How To Make Yourself A Little Happier:: 5 Tips

So lately I have been doing small things to add some happy into my day. To get myself out of the Groundhog and onto the good foot. They're not big things. They're not groundbreaking. But they have made me happier. 

Want some tips on getting yourself happier? 

1. Get outside. I know I love social media. But sometimes it makes me not so happy. Putting down technology and going outside is SO good for the soul. I spent a happy afternoon last week pulling weeds. And pulling weeds. And pulling weeds. There are a lot of weeds in our garden, and passersby may think we're busy cultivating them. 

We're not. Weeds intimidate me. Plus I don't want to find any creepy creatures in the garden. But that afternoon of weeding not only got me outside, it let me feel the sunshine on my back, gave me the feeling and satisfaction of having done something with my hands, and made my garden look slightly better. 

2. Do something for someone else. When I was feeling a bit blue a couple of months ago, I donated some red. Blood that is. When you do something for someone else - you feel good. It's not just me that thinks this. It's got the psychologists talking too. 

Doing something without the expectation of receiving something in return can have a major influence on happiness. It provides more positive social interactions and opportunities to make friends; it relieves distress about other people's misfortunes; bottom line = it feels good. 

Try donating blood! And if you can't donate blood, there are SO many charities that will happily host volunteers. Give some time to someone who needs it. You'll get the buzz benefit. 

3. Make something with your hands. It goes back to that thing of doing something with your hands. I have a fairly sedentary life, so gardening is good for me - physically and mentally. But if you're not into gardening, stitching, painting, even joining a drawing club can have that positive effect. Being purposeful can mean you can quite literally take your own happiness into your hands.

4. Cook something. I don't get much time these days to cook, unless it's my day off or on the weekend. But nothing beats the feeling of making something for your friends and family to enjoy. Last week it was risotto. The week before brownies and peanut butter and choc chip biscuits. This week? The world is my oyster. But it won't be oysters. 

5. Catch up with a friend. Dr PottyMouth prescribes you a restorative catch up with friends. Or family. In my own experience, there's nothing better than spending time with people you love. Meet a girlfriend for coffee or a big walk, chat. Catch up. Laugh. It is truly the best medicine, and you can't beat that high. 

Travelling? Tips On How To Nail Your Luggage Woes

Remember when I told you how crummy I am at packing? When we went away at Easter I packed so many woolly pieces, thoroughly convinced it was going to be chilly - and instead it wasn't. I ended up wearing a couple of t-shirts and jeans the entire time, and ignoring the warmer pieces. 

Told you I sucked.

Which is why I've asked three awesome women to share their Holy Grail of packing tips with us today.

Jennifer Loiselle - Australian born, UK based handmade accessories designer:

1. I’m a horrific over-packer (think 6 pairs of shoes for a one week holiday) so I’ve recently learnt to lay everything I intend to take and halve it. Definitely pack light – it also means you can fill up your suitcase with holiday purchases on the way back!

2. Ziplock bags – I’m obsessed with them. All make-up, shampoos, sunblock, goes into these and means that I avoid any messy accidents.

3. Travelling with my 5 year old daughter recently in China who became quite ill has made me realise that I need to bring any medication I can with me. She had a very high temperature and the language barrier made it difficult to communicate what we needed which meant a very expensive trip to an American clinic!

Jasmin Lethbridge - Hair Stylist from Desmond and Molly Jones: 

1. Only take your fave outfits that you know you look awesome in... I always create and pack outfits that I never wear normally and end up lugging them everywhere and suprise suprise they never get worn!! The same jeans can easily be worn 4/5 days in a row. 

2. Check the shoe situation. I always get caught out with wrong shoes i.e summer shoes and it'll rain..cold tootsies not good! 

3. Pack any creams/oils in a ziplock bag. Have had a science experiment happen in my toiletries bag before!

4. Get a medication box with all of the partitions to keep your jewels in.

Extra tip! If any beloved stuffed toys/blankets are coming along make sure first thing packed. No explanation needed!

Founder of toxin-free beauty e-tailer Nourished Life, Irene Falcone:

1. Get into layering with your favourite clothing staples – try Bamboo clothing, which is virtually wrinkle free and can be layered for extra warmth or warn along. The Bamboo is a great breathable fabric so perfect for all seasons.

