A Brand that We Know and Trust for Our Children

Big Brother Ollie and Little Brother Oscar at lunch-time

Ever Since Ollie was able to eat solids, Rafferty’s Garden, after much research and recommendations from our other friends with precious little ones, was to try the wonderful brand of Rafferty’s Garden. Both of our boys absolutely LOVE the brand. They have both tried every single flavour available I believe! They have seen lines come and go too! Both of them absolutely LOVED the Apricot chicken, YUM! I also am so very proud to be supporting a product line that is made right here in Australia. I love having the piece of mind that Rafferty’s Garden food for babies is free from any preservatives, whilst still making sure that the taste is delicious!

Rafferty’s Garden – Delicious food, healthy, nutritious, natural food that’s perfect for the little ones.

Farm Fresh Ingredients and all different textures to suit the varying stages of development for babies growing in to a toddler.

Rafferty’s is a brand which has been in Australia now since 2007, the same amount of time that my husband and I have been together. How special for us to have been able to use a brand that is so respected by fellow Australian families for our boys and their diet.

Oscar doing his “Happy Dance” when it’s dinner time! He knows just how yummy the fruit pouches are. This is always a fave little dessert treat for him.

We have collected many of the pretty coloured Rafferty’s Garden lids in more recent times and plan on using them for craft and art projects with the boys in the future! It is so convenient though, that you can pop the lid back on them and if little bubba doesn’t eat all of the pouch you can safely store in the fridge. We only leave in for 24 hours after opening to ensure that the pouches stay fresh and safe for Oscar to still consume.

Photo credits: Rachael Elizabeth, Oscar’s very proud Mum. Taken on our iPhoneX at our home in Sunny Queensland.

Such a happy little chappy! Love you Oscar. Mumma Bear is so very proud of you!

Oscar and his all-time fave – Apricot Chicken! (6+ Months Plus)

As you can see, the packaging and vibrant colours are gorgeous. All of the colours of the rainbow!

Some of the delicious flavours that Rafferty’s has to offer.

Oscar, like most kids, has a great, healthy and balanced diet and on the days when life is super busy, we know that even if Oscar is having his fave brand of pouches, for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, he would be getting fantastic nutrients for what he needs. He loves the blue brekkie pouches after his bottle, with fresh fruit and some Vegemite Toast. For lunch, he will often have a 10+ Months pouch, some more fruit or veggies and his bottle of formula. For dinner, he will usually have what we eat, whether that be spaghetti, or mashed veggies from a yummy home-cooked roast meal. He loves the variety and I am so happy that we can either spoon feed him, he likes to try himself too and he also loves to enjoy them straight from the pouch sometimes when we are on the go. The pouches are fabulous for travelling too! The Rafferty’s rusks are also fantastic for teething and are also our “go-to” for when we know it’s going to be a rough few days with Oscar’s teeth coming through. They provide him great relief and he absolutely loves the taste also! Yum. As you can see in the images above, big brother Ollie, who also enjoyed the Rafferty’s brand growing up, loves to help feed his big brother where we can. It’s so awesome knowing our kids are growing up happy and healthy and with the busy lives that many parents lead these days with juggling family life and work, brands like Rafferty’s help make the routine even more smooth sailing. Thank you so much Rafferty’s for being a brand we love and can trust. From four months, through to now being 11 months old, Oscar has enjoyed Rafferty’s and no doubt will continue to do so until past his first birthday as we continue to introduce more solids and other foods in to his growing diet. I love how the Rafferty’s pouches and meals grow with bub, and it’s wonderful how they have a variety of yummy flavours to choose from. I have not found one yet which the boys didn’t just love. Which is a relief for this mumma and I truly hope that Oscar’s eating habits stay as good as he continues to get older. He is really enjoying the more lumpy texture now and sometimes polishes off two 10+ Month pouches for dinner time!

We like to purchase our Rafferty’s supplies usually from our local Woolworth’s store here in Queensland, but we have also recently ordered through Coles online too and had quite a big delivery which you can see below. My husband is always sure to stock up on Rafferty’s Garden supplies when he is shopping in Chemist Warehouse stores also. For all of the other stockists, please visit the Rafferty’s Garden stockists list online here.

