The Best Thing You'll See All Week

3 Queens from Matt Bieler on Vimeo.

Without doubt the best thing I've seen all week. Which isn't hard because I've had a crappy week, but regardless of my week - this is so freaking awesome. 

Big thanks to my friend Em for showing me. x

PS - I think I've cried every time I've watched it. All 78 times. 

Yo Mama! An Interview with Jayde Leeder

If you're living in Sydney - heck if you're living anywhere in Australia (heck - let's go for the world), Jayde Leeder is a great person to know. She is the brains and beauty behind Little Paper Lane - a store that you think you'll dip your toe into - and wind up swimming in all its goodness. 

Jayde's a livewire with a passion for life, family - and neon. A vivacious woman who lives and breathes stationery, 

I first met Jayde back when I was part of Etsy Success. She was there with her beautiful husband, Steve - aka the Baby Whisperer, her wee babe Minty, and her mum. I'd known Jayde via the interwebz prior to that, so meeting her in the flesh was super rad.  

Jayde and Steve work bloody hard running their gorgeous store in Mona Vale. It's worth the drive up to the beaches just to check out their selection, as Tiny and I recently did. I for one, love stationery, could spend hours in there amongst the cacophony of colour. It's that pretty. 

This week I am full-hearted when I say I am delighted to share an interview with Jayde. 

PMM: When and how did Little Paper Lane start?

JL: It was a magical dream in my head for many years, just sort of floating around in my brain. I have always been quite the stationery addict, and knew for so long I wanted to have a unique boutique (ha, cause I like rhyming) and if something is strong enough in my guts, I usually go for it!  About seven months before we opened we made the decision to open LPL. It took a good six months to set everything up and researching products and getting everything together! We opened May 20th 2010...Twas a happy day!

Before Little Paper Lane, you were a make-up artist (and still are) and nannied for six years. Was stationery calling you? How did you make the leap?  

Well stationery has always been close to my heart! I LOVE IT! I still love make-up though, that wont ever go, and as the boys who I looked after got older they didn't need me to work as much, so I was trying to work out what the next step would be for me. I was going to concentrate on make-up more, but for some reason, stationery started flashing in big lights in my head and I HAD to go for it! Once an idea gets stuck in my head, and my guts tell me its going to be good, I have to do it! I am VERY glad I did.

What's the best part of your job? 

So many things. I LOVE searching for new products, and when new products get delivered its like Christmas opening the boxes! I LOVE how many amazing people it has brought into my life! I have so many new friends and my customers are so lovely, they are very supportive and come back often. Creating new things like window displays and helping design invitations and products with my husband (who is our graphic designer) is so fulfilling.  Each day is full of new surprises.

How do you manage a successful bricks and mortar and online business with parenting? 

Hmmm well it's a bit tricky, but I dont think I could do it alone! I have a really good husband. We work quite well as a team. I am no good at waking early, like I am a zombie in the morning. I work late into the night, usually doing emails and orders  until 1-2am so I get a lot of work done at night. My husband falls asleep early, so gets up early to Minty (Jayde and Steve's beautiful 6 month old) around 6am. Iggy is not awake until 8-8:30, so I wake with him. My Mum works in the shop two days a week, which helps us out so much! We can have two days in our studio. 

When I became pregnant with Minty, Steve came to work with me and left his job. I worked by myself for the first year, and we had so many Invitation designs needing to be done, it made more sense for him to work with me! I am also not a very good incubator when it comes to being pregnant and couldn't be in the shop during my pregnancy, so it was great timing! It has made things so much easier. I am able to pop to kindy and get Iggy or take Minty, or he can come and go with them. We can be so much more flexible. And he isn't the sort of husband to just pop his feet up after work and expect things to be served to him on a platter. He does laundry and dishes and vacuums and washes the bathroom and bathes babes (as should all partners). I would be going to bed at 4am if he didn't do as much around the house, so we seem to exist peacefully. It's always a bit busy and since little Minty came along things have accelerated - going into Christmas, there doesn't seem to be as many 'days off' but we try and make time in the day to stop and play with the kidlets. We just take advantage of technology! Doing emails one handed on an iPhone is tricky while holding a cranky baby all day, but it makes life so much easier! 

