reflection

The seasons change, the years come and they go.  Birthdays fly by...more candles to add to each cake. Some days have lasted lifetimes, yet in the same breath I cry that time is flying.  I look at baby photos of my growing children and marvel...how did they really get so big....so quick.

Reflecting on my role in the family over the past seven years and I sense a change is coming.  A change is already approaching for the entire family, yet a personal one is looming.  Whilst I have squirrelled away at night shift work during my early motherhood years, it's been to ensure the CV and and brain are kept well oiled and my days were spent in the home.  It has filled its purpose, and a little voice inside my head is challenging me to ask myself many needed questions...that I just have to find answers for.

Time to reflect...looking for those answers. Anticipation, eagerness and excitement have visited frequently, yet doubt, fear and trepidation tend to follow as well.

Embarking on a new journey is fraught with mixed emotions.  Unfamiliar territory has me feeling like a university graduate all over again.

How do you embrace personal change?

just make

A late night rummage, unravelling piles and piles of fabric, more and more as I went.  Countless purchases, some remembered, fresh as they are, some being hoarded away years and years...the creases proof of that.

No more.  As I scrapped off a planned trip to the local fabric establishment...I made a quiet but timely vow to myself.

Just make.

Pen and paper in hand, I labelled each piece of fabric, hunted out patterns, started planning and will vow to make my way through this lot before the imminent move.  If I need to I'll stock up on notions and threads, but that's it.

It's the good kick up the ol' backside I needed I think.  There is a tendency for me to overlook that summer fabric I didn't quite get to because the thrill of planning a winter cape is just too "right now"...but fearing I'm becoming "fabric collector" and not "clothes sewer"....I'm clearing out my sewing room and feeling motivated a ready to bunker down and get going.

Have you ever given yourself a good crafty challenge?
Please tell me...do you "collect fabric" too?

xx

Early bird or night owl???

My son has always been an early riser. Lately its been 5.30am that I hear him stir. When daylight saving changed he woke at 4.30. Not good. He's always been this way and finally I feel I'm just getting used to it. You see I'm definitely a night owl. Not the partying up late kind, but the type that likes to potter around, I get things done, I read, craft and other such stuff and then I just let myself collapse in sheer exhaustion. I'm not that great in the morning. But I'm better than I used to be.

I lay awake this morning after directing my son to a quiet activity at 5.45am realising that I've had to become an early bird, but still love being a night owl.

In other news....

I'm busy preparing for a market this upcoming Easter Saturday. It's my first outdoor market and my first country market. I feel it's going to be big...the street gets closed, there is a parade, rides, music and crafty and homemade goodness on offer. I'm excited...

Here are some of my mobiles... And it only just dawned on me that I make both an early bird and a night owl!! How fitting!!!

What are you... Early bird or night owl??
And what are your children??

I'm grateful for {tradition}

Last weekend we dedicated a whole day to making the Italian Sugo.   The weather was perfect.

The tomatoes were ordered, they were sublime....perfect sauce quality.

I decided that I would photograph the day as this is a tradition that I'm sure many European families uphold, but the finer details, well....they are not recorded.  So I thought I would ensure that this tradition lives on... I snapped away, and took notes of each critical step.  I donned an apron and worked at it all day, eager to experience it all.  All the while the Italian coffee was on tap, the music tarantella in the background and the conversation entertaining.

My in-laws are experts in their field.  What was probably originally a very thrifty way of preserving tomatoes, is now a labour of love.  We did the whole process outside...using the big brick oven in the shed to boil tomatoes and then sterlise them once bottled.   I doubt that it is cost effective now a days given the amount of work that it involved in comparison to the cost of a tin of tomatoes...but two differences.  First the joy and love of having this annual experience, and secondly of course is the taste.  Nothing can compare.   One days work and I have a years supply!

So today, I'm grateful for...

Traditions....That they are passed on from one generation to the next.  For the joy of seeing my in-laws excited that the next generation is taking an interest and appreciation of 'the way it used to be'.   And my excited that I will ensure that I uphold it in my generation the one that follows.

Join in and be grateful here...

Do you have a family tradition that you love?
Are you making your own family traditions that you will pass onto your children?






Apologies for so many photos!  I couldn't refrain plus I know our italian relatives will love looking at them!!!! 

a dress a day....1 - 6

Day one

Ok...so for the last six days I've been keeping up with my challenge of wearing one (of my 29) dresses a day for the month of February.  So, given this has been the first week, it's been pretty easy.  No dress can be repeated, but then again I've had the majority to pick from....so I am yet to feel challenged.