(Above) Our online order of baby supplies for Oscar, with lots of wonderful Rafferty’s Garden products!

Our Fave Flavours:- 4 MONTHS, 6 MONTHS & 10 MONTHS

4+ Months

Baby Brekkie
Rice Cereal, Pear, Banana & Milk, with the Goodness of Whole Grain, 120g NET
Spinach, Apple, Broccoli and Pea Smooth Baby Food, 120g NET
Pear & Apricot + Nothing Else, 120g NET
Pear & Superberries + Nothing Else, 120g NET
Apple, Banana & Peach + Nothing Else, 120g NET
Blueberries, Banana & Apple + Nothing Else, 120g
Pumpkin, Apple, & Sweetcorn + Nothing Else, 120g

6+ Months

Banana, Pear and Mango, – Red Pouch – 6 Months +
Apple, Pear & Cinnamon, – Green Pouch – 6 Months +
Apricot Chicken Yellow Pouch, – 6 Months +
Hearty Beef & Veggies, – Purple Pouch – 6 Months +
Bangers, Mash & Veggies, – Red Pouch – 6 Months +

10+ Months

Italian Lasagne, – Yellow Pouch – 10 Months, + 170g NET
Bolognese with Macaroni (3 Veggies inside) Lumpy, 10 Months +, +170g NET
Tuna with Garden Veggies (6 Veggies inside), – 10 Months+ 170g NET
Shepherds Pie (5 Veggies inside), + 170g NET
Sweet Potato & Lamb Casserole, + 7 Veggies Inside, +170g NET
Chicken, Basil, & Tomato Pasta (2 Veggies Inside), 170g NET
Risoni Pasta & Garden Veggies (5 Veggies Inside), 170g NET

For breakfast, Oscar also really loves the Multigrain, banana & apricot cereal, 6 Months + = Rich in Iron. I really liked how it comes in little packs, so it’s nice and fuss free and mess free to make. The product box comes in an 8 pack. When Oscar turns One, no doubt he will be enjoying the Fruit Snack Bar, in Banana flavour! Oscar loves his fruit, so another on our shopping list soon will be the KIDS Snack Bar, Blueberry, Banana & Apple – 8 pack, (for one years +).

For more information on the products, or to keep up-to-date with the Rafferty’s product line for the kids, be sure to follow their website and social media pages:- Rafferty’s Garden: https://www.raffertysgarden.com.au/
You can see more of little Oscar enjoying his Rafferty’s Garden meals via our social media stories and posts on Instagram & Facebook – @thepinkjubilee #thepinkjubilee. You can also follow Rafferty’s Garden @raffertysgarden #raffertysgarden.

There are also some great Baby Food Recipes which you can find online at the Rafferty’s Garden website:- www.raffertysgarden.com.au/

*This is not sponsored content, nor did we receive complimentary products for this post. We simply and absolutely LOVE Rafferty’s products! I honestly can’t recommend them enough. I hope your kids enjoy them too!

We would love to hear from our valued readers which brands of baby foods that you really love? We do love to try other brands too, so please feel free to share with us your favourite flavours and brands of delicious food products for bubs. With Oscar turning one next month, we will definitely be on the look out for new recipes to try in the kitchen to ensure that he is getting all of his nutrients and experiencing all sorts of foods, full of healthy ingredients for him to continue to enjoy his experience with food and to maintain a balanced diet that is giving him everything that he needs to grow in to the beautiful boy which he is today and will be in the future.

• Rachael Elizabeth xo The Pink Jubilee Editor xxoo
• Email us at – thepinkjubileeblog@gmail.com or via editor@thepinkjubilee.com.au. We look forward to hearing from you. Much love from our family to yours…
  *Collaborations are welcome. We love to work with brands which have a similar set of values to us. Be sure to jump on over to our sister website, The Baby Blossom.

I can’t believe that another weekend is almost about to roll around. This week and of course, this year have been such a whirl wind!

