Happy Weekend.

It's the weekend now. Yippeee.

I didn't get a chance (in all my self pity) yesterday to wish you all a lovely weekend. We have nothing much planned (as always, it seems!). A few things here and there.

I will be working beanies, caps and alice bands all weekend. I discovered yesterday that a black alice headband really breaks up the yellow.

Have a lovely weekend. Do you have anything special planned? xx

Image: Flickr

Duplicator.

This post is Challenge Two from the Blogged community. The subject is about inventing something to make life easier or more fun. Here is my contribution:


Ma called me tonight quickly as she was heading out for the night. She was just touching base and letting me know her plans for the weekend.

So on Sunday I'll head over and pick Lacey up and take her for a few hours, she said.

What for? I remarked.

I knew what for. I didn't need to ask. She wants to spend time with Lacey, and she wants to give me a bit of time for myself.

I crave time alone, more than I crave chocolate. And I love my chocolate.

The other week one of the kids from work asked me, Do you ever spend any time alone?

I sometimes drive to and from work alone, I replied. (That's when Hubby is looking after Lacey at home).

Now, I get up at 5am (sometimes 4:30am) before everyone is awake in my house so I can soak up the peace, the quiet, the me time. I need that. I do it for me.

Asking someone to take Lacey for me so I can have so selfish time alone feels wrong. Mother Guilt kicks in at even the thought of it. So it's nice when someone offers, yet I still feel guilty.

I'd love another me. If I could invent something. It would be a duplicator. I want another me. One to spend all my time with Lacey. Teaching her sign language, French, knitting, how to cook a souffle and how to paint a masterpiece. The other me I want to do all my cleaning, my shopping, my organising, the cooking and any other Domestic Goddess duties.

See that right there? The Duplicator? It eliminates Mother Guilt. I get to be the perfect mother, and a domestic goddess. I might even make another me to be the perfect wife too. Now wouldn't that make everyone happy. Hmmm....

I'd love to be able to write here that you could head over to Danoz Direct or QVC and purchase your very own duplicator for 4 monthly installments of $23.95, yet sadly this little invention is just a figment of my overzealous imagination.

A Mama can dream. xx

Mooo Winner.

Drum roll!

Well, I'm pushed for time so I've used Random.org instead of my trusty old names in a jar method. Lacey did press the generate button though. And she picked commentor number 23!

Who is it? Who is number 23?

It is Lilli.

Who just happens to be the cutest little puppy dog ever. Hopefully Lilli can get his Mama to write me an email and let me know her details.

Congratulations Sam and Lilli.

Thank you everyone for playing. xx

Steamroll.

You know when you have those lovely days when the Universe really looks after you. Your stars are aligned. Venus is in your rising moon. Birds chirp in your very presence. The sun shines down gently on you all day long. Everything is wonderful and cheery.

Yesterday was not one of those days for me. At all.

The morning was crap. I won't go into details, but I'll start with mid-afternoon. Yes, let's start with mid-afternoon, shall we?

I was getting out of the car. My bag strap caught around my leg so I half tripped. My phone fell to the ground and fell apart. I picked it up. It had turned off, so I tried to turn it on. Nope. No love. Phone: broken.

My phone is only newish. I only just started on a plan. So getting a new phone is out of the question.

Something must have been funny with my lunch. I was feeling like I could vomit any moment and had a headache that even a few panadol wouldn't budge. It was constant and disgusting. Delightful.

Straight after work I had an appointment to get my hair done. I had exactly enough time to drive from work to there and be just on time. As I drove up the road from work. My petrol light goes on. I make a quick detour to get petrol.

Of course, it's not that simple. The big petrol truck is in refilling the bowsers. So I had to wait a moment. So wait I did.

I quickly left from there and up to the hairdressers with no time to spare. I was trying a new hairdresser because I'm trying to be thrifty and I had a gift voucher. The salon is an expensive, well known one. I thought I would be in good hands.

So I get into the hairdressers and sit down. Now, I hate hairdressers for the mirror factor as it is, but this one. This one was delightful {insert sarcastic tone}. There wasn't a bench or anything between me and the mirror. Just me, sitting in a chair, in front of a full length mirror. Delightful.

So I sit and consult with my new hairdresser Vincie. He basically decides what he is going to do with my hair, because it's current state was too yellow and he wanted to fix it up.