2. Leave the bulky skin care products at home and pack the multipurpose basics! Think facial wipes, which generally come in an easy travel pack and can save you plenty of time (Wot Not do a great wipe that works as a cleanser, toner, exfoliated and eye makeup remover in 1). Also look at investing in an “Everything Balm” if you’re going somewhere cold - The Egyptian Magic is the perfect multipurpose balm which can be used for hydrating and protection for your entire body.

3. Pack the Coco-Lyte dried coconut sachets which you can add to water anywhere for an instant energy and hydration boost without having to carry around bottles of water.
  

Back to Bikram Yoga: 7 Tips For Beginners

Stop the press. I went to Bikram today - for the first time in 12 years. 

I might as well have never been, or even tell you that I've been before - because 12 years is a long time ago, and the only reason I am telling you, if we're going to be completely frank, is to make you think that once upon a time I may have been a bit flexible.

Way back then I was completely hooked on Bikram. But let's fast forward to this morning. Oh man. I've never loved savasana SO MUCH!

I've put together seven tips for beginners, to make it less intimidating. And to brainwash you into coming with me.

1. Wear as little clothing as possible. And make it form fitting - and if possible sweat-wicking. Most people wear hot pants, crop tops. I wore cropped tights, and slim-fitting tank top. Do not wear baggy clothes because I am telling you now, those wet clothes don't feel good swinging on your body and will distract you. And don't wear cotton. Take it from me. Baggy, cottony clothes - not your friend at Bikram.

2. Don't be afraid to sit down - or go into savasana (hellooooo savasana). No one else is focussing on your practice. You do your thing, they do theirs. And you do it at your own pace. Take a break if you feel dizzy, or if you just feel like - holy mackerel, I need to escape this hotbed of a room, and if like me, you have the flexibility of TinMan from the Wizard of Oz. 

3. Speaking of which - don't leave the room. The first session is about staying in that ridiculously hot room - and reaping the health benefits. Stay there. Lie down. Kneel. Whatever you need to do. But stay in there. I had fantasies of running out and standing under the water filter - and then driving off into the sunset. But I lay down and looked right at this picture instead. 

4. Take a big water bottle. And a big towel. And a little towel. You are going to need them. The water - you need for sipping on during the class. The big towel - it's going to go over your yoga mat and stop you from infesting it further with sweat, and things will be a lot less slippery. The little towel - I like to have it to wipe my hands. And my brow. And from my eyes when the sweat stings them. Am I selling this to you?

5. Don't go in thinking the room smells of roses and unicorn farts. There's one thing that doesn't smell good - communal sweat. 

6. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water the day before - not just an hour before. Drink plenty of water afterwards. And whatever you do, don't go hungover. You'll be in a world of pain already. And hungover? Whoa. Not a good combo. 

7. Try to stay up the back. In your first class you don't know whether you're Arthur or Martha. Try and stay up the back. Not only will it allow the hard-core yogis to get on with their practice, but I watch what they do to fine-tune my own. 

Maybe I will see you there? If I do, don't talk. No one talks in the studio. Except the teacher. 

The Garage Sale Trail:: 26th October

I'm fan-girling Sally Seltmann, ambassador for The Garage Sale Trail 


Let's talk about vintage stuff. Pre loved stuff. It's the stuff of my dreams. Remember way back when I went skip diving for weeks on end. My friends, that was some kind of Utopian experience. Honestly. A high point in my life - and I know for many readers, it was a favourite period of PMM too. 

So a garage sale is high on my dream to do list. If I see a garage sale, I must pull over. It's like when it's hard rubbish and I spy something with potential goodness. Must pull over. Much to my husband's disgust.

Thankfully the last few weeks I've been getting a little ruthless tossing things out. Well actually just sending them off to other people, charities, and maybe hoarding for my own 'one day garage sale'. 

If you're like me, it will warm the cockles of your heart to know that The Garage Sale Trail is on the approach. Empty your shelves and coathangers my friends, and get ready to declutter, recycle, upcycle, and get shopping! 

You can register your own sale, and you'll be added to the map! Or if you're like me, you can map out the hot spots and get on the trail. My heart's palpitating just thinking about it. You can customise the sale, or search for something you're looking for. Is this all your wishes coming true? Sigh. Me too. 

