{decor} Nursery Art.

I had stumbled across the most beautiful decor site. It's french and it's called The Collection. How beautiful is the tree with the bird house? So beautiful. xx

Everyday Everybody: Joanne.

Joanne is the next person up for the Everyday Everybody Interview series. Jo blogs over at Musings of a Mummabee where she recently announced some pretty darn exciting news. Head on over and see what it is.

If you'd like to be part of the Everyday Everybody series please email me at fatmumslim@hotmail.com You don't have to have a blog, or even anything exciting to say. You just have to be human... which I hope all of you are.




Is there someone you know whose life you'd hate to have?
I'd probably say my brother actually. He made some really stupid decisions when he was young, and now his life is on a course which cannot be changed even though he is a different person now. I won't go into a ton of detail, except to say drugs are bad....please learn that early!!


Do you know which day of the week you were born?
No - I was adopted, and it's actually always been one of the things I'm curious about!! Specifically now having had a child myself.

Have you got your own mug or cup?
Yes - a close friend bought it for me for Christmas 3 years ago. It says Yummy Mummy which is a forum nickname and I have freshly brewed Lady Grey Tea in it every morning!


Did you swear at anybody today?
Yes, uncharacteristically - at this absolute noddy who pulled in front of me in the carpark, just to get to a parking space ahead of me. Fortunately Sophie was not in the car with me - it was some pretty choice language!!

What quiz show would you like to appear on?
I'd love to have the guts to go on 'Who wants to be a millionaire', but I just know I'd get stage fright and do appallingly!


Are you organised?
Organised/anal....who's counting! Yes, extremely organised!

What do you do when you want to impress someone?
Turn up.....ok, seriously.....as I've got older I've realised that everyone has their own insecurities and flaws, so I just act like myself, it's so much easier than trying to be something or somebody else.

Who last told you that they love you?
My precious daughter, and it was accompanied with a big snuggly hug and little butterfly kisses - awww!

Have you ever been in an ambulance?
Yes. I went with my mum when she had a bad fall at work - turns out it was a pulled ligament and she was in a lot of pain, it was very scary!

Who is the funniest person you know?
My Dad - he's a dag.....most of his jokes make me groan, but occasionally he comes out with a pearler, and even when his jokes are lame, it's the fact that he finds himself so amusing that cracks me up!


Thanks for sharing Joanne. xx

{one thing}

What is one thing that made you smile today?

Etsy Necklace

The Room of Lacey.

When I decorated Lacey's bedroom I had no idea which direction I wanted it to take. All I knew was that I wanted it to be predominantly white and to have a little touch of whimsical here and there.

I started decorating when I was just 20 weeks pregnant. Well, I painted it all white (from a shade of green) when I was about 8 weeks pregnant and then waited until we knew what sex the baby was.

The little birds hang from her door handle. Thankfully she hasn't yet wanted to tear them off. Instead she plays with them gently and admires their beauty. The cross stitch was a gift from my best friend. I was so touched when it arrived in the mail. It hangs right next to her cot.

The tree on the wall was an impromptu decision. I had planned to leave the walls all white. One weekend though, probably around the 38 week pregnant mark, I decided it needed a little jazzing up. I took myself to the art shop and bought all the supplies I needed, and some yellow chalk. I was inspired by a design I saw in a magazine. Within a few hours it was done. I didn't like it. I've come around a little bit now. Eventually we'll paint over it with white, but until then, it will do.

This mobile was to go with my all white theme. I would love a beautiful bird mobile or something equally as beautiful and magical. I am keeping my eye out for just the right one.

This is the wall art above Lacey's big chest of drawers. I did this way before she was born and need to update the postcard art and photos. I did have a beautiful green baroque frame instead of the silver, but it fell down and broke. I think the silver actually fits in well.

The apple hook was one of my best ever bargains. I have loved them since forever, but never wanted to spend the money on them. I picked this one up for $5 at a fragile sale because the knobs didn't have the print on them. Instead I painted them red, and you'd never know!

Lacey has a big bookshelf from Ikea (like nearly every other child in Australia) and it's filled with little odds and ends. Here is a just a few things we have on display. In the jars is her eraser and button collection.

