A Perfect Night's Sleep.

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I looked around for familiar faces, my heart beating a trillion times an hour. There were many smiling faces looking back at me, but none that I recognised. Be still my beating heart. You'll be okay.

Within moments in walked faces I recognised, and I suddenly felt a wave of calm come over me. Phew.

I put on my name tag and began to mingle. Lexi from Potty Mouth Mama and I were joined at the hip all night. She's my kinda people. As is Stacey from Sunny Mummy. Her energy is contagious and it's the kind that you want to catch.

We were called to sit down at an oversized table, and make ourselves comfortable.

I've had three careers in my life so far. I've sliced bread at a bakery, worked in a clothing store and I've been {and am} a Nanny.

So when I sat in my meeting I had a moment: How on earth did I get here? I looked around there were people from magazines sitting across from me {those glossy things that I am heavily addicted to} and established bloggers sitting beside me. It took all my might not to grab my notepad and pen {free stationery, wow} and ask for an autograph.

There was a huge TV screen in front of us with a man speaking to us live from the States. A huge TV screen without Dora or Spongebob playing, it was a miracle. How on earth did I get here?

Three weeks ago I got an email with the subject line: A Perfect Night's Sleep. They had me at hello. I was in. I didn't care what they were selling or offering, I needed it. I was so in.

Pampers nappies were launching in Australia and they wanted to treat a handful of special {that's me!} women to a perfect night's sleep in a five-star hotel. My head was in the clouds dreaming of soft white pillows, high-thread count linen, peace and quiet, and... sleep. Uninterrupted sleep.

Bring it on! I'd love to be involved, I replied.

The idea was that Hubby would stay at home with Lacey and I'd go on to have a great night's sleep. But as we're the family who hates to be apart, we eventually decided that the perfect {or not-so-perfect} night's sleep included all of us. So we all trekked into the City.

I listened to the man speak about the revolutionary nappies, and I couldn't help but feel like I was in high school listening to a teacher... but instead I was drinking champagne. I listened, took notes, and nodded as any good student would.

My three careers have had their perks: endless supplies of bakery goods {goodbye waistline}, discounted clothes {goodbye bank balance} and with Nannying there are more than I could list but some include the unconditional love, limitless cuddles, much laughter, joy, fun and the ability to bring out the child in me every single day.

We retreated to the roof top for a ten minute break, and everyone seemed to relax. We all chatted and talked about what we do, and why we do it. I was in disbelief that my little blog had got me here, among such important company. But it had, and I couldn't help but be proud.

We spent the rest of the night laughing, eating a three-course meal, sipping champagne and chattering away. Tresillian spoke to us about getting our babies to sleep, and I wrote down notes about that topic like a mad woman. Sleep? Yes please!

Eventually we headed to bed. It was way past my bed time, and I was buzzing from my new adventures. Hubby and Lacey were already sleeping soundly and had been for many hours. I was so exhausted that I didn't even wash my make-up off {a complete no-no in my books}.

I woke to my alarm beeping at 5am. It wasn't quite the perfect night's sleep that I had imagined, but it was still a perfect night nonetheless.

What started as an evening filled with anxiety, a combination of the traffic congestion and finally meeting so many faces in real life, turned into a little bit of an a-ha moment.

People actually read my blog. I know that you're all there {hi!}, but sometimes it's all a bit surreal. And to be considered influential {their term} enough to be asked to something like this, it was just very validating.

I'm still on the seemingly endless search for a perfect night's sleep, but aren't we all?

{I'll review the new Pamper's nappies next week and let you know what I think}.

A Whole New World.

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We type the address into the GPS and head for the City. In times gone by we would have pulled out the street directory, and written down the route that we were to take. This time we were putting our entire faith into this one little machine.

And we shouldn't have. We were on a limited time frame and in peak hour traffic. I could feel my blood pressure rising, even the sound of Lacey putting her window up and down, up and down was threatening to send me over the edge.

The GPS was like a woman in a shoe store, always changing it's mind. Turn right, it told us. In 100m turn left, it said the next moment. We were at traffic lights and hadn't moved. Why was it being so temperamental? Why today?

Finally our GPS says the words I've been waiting for it to say, You have reached your destination.