Halfway through doing my hair I realise that the price that I got over the phone, probably isn't going to be the price that I pay Vincie. He's doing some extra stuff up there. So I ask politely: How much is this going to be?

The new price is $130 over what I was told on the phone. Darn it. I scrap the cut and the blowdry. Even more delightful.

So Vincie wants to converse. My head is pounding, my stomach is churning. Converse is that last thing on my to-do list. I bury my head in my magazine and try to look as disinterested as possible.

Vincie: What do you do for work?

Me: I'm a Nanny and a Mum.

Vincie: You watch lots of daytime TV then. Smirk.

Me: No. I don't. (What the heck does he think Nannies do?)

Vincie: Lots of people have Nannies around here. I think that if you have children you should look after them yourself, not pay other people to do it for you. Rant. Rant. Rant. Rant. Rant.

I was completely insulted. I hear this stupid rant often. I have my own little rant in return that I give out, and it's good. Really good. I couldn't be bothered to give him what for though. My head hurt. I didn't want to talk. So I just looked and him and half smiled a fake smile.

He didn't get the point though, and he kept pushing it. And pushing it. I wasn't buying into it. Keep insulting me Vincie, I thought. Good work.

I think he knew that he had lost me. In that moment I knew I wasn't coming back to that salon again. So he decided to throw in a compliment: You know who you look like? Alison Sweeney from Days of Our Lives.

I had no idea who he meant. I just smiled and said an awkward thank you. Not sure if it was a compliment or not. Later I googled her, and this is who she is below.

Anyways. My hair was done. And it was U-G-L-Y. Think Big Bird yellow. I wanted to cry there and then. But I didn't. Instead when he asked: Do you like the colour? I had a case of verbal diarrhoea.

Usually I'm from the school of keep quiet and then come home and whinge, but yesterday was different. I don't like it, I said. I hate it. I hate the colour. It's yellow. And wrong.

Don't forget these lights throw gold, said Vincie.

Throw gold? I thought. I'll throw something at you in a minute. My hair is ruined.

I couldn't bear to be there a moment longer. The colour was and is beyond disgusting. I quickly threw it back in a ponytail and headed for the desk to pay.

Vincie said nothing more. Took my money and refused to converse any longer.

I walked as fast as my legs would take me to the car. I didn't want any of the shoppers staring at my ugly hair.

I got to the car and headed for the exit. I couldn't find my ticket. Parking is free if you enter after five, so I wouldn't have had to pay... if I had my ticket.

I search high and low. No ticket.

So I have to go back, find a parking spot and then head to the machine.

I press the lost ticket button and pay FORTY FREAKING DOLLARS and wait for my new ticket to be printed.

Nope. The printer didn't work.

So I press the intercom button. The loud voice booms over, drawing more unwanted attention to me.

Tell me your name and your registration, it says.

So I do. And then he asks me to spell it. SLOWLY. So I do.

And then I run to my car. And I cry.

I get to the exit and the boom gate is open. Which means I could have just driven through without paying the $40, if I hadn't paid it already.

And then I get home. Fall into Hubby's arms and cry big, fat ugly tears. He assures me my hair is fine. I tell him it's not. It's ugly and it's yellow. I have never had such a bad colour. I don't do beanies, but I'm seriously considering it. I don't want to go outside with hair like this.

If I put it into perspective, the day isn't so bad. People are doing a lot worse than me. It just felt like it was steamrolling from one thing to another. It felt a little out of control.

I think the thing that started the steamroll was that I decided to give up breastfeeding on Wednesday. I have a huge case of Mother Guilt that won't budge. My breasts are so full and painful. A nice, constant (and painful) little reminder of the decision that I made.

What I like about bad days is that they end. New days are full of hope and opportunity as the sun rises.

May this day be a better one. xx

The Art of Sleep.

Ah sleep.

It amazes me how much we adults adore it, yet most children and babies abhor it.

I've had beautiful emails wondering how we're going on the sleep front. Thank you.

I still haven't had a full nights sleep in my own bed.

So remember when I was doing Operation Sleep?

For those that don't, a few months ago Lacey's sleeping was really bad. I hate using that word bad, because she's not 'bad' but she just wasn't sleeping.

