A Royal Night Out:: Review

I was lucky enough to enjoy a sneak preview of A Royal Night Out last week. I was really, really excited, I'd watched the trailer and it looked right up my alley.

And it was right up my alley. And my street. My boulevard. My avenue. It was right up there.

Based on the true story of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret being allowed to go out into public on 8th May 1945, VE Day, it's embellished, to great effect. 

Imagine this, six years of horrific war, food rations, bombing, general gloom and doom. And the two princesses concoct a fantastical ruse to convince their father (King George VI, played by Rupert Everett) to allow them out to hear how the public responds to his victory speech. 

It works and they are allowed out, incognito - to dance at the Ritz with a strict curfew to be home by 1am. 

Princess Margaret (played by Bel Powley), quipped with all the best lines, is wide-eyed and hilarious; Princess Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) is considered, incredibly beautiful and navigating her world as an ordinary young woman in the midst of huge on-street celebrations. 

They jump from the Ritz, to 

It's fun. Innocent fun. It's such a fun movie, nostalgic and lovely I came out positively buzzing darlings! It's feel good, fanciful film that was so right for me to escape into.  


My rating? See it! It's light-hearted, whimsical, and an adventure on another scale. Plus it's funny! 

I give it three and a half stars. 

A Royal Night Out - in cinemas from May 14.

The case of the disappearing Lexi

Time flies when you're... super busy. 

It's been a while, yes it's been a while. But I've been lurking. Thinking. Dreaming.

One of the highlights of being on hiatus was hanging out with Em from Little Tienda, at Little Nicki's house while being photographed by Luisa Brimble. 

Honestly, it was a brilliant, bright, wonderful day and I had so much fun! 

Spending time with three excellent strong, talented women was a real coup for me, and filled up my buckets. You know what I mean? When you hang out with people like that you can't help but feel buoyed and inspired. It was really good for my soul. 

Other than that I'm madly trying to get my reading on (I was aiming for two books per month, but hit Feb and FAILED!), working my way through Orange is the New Black (like a true TV binger) and last night I had a little too much champagne. Oops!

Clearly the shoot was the most exciting thing that's happened to me in a looong time.

What's been cooking in your 'hood? 

Holy Toledo!

Where has time gone? Just where exactly has it gone?

One minute we're in the thick of holidays (and loving it) and the next we're back to the grind. 

This is me in five points:

1. Matt and I are back into Breaking Bad - and loving it. Season 5 - yowsers!
2. I did a juice cleanse with Schkinny Maninny. More on that to come.
3. It's so freaking cold. So freaking cold in fact that when I wake up in the morning I can see my breath. And that's in our house. 
4. We went to the zoo. It was awesome. 
5. And we also went to the beach. It was cold, but probably one of the best days ever. EVER. Big call, but the Doctor flew a kite. He went from novice to awesome in about 15 minutes. And Tiny spelt out 'I love Mum' in pumice. Heart slayed. 

What about you? What have you been up to?

In The Realm Of Awesome.

This is him now. Pat Mastroianni at your service. 

And this is him back in the days of Degrassi. 

Man I miss that show. 

Fantasy Fashion Friday:: Mime

It's back! It's better than ever (or is it?). It's MIME TIME! 

This week I shook off the shackles and went all silent films and street performer on you. Well. I would have if I didn't love talking so much.

But I dressed up for the occasion, and look at me now. Would you put a dollar in my hat? Probably not. I'm not very talented at mime. But I try my friends!

I even drew on a fake beauty spot that was to cover up a sneaky pimple. How's that for dedication?!

If you're playing along tag your IG or FB posts #pmmfff (that's PottyMouthMamaFantasyFashionFriday for those not in the know - try saying that 10 times fast!). And let me know so I can be the Marcel to your Marceau.

Next week's theme: The Devil Wears Prada

Hat: My Mum's vintage hat! 
Jacket: $5 vintage Sportscraft from the oppy!
T-Shirt: Genki
Scarf: A gift
Jeans: Country Road
Sandals: Habbot

Four Ways With Three Sussan Pieces + A Giveaway (Sponsored)

 This post is sponsored by Sussan

(top left: I added a necklace, head scarf, oversized sunnies, and some casual sneaks for a modern twist on a 50s bird; top right: I call this Librarian Chic - a vintage coat I snaffled from the markets, some beads, arm party, head scarf bright shoes, et voila! Now where's my Dewey system?!)