I frantically look around. Destination. Destination. We. Are. Not. At. Our. Destination. The GPS got it wrong. It had all our trust, and it threw it away {somewhere on Sussex Street, I presume}. So we continue trying to find our destination, on our own. Without technology. I've got 10 minutes to be where I need to go. We're on one way streets which means why can't where we need to go with speed. It's peak hour traffic. All to the soundtrack of Lacey putting her window up and down, up and down.

I throw a tantrum to rival that of my two year old. I'm getting out, I'll walk there! I can't be late, I bellow.

My always calm husband puts his hand on my knee and says with an air of certainty, It's okay, we'll get there on time.

I continue to have my meltdown, willing lights to go green, cars to move and for Lacey to stop putting her window up and down, up and down.

Eventually we arrive. I'd planned to have enough time to change, and fix up my make-up, and at least compose myself... but instead I present myself the way I am, the frantic Mama.

I walk out of the lift and into the meeting room. Hi, I announce, I'm Chantelle, from Fat Mum Slim. Sorry I'm a bit late.

I grab an offered champagne and begin to relax, as I step into a whole new world.

{to be continued this afternoon}

Snack Attack.

Sky rockets in flight, afternoon delight...


That's what little song pops up in my head every time I see these crackers. They're my absolutely, no doubt about it, favourite snack at the moment.

So, it's just a cracker, I hear you say.

They're not just any cracker. I don't know how, and I don't know why... but they're delicious. They melt in my mouth. We're big fans here.

They come in a huge tub of 32 for the pricely sum of $6.

The problem is... I can't find them anywhere in Sydney. They're only found in Asian Grocers.

If you happen to stumble across them in Sydney anywhere can you please grab yourself a tub and then email me the location {of the store, not you - I'm not about to hunt down anyone in possession of the crackers!}

Huge thank you in advance. And yes, it goes without saying: I've gone crackers for the crackers.

How To Give Your Photos That Whimsical Look.

I have been asked a fair bit of late on how I get my photographs to have that dreamy, whimsical look. I do post some here that are straight out of camera, and others I do a little bit of work to them in Photoshop.

Here are some tips from a professional, Mocking Bird. And now here is my cheats version {from someone who doesn't really know what they're doing}.

I'm no whizz. I can't make a double chin disappear, or even a pimple for that matter. What I do to the photos is called running an action over them.

Today I thought I would share my favourite actions with you all. The ones that I use the most are from Peta Mazey photography. They're really easy to use, and affordable too. I love them because they give photos that little extra something special.

This is what effect some of my favourites action have on a photo of Lacey. You might notice that I'm quite a fan of the pastel wash. Does it look familiar?

So, all you need is a version of photoshop {I use CS3} and some actions. They're really easy to download and fun to play around with. You can try an action, delete it, combine a few actions... and eventually find your favourites.

I hope I've explained this well enough. If not, please just send me an email and I'll try and help. xx

52 Week Project: Eleven.

The boys had been riding their bikes all day while the girls sat around chatting about anything and everything. We were about to pile into the cars, back to the motel for a shower and then head out for dinner.

The car was covered in dust {ironically we just had it detailed, that'll teach us}, and our clothes were covered too.

We couldn't be happier.

Orange You Glad I'm Back.

What a wonderful weekend. I forgot how wonderful it is just to pack everything up and get away. Away from the mountains of washing, and tidying and responsibility.

We packed up and left early on Saturday morning to head out west to Orange, where a good chunk of our family has just moved to.

An hour into the four hour trip I had a terrible sinking feeling that I'd left my hair straightener on. I had visions of returning to a burnt down home. I waited thirty minutes before mentioning it to Hubby, who assured me that I turned it off, and pulled out the plug.

I wasn't so sure. I spent the rest of the trip figuring out how on earth I was going to get home and back {an 8 hour round trip and fix it up}. I messaged my Big Sis and she eventually figured out a sniper move and was able to unplug the cords by sticking her arm in the window. She also assured me that it wasn't plugged in.

That sinking worrying feeling isn't foreign to me. I've returned home after leaving just minutes earlier many, many times to check the doors. I've gone to even crazier lengths to check that an oven wasn't on during another weekend away. Each time there is no real reason to worry. The doors are always locked, the oven always off, and just like this time the straightener was unplugged.

