Mother's Day giveaway: Loads of prizes up for grabs!

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and it's time to get spoilt {or spoil your Mum!}. There are loads of prizes to be won, and you can enter for each prize {just leave a different comment for each entry}.

Wouldn't it be lovely to have a fresh batch of biscuits that you didn't have to bake yourself? And best of all, you didn't have to clean up the mess afterwards? Cookie dough biscuits are made in small batches from the finest ingredients. You could win a beautiful batch of 12 cookies valued at $29.95.

Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary is an online boutique with a fresh approach to keeping beauty green. They've offered up these beautiful Organic Louise Galvin shampoo and conditioners up for grabs so you can take care of your hair, and the environment as well.

Organic Focus has offered up a trio of Miessence beauty products including nourishing hand cream, non-toxic mascara and jaffa lip balm. You can see more products to keep your family healthy in their store.

I protect my PC with Norton 360, and now you can too! I've got one Norton 360 Version 5.0 for 1 year of PC protection for up to 3 computers. It's valued at $129

When I was nannying this book was my bible for keeping the kids entertained. It's got everything you need to know about places around Sydney for the kids. I've got one copy of Sydney for under fives by Seana Smith up for grabs!

Westfield have made shopping even easier with their option for shopping online, so you can shop from the comfort of your own home {or to distract you from work!}. I've for a $40 voucher for one lucky person to spend in the books & stationery section of Westfield online.

Last but not least I have a petite pink dragonfly pendant from Curly Jo Designs. This design represents 'the fleeting moment' so is perfect for someone special this Mother's Day!

Entering is really simple. Just leave a comment stating what prize you'd like to win and why. As I mentioned above you're welcome to enter for each prize. Just leave a separate comment for each prize you'd like to win. Good luck!

{boring bits}
Competition closes 8th May 11:59pm

Before meets After

Before.
I've been blogging for almost 3 years now, and I've met a small handful of bloggers in my time. I get a little worked up {which I actually learnt is anxiety} about it all. What if people don't like me? What if I'm too fat? What if I'm boring? The self-deprecating questions go on and on.

I tried to talk myself out of going to the book launch. 'You can just send her a card and wish Kerri well,' I told myself. 'No! You should go!' I counter argued back.

Hours before the launch I was a whirl of anxiety. I couldn't think straight, I felt like my body was moving in fast forward whilst my mind was working in rewind. I had my outfit planned out in my head, but it all came undone when I couldn't find one of my shoes. Anxious Cinderella.

I got in the car, and headed for the book launch. I was doing it. My stomach churned and my head ached. But I was doing it.

I met with friends {Sarah and Annie} beforehand for a drink, and my anxiety mixed with excitement, and started to grow. We headed for the party, and entered the room. I saw so many faces that I knew, but had never met. Does that happen anywhere else? Isn't it odd to know everyone, but not actually know everyone?


After.
I drove home in the taxi with buzz in my heart and a smile on my face. I wanted to blurt out to the driver about the great night I'd just had, but he didn't seem interested at all. So I kept it to myself. As I lay in bed trying to get some much needed sleep, I tossed and turned... still smiling.

Bloggers & Tweeters are a different breed of people, I think. We're warm, friendly, sharing and open. We kinda get each other, even though we're vastly different. It's easy to spark up a conversation about something you read in the past, and you've always got something in common.

It was great to see Kerri launch her book with such pride, and with such wonderful support. It was great to mingle and chat, like we'd all known each other forever {which we kinda have}.

I was ever so glad that I felt the fear and did it anyway....

P.S. Do you suffer from anxiety? Do you get nerves before doing something new? How do you handle it?

For Wills & Kate: My favourite wedding photos

In honour of Wills & Kate's wedding I thought I'd share a few of my own favourite wedding photos. Oh, how I wish I could relive the day over and over again {and still be that skinny - even though I thought I was incredibly fat!}.

By the end of the night I had a few too many champagnes under my belt {evidence above} but it truly was the best day ever.

Are you married? If you're a blogger I'd love to see some pictures. If you're not a blogger, please tell us all about your special day in the comments below. I love weddings. x

Lust-worthy store: Anthropologie

When it comes to eating in our house, we're pretty boring. Our cupboards are filled with white plates, dishes and platters. Boooor-ing.

