Make Yourself Proud.

Because it's simply no use making others proud, when you aren't punch drunk proud of yourself.

Guten Morgan.

Good morning you. How are you? How was your weekend?


Mine was restful. Hubby worked all weekend, and Ma took Lacey for most of the day on Saturday. I love that time to myself. The time does seem to fly by really quickly, but I just love being able to put myself first and do as I please. It's pure bliss.

And then when I hear my little girl walking up the stairs calling out my name, over and over again, my heart melts and I'm so glad to have her back in my arms. It's nice to miss and be missed.

Unfortunately we're all sick... again. I think it's because it's the end of the year and we're a little worn out. The clogs/cogs need a little rest and relaxation, me thinks. It's a downhill slide into Christmas now. Weeeeeee!

I hope you had a lovely weekend. If you're up to sharing, I'd love to hear about it. xx

With Open Arms.

Hello and ... Goodbye.


It's time for the weekend, which I am welcoming with open arms. We have had jam packed weekends for a while now so I am looking forward to getting on top of things and getting a bit of down time too.

I hope you have a lovely weekend planned. See you next week. xx

Image: Kristy Bee

Pampered.

I'm nine years old. My family and I are sitting around the television watching Hey Hey It’s Saturday. It’s what you do on a Saturday in 1989. Mum asks, “Who wants to do my hair?”

The truth is nobody really does. We’re far too involved in Red Faces to want to play hairdressers, but I say yes and I pull out the spray bottle, brushes and hair clips and get cracking. Mum is constantly giving and doing things for us. She’s made our beds, filled our lunch boxes and handed out cuddles left, right and centre all week long. It’s only fair that we give back.

Fast forward twenty years and here I am. It’s 3pm and a 12 year old asks if she can do my make-up. I know the correct response is, “No thanks I have to go and clean out the lint filter in the drier or something equally as boring”, but instead I can’t say yes quick enough.

I am constantly giving energy out, and I’ll give anything for a moment or two of peace and quiet. I sit still and let Miss 12 do her work. She spends many minutes perfecting my eyeliner. Apparently my eyelids are wrinklier than any that she’s encountered in short make-up applying career. Thanks for letting me know.

There’s the eyeliner, black eye shadow, blush, lipstick and lip gloss. There’s applying, wiping off and reapplying. And then there’s a request to look at myself in the mirror.

I hesitantly walk to the bathroom, expecting to see a messy Lindsay Lohan type looking back at me. Instead I’m pleasantly surprised. I don’t look that bad.

And I sigh. It might actually be better than I can do myself. Am I that out of touch? Two blows: I’m out of touch and have wrinkly eyelids. But I don’t really care. I’m just soaking up the pampering. I’ll take it any way I can get it.

{one thing}

What is one thing that made you smile today?

Everyday Everybody: Sharni.

It's time for another little insight into the life of a Fat Mum Slim reader. Today we meet Sharni who blogs over at The Chronicles of Sharnia {cute, hey?}.

Are you a morning or night person?
In the evening the real me comes to life! Definitely night. I am a new mama and I have been forced into some unbelievably rude morning hours - no matter how much practice I am getting , I will never never appreciate those evil morning hours.

What's your favourite soup?
Cauliflower and bacon, or pumpkin.

How do you cure hiccups?
The best cure is when someone offers to buy them from you. My Dad does this to me, and/or somebody says something completely off the wall to you. Once I had the hiccups and a friend said to me 'Did you see that white horse on the highway this afternoon?' I paused, a little baffled and tried to think back to seeing a horse - voila - mind distracted and hiccups gone! That or drinking upside down from a glass.

How much do you owe on your home?
$60, 000.

Do you envy anybody you know?
I do, but I try to steer clear of envy - or when I do feel it, try and see how I can manifest whatever it is that I envy in my own life.

Coke or Pepsi?
Coke. Pepsi just takes like flat coke.

What's the greatest distance you've ever travelled alone?
Hmmm... about 800km by train.

Do you believe in God?
In my own definition of God - which is that little inner voice inside us that is all knowing. I think of my intuition as God.

How often do you vacuum?
A lot more often now with child than before. Especially when child eats things off the floor.


Thanks Sharni. xx


This will be our last Everyday Everybody for the year. If you want to be involved next year, please just send me an email and I'll sort it out for you. xx

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to my beautiful lil sis. We hope you had a magical day. xx

Christmas Cheer Too.

