Lists

1. Exercise: 
I dumped it. 
You probably predicted it. 
I bought a FitBit, convinced I would use it - and I don't. 
I don't know how to fit it into my life.
Do you find it tough?

2. A haircut:
It's been months since my last. 
Maybe it will give me an overhaul. 
Chop. Chop.

3. Salad days:
I've got some ideas. 
And a new Tupperware Mandochef. 
I need to get cracking. I need to take lunches to work.

4. Should I get into smoothies?
Tell me dear reader. 

5. Christmas shopping: 
It's on my mind. 
I've bought one present.
I need some lists. 


What's on your list? 

5 Must Haves For A Happier Summer

We're in the thick of it. Summer. Happy. Hot. Sweaty. Sweet, sweet summer. Here's a list of five things I don't think you can do without. Well. Almost. 

Ginger + Gillligan I Dream of Indigo beach tipi $285:: I saw one of these on the beach (the day before I went back to work - boo hiss! WAAAAH!) and instantly fell deep, deep, deeply in love. As a fair skinned lass, I avoid the beach in high-sun times - which means we only go first thing in the morning or late in the day. I think this tipi is super awesome - look how ace it looks, but it's also a practical thing - we could spend a little more time digging in the sand. 

Super Sunglasses - America Francis from Off the Runway $220:: Wear sunglasses. All of the time. Ok well not when you're inside because you'll just look like an idiot. But listen to me. Wear them. I have a pterygium which is about as glamorous as it sounds. It's also known as 'surfer's eye'. In short, my eyes got damaged from sun exposure, and if I don't wear sunglasses a) it makes them incredibly cross and b) the pterygium will grow - resulting in surgery. Um yeah. So wear sunglasses. And make them good ones.

Country Road wide crushable hat $59.95:: If you have never noticed - I really, really love wearing hats. And I'm a big fan of big floppy hats in particular. They make me think of that romantic era in style - the 70s. As well as being incredibly practical they can also cover up a bad hair day, hide you from someone you don't want to see, and help protect you from the sun.

Dermalogica After Sun Repair $45:: It's a no brainer that you have to use sunscreen. All. The. Time. I try and use sunscreen as much as possible. Sometimes I flunk out. Other days I get a gold star. If I get a little too much sun, this cream is the shiz. It's cool and soothing to the skin, smells good, and works a treat on sun reddened skin. It also helps to repair damage from UV exposure - totally worth bathing in if you ask me. 

Castle 'Happy Place' towel $49:: An awesome towel is one of my favourite things for Summer. I can't wait to lay that thing down on the sand and stake my claim on that little spot (for an hour at least). These colours. Those words. A recipe for happy. 


What are your must-haves for Summer?

Christmas Ideas... Mummy!

I have enjoyed my first Fruit Mince Tart of the season (my oh my - Y to the UM!), and so it is that it's that time of year again, when I compile my world famous Christmas gift ideas. This year, I'm not leaving mamas 'til the last minute. Damn it! We're worth it. Here are some fantasy ideas! Leave some rather unsubtle hints around the house and thank me later. D to the vine - if Matt got me this ridiculously cool necklace I'd think I was the bee's knees. The Mitford gold diamond bib necklace from Jennifer Loiselle approx $150

If my foot was smaller, I would be absolutely gagging for a pair of these Saltwater sandals. In an array of colours from Little Pinwheel $79.00

It's time to freshen things up in the bedroom. We all know how I feel about bed linen. You can't go wrong with sunshine yellow velvet. Castle $49

Anyone who knows PottyMouthMama, knows that PottyMouthMama loves sunglasses. Beautiful big sunglasses. Surely it's time for a freshen up? Karen Walker (Sol Invictus) $329NZD

If you need some inspiration - then head over to Georgie Love. Sally collates all sorts of crafty delights into this one easy to navigate site. I love to love this brooch. The Storybook Rabbit @ Georgie Love $30I am not good at getting up in the morning. If I had these earrings, it would almost be delightful to wake up after 2 nanoseconds of sleep. Off the Runway $325

Of course I could keep going, but this is just to get those juices flowing baby! The world is your oyster. Let the fun begin!