We all know I LOVE colour in my wardrobe. And that I LOVE to dress up. I don't know if I blogged about it, but I've pretty well evicted every piece of black clothing from my wardrobe. It does nothing for me. Unless it's my black jeans, but everything else? Charity.

Why? Because black washes me out. I'm a fair skinned lass. And my own private psychology is that colour lifts me. I love colour. I love wearing colour. I think it's fun.

Every morning when I dress, I celebrate colour, print, pattern, and texture. Not with balloons, cake and champagne, but by banging them all together in my outfits. Most days at least.

Sometimes it might not work - but heck, I have fun trying.

So the challenge this week? Create four different looks with three key pieces. The new Summer collection from Sussan lends itself perfectly to this challenge - and my mandatory - colour. High voltage! Really, it wasn't a challenge, it was more of a blast (except now my neighbours are wondering why Matt is taking my photo so many times in so many outfits on one day. Weirdo alert). 

this is what I'd wear on a casual day in the office - throw on some heels and bright lips - and out the door I go!

The knit: Colour, comfort and I'm there. Add a spot. BOOM!

The jean: Cropped and cute to boot. The spots tip me over the edge and give me a cute attack!

The shirt: A relaxed shirt that can go work to weekend.

going from work to meet with friends for dinner? a soft chambray shirt is made more feminine with some razzle dazzle, and the cropped pants get an evening twist with a heel.

And to celebrate the coming of colour (and Summer) Sussan and I are giving away one x $100 Sussan gift card. 

To enter - visit Sussan, leave a comment and tell me what your favourite piece is and why - and BOOM! You're in. One winner will be drawn at random. 

Please ensure you leave your name AND email address. Must be an Aussie (sorry everyone else). Entries open Monday 12th August at 10:30am, and close Sunday 18th August at 11:59pm. 

ENTRIES CLOSED - MARGIE RAHMANN, YOU ARE THE WINNER! EMAIL ME (lexipmm (at) gmail (dot) com to claim your prize!! We will have your Sussan gift card sent out to you.

Fashion Friday:: Tilly Devine

So it's back. YAHOO! I'm excited. Big Kev's excited! Who isn't excited?! 

Today it's Tilly Devine. One of Australia's most infamous crime figures. While I wasn't looking to recreate Tilly's past, I did take some style cues from one of my favourite fashion eras - the 1920s. 

Those floaty longer-line frocks, coupled with loops of relaxed scarves, a comfy cardigan, and dishevelled hair. I'm halfway there! 

What you up to guv'nor?
-----------------------------

Cardigan: Old, old, old Country Road
Scarf: MimCo
Dress: Gorman
Tights: American Apparel (they are the WORST - don't buy them)
Boots: Country Road
Necklace: a gift

Next week's theme: Breathless

Thicke VS Robin Thicke

VS
 




Oh how I laugh. I used to love Thicke riding through the city streets as a BMX Bandit. Where's Nic? 

Those cropped gloves. Those long luscious locks. Imagine combing those at night. Sigh. I think he looks a bit like a courier. Who knew bike couriers grew up to sing with Pharrell and TI? 

So he got older, and naughtier and his hair shrunk. 
Which Thicke do you prefer?

This Is Our Sunday Afternoon Soundtrack

We're madly getting ready for back to school tomorrow, ironing, cooking, tidying and warming down the kids after an ace holiday. I love school holidays. It's an extra good time to spend extra time with the smalls, and do super fun. We did lots these holidays. I'll report in laterz. 

But right now, I wanted to share this tune with you. It's addictive. When we're in the car, the smalls and I do eyebrow dancing to it. It's a good work out for your forehead. And it's funny. And it's fun. And that's what I am all about.

You? What are you all about?

PS - I've installed Disqus to my blog so I can reply to your comments. I did a quick Twitter survey last night and asked bloggers if they replied to all comments. They all said YES! And it echoed in my ears. And I went to bed wracked with guilt. I just can't do it - not for lack of want - but I work almost full time, when I get home I am on parenting and wife-ing duty, I do blogging in 20 minutes and it's just not possible for me. But I read all of them, and appreciate everyone who comments. So I am hoping Disqus will help me respond to all of you awesome readers. Thank you for taking the time to visit my space. You are the bomb. And then some. BOM! BOM! BOM! x

More Coloured Jeans?

For the last few months I have devoted myself to coloured and print jeans. I am hooked. Like an unhealthy obsession. I am feverish for denim in all its guises.

Which is why it's incredibly good news that Jeanswest are introducing Colourful Curves as of mid-July for a sweet $69.99. Hello coloured jeans, hello!

