Hallow.

Hey you.



Did you get that Halloween type greeting joke up there? ^^ I crack myself up sometimes! I seriously do. Oh dear.

I hope you had a lovely week. It's been a busy one here for me. Enjoyable, yet busy.

Thanks for all your comments yesterday. It's comforting to see others get a tad annoyed for me, as I was when I got the email saying we weren't allowed to stay at the house. But I'm sure that it's just a sign that there is something bigger {perhaps?} and better out there for me. I'll keep you all posted on what happens.

I start a photography course next week for a month, so I'll be busy but around. I will try to keep the posting to a daily event, but will let you know how I go. I'm not sure what the load is like with the course. I'm really looking forward to it, and can't wait to be challenged, inspired and educated.

I am really looking forward to the weekend. I can't wait to get dressed up and have a night out. It's scary to say but I don't think I have since Lacey was born.

What are your plans for the weekend? Are you celebrating Halloween?


Image: Pink Sherbet.

10. Plan / Organise My 30th Birthday.

I have been eagerly pecking away at my 30 by 30 list {a list of 30 things I want to do by the time I turn the ripe old age of 30 next year}. I have achieved some things, others I am still working on.

A few weekends ago I thought I had absolutely, positively crossed off number ten on my list: Plan / Organise my 30th birthday. First of all I thought I wanted to go to Hawaii, then Fiji and then I decided I wanted to rent a house around Sydney for a week and have a celebration with friends.

I found the PERFECT house. I fell in love the moment that I saw it. It was right on the water. It couldn't possibly be any closer to the water without having to wear a floating device. It was stunning. So we booked it.

The property looked stunning in the pictures we saw online, but we thought we'd make a morning of it and go and check out the suburb and see what it was like. So we headed out and started exploring. Most of the houses are sooooo waterfront the only way you can have a sneak peek is on water. We hired a boat and had a sticky beak around. We had oh so much fun.

There were so many amazing houses, but the one I had picked definitely stood out, and the excitement within really hit an all time high. I could already imagine Hubby, Lacey and I hanging out there. We'd go fishing. Take a little boat out. Just kick back.

As I emailed back and forth with the agent for the property I kept seeing things about no parties. I didn't worry too much because I didn't want a party. Just a lunch with a few friends and family. I talked to my family about what they considered a party, and they thought that lunch definitely wasn't. It got the better of me though and I thought I'd check with the agent if I was allowed to have visitors.

I soon discovered that a lunch is considered to be a party. And I no longer have 30th birthday plans.

Back to the drawing board, again.

What has been your best birthday so far? How did you celebrate it?

Top Image by Melissa Lund. All the rest by Me.

{one thing}

What is one thing that made you smile today?

Everyday Everybody: Gabrielle.

Good morning. If you've had a hard night and are not sure what day it is, let me inform you that it's Wednesday. And what happens on Wednesday boys and girls? The Everyday Everybody interview series. That's what.

So sit right down. Select your drink of choice {mine is water} and have a read about Gabrielle.

Coke or Pepsi?
Definitely Coke! Although it’s almost always Coke Zero. I’m trying to cut down on my consumption as I don’t think all the chemicals in Coke Zero are very healthy. A month or so ago I was drinking it every weekday but now I’m down to a couple of times per week.

What do you wear to bed?
Depends on the temperature and if I’m by myself or with Hubby. Summer with Hubby, nothing. Summer by myself, singlet and knickers or a singlet nightie. Winter with Hubby, a long-sleeve t-shirt and knickers. Winter by myself, winter PJs. It’s all very technical! Hubby is like a furnace so he heats up the bed!

Have you ever been on TV?
Yes, when I was 4. I won a competition (and won $1,000 in 1984!) which was a fundraiser for SIDS research, Mum and I were on Adelaide Today. The host said to me “Say hello to your friends at West Lakes Kindergarten”, my response “But I can’t see them”. Obviously I thought the woman was an idiot for asking me to say hello to people that weren’t there, of course everyone laughed at me!

Who did you last buy a present for?
Friends who just had a baby girl.

Tell me something you think would surprise people about you.
Someone I worked with was asked this at a course the other day and we were saying that it’s a difficult question as nothing about me surprises me! But going on reactions of people at work, the fact that I can cook. Apparently they thought I would be hopeless and I love cooking. I cooked them a great chocolate cake the other week, now they want another one.