As a mum, what are your tips for managing the juggle of work and home-life? 

Your family has to come first! Sometimes I have to stop, step away from my computer, and go and sit and play play-doh. Or bake cupcakes, or blow raspberries on a bare belly for 10 minutes. It just means I go to bed a tiny bit later at night! It is important, that if you have a partner, that you both equally share in the responsibilities at home! Even stay-at-home parents should follow the same rule. 

When Iggy was first born, I took six months off nannying, and I was at home. I was 'working' all day...as a mum. I didn't get to pop my feet up on the coffee table at 6 pm every night, things like dinner and dishes and laundry and baths and so many other things needed to be done. I really don't understand how the person at home continues to work until bed time, then be the only one up with the baby! 

No matter what anyone says...YOU DONT SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS! So everyone is tired! Yet the person who goes off to work, simply stops the minute they walk in the door. If you are a parent, you made half of that person, and you live in a house with your partner, then you share in looking after that person and house and once all of that is done and babes are in bed, then you both sit down and put your feet up together. I honestly think single parents are amazing! I take my hat off to them! Things work around here, because EVERYONE chips in. Iggy sets the table, I cook, Steve cleans, Iggy can even make his bed. Iggy sees his dad doing things around the house and that is normal to him, and I like that he gets washing out of the machine when it beeps without me asking because he sees that we both do that, and he knows this is something he will do as he gets older too!

Because there is equality in our home, there is harmony in our work. I can get so much more done with work because everyone does things around the house. Its not me just running around like a frazzled housewife because I have no support! I would ever get my work done if I only did house stuff! Being a house wife is full time. I wouldn't have time for my shop! I am not very into "boy" and "girl" jobs...except the bins....they are smelly and gross and I am NOT touching them, I am scared of spiders and I always think there will be one there EEEEK!! So I guess, keeping balance in home and work is all about everyone chipping in! But if you dont want to take the bins out you don't have to...the magic bin fairy will do it. ;)

What are some highlights from Little Paper Lane? 

Oh so many! Opening the doors in May 2010 was so exciting! The first Christmas was SO FUN! Being Featured in House and Garden last Christmas issue was a huge deal. Magazines are my addiction, and I use them as research and to keep me up to date with what's happening in the gift and design world, so that was just something that I felt proud of. It made me think that people actually really do like our happy little shop!

When do you get time for yourself? And what do you do? 

Going into Christmas, I don't get much time at all. After the Christmas Crazy we usually close between Christmas and New Years so we will just hang out around the house! We live two minutes from the beach, so I think we will have lots of beach days and usually the afternoons I have this weird thing where after we have the morning and lunch at the beach, we all come home and cool off in the outdoor shower, then while everyone (including Steve) has afternoon naps. I eat mince pies and play Xbox - seriously. Most people will be at Christmas parties sipping cocktails and chatting with people, I am going to sit on my ass for at least one hour each day for that week and play the crap out of that game... I may have a cocktail too, but I talk to people all day everyday of the year, and I love it, but I plan on letting my brain fry itself away with violent games. 

You can see why I was a nanny to four boys for six years! We got to play Xbox all the time. I am a walking contradiction. I really am! Magazines and shopping and wishing for Prada bags and fluoro nails and jewellery... and 'Call of Duty' expert. I hope Iggy doesn't want to 'share' my game. That's a whole new part of parenting I have to learn about!

What's next on Jayde Leeder's agenda? 

When we get back in the shop in the New Year, we are actually going to start workshops in our new space above the shop! We also have a new studio, so more time will be spent getting new products in the shop, designing new product, focusing on the online shop and one day I will get time to blog about the adventure I am on! There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day! We will travel a bit and find new products and see whats going on in the world. 2013 will be exciting, Iggy goes to big school, Minty will learn to walk (maybe...I would prefer she didn't move for the next five years) and we will hopefully continue to grow LPL  and smile a lot :)

Be sure to check out Little Paper Lane if you're in the 'hood (Tiny and I made a day trip of it) for a magical wonderland of colour and some super excellent gift ideas - or if you're not nearby - hop online, new Christmas stock is being listed daily! 


