Win!
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Inspiring Christmas gift ideas for him {Giveaway!}
I get it. Buying a cool Christmas gift for that special guy in your life can be a tad bit difficult. I mean, unless he’s okay with getting socks and underwear every year. Men are a fickle folk though and I know that my Hubstopher has faked many a “I love it!” exclamations over the past few years, because, let’s face it ladies, socks and underwear is not that exciting. But they’ll never tell us this. (Bless their hearts) So I thought to investigate and find a few really cool and inspiring Christmas gift ideas for him, with the help of Cum Books.
How trendy is this Galatians 6:14 stainless steel water bottle? I mean, I want one for myself! It’s just so classy! Set in a valiant font type, this Galatians 6:14 stainless steel water bottle, is a thoughtful reminder of Scripture and how we must be honorable in our behavior and give God the glory in all things. It has a 500ml capacity and all-day hot or cold insulation. It is packed in a really gorgeous cylinder gift box. (Price – R249.95)Pair this up with the captivating autobiography by reigning CrossFit World Champion, Rich Froning, titled ‘First’. Froning is hailed as ‘The Fittest Man on Earth’ but, in shares how he has had to toughen up mentally and spiritually as well, in order to compete and win at an elite level. InFirst, readers come alongside Rich as he trains for and competes in back-to-back-to-back CrossFit World Championships. Along the way, Rich shares invaluable training tips, motivational techniques, and spiritual insights that, in keeping with the CrossFit philosophy, will prepare you to respond to any real-life physical, mental and spiritual challenge. (Price – R274.94)
If the special man in your life is an Angus Buchan fan, he would totally appreciate some of the fantastic Angus Buchan products available at Cum Books. The luxe leather daily planner, for example, is filled with daily devotional thoughts by the renowned author and evangelist, Buchan. It even has a one-year Bible reading plan and a space to schedule meetings. (Price – R249.95)Uncle Angus (as he is fondly called) also has a really cool daily devotional called Potato Faith for Every Day. You will find encouragement and strength to run the race God has set before you with themes like proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, strength in His presence, inner peace, trust in God’s unfailing love, the power of prayer and family values. (Price – R249.94)
The CSB Baker Illustrated Study Bible would make for a pretty impressive Christmas gift! This fully illustrated, information-packed study Bible provides fascinating insights into the Scriptures and the world in which they were written. It calls attention to the personal aspects of the biblical message, making it easy to understand biblical theology. It also features things like full-color illustrations, charts, maps, time lines, and photos. I like that it also includes cross-references, an extensive concordance, and notes that unlock connections between passages. (Price – R699.95)
Pair this up with the lux leather Cross Bible Study Kit, to make your gift a bit more intentional! the Bible study kit includes all the essentials he needs for study, including a study notebook for jotting down key messages, a highlighter for study, four micro pens in an assortment of colors, slip pockets for storing church bulletins or study handouts, and a zipper closure. (Price – 499.95)I fell inlove with this classic, suitcase style leather-look Bible Cover. The design features include a back slip pocket and a cross-engraved zipper pull. Inside, a zipped mesh pocket and pen loop offer extra functionality. The large size comfortably holds bigger Bibles. (Price – R399.95)
WIN a Christmas hamper compliments of CUM Books!CUM Books is one of the largest stockists of Christian and inspirational books, Bibles, music, resources, movies and gifts, in South Africa! CUM Books focus is on spreading the Good News to the homes and hearts of people across South Africa. I’m also especially pleased that we can now shop online – the Cum Books online store is a dream!
But hey, I know why you’re here! You want to win an amazing Christmas hamper, compliments of Cum Books! To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
3. Comment below and let me know which gift idea your favorite guy would appreciate, to grab 1 entry.Disclaimer: the hamper does not look like the one in the pic above.
Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 14 December and has 24 hours to claim prize. Keep your eyes peeled for the rest of this week, for more entry prompts! -
Funko: Gifts for the whole family! (Giveaway!)