The weekend away was just what the doctor ordered. My phone was the only one that didn't get service, which was kinda nice. It's nice to be uncontactable.

Lacey loved playing with her {second} cousins, getting dirty, collecting rocks. Hubby rode the quad bikes up and down the driveways. I sipped wine as soon as the clock went past noon. We laughed. We lived. We loved.

We dreamt of having our own piece of beautiful land, like my cousins. Where there are no neighbours in sight, and fresh air everywhere you sniff. We only wish that the beaches were closer than four hours away. We just wouldn't survive without the ocean nearer by {so we think}.

How about you? How was your weekend? Where did you go? What did you do?

Share your Point & Shoot below. xx

Jumi Shoes Winner.

Wow. The response for the Jumi Shoe giveaway was nothing short of overwhelmingly amazing. You ladies sure do like you some shoes! So without out further chattering... the winner of a brand spanking new pair of Jumi Kicks is...

I'll be in touch with you {or if you get in first, send me an email Angela}. Thank you everyone for playing along. And thank you Jumi for being so generous.

Reminder: WillowBlu Discount.

Hello. I'm just sneaking back in quickly to remind you that the WillowBlu discount finishes on Monday night so pop over get your 10% off now. With the discount it makes Dy's beautiful leather handbags just over the $100 mark, which is great value. I've picked 9 of my favourites to show you above. Just mention Fat Mum Slim on checkout and Dy will fix it up for you. Visit: www.willowblu.com.au

I hope you're having a lovely weekend. xx

Orange You Glad To See Me Go?

Phew. What a week! It's been crazy here in our little household. Actually March has been a month of madness.


I'm signing off early this week. We're off for a weekend in Orange. We've never been there before but we're looking forward to a weekend away together.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend. I'm sorry I haven't been visiting all your blogs as much as I would like. Hopefully I'll find some time on the weekend to take a peek at what you've all been up to.

Don't forget to get your camera out this weekend. I'm going to start making Point & Shoot a weekly occurrence. You'll see it here every Friday. So get your camera out this weekend and come back on Monday and share your photo. Visit here for more details.

There are 9 spots left in the Sweet Art travelling art book, so join up if you want to share in something fun and creative.

And I'll see you back here on Monday. xx

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My Favourite Meal Of The Moment.

My favourite dish at the moment is from a pub nearby. It's posh pub grub, not the normal steak and burgers, although they have fancy versions of those too.

Every time we go there, I always order the same meal. I can't go past it. It's not rare for us to visit and every one at the table order the same meal, lamb & pumpkin salad with yoghurt cheese.

Recently I was visiting a new deli in town and noticed they had yoghurt cheese. I'd never seen it before, but had obviously tasted it... so I grabbed a tub and all the rest of the ingredients I need to put together my new favourite meal.

I roasted some pumpkin, chopped some avocado, toasted some pine nuts, lightly sauteed some spanish onion and seared some lamb. I tossed it all together with some english spinach and dressed it with a little balsamic dressing. Lastly I topped it with some deliciously soft yoghurt cheese.

It was perfection. My new favourite meal was just as easy to make at home. And probably cheaper too.

What's your favourite meal at the moment?

Sweet Art.

I have been cooking something particularly delicous over the past couple of weeks, and Morgan has been adding dashes of sweetness here and there too.

We've cooked up an idea called Sweet Art. In essence it's a traveling art journal. You might remember that I mentioned something similar last year which you can see here.

So this is how it works. Morgan {from Under The Stairs Studio} and I have purchased an art journal and it's begging to be filled. I've created the title page and a welcome note, Morgan will do the first page and then we're asking you all to contribute too.

So if you fancy yourself a bit of an artist, or just like to play around then you need to jump on in and get involved. This is how it works:

♥ Each person decorates on page in any way they want. Creativity is up to the individual. Anything goes.
♥ Once that person is finished their page. They pack it up and post it on to the next person.
♥ That person then creates another page, and once it's complete, sends it onto the next person.

It continues on and on like this until it is full. Full of beautiful, creative pages, filled with love by you.