And now for the non-photo-Christmas-card inclined, here are some beautiful Christmas cards. I am so in love with the first one. They do other great designs as well. Enjoy. xx

1. Studio Flower Power 2. Dippy Lu Lu 3. Letterpress Light 4. Lucky Bee Press 5. Sweet Bella Cards

Christmas Cheer.

I get a little Christmas crazy. Although I mostly leave my shopping to the last minute {tsk, tsk} I love the planning. I love writing lists, planning the menu and searching for the perfect Christmas card.

Before Lacey, I loved traditional Christmas cards, sometimes I would make my own, sometimes I would purchase them in stores... either way I loved the whole process. Now I have Lacey we've been sending a little photo card of her. Look at me talking like I've made a life long tradition of photo cards... when she's only been here for one Christmas so far! Last year, you might remember, we took her down to the beach dressed as a mini Santa and snapped some photos and stuck them on card. A huge effort given how sleep deprived I was back then.

This year I am going to let someone do all the hard work for me. I've already purchased my design {ssshh it's a secret}, but here are some others that I thought were quite cute. They're pretty affordable too {around the US$15 mark, and you can print them yourself}.

1. West Willow 2. Announcing You 3. Sweet Papers 4. Sweet Print Shop 5. West Willow

I know photo cards aren't every one's cup of tea {or eggnog} so I'll be back later today with some other Christmas Cards I love. ♥

Be Happy, Be You.

This is my pick for quote of the week this week.

Print: Lucky Bluebird Art

Hello There.

Good morning my friends.



If you live in Sydney, then no doubt you're still recovery from a corker of a hot weekend. What a stinker it was yesterday! I organised our extended family Christmas party {as I do every year} and it just happened to fall on what seemed like the hottest day EVER! Lucky we were near the ocean so had a little bit of a breeze. Presents, cupcakes and a cool drink always help too.

I finally recovered from the flu. It was only yesterday that I felt almost normal. On Friday Lacey started to come down with it, and by Saturday she was in a sad state. She just kept grabbing her head and screaming. I thought I had a week of her being ill ahead of me, but thankfully after a huge sleep in the afternoon and then twelve hours at night she woke Sunday happy, and back to her normal self. Phew.

So enough about me. I need to know all about you. What happened with you over this past week? I need to know all the details.

It's Beautiful, & So Are You.

I am feeling a little under the weather with an icky flu, so I'm taking a break until I feel better. I am leaving you with some AMAZING images from the new Papier Mache magazine. They're simply stunning.

Top images by: Alice Elliot-Pimm
Bottom images by: Hannah Scott Stevenson

Happily Ever After.

I hope you have the loveliest of lovely weekends. My bestie is getting hitched tomorrow. Tomorrow! The day is finally here. I am so excited and so happy for her, and her lovely man.

See you all back here on Monday. Keep well, and happy, until then. xx

Print: Everything Lovely.

Community Service Announcement.

Every day that we go out someone will call Lacey a boy. EVERY day. No exaggeration. Even if she's wearing something incredibly girly like her love heart sequin top {above}. Ok. I know she's lacking in the hair department. But she's still girly.

So I am taking it upon myself to put the message out there. Please feel free to tell you the ones you love, or even don't love the following message...

When you see a little person {babies & toddlers} take a moment.
Breathe. Assess. Is the child wearing head-to-toe pink? Is there I'm A
Boy scribbled across the front of the t-shirt? Yes? Then it's safe to
mention the child's gender. I give you permission to remark: What a beautiful
girl! to the child wearing the head-to-toe pink. And to the little one with I'm A Boy across his top? You can say: What a handsome little man
you are!

And if you can't tell. Say nothing. Not nothing about all. But don't
mention the gender. Play it safe. Can't think of anything to say? Let me give
you a few ideas:

♥ Oh, you're such a bundle of cuteness!
♥ Look at you, so big and walking already!
♥ You have such a beautiful smile. Look at those
toothy-pegs!
♥ You're little one is so so beautiful. Congratulations.
♥ Oh my! You've got a heart breaker on your hands there.

Get the idea? It's super easy. Print out the list if you need. Keep it in your purse or wallet. Recite

them over and over again.

Thank you for your time.

Chantelle

Head of the Anti-Confusion of Little People's Genders Committee.

You're A Pisa Work.

I'm over at Primped today, talking about all things nails. Pop over and read my tips and tricks. xx

One Thing.

What is one thing that made you smile today?