After Sunday night starting off as any other normal Sunday night, this week was super stressful as our little gorgeous Oscar Bear was accidentally locked in the house on his own after the front door blew shut and locked! As you can imagine, it is every parent’s worst nightmare. We called the locksmith and locksmiths (quickly and frantically working through Google), no luck, we called RACQ, no luck as it would be a two hour wait apparently for someone to come out to us. We called the fire brigade with 000. And they were amazing and came as soon as they could. We posted on our community forum for a local locksmith and my mother’s instinct though, try one more time. Thankfully, a lovely man called Elliott said he would call us back if he would be able to help, and that he did. Despite not being able to get the front door open, eventually, we could get the back door open. I felt so helpless. Lucky the fly screen was open and Oscar was safely in his high chair as he had just finished his pre=dinner snack and really was none the wiser from the chaos around him!

I am usually so very careful if ever going to check the mail and actually smashed my phone in march whilst tripple checking the front door. This time, I went back inside to get a pen to write a little note to our neighbour for some locally made honey we were purchasing. It’s the best honey ever, just now the most expensive with the $220 locksmith call out fee, lol. I can tell you what, I will be savouring every last drop, hehe. Another lesson which I learnt, never dress in no bra and don’t shower on a Sunday, no matter how much uni you have to get done. Of course it was the day we also chose to clear out the garage so the house was an absolute mess!
Two days later, Ollie our oldest also decided to be spiderman and work out how to open the deadlock. If only hew as inside too, he might have been able to help us. He was so good throughout the whole little ordeal and think he loved the play date with our neighbour’s little ones. Thanks to our beautiful neighbours and thank you to the amazing emergency services fire-fighters who helped us with Plan A, Plan B thankfully saw no windows being smashed and before we knew it, we were reunited with our gorgeous bundle of joy. I know for now, I’m happy to enjoy some inside the house time. Hopefully this Sunday will be much more relaxing for the family!

Wishing you all a truly amazing weekend ahead. Stay safe and lots of love. Rachael xo The Pink Jubilee Editor. xo

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Over three years ago, I was so very blessed to become a mum for the very first time. Then again last November, I was so blessed to become a proud Mum again to another beautiful baby boy.

I will never ever forget the pure joy which I felt after safely delivering our son and bringing him in to this world, we call Earth.

I am so very grateful, each and every single day. I am so grateful he calls me mummy. I am so grateful to learn through his eyes and to see the world how he now sees the world.

I am so grateful to see the special bond which he has with his father, my husband and partner in life. I am so very grateful to hear the beautiful sound of giggles and laughter when the boys play together.

I’m so grateful that he asks to hand my hand to sleep every night and wants me to tuck him in.

Becoming a proud mum has taught me so very much about myself, about others. As I have become a mum, to be completely honest, I have also realised who matters most in our lives. Sadly, its not always the people who you thought that would matter for life. I am grateful for true friends. I am grateful for those supportive friends who are like family. Who share things with you, who watch your children grow. Who celebrate your children growing and evolving. Who lift you up when you are down. Who genuinely ask how you are. I think you develop a sense for who actually cares and who doesn’t. It’s so very easy to see now. Being a mum you put your children first always. It’s also important to put yourself first too and remember how important self-care is. To not lose yourself. To still find what makes you happy, outside being a mum and a wife. I have been doing that a lot lately. Reconnecting with the person who I am at my absolute rawest and absolute core. I don’t have time to sweat the small stuff. I don’t have time to be a people pleaser. I only have time for my family and my inner circle to be completely honest. And quick frankly, that is how it should be. A wise close friend of mine yesterday said, in life you have 5 true friends. I know who mine are. I know who my family is. I am truly so very blessed. xo

– Rachael xo The Pink Jubilee Editor xo

I can’t believe that he is going to be 10-months-old this Week! Where has the time gone?

Pregnancy can seem like it goes for a lifetime, and then before you know it, you are welcoming your precious little bundle in to the big wide world. That’s exactly how it feels atm. I feel in one breath little Oscar has been with us forever and in other moments, I can look back on the day that was November 13th, and it feels like I’ve blinked and been in a dream and that now we are here, right in this month. Life as a family of four! It’s very surreal indeed. Very special. I’m trying my best to not take anything for granted. To embrace the special moments. The moments of laughter, the moments of crying and tears, the moments of pure emotion. Every single emotion possible. I’m trying to ensure that I soak in it all. As I know that in the space for another few months, My little Baby is going to be 1. I don’t know how that’s going to be the case, as I still at times feel like I’m in the newborn bubble, but it will be our reality. We will have a gorgeous one-year-old running around and laughing. I can already see how the brotherly bond is so very special. I’m so excited to see what is to come for our two gorgeous boys. What is so important to me, that my husband and I stand united as parents, guiding them along the way in life, giving them the very best we can along the way. Showing them what love is, showing them what living is. Showing them kindness, leading by example. That is what I want for my two boys. I would love to view the world through their eyes. I hope that they too can see through my eyes, just how much I love and adore them. as does their Daddy, and all of their loved ones around them. Happy almost 10-months my gorgeous boy. You are the best addition to our family. xo