And that's The Room of Lacey. It needs a bit of fixing up here and there, but for now it has a lot of beautiful little touches for her to look at. She loves playing in there. xx

{love}: Studded Pinkness.

Look what arrived in my inbox early this morning. It's taunting me: Buy me. Buy me. Buy me.

The skirt is such a contradiction with it's studs and it's soft flowing pink.

What to do? What to do?

I think I'll wait a few days. If it's still there, I might think about getting it. xx

The skirt can be found here.

{love}: Polka Patty.

I have been on a search for the elusive perfect polka dot patty case. I have found many that come close, but last week at Donna Hay I found the ones. Perfectly polka dotty. xx

Bake Sale.

I love Donna Hay.

Her recipes are simple. Delicious. Easy. And you don't have to fly to Africa to pick up some obscure ingredient that is only grown in their earthly soil. Everything can pretty much be found at the supermarket, or in your cupboard.

Last week, after Ice Skating, I took the kids to Donna Hay's new store for a treat. Her store is brand new and has a little bake sale on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It looks beautiful. It smells beautiful. It feels beautiful. Downstairs is an array of stationery, candles, cake mixes, cooking utensils and more things that I probably glossed over as I eyed off the cakes and sweets in the back.

Upstairs is decor for children's rooms. Well, to be honest I know there were more things but I got totally wrapped up in the sweetest chairs for children. There were mini designer versions. Like the Egg Chair and many others. I just wanted to take them all. I've been dying for a chair for Lacey's room since forever. I didn't even glance at the price tag. I knew they were beyond my reach.

It's a beautiful little store. I will definitely visit again. I just need to work off the cupcake first. xx

Mary + Max.

Today I was out shopping with the kids when we decided to catch a movie. Usually I'm really organised and research the movies, picking an appropriate one for all the kids.

Today, because it was an impromptu decision, I had no idea what was on, or what would be best for everyone. I just picked the movie that was rated PG, and on at a time that suited us. Mary + Max won.

We walked in when the movie had already started. The kids were moaning and groaning at what a crappy movie we had selected. Not long after we were in stitches. I'm not a laugh out loud person, but in this movie I was.

It was dark, completely inappropriate at times and went over the kids heads on many occasions. I had little six year old whispers in my ear throughout the screening. What does that mean? What does that say?

I probably wouldn't take kids if I could do it again. Instead I'd take Hubby. It has a five star cast that I think he'd appreciate. See if you recognise any voices in the trailer.

{love}: Fanciful Fuzz.

Last week I wrote about Lacey's hair, or lack of it. I think she's the most beautiful girl just as she is, hair or no hair. (She has hair, just like my Ma said, it's just very blond). I've always wanted to be able to put a little clip in her hair though, just for kicks. I try every now and then, but it falls out.

I discovered a little clip that stays in. It's especially made for little girls like Lacey. I purchased one. It has two little flowers on top. I haven't worked out how to style it properly yet, but it's super cute and has potential.

Pop on over to purchase one here.

Footy First.

On Saturday we took Lacey to her first ever football game. Hubby and I used to often go out the stadium to watch a live game. We are keen followers of the Roosters and their home ground is nearby, so it's fun to get out and catch a match.

We haven't seen the Roosters play since having Lacey, and I was thinking back whilst we were there that I didn't even catch a game when I was pregnant, so it's been a while.

We always try and get there for the Anzac Day match. It's a traditional game between St. George and our Roosters. A helicopter lands and drops off the trophy. A marching band plays. There is a beautiful little Anzac ceremony.

I was slightly anxious that Lacey would cause chaos there. She walks everywhere now and I thought she'd want to be off exploring. Hubby picked great seats. We were high up in the stands with nobody around us.

Lacey did explore for the first twenty minutes, but after that she played by our feet. She emptied my handbag, my wallet, ate some food, repacked my handbag and then emptied it again. And then she slept for an hour, in my arms.

She didn't really miss much. We lost 29 to nil. It was still a good game. I think there will be plenty more games for her to watch. It was quite fun. xx

How was your weekend? What did you get up to?

Mother's Day Goodies.

Mother's Day is just around the corner. Two weeks away, to be exact. Here are a few things that I found that would make perfect Mother's Day gifts. Spoil your Mumma. xx


One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight.

What are you asking for? What are you getting your Mumma?

Fixed. Mended. Done.

