Having said this, we would like to give back and support the little guys too!

If you are a small business, we would like to provide a select few opportunities to reach out to 250 bloggers at our Nuffnang Blogopolis conference in Sydney on June 30. It will save you time, money and frustrations from trying to email bloggers to pitch your product when you can reach them all at our event!

We will be reviewing every submission received and selecting a small handful of businesses where we feel we can make this opportunity a success for you; making it beneficial for both the bloggers attending and for your business.

If this is something you are interested in, please email your submissions to media@nuffnang.com.au with your business introduction and pitch. Deadline is Friday, 1st of June 2012.

Conditions of submission:

- You must be classed as a small to medium business operator (preference will be given to small business operators)  eg. blog shops, craft, handmade, boutiques, food, gadgets, etc.

- Minimum $20 worth of products gifts for 250 bloggers and guests

- Preference given to full size products

- Have an engagement plan with Nuffnang and bloggers on the day of the event

- Your product or service is a great fit to our audience

- We are limiting this to 3-5 small businesses only depending on submissions received

In typical Melbourne style, mother nature delivered us with unpleasant, ice-like weather on Saturday May 12. So while MN was being evil and doing her thing, the fashion Gods had other plans in mind. Draped in colour and style, they flipped the bird at MN and did what they do best; dress to impress. After all, the weather was no reckoning force in stopping 150 of Australia’s most savvy fashion bloggers from descending on 1000 £ Bend for Nuffnang Fashionopolis – the first fashion blogging conference of its kind in Australia.

The Nuffnang team together with the amazing Phoebe Montage of Lady Melbourne and event sponsors Sunglass Hut Inner Circle and Reward Style put on a fun yet educational day covering three topic areas of interest to fashion bloggers:

1. Your Blog, Your Brand
2. Fashion  Torque
3. How to Monetize Your Blog Through Advertising

Each session explored educational thoughts and insight from those within the industry which generated highly engaging discussions both during question time and through the #NNF2012 feed over on twitter. We were even trending in Melbourne!

We hope everyone in attendance enjoyed not only themselves but also the opportunity to meet other fashion bloggers that they may have only known via their online presence. It was a wonderful experience to bring together so many incredible fashion bloggers from right around Australia and in some cases, as we saw with Team Africa, the world!

Nuffnang would like to extend our thanks to all those involved with making Nuffnang Fashionopolis a great success: Patty Huntington, Sarah Gale, Jenny Bannister, Philip Boon, Kyra Pybus, Domain Flowers, Steve Madden, Sunsilk, Dove, The Carlton and the incredible team over at 1000 £ Bend, especially Cara!

PHOTO GALLERY NOW AVAILABLE

We’d like to generate a link up out of all the blog posts that get written about Fashionopolis. Please drop your post URL in a comment below so we can add it to our list…

Nuffnang Fashionopolis Link Up:

1. Camille Leon – Nuffnang Fashionopolis
2. String of Events – Fashionopolis
3. Le Fanciulle – Photo Diary of Nuffnang Fashionopolis 2012
4. Miss Bias – Fashionopolis
5. estelle la mode – Nuffnang Fashionopolis
6. Ruby Slipper – Ruby Slipper @ Fashionopolis
7. Bambi Loves Shoes – Pretty in Pink
8. Style Paws – Nuffnang Fashionopolis 2012
9. Mister Mode – A day of fashion bloggers galore
10. Harare Mbama – Viva FASHIONOPOLIS!
11. Cecylia – Fashionopolis via Instagram
12. Live. Pray. Hope. – Glamour Time!
13. Stylise Me – Nuffnang Fashionopolis 2012
14. Style Wilderness – Making Blogging History at Fashionopolis 2012
15. A Little boutique Near Home – Nuffnang Fashionopolis Part 1 & Part 2
16. Blankbird – Fashionopolis 2012
17. Stasia Style – Stasia Style at Fashionopolis 2012
18. Mariamtys – Nuffnang Fashionopolis
19. Lady Melbourne – Fashionopolis 2012
20. Ravishing Retail – Fashionopolites Gather at Nuffnang’s Fashionopolis
21. The Language of Style – Nuffnang at Fashionopolis
22. Miranda’s Inside Scoop – Fashion’opolizing With Nuffnang
23. Seven Autumn Leaves – Fashionopolis: What I Wore & Fashionopolis 2012
24. Ezzentric Topz – Nuffnang Fashionopolis 2012
25. Luna Magazine – Nuffnang Fashionopolis 2012
26. FRANk Media – Nuffnang Fashionopolis
27. The Style Scribe – Nuffnang Fashionopolis Recap
28. Vanity Press – Nuffnang Fashionopolis: The People & More & The Content
29. Chaigyaru – Fashionopolis in a Nutshell
30. Michelle’s Style File – Fashionopolis
31. Esme and the Laneway – Fashionopolis 2012