So if you're got a creative bone in your body, we'd love for you to get involved. You don't have to be super, dooper talented. Anything goes! All you need to do is have fun. That's all.

The joy of the travelling art journal is that you get to see all the work done before you and be inspired.

Morgan and I decided that it's probably best that we keep this within Australia, this time. Just to keep the costs down in postage. The most it will cost each person is $5.90 to send to another person. If there is enough interest from overseas we'll think about starting another to include you all.

So if you want to play along, just leave a comment. We'd love to have you be part of Sweet Art. xx

*There are 50 pages in the journal so we'll have to limit this to 50 people - if we get that many.

Woof, Woof.

Meet Oscar.


He's a new addition to our little family. Yes, I know he's clearly pink and probably female, but Lacey named him, and I don't have the heart to change it.

The inspiration for Oscar came from the real Oscar at work, a cute, feisty mini Schnauzer. She's in love with him. Obsessed even. At first I think he liked the new attention. Lacey likes to stay by his side and smother him in kisses and cuddles, as well as bark orders. She yells: sit, come, eat, sit {even when he's already sitting}.

They're stuck together like glue, Oscar and Lacey. Sometimes I have to part them just so that it doesn't become too much. There are tears from Lacey, and barking from Oscar.

I guess if he was sick of her attention he would run away, but he sticks by her side. He's loyal like that. And gentle. It's amazing how he knows how to be different with the kids. The bigger kids can be jumped on, but he knows not to do that with Lacey.

So when we're at home Lacey misses her friend Oscar. One morning she found her money box and started calling it Oscar. It went everywhere with her that day. He ate with us. Walked with us. If he fell, we had to comfort him and cuddle him {or squuueeeeezzzeeee as Lacey likes to say}.

I put a leash on him, and he gets dragged everywhere. The money inside him jingling as we go.

I'm tempted to get some sort of pet for Lacey, but I know how much extra work they can be. We've considered a fish, and am now contemplating a rabbit. Ideally, I'd love a big dog... but it's not quite fair without a big backyard.

Do you have pets? What sort and size? If you have kids, how are they with them?

Of All The Ages You've Been...

This is the age I like the best.

I know I shouldn't pick favourites, but just because I so dearly love you at 23 months, doesn't mean I loved you any less at 12 months, or 3 months or 1 day.

I wish that I could bottle you up and keep you at this age for just a little bit longer. I love it so much. I love you so much. But who knows... twenty four months might just be even better...

Can it possibly be any better than this though? Can it? Probably. With you anything is possible. xx

What Dreams May Come.

Aaah, I have my Hubby back. Not only has been away for a week competing at Nationals for Surf Life Saving but over the Summer he was away a lot with training and carnivals too. Teamed with shift work we saw each other less than I like, but it also meant that I had less quality me time. Less time to exercise in the early morning, and just less to plan, and dream, and do, and be.

So now I am geared up to soar. To reach my goals. To plan. To achieve. And I'd love for you to come along with me.

Each month we'll set goals, check in with each other, inspire each other, cheer each other on, and support each other.

I thought we could start on the first of each month, and I'll have a little gift to give to a random participant just for being part of it all each month. How does that sound?

So before we officially start it off in April I hoped that you'd all join in me in writing a letter to your future self. FutureMe is a place that you can write your future self an email, and have it arrive it at a date you set {oh, and it's free}. I thought we could write ourselves a letter to arrive on the 1st of January 2011. We could tell ourselves what we hope we've achieved, and who we want to be then. Be positive, use a loving voice, be kind, and be hopeful.

Just to touch lightly on one of my goals... I am still on this journey to losing weight. One that I'll be on for the rest of my life, I know. I mentioned earlier that I am a member of Weight Watchers, and wanted to let anyone else know that if they want to join up I have a code that you can use to get a free magazine on signing up. It ends at the end of this month, so if you want to join, do so now. Here are the details:

Upon signing up, just do the following:

1. Visit Weight Watchers here.

2. Enter the promotion code 4-16-1951-18232

3. Select ‘update pricing’

4. Then select ‘special offer just for you’ payment plan

{Using this unique code 4-16-1951-18232 when signing up will ensure you receive your free magazine. Make sure you write it down somewhere because the sign up process is a wee bit long, and you don't want to get to the end and realise you don't have it.}

I look forward to sharing dreams, and goals, and stories. I hope you'll join me. xx

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Giveaway: Jumi Shoes.

