Big Dreams Launches New Online Magazine - And It's Dreamy

this is a sponsored post

When we visited Melbourne at Christmas time, I gathered up some recommendations from friends on great kids shops. I still had some gift shopping to conquer. 

In all of those recommendations Big Dreams kept coming up. Obviously this was a gorgeous store - my friends have impeccable taste. So I swept in there, my jaw dropped (because if you haven't been there, it is beautifully styled and there's so much awesome-ness to drink in) distracted the kids with all the beautiful merchandising, and set to secretly squirrelling bits and pieces away at the counter - those little people of mine were oblivious. 

It was such a great, and memorable shopping experience - the store is filled to the brim with goodness, it was difficult to not go completely crazy (except for the fact my husband was staying within a 3 metre radius of me). 

Happily Big Dreams have launched their brand spanking new magazine for Winter. It's a beautiful edit of pieces available in store (and in their online store). It's the mix of seeing the clothes on real kids, and also the way it's styled - Big Dreams understands kids, and lets them be kids - it's playful, real and big on colour. Just the way I like things. 

Follow Big Dreams on Facebook
Check out the action on Instagram
Shop online here
And download the beautiful magazine here 


* Very occasionally I write sponsored posts. They're only ever about brands/stores I really, really love, and I know you'll love them too. And I am a massive supporter of Australian retailers. Shop local! This is my honest opinion which is why I can blog openly about it. It's rad. I wanted to share. 

Road Tripping: 9 Ideas To Keep Your Kids Entertained

It's high time holiday season, and if you're getting ready for roadtripping with your smalls, I've got some ideas to keep them occupied.

I've had my fair share of roadtripping with smalls - with or without Matt - it can be tricky. But over the years I've figured out what works and what doesn't - and what's absolutely imperative.

1. Remember when Toyota generously took us to Thredbo for the weekend? We were lucky enough to drive the Toyota Prado down - which, had it been our car, we never would have made it into the snow - it was falling so heavily when we arrived. But what I really, really loved about that car was: the DVD player, the built-in fridge, and the sunroof (so we could watch the snow falling). But you're not going to see snow this Summer. But the novelty of that roof - well hellz yes! I loved it. And the DVD player? Well we don't have one, and we travel quite modestly, but this was a nice touch to while away the six hour drive. The fridge was pretty darn awesome to keep our drinks cool - but that's a no-brainer.

2. So Santa's not bringing you a brand new Prado. Go directly to Daiso (or any other Hot Dollar style shop), and jump start your roadtrip with some cheap and cheerful stickers, colouring books, and textas (actually - the textas from Daiso are crummy, so don't get them there). I like to have - ready for when the smalls get in the car - a new colouring book, or doodling book ready for them. They dig it too, and it buys us a little bit of quiet time in the car. Leave the scissors, glitter and glue stick at home. I am speaking from experience.

3. Pack Justine Clarke. Or any kids CD that your kids love. Our favourite is Justine, but we're also getting into audio books - and Roald Dahl is a goodie. We also like to bust out a bit of Gaga for a sing-a-long. Sure to induce eye-rolling from your partner.

4. There are only so many games of eye-spy I can come to, so set up some kind of simple points system for spotting yellow cars. Or green cars. Or whatever it is your kids want to spot. We can get kind of competitive. And this game can go on for hours.

5. Take a break. Not only is it imperative for the driver - but everyone is rewarded by a quick pit stop. Stretch your legs, stop somewhere with a park, let the smalls run around for a little while and enjoy the trip rather than rushing hither and thither.

6. Sleepy. I pack small blankets and cuddle toys - and tell the kids that the trip will go muuuuch faster if they have a little nap. Silence is so, so sweet.

7. Charge your batteries. The Doctor has a Nintendo DSi and I encourage him to charge the batteries - and bring some games for Tiny.

8. Snacks. Well it's not a roadtrip until someone cracks open the snacks. I'm into packing lollies (of course I am), water, fruit (I cut up some apples), rice crackers, and some nuts. Mix things up - pack a snack pack for each of your kids - and take some spare containers. I like to think it keeps the back of the car a little cleaner. Well. I like to think it.

9. Talk. We always have good conversations when we're driving long distances and the only distractions are the occasional cow or kangaroo. It's a good time to catch up on what everyone's up to, what everyone's excited about and what everyone wants to do when you reach your destination.

I'm an advocate of the roadtrip - if you're going on one this summer - please drive carefully.

This is not a sponsored post. 

image source EmSem

Are We Going Today?

