and Mandi in yellow and they are in constant use. The great news is that there are three new colours just to keep us coveting every new Il Tutto release. If you didn’t get one of the last batch of neon Minbag lovelies which sold out incredibly quickly, then here’s your chance to satiate that need.

Better be quick though as the pre-orders are lining up! Choose from emerald green, soft gold and ocean blue, with stock of the classic black being replenished next month.

You’re going to have to take it from us just how handy these little bags are. Mine doubles as a wallet and when I pop out for dinner, I attach the long strap and it’s an instant wearable bag! They’re a very affordable $79 from Il Tutto – pre-order now for May delivery.

Nobody likes to have cold toes in bed, least of all your baby – but that won’t be a problem for the winner of Prizeapalooza day fifteen.

That baby looks so content and snuggly that I just want to go and have a nap – but before I do, let me tell you about the super warm and comfortable Woolbabe sleeping bag that today’s winner will be taking home. Valued at $129, it’s a duvet weight sleeping bag with your choice of either front or side zip, from The Sleep Store.

There are two different sizes available, which makes this a perfect prize for children up to four years. Made from cotton and Australian Merino wool, it will keep your little one warm all night even if they kick off the covers.

To enter leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section, telling us which two products from The Sleep Store would improve night times at your place. You have seven days and entries close midnight 21 May 2012.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

Darling clothing and toys for girls, sourced from around the globe, are now at our fingertips – stocked on the shelves of this divine online boutique.

While still a fledging store, Millie Abroad has caught our attention with its carefully selected wares for newborn girls, right through to five year olds. Founder April Livesley became a convert to unique and eclectic girl’s clothing while her own daughter, Amelia, was still in utero. She loved the thrill of the hunt, scouring stores for handsome, unique wardrobe elements to eventually clothe her daughter.

April has taken her carefully honed sourcing skills and used them to start up her own speciality store, which showcases beautiful clothing for girls from around the world. Only clothing made from sublime fabrics, finished to the highest of standards, make it through to the Millie Abroad virtual shelves.

In the few months since the store opened last December, it’s gathered a small but burgeoning collection of clothing, toys and accessories for girls (and parents) with discerning tastes.

French label Eponime, the UK’s Belle & Boo and American shoe stunner Joyfolie are just a taste of the worldly and varied wares available at Millie Abroad.

Babyology favourite Belle & Boo’s captivating decorator items will add a cosy and finishing touch to any child’s corner, along with adorable pyjama-clad dolls from Severina Kids. The toys and decor are charming and make the search for a perfect girl’s present a cinch.

All orders for delivery within Australia are shipped at a flat rate of $7.50, or free with orders over $100. Millie Abroad also ships to North America, Europe, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. And April has hinted that plans to expand into boy’s clothing may be afoot – we can only hope!

In the midst of decorating a child’s room or baby’s nursery? Have a breather, and take the time to enter today’s Prizeapalooza – it will add a touch of whimsy to any child’s space.

Leafy Dreams Nursery Decals are giving one Babyologist their choice of either a Pink Blossom Tree decal, valued at $145, or a Jungle Land Tree decal, valued at $275.

And it has to be said, it will be a rather difficult decision for the winner, with both decals supremely spectacular. The Pink Blossom Tree (pictured below) has detailed, intricate leaves, perched on equally detailed branches. A friendly bird sits guarding her eggs, and measuring 173cm by 102cm, the tree will create a talking piece on any wall left wanting for decoration.

The Jungle Land Tree  decal houses a forest of friendly animals, including an elephant, lion and cheeky monkey swinging through the branches – looking for the strategically strewn bananas. The Jungle Land Tree measures a monstrous 200cm by 200cm. The decals are made from finely woven fabric, which means they can be removed, repositioned and reused.

To enter, leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section telling us which of the range of delightful decals would suit your child’s decor and why. Go to the Leafy Dreams Nursery Decals site and see what’s available. You have seven days and entries close midnight 20 May, 2012.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

Feel like you’re doing a little too much ‘helicopter parenting’? Then get your hands on this book.

50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do) by Gever Tulley is packed with inspired activities for kids – there’s everything from making a bomb in a bag to spending an hour blind-folded.

I’m sure some Babyology fans are getting a little stressed out reading this – was it the suggestion of helicopter parenting or the idea of your kids making bombs in the backyard?!

At the risk of starting a furore in the ‘Comments’ section below, I’m all for a little danger time for kids. I think about the things I did when I was little (including regularly walking the window ledge of my neighbour’s second-storey bedroom window!) and the things I don’t let my kids do now. Which prompted me to seek ways that I could encourage my children to be more independent, more likely to assess and take risks and more self-reliant. That’s how I came across 50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do).

The basic message of the book is ‘teach your children about safety by helping them learn to navigate risks’ – radical, I know, in our carefully strapped in, always-wear-a-helmet, don’t-go-out-of-my-sight world.