She was in her room, in her cot. She would wake sometimes every 40 minutes throughout the night. I would have to go in, get her, bring her to my bed, feed her and then put her back to sleep. I had been doing that for months and was exhausted. I felt hungover every day. I wasn't getting any deep sleep at all.

I decided to try and teach Lacey to self settle. It was horrible and it didn't work. I tried for a whole week. Lacey vomited a few times. She fell asleep sitting up, and stayed that way all night. She just wouldn't lie down. Tresillian (sleep guru hotline) told me to leave her, so I did. They said she would eventually lie herself down. She didn't.

So after many tears (mine) and much heartache (mine, again) I decided to bring her into our bed. Before this adventure she wouldn't sleep in our bed. I would have done it months ago if she would. This wasn't about anything other than trying to get more sleep for ourselves and more so about survival.

When we brought her into our bed I imagined if she could speak she would have said in her sweet little voice: Mama, please let me sleep with you. I will do whatever you want me to do. Please Mama.

As soon as she was in our bed. She slept. And she slept well.

I felt like I had taught her nothing, and I felt a little defeated. But I was getting sleep. She woke once a night. I'd quickly feed her and she would go back to sleep.

That lasted for about week.

Now she wakes a little bit more. Sometimes 10 times a night, sometimes twice. I'd say on average it's about 3 times a night.

I dream about stretching out in bed, not sleeping cautiously because there is a little body next to me. But this is so much better than how things were months ago. I know it's not forever.

Sometimes at about 2am Lacey will wake and think it's morning. She'll crawl up and kiss me a million times. And then, because Hubby taught her to whisper, she'll whisper little words to us. We have no idea what she is trying to tell us, but it's quite possibly the cutest thing EVER.

It's hard not to laugh.

Waking up in the morning (at the normal hour) is the sweetest thing. I love seeing her smiling little face. She's so happy and secure.

So that's where we're at on the sleeping front. I'm no Tizzie Hall (sleep guru) but I have a happy little baby. And if I have a happy little baby, I guess that makes me a Happy Mama. xx

Image: Boopsie.Daisy

Mooo Giveaway Reminder.

Just a reminder that the Mooo giveaway ends tonight. Get in, before it's over. xx

Polka Dotted.

Somebody, and please forgive me that I don't remember who you are, asked me where I got this top that Lacey wore to her birthday party. I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to you. I can't even remember if you emailed me or just asked in a comment. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

The polka dot top is from Bay Bee Cino. They actually do a whole range in the polka dot design. They do pants, tops, onesies and they even do a wrap. I have three tops and a wrap. The wrap is one of those really, really big ones. I bought it after Lacey stopped being wrapped at night, so I just use it to cover the pram when she sleeps.

Don't ever pay full price at Bay Bee Cino. Okay, you can if you want. But it seems they have a sale on all the time anyways. At the moment I think it's 50% off. Which makes it quite affordable at about $12 for a top.

Happy shopping. xx

Housekeeping.

I thought today that I would do a little housekeeping around here. There are questions unanswered and it's about time I got around to answering them.


Last week Red Deer asked me what magazines I read. Actually it was more polite than that. It was a sweet: May I ask what magazines you like to read?

Well.... perhaps asking me what magazines I don't read might have been an easier question. I'm addicted.

Actually about 5 years ago I was a whole lot more addicted. Since then I've discovered blogs and I've had Lacey.

Now I'll grab a magazine or two on Monday and by Sunday I've only got to the Editor's Letter and no further. By then it's old news, the fashion is so last week and the gossip... well it's hardly classed as gossip anymore when it's a week old. Is it?

My favourite magazine is Frankie. I love her. I'm about to open a whole bottle of crazy here, but I know you won't judge me.

Frankie has beautiful, smooth, non-glossy pages filled with quirky reads, beautifully natural photos and articles you actually want to read from start to finish. Plus there is rarely an over publicised celebrity in sight.

And here is the extensive list of other magazines I like to read. Sigh. Madison, Real Living, Donna Hay, delicious, Grazia, Women's Weekly, Notebook, Marie Claire, Wondertime, and all the other parenting magazines. Not to mention any magazine that catches my eye when I'm in the newsagent.