We are going to the snow this weekend as guests of Toyota. It's only my second time. The smalls first time. Matt's champing at the bit to get in the car and hit the road. He's a mad keen snowboarder. Me? Clearly I am no pro. I don't even know what shoes to wear. I've been questioning everyone - I am not convinced my ballet flats and high heeled boots are going to cut it.

The kids are beside themselves excited. They've been asking to leave every single day. "Are we going yet?" has superseded "Are we there yet?"

We're having a lesson on Saturday morning - and I've let Matt know he can go off snowboarding while I do that. Particularly if it's a hot male instrutor called Sven.

Other than that - we are free agents for the weekend. Out of Sydney and into the snow. YEEEW!

Have you got any top tips for being in the snow? I have NO idea.Except for the fact: it is cold, white and wet.


Bianca Jagger image from Andy Warhol's Interview via here. Absolutely nothing to do with snow, but pretty, yes?!

Horrid Henry School Holidays Giveaway

Have you ever read Francesa Simon's Horrid Henry books? Well. Maybe not you, but your kids?

They are very, very good. The Doctor adores them. They are funny, and clever - and just what little people like. Humour that's totally read-able, a little bit of mischief and a few illustrations tossed in.

But did you know they made a film of Horrid Henry? Just like the books, it is super good - and stars the ever-beautiful Angelica Huston, the cerebral and stylish Richard E. Grant. It's a great film - and Tiny loves it (she's four), just as the Doctor does (he's seven) just as Matt and I both do (we're in our 30s).

The good news is I have a Horrid Henry giveaway. One that's perfect for the Winter school holidays.

There will be two winners. One winner will receive the Horrid Henry DVD and a hard cover activity book. The runner up will receive one copy of the HH DVD.
All you have to do to enter is tell me in 25 words or less (and I am strict so I don't get into trouble with the law):

What was so horrid about you when you were small?

---------------------------------
Open to Australian residents only
Entries are open from Saturday 30th June 2012 - winners will be announced on the PottyMouthMama Facebook page on Wednesday 4th July 2012.
You must be easily contactable.
There will be no disputes, no arguing and strictly no haggling over the winners.
PottyMouthMama is the judge of all entries.
PS - I love you.

Stuff On A Saturday

I'm having a quiet day. Cleaning out my wardrobe. Hanging with my smalls. Doing the washing. It's banal, and I kind of like that on a Saturday.

I found this clip yesterday. It's keyed in to how I feel right now. A bit blue. At the tail end of what's been a shitty week.

But there are brighter things on the horizon. Sparkly baubles in the guise of Bonnie Prince Billy on Monday. And Mellie Waugh's show before that.

And you? How are you this Saturday?

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.

Meh Monday. Or Is It MehDay?

It's not only civilians that shudder when they think of Monday. Legions of Mums are shuddering, bracing themselves, pulling the covers over their heads, fronting up to the fact that it's the start of a fresh new week.

On paper, Monday looks exciting. It's a blank week full of potential (or alternatively, it's crammed full of playdates, lunch-packing, babysitter finding, preschool volunteering, and general meal-planning mayhem).

But the reality of Monday? The reality of Monday is ugly. Plain ugly.

Especially so after such a ridiculously glorious (yes, I did just use the word GLORIOUS) weekend full of sunshine. A brief flirtation with Spring that has continued today while I've been sitting outside knitting (yes I am still going on the world's slowest scarf).

We went to the park today - the Doctor didn't want to go. He wanted to (surprise, surprise) stay home and Lego 'til the cows came home. Tiny on the other hand was champing at the bit. We went to the park, the Doctor had fun, and came back running to me to tell me a magpie had tried to poop on his head. I was a little unsure about this, and then he came back and told me again (having a major giggle-fest about it) that this bird was again trying to poop on his head. I came over to watch - and sure enough, if Spring feels as though it has sprung for us, nature is feeling it too. That magpie was not trying to poop on him (how many birds do precision poop diving?), he was trying to swoop him. Thankfully he didn't get close enough to the Doctor and the Doctor was fully helmeted up.

Then the smalls saw some kids rolling down the hill. They thought they'd give it a whirl too. With hilarious results. Rolling the wrong way, half rolling in half downward dog poses. Oh man, I wish I had a camera with me. Then it was all over in a flash because the Doctor was soaked to the core in dew.

We made a quick park exit and he took off all his clothes before getting into the car. Like travelling in his undies. Like he was Borat. Actually, it was just undies and socks. Like he was Tom Cruise. Being a mum is Risky Business.

And so we came home to have lunch and both the kids were meant to have a sleep. Meant to. But they both didn't make it. Now they're discovering toys in boxes that haven't been unpacked since we moved and chanting that they want chocolate.