I've fallen in love with instagr.am, where people share photos on their iPhone, and through the sharing I've realised just how boring my plates really are. Susannah Conway shares photos from her day including breakfast, lunch and dinner and she manages to make a bowl of porridge super pretty with her beautiful bowls and plates.

Susannah openly shares where she buys all her goodies from, and the home of beauty is Anthropologie. Aren't they stunning?

They also sell other home wares, clothes, bags, and jewelry too. I'm in love!

How does it work in your house? Do you have beautiful dishes for serving dinner, or simple white like us?

Win 1 of 2 LEGO sets valued at $297!

The first competition I ever won was a huge set of LEGO in a Coles competition when I was about 9. I can't even tell you what a thrill that was. I hope some other child gets that same thrill from this competition.

This month LEGO launched NASA-inspired products that will delight kids. The intergalactic-themed products vary in terms of complexity and include a Satellite Launch Pad, Space Shuttle, Moon Buggy and completely interactive Space Centre. The range will inspire budding astronauts young and old.

I have two sets {with four boxes in each set} to giveaway valued at $297 each! I also have another set up for grabs on Facebook, so head on over and enter there as well.

To enter this competition simply answer the following question: What was your favourite toy as a child?

{boring bits}
One entry per person
Open to Australian residents only
Competition closes 7th May 2011 11:59pm

The winners of this prize are: BubbyMakesThree and Katy. Congratulations! x

How to create a Facebook page for your blog

One thing I learned whilst being over at the Disney Social Media Moms conference was that Facebook is going to continue to play a big role in blogger's lives, in one way or another. Facebook are keen to listen to us, love our feedback and will continue to change and evolve.

Creating a Facebook fan page is easy, but I'll break it down for you so that even my Ma could make one.

1. You'll need a personal Facebook account to start. If you're not keen to have a personal Facebook book account, don't fret, you can make it as private as you like. It's just the first step in creating a fan page. Click here to sign-up.

2. Now it's time to create a page. Click here to start setting one up.

3. Next you'll have to decide what your page is. Don't worry if you can't see an appropriate option, as once you're signed up you'll be given more options. If you're a personal blogger I'd suggest clicking 'Artist, Band or Public Figure'. If you have a product or service attached to your blog then just choose the appropriate category.

4. Once you've clicked the box to choose the category in which your page belongs, then select from the drop-down menu whichever suits you best. For a personal blogger, I'd choose Writer. Add the name of your page - ie your blog's name {spaces allowed}, tick the box and click Get Started.

5. You'll be then taken to your page, which looks confusing and a bit of a hot mess. Again don't worry. You'll get there. At the top of the page you'll see two drop down menus to confirm your page's category. Your selections will be public {appearing at the top of your page}, so choose what best describes what you do. I chose Website & Blogs, and then Personal Blog.

6. For the next steps you'll follow Facebook's lead. You don't have to do any or all of these steps in order to get started. You can come back and do any of these at a later stage.

Here are a few more details for each step:

• Upload an image - This will be your profile image and will be how your readers/customers will visually connect with your page. I'd suggest using a logo, or something that represents your blog. This image can be 180 pixels by 540 pixels {next week I'll show you some great Facebook profile images that you can use as inspiration}. Just upload an image at this stage, and don't worry about the sizing - Facebook will resize it to fit your page

• Invite your friends - If you already have a Facebook account with a plethora of friends who you don't mind sharing your blog with, tell them about your blog {click Suggest to Friends}. If you didn't have a Facebook account or a gaggle of friends, you can share your Facebook page on your blog, or on Twitter or wait until you build up your friends list

• Tell your fans - If you have a database list that you send newsletters out to, or have a list of contacts saved as an CSV or Excel file, then you can share your page with them by uploading them

• Post status updates - Now you're ready to share your page with the world. Start by sharing a link to your latest post. Go on!

• Promote your page on your website - You can add a like box to your website easily by customising how you want it to appear. I suggest firstly measuring the width of your sidebar so you know which width will look cleanest on your blog. Copy & paste the URL of your Facebook page into the first box {see below}.
  

• Set up your mobile phone - Follow the steps to set up your mobile phone so that you can send text messages to update your page's status
  

7. You're ready to roll! There are many different ways you can grow your Facebook page, and I'll share some of those in the coming months. My best advice is just jump in. There's no right or wrong. In the beginning you might feel like you're talking to yourself, but it will help your page to gain momentum.

