My New Year Wishes For You...

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In One Word.

Let's forget complicated resolutions. Toss them in the bin, I say.


If you could sum up in just one word what you want from 2010, what would that word be?

I've thought hard about my word. I've gone through about three words before I arrived at this one. I asked my sisters what their words would be, and then I asked them what they thought of my word. It was met with a resounding, YES!

My word is ME. I want to focus on me. I want to put me first. I spend most of my days putting other people first, which is lovely... but it gets to the point where I start singing... What about me? It isn't fair...

So as self involved as it is. 2010 is the year of ME.

What is your word? What is 2010 the year of for you?

In The Noughties...

♥ i started nannying for the sweetest little boy named jackson ♥ i stopped live-in nannying + moved into my own apartment ♥ i made a whole new group of friends ♥ i did my fair share {+ a little more} of partying ♥ i lost weight ♥ i put on weight ♥ i spent most weekends dancing to daggy 80's music ♥ i celebrated my 21st with not one, but three parties ♥ i saw my first cringe-worthy strip show ♥ i travelled all over the east coast of australia ♥ i fell in love at first sight ♥ i fell in love with myself ♥ i developed myself as a person ♥ i saw my ma's heart get broken in two as my parents seperated ♥ i lost my beautiful pop ♥ i got proposed to ♥ i said yes ♥ i said goodbye to my cousin ♥ my beautiful nanna became an angel ♥ i married my soul mate ♥ i spent 10 luxurious days in fiji ♥ i lived in wedded bliss ♥ i nannied for my favourite family ♥ i got up-the-duff ♥ i gave birth ♥ i fell in love all over again ♥ i became severely sleep deprived ♥ i started a blog ♥ i lived happily ever after ♥

In 2009...

♥ i grew as a person ♥ i grew as a mother ♥ i grew as a wife ♥ i watched my little girl grow from a little baby into a chatty toddler ♥ i began redecorating my home ♥ i saw my beautiful friend get married to her best friend ♥ i waved goodbye to my sister as she moved overseas ♥ i watched my little brother blossom in his perfect relationship ♥ i found the perfect hair colourist ♥ i indulged in 13 manicures and pedicures ♥ i finally learnt how to use my camera thanks to my talented friend ♥ i embarked on a photography course + got completely inspired along the way ♥ i read a whole book ♥ i made profiteroles + didn't mess it up ♥ i had fun ♥ i lost 10kg ♥ i grew this little blog into something i'm proud to call mine ♥ i got interviewed for a major news publication ♥ i laughed ♥ i cried ♥ i loved ♥ and even though i'm not the weight i want to be, i'm the person/mother/wife that i've always hoped to be + of that, i am uber proud ♥

Pride.

What are you proud of from this past year?

Print: Tea For Thoughts.

A Brilliant Idea.

We had the most brilliant idea on Boxing Day. We decided to swim laps at 7am. There is a Women's Only ocean baths at Coogee and it seemed like the perfect place for our lap swimming to take place. I read up on it, we were to leave 20c under the door and swim away.

It didn't matter that it was only 15 degrees. Well, actually, it did. But we tried to pretend it didn't. Cold water? Pfft. We could handle it.

We parked the car and a council worker stood near us, watching as we collected our towels and locked the car. You guys are brave, he smirked. Brave, or stupid, I laughed and walked on.

We walked down the stairs towards the pool. It was beautiful. Uninterrupted. Serene. Perfect. The was one lone soul swimming laps already. She was wearing a full wetsuit. I started then to question our intentions, but was too motivated to be discouraged.

We hung up our towels and edged towards the pool. My sister shrieked and pointed out a crab. It grossed us out a little, but we edged our way further into the pool.

We were stopped in our tracks by what we could only call a sea slug. Ugly. Slimy. Icky. Discouraging. We looked around a little more and there were heaps of them. Heaps. We decided to try and enter the pool from another area. We moved all our gear and headed to another set of stairs.

It was no good. There were more slugs, sea urchins and even starfish. This really was an Ocean Pool. What on earth were we thinking? We laughed so hard at our pathetic girlyness. {Should I mention that I had asked Hubby the day before if sharks could possibly get into the pool? Should I?}

The lone swimmer stopped her laps, probably because of the shrills and laughter coming from the poolside. She proceeded to tell us about the two resident octopuses {octopi?} in the pool, that she regularly came in contact with. That was it. We were outy. We'd had enough. We were too scared to swim.