My tips for hitting The Garage Sale Trail?

Get organised: Check out what sales are happening in your neighbourhood via the site. Then you can map your day out. Plus you need cash. Not necessarily lots of it, but don't take $50 notes and expect people to have change. I try and take a mix of notes and coins, and I set a budget. 

Take some bags: I always take a couple of bags when I go to garage sales. Then I can shop without stuff in my hands, and I have a bag to take home my purchases

Look carefully: When I go to sales, I get all panicky and think I have to grab things and buy. Bad move Lexi! Think about what you really want to buy - and keep that top of mind. When you find something you like - check it out, look for cracks, stains, missing buttons (are you really going to replace them?),  does it fit?

And lastly - but most importantly, do not WHATEVER YOU DO take your husband or your children. If you do, you will rue my words. Trust me my friends. 

The Garage Sale Trail Ambassador - Stylist Jason Grant 

Need Some Blogging Tips?

If you haven't already - you should totally sign up for the free webinar with Darren from ProBlogger and Cintia of My Poppet fame that's a-happening on Wednesday (tomorrow). 

I'm totes doing it and going to suck the marrow out of it for some fresh inspiration and motivation!

I've done blogging e-courses before, which had forums, but to be honest, I think it's so much more valuable to do something in real time - a real conversation. 

I do shy away from conferences and the likes, mainly because I feel like a massive dork and I hate those awkward first hellos. I know. 

Anyway - if you're after some practical tips and tricks to make your blog better, and to help make your ideas happen (HELLO IDEAS!) - come and do this webinar with me so we can be totes dorky together. Or not. 

How Not To Behave On Social Media

Have you seen the rise and rise of ugliness on the interwebz?

Facebook is like some cesspit of nasty commentary - and if you disagree with someone, kapow, shot down in one sweet comment. And then a wave of followers will whack you down too. 

Not only that, corporate pages are used for broadcasting whiny tirades, attacks on whoever is at the helm of that page.

And anonymous comments on blogs are rife. Running rampant through their (soon to be defunct) Google Reader, they're pollinating posts with vitriol without giving a second thought to the fallout.

Now let's think about that.

Just as there's someone on the other end of a phone call - there's someone who - every morning, wakes up, just like you, yawns, stretches, swings their legs out of bed - and checks their social media. But perhaps unlike you, they're the gatekeeper of bad messages. Angry people up in arms about something. And they have to manage that.

Way to ruin a day.

There's some very simple etiquette that needs to be applied when you're playing with others - it applies IRL and it applies online. 

Here are my 5 tips on how to behave on social media, because apparently, people need a reminder (not you guys though):

1. If you wouldn't say it in real life to someone's face - then don't say it. What gives you the power to blast someone on the interwebz? It's that disassociation that you're talking to another person, and that power play. 

2. If you can't put your name to it, don't write it. It's so sad that there seems to be an uprise in people who don't know their names, so they have to be anonymous. It's lame. Don't leave anonymous comments. It's mean and nasty, and I'm pretty sure that you're not only making someone else's day pretty shitty - but you feel riled up as well. 

3. Spread some love. If you don't like what someone has said somewhere on a blog or Facebook or Twitter - wherever, click away! You have the power in your fingertips. Go find something that you do love and tell that person that you love it. You will feel so happy that you were positive, and so will they - it's contagious. 

4. Bullying. It's not just happening to school children, bullying is rife on social media. Just because you hide behind a fairly anonymous profile picture, ganging up on people who have differing perspectives is not funny. Just because you think "you're having fun" doesn't make it not bullying. It's bullying. Plain and simple. 

5. Moderate. Yes, yes we all know - don't delete posts, but what if they are defamatory, heckling, harrassing, rude, obnoxious or just plain moderating - you need to. Plain and simple. You need to be responsible for what's happening on your page - and whether you're the ringleader, or just watching what's happening - it's still harrassment and you ultimately are responsible for what happens on the page. 

I commented on a Facebook page earlier in the week, and my opinion differed to the page manager. I wasn't baiting. I wasn't angry. I just stated what I thought. 60 comments later - I was totally wired after being name-called and shot down. It wasn't a nice feeling - and the community said they were just having fun. It wasn't fun. Fun feels...fun. This was nasty. 

