Care to share?

I thought it was about time I shared with you some things I am "oooh-ing" and "aaaah-ing" over. There are so many inspiring creatives out there that I struggle to keep up to date with all the beauty!

* This sweet, sweet Tumblr belonging to a fellow digital mama. I love looking over her pretty vintage finds or glorious manicure designs. She is the definition of sweet, she lives and breathes it!

* I've really missed catching up on the readings of this wonder woman and her family. She raises two children, works, maintains a marriage and manages to do all whilst looking super glamorous. I finally caught up on a few months worth of posts whilst having a date with my couch yesterday afternoon.

* These dinner plates and tea-cups made me squeal over enthusiastically aloud. They are too-flippin-cute! Want, want, wantity want!

* Have you checked out Amanda Mocci illustrations yet? This is the artist that inspired my tattoo, she is one talented lady and all her illustrations inspire me. I think it is safe to say that my next tattoo may also be an Amanda Mocci masterpiece!

Another year older

Apparently it was my birthday last week. If it wasn't for the efficiency of Facebook for reminding me of such things, I would not have remembered. Being so busy and pre-occupied with the life of being a mother, a partner and a worker...this year seemed to just roll around unexpectedly.

However, my Fiance Nick, made my day incredibly special from start to finish. It began with a sleep in and a cooked pancake breakfast special. I even woke to find a pretty doily birthday wish on the wall (doily announcements on the walls are becoming quite the tradition in this household!) We had lunch with my soon-to-be-in-laws and I was showered with lovely gifts. Then it was ice cream out of town and a relaxed family afternoon at home.

 These are some of the totally sweet gifts I recieved, along with an updated wardrobe and a long overdue trip to the hair salon. I am ever so lucky to have this little family bringing happiness into my life each and every day, that is my real gift. The gift of love and family.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

Stellas first ice cream. Watching her eat it was better than eating it myself. She held it like a seasoned ice-cream eater and gave herself a white creamy moustache. Although she didn't last long eating it, I think that perhaps, maybe, possibly... she enjoyed it. Just a little!

One of the many things I swore upon before giving birth to my child, was that he/she would only eat natural and organic food. I told myself that I would avoid giving processed food or food with additives and preservatives at all cost. In my head I seemed to have this vision of a perfectly well behaved child sitting at a table eating greens without even a hint of mess. This, was one of the many things that I like to call "Pre-baby delusion".

When reality started to become, well, real...many things changed. Not only was my child messy and fussy but I also found my own opinions and ideals changed. I went from being over-controlling and naive to being realistic and relaxed. Needless to say, my child does have the occasional sweet-treat or quick fix. But, as long as she is healthy and more often than not eating home cooked, preservative free, natural and fulfilling meals, then I too am happy. I'll let you in on a little secret... If you look in my handbag and find her lunchbox during a day out shopping and running errands, you will usually find some store bought crackers and a pre-packaged jar of Heinz fruit puree.

I don't think its a matter of lowering our standards as parents, but more about learning as we go along. Our ideals may change slightly, but our morals and values usually remain stable.

So after a going off on a very long tangent, my conclusion is; let them eat ice-cream. And let them smile whilst you eat one too!

Strength, Wisdom and Warfare

Remember me talking about a new tattoo in the planning stages that I was very excited about? Well, Its here and ready to be shared!

I found this Amanda Mocci piece on her website and immediately fell in love with it. The artwork depicts Athena; the goddess of strength, wisdom and warfare. Strength and Wisdom are two distinct attributes that I feel I have gained over the past two years. Through turbulent times of single parenting and separation along with filtering friendships and forming relationships. The beautiful picture represents perfectly to me, who I strive to be.

After two and half hours of magnificent work by a local tattoo artist, I now have this. And I couldn't be happier with it! I am hoping to return shortly for a colour session and a further touch up and fine-tune. I have chosen natural and earthy colours to shade through the wings of the owl and the windblown hair of the girl. I cant wait to share the final finished product with you!

Christmas is coming!

Tinsel and glitter mean Christmas and family, and this year couldn't be more perfect. Stella had her first tree adorning experience and we are playing 'DJ Santas' dance track on repeat. The shopping has been completed and the present lay prettily-wrapped under the tree. Being organised feels so...relaxing!

This year, I am looking forward to a memorable and joyful day with family friends. What about you? What do you have planned this year? Are you organised? Or still running the mad season rush?

'Tis the season to be jolly!

The venture into Childcare...

Over a month ago I took the leap from my safe mothering waters and enrolled Stella into a Childcare centre. It was a decision I had been dwelling on for quite some time, based on a combination of work becoming available for me and the desire for Stella to be in a social and stimulating environment. It was never a question as to whether or not she could happily be away from home one day a week, but more "Can I cope with her being away from me?". They say that children can experience separation anxiety? Well, I say Mothers can experience even more severe separation anxiety!

After a lot of thinking and embarrassingly a few quiet tears, I decided that the separation would be healthy. Stella needs to experience a social environment and perhaps experience other adults in a different aspect. Maybe she'll learnt that other adults think she should eat all her lunch as well! Or maybe she'll even come home toilet trained. Ok, so maybe not. But, the conclusion is, this is a healthy move for the both of us.
Step 1. Making the decision; tick, tick, tick.


For two very long weeks beforehand we toured centres, each one not being quite 'right' for us. When we walked into the centre she now attends, I knew it was the one. Stella held confidence and intrigue whilst exploring the room and meeting the carers.  
Step 2. Finding a centre; tick, tick, tick.

I then went on a crazed buying spree. This is also perfectly healthy, I call it 'Mamas way of coping'. New drink bottle, super-cute new backpack, new lunchbox. Oh, and name tags on everything. Label, label, label. This also made me cry; seeing her name on grown up little girl items.
Step 3. Emotional melt-down.

Soon enough, her first day rolled around and we packed the sweet bag with spare clothes, a hat and a drink bottle. I tried to get her to pose for photos and failed miserably. But the snapshot of her all ready for a totally new and exciting experience is embedded in my mind forever, it was added to the large, large memory book in my mind, filed under "Moments that induce tears for intense feelings of pride".

When she entered her room, called the 'Diamond Room', she didn't even glance backwards. She spent the next five hours playing happily amongst new friends, and Mama survived!
Step 4. Childcare attended; all in one piece. 

Now, each Wednesday follows an organised routine and smiles all around. She's happy to go and even happier to come home. She even brought home a fingerpainting to proudly stick on the fridge!

The main challenge we face is how to deal with childcare sickness. She comes home with a new sniffle every week and although it doesn't seem to distress her much, I'd hate for it to develop into constant colds and flu's. Other than getting enough sleep, an abundance of fruit and vegetables and a clean environment how else can I avoid the dreaded snotty nose? Does anyone have some suggestions or tried and tested tips?

I am so proud to see Stella making friends and being socially educated. Childcare for us so far, has been a very rewarding and positive experience. I cant wait to watch her continue to play, laugh and grow!

Plenty of love...

To market, to market, to buy...

To market, to market, to buy... A tick-tock puzzle, some vintage buttons, Rose Quartz and silver coasters.

I love Sunday afternoon market trips with family. I love the leisurely drive out of town, the smell of dagwood dogs and the kids holding ice-cones. I love the old ladies selling fruit and vegetables and the slightly wacky selling their knick knacks and treasure.

This weeks market trip I picked up some amazing goodies, I shall endeavour to share with you my finds each time we visit. What have you picked up lately whilst thrifting? Is it just me, or is the thrill of finding something old and pre-loved just that little more intense than when buying something new and shiny?  

The thrill of thrifting!