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Sunday 14 September 2014

I've Moved!!!



I have moved!!

For a while now, I have felt that I had 'outgrown' this blog. I have not been posting, despite having a heap of ideas. I just felt that this blog was not quite broad enough allow me to do everything that I wanted to do. I tried to revamp it a bit, but that still did not motivate me.

Rather than make a square peg fit a round hole, I decided to start over. I have taken my time to think about what I want, and am finally happy with what I have created.

I will leave this blog open, as there are so many great posts on here that I am very proud of. However, no new content will be posted.

Visit me over at  



Friday 11 July 2014

Mummy Moments

These are the moments I never want to forget. The good, but also the bad.

Miss A is currently interested in 'Aborrigbanals' aka 'Aboriginals'. She was learning about our Indigenous people because it was NAIDOC week. She told me all about what she had learnt. She was especially impressed to learn that 'they make paint from ROCKS Mum'. We decided we would experiment at home and make some paint from things we found in the backyard. We found the leaves we had didn't crush up well. We found that depending on where in he garden we took dirt, it was a different shade of brown/black/grey. I watched as she painted with her dirt, carefully dipping in her paintbrush. She suddenly remembered about the rocks. At first I was going to explain that we didn't have the right rocks, that ours were too hard. Instead, I let her try. She gathered some rocks in a bowl but couldn't crush them. She decided to add water. She stirred them up, dipped in her paintbrush and tried to paint. 'There's no colour Mum!'. I asked her why she thought that was 'They're too hard, they not melting'.

I loved watching her learn, explore, experiment. I learnt to sit back, let her work things out for herself.

She teaches me as much as I teach her

*                        *                          *                         * 

Mr M is trying to stand. He is still only 8 months old. I can see him watch us as we walk around. He wants to join us. He wants to get up and go like we do. I see him looking at his feet as he tries to will them to push him upwards. 

He has so much determination. 

*                        *                          *                         * 

Miss A was overexcited after a special outing with her Nanna ans Cousin. She decided to run ahead of us while I was pushing her Brother in the pram. I called out to her to stop. Casually at first, then with more panic as she kept going. She was heading towards a pedestrian crossing that runs through the middle of our local Shopping Centre. I started to run after her. She ran faster. I managed to catch up and grab onto her, pulling her in close. She was laughing, unaware of my terror. A car went right through the crossing, never slowing down, just as I pulled her away. 

I scolded her, my heart in my throat.

Then I hugged her tight. 



Wednesday 9 July 2014

Aussie Curves - Blue


I didn't get to join in on last week's Aussie Curves challenge. Mainly because I wanted to share this great jacket, but my Sister had borrowed it and I was awaiting it's return.

I was getting dressed to go out and remembered that it was Blue week. I had a dig looking for something blue and I spied this top. I really like the top. I purchased it at the markets when a bunch of fellow AC girls decided to head to the rotary market to sell their clothing. I think I spent more than half the profit I made from selling my clothing!

I was heavily pregnant at the time, but this top fitted like a dream. I have even used it as a swimmer cover up. I was concerned it would be too baggy to wear post- baby.

Happily, it has still worked quite well cinched in with a belt. I like that the blue in this top is subtle, and it challenges the idea that navy and black can't be worn together.It was a freezing cold day so I had to layer up with a 3/4 shirt and a jacket. I added an old navy scarf for warmth but also to bring out the blue in the top more.

The jacket was a great find at Big W. I loved it so much, I got it full price! That's a big deal for my inner tightass! I generally wait for a sale to buy things I like, however I was concerned this would be snapped up, and it was quite cheap to start with anyway.

What I LOVED about it was that it was pleather, but under the arms it was a thick Scuba stretch material. Any Woman who has chubby upper arms can relate about what a great idea this is. Pleather (and leather) is not overly forgiving with stretch. I find it difficult to wear because there is not enough movement, and often I find most jackets too tight in the arms. I DID actually find this jacket was tight in the arms, but that was because of the non stretch satin lining. Does this really irk anyone else? I will NEVER understand why great, stretchy pices are then lined with cheap, on stretchy satin!!!

I refused to be deterred. I bought the jacket, then went at the lining with a seam ripper! Voila! A jacket that was a perfect fit, and thanks to the stretch I could also layer up and still be able to move my arms.

This was such a comfortable outfit, and my Sister remarked a few times about how great it looked.