We’re looking for a creative and innovative blogger to send to Hawaii as American Tourister’s roving Travel Blogger.

Score a trip to Hawaii to become American Tourister’s roving Travel Blogger. We’ll send you and your mate to Hawaii for 10 days, give you $1000, an iPhone to blog from and then we’ll give you a series of amazing experiences to take part in. Fancy taking a helicopter ride over a volcano, tubbing down a mountain, horseback riding, surfing, kayaking and learning to luau?

All you need to do is upload your 2 minute video to the entry form on our Facebook page telling us why you should win!

American Tourister will select 5 finalists from the entries and then let the public decides who should be the American Tourister Travel Blogger.

Anyone who votes for their favourite blogger will go into the draw to win a 2^nd trip to Hawaii.

The winning blogger MUST take the trip between 21^st May 2012 – 31^st May 2012.

The winning blogger’s content will be posted to the American Tourister Facebook page and website.

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Competition Dates:

Video entries: 1^st April – 29^th April 2012

Five finalists selected: 30^th April 2012

Public voting for winning blogger: 30^th April – 12^th May 2012

Winning blogger announced: 13^th May 2012

Blogger’s trip to Hawaii: 21^st May – 31^st May 2013

Winner of 2^nd Trip to Hawaii for anyone who votes: can be taken anytime between 21^st May 2012 – 21^st May 2013

Competition partners: Hawaiian Airlines and Outrigger Resorts.

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About American Tourister

American Tourister by Samsonite is the 2^nd largest luggage brand in the world.

With quality collections that are youthful, colourful and fun, we understand how you travel so we’re ready to go when you are!

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WIN

We have x5 sets of Platinum American Tourister cases (3 pieces of luggage per set) to give away – each with a RRP of $657.

Want to score yourself a set?

All you need to do is leave us a comment below sharing with us your crazy idea for the video mentioned earlier in this post (see red text above). No need to actually make the video, just share your concept with us! Super simple.

Five responses will be picked at random on Monday 30th April. Be sure to leave your blog URL and/or twitter handle or email address so we can contact you if you’re a winner! 

Contest open to Australian residents only.

The fact is we are all on 24/7. On line, on the phone, on call, on the go… we never switch off. Scientists and social researchers are now saying, for the sake of our mental health and our society, we should all take at least one day off a week to relax and unwind.

But what would it be like to switch off for just one day? 24 little hours – Could you handle it?

Would it freak you out or would it be a rebirth for your brain?

Why not try it and find out?

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THE CHALLENGE

On Saturday 28^th April, we want you to disconnect for 24 hours.

No online blogs or posts.
No Facebook.
No tweets.
No phone calls or texting.
Nothing.
Nada.

Worried? Don’t be. You wont be in this alone. In fact, there’s already some great Aussie bloggers that have signed up to take the 24 hour vow of disconnect!

You’ll be joining the likes of:

            - Woogsworld: Woogsworld Unplugged

            - yTravel Blog: Switch off on Kangaroo Island

            - A Beach Cottage: Beach Cottage Goes Unplugged

            - Jeroxie: A Challenge to Switch Off For 24 Hours

            - Styling You: Could You Switch Off & Disconnect For 24 Hours?

