Lovely Links Of Late

{ Living simply may mean living happily, what are your thoughts? Danielle from Sometimes Sweet ponders the question.

{ I love finding new reads that make me giggle and feel empowered simultaneously, give this one a moment of your time, I think you'll love it too!

{ Both of these posts are beautiful. Two totally different mamas, being totally honest about the insecurities they have about themselves when parenting their daughters. Two posts on self-awareness, self confidence and personal growth. Read them here and here.

{ There is too much silence surrounding mental illness in the world. If you read only one thing on Lori's inspiring blog, make it this page. 

{ Baby baby baby baby baby. I heart baby news!

{ 10 things not to say to your kids...I am guilty of at least 5 of these, but I'll now consider my words more carefully. Thanks The Kid Counsellor!

{ I attended my gorgeous cousins wedding in January, check out the stunning photos! It was a truly beautiful wedding.

{ Do you think you could give up yelling for a whole 365 days? A year of not raising your voice at your children, even in the most testing of times? This woman did! I am in awe!

{ Good to know- Products on Australian shelves that contain palm oil. 

{ Stress and parenting can come hand-in-hand like wine with a hangover. But, it can be managed and prevented. Don't let the everyday stresses of parenthood weigh you down, care for yourself like you would care for another.

Plenty of love,

Lovely Links of Late

{ Winter is my happy place; the colours, the rain, the woolen scarves. How stunning is this winter photoshoot? It has me yearning for plum lipstick and grey knit weather!

{ "Motherhood is a sacred and beautiful gift. It's a messy one, a painful one, it's tiring and beyond beautiful...it breaks your heart and then heals it." Perfect words as always from Jess Gatlyn of Boho Baby Bump.

{ Birth Story Alert! I'm a little late to the party, but it was so good finally reading Jens birth story on the sweet little Finley. Such a precious family.

{ My current favourite creative read? Torie Jayne. Everything is beautiful!

{ A post about how to stay positive through hard times. A lovely read on Delightfully Tacky, I think it's something we can all relate to at some point in our lives.

{ Found via Little Chief Honeybee, THIS is a humorous (yet deadly honest) tale about white lies parents dish out to their children.

{ Speaking of LCH, I finally caught up on all Kaelah's posts and just loved the heartfelt resolutions she set for 2013. Read it here, it'll have you feeling motivated. My favourite resolution is the one she wrote on 'engaging with only those who inspire you'. She describes obligatory following as 'social media noise', which is very true. Stimulation comes from every angle when following blogs, idols and muses; make sure what gets through to you is what really counts.

{ Sweet potatoes and avocado, two of my most favourite foods ever. Spicy sweet potato fries with avocado dip? Oh, I'm salivating! Thanks Shutterbean!

{ Photographer Natalie McComas is working on a portrait series featuring subjects with dramatic birthmarks. Check out 'Beautiful In This Skin'. P.S. her other photography is stunning also.

{ 'My Parenting Anger Management Plan' by Naomi from Seven Cherubs is one for the emergency bookmarks. Have it ready to read when you feel as though you are about to lose it.  

Enjoy!

Lovely Links of Late

{ I love discovering new artists, and even more lovely is discovering artists that are local. Michelle from Rock My Roll has some beautiful and unique mixed media works to her name, all of which come from her humble little home in Wynyard Tasmania. 

{ Mothers are so busy nurturing, they often forget to nurture themselves. Real Mantras For Real Parents gives some positive self-talk for any stressed out mama to live by.

{ I have fallen in-lady-love with this sweet blogger from New Zealand. I am probably very late to the party, but there's something about the atmosphere over at Here Comes The Sun that makes me feel all warm and cosy. Plus, Amanda is so holy-moly gorgeous!

{ The amount of times my thoughts have trailed to "What is my life purpose?" while hanging the washing or shampooing my hair is crazy. 'How to discover your life purpose in about 20 minutes' certainly caught my eye! As sceptical as you may find it, maybe it's worth a try! (I'm yet to find that 20 minutes to even attempt it, perhaps I need to look for a post titled 'How to find 20 minutes'!)

{ No matter how busy we are, having a clean house is still quite high on most mamas list of priorities. This Cleaning Calender by Pixingo sheds a little light on the never ending pile of work and creates a schedule that enables you to have a stress-free tidy and clean house almost everyday. Bliss!

{ What your child wishes you knew when he acts out. Thankyou Aha! Parenting. This article has helped me diffuse many a potential toddler meltdown lately.

{ Amanda Mocci is one of my favourite artists, so much so that her Athena design was the inspiration behind my tattoo. I am totally lusting over these iPhone cases over at Society6 and am having a seriously difficult time chosing my favourite. They are all so beautiful!

{ I've felt like giving up, and I'm sure many mamas I pass by in the street have too. It's a difficult gig. This post gives six reasons to never give up on motherhood and an insight into the bigger picture. A perfect read to clear the frenzied parents head.

{ Can you believe that in four months time I will be planning a first birthday party for Isla? Nope, me neither. This party has me dreaming of a career in event styling and gathering burlap like a crazed collector.

{ Dreaming of a high-tea styled afternoon at home? These high tea stands are handmade by a lovely lady using pre-loved china ware. I have one in my bathroom for hair slides and one in the kitchen holding apples and avocados. P.S. The lovely lady is my Mother-In-Law!

Plenty of Love, 

Lovely Links of Late

{ When our toddlers decide that nap-time is no longer necessary, life gets that much harder and more stressful. Sadie, from Brambles and Honey is discovering just that. Brambles and Honey is a blog I have begun stalking recently, I'm sure you'll love it to!

{ Designer Bride is the wonder team of two lovely young ladies (both mamas!) who work as a mobile hair and make-up service in Tasmania. I was lucky enough to spend my morning being pampered by Brianna and Kirby for our maternity photoshoot. A go-to team for all your glamorous needs!

{ '10 rules to raise terrific kids', sounds simple right? Aha Parenting gives you ten positive steps that any parent can master to raising happy, healthy and respectful children. The surprising part? The biggest rule is not to live by rules.

{ I love reading new mothers musings. The latest I have come across is a young mama (local to me) blogging about her daily life with baby Morgan. Pop by and say hello at Morgan and Me.

{ Cake Smashes are so hot right now. What is cuter than watching a baby smash into a cake? Watching a baby smash into a cake and love the beejeeberz out of it! These twins are so mischievous looking and the look of delight on their faces when tasting the frosting? Priceless!

{ What did we do before smart phones? No really, what did we do! I have a number of parenting apps on my iPhone and the latest I have downloaded is called Baby Zoe. I can't wait to start using this application to track feeding, weight gain, nappy changes and health appointments. Modern technology really is a blessing for parents.

{ This is a heartbreaking but beautiful recollection of a successful business woman's experience with stillbirth. She tells the story of Laura's birth; 8 years on.

{ Browsing Etsy treasuries is one of my guilty pleasures. I love this one titled 'That Special Day' by Eloise. It is full of the sweetest wedding details with a vintage and handmade feel.

{ A photobooth, especially for kiddies? Itty Bitty Booth would be a total party hit for the itty bitty ones and grown up ones a-like. Now I want to throw a kiddie party!

{ I've always wondered what having an older child will be like. Will it be more challenging? A breeze compared to the toddler taming days? This mama reflects on the different degrees of challenging when raising an older child.

Plenty of love,