This Is Me. Just Another Mother Blogger.

This is me.
Lexi.
PottyMouthMama.
Worker bee by day.
Mama and wife by night.

I was thinking about mummy bloggers and thinking how that tag does not fit me. Well I don't think so anyway. That tag makes me really uncomfortable. I get kind of itchy. I am no expert parent. And sometimes - a lot lately - I am sad how little time I have to spend with my children, that is quality time. I get home, I am tired. Sometimes snappy. I hate that. I feel so distant sometimes. There's a disconnect between work life and family life. I struggle with it. Battle with it daily. I don't find the work-family juggle very easy and it can sometimes make me feel immensely sad. Right to my bones. 

But we gots to live.

And someone once went to town on me in the comments section, saying that I chose this and that it's my own fault. Well. I guess she didn't read my blog very carefully. I work four days, and when I am home, Matt works. We have that one day together, and Sydney sucks you dry. To your very marrow.

But back to my blog. Life is this imperfect thing, and so is my parenting. But, I am a mama, but I am also so much more. And my blog is more than parenting and sometimes not so much about parenting. And since I've returned to the paid workforce, I feel distant from the mummy blogger tag. Actually I think I've always been distant from the mummy blogger tag (EEK!). I could go 'round and 'round in circles with this discussion by myself. I won't. But I could.

I think Anna sums it up well here.

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This is me wearing a necklace my friend Pip gave me, a few years ago. I love wearing it. It makes me think of her and all the awesome sauce she spreads throughout the world.

I have other things that have been gifted to me that remind me of special people in my life. My Mum gave me one of her vintage kaftans. I wore it throughout my first pregnancy, with the Doctor in my belly. I love that kaftan, though it's getting a bit threadbare, it's so loved and makes me think of my Mum.

I love wearing things that remind me of people. It puts me in a good mood and makes me think they're kind of looking after me that day. In a weird way. That might sound kooky. Apologies. I might be a little kooky.

End of rambling post.
At ease soldiers.

What Is This Called?

This is Tiny.

This is Tiny running ridiculously late for preschool.

This is Tiny after staying up half the night, sleeping in 'til 8:20am, being hurried through breakfast, wearing all purple and veto-ing any other footwear other than her trusty yellow gumboots - yes they will be the best choice of footwear on a sweltering summer day.

This is Tiny who somehow, despite running late, manages to somehow negotiate a fresh pain au chocolat from the French boulangerie, sitting on bench with her mama, sucking in a few extra moments before heading off to preschool.

This is Tiny.

Are You There Friends? It's Me. Lexi.

Right now, for all I know, I could be the only one here. I'm banging out this written word, and it might just be me reading it in a quick edit before hitting publish. It's oh so quiet.

Are you there reader? Because all I can hear is an echo.

I'm madly putting together lists of gift ideas - but do you like them? Do you care? What is art? What is normal? Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

I'm not asking for a marching band, or a ticker tape parade every time I post - but girl, gimme a little sign.

Do you hate that I turned off the anonymous commenting? Well I did it because I was sick of Simone and other fabulous nobodies opening cans of whoop ass on me. I got tired of it actually. As soon as I turned it off, life got better!

But dudes. You gotta throw a girl a bone. It's boring being just being all by myself all the time.

BTW - do you think my small girl-child will like this book? Totes unrelated. But you get that on the big jobs.

Christmas Gift Guide: For the Men!

Men are the single most difficult creatures in the known cosmos to buy for. Men, many a-time have had me stumped. But they're not going to stop me this Christmas. And nor are they going to stop you. Gather 'round friends, here's 13 ideas to treat the beloved men in your life. Steely creatures that they are.

Toms mens canvas sneaks - Hype DC $80

The best classic striped tee. Ever. - Genki $79 

Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion - Aesop $51

Who wears short shorts? Not anyone you know in these - Volcom $TBC

Fair Trade Organic Blend Coffee 1kg - Palms $37.90 

Go analog with this speaker trumpet - Third Drawer Down $29

Make sure he's always on time for date night - WeWood watch $119

A good book. The Faith of Graffiti by Norman Mailer - Readings $28

You can't go past an Aerobie frisbee - Rebel Sport $30

Some killer sunglasses - Ksubi $300

What man doesn't love a fresh pair of socks? Bless their cotton socks - Happy Socks from Kaeho $17

Everyone wants to feel kneaded. Traditional artisan bread making classes - Brasserie Bread $POA

Loves surfing? Will love this new book - 'These are (mostly) pictures you've never seen before' by John Witzig $35

Or why not give the man poo?

Let's Play It Again

Matt and I have been playing this beautiful song over and over again. And is if the song wasn't amazeballs enough, Lana del Rey is pretty darn easy on the eye. Aye aye aye.

Loving those curls and the flower hair pieces. Divine.

