Sponsored Post: Make Dad's day with a Magshop subscription

Sponsored by Nuffnang

My dad taught me much during his lifetime: much of it centred on work. He taught me not to be afraid of hard work. He taught me that no type of work is beneath you. He taught me that sometimes, you really need to roll your sleeves up. And most of all, he taught me that you really need to work hard – and save harder – to get what you want in life. Not extravagant stuff – life’s necessities. And sometimes, those little sweeteners that make the hard slog seem worthwhile. Dad was as honest as the day is long and that too was a huge lesson in how to conduct myself. And last – but certainly not least – he taught me to always help your fellow man. These are all lessons I take with me throughout my daily life. Thanks, Dad.

Still need to get a Father's Day gift? Surprise Dad with an online magazine subscription from Magshop before October 4 and you could win a Volkswagen Golf! Then all you need to do is decide whether you’ll allow Dad to take it for a spin...

Sponsored post: Gifting for dads made easy – Empire magazine subscription

Sponsored By Nuffnang

Dads are special. Very much so. Those who know me know I lost mine when I was just 13. I was very young, and so holding on to the wonderful memories I have of our time together is very important. Dad was certainly a hard worker, but when we took car trips out to visit family and friends, well these are the nicest memories of all. Just being in the presence of my very special dad made me very happy – and I understand that even more now when I watch my daughter interact with my husband. The bond between father and daughter is just something else. It can’t be replicated, and the memories – and special connection – last a lifetime.

And when it comes to gifting dad something special, most of us get a little stumped. How on earth can you possibly give something that says “thank you, dad” enough? For my own hubby, a bit of a movie freak, I am (shhh) giving him a year’s subscription to Empire magazine.

Back to my good ol’ days: going on day trips with my family was the highlight of my childhood. We’d often head to parklands for gatherings with friends and for me the journey was as exciting as the destination. I loved wondering where dad was driving us to. I wish I could say I was able to hang my head out of the car window and feel the wind in my hair, but my two older brothers got dibs on the window spot! Which may explain why I now very much enjoy being in the driver’s seat.

One thing I am sure of is that dads need to be rewarded. I am known to give magazine subscriptions as gifts, and it is a tradition I’d like to start with my kids’ dad.

The beaut thing is that Magshop are now giving you the chance to win a Volkswagen Golf Wagon 118TSI Comfortline - valued at over $40,000 – if you take out a subscription for dad for Father’s Day.

So, why don’t you check out an Empire magazine subscription.

Think about it: it’s the perfect, no-brainer gift for dad’s day – and it lasts all year ‘round.

If your dad is a film buff too, you just can’t go wrong with a subscription to Empire magazine. The ultimate mag for movie aficionados, giving you all the juice and goss before anyone else knows about it, then you can kick back and watch your dad appreciate his present from you all year.

The 'Ultimate Italian Experience': Magshop Mother's Day Promotion

The 'Ultimate Italian Experience'

(This is a sponsored post).

A magazine subscription – music to my ears!

As a magazine aficionado (okay, I am more than that… Josie’s Juice readers will know I am a bit of an addict).

So, with Mother’s Day coming up (my cheeky twinnies are now three and a bit) I will be dropping some major hints to my husband that all I really, really want for my special day of the year (why on earth do we get only one) is a magazine subscription. Heck, several.

The best part? It’s not expensive at all – and, it lasts a whole year.

What I love is that there is a magazine that suits every mother’s tastes. Into gardening? Choose House & Garden. Into fashion? Harper’s Bazaar is made for you. Love your dose of gossip? Then OK! Magazine should be top of your list.

And right now, in addition to being able to enjoy a discount on selected titles, you will have a chance to win an incredible trip to Italy.

C’mon, men (and kids!). A magazine subscription is the perfect Mother’s Day gift! Subscribe now to OK! magazine or to women’s magazine and you could win a trip of a lifetime to Italy.

I have been to Italy several times, but never experienced it with my young family. This is my chance – and yours – to do that!

Fleur de Lys Medispa: 30% discount offer for Josie's Juice readers

Offer for Josie's Juice readers! For the entire month of April (effective today, and valid through to and including May 1, 2011) Fleur de Lys Medispa is offering 30% off all body and facial treatments (excluding waxing, manicure and pedicure).

