Late Blooming: Podcasts.

I am incredibly late to the party. I just finished listening to 'Serial' yesterday. 

I binged on it all week. Could barely wait for my commute (I just said that?!) to tune in and hear more about Adnan Sayed. 

Have you listened to it? Or are you like me, a late bloomer?

It consumed me so much I've now started having Adnan dreams. 

I won't give away the story, but it's intense, it's sad, and it's a compelling story. Did he or didn't he?

***

Because I spend two hours on the train each day, I've been looking for ways to make the time fly. 

Rach from Mogantosh suggested Mortified. It's a series where people read their truly cringe-worthy teenage writings to a live audience. 

Let's pause here and think about our own teenage writings. 

Did that just make your stomach turn? Me too. 

So this is a recipe for real hilarity. My favourite? Episode 21: Mortified's Summer Camp Spectacular. 

I really, truly did sit on the train killing myself laughing. Laughing so much I had tears running down my face. Other passengers didn't know what to make of me as I very nearly rolled in the aisle laughing (the only thing stopping me? There's no way I would touch the train floor, not even if I was covered in Domestos). 

And I didn't care if they thought I was the train freak show. It was the funniest, belly-laugh-inducing podcast ever. 

***

Have you got any podcast recommendations for me?

Workwear Updates

I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but sometimes my workwear is a little zzzz, boring. And the only thing to remedy it is to find some smart separates or ace accessories to update my look. 

But let's not get confused. I've tried corporate, and I'm not it. I look like a wolf in sheep's pinstripes. What I'm talking about is looking smart, while still retaining my own style. 

Today I'm sharing 5 pieces to make your workwear more wow than whoa. 

1. Update your jewellery: A simple - and can be - inexpensive way to add some pow to your wardrobe. You could opt for a new statement necklace for some visual delight, or I love these Window earrings from Bianca Mavrick. Simple design in punchy colours, that can instantly lift your outfit for days when you're struggling to get out of bed, let alone into the office. 

2. A statement top: I bought this Heron Blue top from Nancybird for myself because I loved the design, but I also love that silk transcends the seasons, layers well and plays nicely with others ;) - I can wear this with jeans, a smart pant, or a skirt and feel dressed for style success. Plus because of the beautiful design, you need little other accessories, so you can throw it on and be out the door in record time. In fact, I have a few different tops that are similar, because they are such an easy, no-thinking required addition to my wardrobe.

3. A white shirt: For the last year or so, I've been experiencing a strong penchant for white shirts. Prior to this, I detested the shirt. I felt like I was wearing Matt's clothes. But now I've found my white shirt groove, and have them on high rotation. They're a smart staple for any working woman's wardrobe. You can wear them in a number of ways, and by far, I think it's the hardest working piece in my wardrobe. I love this Poplin Popover shirt from Country Road. Classic style at its best.

4. A show that does the talking: I am a massive fan of Habbot shoes ('scuse the pun, but they are my weakness, my good habit) because they are beautiful quality, their customer service is impeccable, and the shoes - my goodness. They are THE BEST! I have a few pairs, they're not cheap, but my mother always told me to spend money on shoes, and I can tell you - these have withstood a lot of wearing, a lot of seasons, and each pair is still going strong. I've got a mad crush on these hot pink Dodgers, but am equally sure these Hearts heels are going to be mine. 

5. A sharp jacket. That's not a jacket: Do you know how long I have looked high and low for a jacket? A long time. But I don't suit conventional workwear style jackets. I just wind up looking ridiculous. But I found this Elk Alpaca Blend Zip Cardigan and think it's the perfect winter alternative. It's still got that structured line, while remaining a little more relaxed than its uptight suit jacket contemporary.


What are your top workwear tips to go from boring to roaring?

It was the night before work

And all through the house, everyone was stirring, but thankfully - no mouse. 

It's universal, right? 

On the eve of  your holidays being done and dusted, there's an anxiety about the year ahead. 

Who wouldn't love to run off to Majorca and spend their days swimming laps at their leisure, keeping up to date with best-selling books, and with the only problem in life being a tan line. 

GAH! 