Christmas Gift Guide: Home Lovers

It's time for me to pull out another gift guide for you, this one is for those friends and family you know who love their home.

French iron herb dryer. So Frenchy, so chic - Heaven in Earth $30

Limited Edition Threadneedle armchair in Royal Silver - it's bound to be the best seat in the house - Freedom $999

Wooden serving spoons - Father Rabbit $39

Sea mobile - rainbow colours - Puka Puka Design $65

Travel in the comfort of your couch - Nomad by Sibella Court from Berkelouw $50

Check out this fab Trim telephone in turquoise - Lark $149

Hand blocked polka dot tablecloth - Sally Campbell $150

Marimekko 'In Good Company' bowl - Funkis $27

Vintage European map cushion in organic cotton - My Bearded Pigeon $55

Voluspa White Currant Quince 100 hour candle - Saison $55

Et voila. 10 ideas for the home lovers in your life.

Christmas Gift Guide: Kids!

I love compiling gift guides. Use them as you will, over the coming weeks I'm going to be putting together some more ideas to share with one and all and to trouble shoot tricky Christmas gifts for you, me and everyone else. So today, the smalls. They can be tricky. I often think the simpler the gift, the better. Get those imaginations a-cranking.

Acrylic prisms with coloured optical filters - Third Drawer Down - $27

For the coolest, funniest t-shirts that are Australian-made - check out Well Spotted $35

A beautiful book of craft activities by Todd Oldham - Ecobabe $34.95

Hand made doll with proceeds to benefit Royal Children's Hospital - Big by Fiona Scanlan $39.95

MMMG Drawing Book - Ver. 05 - Flying - Notemaker $19.95

A beautiful butterfly kite - Leading Edge Kites $35

LEGO. LEGO. LEGO. You just can't go wrong. Alien Conquest is hot in our house LEGO $7.99

Too cute toy kitchen made from sturdy cardboard - Lark $39.95

Super cool limited edition burger melamine plate - Dawn Tan (genius) $25

Be the coolest cat at kindy with the Minti Sneaky Eyes backpack - Little Pinwheel $49.95

Ten cool ideas for those kidlets in your life!

30 Sleeps:: Christmas Countdown

Back when I was a little girl, when we were visiting Sydney from the country, we always, always visited the Queen Victoria Building. It is one of those places that always left me in awe. All the people buzzing through, the many shops to peruse, the architecture - a real slice of Sydney history, the stained glass windows, the tiled floors, and that clock. I always lingered for that clock at midday. It is such a great memory, and even now, as an adult, I love hearing that clock, and I always race up the top of the QVB to see it swing into action.

But duty called this week, and Tiny and I raced up the top of the QVB for a different reason altogether. Santa.

Actually: Santa, reindeer, and two huskies. Hell-o QVB.

But firstly, let me start at the ground floor, where you'll see the base of the 24 metre Swarovski Christmas tree, the largest Christmas tree in the Southern Hemisphere, it's pretty darn beautiful and pretty darn sparkly. If you know me well, you know I love sparkles. Unfortunately, the tree is not for sale. So we left it there and caught the escalator up to the second floor.

It was there at the Swarovski strewn Crystal Garden we were greeted by a real live Nutcracker. I love the traditional Nutcrackers. And well, all of this love - this excursion was pretty much a match made in heaven. Tiny got to see a fairy, feed some reindeer, pat two huskies, and sit on my lap while I sat and chatted with Santa. Because she got so shy. Fair enough I say old chap! So I got to have my photo with Santa too.

This is the first time Santa has ever appeared at the QVB and it's a pretty dreamy experience. If you're looking for something to get your smalls in the spirit of Christmas, definitely check it out. I'm all a-buzz still, and have promised to take the Doctor much to his delight. You can check out days and times here.

Owl Be Good To You

Prepare to have owl envy. This is THE cutest clip. I'm not one for posting animal-y type videos, but this one? This one you gotta have. That little owl getting all schlompy being patted? Reminds me of my Mum when you play with her hair. Too, too cute.

via Mr Jason Grant

Plip Plop POP!

There I was, whining (in my head) about how hot it was all of a sudden. No easing in of a new season. No. Just BOOM! Summer arrived. And way too fast. But I was coping. I was down with it.

And now this? Sydney. Make up your flipping mind. I've packed away my Winter woollies on a really hot day, I've embraced Summer. But nope, we're back into grey, wet and cold.

At least there are these Gina and May umbrellas. You can't beat a pop of colour when it's grey and miserable.

Tres Excited! The Great Gatsby

Be still my beating heart!

As sure as I am PottyMouthMama, Baz Luhrmann is a genius.

I can not wait to see The Great Gatsby (out December 2012). Look at Gemma Ward. Look at those finger curls. Those feathers. The razzle. The dazzle. THE BOATER. That jaw line. Oh sorry - let me get back to Gemma. Woweeeee!