I shouldn't have retaliated (what a n00b), but I didn't want to be attacked (who does) - instead they just kept beating down on my friend and I. Relentless. 

And as for anonymous comments, I delete every single one of them. Rarely are they ever nice comments, I don't even read them anymore. Not that I get many - but when I do - I am happily oblivious now. I don't need negativity in my life. Life is hard enough without having nameless people hailing down on me. 

I see other bloggers receive hateful comments too - why? Why all this animosity? 

Share some love today. 

Beautiful lion image via here. 

Fight the Funk!:: 5 Easy Tips To Shake The Blues

Do you ever find yourself in a bit of a funk?

I do. I totally do. But I've got it down to a fine art to fight the funk. I know how to beat the blues and kick them to the kerb. I've put together 5 ideas to put a pep in your step and bring back the business of being happy!

1. Did you know 57% of women would choose awesome hair over gaining 10 IQ points? Weird huh? But the psychology stacks up. I was treated to a blow dry at the Blow Dry Bar last week and I'm living proof good hair can change the way you feel. Seriously. I went in feeling a bit flat stanley, had a chat, had my hair washed and coiffed, asked for fat curls, got fat curls - et voila, walked out feeling like a million bucks. And for just $40, it's a good treat that lasts a few days. When I'm next going on date night - I'm going to the Blow Dry Bar and getting my hair done. 

2. Wear colour. Over the last few years I've eradicated black from my wardrobe. I have very few black pieces because it washes me out and makes me feel a bit blue. I love pumping up the volume with colour. Whether it's a bright top, printed jeans, or some ace accessories, you can't feel down when your accessories are so up. And if you want to wear black - paint your nails. Do something fun. You can hardly be cranky when you've got these beauties on your nails. 

3. Meet up with some friends. Or even phone a friend. When I'm low, talking to someone can - a) distract me from whatever it is that's got me down, and b) remind me that I'm not alone. 

4. Music! I am a mad fan of cranking the tunes and doing some car karaoke or kitchen dancing. I especially love belting out the (out of) tunes with the smalls. I'm loving this and this (STILL stuck on this) for good moods ahoy. 

5. Do something for yourself. Go see a movie. Take yourself for a coffee. Go for a walk. Do something that gives you something - just for you. 

What are your best feel-good tips?

Five Ways To Get To Work On Time

Over the past two and a half years I've figured a thing or two out about getting out the door - or more likely - not getting out the door on time. It's been cause for studying my routine - or more likely - lack of routine, and share this trivial list of five ideas to get you to your office on time. And if you have anything to add to this list, feel free to in the comments and I'll add them in. Together we can knock the proverbial socks off our bosses with our punctuality.

1. Dress Ups: Forget getting me to the altar on time - that was a cinch, but getting to the office on time while wrangling two small children and the breakfast rush? Sheesh. I deserve a payrise for mother of the year. Every night I get my clothes out ready for the next day. Call me crazy - but I even look up the weather forecast for the next day to figure out if I need a cardi. I hang it all up - including accessories, so that in the morning, the only thing I have to think about is - where'd I put the cornflakes? 

2. Break up with your make-up: I love make-up. But in my rush to get out the door, I was applying foundation at home, then doing the rest in the car on the way to work. After watching this, I've realised it's dangerous. So I've broken up with some of my make-up and streamlined. Now it's primer, foundation, blush, eyeliner. And boom. Done. If I'm lucky - a quick slick of lipstick. 

3. Wake Up Half An Hour Earlier (and go to bed earlier): It's a no-brainer, right? But do you know how long it's taken for me to get this through to myself. I've talked about it before - I'm. Not. A. Morning. Person. But now I've got myself waking up without an alarm clock at 5:45am. Yep. Crazy. But that way I get an hour of exercise in before anyone's even woken up, and I come home and help everyone get ready.

4. Enlist help: I give my kids small jobs to do - as part of our morning routine. We iron the Doctor's school uniform on the weekend so the week runs (sort of) smoothly - and his gear is all kept in the same spot so he can easily find it. Tiny chooses her preschool gear and gets herself organised (sometimes). Well that's the plan. The smalls make their beds (they don't have to be perfect) and we try and incorporate the smalls into the morning routine so that they are part of it - rather than being waited on. They've got the routine down pat too. 