Tell me, have you ever done a 'cloting hack' to make an item work? What did you do?



Friday 4 July 2014

Play Dough Mat Round Up



MY Daughter LOVES playing with Play Dough. Every morning she will ask if she can play with her play dough.

What I love is how versatile it can be. You can do so many activities with play dough. Gather some googly eyes and  pipe cleaners and you can make 'Monsters'. Collect some cookie cutters and some plastic plates and you can 'bake cookies' and have a tea party.

I also love the way you can make play time turn into a great learning opportunity.

One brilliant idea I have come across are Play Dough mats. These are activities you can print out and laminate or put in a plastic sleeve. It acts as a prompt for the child to use the play dough to create pictures, learn shapes, colours and so on. It is a cheap, simple way to extend play time into learning. You could have a bunch of these printed and ready for a rainy day, or when you need your little one to keep busy while you do some chores.



Try these fun People Play Dough mats
Maybe your child loves Dinosaurs?
or are you are reading Cat in The Hat? You can learn maths at the same time!
There are some fun Easter mats
You can listen to the free songs on this site while you play
You can also learn Shapes and the Alphabet
There is this great collection that would be good for under 3 year olds
Or this nature inspired one

This idea is so simple you could easily make your own.

The verdict? My Daughter loved the set I printed for her. It has been a great way to encourage her in doing some solo play, but also is a good way for me to sit down with her and do some fun, simple learning activities.

Have you come across any great Play Dough ideas? Share in the comments below!


Thursday 19 June 2014

Aussie Curves- Denim

Who doesn't love denim? Part of the appeal is that it goes with anything, is comfortable and looks good in everyone.

Finding the perfect jeans as a pear shape can be a bit of a holy grail though. I love the City Chic bootleg jeans, however I am a bit miffed they don't make them in skinny leg! That, however, is a post for another day. 

Most people own a pair of jeans. There is another denim classic that I firmly believe every girl should own. 

A denim jacket. 




Let me extol the virtues of this must have item. 
- It is tran-seasonal. I have found that a denim jacket is perfect for all seasons . During the hotter months you can also buy short sleeved ones.
- It suits almost every style of dress, skirt or pants. Throw one on with a maxi dress. Wearing a pencil skirt and top ? Layer up with a jacket . Going from work to somewhere more casual? A denim jacket makes your black work pants look less business and more leisure .
 - It goes with every colour . I have found if I don't have a cardigan or jumper that suits an outfit my denim jacket will always suit. 
 - You can even do double denim if you are daring ! (I know some fellow curvettes have showcased this look this week so check out the links below).


Here are my tips if what to look for in a denim jacket


- A bit of stretch or a soft fabric. Denim can be quite firm so having a bit of stretch allows for better movement in your arms. It also allows you to layer up

- Go for either a cropped length or one tgst stops just on or before your waist. Any longer and you can look a bit too bulky. 

- A blue mid tone would be a good colour and most versatile .


Do you have a denim jacket? Have you seen one recently that is great? Share the love and comment below letting other's know about where to find a great jacket






Thursday 12 June 2014

Behavior Charts and Toddler Taming!

I have a wonderful Daughter. She is beautiful and sweet. She is so bright and a real chatterbox. She in generous and loving.

She is also a handful. She has a stubborn streak. She is determined, and that often translates to determined to get her own way. She can throw impressive wobblies and has gone through most of the usual toddler stages of biting, hitting, pushing etc.

For the most part it was always manageable. We used timeout when things got very bad. We were firm and tried not to give in, sometimes.

Just before Abbie turned 3 her behavior moved away from manageable. She started throwing more frequent wobblies. I put it down to the arrival of her Brother, so I gave her some time. It continued, then it overflowed into Pre-School. It was time to take action.

After having a chat to my wonderful Sister In Law, who has worked in Childcare for over 15 years, we came up with a plan. While I thought I had been firm I realised that I had not been consistent. I had always believed in picking your battles, but I seemed to be never picking any battles at all.

I want to share with you what I decided to do, and why! To help my Daughter I decided to do the following things

- Use Time Out more frequently and consistently. She would be given a warning for inappropriate behavior, then time out. The basis of most 'bad' behavior is attention. It is educational theory that the more attention you give a behavior the more of it you will get. If you yell, rant, rave, smack etc it is still attention. Time Out works because you are not engaging with the behavior. You calmly take your child and put them in Time Out. If they move, calmly place them back. Avoid eye contact. Don't talk about it. When time is up you might confirm with the child why they were put there. Then, redirect to something positive.