This is the second interview in my Yo Mama! series. Interviews with creative working mamas. Look out for them weekly. 

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day mamas!


I hope everyone enjoys a cold cup of tea in bed, some lukewarm toast, and my favourite - the hand-made cards. They melt my little heart. Every. Single. Time. 


I'm hoping for snuggles in bed, sticky kisses and a very low-key day. 


Have a wonderful day - see you on the flip-side, and hope the sun is beating down on your back. 


And a very special Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful Mum. She's taught me so much, loved me so much and supported me so much, if I can be half of what she is, I will be a good woman! 


very cool and cute card from Wit & Whistle

Over at JustB - Curse of the Yummy Mummy

Please join me over on JustB today - I'm talking about the curse of the yummy mummy.

Come over and play. Please.


image of an original yummy mummy via The Seattle Times

Working. And What Does This Mean?

I've been giving it much consideration lately - I was formerly a stay at home mum (SAHM) - and found it immensely tiring, but in the same breath - immensely satisfying. You got to see the outcome of what you put in, and, for me, that was my proudest achievement. Daily you reaped rewards in the form of sticky cuddles, sloppy, wet kisses, and the pinnacle of parenting - high-fiving after mastering potty training. It was full of daily simple pleasures, and sometimes it was mundane, but mostly it was full to the brim of a gentle kind of happiness.

When Matt and I decided to switch things around so he could finish his studies, I returned to the paid workforce. I had been freelancing for five years, which was getting more and more tricky with two small kids, but it had its rewards too. But it was inconsistent, so I started looking around.

I went back to the coalface, working 4 days a week, and have been there now for 18 months. It's not been an easy transition either. I am riddled by mother's guilt. I always feel like I am missing out. I always feel like my kids are missing out on their mama.

Work is satisfying and exciting, and of course there's the thrill of hitting targets and weekly wins, I get to utilise my years of experience, but it's definitely not the same as parenting.

Sure there are tantrums. Arguments. Petty office politics. But on the flipside, I do get to go to the toilet cubicle solo.

I race hither and thither so I can be doing my job to the best of my abilities, and race home so I can spend as much time as possible with my smalls.

And recently, it made me think:

What do other mums think?

Is it more important to work in a job that stretches your brain (in a good way), and let's you blossom professionally?

or

Is it more important to have a flexible job?

And

Is it possible to have both? Or is brain-stretching distinctly separate to flexibility?

I'm undecided.

PS - I don't know why I felt the need to post a picture of Tootsie. I just did. I love Tootsie. I just can't even rationalise why I put that picture there.

MAMA! MAMA! I Got Candy!

Every now and then I have the great joy of passing on some pretty great gifts to some pretty great gals. That's you. Well it could be you.

To celebrate Mother's Day, Travel Candy are giving away a night at The Mansion House Hotel + Spa. Plus a spa treatment. Plus a high tea for two. Gulp.

Oh well, sorry ladies, the winner is Lexi (aka PottyMouthMama). Oh dang. That will never do. Alright, this is what you have to do:

- three cartwheels on the lawn (please ensure you're wearing knickers. And that the postman is driving past as you're into the second)
- Become a member of Travel Candy (no waiting list for friends of PMM - we're VIPs baby)
- Finish this sentence IN 25 words or less. And I am strict, I count those words as though they're my last pennies. (Matt advised I observe a 10% leeway, however I've declined. It's hard and fast around here. 25 words or less or else!)

The last thing I expected about being a mum is/was: (over to you).



Terms & conditions:
- Australian residents only
- Must be over 18
- Must be a member of Travel Candy
- Entries close Friday 6th May at 11:59pm

A Different Life

I'm half anticipating and half dreading 2011.

Excited because it's the new year. It's a clean calendar.

Dreading it because it means big changes in our little household.

The Doctor starts school in 2011, and I have really mixed emotions about that.

Tiny starts preschool in 2011. (This is Tiny at her preschool orientation.)

Mid year hopefully Matt will be a fully-fledged teacher.

And I am working 4 days a week for a while.

It's a cracking pace and if I am 100 per cent honest, I really miss my babies while I am at work. I love my job, but I miss my family. I've thought about it a lot, I've drafted a whole post about it (which is lying dormant in my draft folder), and I'm putting it out on the table.