5. Eat: One of my biggest mistakes in my haste to get out of the door is not eating breakfast. I arrive at work ragged and with the distraction of an empty stomach. Then I get hangry - and, well, the day goes rapidly downhill. Every night I prep my cheat's bircher muesli - super simple, super yummy, and super healthy: oats and some rice milk left overnight in the fridge. Come morning - et voila - I add some fresh fruit, slivered almonds - or walnuts, whatever floats my boat, some LSA and some yoghurt (or my new food crush Coyo). 

And I also try and pack my lunch when I pack the kids lunches. Then I am guaranteed to have lunch - and not have to resort to the vending machine. I hate the vending machine. 

Do not forget to kiss your kids before you leave for the day. Without fail. A missed kiss makes me sad! 

image source 

The Poles Between PR and Blogging: 7 Tips

In the last few weeks I have been gazumped by PR requests. Email after email vying for space on my blog.

I often find myself in a quandary.

As a blogger, sometimes the information is totally irrelevant. I don't want to know about it. And I fathom a safe guess that my readers don't either. So I politely decline. Or lately, I just ignore (which seems terribly rude, but I have time-VS-email issues people - as I am sure you do too).

I've worked on my blog for over four years. I'm not just going to toss it away to be one big merry commercial. I must maintain its integrity. For my readers - and most of all, for myself.

And on the flip side, I've worked in PR for almost 13 years (my oh my, old old old).

I know what it's like working in-house and agency side. Clients want results. They don't want to hear excuses. They want their brand in bright lights, they want column inches, they want pixels. They want the world.

So I really want to help those who are pitching to me. I do. I want to help them.

But if PR pitches to bloggers continue the way they are now - things are going to roll backwards. Or implode.

The blogger in me questions every pitch sent my way. And I use the word "pitch" incredibly loosely here, because most of the time, all I am receiving is a generic:

"Dear Blogger"

or

"Dear Lexi, [insert gushing paragraph here about how much I love your blog]"

or

"hi PottyMouthMama"

or worse to me still - an embedded email that I can't even view half the time. Or just crap. I mean come now - seriously. Read my blog. I don't want to try your doggone baby purees because - I do not have a baby. And you could lazily scroll through my top posts to discover this for yourself. I'm not asking you to do my family tree and trawl through reams of geneaology. Nope.

Even worse. Inaccurate emails. Emails with titles: Interview Opportunity. And then I scroll through to look for who the interview is with - and there's nothing. Or some dubious subject matter. I could rattle off a heck of a lot. But for everyone's benefit - I won't.

I've just asked to be removed from their mailing list instead.

I know working in PR is busy. You have to measure your success. You must be accountable. And you have clients barking at your heels.  But respect the blogger.

So this is to those working in PR who want to learn about pitching to bloggers. Who really value quality content. Who really value an engaged audience. And who really want to do the right thing by their client.

1. READ READ READ:  Read the blogs you want to pitch to. Would you pitch blindly to someone in 'ye olde media'? If you answered yes, then you need to step away from your emails, and take a good hard look at yourself. I don't mean read four years of PottyMouthMama - but really, just become familiar with what I talk about, who I am, and if you truly think your brand is something that's going to fit in this space. And then you can start to build a relationship. KEY POINT!

2. WHO'S THAT CHICK? Find out my name. It's not rocket science. There's a reason why direct marketing companies pay thousands of dollars to access databases so they can tailor their communications to recipients. My name is not 'Blogger' - thank you Mum and Dad. It's not even PottyMouthMama. It's Lexi.

3. STOP SENDING GENERIC EMAILS: Please. For everyone's sake. You're wasting a lot of emails, as well as your time, my time, and everyone else's time. If you send out generic pitches - look at your ROI. Bet you're not getting much bang for your buck.

Don't do blanket mail outs. Tailor absolutely everything.

In my role as PR Manager, I've chosen to work with a handful of bloggers who I respect, trust and admire. Unfortunately, I don't currently have a budget to pay them. However, I offer them unique angles, I offer them exclusives, sometimes I might send them a gift. But I never ever expect anything in return.

Your client is not a charity - and the blogger owes you nothing.

4. EMAIL BOMBING:  I get a lot of emails every week. I'm not being cocky. A lot of them are spam. *Shudder* And some of them are from PR professionals, forwarding their original email because they haven't heard from me, and they want to check I received their email. And they've done a search and I haven't written anything about their client/product. Why not?