My computer is fixed. It was the silly cord/adapter thingy. I don't know what was wrong, but it wouldn't charge.

Of course a new cord is $150. That equates to a new piece of clothing that I could have purchased! Oh, the things I could have bought. Handbags and cardigans and shoes, oh my!

Not happy Jan.

Not happy at all.


Okay, I lie. I am slightly happy. I have my computer back. xx

Yay Factor.

It's Friday, which has a certain yay factor. It's the weekend.

My computer has died though so I feel decidedly melancholy and certainly a bit peeved. It's new. It should work. I had faith that it would work perfectly for much longer than ... this.

Lacey hates my computer though and she lets it know. She whacks it about eleventy billion times a day. Sometimes I'll be checking my emails and she'll climb onto it, whilst it's in my lap and stand on it. She laughs and smiles because she knows it's extremely cheeky. And I have a little chuckle too because it's cheeky, but it's also incredibly cute.

But most of all she just whacks it. Big baby handfuls of baby whack. Whack. Whack. Whack.

Doesn't she realise that we're in a recession? Doesn't my computer realise too?

We all know what it means when a computer dies. It means money. And lots of it. Grrr.

So I'm out. Until I don't know when. I'm using Hubby's computer and it's nice, but not as nice as mine. So I'm probably going to have to refrain from blogging.


The many things pulling me out of this melancholy mood are:

*Hubby cooking the most delicious meal ever for dinner.
*A visit to the NEW Donna Hay store today as well as purchasing from her little bake sale.
*Taking the kids ice skating today. That's seriously fun!
*The beautiful photo above that I found on etsy.
*The huge sense of pride I'll have tomorrow on ANZAC day, especially as we take Lacey to her first ever Dawn Service.
*The fun we'll have as we take Lacey to her first ever footy match.
*And realising it's just a computer. It's just money. We're all happy, healthy and hilarious... that's what's important.

Happy weekend everyone. I'll see you all when I'm writing to you. x

Sculptured.

Last week when I went walking some people from Nickelodeon were making a sand sculpture. It was of SpongeBob and friends.

How cool are sand sculptures? Have you ever tried to make a pretty snazzy sand castle, only to fail? I am thinking that making sand sculptures is pretty hard going.

It poured that night. Heavy rain.

I went back a few days later and it seemed it had survived.

Isn't it funny that all I wanted to do was take a big long run and jump on it? That's the kid inside me. xx

Bows, Bows and more ... Bows.

I'm loving bows on bags at the moment. So cute. Here are some of the ones that I'm lusting after:



Links: One, Two, Three + Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight.

What I'm Watching.

Last week I watched 17 Again with the kids. It was a cute movie. Easy to watch. And Lacey slept through pretty much all of it. Joy. xx

Everyday Everybody: Leila.

It's that time again.

Time to get to know the Nitty Gritty on another reader. This time it's Leila from That Random Leila.

If you would like to be interviewed please email me: fatmumslim@hotmail.com

What are you obsessed with?
I don't think I'm obsessed with anything (besides FB, twitter, blogger & dailybooth). If I had to pick one thing, I'd say my hair. I'm on this never ending quest for the perfect blonde shade. I'm still questing.


Do you wear any hats?

Sure do. There is the wife hat, sister hat, daughter hat, caring friend hat, split personality crazy girl hat, and sweet girl hat. It's all me in different flavours & levels of intencity.


What's your favourite pasta dish?
All of them! Pasta is the best food ever. I love it even more if it has olives, mushrooms and is spicy. I only wish it didn't love my thighs & butt as much though.

Do you tan easily?
No way. When I was growing up I tanned so easily, I was always tanned. Then when I was going through my "I'm.15.and.can.be.a.pale.recluse.if.I.want.to.phase" I shied away from the sun and developed this lovely, almost radioactive glow. I step into the sun for 10 minutes now and I'm burnt. Sexy.


What was the last competition you entered?
Oh the shame. It was to win tickets to see Britney Spears in concert. I'm still waiting (read: praying) to hear back.


What are you proud of?
That I took a leap overseas to live a whole new life. I don't regret it at all.


What's under your bed?
Hopefully nothing. I wish I had a more creative answer, like the staircase to my secret lair but unfortunately the only thing under my bed is dust bunnies.