I don't think women can have it all.

Boo me down all you like, disagree all you like, but juggling everything ain't all it's cracked up to be (or sometimes not cracked up). Being an at home parent is hard and being an at work parent is hard.

And I'm Not Apologising

Shocked to the core PottyMouthMama readers shunned her next couple of posts. But she stood her ground, she was not, no, she was NOT going to apologise for despising 'popular' music performing under the guise of U2, Abba and Crowded House. And INXs. And anything else that's lame to the power of lame. John Farnham. Dido. Ergh, PMM's list went on and on.

So only one person dared peak into the next post. And that is you.

Oh hello there my lone friend. I'm glad to have you back. Solidarity in the non-music love. We like quality, not quantity, right?

I'll tell you what else I don't like. Crushed velour. Just the thought of it makes my skin crawl and my hands feel itchy. EeeK!

Anyway, the Doctor has saved up for a new Lego game which we're playing as much as possible. We've had a few issues with this game, but I've just realised there are step by step rules on the website - so if you do happen to snaffle any of these Lego games (which in my opinion are all sorts of awesome - because you can continue to re-build the game and tweak the rules, which means STRATEGY STRATEGY STRATEGY!) you can check out the website - it's pretty darn nifty. The Lego Lava Dragon game is absolutely right up the Doctor's alley - because it's all about dragons right now.

It is totes about Lego here. Remember when Matt built me my very own dream home? Ahhh sweet love.

PS - Do yourself a favour and read this post by Jacqueline Pascarl. She is one of my favourite writers. She's intelligent, funny, and always writes interesting and relevant (to me) posts. Enjoy.

PPS - If you're a Big Footed Babe, then join Tali and my new Facebook page, aptly titled: Big Footed Babes.

Meeting New People

Today the two smalls and I went to the park. I was meeting a friend who has children a similar age. We started chatting to a new mum who had just moved into the area. I asked for her phone number as we were about to leave to go to our next 'thing'.

It's my new thing. I've met so many mums in the park and never asked their number for fear of looking like a dork. It's something that I have occasionally regretted. Particularly because I am not exactly heavy on friends who live close by. Today I asked for her number. I am crazy like that.

On yesterday's post front, I'm not feeling particularly lonely/sad, it's just that I always do think about that proverb. My family is incredibly supportive, they just don't live conveniently next door (and they are interested, yes! they are). But sometimes it would be good to have other offers of help. I always feel a pang of envy when I hear someone say, 'oh blah blah is looking after the kids so I can clean the house.' Silly to feel envy about cleaning the house, but without two smalls - pure luxury!

And as an aside, wouldn't it be interesting to remove the stigma of being lonely or asking for help, if everyone started talking about it? It wouldn't be so shame-inducing!

The Doctor and I have been working on some Easter decorations. I've let him be the Cruise Director, so we made a HAPPY EASTER! poster. It's an eclectic array of drawings, painting, stickers and cutting and pasting. I quite like how it's turned out, and it's fun to sit with him and let him direct it. Tiny had a wee bit of work on this one too.

PS - there's a giveaway over at Fat Mum Slim's giving you the opportunity to win your own Jumi shoes.

Happy Mother's Day

Here's to all the mummies, the mamas, the mothers and the grandmamas - all of you, all of us. I hope you've had a wonderful day and that you've been cherished.

To my own precious Mum, I hope you had a super dooper day, and we all can't wait to see you soon!

Yo Yo Yo It's Mother's Day

Well not yet, but Sunday it will be. And just by the skin of my teeth, I got to the post office on time and posted off my Mum's present (the Doctor and I crafted together for the card).

What are your doing to celebrate Mother's Day?

I'll be leaving the recipe for Bills ricotta hotcakes out somewhere very in plain view. Ahem.

Magical March: Day 30

Today is particularly magical. Want to know why? Because - I finally finished the top I started stitching three months ago. I'll wait a moment while you pick yourself up off the floor from the shock.

Tick.

Tick.

Tock.

Incredible. I know. I even thought about listing it on eBay as a project for those who like only to do half projects. You know, they could do the end half, and as a result have a new top (rather than start a new top and never finish it).