Good luck. x

Stella McCartney: Design your own tee!

I have to share this because it's so clever and cute at the same time. Stella McCartney is hosting a colouring-in/drawing competition, and the winner will have their design on a t-shirt. Pretty cool, hey? I don't know if it's just because I work online and I'm a geek at heart, but I love the site and it's functionality. It's very clever.

My good friend Roweena's daughter Audrey Lu has put her picture up, and it's super cute. We knew Audrey was a fashionista before she was one. I know that sounds crazy, but she'd ogle a beautiful outfit in a way only a mini fashionista could. We were right because the girl knows how to put together an outfit!

Get your kids drawing and enter the picture here, or be a superstar and vote for Audrey's picture today {it's just a simple Facebook like, nothing difficult}. She would be ever so happy if she won.

I noticed while I was over there that some mums have drawn their own picture and claimed that their 2 year old kid did it. It made me laugh. I wonder if I could smuggle something in under Lacey's name...

I must fess up, I love to colour-in. I used to love wasting away the afternoon with the kids colouring-in. Tell me, are you the same? Or am I an internet nerd AND a colouring-in freak?

Are plus-size models making us fat?

I've been fat all my life. Ironically, I was the smallest of all my siblings at birth, but after I turned around eight that all changed. I have my Dad's genes, a childhood incident behind me and a lifetime of food issues, all which I've spent years, tears and energy trying to change.

As child I didn't know plus-size models {or fashion} existed. I just knew that sometimes I had to shop in the women section to get things to fit. I was both tall and chubby, not a great combination when looking for clothes as a pre-teen. As a teen and into my twenties I managed to make do with the fashion available in normal sizes, managing to squeeze into some items and adjusting my wardrobe with the limited options available. Even at my skinniest I was still limited in what I could wear, or find in stores.

It has only been since having a baby that I've stumbled across plus-size options, and even when I first discovered them I felt almost taboo to be shopping at 'big girl' shops. Having plus-size options secretly excited me, because after a lifetime of not having any real choices I began to feel like I could piece together outfits that I actually liked. For me, seeing plus-size models wearing plus-size clothes made my happy, and more accepting of who I was and the body I had.

Two doctors, Dr Davide Dragone and Dr Luca Savorelli, from the University of Bologna in Italy believe that plus-size models are detrimental to our health. They believe that curvy models lower the incentive for overweight women to lose weight and make healthy eating habits.

Whilst seeing plus-size models made me happy and more accepting of myself, it didn't ever stop me from wanting to be healthier and get to a size that was better for my well-being. I don't believe, personally, that plus-size models are detrimental to my health. In fact, most of the plus-size models I've seen are only a size 18 at most, so they're not bordering on morbidly obese by any means.

I believe there will always be a place for plus-size models and fashion in the world. I hope one day I don't need it {and I'm actively working towards that}, but for now it allows me to choose clothing that fits and brings joy to my life. I wouldn't shy away from sharing all body shapes and sizes with Lacey. I want her to know that every body is beautiful, but in the end health, and being healthy, really matters.

I just think back to that chubby not-so-little girl that I once was, struggling to feel like I actually fit anywhere, and then that sigh-of-relief-feeling I got when I stumbled across plus-size fashion. I don't believe plus-size models are making us fat. I think they're giving us hope, helping us find self-acceptance and bringing joy as well. At least to me anyways.

Do you believe plus-size models are making women fat? Or are at least lowering women's incentives to lose weight?

Going overboard

I have about 5 photos from my childhood, and no video at all, so I'm going overboard with Lacey and making sure she has more than enough. Each birthday I've been putting together a video of the year for her to look back on. She's always loved watching them, and can't believe that the wee little baby was her.

Here's her video for her third year. You can see her first video here and her second video here too. The song {cos I know you'll ask!} is by Mindy Gledhill and is called Whole Wide World. Enjoy. x

A family picnic

{image}

We had a picnic in the park on Sunday for Easter. We managed to steal that rare afternoon of Sydney sunshine and embrace it with open arms.

One thing I love about picnics or gatherings with extended family is that there are a dozen more hands on deck that want to play with Lacey, and she more than happily enjoys being fussed over. I'd been solo-parenting for a week, so I was happy to relax with adult conversation and let Lacey play.