Why not?

Because I don't want to. Because it doesn't fit with my blog.

There should be no sense of entitlement.

Unless I want to. Unless I think my readers want to hear from you. Otherwise, I won't write about it.

5. SPONSORED POSTS: I started writing sponsored posts for shoe money. Clearly I don't buy a lot of shoes because I don't do a lot of sponsored posts. And I will only ever do a sponsored post if I truly believe it's cohesive with my blog.

The struggle with keeping my blog pure - and the need - and sometimes want - to make a little extra pocket money - it's a fine line. But when I do a sponsored post - I try to maintain my voice. I try to keep it relevant.

6. PRODUCT REVIEWS:  If you want me to review your product, well then it's a pretty good idea if you send me a sample. I am on the mailing list of one PR practitioner - and at the end it always says: "if you want samples, let me know". Not once, not twice, but at least four times I have replied saying "yes please send me a sample so I can try it for myself and legitimately write about it". And each time she replies "Sorry all the samples are gone." Well then BOOM! I'll make your emails be gone from my inbox. Simple really.

7. TIMING! Inviting me to an event is nice. It is. And thank you. But give me a bit of notice. Four days notice to drop everything for lunch? Yep. Not coming. I've got a busy life and I can't shuffle things at that late notice either. Same applies for sending me media releases. Don't send them to me on the day whatever you're spruiking happens. I'm a busy woman - as are all bloggers. I'm not usually struggling for content. And I won't drop everything to bang out some paras on your product on the day. Nope.

**BONUS TIP: If you are inviting me to an event, please make sure I live in the city the event is taking place in. Unless you're willing to cover my travel and accommodation costs.

For more on this topic head over to Edenland.


 image - me with Allen's Retro Party Mix teeth. Because I can. It's me in PR mode.

Tiny Style Tips:: Tiny Legs

It's that time again. Time for Tiny Style Tips.

Want fashion in a snap?

Want customised fashion in a snap?

Want couture colouring-in fashion at next to nix?

Lo and behold - colourful legs. Yes. The girl's got talent. Not content with just a couple of lines, or getting ladders in your stockings? Go for the full-colour-leg-colour-in. That old chestnut.

Who needs tights when you can just colour your legs in?

No more ladders, Tiny presents the full-colour-leg-colour-in.

Highly recommended. Change your colour when your mood changes. Tiny rates them 5 stars.

Top Tip:: Storing Your Little Artworks

My children are prolific artists. We have a wall dedicated to their artwork, which is now spreading to other walls. I rarely ever toss anything out. If I do, I have an acute guilt attack.

Tiny loves to go to bed with a notebook and pen(cil) and draw until she falls asleep. I am not so mad on that. I am not big on the drawing on the bed linen.

Tiny also loves drawing so much, that she's now working with mixed media. This involves textas, biro, yoghurt and our couch. Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin - watch out.

The Doctor came home with this cute collage recently, which has gone straight to the 'gallery' wall. But I'm also about rotating artwork - and I've got a tip for you if you're the same.

I visited the Post Office and bought a few of the postage cylinders, got my kids artwork together and rolled them up. Then I labelled them with their names and the date (I do say Jan-June 2011) and file them away.

Or you could photograph or scan each of the artworks, then you have a digital file of them, and either print them out, and make an album - or have them made into a book of artworks.

But if you are not as nutty as me, you can always embrace recycling.

Tiny Style Tips:: Moody Judy

On the odd (very odd) occasion, Tiny let's me style her outfit. We pretend I'm a fatter, less blonde, less orange version of Rachel Zoe sans cameraman and paparazzi following my every move. But no matter. Off I go.

This was her second outfit for today, Matt having prepped the first, had his selection wee'd on, then stripped immediately and tossed onto the floor. How's that for rejection?

And so it was that today was truly blessed. Tiny let me at her wardrobe, and to put her into some pieces she rarely ever wears. Halleluljah!

Like the little pink cords. Like the little vintage cardi that the Doctor used to wear. Man I love that cardi. My love knows no bounds when it comes to that cardi. I'd wear it if I was Rachel Zoe's size. And the piece de resistance - the scarf. Tres chic.