We hauled our scared butts to a local beach and swam laps there. Of course we knew other creatures lurked beneath the waters, but at least we couldn't see them. What we didn't see, couldn't hurt us.

It was so much fun, that morning. Three sisters. Laughing to the point of tears. Sharing. Loving. Living. It was like we were kids again. Exploring the unexplored. Trying to out-brave each other, only to be defeated by the slugs that lurked within. xx

Merry Monday.

Christmas has been and gone, in a flash of sparkling tree lights. All that remains is leftover Christmas ham and scraps of torn Christmas paper {and the odd present still under for the tree for that person you haven't got around to visiting yet}.

We had such a great day. It was my best Christmas as an adult. It's like being a kid again, seeing Christmas through the eyes of our little girl. As she ripped open each gift she exclaimed, 'Wow!'. I don't think I've ever seen her happier. She flitted from person to person, spreading her own Christmas cheer, offering cuddles as she went along.

I tried to explain to her that Santa had visited, we even left him a biscuit. But it was lost on her. I think next year she'll 'get' it. And then we can play along too.

I got super, super spoilt. Under the tree for me was chocolates, and more chocolates {which I've hidden from myself - not sure how successful that will be}, a new camera lens, a magazine subscription, Marc Jacobs purse, Marc Jacobs handbag {yes, yes, there will be pictures} and more chocolate.

I'm always quietly pleased when Boxing Day rolls around. All the pressure to buy the perfect present and cook the perfect pavlova are over, and it's time to relax {and eat leftovers}.

How was your Christmas? Did you have a good one?

Just A Minute... In December.

Lovely butterflies by Susannah Tucker

I'm joining in on a meme filled with loveliness by August Street which is a round up of inspiring and creative things.

This is my December, in a minute.

Listening... to carols from the shopping centre, lingering in my head like a distant memory that will never fade. I think I spent too many hours there shopping over the Silly Season.

Praising... anyone and everyone for embracing the Christmas spirit and letting a little in their lives, and passing it on to others.

Watching... the City and the Hills. I am loving that we now have MTV and that I get to watch my favourite shows.

Reading... nothing much. I'm stockpiling some good reading material to take on holidays with me. I can't wait to loll around and do very little at all.

Cooking... too many sweets. I've made enough sweets to feed a small village for a lifetime, and therefore eaten too many too. Am swimming, yoga-ing and walking it all off.

Writing... a little bit. I am thinking of writing a novel, which is quite a novel idea. I think starting it the hardest part, and the not-so-fun part too. I can't wait to get into it... and get the mojo happening.

Sewing... a little girl named Miss Buttons. She's super cute, and has different length legs... but is lovable all the same.

Loving... having no agenda. Waking when I like. Not having to rush here and there. The peace and quiet. Doing as we please. Catching up on all that needs to be caught up on. Bliss.

Merry Christmas.

Well, Christmas Day is almost here. The bells are jingling and I can hear Santa ho-ho-hoing his way over to Australia. I have butterflies in my tummy, I'm so excited about everything. I feel this way every year.

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for everything you've been here at Fat Mum Slim this year. You've supported me when I've needed a shoulder to sleep on, you laughed with me, you've cried with me but most of all, you've shared with me. Thank you so much for everything.

I hope you all have your best Christmas yet. I hope your day is filled with lots of fun, love and laughter, and a few gorgeous presents thrown in as well.

See you all here next week with a countdown into the New Year {and new decade}.

Merry Christmas friends. xx

The Day.

I've always wanted to experience one white Christmas. Sitting by the fire as the snow falls outside, watching the tree lights sparkle. It just seems so romantic.

In our home we rarely get to see our Christmas lights at their full potential because the sun is staying up so long, and we go to bed so early. Steaming hot Christmas Days are just normal for us.

I remember one Christmas Day {I think it was our first as a married couple} Hubby and I woke up, exchanged gifts and then went for a run down on the beach. I am laughing as I type this because it's so not who we are now, or even were back then. I remember the drunk backpackers watching us and laughing at us. Who does that on Christmas Day? Isn't everyone busy eating and drinking like it's their Last Supper?