Sometimes as an incentive to go for a walk I'll bribe myself that I can have a magazine at the end of it. It works. I usually make myself walk to the newsagent that is right at the top of a steep heel. I make myself work for it, don't you worry.

Anyway I need to put a lid on this bottle of crazy. Thanks for not judging me. x

Image: Simply Photo

Becoming Mama.

I wrote this piece when Lacey was 10 months old, which is 3 months ago. I actually wrote it as a guest piece on another blog, but have decided to share it today. blogged is a group of bloggers with a challenge topic to write about each week. This week the topic was When I Grow Up. Here is my contribution.

I’ve always dreamt of being a Mum. I can remember being about eight and the teacher asking what I wanted to be when I grew up. In my head I could hear a voice screaming... I want to be a Mum! but I was far too switched on and realised that my teacher wanted to hear something other than that so I said ... I want to be a vet, Miss.

A vet? I hate blood and guts. I don’t know where that came from. I haven’t once, beyond that moment considered being a vet. We don’t even have any pets now. I am so not a vet type person.

From that ripe old age of eight, when I was already clucky I would happily mind any kid, and I did a good job too. Kids and babies felt safe with me. They were drawn to me. I can’t explain it, but I was just very maternal from the beginning of my time.

I’ve always kept my cluckiness under control. When I met Hubby I wasn’t banging down his door demanding babies. Quite the opposite, in fact. After we married he would have happily had children straight away. Instead, I wanted to wait for a year and a bit until we had enjoyed that post-wedding bliss together. I knew we wouldn’t get that time back. Or the sleep.

Becoming a Nanny was a pretty natural path for me. I don’t mind other people’s children. I know others gag at the thought of being around kids that aren’t their own, but I love them. Any age. Any stage.

I’ve always loved that I can be that person for the kids. The person that makes them smile. Makes them giggle. Loves them. Nurtures their needs. I really do love the kids I Nanny for.

When I fell pregnant I had always looked forward to breastfeeding. It sounds odd. A bit weird, perhaps. I guess that as a Nanny it’s the one thing I can’t do for a child. I knew that I would breastfeed no matter what. It was important to me. I wanted to be able to provide for my child.

Moments after I gave birth to Lacey there was a midwife squeezing, expressing and trying to attach my baby to my breast. Umm....ouch! I was looking forward to this? I thought it was meant to be beautiful and peaceful. That was pure pain.

I remember the weeks after arriving home having to stomp my feet every time she would attach because the pain was insane. After a while it got easier, and quicker, not to mention much more enjoyable for Lacey and I.

It’s pretty special to be able to provide for my little one. It’s very natural. It’s a special moment (or a series of them throughout the day) to share with Lacey.

Lacey is ten and a half months old now, and the months that have passed have seemed like a blur. I can’t remember what she was like as a teeny little baby. I see newborns and wonder if she was ever that small. I know she was. Perhaps even smaller.

The other morning Lacey and I were playing together in her room. She came over and gave me a kiss and went on her merry way. Right in that moment I realised. I’m a Mum. This is it. This is who I’ve always wanted to be. Right then, I felt so complete. So warm. So loved. This is where I am meant to be. xx

{one thing}

What is one thing that made you smile today?

Image : Flickr

Everyday Everybody: Claire.

The Everyday Everybody interview series has been really fun, and a great way of getting to know people. The questions are randomly picked from a book I have at home, and are quite often questions I would never think to ask a person, nor have the courage to.

Claire is the next person up to be interviewed. I've never met Claire in real life, but I've known her for a long time and feel like we're life long friends. Claire has two beautiful children. Sadly, her son Bailey passed away from SIDS when he was just six weeks old.

Red Nose Day is coming up on the 26th of June. Money raised from Red Nose Day goes towards SIDS and Kids. Please buy a red nose, a wrist band, a pen or something from their site to help raise money. You can head here to find out more or to purchase an item.

Here is a little more about my friend Claire.



Have you got any scars?
I have lots! I have sensitive skin that whenever I get a scratch it turns into a scar. But most interesting ones is one from the centre of my head down to my ear... hit across the head with a plank of wood with a nail in it as I wouldn't die during cowboys and Indians as a kid! One on my upper right thigh from jumping a fence as a teen. 2 cesarean scars from my two babies. Scars in belly button from belly piercing and surgery.