Fleur de Lys Medispa is a magnificent tribute to ancient Moroccan traditions offering an oasis with calm settings, the scent of rare oils, soft light, candles and Moroccan adornments, designed to stimulate your senses and soothe and rejuvenate inner health and wellbeing. The team at Fleur de Lys are highly trained and qualified therapists. And if you're already thinking about sharing this experience with your partner or friend, they have rooms designed to offer treatments for couples. Fleur de Lys Medispa is the brainchild of renowned aesthetician Linda Wehbi. "We have created an oasis of luxurious indulgence in the heart of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs offering exclusive effective treatments, we want client to have a total experience not just another treatment," she says.

Opening its doors seven months ago at 2A Queen Street Woollahra (on the corner of Queen and Oxford Street Paddington), the Fleur de Lys 'unofficial ambassador' Natalie Gruzlewski says of the haven: "A truly amazing experience! From the moment you walk into Fleur de Lys Medispa you are enchanted by the beautiful scents, the professionalism of Linda and her staff and their friendly approach. The attention to detail throughout the medispa assures you that they have everything covered to ensure that you are relaxed and comfortable including a wide and unique selection of treatments which always deliver incredible results which are carried out with such love and attention that keeps you wanting to come back for more..."

The Fleur de Lys signature treatment is the Moroccan Hammam - think an oasis of steam, beautifully tiled walls, the scents of oriental oils and perfumes and the soothing comfort and echoes of running water, while relaxing on a heated marble which helps stimulate blood circulation and opens the skin pores - heavenly.

They also offer a full body exfoliation using a special traditional Moroccan glove and the Desert Sand Body Scrub, the Arabian Dreaming Body Scrub, and the Royal Oriental Hammam, the last of which is designed to rejuvenate skin and hair - starting with applying traditional Moroccan black olive eucalyptus all over the body and hair, a full body wrap of cleansing and oxygenating mask of Rhassoul clay and rose water, followed by a luxurious massage using oriental sensual oils.

More? What about the Pure 24 Carat Gold Facial Treatment? Employing a new technology used for the first time in Australia, combined with a pure 24 carat gold, the objective is to deliver glowing, radiant skin. In ancient Rome, gold salves were used for the treatment of a variety of skin problems. Gold was also regarded as the key to youth in ancient Chinese medicine - the queen of the Ch’ing dynasty used a gold massage roller on her face every day.

Gold slows down collagen depletion and the breakdown of elastin to prevent sagging skin. It stimulates cellular growth of the basal layer to regenerate healthy, firm skin cells and provide a tightening effect. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; delivered with a new technology, it is said to lock in moisture for softer, more supple skin, reduces the appearance of sun damage and age spots. Gold’s anti-inflammatory properties also decrease skin inflammation, which slows down melanin secretion and reduced age spots.

This is the treatment I will be trialing soon at Fleur de Lys Medispa - I can't wait to report back.

In the meantime, head to the website http://www.fleurdelysmedispa.com.au/ and see what this haven has to offer... and take advantage of the 30% discount (don't forget to mention the Josie's Juice blog offer).

Elvis track for Josie’s Juice readers - complimentary!

(Sponsored By Nuffnang)

Spring Valley is giving away a complimentary Elvis track to Josie’s Juice readers!

That’s right, the one and only Mr Presley is, well posthumously, offering up the catchy little ditty “Spring Fever” for complimentary download.

And while it required a 'like' on the Spring Valley Facebook page, now Spring Valley are giving away the Elvis track Spring Fever. In fact, this track is not available in Australia so this is a money can’t buy opportunity. There's a limited number of tracks so pass this onto your friends and get downloading quick. We have in this house and we play it - on repeat.

Just click here http://www.bandit.fm/promo/springvalleyelvis, enter the code special code 319 – SPRINGVALLEY, and follow the prompts."

If you are an Elvis fan (well, hello… who isn’t?!), you could also write about why you like the immortal music icon, what your favourite Elvis song is (too many to mention? Go on, try!), your thoughts on the “Spring Fever” track, or anything at all about the big man and his music.

I seriously adore this song. Since I first heard it on telly some months ago, I have been glued to the screen whenever it’s on. I’ll even press rewind (thanks, Foxtel IQ) to hear it again and again, and am mesmerised by the clever graphics (how perfectly do they time the elephant rising from the greenery as Elvis hits his high note?!). It is top of my list of advertisements I genuinely like and don’t need to leave the room for. My daughter is now hooked on it and we've created a little dance to go with it.

To hear the full track – and Elvis’s dulcet tones - in all its glory, head to the link above, then download - complimentary. Simple.