Tomorrow we'll start the day at home with some gift swapping and then head to my Ma's for a big family breakfast. We'll then merge that into lunch, try and fit in a swim at the beach and by the afternoon we'll all probably need a little bit of a nap.

How are you spending Christmas Day?

{one thing}

What is one thing that made you smile today?

Me? Christmas is coming in two sleeps. You can't wipe this smile from my face!

Image: OhAdWeb

Gifted.

What is the best gift you've ever received?

Me? I must have been five years old. We woke up super early {as you do} and it seemed like the whole room was filled with presents. There are four of us so it ends up being quite a few presents. Right there under the tree was a little bike, with a baby seat on the back. I waited patiently to see who it was for, and it was for me. I plonked my Cabbage Patch doll in the baby seat and was so happy. Who wouldn't be?

I Ask You.

What exercise have you done today?

Oh, forgive me people, for I have sinned. Or at least not exercised in a while. December is a crazy month, and add to that being sick I've hardly done any exercise at all, besides shopping up a storm {I swear I've walked 10km alone in Westfields over the past week}. I guess chasing 5 little people around each day is counting for something.

Dear Santa.

I have been, like, really really good this year. Better than any other year. Well, that I can remember anyway. I've been really patient all year. I've slept half as much as I probably needed to, and rarely complained about it {I know, that part isn't so true}.

Anyways I know you're busy tinkering away in your workshop, with last minute details to all the toys. I just wanted to let you know that if you wanted to throw this handbag into your sack and drop it under my tree, I'll love you forever. For-ever.

All the best for your Christmas travels. Remember not to drink and sleigh.

Lots of love,
Chantelle. xx

And The Winner Is ...

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun the whole giveaway was. It took a lot of work to organise, and wrap the goodies... but it was oh-so worth it. Thank you to everyone who commented, and a BIG special thank you to all the special people who contributed.

I know you probably aren't even reading what I have written. You've already scrolled down to see if it's your name down there. I could say something really juicy here, and no one would notice. Ahhh... no. I'll refrain.

Moving on.

The winner of the Christmas Giveaway is this lovely commenter...


And just so you get to see your name in big font, and get very, very excited...

So Hayley if you could please email me at fatmumslim@hotmail.com and let me know your address, I'll post this huge box off to you as soon as possible. Merry Christmas!

Hello There.

Hello. Hello. Hello.


I hope you had a nice, relaxing weekend. They're rare at this time of year. Usually we're all racing around the shopping mall like the world is about to end buying last minute gifts such as scented soaps for Aunt Mavis.

I vowed not to go to the shops on Saturday. I just wanted a pretty quiet day. I didn't want to get Lacey in and out of the car like I have all week. We went out the markets in the morning and then had a quick manicure and pedicure, and then stayed home for the rest of the day. I got the house cleaned and wrapped all my gifts.

We decided a while a go that wrapped gifts under the tree was asking for trouble. Our tree looks so lonesome with no love underneath. So I put the gifts underneath on Saturday... and somebody wanted to start opening them straight away.

Luckily they were just pyjamas for her anyway. I think I could just wrap up all her old toys and put them there and she'd be in heaven.

I'd love to see what you got up to on the weekend. Did you do your Point and Shoot Project like a good little sausage? Add your link below, or just tell me what your weekend involved in the comment section.

Come back after lunch to see who the lucky winner of the giveaway is. Woohoooooo.

Scatter Joy.

And not just with gifts... with your smile, your love, your happiness and your own inner joy.


I hope this coming week is scattered with joy. xx

Quote: Quotable Cards.

Point & Shoot : 2.

Should we play again? We shall. It's fun, and I love seeing glimpses of your life. I know this weekend will be busy, but that's what will make it even more fun.

So the day I'll pick is tomorrow. Saturday 19th December, 2009. Take a photo of some part of your Saturday, any part. It doesn't have to by a flashy photo. It can be snapped from your camera. It can just be of the shoes you wore. A present you opened. The sky you saw. Anything. ANY THING.

Come back here on Monday and share {I'll put a McLinky thing up, or if you don't blog I can display your here if you like}. It's super easy. Here are the entries from last time if you want an idea.