When did you last have breakfast in bed?
Valentines day this year. My lovely housemate spoiled me.

What's the important decision you've ever made?
To still have strength and faith in life and destiny and to tackle problems with grace even after losing it all and having my son die in my arms. Oh and to remain in Brisbane after it all and try to be a single mum instead of running back to Sydney.

Where do you go to be on your own?
My bedroom or a hot bath.

Who made you laugh today?
My best friend Luke. We always manage to end up in fits of giggles every few minutes.

What do you want that you can't afford?
A car, holiday and lovely house.

What colour underwear do you have on?
Black. Always black.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Oh this is a good one. Id like to be successfully trained in the beauty and hair industry. I will then have my own business providing beauty and hair parties (like Tupperware parties, group of friends meet up and pay $30, I teach them beauty, hair and make up skills in a party setting. They can then buy stuff if wanted but everyone learns something). Id like to be living near the beach in a small town, hopefully have another child by then, in a happy long term relationship. Happy and successful and ticked all the goals off my list.

What do you regret?
I do not regret anything in life cause it can get us stuck in the past. I believe in that we walk a path of destiny and that everything happens for a reason.

Who's the most famous person you've ever met?
Heath Ledger.


Thank you Claire for being part of my blog. xx

Beautiful Day.

How beautiful was today? This is Bondi at 7:20am. Absolutely stunning.

How was your day?

Photo : Aquabumps

Mooo To You Too Giveaway.

Do you remember when I showed you the cheap and chic invites last week from Mooo? You do? You don't? Make up your mind...

Well they have offered one of you a $35 voucher to spend in their online store. I think if you were savvy (and limited your guest numbers) you could kit out the stationery for your party with that. And in these tight financial times - you gotta do, what you gotta do. Right?


I just went into the store and pretended I won (you should have heard my acceptance speech - pure brilliance) and tried to pick what I would buy.

I think I'd get a few different thank you cards. You can never have enough and I'm all about being grateful.

The blackboard type wall decals are sweet too. I have no more wall space left in Lacey's room though. So that's out.

I love this pencil case, which I would get my own name on, and use it as a makeup case inside my handbag.

And then I woke up and realised I didn't win. I wasn't the beautiful princess in the castle with the $35 voucher for Mooo.

I was me. And I'm giving it to you.

And this whole post quite possibly makes no sense at all. Does it?

Just comment below if you'd like to win the voucher. It's that easy. I think.

I need to lie down.

Good luck. xx

Competition closes Thursday Night. Winner will be announced Friday.

What! You Too?

Don't you think this happens a lot as a Mama, and as a blogger?

Quite often I'm taken aback that someone is experiencing the same thing as me, or going through something that I once experienced.

I know every journey is different, with life and motherhood. We all travel different paths, yet I find that we're still united in so many different ways.

I often find myself in the blogosphere nodding along and gasping within: What? You too? I only felt the same way last week!

And with motherhood. Well, that seems to happen all the time. When Lacey was born I was shifted from room to room without any interaction with other mothers at all. I had a private room so didn't share with any other babies or Mamas. I think it was many days before I even saw another baby, and that was probably in the canteen as I quickly grabbed some supplies and then retreated back to the sanctuary of our room.

So after a week of being in the hospital I was having breastfeeding attachment issues with Lacey so I saw a midwife. She put me into a little intensive group so a lactation consultant could help guide us through any issues we had.

I sat with two other women, and their babies. The other babies were 2 weeks old. To me that felt sooo much older than Lacey. Those mothers were (or seemed at the beginning anyhow) practically experts. They'd been Mamas forever. Two weeks seemed like a long time to me. I think it was because they'd also been home as well. I hadn't experienced the real world as a Mama yet.

We sat there and talked as we worked out how to feed our hungry little babies properly. I realised how much we were all alike. I was nodding along about birthing experiences. About how we felt after the birth. About how much they adored their new little bundles. About how exhausting it all already was. About how little we really new, but how right it all felt.

It was my first real contact with Mama's being a new Mama myself. And inside my head that quote came up: What you too? Thought I was the only one.

And I wanted to hold on to them for dear life, these new friends of mine. I wanted to feel connected like this forever. It was my first experience of sharing about motherhood and babies. Were there other mothers out there who got me, like I got them?