Me? Well, tonight I'm heading out with this lovely lady, as well as this clever chook for a bite to eat and a movie. I'm looking forward to a nice night. Thinking about it is making me smile. xx

Print: The Box Of Birds Shop

Everyday Everybody: Erin.

Hello you. Meet Erin.

What musical instrument do you wish you could play?
I wish I could play the piano. I love the idea of having my family gathered around the piano on Christmas Eve, me playing and all of us singing Christmas carols. It will never, ever happen, but I love the idea of it!

What are you looking forward to today?
I'm looking forward to having a fire in the woodstove, for the first time this fall. The nights are getting cold now, and I am going to love sitting by the warm fire, watching it glow orange and red, and listening to it crackle.

Have you been in a hot air balloon?
No! And I never will go in a hot air balloon, either! It would be amazing, I'm sure, to see the lovely views as you float slowly along. But I've seen The Wizard of Oz, and that's not a risk I'm willing to take!

What are you particularly good at?
I am a fabulous correspondent. I love to write letters, to send parcels and postcards and little notes in the mail. I am really good at keeping in touch and keeping the people I love close, even when they're far away (and sadly, a lot of them are really very far away...)

Who owes you money?
A co-worker ordered some spring bulbs from my son's preschool fundraiser, but she forgot to bring the cash to school by the deadline. I've paid for the bulbs and she'll pay me back. Just $20, so no big deal.

How do you indulge yourself?
I love the little indulgences, like a chai tea latte on the way to work or a cheap & cheerful bouquet of flowers on a grey, rainy day. Lately though, I have been indulging myself with lots of lovely new clothes. I've lost almost 30 pounds since January and getting new things to wear makes me feel oh-so-happy! Oh, and I also loooove a good pedicure. It's been a long time since I had one of those, though. I'm definitely going to put it on my Christmas wish list.

You win the lottery. What's your first purchase?
A new house. With a beautiful big kitchen that has a breakfast nook. And a living room with a bay window, and a window seat where I could sit with a cup of tea and read a really good book. And a bathroom with a huge claw-foot tub to soak in. And a playroom for my boys to keep all their toys in and to build their railroads all over the floor. And a lovely big front porch and a great big garden. Isn't it wonderful to dream? The sky's the limit (so not like real life...)!

What's your favourite CD at the moment? Fortune's Favour by Great Big Sea, a fabulous band from the East Coast of Canada. I love it. I listen to it over and over and over again. I know every word to every song. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.

What's the biggest mistake you ever made?
Ugh, I don't even like to think about it. I once, very briefly, got involved with a much older man. Quickly realized it was a huge mistake. Let's just pretend it never happened, okay?

Has anything changed about your life this year?
My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer in April, at 34 years old. It's changed everything. My whole perspective on life has been affected. It makes me want to tell her every day how important she is to me, how much I love her. It reminds me to make the most of every moment and hold the people I love close. To try to live more in the moment and not take anything for granted. When I find myself getting grouchy or complaining about something small, I quickly remember what she's going through, and count my blessings. My friend Em is going to be just fine, I believe it with my whole heart. I am learning to be an optimist.

I wish your friend all the best. I know she will be okay too.

Erin blogs over here.

*No matter what I do the links to Erin's blog won't work. Please copy and past this to head to Ein's Blog: www.pughs-news.blogspot.com

Can We Talk About...

Mother Guilt? Please.


It's there lingering from the moment you've pushed your wee one through the birth canal {or endured a c-section}. It's there taunting you. Do I have enough milk? Is my baby being fed enough? Am I jeopardising bubba's well being by not breastfeeding at all? Swaddle or no swaddle? Co-sleep or no co-sleep? And then eventually it becomes public school or private school? Perhaps it never ends.

Recently I was knocked by a huge wave of Mother Guilt. Huge. It was like a tsunami of guilt consumed me, and I was pointing the finger back at myself, whispering Bad Mama. Bad Mama.

Back in February I was at my wits end. I was so sleep deprived I didn't know whether I was here nor there, or even actually existing. I dragged myself around, bags under my eyes. I thought it just wouldn't end. Lacey just wasn't a good sleeper, and probably because I'd never how to sleep properly {yep, Mother Guilt rears it's pretty face again}.

I bought a little musical device that aids Bubba's sleep. I found it in the toy section at Myer. Not the most reliable place to find sleeping aids, but I was desperate. So I picked it up, paid for it and took it home.

It had lights and a little tune that supposedly lulls the baby into a deep sleep {or the parents into a false hope of ever feeling normal again}. I thought it was cute. I put it on the side of the cot whilst Lacey went to sleep protested for what seemed like hours on end. It didn't work. She ended up in bed with us. And still sleeps there now.