I have plenty more great ideas where that came from.

Like why don't doonas have clips inside them to clip onto the doona cover so that they don't all crumple up? I always wind up with the bit of the doona cover without the actual doona.

I should possibly become an entrepreneur. Although I don't know what that would entail.

So tomorrow, I will come bearing gifts. A photo of me, PottyMouthMama in my top. Roll up, roll up, you will be amazed. You will be astounded.

In the meantime, be astounded by my Mum's super tidying effort in organising my collection of vintage cups and plates. That woman is a genius. (She also tidied our house - I can very obviously now see we have a floor - who woulda thunk it?)
My parents were visiting on the weekend which was super great. The Doctor was ridiculously excited (heck so was I!), and Tiny scored loads of cuddles.

Family Tree

Pip at Meet Me At Mikes is playing a sort of game tonight. A wee family tree. I'm playing too:

My Mars (my grandmother): sewer, crocheter, knitter, embroiderer (crazy, crazy good), painter, baker, big hugger.
My Mum: sewer, embroiderer (crazy crazy good), quilter, baker, sculptor, ceramicist, big-time hugger.
Me: sometime writer, sometime poet, novice-sewer, novice-embroiderer, super-nova hugger.

Won't you play too?

The Case of the Disappearing Silverfish

Prior to our departure for Tamworth I discovered that one of our goldfish was ailing. Lying sideways on top of the water. On first inspection I thought it was dead, but once I walked over to the tank it would wriggle and swim a little. Matt thought I was crying wolf - so many times I have told him that the snails are dead. The snails are dead! But just two minutes later they're seen cruising around the opposite side of the tank. He soon discovered that for once my prognosis was spot on.

It didn't take long for the fish to resume it's position on top of the water. Matt and I wondered what we should do. We didn't have the heart to exhume its still breathing body and boom-toss* it down the toilet or whatever you do with dead/half-dead goldfish.

My son was of course very interested. Being a three and an almost half year old apprentice doctor with a very unsterile toy doctor's kit, he was keen to get in on the action.

So we left it there. Our little dude told us that we should buy a doctor's kit for the other fish so they could look after the sick fish. Too cute.

While we were at home, we mentioned the sick fish to my Mum. Well to be accurate, I told her that the silver fish was looking a little worse for wear, and we thought it was dying. Mum was astounded. I couldn't figure out why. I told her we didn't know what to do with it, should we have removed it? We didn't know. We're no fish doctors. She was astounded that I had left a silverfish in the tank at all. Mum was confused with the fat critters that I am breeding in my linen cupboard - supersized silverfish - the insects, not the fish.

Anyway - I will get to the crux of the story.

We arrived home, and I was expecting to greet a very dead fish. I searched the tank. Nothing. Just three healthy, functioning swimming fish. No silver fish doing backstroke.

I asked my mother in law if she'd removed it, and she hadn't... No one else has been here in our absence.

So now it's a case of the missing silverfish. It's not in the tank. I've looked everywhere. Where can a half-dead silver fish go? Are goldfish cannibals?

And now my son keeps asking where the fish is (how do you explain death when there's no lifeless body to show??). He then told us that we should get another dying fish so that it can die too. And the poor little dude meant it too.

PS - Totally unrelated shot of the evening sky taken while we were away. I didn't really think you'd want a shot of our goldfish. Particularly not while the forensics are searching for the missing fish-member.

* Boom-toss - initially my son's word it means to throw something out, or jump on it - now firmly part of our family vernacular.

Our Own Little Holiday

I know myself as a mum I find it exhausting being surrounded by people all the time - and being 'touched out' , with no view to 'me' time. That's why I think it's important to take off on the weekends and spend some solo time, reconnect with yourself. Even if it is just for a couple of hours. I love that time and often return feeling like I've recharged my batteries and done something for myself. As well, I think it makes me a better mum and a better wife. I can give more of myself once I've had some time out.

Michelle of Leni & Rose reminded me of this interview just today - I'd recently been over at Babble about 'Please Take My Children To Work Day' - Jen Singer's article detailing why stay at home mums should have their own holiday. You can read all about it here.