Last week it was all about handbags, and this week it's shoes. Shoes! You must be some of the luckiest readers out there, if I do say so myself.

Up for grabs is a fab pair of shoes by Jumi. They look like a ballet flat, yet perform like a sneaker. I think they're the perfect little shoe. Cute with jeans, fun with a flirty dress. Perfect for running constant errands. Even more perfect for running after little people, or even big people.

Up for grabs is the Jumi Splendido in Black Snake. They're so beautiful, I've had them in my hot hands myself {my photos just don't do them justice}

For the chance to win, just leave a comment below telling me what your shoe size is. Super easy. There's no jumping through hoops, or writing 25 words or less. Just let me know your size.This will only be open to my Australian readers, sorry.

{boring bits}
This competition will be open until Sunday 28th March.
The winner will be announced on Monday 29th March.
Only one entry per person.
This giveaway is open only to Australian residents.

52 Week Project: Ten.

Oh boy. Seriously, how many weeks to go? Forty two? Ok.

Phew. One more down. Forty-freaking-two to go. xx

WillowBlu Winner.

Ooooohhhh it seems you all love red hand bags. Right?

Who wouldn't? It's really beautiful, and I'm so excited to announce the winner of the WillowBlu Lotus handbag giveaway.

Email me Dani and I'll get the bag off to you. Congratulations.

And for the rest of you, don't be disheartened. If you saw a bag you loved, or need a new bag, Dy is being super kind and offering 10% off for FatMumSlim readers. Just mention this blog and she'll take the 10% off. Yay. Pop over to the WillowBlu shop and fall in love.

Point & Shoot.

Happy Monday my friends.

How was your weekend? Ours was lovely, as always. We had a very chilled weekend. We missed Hubby a lot. Lacey thinks that he's in every aeroplane that flies by, and misses him oh-so-much {which is exactly what she was doing in the photo above}. I think I might miss him more. He's home tonight, and I can't wait to cuddle him.

We packed up a blanket and picked up yoghurt, fresh bread, muffins and fruit, and headed off for a picnic in a nearby park for breakfast. It was so nice just to lie outside when everyone else was probably all cosy in bed. We explored in the gardens and soaked up the morning sun.

Did you get your camera out this weekend, at all? I'd love to see what you snapped. Add your link below. And if you didn't take a happy snap of part of your weekend, I'd love to hear about your weekend in the comments below.

Lucky Day.

I am reducing the price of my eBook to just $5 for this weekend only.

Snap it up now, before the weekend passes you by. x

Write This Down.

Let me spell it out for you. P-o-i-n-t & S-h-o-o-t.

Okay. Now this is what you're going to do.

♥ You're going to get your camera/iPhone/whatever out.

♥ At some point over the weekend you're going to take a photo.

♥ The photo can be of any part of your weekend.

♥ You're going to come back here and share your photo on Monday.

And you're going to have a great weekend until I see you again. Right? Ok?

Sorted.

Have fun my friends. xx

Sunshine & Smiles.

It's Friday, which is one of my favourite days. Everyone has their eyes set on the weekend, super sharp suits are being left at the dry cleaners and casual Friday is happening in offices around town {I see people at the bus stops embracing it} and everyone is a little lighter, happier. I feel it, do you?

On this Friday, what's added a little sunshine to your day? What's made you smile?

Me? Apart from it being Friday there are a few things that are making me smile. I've been single parenting it this week whilst Hubby is competing at Nationals for Surf Boat racing, so that's been tough going. Especially when at 3:40am yesterday Lacey missed her Dadda and wanted to see his photo on my phone, for TWO WHOLE HOURS. He {and his crew} kicked butt in their race yesterday and came first. I'm so proud, so I'm smiling about that.

Plus, Lil Sis is coming up for a sleepover, and she always makes me smile. And I have nothing much planned this weekend... which I'm excited about because the past few weekends have been jam packed.

What about you, my friend?

Head back here for a little point and shoot this afternoon. See you then.