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HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Think you’ve got what it takes?

Prove it!

Join us in switching off on Saturday 28^th April – anyone can get involved!

Plus, if you’re a WordPress blogger, we’ve created a neat little WordPress plug-in that you can install on your blog just like our bloggers above have done! When your readers visit on Saturday 28^th April, this over-the-page display will let them know that you’re taking part in the 24 hour switch-off. Once they’ve seen it, they’ll be able to x out of the display and carry on reading your blog like they regularly would (the over-the-page display is frequency capped so it will only show up a maximum of twice per user… we wouldn’t want to be annoying now, would we?)

You can download the plug-in here. 

Plug-in installation is very simple but to help you out, we’ve created a step-by-step installation guide with screen grabs to guide you along the way! You can access the installation guide here. 

We’d love to know if you’re taking part. Drop us a comment below and be sure to include your blog URL!

Here’s a screen grab example of what your readers will see when they visit your blog on Saturday 28^th April.

We can’t think of a better place to switch off at than Australia’s very own Kangaroo Island. Why?

- It is one of Australia’s natural wonders with over one third of the island dedicated to National Parks
- A sanctuary for wildlife and a haven for world weary travellers so you can get back to nature and away from the rat race
- Crystal clear turquoise water and pristine, picturesque beaches are everywhere
- Even though it’s only a few minutes from the mainland, it is a million miles away from the hustle and bustle
- It’s where you can disconnect from the world and reconnect with the things and people that really matter.

Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

From 23^rd April, if you head over to ‘The Real South Australia’ facebook page and check out the Kangaroo Island app, you will be able to upload a photo and indicate which type of holiday on Kangaroo Island you’d like to win!!!

So, what are you waiting for?

Take the 24 hour switch off challenge now and help spread the word by linking to this post via your blog, facebook and twitter. The more involved, the merrier.

Good luck!

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1. YUMBUMS BOTTOM BALM FOR BUBS

Campaign Background:

Yumbums blends organic olive oil, organic beeswax and organic coconut oil to create a natural protective barrier which also hydrates and maintains skin pH. Together with herbal extracts of Calendula, Chamomile, Golden Seal and Licorice root which have been specially chosen for their skin healing properties, Yumbums will keep your baby’s bum YUM!

Yumbums can also be used for any irritated skin conditions for adults and children such as, eczema. Its ingredients are naturally anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and extremely healing to the skin. 

Please include the following key messages in your review:

• Contains only the highest quality natural and organic ingredients
• Formulated by a qualified naturopath, Gali Lenko.
• Contains no petrochemicals, parabens, sulphates or synthetic fragrances
• Australian made and owned
• Order online and more information at www.yumbums.com.au
• RRP $18.50 

Photo credit: karencheng.com.au

Recently, our bloggers shared with us how their hair has transformed thanks to the use of Dove’s Nutri-Oil Serum.Check out their awesome blog posts here:

Styling You: Hair Crimes, The Good Oil On Hair Oils, Budget Hair Miracles,

Chaigyaru: My Hair, Transform my  hair, Transformed 

Karen Cheng: The Low Down Hairy Gossip Pt 1, The Low Down Hairy Gossip Pt 2, The Low Down Hairy Gossip Pt 3

Super Kawaii Mama: Can I save my blond streak?, How I use Dove Nourishing Oils, The Verdict

Violet Le Beaux: My Hair History, Transform My Hair, My Hair Post Dove

Campaign Background:

Dove Nourishing Oil harnesses the power of oils to transforms dry, rough and frizzy hair into beautifully smooth hair that’s easier to manage and style.

The weightless nourishing oil is enriched with Argan Oil, that penetrates the hair rapidly to deeply nourish, instantly smooth frizz and revitalize shine without weighing down hair.