What makes them even sweeter? They're engineered to fit girls with small waists while hugging the curves of your hips and thighs in all the right spots to create the perfect fit.

Fashion Friday:: Paparazzi Lake Como Stylie

Remember it is Fashion Friday? Where we get to dress up in a theme? And role play for the day? Where we take method acting to the max?

This week's theme was 'Paparazzi Lake Como stylie'. Like as if I just snuck home from George's house back to my hotel, through the back door, and the paps leapt out at me. It was a crazy day. Ker-azy. 

The only downside was I didn't have a Starbucks cup, so I had to make do with the Pablo & Rusty's one instead. Sigh. The life and times of a celebrimummy. 

We all wore our sunglasses at our desks for the day. Everyone else in the company thought we were a wee bit bonkers (or we'd had a massive night out - or did a GroupOn eyelift), but who the heck cares? We had fun! 

I got to wear my mum's vintage cape - I remember her wearing that when I was just wee, and I was convinced she was a nurse. She isn't. And my new Mavi jeans. Wahooo! Yeah baby. The cat is back!

Next week's theme is: The Wedding Singer. Let me know if you'd like to play and I'll add you to my blog roll. 

We're On Holidays. And We Have Gold Fever.

We visited Nundle this morning to check out all that was a-happening as part of their annual Go for Gold Chinese Festival. 


Once we arrived in Nundle we took the smalls straight to go gold-panning. They had a hoot sifting through the soil, and both struck it big, and got to bring their gold home. Once that was over the Doctor said he wanted to go home... Hmm. 


We meandered through the crowds, ate sausage sandwiches, went to the Nundle Woollen Mill, watched the Chinese dragon performers - which was pretty rad, went to my favourite Odgers & McClelland and stocked up on boiled lollies (I have a sweet tooth, yikes!) and my favourite beech nail brushes - random combo I know, but this is the general store - and the curation of goods is inspiring and so aesthetically pleasing! I never knew I loved brooms so much.


Ah the country air. I can not get enough. 


I definitely do not want to come home. 

The Very Serious Work of Clown Doctors

On Sunday we spent the most spectacular Autumn day at Luna Park. We were thrilled to be guests invited to celebrate Smile Day, which is the Clown Doctors national fundraising day. 


The Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund is a founding partner of the Clown Doctors, which was founded in 1999. They invited families to join forces for a really special day, and to help raise money for such a brilliant cause.

In case you didn't know - Clown Doctors play a significant role in children's hospitals around the country bringing laughter and joy to sick and injured children by parodying the hospital routine, while simultaneously offering respite for families and playing an integral part in the healing process.

And seeing them interacting with the kids on Sunday, and imagining the joy they must bring sick and scared kids in hospital - it made me more than a bit teary. They have a gift making kids giddy with laughter - and the health benefits that come from humour? Incredible! 

You can find out about sponsoring a Clown Doctor here. 

Or learn more about fun-raising here. 

And it's not just kids that are getting all the giggles. Now Clown Doctors are working with elderly people, bringing laughter and improving quality of life to those living with dementia or depression in aged care. That's pretty darn awesome I say. 

They touch the lives of a massive 100,000 people per year. They are in all major children's hospitals in Australia - and aim to have Clown Doctors doing the rounds seven days a week. 

Pretty darn inspiring. As a mum, I find it pretty heartening to see these amazing people investing themselves in lifting the spirits of others - and truly love their work (now how often do you honestly get to say that to someone?). 

A Tiny Party

Yesterday we belatedly celebrated Tiny's birthday with a tiny party. A tiny Tiny party. Or is it a Tiny tiny party? Who knows. Either way, it was a party. For Tiny.

My sister kindly made the cutest teacups a la Tic Tocs - which were a huge hit with the tiny brigade, my mother-in-law made the most melt-in-your-mouth meringues, topped with fresh raspberries, and the birthday cake? Well I'll post a pic as soon as I have one. Promise.

I wound up finding pudding basins on Saturday morning, got them home, washed them - to discover they were microwave proof, but not oven-proof. Excuse me but WTF?! So it was back to the Dolly Varden drawing board.

I promise I will not talk Dolly Varden again after this post. I am probably making Dolly Vardens trend over on Twitter because I am banging on about them so much.

I had a hoot making this cake. The DV tin did not yield a long enough frock, so I baked an additional round cake and added a longer hem (ahem) on the bottom. Who do I think I am? Suzie Seamstress? Yes. Apparently. I then cut it down to fit with the frock, stuck them together with buttercream, and then got to decorating.