Sunshine Blogging

I'm sitting by the window with the sunlight streaming through. The windows may be dirty but the sun knows it's way by rote. Some asked for proof that Spring is coming. Packing its bags from one part of the world, to wing into our part of the world. If this sunshine isn't enough, I don't know what is. But here you have a list that I am busy compiling:

- the birds are singing

- the cherry blossoms are starting
- the camellias are still blooming
- the magnolias are on their way in
- shy jonquils and daffodils are making an entrance
- I can stand to be oustide for longer, even hanging the clothes out is becoming more bearable
- the sun is hanging out with us longer

I found these books on my recent sojourn. They were 20 cents a pop, part of that haul. I didn't take them all, I didn't want to be greedy, but the illos are so very good. And the content? Timeless.

Let's Find Out About Spring - Martha & Charles Sharp, illustrated by Laszlo Roth (published 1963).

Here, let's take a peek together, shall we?

'When is spring? Spring is when it's warm enough to put away winter coats and hats and ...go out in lighter clothes.

Spring is when you can ride bicycles, go skating and play ball.'

Hey - it sounds pretty good to me.

Have you noticed any seasonal changes in your 'hood? What are they?

A Crazy Outta Control To-Do List

Do you ever have days where your to-do list is just not going to-get-done? Today is one of those days.

- Wake up

- Prep morning tea & lunch for the Doctor

- Drop the Doctor off to pre-school

- Fruit & veg shopping
- Vaccuum

- Mop

- Breathe

- Get a flat tyre fixed

- Fruit & veg still sitting on floor in kitchen - unpack it now girlfriend!

- Cook dinner (for tomorrow night)
- Tidy the Doctor's room

- Change bed linen

- Washing

- Somewhere in here, get some work done

- Play with Tiny

- I won't continue in case you click away

Do you ever feel as though you agree to take on too much, and then feel like you're suffering in order to make everyone happy? Well that's me right now. I think I need to cut back and learn to say no. I think if I did that, the boulder currently resting on my shoulders could roll off. And that would be an ace thing indeedy.

And tonight friends, sewing restarts. I decided to go back. It's a good excuse for me to ensure I have some 'me time'. And I'm not going to stress about it this term. It's going to be easy sewing. Just learning some techniques me thinks. And my teacher promised she'd teach me how to smock. Coolio. I think tonight I might start work on a cushion for the Doctor. I promised him yonks ago, but never got to it. I've been trawling my copy of 'Bend the Rules' for inspiration. Inspiration-a-go-go.

Today for your viewing pleasure, a little bit of eye candy in the form of the Doctor's scarf I've been working on. And some fabrics I'm thinking of including in his cush.

I've Set Myself A To-Do List, Of Sorts.

Next year I turn the big 3-0. In my mind, I'm still 23, but on paper I'm dirty 30. Flirty 30. Mmm. Sounds good.

So on my sidebar I had been collating a list of 30 things I want to do before B-Day. But that just looks messy, so I am putting it here.

Read it and weep (or mock, whatever blows your skirt up):

1. Learn how to change a tap washer (my husband can't, so someone better be able to)

2. Rekindle my love affair with knitting (and knit something more complex than a 1 ft scarf)

3. Learn how to cook an impressive meal (I love cooking, I just want to master something hardcore)

4. Visit more markets

5. Learn how to cook slow food

6. Spend more time with my babies

7. Write stories for my babies

8. Write my husband a love letter a week

9. Do our wedding album (it's been almost three years, I think I can start now)

10. Have our photos printed (I have thousands that need editing and printing... Hmm.)

11. Plan a holiday that's longer than two days

12. More dates (I'm not talking Medjool either)

13. Start writing again - at least 100 words a day

14. Go through my junk, get rid of everything I don't need

15. Have regular dates with my children

16. Start exercising regularly (I'm on my way! I'm on my way!)

17. Learn how to sew

18. Master a sponge cake

19. Try something new

20. Eat more fish (I'm a country girl, I find fish a difficult food to love, I try, I do)

21. Do a defensive driving course

22. Enrol in a calligraphy class

23. Lose my teenage tendencies

24. Start taking regular 'me minutes'

25. Laugh more

26. Change my look - if only for a day or two

27. Make a radical decision

28. Organise my super (whoa - now it's getting exciting here)

29. Organise our next girls weekend to Melbourne (my sisters, my Mum and I - woop woop!)

30. Wear my wedding shoes at least twice

Not exactly ground-breaking stuff. I might need to tweak this list. I might think of something more exciting to exchange a point for... Like learn how to charter a chopper. Not. Or eat grasshoppers. Not. (please read Not in your best Borat voice). Anyway. I'll keep you posted.

NB: Anything in italics is in progress!

Anything bold and in italics is done!