When it comes to Christmas gift giving, I’m one of those “making a list and checking it twice” kinda gals. I love giving gifts that have meaning! And hey, the thing is this: everyone is a fan of something, right? If your kids or hubby are into movies, gaming, music, sport or even anime, then I’ve got the perfect gift idea for you! And friends, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your couch to make your purchase. Exactly. You can thank me with chocolates.
Funko
I was recently introduced to the whimsical quirkiness that is Funko collectables. These totally rad figurines, brought to SA by Gammatek, feature your favourite movie and anime characters, sports stars and celebrities. And you guys, these rare characters and exclusive units have totally sparked a treasure-hunting frenzy! (Check out the hashtag #funkos on social media).
Funko is not just a toy; it’s basically a hobby, a treasure hunt of sorts, and a really exciting way to collect tangible representation of some of your favourite characters and people. I love that the collectables are focused on diversity. There are also really rare “chase units” which are basically special edition units, that most serious collectors are dying to get their fingers on!Some of my favourite Funko’s include the Harry Potter range and the really cool looking Marvel characters! There are a ton of collectables to choose from, such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings, and even anime characters such as Naruto and Dragon Ball Z. If you’re a TV series fan, you could even collect your fave characters from Riverdale or Game of Thrones. I mean, who wouldn’t want to own a mini Khaleesi?! Soccer fans will be pleased to know that they are now able to collect their favorite players and hey, all you royal love bugs, there is even a Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Funko collectable available!
More and more people are latching on to the Funko collector craze and with 75 new product releases every week, it’s safe to say that the Funko phenomena will only grow from here. I appreciate that this is the type of hobby that my whole family can get involved with!
You can purchase your Funko products from Incredible Connection, Hamleys, Musica, Toys R Us and selected Vodacom stores. It’s also available online at Takealot.com, Shopandship.co.za, Loot.co.za and Technomobi.co.za
WIN a set of Funko pops characters!Guess what! As part of my Christmas Crazy campaign, Gammatek is giving away four Funko pops characters to a lovely My Spreadsheet Brain reader! If you’re a mom, you’ll probably know these four characters really well. They are Mr Incredible, Elastigirl, Violet and Dash from the popular animated movie, The Incredibles. Aaaack! I know, I want to cry too. To enter the giveaway, score a point by doing any or both of the following:
Check out the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction given there.
Check out the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction given there.
Don’t worry guys, I won’t make you jump through hoops (or ask you to follow everyone and my mom) in order to enter. Buuut, please know that we will verify each entry, so sticking to the rules is kinda important. Oh and about dem rules, here are some more to take note of:Terms and conditions
The Funko Christmas Crazy giveaway closes on November 29 at midnight.
I’ll be announcing all my Christmas Crazy winners on November 30.
Each winner will be contacted via email and would need to respond within 24 hours, in order to claim the prize. (Since most company’s shut down in December, this kinda is a strict rule, so please do keep your eyes glued to your inbox/my social media, to check if you’re a winner.)
Please note: my Christmas Crazy giveaways are only open to SA residents. -
JOHNSONS® Vita-Rich Smoothies for your skin! {Giveaway}
So when it comes to skin care, I’m usually not this dramatic. But you guys, when my friends over at Johnson’s Skincare sent me their new JOHNSONS® Vita-Rich Smoothies range, I pretty much freaked out! I mean, to be honest, everything feels tired this time of the year and my skin was in need of a vita boost. The timing was perfect!
The new JOHNSONS® Vita-Rich Smoothies range captures the power and goodness of Peach and Coconut or Honey and Oats, combined with yoghurt concentrate, to help effectively care for your skin. The range was designed to deliver lasting hydration – I’m talking 48 hours’ worth of moisture. Yep, it’s that good!
I love the creamy formula of both the body wash and the body lotion. And the scents? Oh my goodness! Could they be any yummier?! (Like, seriously, I want to taste them.) You can tell that these products are designed to help you experience a sense of comfort and well-being… what better way to treat yourself, after a long day at the office or, you know, the house. Your own house. Where you live. (It’s a job, yo.)I love the “smoothies” concept. The ‘Indulging’ Coconut & Peach range is my fave. As you know, coconut is a super food and coconut oil helps to prevent dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays the appearance of wrinkles. Peach is a good source of antioxidants and Vitamin C.