Although I must say some forward planning is essential.  It has made me look at the weather and also think about what I'll be doing each day.

Here is a little re-cap of how I've "dressed"  for the past six days....

Day Two

Day Three

Day Four

Day Five

Day Six

I've only managed iPhone photos which I try and do on instagram....so apologies for the crappy pictures.  But rest assured I've told enough people IRL to keep this challenge honest.   Dresses 1 and 5 are ones I hardly wear, but really should wear more often, and I love wearing the maxi (dress 2 which is was made by me) that I should make more (yes...because I really need more dresses!)  

The next week will see me challenged with picking dresses that suit working, school and kinder days and well as the weekend helping family move house!  Eek 

xx

Wearing; 

1 - Sportsgirl dress

2. Maxi dress - made by me

3. ASOS dress

4. French Connection with leopard scarf around the waist, Sportsgirl bag

5. Silk dress from a little boutique somewhere ?? 

6. Brown Sugar dress, worn with leggings from Sussan and singlet from Cotton On. 

29 Dresses

Source: Uploaded by user via Brenda on Pinterest

No this is not a post advertising the squeal to the romantic comedy that was 27 Dresses.

This is infact a post about the number of dresses I have in my possession.

It's fair to say, I have a lot.  But it's an accumaltive thing, and some are very much loved favourites that have served me many many summers.  And I like dresses. I have hardly any jeans or pants and when I shop I know I gravitate first to the dresses, then perhaps skirts.

But when I did a bit of a re-arrange and clean up of my wardrobe I thought I better count just how many dresses I actually have. 

29.

Do they all get worn?  No is the simple answer.  I have my favourites....and my not so favourites.

Time to do something about this.  So considering we have one month left of Summer and there are 29 days of February, starting Wednesday and for all of February I am going to wear all my dresses.  No dress shall be repeated and if it is not dress weather, then I will have to be creative.  It'll help me decide which dresses shall stay, which will go and which of them need a little alteration.  I'll take pictures,  mostly on instragram though as I'll struggle to get the tripod out each day.....but....

A dress a day.

Can I do it? 
Do you have something in excess in your wardrobe??  Shoes?  Bags?  Scarves?
Share your wardrobe obsessions please!!!

52 weeks of grateful {patience}

Source: esther-fromthesticks.blogspot.com via Brenda on Pinterest

There are a lot of virtues and skills required to be a mother.  Some more important than others.

One I hold as one of the most essential is that of Patience.

Patience is something I thought I had in abundance prior to children, but I soon learnt that it is something I will never take for granted.  Some days I wonder what happened to my patience.   I get annoyed at myself, and then loose even more patience.  Days when breakfast is spilt on the floor, children don't want to wear a jumper and the temperature outside is in single digits and no matter how many times I insist on the no running inside rule, it gets broken at least five hundred and eighty times a day.  The constant "where is my..." infiltrating my mind along with the "I cant find...", the "I'm hungry..." and the "But why..."  all of these are sent to test but one virtue.

Patience.  Times when you tie up a shoelace for the tenth time in 5 minutes, or find yourself sprawled on your tummy legs flaying about trying to reach that essential piece of lego.  Or heaven forbid you cut the sandwiches into triangles and not squares.  And don't even think about having privacy in the bathroom anymore.  Yes, it's those moments I rely heavily on Patience.

Today I'm grateful for patience.  For when I can rally enough of it, it helps make my days easier, enjoyable and even lovely.  It makes me a better person and helping me take a deep breath and ride the motherhood wave.

What are you grateful for today?

Join the new home here.
Thanks Maxabella
xx

my word for 2012

Source: couragehopestrength.tumblr.com via caliemoran* on Pinterest

Hello...welcome to 2012.

I wasn't going to return to blogging tonight, but I couldn't resist Maxabella's One Word for 2012!  I can't wait to see what One Word you all choose.

For me, I've got a lot of hope weighing on 2012 being a good year.  My son starts school for starters.  I think every mother with a school aged child can verify how nerve racking that alone can be - for both parent and child.  I remember vividly turning up to mothers group with my 10 week old babe rapped and the smell of his sweet baby breath.  We sat and stared at each other.  That was 2006.  We laughed that in 2012 they would be starting school.  We laughed as we just could not imagine that day.

Well it's coming fast.

So what's my word for 2012.

Moment

Be in the moment

live in the moment

Be grateful for each moment

appreciate challenging moments

savour triumphant moments

moments to learn from

moments to laugh

moments to just be

my word for 2012

what's yours? 

share and join here

xx

I'm grateful for....{a little imagination}

Source: care2.com via Claudia on Pinterest

Ahhhhh....i could not sigh more deeply that the end of the week is here. It's been a long grueling week, and I'm totally up for some fun weekend action.