Please include the following key messages in your review:

• Formulated with Coconut and Sweet Almond Oil
• As effective as Moroccan Oil, but a fraction of the price
• Reduces roughness and frizz by 99%
• Weightless formula that does not leave an oily residue
• Dove Nutri Oil is part of a three step system, including Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo and Conditioner
• RRP $9.99

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To review the above product:

1. You have to be a part of Nuffnang and have a Nuffnang Ad Unit on your blog. If you don’t have an ad unit, you can find the code here.
2. Email your blog URL and address with the subject line Dove to producttalk@nuffnang.com.au  
3. We will contact the first 20 most relevant bloggers that opt in and at the same time, send the product out for you to review!
4. Once you have written up and published the review on your blog, please once again, email the URL to the above address.

Campaign Background:

Tefal’s Easy Pressing Steam Generator Iron’s unique EasyCord system frees the hand from the nuisance of the cord exit and prevents the cord from recreasing freshly pressed fabric. It also boasts unrivalled glideability, superior scratch resistance, easy to clean and enables optimum steam diffusion. Test it out to see how it compares to your current iron!

Please include the following key messages in your review:

• Did it make ironing easier and quicker?
• Would you recommend this iron to your readers?
• Retractable cord
• Comfort of use: new handle and total stability thanks to its ergonomically-designed tilted iron rest with anti-slip pads
• Iron lock system locks iron into base

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To review the above product:

IRON SKY

To celebrate the release of Iron Sky Nuffnang and Hoyts cinemas are hosting a private, pre-release cinema screening of this movie, thanks to Hoyts Distribution, for our bloggers in both Sydney and Melbourne.

“As World War II came to a close, several German scientists deployed Nazi spaceships to the dark side of the moon to establish a military base from which they could once again strike out at the countries of Earth. Now, in 2018, they’re coming back.”

THE OFFER

As part of this giveaway, you will receive:

- x1 double pass to see ‘Iron Sky’ in Melbourne or Sydney
- a tour of Hoyts Entertainment Quarter or Hoyts Melbourne Central
- popcorn and a bottle of water provided for each attendee

Melbourne Screening
Date: Thursday 3^rd May
Time: 6:15pm arrival, movies starts at 7:00pm sharp
Location: Hoyts – Melbourne Central – Directors Suite
Address: Cnr Swanston & Latrobe St, Melb Central Shopping Centre

Sydney Screening
Date: Thursday 3^rd May
Time: 6:15pm arrival, movies starts at 7:00pm sharp
Location: Hoyts – Entertainment Quarter
Address: The Entertainment Quarter, Bent St, Moore Park
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PLEASE NOTE: You will need to arrive at Hoyts at the above allocated cinema no later than 6:15pm in order to check in. You will be taken on a brief tour of the Hoyts complex before you settle in for the 7pm sharp start of the movie.

You will have an opportunity to purchase from the Candy Bar and La Premiere menu for Sydney bloggers only/Director’s Suite menu for Melbourne.

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HOW TO SCORE YOURSELF TICKETS

We have x18 double passes to our Melbourne screening and x18 double passes to our Sydney screening to give away. To score one, simply share with us a blog post that…

1. Contains a little info/blurb about the movie which can be found here.
2. The Australian theatrical release date (May 10, 2012).
3. Embed (not link) the movie trailer into your post – it can be found here.
4. MELB: Include the following: “See Iron Sky at your nearest Hoyts. Mine is {insert your nearest Hoyts cinema here}! Don’t forget to check out their Xtremescreen, Director’s Suite and the Bean Bag Cinema! < Does not have to be word-for-word.
5. SYDNEY: Include the following: “See Iron Sky at your nearest Hoyts. Mine is {insert your nearest Hoyts cinema here}! Don’t forget to check out their Xtremescreen, La Premiere and IMAX!” < Does not have to be word-for-word.
6. Once you’ve published your post, share the link with us in a comment on this blog post below and whether you’re after Melbourne or Sydney tickets. If you’re one of the first 18 Nuffnang bloggers from Melbourne and 18 Nuffnang bloggers from Sydney, you’ll score yourself tickets! You’ll be notified by email and contacted by a Nuffie soon after to confirm this so please make sure the email you have attached to your Nuffnang account is updated and correct.