Roll on Tuesday. Pronto.

Confucious Say

'When sharing drink bottles with small children, close eyes tight so you don't see special additives. The floaty bits.'

PS - If you have a SIGG drink bottle, you might want to read this. And you can see here the difference between the old and the new.

image via

It's Me: Day 6

It's such a blissful day today. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. The smalls are happy. The mama's happy. Parenting when the sun is shining is so much easier than on grey days when you're locked in the house and then cabin fever sets in. I tend to go a little barmy. Perhaps even more than a little. Perhaps I go tres barmy when I have cabin fever.

Today I feel like a snake that's shedding it's skin. No need for too many layers. I am a big fat snake in the sunshine. Stitching. And while I know snakes can't stitch for lack of hands, I am sure it's not through lack of trying.

So today we're clocking up time in the sun. A 2002 UK study revealed that eight-year-olds could easily identify Pokemon characters far more easily than they could name "otter, beetle, and oak tree." Scary huh? Get into the sun people! Enjoy nature peeps! Pokemon are for... I don't know. We're not into Pokemon. Phew.

Day 6. Four days to go. I need to pull out the big stops from here on in.

PS - The Doctor took a hilarious series of shots this afternoon of me - right after he photographed the lavender. Apparently it needed a photo too. My photos - totally unflattering, funny nonetheless. Totally untouched, just for the record.

But We Didn't Find A Circus

So we ran away. We're up visiting my Mum and Dad and it feels so good. Country air. Freezing cold nights, chilly mornings, so many cups of tea. The smalls playing in the dirt. Op shops. Cups of tea! Cake! Lights! Camera! Lions.

I've hidden my camera at home so well I can't find it. I always seem to do that. I put things in 'special' places. So 'special' they're soon forgotten. Aye aye aye.

Thanks for all the kind comments. We're all good. I'm giving the first half of July the bird, but the rest is pretty darn good. I made an ace pear butter cake from here, and if you have it - do it, it's totally delightful.

So no photos today. But you'll be ok, won't you? Meditate on the cake. Trust me, it's worth it.

More Colours

Apparently some small people residing in our house decided that sprinkling confetti around the living room was a great idea. Given we don't have any Oompa Loompas currently in residence, I think I've got a pretty good idea who it may have been.

Beezus and Ramona: The Film

When I was small I used to love reading. A-novel-a-weekend sort of book lovin'.

I was pretty stoked to discover that one of my all time favourites is being made into a film. Beezus and Ramona - set for release March 2010 - gives you plenty of time to pop your corn.

Beverley Cleary was one of my favourite authors.

Another of my favourite childhood books was 'Bridge to Terabithia' - and given my love for Zooey Deschanel, I loved watching this film as well. It's one of those books that stays with you.

What other books did you read when you were small that you loved?

I really loved 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' by Judy Blume - and all of her other books.

Like A Bike

Amy at Badskirt has been talking a whole lotta bike lately. A while back I mentioned I was gunning for a bike for my 30th. A sweet little cruiser. Though my choice of bike must be practical. I have to dinky the smalls around town too. What about this sweet lady? Look at her curves. Look at those classic lines. With a twist! A twist people. It's in the twist! It's not just a bicycle built for two, it's got two seatbelts in the back! You see that Matt?

(via the delectable Mrs. French)

Of Pixies and Pirates

We went to a Fairy and Pirate party today. So sweet. So, so sweet. I did my usual lastminute.com thing and went into a frenzy to make Tiny her own little Pixie headband. Excuse me while I still marvel that I made something (besides the wee babe of course).

The Doctor was ridiculously excited - woke at around 6:00am asking if he could get dressed yet. Sadly we had to let him know the party wasn't 'til 2pm (a whole lifetime away for him) and if he could hold out (it was a hot day) that would be better. Boy oh boy, we arrived at our friends home, and off the Doctor went. He's never been there, but he couldn't contain the excitement. He was into it baby!

So we walked through the house to go into the backyard and.. well you know that scene in Bridget Jones where she turns up to the party as the Playboy bunny (let's relive that painful scene together shall we?) and no one else is dressed up.

Yup. Yup that was me. Don't worry - the smalls were all dressed up, even if just partially adhering to the dress code. But me. Yes well, let's just say that I thought it would be fun to go as a sea dog too. Clearly no other adult had been feeling it that morning. Still aching inside that I was the only one singing sea shanties in my head. Ahem.

I baked too. Small fairy cakes. Some people might say I like a little party. If you knew me well, you'd know that I love a party. Big or small. Fancy dress or.. AHEM!