Beatrix Potter

I was surrounded by great books as a child and thankfully that love for reading that I developed has never left me. Lost is an understatement when I finished The Forgotten Garden last week. I even re-read the first couple of chapters to remind myself of where the story started. It was a fabulous read! Although you could be mistaken for thinking it was boring given how few pages I managed to read each night before falling asleep!

I had to search high and low for this book on Beatrix Potter and lo behold, it was at The Childrens Bookstore in Beecroft, where I frequently visit with my kids. Miss Potter the movie really surprised me. On my TV cabinet there is a pile of 30 year old Beatrix Potter hardbacks that once were in our family lounge room when I was young. The pictures more than the story always captivated me, but I hadn't really given the author a second thought.

Now, reading the story of her life that goes into a lot more detail than the movie, I am moving the Lake District in the UK closer to the top of my seachange list!

Nesting in Pregnancy

Some people say it is the tiredness, mood swings or cravings that signal to them that they are pregnant. For me it is the obsessiveness about the house that kicks in which makes me wonder ...

It is strange that something that one can be blissfully unaware of can suddenly become number one priority regardless of what else needs to be done. My pantry is one of the areas that with this pregnancy has become number one on the hitlist. That and the fridge. Neither were bad - but they are now spotless and VERY organised with labels everywhere. It was the timber floorboards that were frequently attacked at 2am with my first pregnancy and with number two it was the garden (not 2am but gardening with torch in hand was attempted!). I am a house proud person, not a Stepford wife by any means, but I like things to be in their place. Nesting attacks me like an obsessive compulsion.

I love being pregnant and with the weeks disappearing with the blink of an eye I am enjoying the oneness I feel with the baby and the determination to get some jobs done that have been hanging over my head for years. It is my patient husband that I feel sorry for!

Essential Oils in Pregnancy

No cravings for pickles today, oranges, nutella or potato pies - but I did feel like guzzling the essential oil combination I am trialling!

Getting out of the bath at the moment is hilarious. Soon I will need a crane to get me out! To go from the Be Genki Serenity Bath oil (Bergamot, Rosewood, Palmarosa, Neroli and Rose) to the lavender in my Willow and Finch heat pack at night - I feel totally blissed out by the time I fall asleep. Pity about the crazy hormone induced nightmares!

School Bags

I am so glad that these arrived in store this week. Embarrased is an understatement when I saw black dots on the front zipper section of my sons pre school back pack last week and no, they weren't texta marks. These kinder bags by Cocoon Couture are cute & machine washable. Available in 8 designs. Yay!
:)

Places to eat with Kids

It is Friday & with a hectic weekend ahead, I am allowing myself to spend 5 minutes dreaming of a recent destination.

My little brother was married in Melbourne in June and whilst staying in St Kilda we found a cafe which was part of the St Kilda Baths - Beachcomber. Kirk, the kids & I went on two weekdays for breakfast / brunch. Not only was the food and view fabulous - the staff were awesome. It was a very relaxing experience! We sat inside as it was a little cool and enjoyed watching the swimmers in the ocean - or their faces as they entered & excited the water! Apparently one morning we shared the place with an AFL team - but being ARU followers, we had no idea who they were!

We judge our cafe experiences by how many teas /coffees are consumed. A third each would have been easy :)

My dream bedroom!

Ever since we first stayed at a gorgeous B&B in Mudgee in 1999 which was beautifully decorated in country English style, I have been searching everywhere for my dream quilt cover. Finally I have found the closest design I have seen since.

I am a blue and white spode girl. Well, anything floral and girly really. I have the curtains, tray, outlook onto my garden but have been missing the bed cover. Hooray for Sheridan who have just realised their gorgeous botanical range. There is something lovely about having a bedroom as a sanctuary!

Cool Sneakers - do they come in my size?

I can't quite get my head around the concept of Dunlop Volleys being trendy. They were what we were recommended to buy when I was in Year Seven for netball. Even Adidas with their three stripes didn't quite make the grade. My dad wore Adidas. Nike were the shoe to be seen in.

I came across these shoes for boys yesterday. I would have loved to have bought a pair for my 5 year old, but with a wide foot they didn't fit as well as they should & no, I wasn't so obsessed I was going to make him wear them regardless.

So we walked out with a pair of white sneakers, but no, not the Volleys. Even though they now have an eco friendly pair available!

Look at the Aeroplane!