I wanted to swap emails and phone numbers. But in fear of seeming desperate I left empty handed, back into the world unsure if I would meet others travelling the same path as me.

It wasn't that I was feeling isolated, because I wasn't. I had a great support network. There really wasn't any time to feel isolated. People were always popping in. I had Hubby home with me for weeks before and after Lacey was born. It was just that warm, fuzzy feeling when friendship is born because two or more people are sharing something. Something special.

Those moments have happened a lot since that day. and it's lovely to be able to share something with someone. Even if it goes unspoken. As one person talks I often find myself nodding along, or giving them a knowing smile. I get you, my eyes say. I do. And in that moment friendship is born.

That's the great thing about motherhood and parenthood. How ever different we may be, we're ever so much the same.

The other day I had Lacey in the pram as we walked past the pet store. Out the front was a father and a baby girl happily looking at the new puppies. The little girl looked to be a few months older than Lacey, and to my delight she had about the same amount of beautiful blond hair.

I scooped up Lacey out of the pram and decided that we too needed to look at puppies. The father and I looked at each knowingly. At the same time we spoke. I said: Oh, a little twin for Lacey. He said: I see someone else has hair issues. We laughed.

We didn't need to say anything else. We just knew that we'd heard all the same comments, thought all the same things.

And that was enough. That was all I needed. My little What you too? hit and I was on my way. xx

Just Because...

It's far too cute not to share...

Winners Are Grinners.

What a fun week last week turned out to be.

It's now time to announce the winners of all the giveaways. Lacey had so much fun picking the winners from the jar. I let the jar entertain her for a little while and then she crashed out for a big sleep. Perfection!

So let's not keep you waiting any longer.

If all the winners could get in contact with me and let me know your addresses, that would be great. Just email me at fatmumslim@hotmail.com

Thank you! And a quick thank you again especially to Ivy Designs, Little Itty Bitty and Woddlebots. You were all so generous. xx

Lovely Nothingness.

How was your weekend?

Mine was filled with lovely nothingness. Don't you love those weekends? We didn't do anything extravagant. The weekly shopping. A Skype session with Sis. Hanging out and playing. That's perfect for me.

And I didn't feel guilty for not really doing anything either, because the weather outside on Saturday was whispering to me: Stay inside my dear, we don't want you out here.

It rained. It was windy. There was a chill in the air. It was tracksuit weather. Definitely inside weather (and attire).

On Saturday my brother and his beautiful girlfriend arrived home from Thailand. It was my brother's first trip overseas.

My brother is the funniest person I know. I've told you before, but I don't think you could really understand until you met him. And then you probably wouldn't think so anyway. He's not the sort of person who tells jokes or performs tricks. It's just the way he says things and the comments he makes. We're always laughing when we're around him.

When any of us travel we always send a text to let everyone know we've arrived safely. When my brother arrived in Thailand two weeks ago he sent a text to my Ma: Funny as here. Tell all.

So Ma told us all. She forwarded the message on.

Except she didn't write anything else. We all thought it was from her. Thanks Ma. Funny thing is no one questioned it. We all just thought she was sending weird arse messages... again.

So Saturday when my brother and his girlfriend were due in. Ma, Lacey and I decided that they needed one of those big, helium balloons to celebrate their arrival. My brother likes motorbikes so we got this ridiculously huge motorbike balloon and waited at the arrivals gate for them.

Lacey entertained all the people awaiting their loved ones. This teeny tiny bubba holding onto this huge balloon walking around the terminal. It was hilarious.

I tried to take a photo with my phone, but the balloon was so big I need a wide shot. Each time I would take a few steps back Lacey would follow. So I have no photo.

When my brother arrived he didn't even see us. The huge balloon had no effect in the crowd of faces. When we finally called out to them and drew attention to the balloon, they laughed (and seemed slightly embarrassed).

I now have a huge (ugly) motorbike balloon vacating about half of my living room. Unfortunately those balloons seem to have the longest life. Don't they?

Sunday the weather was beautiful. Still a little windy, but sunny and clear. Much deserved after such a wet week. I'm hoping the sun will show his face at least a little bit this week. I love the rain but the sun is so good for the soul.

What was your high {best thing that happened} on the weekend? What was your low {worst thing}?