Tiny walked in halfway through and told me it looked ugly.

YES! High fives all 'round.

Then she came back later and was stoked. Phew.

She had such a brilliant time at her little party, played parcel the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey, musical snatues (sic), and decorated cupcakes. Too cute.

At bed time she said: "Mama, that was the best party ever." And then didn't go to sleep for another 2 hours.

Super Coolio

Before Christmas I was lucky enough to win these three sets of placemats from The Lowercase via Daily Imprint  - and I have to tell you how cool and fun they are. We used the 'Punch and Pose' (moustaches) on Christmas morning, and it was so fun and funny. Trust me. I'm an expert.

These are such a great idea for entertaining, or getting the smalls to sit at the table (if you, er, happen to have that problem like us).

Merrily, I've just discovered that The Lowercase is offering 40% off ALL products. So you should totes get yourself some of that sweet action.

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!

So Long, Farewell: Weekend

What a whopper weekend!

It started with Tiny's preschool fete on Friday evening for three hours of action, and ended with the four of us on the sofa watching Toy Story, Matt and I trying to squeeze in some zzzz's.

Saturday morning we dropped in to check out Mr Jason Grant's new collab with Murobond paints. The beautiful new palette is called 'Road Trip' and was a pretty apt name, because after spending some time there perusing the Maker's Market, we drove down to Bowral for Matt's exhibition opening.  (Smalls above pictured out the front of Murobond - drop dead cute set up).

After mingling for almost three solid hours, we had a picnic in a nearby park - which was spectacular despite all the dead tulips, and let the smalls free-range for a few hours.

We left Bowral on a high, perhaps incubating more of a desire to flee the big smoke for a simpler, slower way of life.

I could totes get with that.

Well Hello Holidays!

This is a sponsored post.

I couldn't think of any better way to spend a perfectly sunny and Spring-a-licious Sunday than heading to the park. A really, really big park. Seeing the smalls run around, happy, it's a simple pleasure. Not to mention the benefits that come with an extended park visit. Kids that go to bed on time. It's win: win.

I love a good park, and I can wholeheartedly vouch that 'Kids In The Park' at Sydney Olympic Park is no ordinary park. It's huge. It's sprawling. It's green, and there are little hills that remind me of the Teletubbies. So fun.

Given the Doctor is learning to ride his bike, we decided to check out Newington Armory . The tracks are wide and flat, so it's perfect terrain for a beginner, with Tiny riding on her push-along. In fact, if the smalls hadn't seen the playground, we could have ridden all day. But they saw it, and while they were happy to explore the Armory, they were intent on clocking up some time climbing, swinging and sliding.

No matter, we rode for about 45 minutes, explored the Armory, checked out the Birds Australia Discovery Centre, where we saw live footage of a month old eagle in its nest - pretty rad. How often do you get a birds eye view? (BOOM BOOM!)

Then we rode back, had an iceblock on the grass overlooking the Rivercats cruising past, a quick coffee, then we were whisked off to the playground by our small companions.

If you're looking for something to keep the smalls active and entertained during the school holidays - whell hellz to the yeah, this is your answer: press this - so many activities to choose from, lots are free, or otherwise under $20. There's something for sporty kids, adventuring kids, or crafty kids.

I recommend it as a super place that we'll definitely revisit during the holidays to keep the kidlets busy. As the Doctor said on the drive home: "It's my best day ever."

Who Let The Dogs Out?

If I was on X Factor, as requested by @GreenBeenFood, I would sing "Who Let The Dogs Out?" and work out some wild chorey, and probably wear a Wilbur suit.

That's just in case you were interested.

Otherwise, if you were just here to check out the calibre of my origami doggies, well WHOOMP! here it is .

Leanne, Emily, still interested?

Do you know how many completely rad songs I just linked to? But most importantly. Who let the dawgs out?

But Don't Worry Possums

Matt and I went to a fantastic dinner party on Friday night. It was super fantastic even. A grpup of peeps from Twitter. How fabulous!

Mushroom soup. Veal. The Women's Weekly pool cake. Great wine. Great company.

And there may have been a solo dance to Ceelo Green.

On the other side of the dinner party, I may have been wielding an almight hangover. Ouch.

For some reason I felt compelled to take a self-portrait. Probably because Matt never takes photos of me. Accordingly, I never appear in our photo albums. Unless I take the photos.