The fifty dangerous projects include activities such as deconstructing an appliance, skills like walking a tightrope and ‘experiences’ such as playing in a hailstorm. Each project includes detailed instructions, the level of difficulty, the dangers associated with the project (such as ‘Projectiles’, ‘Fire’ and ‘Lose and Eye’) as well some thought-provoking questions and space for your child’s ‘Field Notes’.

Needless to say, my kids pounced on this book, immediately picking out a couple of things they wanted to begin with (‘Learn Dramatic Sword Fighting’ and ‘Make a Rope Swing’).

Honestly, the activities are the most challenging for parents – it is difficult to keep in check your own knowledge and fears and even harder to ‘supervise’ without telling your kids what to do – so, stand by while they ‘taste electricity’ (by licking a 9-volt battery), let them play with the vacuum cleaner and for once, ask them to play with rocks and sticks.

50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do) is available from Book Depository. See author, Gever Tulley, talking about dangerous things in the clip below.

Is it too early in the year to declare a favourite book?!

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen is about a little girl in a grim, black and white world who finds a mysterious box filled with coloured yarn. From the first page, this story has a stark, gothic fairytale quality.

“On a cold afternoon, in a cold little town, where everywhere you looked was either white of snow or black of soot from chimneys, Annabelle found a box filled with yarn of every color.”

Annabelle knits herself a technicolour jumper and then one for her dog, Mars. It’s a never-ending ball of yarn and soon Annabelle is knitting jumpers for friends, classmates, animals and more.

“So Annabelle made sweaters for things that didn’t even wear sweaters.”

And things began to change in Annabelle’s town. While you may think the story ends there in technicolour happiness, there’s a twist. It involves an evil archduke, thieves and, in true fairytale tradition, a curse.

Jon Klassen’s illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Barnett’s pared-back text. Well known for his illustrations in I Want My Hat Back, the drawings in Extra Yarn gradually move from hard-edged, stark images to textured, warm shapes with colour creeping onto the page.

I read lots of children’s books and can honestly say that creating a unique story with such a lovely, fable-like quality is no easy task. It’s rare to come across a book that is seemingly simple yet rich in meaning – Extra Yarn is that book.

Find Extra Yarn at Book Depository, with free delivery to Australia.

We just want to take this opportunity to wish all the mums and mums-to-be out there a very special Mother’s Day.

Whether you are expecting your first child or have a house full of children, we hope you have a great day with your family and enjoy being spoilt by your loved ones.

It’s a very special day and from everyone here at Babyology, we hope you have a terrific day.

It’s day thirteen of Prizeapalooza and today’s prize will encourage you to get your decorating groove on!

Hold on to your decorating wish-lists Babyologists because we’re giving away a room decor prize pack from Cocoon Couture valued at a whopping $464.

If you’re thinking of redecorating one of your children’s spaces then you’re in luck – today’s prize pack includes three key decor pieces all oozing that Cocoon Couture signature style we adore. Jazz up a bare wall with a large Enchanted Tree Wall Sticker that stands a majestic two metres tall, create a cosy sitting spot with an appliqué bean bag and get organised with a gorgeous wall hook.

The lucky winner will be able to choose their favourite bean bag, wall hook and tree colour.

To enter leave a comment below with your full name, in the Post a Comment section telling us what your favourite Cocoon Couture product is and why. You have seven days to enter and entries close midnight 19 May 2012.

For full details see our Terms & Conditions.

Function and form merge to deliver these illuminating lights, which give nurseries and children’s rooms a personal touch, and some night time ambience.

My children have never needed the comfort of a night light, but I have made lighting a feature in their rooms. I love the way lighting can completely change the mood or feel of a space, particularly one that requires a calming influence. The Mylight is rather special in that it can set the tone of a room, both through its function as a comforting glow in the darkness, and as a decor piece.

Mylight night lights are handmade by a family-owned business in Adelaide. The interior light is an energy-efficient LED strip, which casts just the right amount of light to suit a child’s room as a night-time fixture.

The lights can be personalised in a myriad of ways, from the box surface to the light type. The box is constructed from aluminium composite and the personalised cut-out via a router. The colours range from bold and bright to metallic. There’s also a range of fonts and images to choose from.

The internal light can also be personalised – from either a warm white, to a rainbow of colours, controlled by a remote.

The Mylight is priced from $129.95, depending on the box surface and light type chosen. You can have a go at creating a virtual version of your light at Mylight before ordering.

There comes a certain age when kids become fascinated by magic. We’ve just hit it in our house, and my awestruck son recently explained to me that the magician at a friend’s birthday party “just made the guinea pig come straight out of his hat!”. (I must admit, even I wondered how that had happened).

If you have a budding David Copperfield on your hands, we’ve found just the thing to keep them amused and provide the fodder for hours of magic shows. It’s the Ridley’s Magic range, brand new on the shelves in April, and it will give magicians from age three and up plenty of ammunition! There are ten different kits in the range – some are classic illusions (the magic drawer, the floating match), while others are larger kits containing up to fifteen tricks and everything your mini illusionist needs to learn to perform them.

