Clouds and Comforts

Winter is my happy place; most who know me, know this. The season brews a feeling of excitement in me, a feeling of comfort and wonderment. Although it's still Autumn here, Winter is teasing me with sneak peaks and pretty previews...and I love it! This afternoon I was lucky enough to have some escape time (I even skipped witching hour!) and the universe aligned some of my favourite things into one beautiful wintry bundle.

I met with my dear friend Sophie, sipped hot Monk Pear tea and munched on cashews whilst watching a storm unfold. Ahhhhh, the simple pleasures!

We sat outside in the sunshine and within five minutes, a clear blue sky turned a rumbly grey. Then came the crash of hail. Not often in this small town do we experience the thrill of hail. Erratic weather, however is a norm. That's part of the reason this place will forever be my home. I love our weather.

Sophie too, shares a love for the greyest of days. It was so rejuvenating spending some simple hours 'just being' with such an inspirational friend. I always leave a date with Soph filled to the brim with motivation and bursting with creative energy. It was just what I needed to unplug the mother in me and re-charge her.

What re-charges the parent in you? Does anyone else share the same intense love for clouds, umbrellas and raindrops?
Plenty of love,

A Country to Celebrate.

Australia Day. Hot weather, snags on the barbie, drinks in the eskie, Triple J on the radio and friends all around. Australia Day is the day to relax, celebrate and feel grateful for the beautiful country we are so blessed to live in.

This Australia day we decided to host the celebratory BBQ at our house with a few close friends and family. We filled pools for the kids, made a makeshift shadecloth for our courtyard with a bed sheet and Stella wore a not-so-Australian but traditional nonetheless Hawaiian shirtdress.  It was casual and relaxed, with little stress or mess. Just good friends, good food and a good day all round. Nick fired up the new BBQ we received as an engagement present and I went a little overboard with the fruit, cheese and dip platters.

This Australia Day I am grateful and proud...

* To live in a country with such a wonderful public health system
* To be blessed with incredible government funded support networks for new parents such as the community Child Health Clinics.
* Of our passion for helping others in times of need and strong determination for recovery especially during times of crisis such as the Queensland floods. 


What did you do to celebrate? What are you grateful for this year? Happy belated Australia Day!
Plenty of love...

Chubby, chubby goodness

Look at all that chubby goodness! This photos gives me the warm and fuzzies inside, her smile is so big, showing how happy and content she is. One of my favourite parts about mothering a toddler is the sheer joy and pride I feel when watching her experience something new, watch her learn a new skill, grow a little older and become even smarter. Seeing a smile and a laugh is like the motherhood version of getting a good report card, you feel relieved and confident that you are doing something right.

Stella and her little friend Evie enjoyed a lovely splash on a very hot day last week, it was a totally spontaneous trip to the local outdoor pool and she just loved it! I am hoping to start swimming lessons this summer for her, which gives me a perfectly good excuse to buy some adorable new bathers. Tis the season for new experiences and plenty of smiles!

Oh, and did I mention how adorable all that chub is?!

sweet gratitude

Sweet words and congratulations from sweet friends and family make this very special time of my life even happier. I am so grateful to have the unconditional support and love of a very special few.

Cousin love.

A few days back, Stella and her older cousin Ruby spent a day in the park together. It was beautiful to watch them laugh, run and play together.

One of my earliest and happiest memories as a child is playing with my best friends. My best friends being my younger Sister and my older Cousin. My cousin and I rarely fought and experienced many a family birthday party, BBQ and Christmas together. The days before school yard politics were bliss. Friendships were simple and almost always pleasant.

The close relationship between cousins is irreplaceable. It is the first bloom of friendship, and one to be cherished. I can't wait to see these two little girls grow up together and play the same games I too played with my cousin.

Baileys Birthday.

This year, I have been so lucky to have attended so many wonderful childrens birthday parties. The intense amount of preparation and lengths that mothers go to, to ensure that the party day is just perfect is inspiring and exciting all the same. I love seeing proud mothers on party days. Over the months I've shared with you Arden's party, Evie's party and of course Stella's party. Now, I'm sharing with you Baileys 3rd Birthday Party!

Baileys mother Tahnii did the most amazing job at making us all feel as though we were aboard a pirate ship. The food, the decor, the atmosphere...it was very pirate-like. Here are some happy snaps taken on the day!

...enjoy...

Circle of Mothers.

If there is one thing that I would tell an expectant mother, it would be to surround yourself with those who also have children. One of the most incredible, and sometimes the only, support network that mothers can have is other mothers. When you find a positive circle of mothers with similar lifestyles, ideals and morals...embrace it. See them often, enjoy time with the children around, sneak away without the children around. Gossip, moan and gloat.

However, be aware of a positive circle versus a negative circle. If things get competitive; move along. If things get draining; move along. If you leave a visit feeling like you haven't taken a sigh of relief home, haven't exhausted every giggle and tear or haven't smiled; move along. Because that is what your circle should be about...it should leave you feeling relieved that you are not alone. It should leave you smiling.

I have a wonderful circle of motherly support, some I see often, others not so often. Each and every one of them have a positive effect on my parenting, something I am truly grateful for. Recently I added to my circle, by catching up with Danielle. You may remember the feature I did on Danielles home business 2 little birds. We caught up and talked about school, childcare, friendships and tantrums.

Here are some happy snaps of Danielles beautiful children playing with Stella. 

Do you have a support circle? If not, take steps to create that circle for yourself. Whether it be meeting a fellow mother for a coffee, attending a playgroup or e-mailing a mother you know. (I am always open to mail!)

...plenty of love...

Sleeping pretty

Being the compulsively prepared person that I am, I searched and searched for cot linen when I was just a few months pregnant. I trawled Etsy, Madeit and local designers but could not find anything that wasn't ghastly coloured, bright or within a reasonable price range. I ended up with just 2 sets of simple fitted sheets and countless plain white blankets and wraps. This sufficed for the first year believe it or not, with plenty of hurried washing and drying of the same sheets.

For Stella's first birthday, her godmother bought these beautiful bed sheets by Holly Chic, designed and handmade in New Zealand. I don't know how she found them but boy am I glad she did. The fitted sheet is adorable yet neutral and the 'cot dooner' is much thicker than a sheet. oh, and it is reversible! Polka dots are a little more suited to an older baby than the too-cutesy patterns that can be found, I am also really happy with the girly yet subtle colours.

Doll by 2 little birds.

I now have a wish list of more beautiful bedding to snuggle my beautiful sleeping babe in.  Head on over to the facebook page of Holly Chic and admire all the baby goodies for yourself!

Plenty of love...