The ‘Comforting’ Honey & Oats range is also delicious! As you may know, honey is rich in anti-ageing ingredients and is a great moisturiser. Oats is also a popular health food, and is often used in skincare products to help moisturise, exfoliate and cleanse. Oats is also used to help relieve dry, itchy and irritated skin.
The clever addition of yoghurt was a smart move since this healthy superstar is packed with skin-friendly nutrients that help to regulate sebum that can cause breakouts. It’s also packed with Vitamin B2 that keeps the skin hydrated and protected.
WIN 1 of 2 JOHNSONS® Vita-Rich Smoothies hampers!Guess what! As part of my Christmas Crazy campaign, JOHNSONS® Skincare is giving away 2 delicious Vita-Rich Smoothies hampers to 2 lovely My Spreadsheet Brain readers! Aaaack! I know, I want to cry too. To enter the giveaway, score a point by doing any or both of the following:
- Check out the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction given there.
- Check out the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction given there.
Don’t worry guys, I won’t make you jump through hoops (or ask you to follow everyone and my mom) in order to enter. Buuut, please know that we will verify each entry, so sticking to the rules is kinda important. Oh and about dem rules, here are some more to take note of:
Terms and conditions
The JOHNSONS® Skincare Christmas Crazy giveaway closes on November 29 at midnight.
I’ll be announcing all my Christmas Crazy winners on November 30.
Each winner will be contacted via email and would need to respond within 24 hours, in order to claim the prize. (Since most company’s shut down in December, this kinda is a strict rule, so please do keep your eyes glued to your inbox/my social media, to check if you’re a winner.)
Please note: my Christmas Crazy giveaways are only open to SA residents. -
Oh baby! Nattou plushies are the best Christmas gifts
I remember my baby’s first Christmas. Well, mainly because it was like, last year. But that’s not the point. The point is that I desperately wanted to get my little boy a really meaningful gift that he would treasure for years to come. Something that was baby safe, but not, you know, boring. I’m sentimental and cool like that. And so I ended up getting him a plushie. I call it a “lovey” and I appreciate that I can leave it behind with him, when I’m not around. A really stunning plush toy is a great way to offer your baby some form of comfort in your absence. This is why I love, love, love the new range of Nattou plush toys!
You guys, these gorgeous new characters are just so beautiful… and practical! I fell inlove with the 24cm, 100% polyester plushies, sweetly named Lea Snow Leopard, Adele Elephant and Loulou Panda. They were designed to be baby’s first companion – exactly what I had been looking for – something that would serve as a play thing and a source of comfort.
Adele Elephant has to be my favourite you guys – and that was not an easy decision to make! With super cute pink accents, this bow bedecked cuddly is pretty much what I want for Christmas. But like, for myself.
For Jojo, it’s a toss-up between Loulou Panda and Lea Snow Leopard. Both are dressed to the nines in shades of blue and I simply love their colour palates! I mean, seriously, these plushies are such classic pieces, I can see my kids holding on to them for years to come! And that’s because the Nattou cuddly toys are created with fabrics and materials that are selected for durability, softness and safety.
Rest assured that the design of every Nattou toy – the fabrics, cutting, sowing and even the finishing – has all been meticulously checked, to make sure it meets European safety standards. Yep, this plushie can handle your toddlers tantrums, and then some!I actually appreciate that Nattou puts so much effort into designing soft toys that address the parents concerns. Their products are colourful, engaging and durable enough to accompany your little one, as baby explores the world.
Prima Baby has made these plushies available at Hamleys, Takealot and Kids Emporium for R249.99.
WIN 1 of 3 NATTOU PLUSHIES!But hey, friends, as part of my Christmas Crazy campaign, Prima Baby is giving away 3 plushies to 3 lucky readers! Aaaack! I mean, talk about perfect timing, you guys! To enter the giveaway, score a point by doing any or both of the following:
- Check out the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction given there.
- Check out the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction given there.