It's your turn to karaoke - what's the song?
Anything 80's. I know I'm only 25 but I love 80's music. So many classics and who doesn't love singing "Girl's just wanna have fun" at the top of their lungs.


Who's your hero?
When I normally encounter this question I shy away from it because it seems so silly to me - hero?! Huh? But I actually did some research (quick wiki search) and this is what I found:"The literal meaning of the word is "protector", "defender" or "guardian" and etymologically it is thought to be cognate with the name of the goddess Hera, the guardian of marriage". So looking at from this perspective and actually understanding the meaning of the word, I have to say it is my husband Daniel. He is all of those things, as I hope I am to him. (side note: thanks Chantelle for making me realize this).


Are you a gossip?
I don't make up rumours or start malicious lies but I do talk about current social "events" with close friends. More out of concern and worry then just idle gossip. However if someone tells me a secret, I keep it all to myself. Forever.


Thanks for playing Leila. I hope you win the Britney tickets! xx

One Thing.

What is one thing that made you smile today?

Image: Flickr

Sssshhhh Girl.

On the weekend I went for a manicure and pedicure. My lil sis and Ma came with me. So did Lacey.

Now taking Lacey wasn't one of my brightest ideas. Hubby was home so he could have easily looked after her. It was just as we were about to leave Ma said Are we taking Lacey with us?

Mother Guilt kicked in and I thought. I should take her. I should let Hubby have a break. She will be okay. She might actually enjoy it.

Well... notsomuch. She wasn't too bad but it wasn't easy. All she wanted to do was dive into the foot spa. I missed out on getting my fingernails painted because doing that and holding a baby. Forgetaboutit.

Anyway, we were a little way through getting our nails down and the owner came from out the back. The owner is outspoken. Just today she said to the lady sitting beside us that her eyebrows were much too thick and she needed to do something about it. Nice.

As soon as she spotted Lacey she said: She have no hair!

I get a comment along those lines at least weekly. Quite often daily. Usually it's more along the lines of: Where is her hair?

We're getting savvy at responses now. Instead of looking dumbfounded, we'll respond with either: It's on lay-by, or We put in a request but it hasn't gone through yet, or We'd like to know the same thing or Santa said he'd bring it, we don't know what happened.

It was cute that day because I'm so used to being the one on the defence for Lacey, and today I was ready to just nod my head and say: I know, she doesn't have very much hair.

But before I could say anything my usually quiet Ma piped up and in her kind manner, defended her: She has hair. It's just fine. And blond. You have hair, don't you Lacey?

Later on I heard the lady with the thick eyebrows and my Ma having a chat. The lady with the eyebrows said that her daughter didn't have hair either. Eventually it came. I heard Ma ask: How old was she when she finally had hair?

The lady with the eyebrows said: Oh, about 6 years.

I'm going to have to think of a truckload more responses in that case! Grow hair, grow!

The next thing that came out of the owners mouth was: Why she so small?

By this stage I was over toddler-wrangling and odd comments, and I didn't really hear so I was like: Huh?

All four people that were getting their nails done turned and said to me: She said, why is she SO small?

Me: Because she just is.

Owner: How old is she?

Me: She's one.

The Owner gave me a puzzled look.

Me: One YEAR.

Owner: She so small. I think she is 6 months because she so small.

I give her an awkward smile. Awkward laugh. And continue toddler wrangling.

Image: Flickr

Patience, My Dears.

Thank you everyone for your emails lately. I just want to let you know that I am not ignoring you. Well not on purpose. School holidays are a crazy time and it leaves me with very little brain cells when I get home.

I will get back to everyone soon.

I will send the questions off for the Everyday Everybody Interview series soon too.

I hope you are all having a lovely night (or day if the sun is up where you are!). xx

Pram On.

Up until about now Lacey would last about ten minutes in the pram before getting the cranks and wanting out.

Now she'll stay in there pretty much the whole walk. I give her a book and she'll read to herself, or just do some people watching.

I am grateful that she now likes the pram. Life is good. xx

eBay Psychic.

I don't read my horoscopes.

I don't visit clairvoyants.

I do buy psychic readings on eBay though.

Go on. Laugh. I know you want to.


Finished?