I have had such beautiful, long, lazy weeks at home since Christmas. Nothing too decadent. Instead I've been making piles of stuff around the house:

- charity
- hand-me-downs
- garbage
- tidy away
- craft drawer

It might not look like it, but I have spent many hours sorting through stuff. Trying not to be sentimental. I've been ruthless with artworks, but kids clothes and books is what I find difficult. I am attached to my children's old clothes and books. 

It's ridiculous I know. I try and just keep a couple of bits, but it's hard. I don't know how to do better. 

Anyway, hi ho, hi ho, back to work I go - tomorrow, so game over with my tidy town. But in the meantime, if you've got any ruthless, low-down, dirty tactics I can apply to my downsizing attempt at decluttering - I am all ears (and my husband will thank you!).

How can I do better? 

Work Where? Work Wear!

As anyone who reads my blog would know, I am always on the hunt for some star pieces to add into my work wardrobe.

My attention span of loving my existing wardrobe wanes somewhat, so I need to add something new every now and then. They say variety is the spice of life - and this applies to my wardrobe. Otherwise I stand in my bedroom post-shower looking blankly at my clothes - trying to convince Matt I have nothing to wear. We both know the truth - but you're feeling me, right?

I've found three beauties that would look ace together - and make one heck of a workwear outfit - and work with lots of my existing pieces. 

Elk Drop Crotch Pant $150:: I've had an epiphany people, and you're going to be disgusted in me. The only pants I own are jeans. So they don't count. Post-epiphany, I had a pink fit and found these - I am really big loving them - and think they look ace how Elk have styled them with this top, but would look fab with...

This shirt. I am mad for white shirts - this Witchery OCRF Long sleeve bib shirt ($129.95) has stolen my heart. As we know, I am a firm supporter of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation through Frocktober. Proceeds from this shirt go straight to OCRF. And you get a winning hit to your wardrobe. Winning all 'round! 

And to finish it off - these shoes. 

Habbot - every. single. season. nails it for me. Blue velvet? AYE CARUMBA!! These Lennox Blue velvet flats ($320) are pretty much the icing on the cake. I can't rave enough about these - they are pure poetry on heels. Gimme, gimme! 

Have you found any good workwear basics lately?

Three Things To Wear To Work

I have to admit, I am not a corporate maven. The only suit I own is a Marnie Skillings pale blue cotton suit, with cropped pants, and elbow patches featuring raw seams. 

You shouldn't ever expect to see me wear anything starchy and conservative (well most of the time) because I feel like it's a bit oppressive. 

My wardrobe is a daily indicator of mood and mind. 

However, I do believe it's important to look sharp. Particularly when traversing the hallowed halls of your work place. 

I've spotted a few things that I think are good office wear staples to add to your wardrobe (and mine) this winter.

1. Witchery Classic Two Tone shirt $99.95:: Well I did say I am not starchy, but oh how I have fallen for a button down shirt. Plus it's long - so it looks totally rad with skinnies, or stretchies. I love this look - with a pair of brogues/Oxfords/flats - that's where the magic happens. Preppy cool.

2. Sussan Winter Blazer $129.95:: I am a big fan of cardis, however sometimes cardis don't cut it when you've got a day of meetings and want to impress. I love this simple navy blazer - navy is always a winner with me, black looks hard on my fair skin, plus this is an awesome price for something that is so versatile. Wear it with a t-shirt (because everyone knows I can't do starchy), or a shirt, et voila. You're killing it in the style stakes. 

3.  Gorman Clouding Over Dress $299:: I have a Gorman frock that's a similar style - and I can vouch for how easy it is to wear. Toss it on - a heels or flats - doesn't matter, you look done. Perfect for when the kids have a meltdown in the morning and you need to look polished for the rest of the time. It's a no brainer.

But mostly I get my favourite things and wear them on repeat. 

What are you loving wearing for a day in the office? 

Three of the best:: Patterned Dresses

I'm bringing three of the best back! Why? Because I keep finding things online that - rather than me buying them, I figure I can share them, and have less debt. And you can buy them instead. Hoorah! 