Don’t worry guys, I won’t make you jump through hoops (or ask you to follow everyone and my mom) in order to enter. Buuut, please know that we will verify each entry, so sticking to the rules is kinda important. Oh and about dem rules, here are some more to take note of:
Terms and conditions
The Nattou Christmas Crazy giveaway closes on November 29 at midnight.
I’ll be announcing all my Christmas Crazy winners on November 30.
Each winner will be contacted via email and would need to respond within 24 hours, in order to claim the prize. (Since most company’s shut down in December, this kinda is a strict rule, so please do keep your eyes glued to your inbox/my social media, to check if you’re a winner.)
Please note: my Christmas Crazy giveaways are only open to SA residents. -
Celebrate Oral Health Month with Sunstar GUM Soft-Picks Advanced {GIVEAWAY!}
Did you know that September is Oral Health Month? Yes, friends, a whole month to remind us to look after our teeth and mouth! The thing is this though, how often have you skimped on your oral care simply because it feels like such a basic necessity, that surely the very basic of tools (toothbrush etc.) is enough. But the thing with oral health is that you sometimes do need to put a little bit more effort in, to ensure that your pearly whites remain, well, pearly white. Oral health is basically not garanteed simply because you know how to brush your teeth. Which is why I love the Sunstar GUM products. I mean, besides for the fact that they look like something out of a James Bond movie. Sunstar GUM wants to give one of you a hamper worth R695, packed with Sunstar GUM’s quality oral care tools! Keeping reading for more deets…
Sunstar GUM Soft-Picks Advanced
You guys, I love the Sunstar GUM soft-picks. These are the only curved dental picks currently on the market. These babies are designed to easily reach every tooth – yep, even those way at the back of the mouth – ensuring that unwanted visitors (like food etc.) are kept out of those narrow spaces inbetween teeth. The tapered rubber bristles easily dislodge food and plaque from in between the teeth whilst gently massaging the gums.
Friend, fellow-blogger and business woman, Theresia Muller, tried them out. She mentioned that when you have braces, it can be a bit tricky to dislodge food and keep the gaps inbetween your braces clean. The cool thing about the new Soft-Picks Advanced is that they now come in various sizes – small, medium and large – which is helpful in keeping the various interdental spaces clean.
“Firstly, I really like the carry case, which is perfect to keep your soft-picks on hand, when you’re on the go. The small picks are suitable for those hard to reach in between places. The larger picks help to keep my actual braces clean – it’s nice for inbetween the metal plates. It helps to get into the gaps where your tooth brush just can’t reach. Also, with it being made of rubber, it makes it flexible and I find I can reach in the back much easier than I would with a normal toothpick. I recommend using it in conjunction with the other Sunstar GUM products – such as the orthodontic tooth brush and mouth wash.”
Because the bristles are tapered, you can also be sure that the oral care tools are safe for your kiddies to use. The smaller sized soft-picks are great for dislodging food out of little braces! But, besides for braces, you guys, I love keeping a pack of these in my handbag for all those possibly embarrassing moments, when you have food stuck in your teeth. Sunstar GUM makes it easy for us to practice good oral health care all year around!
Win with Sunstar GUM!
Sunstar GUM is giving one awsome My Spreadsheet Brain reader a fabulous oral healthcare hamper to the value of R695! To enter simply follow the rafflecopter prompts below. For an extra entry, share the competition post on Facebook OR tag a friend. -
936 Pennies: Discovering the joy of intentional parenting {Giveaway}
The thing about children is that they grow up so flippen quickly. I mean, one minute you’re staring down at your perfect bundle of joy and marveling at their newborn freshness and the next, you’re hunting down a bundle of – uh – poop, that your toddler has left for you in a misplaced nappy. It’s all fun and games really. But my point is that it goes by so quickly! How do you make the moments count? Well, for Jojo’s birthday play date I gave a few of my close friends a copy of Eryn Lynum’s wonderful book, 936 Pennies, and asked them to have a read through it and let me know if it’s given them new insight into how they parent their kids.