But what I didn't style was:

- the poses;

- the tantrum that took place at the park, where Tiny lay on the ground screeching for what felt like forever;

- the beserko that happened when Matt tried to put her pyjamas on (on her, not him)

Tiny's Top Style Tips:

- don't be afraid to accessorise - pink does not stink!

- pose with your brother! Don't be shy! And work that leg to make it longer! (and like you've just come back from holidays in Florida)

Tiny Style Tips: Home Stylin'

Tiny. A wealth of ideas. Here she is today, turning her hand to homewares. Tiny's showing us how a mundane white lamp shade can be transformed in an instant. Who needs an extra-large bank account when you've got a texta and an abundance of imagination? This is raw talent. This is Tiny's vision.

Tiny Style Tips:: Styling Up A Storm

Tiny style tips are well overdue. Tiny de Bouvier is back. With a vengeance.

When heading out for an afternoon with some pals, or family, make sure you put an extra bit of effort into your outfit. It's the little things that count.

If you choose to wear a tutu dress, don't wear it as a dress, hitch it right up under your little botbot. But that's not the Tiny style tip of today. No siree.

The Tiny style tip du jour? Mix and match your shoes. There's no hard and fast rule that shoes should match. Mix them up ladiez! It's the hottest look not to hit the catwalks this season.

Manolo wishes he came up with it. Jimmy couldn't Choo-Choo-Choose. Christian Louboutin put his boots on and walked all over you.

But Tiny? Tiny encourages the pick and mix philosophy. Try it - don't deny it!

Introducing:: The Pammy Boot

It's that time again folks. Tiny style tips. Tiny might be small but she's packed to the hilt with style.

Today she's showcasing her Pammy boots. So called because of style icon (ahem) Pamela Anderson. These Pammy boots are go anywhere, rock the stylie, bring the rhymes!

Because they're not strictly Ugg boots (they're Pammy boots, to be sure) they CAN be worn out of the house. And will be worn out of the house. All. The Time. Who cares if you're going to drop your big bro off to preschool? Have Pammy boots, will travel! Going to the shops? What better time than at the shops to show off your Pammy style? Low on podiatry support, big on stylin' sport, Pammy boots are the bombfunk MC when it comes to getting around on these chilly days. What's a gal to do but don the Pammy boots, couple that with mis-buttoned cardi - and heck - where's The Sartorialist? Where's my Mum's main fashion love?

Pammy boots are the perfect go-to boot when you're about-to do some mischief. Stealthy. Warm. Fashion.

Tiny Style Tips

We're overdue for some Tiny style tips. Tiny's big on style. Her own personal style. She's like the Diana Vreeland of toddlers. Today she's dishing out beauty tips.

When choosing lip gloss it's best to go for a shade that depicts your mood. Emo it is then!

Once you've chosen a shade then you're up to applying the gloss. Always, always go for the more is more mantra.

That way it won't rub off too quickly when you're hoovering up all the popcorn and freshly baked cake. In fact, if you have a lot of gloss on, then chances are the crumbs will get stuck in the gloss and you'll have some stuck on your lips for laterz. Seriously - this is epicurean beauty tips at their best.

For ultra-beauty, make sure you get your mitts on some contraband - try some face cream, and slather it all over your feet. Once that has been all used, then move onto the cleanser. There's nothing wrong with cleansing AFTER moisturising. You'll have really soft, clean feet. So clean you could eat off them.

Oh and if you get sick of your gloss, just wipe your face on the bed, couch, or whatever is handy - maybe your Mum's jeans?

'til next time, this is Tiny de Bouvier signing off.

Do you think Tiny could write some style tips for primped?

Revisiting Books

I used to madly consume parenting books, and got a lot from them, learnt lots of strategies and general parenting tips too.

I guess once we had child number two time became a little more scarce, I started trying to fit work in between parenting two smalls, and trying to keep our life a little more organised, I ditched reading, and found stitching more therapeutic, and brainless TV for when I was really dog tired.

At the moment I need all the tips I can get, so I am revisiting some old parenting books from our shelves. Things might go a bit topsy-turvy as we navigate our way through the next chapter of our life. We need to move house, it's time and we really need to spread our wings as our own little family unit. Moving will mean I have to engage in more work which has its highs and lows.