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The Healing.

When you wake in the morning do you feel sunshine or cloudy days? She asked as she peered over her red spectacles.

It's cloudy where I am, I replied allowing my very soul to be exposed, it's like a big field, with low, dark clouds and there is no one in sight. I'm alone. And I find it hard to breathe. I think a storm might be coming.

I peered around the room. The walls were lined with book after book, all with titles I had no interest in reading. Heavy stuff. Not for me. The walls were painted a deep, deep red. I like the wall colour, I hesitantly complimented her choice in decor.

They needed a grey undercoat to get the red so deep, she informed me, white just wouldn't work.

She allowed me to get off track for a moment, and back to a place where I felt comfortable. A place where I talked about wall colours and undercoats as I eyed over the books and shifted in the lofty couch.

I returned the next week. How did you feel when you woke this morning? She quizzed again. Were there clouds?

There were clouds, I nodded, big grey, low clouds. I offered a meek smile and we went on to talk a little more in depth.

Weeks went by and upon meeting her again her eyes met with mine and she asked, When you woke this morning, how did you feel?

I felt sunshine peeking through. I felt the clouds lifting. There were trees, and light. It felt like it might be okay.

Months went by and the forecast became more favourable. Sunshine snuck through the clouds most days. I could feel it on my shoulders, I could feel it in my soul. I could feel it in my heart. I was a little less broken.

Eventually there became more time between visits and less to talk about. Less in depth chatter, and more talk of more comfortable things. Are they new glasses? I queried.

They are, she noted as she fixed them on her face.

We're done here now, she smiled, you can go. Her smile lingered, and she could tell that I wasn't quite getting it.

You're released. You're free.

I nodded, as tears welled in my eyes. I am, I grinned, yes, I am.

I walked out of her office, but not out of her life. We were new friends. I cared for her, and she cared for me. She'd helped me make profound changes in my life. She'd allowed me to see the sunlight. She'd helped be less of a victim, and more of a survivor. She'd helped me be less angry, and more fortunate. Best of all, she allowed me to realise that I wasn't going to let anyone steal my sunshine. It was mine. I deserved it. And it wasn't there for the taking...

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A Love Story.

I don't like a fuss for my birthdays. Sure, I like to celebrate them somehow and I do like feeling a little bit special, but I don't like people singing happy birthday and I don't like a big crowd.


My 21st birthday was a celebration on steroids. I had three parties. Three. One down the coast with over a hundred people, and a few backyard fires. Oh, and there was karaoke. Another at a cute little restaurant {in a private room} in Kings Cross and then an intimate dinner with close family at a beautiful restaurant in Berry, on the South Coast. By the end of June I was over celebrating.

So when my 22nd birthday rolled around, I didn't plan anything. And then everyone forgot. My family remembered, but there wasn't that enthusiasm in their voices like the year before. Friends didn't call and wish me well. Even when I spoke to one friend she didn't mention my birthday, at all. A few text messages here. No presents to open.

I was down and out. I didn't feel special. I only felt sad.

The next day I woke and decided I was going to have a birthday do-over. I was going to make my birthday be that day, that sunny Friday. So I gathered my housemates, I called my brother and sister {Lil Sis was still underage at that stage} and I called friends from near and far. We were going out.

We started with dinner at a fun, local restaurant and then we headed to a bar just down the road. There was dancing and drinking, and a little more dancing.

I walked towards the bar to get myself another birthday drink. How you doin'?, a handsome guy stopped me on my way and grabbed my attention.

He was surrounded by a few mates, I looked at him and smiled and noticed that his lips were blue from his drink. Ummm, your lips are blue, I told him matter-of-factly and kept walking towards the bar.

I continued to dance, and drink, when I heard over the loud music my Big Sis calling me over. Come here, she yelled motioning her hands.

I danced my way over to where she was standing. I want you to meet my friend, she explained, he's so-and-so's {her ex-boyfriend that she dated for many years} best friend.

I smiled, and then I couldn't help but laugh. It was Mr Blue-Lips.

Let's dance, I enthused dragging him onto the dance floor.

We didn't leave each other's side all night. We danced, we talked and eventually we kissed.