I look forward to seeing your photos. xx

You Are Beautiful.

You are beautiful. You know that, don't you?


I've had a lovely week here. It's filled my heart with joy to read what everyone loves about Christmas, and to see everyone so buzzed about the giveaway. I can't wait to have a Lacey pick a winner and announce it on Monday.

I'll see you all then. Have a lovely weekend. xx

Print: The Love Shop.

Reminder.

Are you living in Australia? Are you in need of a little showering of gifts? Have you entered in my HUGE giveaway?

No? You're plain crazy. Leave a comment and enter. What are you waiting for?

True, Brave & Soul.

I think I may have written about this Etsy seller, My Cakies, before. I love anything felt, and these crowns just melt my heart. I can imagine Lacey playing dress ups and conquering her pretty little world in it. I think I'll get a special one for her second birthday.

Having fallen in love with her products, I was intrigued and wanted to know more. More about the artist, and her life. So I stumbled over to her blog, and I fell in love. Ruby Ellen is the sweetest mother and wife.

She just recently gave birth to her third little girl. Her children have the sweetest names: Brave, True and now the new little Soul. Oh, my heart does melt.

And it gets better. Her husband is the sweetest guy ever. You have to read about this thing he does called Rockin' Mommy Day. It's an annual event. I think we need to print it out and leave it around for our Hubby's to read. It's brilliant. xx

Girl Twirl.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck has a little ritual with her kids. At night they have little dance parties before bedtime. I ♥ that. Lacey would be so into that. She watches Hi-5 on my computer and knows the dance moves. I think it's hilariously cute. She's so much more coordinated than I am.

Do you have any rituals with your family? Did you have any growing up?

Love: Nursery Art.

We {and by that I mean I} will be fixing Lacey's room up and making it a toddler's room over the next few months, rather than a baby's room. I love this alphabet print, and think it will be making an appearance in their somewhere. It's available from Made By Girl.

Christmas Day Clothing.

Christmas Day by fatmumslim featuring Amrita Singh jewelry

I like to wear something new on Christmas Day. I think it's because as kids we seemed to get a new outfit each Christmas and it brings back memories. Good memories. So I have been trying to figure out what I want to wear this year. I know it doesn't really matter, because all we'll be doing is hanging out, laughing and eating... and then swimming. I am keen to get my hair all chopped off too, but am not sure if I will have time to do that before Christmas Day rolls around.

Do you wear something special on Christmas Day?

I Ask You.

What exercise have you done today?

{Oh, and for those that have asked, I think running after kids totally counts!}

Skinny For Santa.

This is the last week of the Skinny For Santa challenge. It's gone by quite quickly. Time flies when you're being healthy. Or something like that.

I'm pretty happy. I've lost just under 10kg since I started this whole concentrating on being healthy gig. That feels good. Hubby has lost 16kg, and is looking pretty darn spunky. I was waiting for him yesterday whilst I was sitting outside the doctors. I saw a guy walking through the carpark and I thought to myself: That guy looks like my husband when he was 21.

I was having a bit of a perve, and then I realised that is was him! He looks so so good.

How have you been travelling? Have you achieved your goals?

Christmas Giveaway.

So I've kept you hanging with the little {or not so little, as you'll find out} secret... and now it's time to reveal.

You know the Gift Guides {see here and here} that I did this morning? With all the cool Australian stuff? Well.... all those beautifully creative people are also beautifully generous and all those goodies are up for grabs in one HUGE giveaway, right HERE! Here! It's HUGE. That's over $600 worth. SIX {freaking} HUNDRED dollars worth of handmade goodness... that could be YOURS!

I'm so crazy excited {and a whole lot of jealous} that someone is going to win EVERYTHING. It's all so pretty, and lovely, and beautiful, and amazing...

And because I love wrapping so much, I've wrapped everything up {beautifully, if I do say so myself} so that when the winner gets the goodies they feel like all their Christmases have come at once. Talk about spoilt.

It was hard to get everything into one shot, so I'm showing you an outtake {which totally gives my photo taking setup away} to give you an idea of just how many goodies there are. Which is officially HEAPS. To see exactly what is in the giveaway visit these posts here and here.

So how do you win, I hear you ask? I want to make it easy. Easy peasy Christmas-easy.