But there's one thing for certain. We need to get smarter. We need more strategies on positive parenting. We need to clue ourselves up for the next stages before they arrive. Pre-empting will be my homeboy.

What have been the best parenting books you've read or come across. Talk to me.

I've been re-reading this one (which I think is ok to refresh, but sometimes not really that helpful, it's written from the perspective of a child and I sometimes think it's a bit patronising to the child); plus Toddler Taming.

The Baby Straitjacket

Thanks for everyone's great advice and feedback regarding Baby Poocasso.

Today I've put Tiny down for a sleep with a nappy on. With knickers over the top. Wearing overalls.

If this fails, I will definitely try Anonymous' tip of putting the nappy on backwards. I like that idea. I probably should have tried that first. Tomorrow. And I will report back.

But thank you everyone, you've restored my sanity, above all.

And just while everyone is behaving badly, Le Bunbun deserves a special mention.

A couple of weeks ago he went for le snipsnip. We thought he'd come back a changed man-rabbit. Unfortunately his latest favourite thing is to lie on our bed. Last night I went to pick up my favourite bag - which coincidentally is called 'Keith' after Keith Richards. He'd nibbled through a strap.

Four lucky readers of PMM will have the chance to buy their very own rabbit paw necklace later in the week.

Because of the damage Le Bunbun inflicted on my bag, I'm oohing and aahing on this bag. Unfortunately (or maybe the bank is saying, luckily) it's sold out. Bah humbug. After The Apple (former designer at Mimco) have such a beautiful range of bags though, I'm sure I can seek out an alternative.

Making bills choc chips and these biscuits. They are a favourite. I dare you to not eat the whole lot. Tomorrow, recipes for rabbit.

Summer Style Tips:: Tiny de Bouvier

It's been a while since style tips from Tiny. But never fear because she's even fiercer than ever and today's tip is really going to knock you for six. Over to Tiny:

Fashion can be a fickle beast. Weather can be a fickle beast.Who knows when you're going to have to madly dash out of the house and into a torrential downpour? Who really knows? No one, that's who. Not even those darn weathermen can get it right. Not even Ron Burgundy? So play it safe. Nail two fickle beasts with one stylish solution.

Gum boots are mandatory. They're hot in NYC. They're hot inside in Sydney. No need to take them off at the door. In fact, wear them to bed. Wear them on the wrong feet. Tiny de Bouvier does. She swears by it. And if you take them off her, she'll probably give you baby evils.

And plastic animals? If you've got 'em, flaunt 'em.

When Creme de la Mer Just Won't Do

Here at PMM HQ we have yet another round of ace tips that have come from our editor-in-chief Tiny Superstar. You may remember that she helpfully doled out some very handy style tips, well this time around it's all about beauty. If you're looking to bop the recession on its head and looking for ways to pretty-up on a shoestring, Tiny Superstar has the answers.

Tip Number 1: If served yoghurt, why bother eating it? Healthy digestion is over-rated. Smear it all over your alabaster skin and let it soak in. It's best if you also go crazy so no one can get near you with a face washer to wipe it off. Just so it gets sticky. It works better that way.

Tip Number 2: If you're served pear, just keep sticking your finger into the soft flesh. This is an age-old cuticle treatment. Again, definitely don't eat it, you wouldn't want to waste that fruit on your digestion. Would you?

Tip Number 3: Every single morning, without fail, go into your Mama's bedroom find her very much loved organic lip balm, stick your finger in it and smear it all over your body. Do this every morning and you will definitely shine (who cares if it's from all the olive oil you can perhaps batter some fish on your skin later - remember the recession folks!).

Tip Number 4: You are what you eat. So if you're at the beach or in the sand pit, do eat a little sand. It's nutritionally sound and besides that it's gritty on the tooth - and any chance you can to have a crack at whitening your own teeth, take it. Sea salt and pearly whites - perfect.

Tip Number 5: Don't ever brush your hair. Enjoy the big-hair-day look. Then everyone can tell your Mama that she should be brushing your hair more often. But if she comes within 5ft of you with a hairbrush, go berko, flat cat, scratch at her, and then run away. Works a treat. Who needs a hair stylist and who can afford them? Mother Nature is best.

And there ends today's beauty tips a la Tiny. Feel free to email any questions to Tiny. She'll do her best to bang out an answer on the keyboard).