Interesting and funny article for any mamas and mamas-to-be about June 30 being a holiday for us! And if you can get someone to babysit for you for the day, or even for just a few hours, it's well worth it - happy mama, happy babies. Just put that burnt chop down and enjoy yourself!

Babble (a magazine and community for a new generation of parents) has loads of great parenting articles, forums and tips, pop culture and good stuff to read, as well as Daily Babble which is delivered straight to your inbox.

Anyway, I'm off for some weekend fun, a bit of stitching and generally just kicking back!

This Is...

...what reminds me of my Mum.

Estee Lauder's 'Youth Dew'. I remember lying on Mum and Dad's bed and watching Mum get ready to go out for dinner. Helping her choose accessories. She always looked beautiful and elegant.

And that last minute spritz of 'Youth Dew' before they left for the evening. Mmm.

I love when I catch a smell of this on someone, it instantly evokes those fun times when I was small (and even well into my teenage years).

Mum must have been waaaay before her time because Tom Ford re-invented 'Youth Dew - Amber Nude' with a whole ancillary range. It's meant to be lighter.. But hey - the original is the best because of the warm feelings it evokes.

And the best piece of advice: 'Don't eat too much cheese'.

Happy Mother's Day!

Poop Du Jour!

If anyone had ever told me potty training was so darn messy, I probably wouldn't have believed them. Well I might have thought it had potential to get messy - but this messy?? I didn't think it was going to be all rose petals and sunshine - but these days, instead of friends with faces, my friends are Napisan and an over-sized bottle of disinfectant.

Noah is pretty well driving this bus. We talked about it. We read about it. And now, after much discussion, he's doing it. And scoring gold stars.

Take for instance yesterday's conversation:

Me: Noah, would you like to do a wee on the potty?

N: No. But I'd like to do a poo.

Yep. That's what's happening in our neck of the woods. Not content with just a wee, he's going for the big 'uns.

Don't get me wrong. I am immensely proud of the little guy. He's really going for it, but it would be great if he could sit still and relax. Noah's taking a more hands on approach. Literally. Mmm. But he's going well. I've been doing a little 'toilet training' related reading. Not entirely scintillating, but interesting.

In other reading,I read in today's SMH that there's a professor of psychology from Harvard visiting Australia at the moment for a conference attended by 2000 happy-seekers. Daniel Gilbert (the prof) has said that people's happiness goes into a steep decline after they have children and never recovers until the children leave home.

I don't know about you, dear reader, but my kids definitely make me happy. Sure I do have the odd day when I screech like a banshee - but those are rare. My collective memories of my children mainly some of the most insanely, intensely happy and satisfying moments of my life - and that includes both births.

So why are 2000 people attending a conference to seek happiness? I know I don't need someone to tell me when I am happy - or where to seek it.

Baking a cake. Check - happy.

Thrifting and finding a small tattered book. Check - happy.

Tickling and inhaling the milky warmth of my little on. Check - happy.

Rumbling and chatting with my bigger little one. Check - happy.
Watching my two babies grow. Check - happy.

Teaching myself to embroider. Check - happy.

Watching Autumn creep into our skies. Check - happy, albeit with cold feet.

Cuddling and canoodling with my man-friend. Check - happy.

I think you get the picture.

So what of Daniel Gilbert's theory? I find it a little disturbing that he's out there preaching that child-less people are happier in the same week that SMH reported a disturbing trend on the rise. More and more Sydney couples are sending their kids to boarding school while they work and carry on with their lives. Why have kids if you're going to just send them packing?

Perhaps they are the 2000 attending this squeaky seminar.

Makes me wonder if Daniel Gilbert has ever experienced holding his own newborn in his arms. First smiles. First laughs. First crawls. First words.

Enough of my banter, I just wanted to defend us people WITH children who ARE happy. My little people are doing well, Noah's potty training with the best of them, Scouty's laughing and wriggles like she's stomping grapes.

And me - I am a proud & happy mama.

Oh and if anyone knows of a natural way to cure our house of black ants - please, please share with me. I am desperate.

Oh No It's A DFO!

Mum and I took the kids out on an adventure today. We set out for DFO.

I had been dreaming of bargains. Bargains galore. I was thinking gelato toned cardigans for $15. I was thinking a great fitting pair of pants for $40. I could see the savings stacking up in our bank account. Oh the joy I would feel.