So fast forward to last weekend. We were playing in Lacey's room with all her toys. It was mid-afternoon. She'd had a nap. It was playtime. She found the old sleeping device musical piece of crap toy. She handed it to us, so we turned it on. We thought, months on, that she'd be amazed by the lights and the tune.

It wasn't so. The bottom lip dropped. We tried to turn the frown upside down, but it was staying that way. And then came the uncontrollable sobbing. You know the type. Whole body convulsive sobbing. The desperate gasping for air in between huge wails. Crying that even a hug won't cure.

It seems that beautiful little tune was so deeply ingrained in Lacey's memory, that I may have scarred her for life.

I was so busy trying to comfort Lacey that I forgot to tell Hubby to TURN THE DARN THING OFF. It can thank it's lucky illuminated stars that it didn't get smashed into a trillion pieces right there and then.

And if I didn't have to care for, and comfort Lacey I would have collapsed right there from the all consuming Mother Guilt. A feeling that is most certainly not foreign to me.


So now I'd love to hear from you. I know Mother Guilt exists. I suffer from it. And books are written about it.

What do you feel guilty about? Clear your conscious here.


Print: FlapperDoodle.

Skinny For Santa

I am starting up another little challenge. I found it easier to lose weight and be healthy when I had our little group to accountable to. So, I am starting another and calling it Skinny For Santa.


It's SIX weeks until the week of Christmas. SIX. Holy crap, I need to start shopping. That aside, I also need to get skinny for Santa.

As Heidi Klum says: Are you in? Or Are you out?

So comment below if you are in. Tell me your goals {they don't have to weightloss orientated} and I promise to have your back {and perhaps even stalk you to see how you are doing}.

*Insert group huddle and motivational type speech*

A Weekend Of Smiles.

How quickly did the weekend fly by?! It was a blink and you'll miss it type weekend. I hope you all had a lovely two days. Mine was full of smiles. Here are some of the reasons why:

♥ Watching my eager little girl ready herself for a visit to Grandma's house. She's so into handbags {Balenciaga, no less - thanks to her Aunty} and holds them just as the cool girls do.

♥ Shopping alone. I did feel a little naked without my little entourage, but also so unrestricted. I nabbed up these shoes. So comfy and will go with everything.

♥ Getting my house clean on Saturday. Saturday! Usually I waste the whole weekend cleaning, until finally on Sunday I pass out from frustration and vow never to do it again. This time I followed through.

♥ Being productive. I crossed so many things off my to-do list. Yip. Yip.

♥ Hubby and his true tales. My latest favourite is that when he was out in the boat with his crew {about half a kilometre from the beach} a $50 note came floating past. Imagine that. They're saving it for end of season drinks.

♥ Annoying neighbours. I know I should be annoyed, but instead I had to laugh. Our neighbours were out talking reaaally loud until 3:30am. I went out in my PJ's {after they'd woken Lacey and she was screaming } and said in my nicest, most patient voice: Excuse me. Excuse me. Do you think you could take your conversation inside? I heard one of the girls say to her friend: I think I heard a voice in my head. It was telling me to be quiet.

♥ Dreaming up dreams of our life in the future. I most certainly have my head in the clouds, and loving it.


What made you smile over the weekend?

Snap Out Of It.

Zoe Foster : Textbook Romance

I hope this doesn't offend anyone.

My Name Is Chantelle And...

i am... who i am. twenty nine. mama. wife. sister. daughter. nanny. writer. friend. inspired. loved. loving. creative. hopeful.

i began... writing this blog fat mum slim in july 2008. i was bored with the endless hours required to breastfeed a hungry baby, so i decided to write down my thoughts. i also wanted to inspire myself to lose the baby weight {+ more}. i am still trying to be inspired. i am also still the same weight that i was in july 2008. sometimes it takes more than a little inspiration + writing a blog.

i wish i had... more than twenty four hours in a day. the ability to use a ghd for more than just straightening my hair dead straight. a constantly clean house. a personal chef. been kinder to myself in my early twenties + teens.

i wish i hadn't... eaten dog poop when i was a child. painted my sneakers with puff paint when i was twelve {+ thought i was oh so cutting edge}. left my diamond earrings at our suite on our wedding night.


when i was a child i want to... be the best teacher's pet possible. i also wanted to be most proficient in class every year. i succeeded most years. except year one. i still remember the tantrum. diva.

