Last week after we’d climbed the big rocking horse at Gumeracha, we then had a good look around the toy factory. I wish I’d gone there when JJ was a lot younger, although if I had I probably would have spent heaps more money.

We bought a few things - mainly presents for other people but they’re so cute I had to share.

This is a novelty toy where you press the bottom of it and the top bit wobbles around. We bought it for a friend who’s recently found out she’s got breast cancer to hopefully make her smile.

Below is a door stop. I’ve been using a doorstop that was here when I moved in and it always leaves a mark on the linoleum. This is so much more stylish and doesn’t leave a horrible mark that I always have trouble removing. He’s got a wobbly head too and he is very cute. Unfortunately the other doorstop we bought doesn’t work for the door I want to use it for because there’s too much of a gap.

There’s heaps more that you can buy and it’s not all for kids. Check out the Toy Factory where you can shop online.

A little while back now we were sent some Lego to build and unfortunately there was a hiccup along the way because we misplaced a vital piece of the construction which delayed things somewhat.

After an  intensive web search a replacement piece was ordered and sent here.

Now we have a newly built Lego Crawler Crane in the house and we also know all the places to go to find replacement pieces.

You can read the whole three part series:

• part 1
• part 2
• part 3

For years now I’ve been taking my own bags to the supermarket when I do my shop so I don’t have to bring home a million plastic bags. But when it’s come to purchases here and there I usually end up getting them put in some sort of bag - usually plastic - because I have had nothing with me. Until now.

I’ve finally found the answer to being able to put those other non-supermarket purchases in. It’s a nylon fold-up bag and it’s working for me.

This is what it looks like when it’s folded out and believe me you can fit quite a bit of stuff in this.

It’s really easy to fold up too, and quite quick. Fold it in half lengthways, fold the handles down as shown and then keep folding lengthways and then roll it up.

Once rolled up it’s very compact. I took a photo with my sunnies in the background (sunnies I bought from the Camberwell markets in Melbourne a good 20 years ago for $1) so you get an idea of how big the bag ends up being.

Isn’t it great? And the great thing for me is that when I get home, I unpack the bag, fold and roll it up and put it straight back into my handbag. This way, it’s there for the next time. Planning Queen, you would be proud because it’s so organised of me.

There’s even more reason and incentive for me to do this because as of early May there will no longer be lightweight plastic bags available here in South Australia. I know this one bag won’t handle my weekly shop, but it does solve the problem of having to get plastic bags occasionally when I buy clothes etc.

And even though other disposable bags will be available in other retail outlets at least I won’t have to use them any longer. My plastic bag bag (and no, it’s not plastic) I have at home should start to get emptier.

Anyway, the nylon bag I’ve shown above in the photos are available at Envirosax. There’s heaps available and they are quite affordable.

PS: I know this all sounds a bit like a sales pitch but it’s all because I think they’re great, not because I’ve been paid in any way to say they’re great.

So I want to know, do you take your own bag/s when you go shopping. If so, how do you remember them?

JJ and I have pretty much finished building the Lego City Crawler Crane. It’s definitely had its trials but it’s been a fantastic activity to do together.

Go have a read of Building the crane - part 2 and you’ll discover why what should have been the final post about this is now going to be followed by a part 3.

Lego will either fill you with dread or make you jump with joy. It astounds me as to how a complex piece can start off as a few hundred separate pieces and end up (hopefully) as an object.

We were recently sent some new City Lego to review and I’m documenting the process. Speaking of lots of pieces, it has 481 pieces. I hope we don’t lose any!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone and to celebrate I’ve another giveaway happening from this website.

Get over and read my review of the Step Brothers movie, and read the giveaway details.

Hope you all have a great day. I’ve never been a big Valentine’s Day fan. I don’t like how expressing your love is celebrated just on one day - it should be an every day thing.

Today I have some friends coming over for lunch. I’m looking forward to it. It was going to be quite hot, but now it’s only going to be in the high 20s. Nice.

One of my weaknesses is jewellery, particularly big and chunky rings. I thought I’d share some of my chunk with you.

I bought this while Christmas shopping at Sportsgirl. I couldn’t resist it.

The purple ring below I bought at Miss Gladys Sym Choon at least eight years ago.

This one was given to me by a friend for a birthday a couple of years ago.

I wear these rings all the time. Plastic rings (like the top two) work really well for me. They are a pretty good price to buy and they certainly stand out.

I had taken a couple of photos with them on my hand but because I did closeups, every wrinkle was shown. My days as a hand model are sadly over before they ever began.