Eryn’s story
On the day of their baby dedication, Eryn and her husband were given a jar of 936 pennies. The jar contained a penny for every week they would raise their child until graduation, and they were instructed to remove one penny each Sunday as a reminder, placing it into another jar as an investment.At some point every parent realizes time is moving swiftly, and they ask themselves, How am I investing in my child? Through personal stories and biblical examples, 936 Pennies will help you discover how to capture time and use it to its fullest potential, replacing guilt and regrets with freedom. Meanwhile, your kids will see how simple choices, like putting the cell phone down and going on a family hike, will make all the difference. Together you will stretch time and make it richer.
Craft a family legacy in tune with God’s heartbeat as you capture a new vision for your children and learn the best ways to spend your pennies.
936 Pennies has been a great reawakening for me. I mean, I am one busy mama! I am involved with alot of projects and if I’m not careful, it can totally eat up all my time and leave nothing for my little ones. Are you like me? Maybe you’re not. Maybe you actually have all the time in the world (hahaha I know, right, that’s a nice dream) but you still don’t know how to make every day count. That’s okay. You’re not alone, my friend.936 Pennies encouraged me to find my own penny jar and fill it with 936 coins. As you remove a coin each week, you are weighted with the value of each day… you begin to realize that every single moment with your child is SO important! I mean, there’s only 936 weeks between birth and 18 years! It really helped me to keep things in perspective and to be intentional with the way I spend my time. Here’s what my friends had to say about it:
“This book is unlike anything I’ve read regarding the time we have with our children. The figurative weight of the jar is thought provoking and challenging, yet the author leaves one feeling empowered and not so overwhelmed that you feel like the task is impossible. The most insightful chapter is “Derailed” (side note, the chapter names are quirky and unique) because having a newborn is teaching me this lesson – I might plan my day but most days my baby daughter determines what I will get done and I’m beginning to embrace it. Lastly I found value that the author makes special mention of parents who have adopted a child.” Bianca Smith (Pictured with baby Emily here)
“What a shock to realise how little time we actually have with our children. This book his teaching me how to grab every moment and maximize the impact on my children’s lives. I will definately continue to use the things I have learned. I have never before had such a visual illustartion of time. (I didn’t actually start my own jar. But maybe I will) It’s such a good idea. I recommend this read for very parent no matter how old your kids are.” Cindy Charles (Super mom of 2 by birth and a 3rd by love)
“Being a new mother i did not think i would be able to relate to this book, but i do….. The author is very real and forth coming which i love. I love the fact that scripture echos her thoughts. I especially related to the part in chapter 7 where she speaks about her fear of her son having autism…. When my Eden was a few weeks old to me it looked like she does not make eye contact and other ” signs” of autism. It was a real fear and im afraid i infected my husband, but we prayed about it and it took some time but we have no fear anymore……It’s hard to describe in a few line. But this book opens your eyes and serves as kind of a weapon to intentional parenting.” – Erroline Davies (Mommy to little Eden)
Giveaway
What do you ladies think about the 936 pennies concept? Is it something that you’d like to try out in your own home? If you do purchase a book and give it a go, will you please drop me a comment or inbox to let me know how it’s helped you? Also, I have a few copies of the 936 Pennies book to giveaway! AAACK! Yes, I’m serious! I want to give a copy away to you AND a friend! To enter simply:
1. Make sure you’re following me on Facebook
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook
3. Like the post
4. Tag your friend in the comments section
5. Share for a bonus entry (not compulsory)
Winners announced on Facebook on July 31st. -
Mother’s Day: gifting with intention {Giveaway}
With Mother’s Day nearing, I’m keeping a keen eye out for extra special gifts for my moms. I mean, macaroni necklaces and paint bedecked cards are cute and all, but when the kid is in her thirties (me, I’m the kid), I’m pretty sure the mom expects a little something more. And I get. I totally do. Mom’s have the hardest and most important jobs in the world! And they deserve to be treated like the queens that they are. That’s why my motto this year, while gift shopping, is: Mothers Day gifting with intention!
If your mother is a super woman (I bet ya she is) or if you have any other super women in your life that you’d like to spoil, I highly recommend you pop on over to CUM Books to check out their latest best sellers. I mean, besides for their really amazing Mother’s Day related paraphernalia and gift ideas, they also stock inspirational reads. I love that Christian Art Media has a large foray of books that are both interesting and intentional – leaving the reader with a lot more than just an entertaining story. Here are some of my top picks, that would make really great Mother’s Day gifts. (Oh and I’m giving some of them away too!)