 

A Trip Down Memory Lane – if only time could stand still! Happy Memories…

I am a big lover of photographs, I have loved photos from as long as I can remember. Some people love photos, others do not. I completely get that. For me, I’m one who is always capturing the moment. For it’s the moments which make up our lifetime. It’s living in the moment and then reflecting on those precious moments which in my opinion, make up this precious journey that we all call life. Here are some moments captured. xo

Rachael xo

Photos – Milque Photography and Tara Lee Photography xo

The Baby Buyer will revolutionise the way expecting parents prepare for the arrival of their newborn, offering a simple ‘click and select’ range of baby product packages delivered straight to your front door.

 Founded by Sydney mum Steph Halliday, The Baby Buyer is the first shopping destination to simplify the purchasing process for Australian parents who are spending billions of dollars on the likes of prams, cots, changing tables, clothing and nappies for their little ones.

The Baby Buyer aims to offer every product a new mum needs in fully customisable packages across three price-specific ranges. While most parents spend on average between $7,000 and $10,000 on their baby in the first year, The Baby Buyer will now give parents access to pre-selected packages allowing them to save thousands of dollars.

The products available on the website have been selected based on reviews and research by real mums, with a focus on ethically-sourced ingredients and materials such as bamboo.

The website also aims to offer expecting parents products they truly need in order to reduce waste – including money wasted on products your baby might not really need as well as extra landfill and general waste in the household.

Founder Steph Halliday was inspired to create The Baby Buyer when a close friend, who worked long hours at the office, found herself 7 months into her pregnancy without having bought any of the necessary items for her new baby.

Steph says, “Mums often find themselves having to spend hours and hours researching and reading reviews to find the best and most cost-effective products for their newborn. And not all new mums have the time or luxury to do this. When they finally make it into store, there are so many products to choose from that they’ll often walk out with a huge number of items they don’t really need.”

“I also think there is a great deal of pressure on new parents to have the coolest or latest products on the market, and this presents another dimension of stress to the whole process.”

The Baby Buyer currently offers three all-encompassing baby product packages, including:

• The City Package starting from $4,900
• The European Package starting from $5,994
• The Traditional Package starting from $6,024

For more information visit https://babybuyer.com.au/

 Be sure to follow – @thebabybuyer #TBBmums #TheBabyBuyer

Soft, Smooth Hands and Great for Nappy Rash for Bubs – A Winner in My Books! A Must-Try Ladies and Gents

 

A Must-Have for at Home,  My Handbag and the Boys’ Nappy Bag…

Each and every Winter, my hands suffer cracks and cuts, a result of the cooler weather. I have suffered dermatitis for many years and for some reason, even more since becoming a proud mum of two beautiful boys. I think the fact that my hands are forever washing and sterlising baby bottles, and changing little bottoms’ and keeping my hands clean, it’s easy for them to get dry and then become cracked. I’m not going to lie, I have tried many products and I simply can’t go past this awesome new product which I was kindly sent to try recently. The brand is backed by the global strength of Strides Shasun, Arrow Pharmaceuticals is a market-leader in generic pharmaceuticals – both over the counter and prescription medication.

Covitol is a versatile cream that treats a broad range of common skin irritations. Offering a thick, smooth barrier for long-lasting protection, Covitol helps to relieve eczema, sunburn, cuts. scrapes, and skin infections. Its gentle formulation also makes it a proven treatment for nappy rash. I am so grateful to have Covitol on hand for both of our boys. We are still toilet training with Ollie so he is still in nappies. Oscar of course has a good while yet only being close to 10-months-old.