What a rude shock I was in for.

We set out early. I thought we'd beat the crowds. Get home in time for lunch.

We got there in good time, and headed straight to Country Road. When I walk into these places I usually feel a bit flustered. I run from one stand to the next, checking out this and that. Then I realise my head is a muddle and that it's all a bit too much. I then decided to get serious. But oh how disappointed I was to be. The sales were exactly the same as they had instore. All my dreams were dashed. I thought this place was bargain heaven - I only walked away with two pairs of pants for Scout and a t-shirt for Noah. Poop!

We did the rounds, and over all, I felt a bit jipped. Noah did also score some little red Ked's for $18 - which made him jump up and down and infused him with a whole truckload of energy. I fed Scout while he did a few runs and jumps in his new shoes, much to Mum and my bemusement. But other than that - not so many bargains.

Speaking of bargains, Woolworths has got bulk boxes of Huggies Nappies on sale for $29.99.. Now that's what I call a bargain.

I'll Try To Keep It Brief

When did I go from being someone that only wears g-strings to someone that only wears a full brief?

I've also gone from being someone who wears pretty bras to someone that wears pretty ugly bras.

The transition occurred shortly before I gave birth to my first child and sadly I've not gone back. I've become a bonafide hipster brief junkie. I can't go past the sublime comfort of the Bonds Hipsters. More boyleg than cottontail, these utilitarian knickers see me through day in and day out (a new pair each day of course) - but they're certainly not the sort of lingerie your husband longs to discover once (hey - if) he tears your clothes off in a blaze of passion.

I'd until recently been hoarding my BC (BC - before-children) lingerie. Occasionally I'd take them from the far flung corner of my drawer - inspect the intricate lace, the candy-like confections of colour - pale pinks, creams, lavenders. Then I'd replace them for the day I would suddenly transition back into an undercover saucy minx.

They've not been worn for three years. Finally today I held a silent ceremony of sorts and extradited them to better places (read: the charity bin, and the bin). It's over. My body's changed and I no longer wear them. If I do go back to my former lingerie life, surely by that time I deserve some new lacy lovelies. Plus my growing Hipster collection needs some more space - not only that - my derriere has now reached J-Lo proportions - but that's for another post.

So why do mummies have to relegate themselves to comfy - but ugly - undies?

I realise mummies do not exclusively wear briefs. One of my sister's friends was in denial that she was in labour one day, went shopping with her husband and decided that they really should drop into the hospital just to make sure all was well. Her labour progressed before they had a chance to shoot home and pick up her labour bag. She was wearing her obligatory nude g-string. After the birth she had no choice but to don her g-string once more - this time with the rude over-sized maternity pad that was so large it could probably also double as a surfboard - balanced on the tight-rope of her knickers.. Not comfy. So there is at least one reason mummies have been conned into briefs.

I'm also just back into nursing bras and joyfully discovered the Bonds Bumps range. Comfy, functional. Boring (in a palette of black, white, nude - and who wears this colour MAUVE?) and plain cotton but supportive of my new found lady lumps. Plus they're tough enough to withstand the wear and tear (and spillages) of an eight-times a day feeder.

Hot Milk (http://www.hotmilklingerie.co.nz/) make foxy lingerie for foxy mamas - but they're always sold out in Australia - which just goes to prove - mamas want to look hot, but there's only so many mamas that can be hot before they run out of hot knickers.

My professionally fitted Berlei feeding bra is appalling. It doesn't fit. My Anita Maternity bra has bitten the dust - and really, it wasn't that pretty to start with. And I quickly discarded my ugly Finelines bras as soon as I finished nursing my firstborn - they were unfit for anyone to see, they were so ugly they were an embarrassment. Elle Macpherson's Bendon range has pretty bras - but they don't fit. I've trekked countless websites searching for an answer to my unattractive lingerie - but to no avail.

So for now I am just settling on the trusty Bonds underwear. Comfy knickers that don't ride, and bras that verge on the boring, but they're comfortable and they do the job. My BC underwear lies testament that I did once have respect for my lingerie drawer, but for now, there's no option but to go for comfort.