I've got butterflies just thinking about it. I love the visual feasts that are synonymous with Luhrmann films. The richness of the imagery. I love being swept away into another time and place. I love Luhrmann.

Now I'm going to curl up in bed and re-read my battered copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald's literary genius.

image via Fashionologie
you can see more shots here of Leonardo diCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan

AMAZEBALLS!

I watched this clip with Matt and couldn't take my eyes away. Seriously spell-binding and amazeballs and totes ridonkulous manouevres. Check it out b-girls!

How insane is that?

In other news, I'm sick again. That's not rad is it? I am so super flipping sick of being sick. So I've been lying low all weekend, and I mean that, I've been getting horizontal on the couch for most of it. Poor smalls must be so bored of me.

What's news for you?

This Is Where I Confess... I Don't Love Brogues

While everyone on the interwebz is flitting about in a pair of cool  brogues, I've stood fast. I don't love them. Any hipster worth their weight in shoelaces is wearing them. But not me, I will not succumb. Not that I'm a hipster.

And I think I'm the only one that doesn't own a pair.

Dear Universe, what's wrong with me? Why don't I love brogues?

Well. There are a couple of reasons:

a) my foot is so big, it would look like I was wearing my husband's work shoes
b) I just think I look dorky in them

Instead I embrace a pair of heels, or sandals, or my Chucks, or anything other than brogues.

I do not love brogues.

Brogues. They look good on other people. But not me.

There now, I've said it. Phew.

(however I could get with these brogues, they have a heel! I could love them. Alas, they will not fit. But if you, Cinderella, will fit these shoes, check them out here at Karen Walker's Playpark)

Zis Is Ze Zinc

This is a sponsored post.

So. This is (not) me on the beach. I've got one Elle of a body. Right? Yes. Image via here

Way back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, in my former life, I worked in beauty PR. I learnt so much about how our skin ages, about the three main factors of ageing:

- genetics
- hydration
- sun – lack of protection

You can’t do anything about a bad pair of genes, but you can do something about smoking (yuck, don’t do it) and sun – cover up buttercup.

My skin is naturally fair, so I’m not mad keen to be out in the full sun. I always wear a hat, I try to be in the shade, and I don’t go out in the middle of the day if I can help it.
I’ve always had good intentions of being one of those women who religiously use an SPF under my make-up everyday.. And yet? I never do. Why? Because I feel like a grease monkey or the sunscreen makes my face go white and I look like Pierrot.

This week I’ve been road testing two Invisible Zinc products and I’m going to be using them throughout Summer.

When I was asked to try a zinc product, well… I shuddered. I imagined life covered in a greasy film, with yellow and green zinc smeared across my face.

Thankfully, this is not the case. Because how the heck would I explain that to my workmates? I’m a massive Shane Warne fan?


In fact, no one even knew I was doing anything differently.


Invisible Zinc ESP Moisturiser with SPF 30+ UVA - UVB is pretty darn good. I used it under my normal foundation, and it worked well as a base, while offering anti-ageing benefits. I have sensitive skin too, and this was amazeballs. It felt light, it went on smoothly, and all day my make-up stayed in place. No one suspected a thing.

I also tried out the Invisible Zinc UV Silk Shield Foundation SPF 30+. I’ve got to say, I’m a girl obsessed. I love a two-in-one product, particularly as I am rushing about in the morning getting the smalls ready, and trying to get myself ready for school work. This is a really fab product that acts as a foundation and evens out your complexion. Plus it’s cream to powder, so it has a really beautiful texture that lasts the whole day.

I mentioned to the gals at work I was trying it, and they were impressed. It doesn’t look like your usual tinted sunscreen. This is LUXE!

What also sells me on this product? It contains no chemical sunfilters. No parabens (big tick). And it smells nice (this is a prerequisite for me, call me old-fashioned).

You want to try too? You can! Enter my super fantastic giveaway and you can try Invisible Zinc for yourself. Yes! Fo’ shizzle! This is what you can win:

1x Environmental Skin Protector SPF 30+

1x UV Silk Shield Foundation SPF 30+

1x Tinted Daywear SPF 30+

1x Junior Clip-On SPF 30+
1x Foundation

How to enter? Answer this simple question in 25 words or less:

How will Invisible Zinc benefit your Summer?

Click here for terms & conditions.

Popping Colour

I'm back into embracing colour and having fun with it. I've packed away my Winter woolies and barely have any black in my wardrobe for Summer. And I like it! This Kate Spade clip is so fun and colourific.

There's something about a riot of colour that can instantly lift your mood.

What are you enjoying wearing lately? Colour? Or mono? Just when I thought my wardrobe was done and dusted - I can't go past the new Gorman collection - aye aye aye, I love that pumped up colour!