- Have a behavior chart with 4 simple goals. These were positively worded directions on what I expected her to do. If she achieved all four she would be able to claim a reward from a reward jar. Education research has shown that most children DO want to do what is right most of the time. They simply sometimes don't always remember the right thing, or do not know it. They may know all the things they shouldn't do, but that doesn't help them in finding the positive alternative. By giving a simple, clear, positively stated direction you are telling the child what you expect.




- Extrinsic and Intrinsic rewards - These a terms that would be familiar to any teacher. Extrinsic rewards are rewards that you get externally, so this means a prize. Intrinsic is rewards that come from within yourself. Extrinsic rewards are brilliant for children. Many would call it bribery, but it is extremely effective. It also fosters a positive association with meeting goals, and so leads to being intrinsic. For rewards I bought a heap of very cheap party fillers, and to add excitement I wrapped them.

- Give her more responsibility by expecting her to away her toys. Kids need opportunities to show their positive behavior, and be praised for it. The simple task of packing away toys would help give my Daughter a sense of pride and satisfaction from meeting her expectations.




I did not expect an immediate change, nor did I expect it to be a permanent change. It took a good week for my Daughter to stop battling with me over everything. However, through being consistent she started to understand the boundaries I had set. Pre School remarked that she was a changed child, and even I noticed she was much happier.

She still has her off days. She is a child after all. However, the changes are there. I now have a different reward chart to the one I first made. We got it from Kmart and it allows me to change the goals and has magnets for the 'stickers'. This was great because it has meant I could alter goals as she has achieved some and moved onto new ones.

What is your best 'Child Taming' tip? ANything you found super effective? SHare below in the comments I would love to hear about it :)




Monday 2 June 2014

Pumpkin, Pistachio and fetta salad


This is my go to salad for lunch. You can roast the pumpkin at the start of the week and keep in the fridge. Then it's just a matter of throwing the ingredients in the bowl and Voila!  I am going to give the quantity for a family sized salad. You can easily divide the ingredients and eat it over the week for your own lunches.



Ingredients


1 Butternut Pumpkin cut into chunky pieces ( I like to keep the skin on)
Salt & Pepper
1 bag mixed lettuce, washed
1 Red Onion finely sliced
3 Tomatoes cut into wedges
1/2 block Fetta
1/3 cup Pistachios


Lemon Honey Mustard dressing


Juice 1/2 Lemon
1 tablespoon Honey
1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 250 C. Place pumpkin on non stick tray. Spray with oil and season. Cook for 20 minutes or until golden and tender. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Warm honey in a microwave proof bowl briefly (10 seconds). Add all other ingredients and mix well until combined.

Place mixed lettuce on bottom of salad bowl. Add  pumpkin and tomato and red onion. Crumble Fetta over the top. Sprinkle with Pistachios and pour dressing over the top. Toss to coat before serving.

Sunday 1 June 2014

An unexpected hiatus

I took an unexpected hiatus from the blog.

It wasn't planned, I just stopped writing. Being a Mum took it's toll. Juggling everything became difficult.

Mostly though, I felt a bit stuck. My blog design was inhibiting the new direction I wanted to go in. If I share something I want it to be easy to find by others.

I needed time to work out what I wanted to do, and I started learning how to go about changing my blog design.

So, here it is. My new blog design. I have added some new tabs, where hopefully it will be easier to find things. It also shows you what I plan on sharing. I love so many things, and so often I think of things I want to share, but have not known where to put it.

SO here are some of the things I plan on blogging about

- New recipes - I have done this all along, but hopefully it will be easier to find. Plus I have joined the Thermomix craze so be prepared for some Thermie friendly recipes

- Home Design - Now, I am by no means a designer. However I have a tonne of ideas of renovations I would like to make to my home. I may as well share them because they may just inspire others

- Kids craft and activities - I do weekly craft with my Daughter. Anything to keep her entertained.

- My life - I want to start recording moments of my lie and my kids. This blog is like an archive for me, so expect to see more about my triumphs and trials as a Mum.

I will still keep going with Aussie Curves. I had a bit of a hiatus from there recently too so I am going to try to participate more.