Are you addicted to anything?
The internet, especially reading blogs. There is such an incredible amount of information on the internet, I feel like I can never read enough. The downside is that it takes up sooo much time!

What's your favourite CD at the moment?
I have to admit I don’t listen to a lot of music at the moment, only really when I’m in the car. I’m enjoying Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling at the moment, it puts me in a good mood. Great for exercising to as well!

What's your favourite sandwich?
Roast chicken breast (no skin), stuffing, hummus, lettuce on fresh bread. Yum! I could eat it everyday.

Which country would you most like to visit?
Gosh, there’s so many I would love to visit! Hmmm, I think I’m going to go with a month in Italy. Great food and a gorgeous vista!

When did you last swim in the ocean?
Last summer during Adelaide’s crazy heat wave Hubby and I went for a swim everyday after work to cool down a little.

Gabrielle blogs over at Healthier Kind Of Me. Thanks for playing along Gabrielle. xx

It's Tuesday, & I Can't Wait...

My beautiful friend is getting married very, very soon and we're celebrating the end of her single years, and the upcoming wedding by having a little shin dig this weekend.

I can't wait to have a little fun.

What can't you wait for?

Play here.
Image by Marion.

I Heart Handbags.

Especially of the tan variety. Here are five handsome handbags that I'm lusting after.

Details here: First. Second. Third. Fourth. Fifth.

Possible.

This quote of the week is available from 3LambsGraphics.

Textbook Romance.

My friend Zoe Foster's book {which Hamish Blake contributed to by commenting on bits and bobs here and there} is out today. Grab yourself a copy. You'll be laughing all the way to... where ever it is you're going. x

Hello You. And You.

Hello you.


There are a few things I learnt whilst having my week off from the land of the blogs. Some of which are:

♥ It is lovely to miss, and be missed {thanks for the emails}.

♥ Lacey is capable of unscrewing nail polish bottles. And that's hard to clean up.

♥ I love daylight savings. We have been spending the early evenings at the beach or park and wearing our little girl out. It means better sleeping for all and lovely family time.

♥ Walking in the morning is oh so good for the soul.

♥ The thing you are searching for is always in the last place you look. Always.

♥ Sometimes the only way to stop a bad morning turning into a bad day is to look on the bright side of life and get a little silly. Singing helps too.

♥ The water is almost warm enough for me to jump into the surf already {and by that I mean dip a toe in and then painfully annoy my husband by taking twenty seven hours to submerge the rest of myself into the water, by which time he's in the car, packed up and ready to go home}.


What did you learn in the past week?

My Wish For You.

This is my wish for you: A happy weekend filled with sunny days and marshmallow shaped clouds, a night full of dancing in your favourite heels, uninterrupted sleep-ins, banana pancakes with maple syrup, a little sunshine to warm the soul and truckloads of cuddles from the ones you love.

I'm taking a break next week, and I'll see you back here on the following Monday. Have fun until then.

Have a lovely weekend too. xx

Quote by Quotable cards.
Photo by Alice B Gardens.

Happy Anniversary.

It's been four years today since we walked down the aisle and became Mr and Mrs. It's been four years since we said I Do and promised to love each other for forever and a day. It's been four years since we shared our love with all of our near and dear. It's been four years since one of the best days of my life.

It's also been four years since I lost my most favourite earrings. But I won't mention that. Oops I already did.

I love you my beautiful husband. I am so lucky to have met you, and even luckier to have married you. I couldn't imagine sharing my life, and our little girl with anyone else.

I love you. xx

P.S. I promised I would share more wedding photos, and I will, a few weeks down the track. I'm a bit flat out at the moment. But I will get around to it. ♥

Smile.

What is one thing that made you smile today?

Image by Moon Flowers

Everyday Everybody: Virginia.

G'Day Mate.

It's time again for another insight into the life of a Fat Mum Slim reader's mind. Today we get to meet Virginia who blogs over at Mum/Toddler/Babe.

What was your last purchase from the chemist? Wax! Being a mum to two makes it really difficult to get out to my beautician so I need to DIY when it comes to beautifying myself. It also saves me a bit of money! Sorry Dina!