Covitol has high levels of cod liver oil, , (something my beautiful late Nan swore by for many health benefits), zinc oxide, paraffin and lanolin, which combine to seal out moisture and germs and help skin irritations to disappear quickly.

Covitol can be used to treat:-

*Atopic dermatitis
*Skin infections
*Nappy rash
*Sunburn
*Scrapes
*Eczema

Key Benefits:-

*Key ingredient cod liver oil speeds wound healing – is naturally rich in vitamins A and D, and omega 3 fatty acids.
*Long-lasting protection.
*No added fragrance and colour-free.

Covitol, RRP $7.95 for 75g and $12.50 for 150g. 

To use – apply to the affected area three times daily. For nappy rash, apply to the rash area after every nappy change.

Being a Mumma, it’s important to know what ingredients are going in to the products of what you use on your babies and I couldn’t be happier with the list of ingredients that are used and their key benefits, all active ingredients, to help treat, sore hands, problematic skin and of course nappy rash! The cream is also not too thick, just the right constiancy needed to work, but comfortable using on yourself and the little ones. My husband tried it too on his hands and absolutely loves it. I even tried today on a minor cut on my right hand and so far, it’s working an absolute treat. Usually, I’d opt for the traditional Dettol or Savlon, but Covitol is working perfectly for its intended purpose.

 

Mum Tip:– I found the 75g tube size was great for the nappy bag and my handbag and I keep the 150g in the nursery and on the boys’ change-tables. The packaging is just beautiful too. I love the Covitol logo and branding colours of the pretty royal blue and baby pink with the gorgeous logo image of Mum and Bub.

I love how affordable the price-point is for the two product size options and know that they are going to be on my must-buy list for myself moving forward for my ‘Staple Mumma supplies list’ and also will make a great gift for friends and family who are welcoming their little bundle of joy in to the world soon! I am due to be an auntie again any day and can’t wait to gift my sister-in-law some of the beautiful products!

Be sure to let me know if you try it and follow @covitol on social media! #soothsandprotects And of course, follow us at @thepinkjubilee.

Available in leading pharmacies now. For stockist enquiries, contact 1300 ARROW (27769), or visit, www.covitol.com.au.

• The Pink Jubilee Editor, Rachael xo

Saturday Holiday Fun-Day!

Little Oscar-bear and Mummy

Coffee for the adults! (even though I don’t drink coffee myself, hubby loves it and I love a good cup of tea!)

Ollie helping clean up, little cutie he is!

 

 

Little Ollie Enjoying his Choccie Ice-cream at the Beautiful Pink Decor Ice-cream Parlour- (He absolutely loved it! Yummo!)

So Much Fun for the Whole Family – A Lovely Day Out All Round!

I have extremely fond memories of visiting Dreamworld when I was little and we had first moved over from the UK.
It was always an exciting day out for the family. Back then, we would travel from the Sunshine Coast so being just over an hour away in Brisbane now makes visiting even easier! Especially with our Season Annual Passes which see us receive some awesome family benefits!

This gorgeous boy melts Mummy’s heart!

The colourful entry to ABC Kids World. It was such a perfect Winter’s afternoon today. We didn’t even need a jumper on!

The boys still love to enjoy a day sleep (especially with little Mr 9-month-old of course!), so we decided to head in after lunch. We left just before the park closed and it was the perfect amount of time to enjoy the park facilities, rides and shows together.

First up, after our delicous tasty treats, we headed on over to ABC World for Kids and it was GREAT! Just what I had expected and much more. I had often gone past it when it was known as Wiggles World and thought how much fun it would be to one day take our children. Hubby and I had also been to Dreamworld with each other and friends and family pre-kids, many times before! Even trips to watch the live filming of Big Brother all of those years ago with Channel 10! Oh the memories.

This Mumma is a little bit afraid of heights, even though before, I’ve been on all of the big rides, for some reason, with little Ollie on board the Mini ferris wheel, I found myself holding his hand. He was super brave and of course the ride is perfect for his age and height, but with him only ever having experienced one other theme park before, and before reaching the 90cm limit, being the mumma I am, naturally, I was more focused on making sure that Ollie was having the time of his life, which of course he was! He loved the ride and went on the Pirate Ship with Dad which he also really enjoyed. “Again, Again”, he said!