Thank You for sticking around. I am hoping to become much more active on this here blog xx

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Souffle Omelette

I love to cook. It is something that I do quite well. I also love to eat!  However, I am also pretty time poor. It is not always easy to cook something yummy when you are juggling two children, or when you are working. I think I have become the master of cooking yummy, nutritious food that is also quick to prepare.

I like to cook using as many basic, unprocessed ingredients as possible. I no longer use packet mixes, and rarely use ready-made sauces. I just like knowing what goes into my food, and I also find there is too much salt in many packet mixes. I have recently been diagnosed with insulin resistance, and I am having two carbohydrate free days a week on the recommendation of my dietitian. So, most of the food I make is cooked from scratch.I don't think this means it has to be time consuming though.

I have decided that I would share some of my favourite recipes with you. For the next few weeks I will share 2 recipes a week with you. The focus on these recipes will be healthy and made from scratch.

My first recipe that I will share is one of my favourite breakfasts. I eat this on my carb free days as it is high in protein, tasty and filling. It also looks super impressive. The quantity for this is for one. If you want to make more than one omelette I would just repeat the process for each omelette you want to make, so you ensure the quantities are right.Otherwise, this is a treat best made just for yourself.


2 eggs - separated
2 tablespoons Milk
Salt & Pepper to taste

Filling
2 Ham slices
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1 handful washed spinach leaves

Put a non-stick frypan that has a lid on to medium heat (I actually use a non-stick flat bottomed wok)

In one bowl quickly whisk the egg yolks and milk until combined. In another bowl whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the yolks into the whites and fold through.

Spray the fry pan with oil. Pour the mixture into fry pan. Put the lid on and cook for 2 minutes and let it cook. The base will turn golden while the eggwhites will puff up. Take the lid off and put the remaining ingredients on one half of the omelette. Put the lid back on and let it cook for another 1-2 minutes.

When you are ready to serve slide a egg flipper under the omelette. It should be able to slide easily. Lift one half of the omelette while tilting the pan slightly and fold the omelette in half. Slide it off onto a plate and enjoy.

You can add some hot buttered toast to make it extra filling.






Monday 24 March 2014

Aussie Curves - Wedding

In a fit of nostalgia I shared all the details for my Hydrangea and Apple Garden Wedding earlier in the year.

In this post I talked about all The Details. The Dress, The Flowers. The Cake. (Yes, capitals are required)
In this post I shared about the Ceremony and Reception. 

Go have a stickybeak Go on, you know you want to!


 I just loved every bit of my wedding, and I jump at any excuse to look at photos from the day.

Ahem...



I love going to weddings too. They are wonderful days, and are full of hope and promise. My Husband and I often hold hands during the vows. We always steal a look at each other, remembering our own. Between the Ceremony and Reception we often reflect on our own marriage and life together so far.

The thing is though, it is so important to remember that a wedding is about marriage. On that day a vow is made, and a marriage is started. Sometimes we can spend so much time focusing on the details, and forget what it all is really about.



I can honestly say that I am even more in love with my Husband today as I was on my wedding day. I know that sounds sappy, but it is true. My Mother always told me to marry my best friend, and that is exactly what I did.

What I have found is that sometimes love, true love, is not demonstrated by the epic romantic gestures. You don't find those 'take your breath away' moments in the bouquet of flowers (ahh.. but send them anyway), the surprise dinner or the sparkly jewelry. The moments I have known I was loved, and love in return, are in some of the less 'pretty' moments.

Love is bringing you home your favourite magazine because they saw the latest edition was out and they know how much you love it

Love is tucking the sheets around you after they get out of bed earlier than you, so that you stay warm

Love is making you cups of tea and coffee every time you ask, and sometimes even when you don't.

Love is offering to cook dinner because they can see you are tired

Love is when you partner sleeps next to you on the floor all night and holds your hair back as you heave into a bucket, then takes the bucket and empties it

Love is running errands for you after a long day at work, just so you don't have to do it.

Love is having an argument, but then still sitting down together later to work through it

Love is hard work, the requires negotiation and compromise at times

Love is the shared tears of joy after the birth of your children, knowing that together you created this whole new being.

I am blessed. I know every day of my life that I share it with a Man that loves me, flaws and all. I love to look back on my Wedding Day because I know that it marks something great. My life with my Husband is everything I had hoped it would be. Together we have made a home, are raising two children, and planning our future.

It is everything that movies say it is, and then some.