When was the last time you had to apologise? Only a few days ago to my hubby. I've been a bit grumpy and irritable lately due to lack of sleep for months on end and it doesn't take him much to get me cranky. Of course then I need to come back and apologise, as often it's not warranted. My poor hubby puts up with a lot when I'm tired.

What is the first thing you notice when you meet someone? Mostly their faces. I think you can tell a lot about someone by their face, especially their eyes, what sort of eye contact they give you and their facial expressions. It's usually a person's eyes or the way they speak with their whole face that will endear me to them initially. What's the saying? A person's eyes are the window to their soul? I think that's pretty true.

Who do you miss? That's a hard one. I'd say my maternal grandfather who died suddenly when I was in Year 9. I never got to say goodbye to him. He only spoke Greek, and I only spoke a tiny bit of Greek so we didn't really communicate verbally but we had a great bond and connection with one another. He was so warm and loving and the right kind of mischievous. I would have loved him to be around to meet my children.Might sound funny, but I miss not having a mother-in-law too. She was a great lady who unfortunately lost her battle with cancer in 2001.

How was your skin as a teenager? I had pretty oily/pimply skin when I was a teen. I was very embarrassed by it most of the time. I used to hate going swimming as I used to get pimples at the top of my back and hated wearing anything revealing that part of my back. Thankfully it's pretty good now, you wouldn't even know what it was like before!

When was the last time you stayed in bed all day? Oh my! Probably before I was married when I was having a sick day off work. What a luxury! Would love a day of just catching up on sleep now.

Who's your best friend? My mama by far. I absolutely love her to death, don't know what I would do without her. She is the wisest, most beautiful, most generous, most loving person I know. She will drop everything just to help me out or come to my rescue.

What was your first job? At 15, I was a checkout chick at my local grocery store. I only did it for a few months and my parents told me to quit!

Who owes you money? No-one!! It's usually me that owes my mum money! But at the moment it's just the bank I owe.

Are you houseproud? I think mostly I am. I am one of those people who constantly strives to have a tidy house for myself and others, but I'm not great at maintaining if for long, and it's very hard with a toddler who likes to mess up things all the time. It's amazing how the state of my house can affect my mood so much. If the house is looking great and tidy and clean I feel so good!I am far from being a neat freak though. My hubby and I can also be quite untidy and not very good at putting things where they should go so there's always a lot of work to do. In an ideal world I'd like the house to look good all the time. Unfortunately our house will always have that 'lived in' look I think, it will never have the 'magazine spread' look!

Thanks Virginia. I have been missing your blog because for some reason it hasn't been coming up on my feed and I've only just noticed. I look forward to going back to reading it frequently.

If you would like to share a little bit of you here, then please send me an email at fatmumslim@hotmail.com and I'll pop you an email with some random questions. I'd love to hear from you.

Make Me Up.

I'm not a perfect parent. I don't know a perfect parent, to be honest. I have friends that I look up to, who I wish I was more like. They seem to always speak in a kind voice, always saying the right words, always cooking Organic good food, organising age appropriate craft activities for their children and their houses look immaculate.

Last week my Big Sis was getting ready to go out. She was putting on lipstick, and painting her nails. Lacey was mesmerised and wanted to play Big Girl too and requested {in her own little way} to have her nails painted.

So we painted them. Big Sis was painting hers black, but we thought we'd steer clear of Goth Lacey for now and try a shade of pink. She loved them. She pointed her toes this way and that. She danced. She didn't want to wear shoes. Those babies weren't being covered up.

In such a happy, blissful, safe moment I felt guilty. She was a day short of being one and a half. I know that's far too young for any make-up. I know she wasn't doing it for any other reason than to be just like her Aunt. I still felt a little guilty, and non-perfect-parent-material.

Of course the next day news hit that children are being targeted by stores and media in an over-sexualised fashion. The article is titled Little Girls Are The New Sex Objects. And then more guilt set in.

Lacey probably won't have her nails painted again for years to come, and I don't imagine she'll own a lipsmacker before she's four. I think there are problems when bras, make-up and other teen-appropriate items are marketed for children. I know there is no harm in little ones wanting to be like their Aunts or Mamas. It's only natural for them to be like us.