So just comment below and tell me What You Love About Christmas. Easy.

{Boring Bits}
♥ Because there are so many goodies, and it will cost a bazillion to send, this competition is only open to Australian residents {sorry all my beautiful o/s readers}
♥ The Giveaway will close on Sunday 20th December at 12 noon, Bondi time.
♥ And I'll announce the winner on Monday 21st December in the afternoon.
♥ You can only enter once. Don't try and be sneaky. I'm smart. I'll figure you out.
♥ Oh, and the suitcase isn't in the giveaway. Sorry about that too.

Gift Guide : Part Two.

And now for part two of the Gift Guide. I hope this helps with your Christmas Shopping.

You probably know by now how obsessed I am with stationery and all things paper. I'm fussy. I can assure you that Pixels Plus Paper goods are amazing quality {like nothing I've seen before}, and affordable. They have a great range including book plates, cards, tags, gift boxes, calendars and more. Pop over for a look. You'll fall in love.

I jingle when I walk. I do. I have coins in my pockets. And scattered through my handbag. Lacey finds them and puts them everywhere. We'll find them in the oddest spots. I think my coin problem would be solved if I had one of these coin purses made by Little Mary Moo. They're super cute too.

La Rara creates limited edition screen printed stationery that will knock your socks off. These cards would be perfect for your special friends {and we all know you prioritise when writing your Christmas cards}.

Beautiful and whimsical, Blossom n Bird creates gorgeous pieces of art. You'll fall in love. ♥

I wish I'd dreamt up this idea myself. It's genius. Sarah Emily Design did it for us. They're created a Rainy Day Box to keep the little ones entertained. Perfect for the school holidays, and a great present too.

Awwww. Look at these little guys. Aren't they the cutest little bundles of cuteness? They're looking at you as if to say, pick me, pick me. They're made with love by Moontsy & Floontsy.

This is so so special, and makes an outfit go from meh to WOW. I love a little bit of hair decoration.. don't you? The Hummingbird Road does some lovely pieces, for everyday and even bridal.

Even when your family isn't getting along during the Silly Season, this little Babushka Family will always be smiling. Grab a little piece of happy from De Nardi Creative Design.

I love anything that reminds of the whimsy of Alice in Wonderland, and this necklace fits the bill perfectly. Pretty Peonies has lots of lovely little pieces, and with free shipping for items over $20 you'll be quite the happy shopper.

You Fill Me With Sunshine. Need I say more? Not really. Freya Art has said it all.

I think this print is great as a gift for someone special, or even for yourself. It'd be perfect in an entrance. Still Life With Wallpaper does a cool button one too, amongst other beautiful prints.

Another idea I wish I'd dreamed up, because I'm constantly misplacing my lens cap, and my camera needs a little bit of beautifying {especially when it involves Amy Butler fabric}. Happy Snapz has lots of lovely designs to choose from.

Mary Grace has two beautiful Etsy stores filled with lovely girly goodies. One with goodies all under $10, and another filled with pieces that are a little more special.

This is a lovely kimono birdy purse from bauble. My beautiful friend Rach just launched bauble a few weeks ago, and she has sourced some beautiful, unique pieces for the little people {and big people too} in your life.

These birdy earrings are a best seller in the Red Poppy Accessories store. It's easy to tell why. They're super lovely.

I can't rave about Christopher & Me enough. The quality is phenomenal, and the fabrics their items come in is so sweet. It almost makes me a little bit clucky.

Red Letter Studio is a follower of Fat Mum Slim {Hi Samone!} and also very clever at make very chic stationery goods. Just quietly, they currently have 50% off Christmas goodies. Run, don't walk.

I gave away some iszle goodies in one of my very first giveaways. Their still a firm favourite and have great little gifts for Kris Kringle and stocking fillers.

How cute is this little Angel Lea Designs singlet for the little man in your life? Too cute.

Paper Ivy makes super sweet stationery. These tree cards would make nice Christmas cards, or just great everyday cards for any occasion.

Much Love is a mix of things sweet, fun and wonderful. You'll love her unique pieces of jewellery.

And there it is. My sweet picks for this Christmas. I hope you found something you like, or someone in your life will like. I'll be back soon to make my special announcement. I'm so excited, it's crazy! I hope you are too. xx