Tuesday 18 March 2014

Aussie Curves - Picnic

As I was putting on a pretty dress for this week's challenge I thought about what I do on a picnic. It used to be that Hubby and I would head off for a picnic, I would have on a pretty  dress and we would take a basket of antipasto.

However, I realised that that is no longer really the case. Our picnics have changed. Here is why:


Our kids. Picnics are now much more complicated. They require more food (especially because Abbie is an Olive thief), and a whole manner of other paraphernalia. Scooters, Sunscreen, Shade, Prams, Nappy Bags.

 The clothing required has also changed. I now wear something I can move around better in. I need to be able to bend over, run after my Daughter, climb on play equipment and just generally be active.


This is more what I am likely to wear. Shorts so that I can move around (and avoid any chafing should it be a hot day), A light weight kimono that looks pretty while also protecting me from the sun. I wouldn't wear a necklace as it might become cumbersome. Instead I accessorise with earrings, so I can still look nice if I decide to put my hair up. Flat shoes that are comfortable are also a must.

Shorts - Best & Less
Top - Big W (Maternity)
Kimono Shrug - Supre
Shoes - Corelli
Earrings & Bracelet- Birthday gift 


While picnics are no longer the long, luxurious affairs they once were, they are still pretty special. We are now making memories as a family. I think that beats any pretty dress any day.

Want to see more?

Check out my 'Picnic' post from the first year of Aussie Curves. This is actually one of my all time favourite posts.

Want to read more about my life?

I recently shared a personal post about my (un) successful breastfeeding journey.

Check out what the other ladies in Aussie Curves are wearing to a picnic this week


Monday 17 March 2014

My (un)successful breastfeeding journey



I have previously shared how I was unable to breastfeed my first child, and wrote an informative post about bottle feeding. Despite being content with bottle feeding my first, I was keen to try breastfeeding my second. I wanted to experience what it was like. After all, it's what a woman's breasts are designed to do.

Through my pregnancy I tried to encourage my milk production by expressing colostrum. I produced a very small amount early on. This made me feel excited, as I felt this was a sign that my milk supply would be better this time. I had almost no other breast changes through my pregnancy though.

When my Son was born he successfully latched on for a first feed, which further made me feel that I would be successful. The first day after his birth I then proceeded with trying to learn how to feed him. I was having difficulty getting him to latch. He didn't seem to like most of the positions I was holding him in. He showed very little interest in actually sucking. With the help of the midwives I would struggle to get him on, then he would take 3 draws... then nothing. No amount of stripping him down, tickling his cheek or rubbing his lip could encourage him to try any more.

The midwives at my hospital were fantastic. I expressed my wish to feed in the room when possible and have help in private. One would come in and assist me for as long as it took. They were encouraging, but not forceful. They patiently showed me how to hold him, latch him and how to express what milk that I could then syringe into his mouth.

My second day I spent on the electric pump between attempts to feed. These did not work on me at all. Not even a drop of milk would come out when I pumped. When I hand expressed I would get less than 2 ml in total, and that was after several breaks in between.

I finally cracked in the morning of the third day. Early in the morning I tried for over an hour to encourage my Son to latch and feed. A midwife walked past my room and noticed me struggling and sat with me to help. Eventually she suggested I give it a rest and try again later. She came back past an hour later and saw me struggling again. This time she advised I head into the Nursery, where other midwives were there helping feeding mothers.

I found this room so hard to be in. I know that the purpose is so that a few midwives can be there to give support to all the nursing Mums. However, all I could see was lactating women. Sure, some were struggling with various elements, but all had milk. When I was in that room I realised just how little I was lactating, and how much I was struggling.

A midwife came and sat with me and helped me try to feed Marcus. He simply wasn't interested. He just wanted to sleep. She looked over his chart and we saw that over the 2 days since he had been born there were only 3 successful feeds, but none of them lasted long. The amount I had expressed was only a few mls. I had given birth to a whopping 4.3kg baby boy. He needed more than what I was producing at that point. We then opened up his nappy and saw pink stains. The midwife explained that it was not blood, but it was crystalised urine, and it was a sign that he was possibly dehydrated. He had dropped a bit of weight, and was sleeping a lot. Further signs that he was failing to thrive as well as he should. A glucose test showed his sugar levels were starting to drop.