i was happiest when... i met my little girl. i know it's completely cliche, but i had been waiting for that moment all my life. and when i held her in my arms i felt a shift + i think my heart exploded.

i relax by... walking down at the beach at such an ungodly hour that only the old people are out, + drunk people from the night before. it feels oddly comforting + safe. it makes my heart sing when their faces light when they see me + they remember my name {the old people that is, not the drunks}.

my worst trait is... not caring enough about the finer details. i can be a little too relaxed.

my best trait is... not caring too much about the finer details. i am relaxed, carefree + i try not to sweat the small stuff.

i love... when you take the time to comment on my posts. it makes me feel like i am not talking to myself {which i do, but only in front of the mirror}. i also love when you send emails gushing about how much you love me. i print them out + wallpaper the bathroom with them. or not. you can email me at fatmumslim@bigpond.com my bathroom walls are currently bare.

Ciao For Now.

I'm signing off early this week. I have a to-do list longer than... something really long.


I hope you have a lovely weekend, with lots of love, fun and laughter. I look forward to catching up with you all next week and hearing how your weekend went down.

'Til then. Ciao. xx

Flowers: Dazey Chic

Letter To Lacey: Nineteen Months.

My beautiful little girl. I love you.



I love the way you smile at me, in that knowing way. I love that you laugh, at yourself and at us. I love that you drop your bottom lip, in such a drama-queen type way, just so you can get what you want. I love every little bit about you.

You're as smart as can be. Copying everything we say, or do. You like to be my little shadow. You like to have your hair blowdried, put {pretend} make up on and vacuum the floor just because it's what your Mummy does.

You call me Mummy now. Oh, I melt. I'm a puddle of gooey-ness. It's too cute. When I ask you to sing me a song, you sing the Mummy song. Singing Mummy, Mummy, Mummy over and over again in your little sing-song voice. Melt.

You love dancing, still. You want to be outside all the time. You'll grab your shoes and wait by the door, trying to edge your way out. And then when you're out, you're a little social butterfly. A little heeey to each person that passes you by, and then a byyye not long after.

You run and jump everywhere you go. You're a little daredevil. It's no use us taking a pram anywhere with us. You want to walk everywhere, and you manage to do so for long times too.

You can smell a pen a mile away. You sniff them out and then draw. You contemplate your masterpiece by putting your finger to your lip and saying Ummmm, and then you draw. Sometimes you get so into it that you'll accidentally draw on the couch. Our poor white couch.

My favourite time with you is when you wake up. You'll lie in bed calling out Muuuuummmy and then I run down to give you cuddles and kisses, and we laugh together. You'll wrap your little arms around my neck and kiss me back.

Happy Nineteen months my little Lacey Mae. You are the sunshine of my life. xx


Note: That image is a photo of a photo so that's why it's a bit weird.

One Thing.

What is one thing that made you smile today?

Everyday Everybody: Cheryl.

Good morning you.



Welcome to your weekly dose of Everyday Everybody, where you get to know the nitty gritty of someone new. Today we meet Cheryl, who leads a very interesting life and writes about it over here.

But before you head off for a little look-see, hang around here for a bit and get to know her a little bit first. Here's Cheryl...


Have you ever been involved in a road accident?
The closest I have ever been to a road accident was when I first learnt how to drive. I tried to make a U-turn but ended up driving my car into a gutter. Luckily I was going slow, so it felt more like going on a slider than a car accident. But we had to get the car towed and my dad was furious. It was probably worse than the accident itself.

Have you ever hitchhiked?
Nope and I don’t think I’ll ever do this in my life. My biggest fear is if I get kidnapped and my parents can’t afford to pay the ridiculously high ransom.

What's your favourite sandwich?
I’m not a big fan of sandwich. But if your definition of sandwich is anything between 2 slices of bread. Chocolate and banana toasted will be my all time favorite.

Why did you last cry?
The last time I cried was from watching My Sisters Keeper. I usually cry easily from movies but watching My Sisters Keeper felt more like running a cry-a-thon. But it was one of the best movies I’ve watched. It was a good cry.

How often do you get a haircut?
I’d say probably once every 6 months. I’m growing my hair long now.. so I only trim it every now and then.

Have you ever been on a blind date?
Once. My girlfriends set us up, and theoretically we should be match made in heaven. But I learn that love doesn’t work that way. Having the same interest and like talking about the same stuff don’t make you soul match. Sometimes it’s the chemical reaction that counts.