Due to the capacity of each theatre being quite intimate, tickets are limited. Tickets will be for Nuffnang bloggers only (and their +1) so please make sure you are able to attend on the above date before entering. Tickets will not be able to be passed off to family/friends in your place.

AT THE SCREENING

If you want to tweet about the screening during the lead up, on the night or after viewing the movie, please use the hashtag #nnIronSky and tag @HoytsAustralia.

STREETDANCE 2 (3D)

BIGGER. BETTER. BOLDER. BACK! 

To celebrate the release of ‘StreetDance 2 (3D)’ Nuffnang and Hoyts cinemas are hosting a private, pre-release cinema screening of this movie, thanks to Hoyts Distribution, for our bloggers in both Sydney and Melbourne.

“To beat the world’s best dance crew, streetdancer Ash (Falk Hentshel), with new friend  Eddie (George Sampson), set off to gather the greatest streetdancers from around Europe, falling in love  with beautiful salsa dancer Eva (Sofia Boutella) in Paris.

With landmark locations, the most spectacular dance fusion of Latin and Street ever seen, the sequel to global smash hit StreetDance is bigger, better, bolder and back… in 3D!”

THE OFFER

As part of this giveaway, you will receive:

x1 double pass to see ‘StreetDance 2 (3D)’ in Melbourne or Sydney + a tour of Hoyts Entertainment Quarter or Hoyts Melbourne Central

Melbourne Screening
Date: Monday 16^th April
Time: 6:00pm arrival, movies starts at 7:00pm sharp
Location: Hoyts – Melbourne Central – Directors Suite 1
Address: Cnr Swanston & Latrobe St, Melb Central Shopping Centre

Sydney Screening
Date: Monday 16^th April
Time: 6:00pm arrival, movies starts at 7:00pm sharp
Location: Hoyts – Entertainment Quarter – Studio 12
Address: The Entertainment Quarter, Bent St, Moore Park

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to arrive at Hoyts at the above allocated suite/studio no later than 6pm in order to check in. You will be taken on a brief tour of the Hoyts complex before you settle in for the 7pm start of the movie.

HOW TO SCORE YOURSELF TICKETS

We have x18 double passes to our Melbourne screening and x18 double passes to our Sydney screening to give away. To score one, simply share with us a blog post that…

1. Contains a little info/blurb about the movie
2. The Australian theatrical release date (April 19, 2012)
3. Embed (not link) the movie trailer into your post – it can be found here
4. MELB: Include the following: “See StreetDance 2 (3D) at your nearest Hoyts. Mine is {insert your nearest Hoyts cinema here}! Don’t forget to check out their Xtremescreen, Director’s Suite and the Bean Bag Cinema! < Does not have to be word-for-word.
5. SYD: Include the following: “See StreetDance 2 (3D) at your nearest Hoyts. Mine is {insert your nearest Hoyts cinema here}! Don’t forget to check out their Xtremescreen, La Premiere and IMAX!” < Does not have to be word-for-word.
6. Once you’ve published your post, share the link with us in a comment on this blog post below and whether you’re after Melbourne or Sydney tickets

If you’re one of the first 18 Nuffnang bloggers from Melbourne and 18 Nuffnang bloggers from Sydney, you’ll score yourself tickets! You’ll be notified and contacted by a Nuffie soon after to confirm this.

Due to the capacity of each theatre being quite intimate, tickets are limited. Tickets will be for Nuffnang bloggers only (and their +1) so please make sure you are able to attend on the above date before entering. Tickets will not be able to be passed off to family/friends in your place.

AT THE SCREENING

If you want to tweet about the screening during the lead up, on the night or after viewing the movie, please use the hashtag #nnstreetdance2 and tag @HoytsAustralia.

OUR IDIOT BROTHER

To celebrate the DVD and Blu-ray release of ‘Our Idiot Brother’ featuring Paul Rudd and Zooey Deschanel, Nuffnang and Roadshow Entertainment are hosting a private cinema screening of this movie for our bloggers in both Sydney and Melbourne.