That night my sister went home and confidently told her flatmates that she knew I'd met the guy I was going to marry.

And she was right.

This is our love story. xx

The Best Polaroid Photo.

My super dooper talented friend {and Fat Mum Slim reader} Susannah has had one of her polaroids selected by Blur magazine to be in the running for The Best Polaroid Photo. Isn't it beautiful? It's one of 30 finalists, and in my opinion the best there. It's so pretty.

I think we could quite possibly make Susannah's day/week/month/year/life {ok, I went a bit far there} by voting for her picture. All you have to do is pop over HERE and vote. It's really easy. Just click on how many stars you think it deserves {which is 10, by the way}. There's no signing up, or giving out of emails. One click. That's it.

So head on over and support Susannah. Not just because I asked you to, because it's simply The Best Polaroid Photo.

Blog It Forward.

Today I am excited to be taking part in a blogging movement created by Victoria from sfgirlbybay. Bloggers from all over the world have shared, and are sharing things that inspire them. Fashion Foie Gras went before me yesterday, and you can pop over to see what Feminine Modern has cooked up for her post tomorrow.

And now what inspires me...

♥ looking up. i love the sky. when everything is busy, messy,

exhausting + overwhelming... all i need to do is look up... and i feel

better. looking up, as in being positive, inspires me to be better too.

♥ passionate bloggers inspire me. i love bloggers that create

their blogs with such passion + intention. that inspires me to blog

better + create a fun, inspiring space.

♥ where i live inspires me. bondi is filled with creative types.

filled to the brim. + anything goes. bondi nurtures creative talent +

it's an inspiring place to wake up.

♥ the possibilities. an empty notebook whispers, fill me. an

empty blog post says, create me. a brand new day says, enjoy me.

♥ this little person {my daughter} inspires me to be better, to

do better. to be a better mama, a better wife, a better friend, a better

daughter, a better sister, a better everything. she inspires me to breathe,

to stop + smell the roses, to watch the butterflies, to play in the sand,

to enjoy life. to just be.

♥ i've always loved photography + the world wide web has

allowed my photography inspiration to reach a new level. it's full

of talented type photography people. my favourites include rowe timson,

jinky art, sheye rosemeyer, peta mazey, among many.

Thanks for stopping by. ♥

{images 2 + 4 + 6 via here, all the rest my own}

Spoilt Rotten.

When I started planning the Happy Mail Exchange I didn't think about receiving a parcel myself. Even weeks later when I was drowning in papers scribbled with emails, addresses and details, I almost forgot to add my own name in. For me, it was more about creating something fun, and happy for others... it was never about getting something in the mail for myself.

I matched partners randomly for the Happy Mail Exchange. I let fate take it's course and if people were meant to be together, then they would be. That's how it would roll.

I had no expectations from the whole experience. I knew I would enjoy buying for my partner, Lisa, and I did. You can see what I collected for her on her blog, Lisa & Mini Ginger. I hoped others would have a positive experience too.

But... what I didn't realise was that someone wonderful, somewhere else in Australia, was busy collecting things for me. Things they'd selected {and made!} with love, and thought, and kindness. And most of all someone that would become a beautiful new friend.

I've known about Jo from Love Stamp for a while now. Perhaps a year. I've loved her work. I get her newsletter in the mail. I've had friends buy pieces of her work, and love them. I read Jo's blog, and I knew that she was a beautiful person... but in this past week we've just really connected. More than I can explain on here.

You know when you just know that you're the same people? You know when you just have that feeling that it was meant to be... we were meant to cross paths, this way, now. This is how I feel. And I rarely talk about people this way {except Hubby, of course}.

What I didn't know was that for me, the Happy Mail Exchange, was going to be more than just having Happy Mail arrive at my doorstep.... it was about finding a friend from somewhere else but here.

Thank you for my beautiful presents Jo. You were so super generous, and kind, and I haven't stopped smiling since they arrived. My bracelet jingles when I walk and move, and I like that. It's a constant reminder. I was spoilt. Beyond spoilt actually. Thank you so so much. xx

Did you participate in the Happy Mail Exchange? What did you get? How did it make you feel?