Today I'm grateful for....


1. Great outcomes - After weeks of recruitment, interviewing and discussing late into the night - it finally ended. I was over the moon yesterday when our favourite applicant accepted the Teachers job at my kids Kinder. The enormous amount of responsibility I felt along with my other parent helpers was getting overwhelming but I'm so relieved to have a great outcome. I love our community run kinder, and I'm a little excited as the new teacher has a little touch of Mary Poppins about her!


2. Challenges - I'm usually, mostly, or even sometimes up for a challenge. I think they are good for the soul, and make us stronger. I've learnt things I never thought I would need to know going through this whole recruitment process that I have a deeper appreciation of what amazing, special people Early Childhood Teachers are.


3. Sense of community - It's wonderful when you work towards an outcome or the greater good of your local community. Even though I live in a city, I appreciate and am grateful for those that look in their own backyard first and make that a better place.

Happy grateful to all of you! If you are grateful, stop by with this lovely lady and share with us!


xx

the old fashion pinterest

Before Pinterest there was this.

Good old fashion scrap books.  I had heaps of scrapbooks when I was a kid.  I would cut out inspirational pictures, fashion shots, favourite celebrities and diliegently paste them in my books.   I would even attempt at drawing some designs (although not very good).....but at least it gave me the creativity I needed and help me realise my love for sewing and craft.

When a lovely lady gifted these to me for my birthday this year, I fell in love with scrap booking, doodling, and note-taking all again.  And who wouldn't?  Three gorgeous art books, all covered in the most beautiful fabrics....

...and with perfectly embroidered titles on them, I can ensure that all of my dreams, inspiration and ideas are safely recorded and never far away should I need reminding.

Now, I'm off for a cuppa and some old fashion pinning

xx

I'm grateful for....{bicycles}

Hey, it's that time of the week....time to be stand still and be grateful.  Bron's back too.  Whoo hoo!  Bron, we missed you, but I think we all had a bit of fun with the touring gratefuls too.

So today I'm grateful for...

1.  Bicycles -   My kids love them, I love them, and there is just something special about watching your kids ride around, feeling the air hit their face and be free.

2. Crafting in numbers -  well, it's no surprise I love to craft, but crafting in a group, or even with just one other crafty soul just makes it even the more enjoyable.  I ventured out to a little crafty get together this week with my special tailored bag in tow and its fabulous to be surrounding by so many other crafty types.

3. Breakfast out -  It's not often we go out for breakfast...but the other morning I was particularly feeling like some poached eggs and instead of making them at home...the kids and I went off to a local cafe (kid friendly recommended) and enjoyed kiddy pancakes and eggs florentine for me!  It felt super luxurious...

Please join in the fun!
xx

I do fancy the end of winter....

I know....I got off so lightly this year in the "suffering the Melbourne winter"  by absconding to Italy for a whole month.....we've all come back a darker shade (my daughter mostly!!)

And it's been nice getting back into the swing of things.  Things like the Kinder drop off/pick up, the grocery shopping, chatting with friends, going out with some girlfriends, baking, cooking, blogging and...
snapping some Fancy Pants shots.

But Kymmie - here I am.  I'm glad to be back, sharing our fashions loves.  And if you came past yesterday you'd have read that I'm loving getting a little extra wear out of my winter boots.

 So here they are....I love these boots, they just pull straight on and for something a little different I pulled on some over the knee socks that have a cute little velvet bow so that they could peek out over the top of my boots.....


Do have a favourite winter item that just helps you smile during the freeze??

Wearing:
jeans - Gripp
Boots - Tony Bianco
Long black singlet - Sussan
Shirt - Tally Ho
Cardi - Portmans
Earings - Diva
Over the knee socks - Target

Join in the fun of getting fancy with Kymmie here....

xx

easing into it.....

I'm easing slowly back into routine here....

With a son who has four days of Kinder, Mondays are our full day together, so it was like getting a little extra day of holidays....

....plus, I'm not getting to used to the routine.....we head off on our overseas trip very, very soon!  So I think my brain is quite happy to stay in holiday mode...although the packing has me a little baffled.....

So, whilst I pack, I'm enjoying just sipping tea from this glorious op-shop find last week....with my new found favourite tea - Lady Grey!

What's your favourite tea?
What are your travel tips with kids?

ps - Don't forget about my giveaways....four of them!

You'll find
Bakers Delight Giveaway here,
doMore voucher here and
$100 myer gift card giveaway here. 
And the crafty goody bag here