THE OFFER

As part of this giveaway, you will receive:

- x1 Gold Class double pass to see ‘Our Idiot Brother’ in Melbourne or Sydney
- x1 small popcorn for both you and your +1
- x1 drink (beer, wine or soft drink) for both you and your +1

Melbourne Screening
Date: Tuesday 13^th March
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Jam Factory – Gold Class Cinema
Address: 500 Chapel St, South Yarra

Sydney Screening
Date: Wednesday 14^th March
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Roadshow Theatrette
Address: Level 2, 235 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to arrive 30 minutes prior to the above starting times in order to check in and obtain your popcorn and beverage.

HOW TO SCORE YOURSELF TICKETS

We have x21 double passes to our Melbourne screening and x17 double passes to our Sydney screening to give away. To score one, simply share with us a blog post that…

1. contains a little info/blurb about the movie (movie details here & here - do not cut/paste)
2. the release date on DVD & Blu-ray (March 15, 2012)
3. embed the movie trailer into your post – it can be found here
4. once you’ve published your post, share the link with us in a comment on this blog post below and whether you’re after Melbourne or Sydney tickets

If you’re one of the first 21 Nuffnang bloggers from Melbourne and 17 Nuffnang bloggers from Sydney, you’ll score yourself tickets! You’ll be notified and contacted by a Nuffie soon after to confirm this.

Due to the capacity of each theatre being quite intimate, tickets are limited. Tickets will be for Nuffnang bloggers only (and their +1) so please make sure you are able to attend on the above dates before entering. Tickets will not be able to be passed off to family/friends in your place.

AT THE SCREENING

If you want to tweet about the screening during the lead up, on the night or after viewing the movie, please use the hashtag #nnmyidiotbro.

Here at Nuffnang, on February 27, we’ll be turning 5! Yep, that’s right, the big, fat F-I-V-E! To celebrate we wrote ourselves a short poem…

Roses are red,
Nuffnang is blue,
We’re gunna celebrate our birthday,
And so should you!

The birthday rule book has been re-written this year and as much as I know you’re all just dying to shower us with gifts of love and happiness, we’ve decided that we’re doing the gift giving this time around!

GIVEAWAY

We have x1 $500 RedBalloon voucher up for grabs. This voucher can be redeemed over at redballoon.com.au and used towards any experience of your choice from their catalogue (up to the value of $500). There’s cooking classes, hot air balloon rides, river cruises, art & craft classes, fine wine tasting and flying lessons just to name a few!

But…

You’ll have to be in it to win it…

Simply leave a comment below telling us:

a) What is your favourite part of Nuffnang and
b) What would you like to see from Nuffnang within the next two years?

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All entries will be judged by us here at Nuffnang and the winner will be deemed the most original and creative entry received. Entries close on Monday, February 27, 2011 at 5pm AEDST and a winner will be announced and contacted the following day.

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Fantastic food and a terrific nightlife take a backseat to the incredible weather and beach culture of Cape Town in the Summer. I don’t think there were many days that I wasn’t doing nothing but reading a book on one of the many amazing beaches. It really is the perfect Summer holiday!

In addition to the great beaches and Summer lifestyle something else this country offers is the game parks. I went with my brothers and sister-in-law to Madikew, a game reserve near the border of Botswana. One of the most memorable experiences of my life. We had 5 star accomodation in our very own African lodge, with our own splash pool, outdoor shower and view of the animals walking towards the lodge’s watering hole. We went for 2 drives per day and were welcomed back each time with a glass of port and a cold towel. The food was of top restaurant standard as well, eating it under the African stars was a treat to say the least. We were also lucky enough to see the big 5 (leopard, lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant), most of them on the first drive! Check out the great photos (from my iPhone, with the help of instagram) below.

I wouldn’t hesitate recommending South Africa as a holiday destination. It certainly has improved a lot since I left in 1988. Let me know if you have any questions!

Kruppy

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