Adamant – Lisa Bevere
Lisa Bevere is a popular international speaker and New York Times bestselling author. This lady is amazing! She has spent nearly three decades on her mission to empower women of all ages, with a mandate to help women find their identity and purpose. I love this so much. You may recall her previous best sellers, Fight Like a Girl, Lioness Arising and Girls with Swords. Well, her latest book, Adamant, is definitely one to get your hands on. The book is described as “theologically deep yet intimately accessible”. In it, she provides you with the tools you need to navigate through a sea of untruths, as we push to find our own truths. A truth that is immovable, invincible, unshakable and the cornerstone of all we are and ever dream to be.
Unexpected – Christine Caine
Australian born Christine Caine is an activist and international speaker. If you know her name, you’ll know that she founded The A21 Campaign – an anti-human trafficking organization. In her latest book, Unexpected, Caine speaks about having peace in an uncertain world. She deals with issues of control (I mean, hands up if you have control issues) and shares about her own journey, giving us real-life strategies and biblical inspiration to help us move from fear and worry to hope and trust in God. Learn how to manage dissapointment, strengthen your heart and build your faith with this glorious read.
Mother Tongue – Leonard Sweet
Leonard Sweet is a professor, teacher and an author of more than sixty books! How is that for impressive? In his most personal book yet, Mother Tongue, he shares a story about an ordained minister and missionary, Mabel Boggs Sweet. This book is full of truths and teachings, and you’ll probably find yourself taking a moment, after each chapter, to let the wisdom sink in. Mabel’s story is one that will have you considering the call of God on your own life. With its focus on heritage and legacy, it will make for a really poignant Mother’s Day gift.
The Way of Abundance – Ann Voskamp
If you guys recall, I’ve reviewed the amazing Ann Voskamp’s previous novels on the blog a while ago. Her new York Times bestsellers One Thousand Gifts and The Broken Way are both amazing reads and I’m so chuffed to introduce her new book to you. In The Way of Abundance Ann tackles topics of grief and brokenness, talks about healing and how to allow it to be a part of your victory. She shares so much wisdom in these sixty vulnerable, soulful stories, and takes the reader through a journey of intimate soul searching and restoration. “Discover how surrendering in unexpected ways is the first step toward receiving what you long for. Discover the good news that your beauty is not in your strength but in your fragility.”
Giveaway!
Are you a mommy or are you looking to spoil a special mommy in your life? You’re in the right place, sister! Thanks to Christian Art Media, I get to give away a couple of these reads to some well deserved mamas, for Mother’s Day! To enter, simply rack up the points the following ways:
1 point – Comment below, letting me know which of these you’re most interested in
1 point – Visit this post on my Facebook account and tag a mommy friend
1 point – Visit this post on my Instagram and tag a mommy friend
1 point per share – Share this tweet:
“Eek, I’m so excited about the #myspreadsheetbrain Mother’s Day #giveaway over on @luchae’s blog! @cartmedia #bloggiveaway #bookgiveaway”Winner’s announced on Friday, May 11th.
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Be the light – got the tshirt? {Giveaway}
Be the light… please? Yep, that’s kinda the mantra around these here parts. I mean, I liked it so much, I put it on a tshirt. How’s that for dedication? But okay, I know what you’re thinking… “What on earth does it even mean, girl?” Well, I’m here to answer questions and give things away… two things I do often as a mother.
When I started this blog in 2011 it was more of an online diary of sorts because I felt as if I had a lot to say and nowhere to put all of it. A couple of years later, Ella convinced me to “go live” and share my stories with the world. She’s quite good at selling things to ya (It’s the main reason why I keep her around) so I couldn’t say no. But, when I started legit blogging, I suddenly felt like… what the heck do I say?!
I mean, sure there are tons of products to review and tips to share. But, come on guys, there are only so many smiley-kid-faced, soppy-family stories that I can share with you before you want to gourge your eyes out. And so I decided to get real – down and dirty – with you guys. BUT, I wanted to leave a trail of hope… the faith that God’s plan for every situation is for our GOOD and not to harm us.