At Lacey's age I was firmly glued to my mum. I hid behind her, timid and shy, and would have never run off to play.

We had a few new faces on board this Easter with a few new partners in the mix. I love how the dynamics are ever changing. New babies come on board, new partners, and family changes.

I guess we all get so used to our families, being an insider. As we got back in the car and my sister's boyfriend {one of the newbies} said to us, "Your family is quite different."

"How do you mean?" I asked.

"I don't know," he replied, "They're just different."

I imagined our family as an outsider experiencing them for the first time. I giggled. I guess we are different. But isn't every family?

It's like going to stay at a friend's house as a kid. It's odd to see how different families function. Even the simple things like drinking different milk, watching different television shows, how families interact and even the different smells {because each home seemed to have a smell as kids}.

How was your Easter? Did you spend it with family?

How to use up that pesky Easter chocolate

I've never, ever seen so many Easter eggs in all my life. We have three boxes filled with them in the kitchen and they seem to be multiplying by the moment. We even open the front door and neighbours have left them by the door for us. Thankfully I don't really feel like eating chocolate {I know, someone take my temperature!}, so have managed to stay well clear of the bunnies and eggs. We whipped up these brownies yesterday though, and they were the best brownies ever. I suggest throwing in all your eggs and bunnies and upcycling them into something delicious and wonderful {and even more decadent!}.

Ingredients
200g milk or dark chocolate, chopped
150g butter, chopped
3 eggs
3/4 cup caster sugar
1 1/4 cups plain flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
150g-200g broken Easter chocolate

Method
♥ Preheat oven to 160 degrees celcius. Brush a 16cm x 26cm pan {I used a 25cm x 25cm pan and it was perfect} with melted butter. Line with baking paper.
♥ Place the milk/dark chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water {make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water}. Stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool.
♥ Stir the egg into the chocolate mixture until well combined. Combine the sugar and flour in a large bowl. Stir in the cocoa powder. Add the chocolate mixture and stir until just combined.
♥ Stir in the broken Easter eggs {you can use mini-eggs here, white chocolate, ANY chocolate - be creative}. Pour into the prepared pan.
♥ Bake for 40 minutes or until crumbs cling to a skewer inserted into the middle of the brownies. Set aside to cool, and cut into squares once cooled down.


Share them with friends, family & neighbours. Enjoy. x

This recipe was adapted from the double chocolate brownie recipe in the April Australian Good Taste magazine.

Wishing you a Happy Easter...

From my little family to yours, I hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with chocolate, loved ones and laughter.

I'm taking an early mark and will be back on Tuesday. Keep well. Have fun. Enjoy yourself.

Happy Easter. xx

Bird Fever

There comes a time in a relationship, after you've hit the 6 month mark, when you realise that you're good together. You work well. You can see a future together. You fit. Being together makes you happy. It makes sense.

What also makes sense is moving to the next stage. For some it's saying I love you, for others it's moving in together, for some {the very eager} it's an apt time to get engaged.

We moved in together. Not long after we figured that cohabiting worked well too, so we were ready for the next stage in a relationship. Some people buy pot plants others buy dogs or cats. We bought a bird.

I was {and always have been} afraid of birds. If a magpie flies nearby when I'm on my morning walk, I head for home with a light jog, waving my arms above my head so the magpie dare not swoop. Sadly, it's a true story {and not a pretty sight}.

So that day I saw that cute little bird in the pet store {bypassing the dogs because I knew we couldn't have one in our apartment} and called Hubby {then my boyfriend} to ask if we could have him, he was shocked to say the least.

But the next day we bought that cute little bird home, and we loved him. We called him Tyson and treated him like part of the family. He roamed the house, played soccer with a teeny tiny ball and wolf whistled whenever he saw us. Hubby even taught him how to say 'Telle' over and over again, cute at first, extremely irritating later.

One night we moved on from the pet stage and into the engagement stage and Hubby romantically slipped a ring on my finger. Something changed with Tyson. He got a case of the green-eyed monster and I was the subject of his hatred.

It only took one or two attacks from Tyson {aptly named as he liked to aggressively gnaw at my ear} and my fear of birds returned. I declared that I couldn't be in the same room with a freed Tyson, not without gloves, a full body suit and a full-face mask.

He loved Hubby, but he hated me. He attacked anyone that wasn't Hubby and screeched with anger for most of the day.