Contact the Australian distributor Until directly for details about stockists - the kits range in price from $9.95 to $29.95.

Shut the gate! It’s all about style on day twelve of Babyology’s Prizeapalooza.

One lucky reader will win a brilliant Numi Extending Aluminium Safety Gate, valued at $195 from The Little Market.

Gone are the days when child-proofing your home came at the cost of style. Say goodbye to clunky, white metal safety gates and instead secure your rooms or staircase with the aesthetically pleasing Numi Safety Gate.

The Numi Safety Gate offers a combination of fine design and unparalleled safety. The gate is easy to install, slides and locks into a low profile wall mounting, features a patented sizing system that allows for simple and quick width adjustment, has upper and lower locking points and a dual operating handle. And did I mention it looks good?! The matte metal finish is the perfect complement to modern interiors.

To enter, leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section telling us why you need some ‘Little Market’ style in your home. You have seven days and entries close midnight, 18 May, 2012.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

Bang Bang Copenhagen has landed in Australia – get ready for some seriously fun dressing!

My five-year-old son has loved to dress himself from an early age and has a somewhat eclectic sense of style which he adores. If this sounds like a similar story to your own, you’re going to love the clothes from Bang Bang Copenhagen. Bang Bang Copenhagen kid’s clothing breaks all the rules, it boldly mixes prints with brash colour and bucks tradition at every corner.

Kids who aren’t afraid to stand out and be seen will love the creative Totem Hooded Sweater ($84) mixing black with a bold blue panel and for something really cute you ought to see the Fly Tie Hooded Vest ($70) – a short sleeved grey vest with an awesome feature tie. Little girls can also get in on some fun dressing with the gorgeous Balloony Dress ($89) or the Birdy Dress ($78) in pale pink and black.

For more coverage see our post on last year’s Bubble London where we first discovered BangBang Copenhagen!

Bang Bang Copenhagen is now available in Australia from Minibots.

Here it is Babyologists, what we’ve all been waiting for – the first round of Prizeapalooza winner announcements!

We saw Prizeapalooza popularity soar with the launch of  the Mini Monarch competition on day one.  One lucky Babyologist will take home a stunning Argington linen bundle valued at $226 in their choice of design, which is all they need to create a gorgeous space for their little one. The winner is:

K. Dahl

Anyone who has ever thrown a child’s party has probably wished for a good fairy of some description at some point. Day two of Prizeapalooza sees to it that someone will receive exactly that by winning a deluxe high tea package valued at $700 from The Good Fairies. That’s two whole hours of joining in with the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen! The lucky winner is:

R. Sammut

You won’t have any arguments getting kids dressed for bed with day three‘s competition prize of Dimples Merino Wool Pyjamas valued at $65.90 from BabyO. Supremely soft and comfortable against sensitive skin, there are two winners taking a pair home for their little one! The winners are:

C.  Dorey

N. Bofinger

I love the entries we received for the Tribe Bags competition on day four. It seems many, many Babyologists have been searching for a new nappy bag and love the pockets, the room and all the designer style that the Orchard Tote, valued at $389, has to offer.  The winner who will be toting their gear in style is:

T. Gregory

A big thank you to all our sponsors and entrants! Winners and sponsors, we’ll be in touch by email soon.

Now that Australia is officially no longer in drought, there’s never been a better time for a new umbrella. Prizeapalooza day eleven is sure to have someone singing in the rain!

No question – we love Blunt Umbrellas here at Babyology, and we’re pretty excited to hear that a collapsible, handbag-sized Blunt is on the way later this year. In the meantime, one fortunate Babyologist is about to receive not one, not two, but four Blunt umbrellas to kit out their household.

No more umbrella disasters on windy days, no more fear of injury from small children who haven’t learnt umbrella etiquette - coming your way are four Blunt umbrellas – a Blue XL, a Red Lite and two Minis in pink or blue. The prize is valued at $356.

To enter leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section, telling us which of the four styles of umbrella in the Blunt range would brighten your rainy day. You have seven days and entries close midnight 17 May 2012.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

Have you noticed just how good-looking water bottles are becoming? Indeed labelling them water bottles almost seems an insult to their high tech design and supermodel stunning looks.

KOR is known for its amazing hydration vessels and now has updated its range with two new releases; the Vida and the Delta. I have to say that the matte black Vida up there has stolen my heart away! It’s also available in white and stainless steel finishes in 500ml and 750ml sizes and has an ergonomic handle and threadless ‘Perfect Spout’ for perfect drinkability with no embarrassing dribbles!

We’re also loving the new KOR Delta (below), which looks to be a rework of the One bottle. It is also available in the two sizes with ‘Perfect Spout’ in the colours of blue, orange, green and pink. It now has a failsafe removable lid, ergonomic handle and the base has been altered to make it car cup holder-friendly.

Buy the Delta from Hunt and Gather – the 500ml size is $24.95 and the 750ml size is $29.95. The Vida model will arrive soon.