A scripture then came to mind. It’s actually one of my faves. You can find it in Matthew 5:16 and it says: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” In a nutshell, this means: When we shine our light (by showing compassion, kindness, love, hope) we reveal God to others.And suddenly it all made sense… BE THE LIGHT! So, more than being a source of entertainment and information, I wanted my stories to help you shine your light a little bit brighter. Because, the truth is that life often throws us curve balls (and I don’t do sports, so thanks life) but YOU control your response to it. I don’t know how it all ends but I do know that we’ve been given the promise that every single aspect of our lives are in the hands of a power that is greater than us, and He kinda knows what He’s doing. So it’s our job to live as if we trust in Him. It’s our job to shine our light, so that those who are living in darkness and despair can learn about His love and kindness, through our lives.
Anyways, so when That Girls Store asked me if I’d like to have limited edition tshirts made for my blog readers, I had to say yes! I mean, I have a message… WE have a mission statement! And I would love to see it on a tshirt – loud and proud – “been there, doing that, got the tshirt!”
Looking to buy your very own “Be The Light” tshirt? Well, here are some more deets:
Who is That Girls Store? It’s a local company that creates and designs custom pieces.
What’s My Spreadsheet Brain’s involvement in all of this? I literally just sent through my design. That Girls Store creates the tshirts and ships them off to you.
How many will be available? It’s super duper limited edition, so only 20 are available for purchase.
What’s the fit like? Think: Woolies comfort fit. My JustEllaBella tshirt (see left) is a Large. The oversized tshirt is all the rage I’ve been told. By my teen. Because I’m old. If you’re not sure you can email the store directly at thatgirl@thatstore.co.za and they’ll guide you. (4xl can be accommodated)
Whats the cost? Only R200.
How does shipping work? Postage costs are R65 to all major cities in South Africa.
Where can I buy one? thatstore.co.za
When can I buy? The tshirt should be available on the online store as of today until stock runs out!
How long does delivery take? 5 to 7 working days.GIVEAWAY!
You guys, I appreciate every single one of you so much. For reals, yo. And I know that forking out 200 bucks on this tshirt will probably be done out of love and sincerity… because you love me back (I see you, friend) or because you love the idea behind the slogan. To honor that, I am going to give one of the 20 tshirt buyers a very special My Spreadsheet Brain hamper filled with a few cool things just to say thank you! Yep, this means if you buy the tshirt you have a one in twenty chance of winning! Woohoo!
The hamper includes:
A beautiful gilt-edged Helen Steiner Rice One Minute Devotions titled ‘From The Heart’ (makes for a great gift, wink wink)
A My Spreadsheet Brain custom mug – yep, I made it myself, with my bare hands… so to speak
A KNC Beauty collagen infused lip mask… because pouty lips are life
A Laqa & Co Cloud Lips lipstick in a poppin’ color!To enter, all you have to do is: Buy a tshirt! That’s it. Once you’ve made your purchase drop me a message to let me know that you’ve done so! Hope to see selfies of all you gorgeous mama’s wearing your “Be the light” tshirts soon! Winner of the giveaway will be announced on May 31st.
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Living my best mom life with Frusli Cereal Bars {GIVEAWAY!}
I love food. There, I said it. Snacking is like, one of my favorite hobbies of all time. But the thing about snacking is that it can get kind of difficult to snack healthily. I mean, in all honesty, the thought of chewing on a celery stick doesn’t exactly thrill me. Which is why I was so excited when I received a special drop from Frusli – a deliciously crunchy, chewy cereal bar packed with flavor and goodness!
There are many reasons why a worthy cereal bar would excite me more than the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy. For starters, these Frusli bars are individually wrapped, so it’s easy to pop one into your handbag or into your kid’s lunch box. They are also great for ‘on the go’ snacks or if your child is acting the fool in the mall and you need to keep her occupied. (Whaaaat) I also love that it serves as a healthy treat alternative.