This week it's printed dresses. More to the point, printed frocks you could wear in the office. I am a mad fan of the frock (no kidding huh? Frocktober anyone?!). The ease of getting out of bed, and tossing a frock over your head. No thinking required. It means getting from slumber to spreadsheets is a cinch! Et voila! 

I have a great shift from Sussan that I wear ALL. THE. TIME. I bought it because it's colourful, easy to throw on, and when I'm heading to work, I don't have to think too much. It's a great cut, it's colourful, and the print is mwah - so great. Which is why I really, really love this one. A nice floaty cut, an almost Ken Done like print, and I gotta say, I love that sleeve length, that hem length, it's all good - oh and the price? Hello floral dress.
Sussan Floral Dress $119.95

I've never met a shift dress I didn't like. And this one - well it combines the shift with Fair Isle knit print - and silk. AND it has pockets. I've never met a dress with pockets I didn't like, either. There's so many ways you can accessorise this dress - with all those beautiful colours, you can really go bananas. And the even better thing? It's currently on sale. 
Obus Fair Isle Silk Dress $165 (was $299)

There's so many possibilities with this frock - and I love, love, love navy. And the length. And the pattern. And PS - this is on sale too.

Karen Walker Peter Pan dress $63 (was $242)

Also check out these:

A really cute purple silk dress 
A ray of sunshine whenever you need 
I love stripes 
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
I really love this tile print tunic 
It's not a print, but I still love it
This reminds me of shibori. And clouds. Clouds are good

Next week... What shall I look for? 

Call Me "The Possum Whisperer"

The other night I was late home from work. It was dark. I was tired. I walked down our driveway, saw something on the ground near the mailbox, thought it was a piece of garbage, and walked inside. Later I needed to fetch something from my car, and I saw that that 'piece of garbage' was actually a possum. Lying on the ground. I brought a torch out and my trusty sidekick, Matt, and found that it was not only a possum, but a dead possum. We proceeded to prepare to dispatch of the body, when Matt moved the body slightly - and we discovered a baby in the pouch. A live, nude, fur-less baby possum.

So we called WIRES. And then Matt took the dead mummy possum to the vet, with the live baby possum in the pouch.

It was pretty incredible to see that possum in that pouch. Definitely not something you see every day. While I do hear possums romping on our roof, I don't get to see the offspring tucked up so neatly in that wee little pouch. Nature is amazing.

I called the vet back the next day, but sadly the little possum was too small to survive without his mummy possum.

Fast-forward to tonight, and I left work late (see a pattern developing here?). I walked out to the work carpark - and I saw a little ball of fluff on one of the empty carparks. I moved closer to see what it was, a wee, wee, wee fluffy little baby ringtail possum with the biggest eyes on the planet. Like these...

Big, dark eyes, looking at me. I moved a little closer, and the little fellow shied away. I wondered if he'd been hit - but there was no blood, he looked ok. Just scared. And tiny. Oh so tiny. So I called my colleague (Ben) up in the office and asked him to bring me a box. Another colleague, Ali, pulled an old t-shirt from her car for me. We were up for some good old-fashioned ringtail possum catching.

Ben came down, box in hand, and I informed him that he had the great fortune of having to pick up that skittery little creature. He put the t-shirt out and that little critter ran right up his arm, then jumped off him, and ran under a car. Dang!

So we got the torch apps on - and shone it under the car. It ran into the wheel. Then we got it out. Then it ran into the other wheel. And we got it out. Then it ran into another wheel. Seriously - dude!

We were lying belly down on the ground trying to encourage this little fella out of his hiding place.

The car park was virtually empty when we had come down to the carpark - and a woman who I'd never seen walked down and got in to oher car. We continued looking for this possum. She messed around in her car, and we did our thing. And then I turned to see her driving towards us - and thought: "Wow, this woman has come up close to us so she's shining the car lights under the car so we can see."

But nope. She had decided, for some unknown reason, to leave the exit by driving through the empty car spots next to the parked car where the possum was. And where - coincidentally, my handbag had been sitting - safely, so I thought, since there were no other cars around. Then she stopped her car, right on top of my handbag.