It was then that she discussed my options with me. It was clear that at the very least he needed a formula feed right away. The midwife spoke to me about her concerns. I was starting to become stressed and tearful. Marcus was starting to decline. My milk supply was woeful and pumping had not made any improvement. She pointed out that I had almost no breast changes that usually occur through pregnancy. She pointed out that a big boy like my Son would need even more milk than most babies.

She assured me that if I wanted to I could eventually breastfeed. I could go on medication, I could pump after every (attempted) feed and keep doing so until supply picked up. In the meantime I would formula feed. At minimum this would tae a few weeks to build up my supply to be what he needed.

I thought on that for a moment. I thought back to when my first child was a newborn and I tried going down that path. I remembered the day of sitting connected to a pump and still not getting more than 20 ml. I thought too about the vivacious 2 year old I had waiting for me at home, and I considered how I was going to possibly give both my baby and my child attention they craved when I was attached to a pump between every feed.

I knew what my answer was to be, I knew I had a very healthy child who thrived on formula. I know it does not have all the benefits of breastmilk, but nutritionally it will still nourish my child. I knew that continuing to breastfeed was simply about my own pride and desires. Quite simply, I refused to let my own pride cause my children to suffer.

I told the midwife I felt it was best to just formula feed. She gave me a cuddle and whispered that she really felt I was making the best decision.

When I fed my Son his bottle he drank it hungrily. Bottle feeding allows you to gaze into your baby's eyes, and at that moment, as he looked into mine I felt the weight lift from my shoulders. I knew that I had made the right decision in that moment. He looked happy and content, and for the first time since he was born he had that glorious milk drunk look of a content baby.

I continued to hand express while in the hospital, to see if I could encourage supply. The most I ever got in one go was less than 2 ml. I also tried a few more times to see if Marcus would latch. He would not. So by the time I left to go home I admitted defeat. My breastfeeding journey ended before it ever really started.

***


I still have feelings of regret at not being able to breastfeed. I know that to die hard breastfeeding advocates I should have tried the regime of attempt to breastfeed, bottle feed then express. I cried when I told inquiring friends that I was not successful in feeding. At my lowest times I bitterly think to myself that I seem to have failed in the one thing that a woman is designed to do. 

I am content with the choice I made. I am sharing this because I know how difficult it is for a Mother when she has to make the choice to formula feed. I am not against breastfeeding. I know that there are so many benefits to doing it. Yet, the reality is that, for a number of different reasons, not all women are successful. There are hundreds of stories on the internet about successful breastfeeding. There are so few about not being successful. I am not ashamed. I refuse to be shamed or made to feel guilty. I want to share my story in case another Mother finds it one day, and finds solace in knowing they are not alone in their struggles.

My Son is now 4 months old. He is a beautiful, happy, content baby. He has slept through the night since he was 2 months old. He has steadily put on just the right amount of weight.  I am in love with my handsome Little Man. I know that being a Mother is about far more than how you feed a child.  I am a Mother to two beautiful, healthy, thriving children.


In the end, what more could I want?


Saturday 15 March 2014

Aussie Curves - Secondhand

I love op shopping. I love never knowing wht you might find, and there is noting like snapping up a great item for a few dollars. 

I remember my Mum buying her work clothes from a second hand store when I was a child. She had worked in childcare, but after suffering nervous breakdown and depression she retrained. She completed a tafe course where she learnt how to use a computer and programs tat made her employable in schools. This meant a new wardrobe but after having time off work she didn't have the money to spend on expensive work wear. I remember her delight at finding some great quality skirt and jacket sets in a variety of colours from some big brand names in her favourite op shop. I was embarrassed that she wore someones old clothing. 

Now I am older I understand why, and appreciate her delight in finding such gems. This dress is one of her ecent finds that she picked up for me. It is an Autograph dress and fits perfectly. It features my favourite colours to wear, coral and purple. The cut is perfect, the pattern is great, and it is a dress I know I will get a lot of wear out of when I head back to work as well as now.

Dress - Autograph
Necklance - Old
Shoes - Kmart

You can also check out my other posts I have written about buying secondhand items. 



Sunday 23 February 2014

Aussie Curves - Sequins

Top - Made by Mum!
Skirt - Target Moda
Sandals - Target
Headband- Diva
Clutch - Secondhand


I nearly did not participate this week as I really don't have a lot of sequins in my wardrobe. I am not keen on them on clothing as I generally don't want to have a lot of hand wash only items in my wardrobe, and sequins are very delicate.