We married, and fell pregnant years later, and we knew that inevitably we couldn't co-exist with a newborn baby and our bird Tyson. It was a sad, horrible decision we had to make, but we needed to find him a new home. And we did, with someone that loved him {and thankfully he didn't attack}. It was one of the saddest days of my life, to see Hubby so sad to giveaway his beloved pet. I was slightly relieved that I'd never be attacked by a bird in my own home again, and the persistent "Telle, Telle, Telle, Telle" had finally stopped.

And if this blog were an animated Disney film, right now you'd hear Elton John singing 'Circle of Life' and me lifting up little T-Bone to the skies. My little sister, who recently reached that stage in her relationship where buying a pet was the next step, is going away and we're minding her new puppy, T-Bone.

I'm ever so slightly freaking out because I don't think little dogs and spiral staircases mix, but I guess I'll find out. Wish us luck!

Did you ever get to that stage in your relationship where you yearned for a pet, or a pot plant? What did you do about it?

MAEVE magazine: Winter 2011

The new MAEVE magazine has hit virtual shelves overnight. I'm sure it's new owners, Jodie & Stephanie, breathed a huge sigh a relief, amidst butterflies, as they sent it out into the big bad world.

The theme this month was nostalgia, so as you read you'll be taken down memory lane with Barbies, beautiful photographs and vintage hints here and there.

My favourite articles are the ones penned by my fellow bloggers Megan Blandford and Julie Parker, and the ever talented Tania McCartney.

And then there's my usual column Bubble & Squeak. I was taken aback by the huuuuge picture of a make-up free me. I submit the article months in advance so I always forget what I've written. It's like listening to your voice on an answering machine. Weirdly awkward.

It's a great issue and MAEVE's new owners should be very proud. I say it's time for a lay down, a cup of tea and a cupcake. Enjoy.

See the latest issue of MAEVE here. It's free.

It Gets Better

I spotted this yesterday and I loved it. I watched it twice. I felt compelled to share, and hope you'll pass it on too. It's about when life seems horrible {the video is specifically gay & lesbians that struggled, but it's relevant to everyone, I think} , and as a teen it did feel like that for me, it does get better.

I got goosebumps when one of the men says, "The bullies seem like the powerful people and the successful people, and the secret of the real world is they're at the peak of their power at 15 and 16, and there will come a time when the bullies are not successful, and the people that were bullied are. You just need to out-survive them."

A little bit of time does change things. One day things can seem so dim & dark, and the next... there's hope.

I can't imagine ever missing out on all this good stuff, or someone else missing out on this good stuff. Like rainbows, sunrises, sand between my toes, the sound of the ocean, the taste of too-hot chocolate pudding straight out of the oven, gardenias, hugs, kisses, love, little people laughing, laughing so much I fall to the ground, Sunday morning sleep-ins, capturing the perfect light in a photo, reading a good book in one sitting, family, making a new friend, catching up with old friends...

There is so much good stuff in life. I'm so glad I'm here to enjoy it all. This video just made me realise how blessed I am.

What's the good stuff in your life? Why are you glad to be here?

Oaty Anzac Biscuits

Anzac biscuits are one of my favourite sorts of biscuits, and homemade is always better. When I was nannying I used to make this Donna Hay recipe all the time. We almost always had the ingredients in the cupboard, and all the kids liked them too. Win. Win.

With Anzac Day a week away today, I thought I'd share the recipe with you...

Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup dessicated coconut
2 tablespoons golden syrup
130g butter
1/2 teaspoon bi-carbonate soda
1 tablespoon hot water

Method
♥ Combine all the dry ingredients {excluding the bi-carb soda} and mix in a bowl
♥ Place the butter and golden syrup in a saucepan over low heat and mix until melted. Add the bi-carb soda and the water.
♥ Add the butter mix to the dry mix. Combine.
♥ Form balls with dough and place on lined tray.
♥ Place in a moderate oven and cook for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

I like to keep mine as balls, so that they're crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. You can squish these down a little if you like, but the dough is quite dry so it will likely crumble a little.

How do you like your biscuits? Do you prefer them chewy or crunchy?

Lacey and I made these together and as I was snapping the finishing photo I turned around to see Lacey with my iPhone trying to get her own shot. She's a budding food blogger, it seems!