For those that have expressed interest, I will be holding another Happy Mail Exchange in about a months time. Please keep an eye out for it. xx

Giveaway: WillowBlu Handbag Heaven.

My shoulders ached, and my neck felt like it needed stretching out a whole 10cm or more. It was a nice combination of stress, sleeping with a toddler in the same bed {which means sleeping in the same position and not moving all night, for fear of hitting said little person} and using a constant heavy handbag. I booked in for a much needed massage and saw the dismay on Ingrid's face as she saw my oversized handbag.

She explained that we {as in us humans} hold any emotional baggage on our left hand sides, in the shoulder area and any tension from stress in our right hand sides. Having a heavy handbag doesn't help that right hand side either. She requested I lighten my load, as it's the one thing I can control.

I thought I'd weigh my handbag before decluttering it, and was astonished to see that it weighed the same as my own toddler. So a decluttering I did go.

After the clean-up my handbag holds phone, keys, pens, business cards, nappies, wipes {I always lose that nifty wipe holder}, coins, little people juice, bobbypins, purse, handcream, USB, dummy, and eyeliner.

When Dy from WillowBlu handbags asked if I'd like to have a look at her handbag range, I jumped at the chance. I needed to downsize because seriously if my bag can hold it, I will fill it. It's not rare for me to carry 3 magazines, a 1 litre drink bottle and anything else needed for me to survive on a small island for a fortnight.

I picked the lovely Abby in tan after looking at, and loving the whole range. When it arrived I fell in love. And I'm not talking it up. It's seriously beautiful. Everyone that has seen it, including Hubby can't believe the quality. It has that beautiful leather smell {because it is leather, der!}. And they're affordable. I've bought bags that weren't leather for the same price {under $150}, CRAZY!

Dy is so super lovely that she's offering up a new handbag for one of the lovely Fat Mum Slim readers to win. Up for grabs is the lovely Lotus in rose red {which in real life is a lovely cherry red colour}.

All you have to do is leave a comment saying what you like about the Lotus handbag, and it could be yours. I'm happy to post overseas, so I'll open this competition up to EVERYONE!

Good luck. xx

{boring bits}

Competition is open to Australian and International Readers.

Competition opens from the publication of this post.

Competition closes on Sunday 21st March at Noon {Sydney Time}.

You may only enter once.

Winner will be announced on Monday 22nd March in the morning.

Please check back on Monday to see if you have one. You will need to email me your details.

52 Week Project: Nine.

This self-portrait was taken on the way to lunch yesterday. We were driving around in the car hoping to get Lacey to sleep early so that we could have a nice, relaxing lunch.

She's not silly though. She knew something was going on. So she sang, counted buses and chattered away. There was no sleeping for her. Well, not until the hellos were done, and the hugs were given out and mains were served. xx

Birthday Boy.

March for our family is birthday mayhem. I remember us all heading to Nanna Rose's house when we were kids and there would be truckloads of cakes. And presents. And people.

First there is Mum's birthday on the 17th {and now my little Cousin Jack too}, Cousin Garry's on the 18th, Cousin Kate's on the 19th, Dad's on the 22nd, and Aunty Nancy's on the 22nd too. I'm sure I'm missing someone too. I think Cousin Sophie is on the 22nd too.

And then I met Hubby. His is on the 15th {which is today. Happy Birthday my beautiful husband}. His Mum's is on the 11th. Pisces are my favourite people and boy am I surrounded by them. Lucky me.

We headed to Catalina at Rose Bay for lunch yesterday. It's a beautiful restaurant right on the water. We ate oysters, and fish and soaked up the view.

My hairdresser secured us the best table out on the balcony {thanks Mon!} and we had the most beautiful lunch. Miss Lacey slept through the whole thing, in my arms... until the very end when she had a sleepy cuddle with the birthday boy.

Before I head off for the morning, I just wanted to give you handfuls of gratefulness for all your kind words, virtual hugs, emails, support, love and understanding last week. It was completely overwhelming and lovely. I honestly didn't expect it, and was just... so... overwhelmed. I wish that so many of you didn't know how it felt, and hadn't had a history so similar. I wish it wasn't so. My heart aches for you all.

So from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I'd most certainly like to hear about it, if you feel up for sharing. xx

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