However, as I was getting dressed this morning I spied my headband with sequins. I realised that you don't have to wear a whole dress made with sequins, you just need to be inspired by them in some way. I find sometimes if you like a trend, but don't want to go all out, just having a little accessory can be a great nod to a style without wearing it head to toe.I also added a glomesh handbag, which I figured added to the sequin look.

I really love the print and colours of my top. After I purchased a similar top at Supre my Mum and I looked at the simple cut and decided we could easily make it ourselves. The benefit of doing it ourselves was that it could be made a little smaller, so the top wasn't quite as baggy.

My Mum has made me 3 tops, but in different prints. They are really beautiful. I am hoping that I will get wear out of them through winter too. I can see them layered up with a long knit top underneath and a blazer or jacket on top, or just a scarf.

I wore this outfit to Yum Cha with my Sister and her partner. He had never tried Yum Cha so we decided we must introduce him to the joys of this Asian cuisine. I find it is best not to wear anything too restrictive and tight when going for a marathon Yum Cha session. What I love best about Yum Cha is that you get lots of little dishes, so you can try different tastes and textures. We usually go at 11am, having it as a brunch. My favourites are Pork Buns, Asian greens with Oyster Sauce, and Pork Sui Mai. We also love the desserts, with Hubby and I sharing Mango Pancakes and Mango pudding at the end.

I am pleased to say my Sister's Boyfriend really enjoyed the food too!

What is your favourite cuisine to eat, and what are you 'Must Try' dishes for the uninitiated?


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Sunday 16 February 2014

Aussie Curves - Boho

I have not been sharing many blog posts lately. I have had a cranky Little Man to tend to. At 3 months old he seems to be teething. My placid chilled out boy had turning into a grizzly bear that chews madly on his fist.
He also takes great objection to being put down. SIGH...

I spent all of last week cooped up in the house as I did not want to spend money and it is so time consuming to go out now days. Finally I decided I needed to get out of the house so I arranged to pop down to the shops for a coffee with my Sister.

It was nice to put something on that was not just lounge pants. No foundation though, as my skin was looking rather good, so I just chucked on mascara,blush,  undereye concealer and some gloss. 
Jeans & Boots - Autograph
White Shirt- Kmart Alexia
Knitted vest - Target
Necklace & Bracelets - Very old! I *think* Diva & Equip

The weather has suddenly turned miserable and I am having to think about what on earth I am going to wear during winter. This outfit was one I was rather pleased with and it may get a few outings if this weather keeps up. To me boho means shades of browns, chunky knits, leather and beaded necklaces. It can also mean fun, colourful fabrics, but for today I kept it very simple.

I have been learning how to braid so I experimented with this lovely braided hairdo. I was rather pleased, but sadly it loosened up as I was shopping and fell out. More practicing is needed I think. I have been putting my Daughter's hair in braids. We have always had a huge amount of trouble getting her to let me do her hair,with Abbie preferring to channel her own inner boho, and let her curly hair be wild and free. Until, that is, my Mum had a stroke of genius. She told her that when her hair wasn't done she looked like the trolls in Frozen, but when it was done she looked like Queen Elsa (Abbie's favourite character). Sure enough, she thought on this for a moment, then came to be with a brush and a hair tie. Since then she has happily had her hair braided each day so she can be like a Queen.

I confess, I sometimes worry bout the messages I send my daughter regarding beauty. I don't want her to think beauty requires make up or clothing. Yet, I also want her to look nice when we go out. It is a dilema at times, however I think in this instance I am relieved she now lets me brush her hair and get dressed without an argument.

What does Boho look like to you?



Saturday 15 February 2014

One Pot Sausage Pasta

I was recently on the lookout for a meal that I could make with my dwindling supplies in Fridge/Freezer/Pantry. I have discussed before how I try to stretch out my grocery shopping when possible. I had sausages in the freezer, but no bread or bread rolls for a sausage sizzle. I also had some spinach from my garden that needed using as it was going to bolt.

I came across this recipe on Pinterest and realised that with some tweaking it would work.



1 tablespoon olive oil
1 Heaped teaspoon  garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
6 Sausages
2 cups chicken stock
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup milk
2 cups Macaroni Pasta
2 cups chopped spinach
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup cheese (Parmesan or Tasty - I used both)

In a pot heat olive oil and add sausages to the pan to cook (I cut mine up while raw, however you could also precook the sausages whole then slice) once half cooked add the onion and garlic. Cook until sausages are browned and onion partially cooked. 