Too often I realise that I am singing along to The Wiggles, Colin Buchanan or Justine Clarke & there are no kids in the car! It is a bit like pointing out planes, 'herbies' and the like to people who are old enough not to care. A bit embarrassing really. An old colleague & friend told me once about the day that she pointed out an aeroplane to the Deputy Headmaster as they were driving to a conference. A mum with three kids, she was just a little embarrassed!

Two of my CDs that I am enjoying at the moment are Carly Simon "Into White" & Angus and Julia Stone's "A Book like This". Carly Simon is great for the car whilst trying to get a little girl to sleep after the park & The Stones are perfect for late night company whilst checking emails! I love singing songs with the kids that are sentimental favourites. You are my sunshine, Blackbird ... Angus & Julia Stone are from the Northern Beaches in Sydney. Yay!

Mother Guilt Part 1

I am a fairly well organised person, well I thought I was until I went to give my daughter who is 2.5 a photo album of her photos. My 5.5 year old son has a collection of albums. I presumed Milly would have the same ... but no. She had an album from her few couple of weeks and that was it. I was horrified!

We have been printing photos for around the home and for the calendar, but not for an album as such. Thomas was born in the SLR stage when we printed every photo taken and I was very diligent obviously. Milly on the other hand is a very different story.

I was aware that I have a box of scrapbooking papers and instruments (note to self - list on ebay) that will never be touched. Mummy guilt for me is that all the other kids at school will have beautiful scrapbooks that have been lovingly assembled by their mums. I think that is why when I saw the Laikonik Once a Year Album I felt an immediate sense of relief! No, it won't have all the cute little stickers, but it will capture each year in words, in picture & is achievable!

This blog is called Mother Guilt Part 1 because it will appear again in another form :)

The Perfect Cup of Tea

There are some milestones in life that are a bit random - but for me say 'getting older'. One of them was the first time I looked outside in the morning and thought "perfect washing day!". I once would have thought - perfect day for a swim ...

Recently I woke up and thought not only about the washing, but that I desperately needed a cup of tea. Now it seems to be a daily need & not just in the morning, but in the evening too. I haven't quite made it to needing one in between these hours - but I know that it won't be long. Kirk is stoked because he now gets tea made for him more often. My mum was his drinking partner for a long time!

Just as well I have a range of T2 at the ready. I'm a bit spoilt really!! All in the name of research :)

Glasshouse Candles

I first came across these gorgeous candles last October and within days was selling them online. Customers are now returning to buy replacements because like me, they are hooked!

Not only are the names enticing, such as Little Black Dress, Montego Bay, Pipers Brook and Oahu, but the scents are amazing! Nicole use to work for Chanel and has a great nose for beautiful scents and combinations. I wouldn't know where to start! The Kakadu write up reads like this: "Water lilies never smell better than when they are embraced by spring Orange blossoms and Peaches. Kissed with the dew of precious woods and the richness of Amber, and Kakadu is a perfect choice when reminiscing of a peaceful waterside picnic."

I have both kids with me at the end of the week. My eldest starts school next year. We visited the Glasshouse factory last week. On the way home, our 4WD smelt yummy and we brainstormed the types of candles that kids would like: apple, strawberry, watermelon, chocolate, roses (and so would Dorothy the Dinosaur!), peanut butter, grapes, avocado and pancakes. I don't know about the peanut butter, but the rest sound great to me!

What do we have in the house at the moment? The latest from Glasshouse - their fragrance diffuser: Cumquot and Mandarin. The kids love it as much as I do :)

Baby Shower Gifts

I love going to baby showers. They can range from the loud & rowdy to a civilised afternoon tea! We often get asked about baby shower gifts, especially for ideas when the sex of the baby isn't known by the guest.

I tend to suggest wraps and any toy that is non-gender specific. The Alimrose Monkey is a sure winner. With his cheeky face and rattle - he is loved by baby and parents alike! My 5 year old still loves his - his is called Tom and when his sister received one - she named him Tom as well. They are gifts that I am sure their own children will one day play with.

My first encounter with Alimrose was when I worked in a pharmacy after school when I was 16. Even though I had no intention then of going into retail - I often though that if I ever did I would sell the Alimrose range. I loved unpacking the orders then just as much as I do now. I was so excited when Mummy's Favourite first order arrived. I love the faces and fabric. The girls at Alimrose sure know what they are doing!