What's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you?
When my little sister, who was 4 at the time, said..”I want to be like you!” I’m not sure if the statement still stands today as she’s grown .. but it surely made my day at the time! She was my biggest fan and my number one follower. One day when she’s old enough, I’ll explain to her what a fibre engineer slash a casual blog writer does, I’ll tell her about my 4 years of torture earning my engineering degree, and all the brain crunching I do everyday, and I’ll see if she’d say the same thing. Regardless, she's still my favorite sister in the world..

Have you ever fallen down stairs?
When I was a kid I saw Wonder Woman in TV. I imitated her action and jumped off the stairs halfway from the second storey of my parent’s house. I ended up with few bruises around my knee and ankle.

What reading matter is currently beside your bed?
I’ve just finished Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and currently looking for a new book to read. I’m looking at some books at the moment but haven’t decided which one I’ll be reading next. I’m just one of those people who think twenty times before buying a new book. Any suggestion?

Are you organised?
Not really.. but I can be sometimes. It really depends on the good-mood-bad-mood day when it comes with me. On my good days, I color code my wardrobe and sort all paper works alphabetically. On my bad days, I just chuck everything everywhere until comes one fine day when I’ll be cleaning up and re-organizing everything all over again.


Thanks Cheryl. Hopefully everyone can recommend some great books for you to read. xx

If you'd like to play along in the Everyday Everybody series, I'd love to have you. It's really easy. Just send me an email {link is to the left} and I'll send you some questions. Easy peasy. xx

Giddy Up.

Today people all over Australia are dressing up, donning their finest fascinators and sipping bubbly for Melbourne Cup {the horse racing event of the year}. I am always working, and the race happens right at school pick up time... so it usually consists of me hearing it on the radio or getting a text from someone telling me they've won $23.65 or something similiar.

I always bet on a horse though. I've never won. I think this year I might bet on Alchopop {is that the name?} just because it's funny, and even funnier considering the weekend I had.

And if you're not into horse racing you can enjoy these beautiful pictures by Elizabeth Soule. I have loved them for a while now. I was thinking of using some of Lacey's little animals and taking some pictures myself to see how I go. But I just know they won't compare.


Do you like to gamble at all? Have you ever won anything?

Never Give Up.

Quote of the week by Everything Lovely

What November Means To Me.

What for you, is the essence of November?
When November hits, the year begins to wind down for me. I can see Christmas closely in my sights, and also time off work with my family. Our extended family Christmas party is always celebrated in November too. So that means picnics in the park, and presents. I also like writing my Christmas lists and figuring what I'll buy for each person.

What makes November special for you?
Spending time with my family makes it special for me. As well my little sister celebrates her birthday, which is always fun. And my best friend is getting hitched. I can't wait to see her walking down the aisle.

When was your most memorable November you've ever had?
In November 2006 my little sister celebrated her 21st birthday. She had a party aboard the Fun Boat on the Sydney Harbour. It was such a fun night, and I have lots of great memories from the celebrations.

How will you spend your leisure time in November?
I am doing a photography course, so I will be taking photos and learning more about photography in my spare moments. As well, I'll be cooking cupcakes and shopping for Christmas gifts online.

What will you cook in November?
Cupcakes for our family Christmas party. And my girlfriend makes a fruitcake every year, and I was considering making one myself. I just need to nab a good recipe.


What does November mean to you?


Image: Steven Depolo
Questions by Notebook Magazine.

Ouchie.

Over the weekend I learnt a little lesson. Don't drink and parent. Or actually, don't drink and parent the next day.

I didn't put Lacey in the oven instead of the bed, or anything different from the norm. She probably thought it was quite a treat. We spent the day snuggled on the couch watching Iggle Piggle over, and over again whilst sucking ice blocks.

Recovering from the night before is very different being a parent. There's no staying in bed for as long as you like, or feeling sorry for yourself when you have someone else more important to take care of.

I also learnt that when your body isn't used to a night out, it takes much longer to recover. I haven't been out in around 3 years, and I fear it may take that long to feel back to normal. Or at least 3 days, perhaps.

The Hen's night was a great night. We danced, ate, drank, laughed and had fun. It was a really good time. My first return back into nightlife since birthing Lacey was successful. I made it.

Here's a drunk self portrait from the night. I was trying to smile with my eyes {if you watch Next Top Model you'll know what that looks like}.

Now I have the wedding to look forward to. It's going to be a beautiful {non-alcoholic} day. xx

How did you spend your weekend my friend?