Add in stock, milk, canned tomatoes and pasta. Stir well and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and continue to cook for a further 10 - 12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent from sticking to the bottom.

In the last few minutes add in the veggies, stir well and put lid back on for the last few minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and serve.

Voila! A super simple, one pot meal. I can see this meal being one you can easily adapt. Swap sausage for chicken (You may lose some flavour so add some herbs), Use whatever veggies you have on hand (Frozen pea/carrot corn or whatever is wilting int he bottom of the crisper) and use whatever pasta you have. 


Tuesday 21 January 2014

Aussie Curves - Double Take



I was eagerly awaiting this week's theme because I had the perfect 'double take' in mind. Anyone on the Aussie Curves Facebook page will recall my excitement at finding a great bodycon dress at Supre. I have already worn the dress with a Kaftan in the last Aussie Curves challenge. However the dress had so much more potential, so I decided to show how I plan in making the most out of a simple, black bodycon.

In fact, this is more than a double take, Six - take!

Dress - Supre




My excitement in finding the body con was that I knew I had several tops that I wear in limited ways because It didn't always look good with other items. I knew I was going to be able to extend the wearability of items in my wardrobe with this one item. On it's own? This one is not really wearable. It is too thin and clingy, but worn as a base for other wearable pieces? Perfect!




Top - Moda (Target)
Shoes - Target
Necklace - Millers


Peplum - City Chic
Necklace - Lovisa

Kaftan - Virtu
Belt - Kmart
Tunic - Belle Chemise


Skirt - Autograph
Jacket - Crossroads

Maxi - Millers

So how is that for one versatile dress? This id definately a wardrobe staple, so go hunting for a great body con black dress and start experimenting!




Check out how the other curvettes are styling their items



Saturday 18 January 2014

Berry and Lemon Sangria

New Years just isn't quite the same once you have children.

We have found the last few years New Years has been very low key, often spent at home with a plate of antipasto, and a quick kiss before we head to bed at midnight. In fact, most times we snooze before midnight and only wake just in time to watch some fireworks on T.V.

This year, we went to my Brother In Law's place, which is only one block away from our home. This meant we were able to load the kids up into the pram and walk over. This also meant we both could indulge in a few drinks, providing we could still walk (stagger) home later on.

I decided to make some Sangria to share with everyone. I had a look through my cupboards and came up with a berry and lemon flavoured Sangria. I have learnt that the main elements of a Sangria just needs to be wine, juice, soda and fruit. Sometimes it also has some brandy or Cointreau added. I had plenty of red wine in our cupboard. We are not bit wine drinkers, and only really drink very sweet wine such as Moscato. However, we are often given bottles of red wine as gifts. Which means I have a cupboard full of red wine that we will never drink. So making a Sangria was going to be a useful way of using up some of that wine. I also had a homemade jar of Lemoncello. I fell in love with that sweet liqueur while in Italy, and I discovered it was very easy to make! I decided to replace Brandy with my Lemoncello, and use a bottle of Apple Blackcurrant juice I had in the cupboard. Then I just added lemonade, frozen berries and lemon slices, and my Sangria was ready! Yummo!




1 bottle Red Wine
1 1/2 bottle Apple Blackcurrent Juice
1/2 cup Lemoncello
1 bottle Lemonade
1 Cup Frozen Berries
1 Lemon, Thinly Sliced

All the drinks into your punchbowl/Jug/Drink dispenser and give a stir to mix.
Add in the berries and sliced lemon
Chill
Serve poured over Ice with some of the fruit

If using a beverage dispenser you could have some chopped fruit in a bowl next to the Sangria, so people can add some fruit to their drink. Alternatively, you could also freeze some fruit into ice cubes and have that on the side.


Tuesday 14 January 2014

- Our Hydrangea and Apple Themed Garden Wedding The Ceremony and Reception


In my last post I shared the finer details of our wedding. In this post I am sharing pictues of our ceremony and reception. I'm going to let most of the pictures do the talking ;)








One secret feature to my dress was that I had fabric from my my Nanna's wedding dress added to the inner lining of my dress. It was a surprise, and she was so delighted on the day when I showed it to her.










So that's it