Hanging up the boots...

I sat down to write today; to creatively announce to the blogosphere and break the news to my readers that I was planning to 'hang up the boots'. I was going to write my last post and it was going to be about throwing in the towel.

Sadly, this was going to be it.

Blogging is something that has bought me immeasurable happiness over the past 18 months. It created an outlet for my ever accumulating thoughts and ideas and gave me something to strive for amongst the sometimes mundane lifestyle of a stay at home mother. I felt a sense of achievement when hitting publish on a post I had been working on for the night, more so it gave me a feeling of satisfaction, pride and excitement when my posts reached a wider audience. Maybe something I'd written had resonated with a mother...Heck, maybe it had even made a tired mother laugh, made a frustrated mother nod, or encouraged and inspired a mother in sadness. Developing this comfy space for mothers to visit was truly my passion.. You can read my post on why I blog here

About three months ago, I felt that I had reached a tiny milestone here on Winter Love. I began to offer sponsorship for the very first time, which not only opened up a new audience and paid some of my monthly credit card bill but it bought to me new faces and friendships. I wrote or planned nearly every day...I guess you could say I was high on blogging life!

Funnily, I just assumed this level of commitment would continue after little Isla came into the world. I was a super mama wasn't I? Wasn't I?! It wasn't long before the reality of parenting a newborn came and kindly shocked me. I have four humans to look after daily; A newborn to feed and settle 24 hours around the clock, a toddler to entertain, a partner to engage and connect with and, myself to keep alive and relatively healthy and happy. Oh and don't forget the household duties, friendships and sleep (What sleep!). In this crazy mayhem of motherhood my little blog had no space.

I attempted to put some dedication back into my favourite hobby numerous times, but felt disheartened and frustrated when after writing barely a sentence I was having to drop my train of thought in favor of a nappy or dummy.

Until today... Today something felt different.

I had been guiltily reflecting on my lack of writing and promised to write a short and sweet post letting my readers know that Winter Love was no longer. I opened my laptop and tapped out the words "Hanging up the boots..." When I stopped. I realised what had just happened. For one, I had the time to open the laptop, and two I had the motivation to mentally draft a post. That's when I realised; I couldn't let myself give up. And more importantly, I didn't have to give up.

I am a huge fan of the cute little saying 'where there is a will there is a way'. And today I had the will, and I am determined to find a way!

So, here's to hoping that my time management and multi tasking skills continue to improve and that the faint memory of routine begins to shine through in this busy families lives once more. Then, this comfy little space can be kept tidy and inviting for mothers to visit and love once again.

Are you still with me? I sure hope so!

Plenty of love,

A long overdue return...

Well, here I am. Vegetable soup bubbling on the stove, wind blowing in the leaves outside, clothes dryer spinning, day-time TV playing and fingernails tapping on the keys. Oh and a newborn baby laying on my lap! Although I have a totally legitimate excuse, my return to the blogosphere is well overdue. And the absence has been killing me! Each week that passes by I look longingly to my laptop and promise to find the time, but each week time just hasn't been generous... I guess that is to be expected with a busy toddler and a new little bundle.

There is so very much I am itching to write about and my blog 'notes' are currently out of control. I am planning to share with you many things including; our survival of the newborn weeks, the juggling of two children, the multitude of health issues that have frustratingly plagued me recently, post-partum emotions, a new tattoo, new family life and of course a birth story!

Until I squeeze in the time to do so, I thought I should introduce this sweet little being...

This is Isla Willow.




I am bursting to tell you all about this family's past five weeks! Stay patient with me and I promise to return the regular musings very soon.

Plenty of  love,

Guest Post; Pregnancy- By a real girl.

Hi! I am Natalie from Home Bird Economics, I am so pleased and grateful to be contributing to Winter Love whilst Natalie and Nick take some time to enjoy their newest addition. Home Bird Economics is full of my bargain finds, my crafty creations and happenings with my sweet husband.

Around the time Natalie asked me to guest post for her I have to admit I was struggling with being pregnant, I have had problems with hip pain throughout and to be honest I wasn't feeling the 'glowing' or 'blooming' states some would have you believe... nor does that mean it has been as horrific as some pregnancies are said to be, I am grateful for the pregnancy I have had. But I am going to share the truths about pregnancy that I have experienced.


* Some days you will just feel fat. Not pregnant fat, not time of the month fat. Just fat.

* Feeling your baby move will excite you beyond belief and scare you more than you imagined! Embrace this mix of emotions because it will be with you throughout your pregnancy.

* Acknowledge and discuss when you feel guilty or unworthy, no-one is perfect all of the time and the sooner you develop your confidence in your desires for your child, the happier I am sure you will be.

* Find something that relaxes you, involve your partner if possible in relaxation techniques as an example so that they can develop a 'tool box' of options to help when you are in labor.

* Accept that people will touch your belly, I hated it. I honestly don't have big personal space issues but there is something very intimate about touching an unborn child that I feel should be invited instead of taken and yet others don't see it that way. I tried to remind myself that I cannot control everything and was saying something worth the awkwardness?

* Some people will think calling you fat or a derogatory name is hilarious. It is not ok to punch them. Most of the time smiling politely or bursting into tears will defuse the situation.

* A cliched one, but think of how many times you plan to be pregnant and how special this opportunity really is. Even through the trials of pregnancy there is nothing like creating and nurturing a life within you.

* Finding someone to confide in when everything seems a little too much will really help you to rationalize your thoughts.

* I really enjoyed keeping a baby book of happenings throughout my pregnancy because it kept me focusing on how much time had passed.

* I also loved creating things for our nursery and even if you aren't creative or into making things, collecting and making a little nest for your newborn will help to get yourself ready.

* Swollen ankles can be painful and worrying, luckily though rest helps to keep them down.

* Get used to feeling uncomfortable, I felt uncomfortable in my skin most days. Just because things are changing and you are constantly adapting to a new twinge or a different sensation.

...Finally, pregnancy is just 9 months and I genuinely believe that the benefit outweighs the struggles...

Natalie
Home Bird Economics

Beauty Mama

Motherhood is rarely glamorous, you may not always get a chance to change from your pyjamas and it is perfectly acceptable to go six days without removing your top-knot. Motherhood is a juggling act, and in that super power struggle to find balance, looking after yourself usually falls last on the list. Gone are the days of regular hair appointments, nail bookings, waxings, facials and tans.

Just because Motherhood and parenting is not glamorous, doesn't mean that you don't deserve the chance to feel glamorous. I believe that a pamper session, no matter how small can do wonders to lift a mamas self esteem and give a well deserved boost of confidence

...And that's where the exciting news come in!


Makeup by Tahnii is giving local Winter Love readers the chance to win a makeover for themselves! Let yourself be pampered by this wonderful young make-up artist and mama of two; let your beauty shine! Included in your makeover prize is a private makeover with Tahnii and a photoshoot to capture your confidence forever.

Entry is as easy as this..."LIKE" Makeup By Tahnii on Facebook and "LIKE" Winter Love on Facebook using the Rafflecopter widget below. You can then gain extra entries by sharing this post via both Twitter and Facebook. Entrants must be local to Tasmania or willing to travel to Launceston if not based in the area.

*Although my main targeted readership are mothers, it is not mandatory to be a parent to enter this giveaway*
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am so excited by this giveaway and cannot wait to see some beauty bloom. Every woman deserves to shine! Enter away ladies!
Plenty of Love,