The first time I did it because I wanted to prove that it was a joke. eBay? Psychic? Someone is yanking my chain here, I thought. I'll show 'em.

So I purchased one. At the grand price of $30.

A week later a reading arrived in my inbox. I read through and was gobsmacked. She knew so much. Stuff you couldn't google. Stuff nobody knew. Details and more details.

She knew what my house was called as a kid. She knew what the house looked like. She knew who I was married to. What he looked like. Where we now lived. What I did for work. What each of the kids looked like, and what their temperament was like. I was sold.

I am up to my fifth reading.

Everything she has predicted so far has come to fruition. My baby girl. Things that have happened in my life, and in my family's lives. Small things. Big things.

I got a reading last week. I just wanted to ask a few things that have been on my mind. I'd love to share the whole reading here but it's a bit personal and I'd like to keep it to myself.

I like what she wrote. She has me worked out to a T. I was so excited to see the reading arrive in my inbox last night, and I got a little high reading it. It's a positive reading.

I still don't read my horoscopes. Now and then I'll have a quick glimpse and laugh at them. But I buy readings on eBay.

There's nothing more to say really. And if you're still laughing... you can stop now.

Please. xx

Duo Boots.

I don't do things in halves. I really don't. I seem to do things in Duo's, crazily enough.

I just bought another pair of boots. After much deliberation (and annoyance to my friends) I finally decided on the pair above.

They come all the way from the UK but for my friends in Australia they are offering free shipping.

I even got another surprise on checkout that the price drops a little bit further due to not paying tax or something. I love that.

You'll have to spam a few friends (or use some of your other email addresses) to get the code, but it's FREE shipping. We do what we have to, right?

Your DUO boot shopping adventure starts here.

Feets.

I love walking, and I live in such a nice place to do so.

I love that my feet take me where I need to go, when I want to go.

It's such a simple thing to be grateful for, but I am. I am loving that the weather has been perfect for walking and I'm enjoying it. xx

Domestic Goddess.

With all the baking and cleaning that went on over the weekend one may start to think I'm some sort of Domestic Goddess.

Notsomuch.

Let me tell you how the baking of the Warm Chocolate Cake went down.

Hubby arrived home from work in the afternoon. We had a chat. Lacey had been crazy all morning. She wouldn't let me out of her reach. I even had to go to the toilet with her on my lap. It was one of those days.

I announce to Hubby that I am going to bake a cake. You're what? He said, shooting me an odd look.

I haven't baked in a looong time. My baking skills have been pretty much non-existent since Lacey was born, but also I don't need a few extra slices of cake sitting on my hips at the moment. I find baking relaxing though, so it was baking I wanted to do.

Hubby said he was going downstairs. I presumed he was going downstairs to put the freshly cleaned linen on the bed. Thinking he was quite the Husband, I got to cooking with Lacey thinking he would return in ten minutes and take her off my hands.

So I set myself up. I pull out the kitchen aid and all the ingredients. I sit them on the bench. I sit Lacey on the bench next to it all.

I separate eggs. I measure. I mix. I chop. I make stealth moves to the other side of the kitchen whilst using my foot to make sure Lacey doesn't fall.

I set the kitchen aid into motion. It's mixing away. Lacey in intrigued by the speedy mixing mechanism. She tries to stick her hand in. A stealth movement and she is safe.

My perfect Betty Crocker / Martha Stewart moment quickly falls apart. Lacey eversokindly knocks over the sugar container. The lid falls off. Sugar goes everywhere.

I then have to decide whether to pick it up. If I do, do I leave Lacey on the bench where she can easily fall down. No. Do I put Lacey on the floor whilst sweeping it up, where she is more than likely going to play with the sugar just like it's sand. No.

So, I just work around it. The big pile of white sugar right under my feet.

It comes time to grease and line the tin. Surely ten minutes has past. Surely the bed is made. Surely.

I go down to see where Hubby is, to hand Lacey over.

He's asleep.

I stand on the stairs gobsmacked for 30 seconds and then return to my chaotic kitchen.

I grease and line the tin with the 'help' of Lacey. I pour in the mix. I put it in the oven.

Cake done.

It wasn't easy. It certainly wasn't fun. But that's how the Warm Chocolate Cake making went down.

It's very different to my pre-baby baking days. Very different indeed. xx


Image: Flickr