Ollie loved seeing the Tigers and he was super impressed and fascinated with the “Tiger paw prints” on the ground. Lovely touch Dreamworld, it really does contribute to the whole experience. There were lots of people watching the show too. We didn’t sit down to enjoy the show as it was time for little one to have his bottle and afternoon snack, but it was just intime for us to meet the Bananas in Pyjamas! Ollie was in his absolute element. Having watched the show before, I think that he was slightly star stuck! (Super cute!) We got some family photos all together (this was in ABC Kids World) in the afternoon, just before 3pm. What is better yet, being Season Pass holders, we get to enjoy unlimited FREE digital images. So cool, hey!

For as long as I can remember, I have been using Bio-Oil. As soon as it hit the market, I remember racing out to get some to try!

Having been through four pregnancies in 6 years and having two beautiful babies safely earth-side, I know just how important it is to take good care of your skin with stretch marks and keeping your skin hydrated.

I have also had five moles removed in my lifetime. One of which has sadly left me with a large keloid scar on my upper back. Some people are prone to keloid scarring and it can occur in places such as the face, and upper back, chest regions, etc. My Keloid Scar in particular can often get very itchy and uncomfortable and Bio-Oil helps me keep the discomfort at bay, whilst also continually enhancing the look and texture of the scar.

Earning a cult status for its unique formula, and loved and respected by millions of repeat users, Bio-Oil is designed to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone, through regular, twice-daily usage. After sixteen years in the local market, Bio-Oil has become one of the most recommended products by Australian GPs and pharmacists for scars, and stretch marks, and is a staple skincare product for the skincare regime of many Aussies, both men and women!

Bio-Oil has been show to improve the appearance of stretch marks after just two weeks and scars after 8 weeks. For optimum use, Bio-Oil should be massaged in a circular motion, into the scar, or stretch mark, twice daily. Bio-Oil is conveniently available on shelves in Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Coles, Woolworths, and all major pharmacies.

RRP
$ 14.95 (60ml)
$ 24.95 (125ml)
$ 34.95 (200ml)

For more info, please visit the Bio Oil website:- www.bio-oil.com.

This Saturday gone, I enjoyed some beautiful birthday celebrations with my nearest and dearest girlfriends. It was such a nice afternoon. Despite me coming down with a nasty bout of sinus and tonsillitis, it was a fab celebration and one which I will truly treasure!

Venue:- Sofitel, Brisbane Central, The City, Queensland
When:- Afternoon high tea – Sublime package, bubbles, savouries and petite fours!
What:- Celebrating with my nearest and dearest girlfriends
What I Wore:- A Navy Lace Review Dress and Big W tan suede Wedges

I have been to many high teas in my time but this one was extra special! Why is that might you ask? We had our very own private room overlooking the city, 30 floors up. The sun was setting as we left, and it was amazing! Such a stunning way to spend Saturday afternoon with some beautiful girls. I really wish that we could enjoy the finer things in life more often! I am very much looking forward to heading to the Sofitel again soon!

What’s really cool about this photo is my husband and I’s old PR and Marketing company’s office is in the background! Oh the memories. I love how special Bris-Vegas is to my family and I. 10 Years this year and counting. xo

The most amazing cake from Miss V Designer Cakes and the cutest cake-topper ever! @CMCGOLD. xo

The cake was white-choccie and was simply delicious! The fresh flowers were the perfect way to complement my birthday theme.

Favours, I made myself – Cadbury and plain milk delicous choccie and Cadbury’s Turkish Delight pink treats! xo Choccies available via Woolies and Chemist Warehouse stores (where I purchased mine). I then used my ETSY choccie personalised covers which said – “Rachael’s Birthday” & “Thank-you”. I love to thank my guests with something special. Last year the girls received The Body Shop nail-polishes and pink, freshly baked cup-cakes from The Cup Cake Patisserie at Westfield, Chermside.

Invitations were ETSY and also followed the French theme. xo

Balloons were @balloonsasap – a lovely local supplier who has now done the balloons for two special occasions for us!

I love the pretty water colours in this gorgeous stationary. So very soft, girly and of course! French!

A birthday to remember forever!