Mama + Bubba Fashion.

I knew when I purchased this bunny top to match Lacey's own little bunny top... I was entering the land of the crazy. Matching mother/daughter clothing is probably a big no no. Right?

I couldn't resist though. And my bunny top was on sale.

We haven't worn them at the same time ... yet. I get all nervous and decide against wearing them. I probably won't. I'm not fashionably brave enough. But perhaps that's a good thing.

I have been shopping up a storm though. I am loving having a US address with my sister in the States. It's actually quite dangerous.

Here are some things that can be found in my shopping cart:

Phew.

What a week of wild, windy weather we've had this week in Sydney. As I type there is rain hitting every window in the house and the wind is whistling past at a great speed. It's great weather for hanging out inside. It's secretly some of my favourite weather, as long as it doesn't last too long.

I just wanted to once again thank everyone for such a great week. Celebrating has been so much fun, made so much more special by all of you joining in.

For those that haven't yet commented (and I happen to know for a fact that it's about 97% of you) please do so. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. It's fun and pain free. I promise.

You can still enter into all the giveaways until Sunday lunchtime (my time) and then after that I'll be drawing out the winner.

Thank you everyone for all your great items for giveaways. Without your generosity it just wouldn't work, would it? I'd be giving away forks and spoons from my utensil drawer... not fun really.

Have a lovely weekend everyone. We don't have much planned. My brother is flying back in from Thailand tomorrow. I can't wait to see him. Of course he comes bearing gifts. Joy.

See you all on Monday. Stay dry until then. xx

P.S. Send a happy thought up to my in-laws if you get the chance. They live on a waterfront property but with this torrential rain it's becoming a little too waterfront for their liking. We're hoping it all eases and it doesn't get as messy as it possibly could.

Image: Kelli Jane Photo

Final Giveaway: WoddleBots.

It's time for my final giveaway for the week. I feel like the party is almost over. It's been such a fun week and I've loved all the feedback from everyone. It's been so touching and made me smile so much all week... my cheeks hurt!

It's been so much fun that I've decided to do a giveaway once a week from now on. Keep an eye out for it. You can be a winner.

So the final giveaway for the week is very, very special. Krystie from Woddlebots has been so generous. She is helping me celebrate my new domain by putting a piece of extra cute kids clothing up for grabs.

You can pick one of the items above if you win! (I have already ordered the first little skirt for Lacey for Summer. I can imagine her wearing it with her little white havaianas). Head over to Woddlebots to have a better look at the items.

To win all you have to do is comment below. Head over to Woddlebots have a look and then come back and tell me which item you want to win. It's that easy.

Winners will be announced on Monday. So come back and check if you're a lucky ducky!

Thank you so much for being so excited for me, and for all playing along. I am feeling the love, and loving it.

Happy weekend to you all. xx

Mooo.

How cute are these? Seriously!

And so cheap! They're $1 an invite (that's in Australian dollars), and they come in sooo many colour stories. And designs. I'm so excited. I want to have a party now.

My birthday is in less than a month. Yes, expect me to say things like that for the next four weeks. It's what I do.

I usually make my own invites, but these are just perfect.

The envelope seals are $7.50 for 24. The thank you cards are only $1 each too.

I'm not sure what the quality is like. If anyone has purchased from Mooo before I would love to hear what your experience was like.

Oh gosh. I'm far too excited for words.

In fact I think I need to go have a lie down.



Get them here at Mooo.

A Day In The Life: Mother's Day.

I love photos. When I read that Tracey had started a Day In Your Life project I was ready to jump in.

I get half way through the day though, and forget. The camera gets put down somewhere, I get busy, and then I forget to take photos of the rest of the day.

On Mother's Day I got up to 3pm and then I forgot. You'll just have to use your imagination. After 3pm we just hung out. Hubby cooked me a lovely dinner and then we watched TV. Boring? Not really. It's my perfect kinda Sunday.

I also just want to add the disclaimer that Lacey doesn't always eat nutella. It's only the 2nd time in her life she's had it. Why? Because there are so many other foods she prefers, and the clean up afterwards is just massive. Too. Much. Work.

It's fun. I'd love to see what a day in your life is like (if you have a blog and decide to do this please link in the comments). I might try and do a weekday for my next one. xx