I realise that we have such influence over our little ones. We are role models. Everyday, not just when we want to be. And I also know if I'm not feeling guilty about this, then I'll find something else to feel guilty about. We're not perfect. We're mothers. And with being a mother, usually comes Mother Guilt. It's part and parcel.

What do you feel guilty about as a parent?

Beautiful Hair.

I wish I was brave enough {and fashionable enough} to get around wearing hair fashions on a daily basis. I have loved Ban.do since I first set eyes on them about a year ago, and I'm still in love. I love their heart ban.do range which is all under $50.

All pieces are available here. xx

Expedit Exhibition.

It seems like every second house has an Ikea Expedit Bookcase. In ours we have two. I find it difficult in making them look stylish and on trend. Mine tend to look crowded and neglected.

I have been scouring the web for inspiration in how to make them look neat, and as if they've come straight from the pages of an interiors magazine. I think one key is to not have anything {well art is fine, piles of bills are not} sitting on top. It does make a huge difference.

Here are five that I've found for you today.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

Do you have an Ikea Expedit Bookcase? How do you fill yours?

Salad Session.

Next up are my top 5 salads. I love salads. They're so easy, and delicious. My all time favourite salad is one that I get from a local growers market. It has roasted sweet potato, semi-sundried tomatoes, fetta, pinenuts, rocket, baby spinach, spanish onion, chicken and a walnut dressing. I make a version at home and add avocado, and goats cheese {taking out the fetta} and swapping the sweet potato with pumpkin, as well as swapping the sundried tomatoes for fresh cherry tomatoes. It's so yummy that I could eat it every day.

Here are five other salads I love...

Potato Salad. Roast Pumpkin Salad. Best Ever Salad. Coleslaw. Chicken Snowpea Salad.

Spring Dressing.

I'm crazy about dresses. C-A-RAZZY. I love them. I truly do. I wouldn't dare count how many I have. All I know is that my wardrobe is so jam packed that pieces of clothing jump out at me when I open the doors, as if they're saying - pick me, pick me.

Today I am going to do a few fun little collections. My top 5 of a few things. Feel free to share any favourites you have of your own.

First up is my top 5 favourite dresses on Etsy.

Dress One. Dress Two. Dress Three. Dress Four. Dress Five.

Ten Celebrity Baby Names I Love + A Few ... Not So Much.

I love waiting for the announcement that another celebrity has given birth for two reasons.


One: Because it's a happy moment.
Two: Because I get to find out what they name their little bundle of joy.


Here are ten celebrity baby names I like:

♥ Harper Willow {Dave Grohl + Jordyn Blum}
♥ Jett Hamilton {Jill Scott + Lil John Roberts}
♥ Beckett Edward {Nicole Sullivan + Jason Packham}
♥ Finley Rae Martineau {Daniel Baldwin + Joanne Smith}
♥ Kiyan Carmelo {LaLa Vasquez + Carmelo Anthony}
♥ Nahla Ariela {Halle Berry + Gabriel Aubry}
♥ Ryder Russell {Kate Hudson + Chris Robinson}
♥ Everleigh Ray {Dominique Geisendorff + Cam Gigandet}
♥ Ava Eliot Jackman {Hugh Jackman + Deborra-Lee Furness}
♥ Stella Luna Pompeo Ivery {Ellen Pompeo + Chris Ivery}


And the not-so-much:


* Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman {M.I.A. + Benjamin Bronfman}
* Atlas {Anne Heche + James Tupper}
* Magnus Paulin {Will Ferrell + Viveca Paulin}

What names do you love, and which do you not-so-much love?

Adieu, But Not To You.

We had to say our goodbyes to Big Sis. The plans were to wake at 3:50am, quickly dress and sneak out to pick up Big Sis from Ma's house and then take her to the airport. Lacey obviously had other plans. At 2pm she woke and wouldn't go back to sleep. She must have known something was happening. She wasn't particularly cranky. She was just sitting up and constantly saying Telle {what she calls me} and pointing to the door.

So there was no sneaking out. I ended up taking her with me. She had the biggest smile on her face the whole morning and was so happy to be able to say goodbye properly. I was expecting tears all round, but we were okay. I think because Big Sis will be back for Christmas, we're not so worried. Christmas always seems to come around rather quickly.