These bars are not baked, do not contain added salts, artificial colors or preservatives and the Frusli team (over at Jordans) are committed to using only natural ingredients where possible. They strive to reduce sugar and fat levels without comprising on the taste. These bars are Non-GM and is suitable for vegetarians too!The flavors – oh the flavors – simply delicious! Well, firstly the bars are made with wholegrain cereals (keeping processing to a minimum) and are power packed with healthy stuff such as crunchy hazelnuts and juicy raisins, cranberries and blueberries. The texture is rather chewy and juicy and quite zingy. I love that 25% of it is fruit and that you can actually taste the fruit pieces!
WIN with Frusli!
So what do you think moms? Would you give this a go? Well, Frusli is giving FIVE My Spreadsheet Brain readers the chance to try out their amazing cereal bar. Want in on this giveaway? Okey dokey. Follow the rafflecopter below and keep your eyes peeled to my Facebook page on April 30th to see if you’re a winner! -
Be the light – Be the hands and feet {Giveaway}
The thing about living a life of excuses is that it kinda gives you no options. You literally put yourself into a mental hole and then wonder on how earth you got there. The truth is that starting each sentence off with an ‘I can’t’ leaves no room for the ‘can’s’. It’s easy to allow your lack to hinder your journey. I know all about basing your next move on what you don’t have right now, and feeling pretty stuck. Mole hills are suddenly the size of Mount Kilimanjaro and all I want to do is throw a million pity parties for myself. Are you like me? Well, I think that both you and I need a double dose of Nick Vujicic’s book titled ‘Be The Hands And Feet’.
Nick is a well known Australian motivational speaker who was born with a rare disorder called tetra-amelia syndrome. This condition rendered him limbless… yes, he has no arms and no legs. Nick explains how he’s never allowed his disability to affect his ability. Even though he’s unable to do certain things that an able-bodied person could do, he still went on to become a successful business man, popular speaker, radio talk show host, husband and a father!

In ‘Be The Hands and Feet’, Nick shares tips on how to become an agent of inspiration and hope. You guys, the first part of the book is actually called “Letting Your Light Shine”! Uhm, yes please! You guys that that’s been my motto since like, birth. (Yes, I am being slightly dramatic). Anyways, in the first part he shares his testimony and how he believes that he was called to share the Gospel and make a change in the world – and having no arms or legs helped him to do just that!
In the second part, called “Build The Team”, he talks about how to become a mentor and gives solid advice on how to plan for success, against all odds. The third part, “Finish Well”, is a beautiful memoir to his father. He shares about how his father was a role model to him and shares personal stories and victory’s about his dad’s battle with cancer.
The theme through out the book is one of encouragement and hope. It is impossible to put this book down, in between chapters (and you’ll want to do just that, to soak as much of it in as possible), without feeling challenged and ready to live a life open to endless possibilities! Nick reminds us that God’s purpose for our lives is to be a success… no matter what it looks like in the natural! He so famously said: “If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!”
Win a copy of Be The Hands and Feet!
Are you in need of some encouragement, or just a good ol’ kick on the butt, today? Well, my friends at Christian Art Media has sent me a copy of Be The Hands and Feet by Nick Vujicic to give to one of my fabulous My Spreadsheet Brain readers! To enter this sweet giveaway, simply:1. Compulsory: Make sure you’re following the blog – it’s how I get your email address, to let you know that you’ve won – and drop me a comment below to let me know that you’ve entered! You can subscribe via the little subscription box on the top right hand corner of this page.
2. Bonus: Grab an extra entry by tagging your friend in the Facebook post.
3. Bonus: Grab another entry by tweeting: Guys, I’m so excited to enter @luchaewilliams of #myspreadsheetbrain @CArtMedia #giveaway, to win a Be The Hands And Feet book, written by the amazing Nick Vujicic!
The winners of all my April ‘Be The Light’ giveaways will be announced on my Facebook page on April 30th! Aaack!
Update: Congratulations Caronessa Moss!
Images of Nick and his family taken from social media. You can learn more about his ministry by visiting his website, Life Without Limbs




