It has been raining and freezing for over a week now. I am hoping the sun comes out to play a little {at least} this week. If anyone has Mother Nature on speed dial, could you please give her a call {or send a text even} and let her now we're in desperate need of some sun. Please.

It was quite an exciting week for Fat Mum Slim {in other words... me} last week. Ish and Chi, which is one of my new favourite blogs, picked me as the must read blog of the week. Thanks Viv. It's quite an honour, because I am such a fan of your blog, you and your style.

Also last week an article I wrote appeared on Primped. You can read it here. I'll be writing there every couple of weeks about being a new mama and beauty. If you have anything you'd like to hear about or products you want me to trial. Let me know. I'm up for anything.

And today marks the end of the Operation: Fat Mum Slim. How did you do? I did okay. I stumbled along the way, but in the end I feel better and I managed to lose 6kg. I can't complain about that. I look forward to losing more.

Happy Monday to you. I hope you have had a lovely weekend, and have a lovely week ahead. xx

Flower photo by Design by Helen.

Phew, It's Friday.

Good morning, and good friday to you.


I hope you've all had a lovely week. Mine has been a jam-packed one. It's school holidays and the kids are keeping me busy. Plus we're trying to soak up as much of Big Sis as we can. We have to sadly say goodbye to her on Sunday morning, until we see her again at Christmas.

I was slack with Operation: Fat Mum Slim this week. I think it ends on Monday so make sure you all come around and we can talk about how we did, or didn't do.

Until then, have a lovely weekend. I'll see you all next week. xx

Image: Life's Little Road Map.

Brain Mangler.

Have you run out of ideas to entertain the kidlets these school holidays? Having a quiet afternoon at work? Feel like mangling your brain?

I dare you {or perhaps double dare you} to print out this maze and race the kids {or your workmates, or yourself} to the finish. I did. And lost. Granted I did have a toilet break and have to let the dog out in between. But yes, I got my butt kicked by a 9 year old.

Go on. I double dared you.

Image: Tracey.Sue

What To Watch.

I've watched Sex and the City more times than I could honestly count. So I am now ready to explore another TV series on DVD. I don't really watch any TV series whilst they are on TV because I never remember to watch episode after episode. I usually just get them on DVD.

So please recommend a TV series for me to watch. I'm open to anything, and it can be old too. I haven't watched any Grey's or even Ally McBeal.


I'm looking forward to your offerings. xx

Image: Just Luh

Twenty Questions.

1. Show us the inside of something cute.

2. What's the last homecooking you had?

3. What do you miss?

I miss time to myself. Silence. Doing nothing. Being bored.

4. What makes you laugh often?

This little girl constantly has me laughing. What a joyous thing.

5. What's your favorite word?
Triumphant.

6. What are you trying to quit?

All things sweet are far too tempting.

7. What's your favorite commercial right now?

We have this for an Australian ad campaign. I think it's so funny, and is so what society has become.

8. Whose style do you dig?

I love SJP, or moreso Carrie. And I also love Frocks & Frou Frou too.

9. Link to a great blog you've discovered lately...

A Beautiful Mess.

10. What's the last craft you made?

I'm making a special gift for a friend. It's all hush, hush though.

11. A photo of the last happy mail you got.

Donna Hay magazine and Belle & Boo postcards.

12. Something you've got lately?

A new Blackberry. Yay. :)

13. What are you looking forward to?

My good friend is marrying in 6 weeks. I can't wait to celebrate with her, and her NEW husband. Yippppeeeee! ♥

14. Post a recent snapshot of yourself.

15. Recent Favorite Movie?

16. Something you're working on right now?

A few articles for a few websites.

17. If a movie were made about you, who would play you?

Trust me. A movie will never be made about me. But I'll humour myself by saying Drew Barrymore.

18. What gives you goosebumps?

Beautiful singing.

19. Share a new obsession.

It's trying to find a way to get a Fuji Instax Mini camera. I'm desperate for one.

20. What's the meaning of your life?

This is to celebrate LA's blog Freckled Nest reaching a HUGE milestone. Join in. Belated congratulations LA. xx

Sorry the formatting is all over the shop. It happens quite often when lots of photos are involved. :(