I turned around, shrieked, pulled my bag out and stood there in shock. How did that happen? Why was she driving so close to us when she knew we were a) looking for a small animal and b) lying on the ground trying to find out.

I said: "Oh my goodness, you just ran over my handbag!"

She replied: "Oh I knew there was something there, but didn't know what it was, so I ran over it."

Then hesitated and drove off.

Dude.

Ben got the possum out of the wheel and into the box. I looked at my handbag. Squashed, broken, an Oroton compact mirror Matt gave me once - and that I only just started using - smashed. What the funk just happened?! We're probably lucky she didn't run over our legs when we were on the ground.

I drove that wee little, scared little ringtail possum up to the small animals hospital. They checked him over and gave him the clean bill of health and told me he'd go tonight to a carer to be looked after until he's big enough.

Lesson for tonight:

- When rescuing native animals - and even if the carpark is virtually empty - don't leave your handbag even if you think it's safe

- Don't drive over things that you don't know what they are

- Get out of your mother flipping car and apologise if you do something shonky

If you find an injured native animal, please call:
WIRES - 1300 094 737

Stuff Happens

Remember the other week when I wrote about what was happening for our little family? About the childcare woes, the distinct lack of village, and the big changes?

A few people commented on here and over on Facebook, imploring me to ask some mums. After all, what was the worst thing that could happen? They could say no.

I sat on it for a few days feeling really, absolutely awkward.

Then I bit the bullet and contacted a few mums that I vaguely knew from dropping the kids off to their houses. I asked them if they could look after our smalls one afternoon a week, for the next two terms. I told them they had no obligation.

And then I waited for them to respond. The three all responded saying they'd love to help, but of the three, one logistically couldn't do it. But the other two said YES! And one asked if we could look after their daughter before school. Of course we said YES!

Things have worked out well. Well, so far so good. We won't know until we're in the thick of it. But for now, I feel so much happier with this place we are at.

Thank you for empowering me to ask. Thank you. Thank you.

images - because I love them - by Spanish artist Lola Guerrera via Design for Mankind

Tides Are Changing

Last time I wrote about the juggle of life - of working, of parenting, of wife-ing, I received a comment from a helpful anonymous commenter that "you chose this and you should suck it up". Clearly that wasn't verbatim - but it might as well have been.

Needless to say, I shut up about talking about family life - and since then I've shied away from sharing family life.

But the thing is, I think that's what most people can relate to.

This term brings another new change for our little family. A new and fresh load of guilt for me to either drown in, or choose to swim to the surface, flap about and save our souls. I'm choosing the latter.

Recently Matt was announced a semi-finalist in the Moran Portrait Prize (bravo Matt!), and within the same week he scored a really, really great job. It had been a long distance between good things for us. It's been a tough year, despite all the hilarity I can muster, it's stretched us to our limits trying to make ends meet, and trying to juggle the mundane.

The flip side was this.

Tiny goes to preschool Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
Matt's job is going to be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. 
I work Tuesday - Friday.
The Doctor goes to school five days a week.
Can you see the gap there? The gaping big hole in our week?

Luckily I could switch my day off. So I did. I'll be hanging with Tiny on Thursdays now, and joining the hordes battling Monday-itis.

By design we both work part-time so someone is home with the kids. That is our choice. We chose to have less of an income because family life is the priority for us. And now things are shifting, and we've got to shift with them, and move, like sands through the hourglass.

We've got Tiny going to a different preschool on Fridays - which weighs heavy on my heart. Her current preschool couldn't take her for another day, so I see this as a test. If it doesn't work - we will have to shift again. We'll change things around, switch things up. And I still need to find a solution for an afternoon school pick ups.

I wish I could ask someone at school to pick up my kids one day a week. But since I work - I haven't really struck up any relationships with other mothers to go out on a limb and ask. And it's a big ask, isn't it? To ask someone to take my children home once a week. Is it? Isn't it? I don't know. I've lost perspective now because this change feels so immense for us. I feel the distance even more acutely I think because I am at work. I leave early and don't get home 'til late. The distance and disconnection between work life and family life can be spectacularly damning.

The whole idea that it takes a village to raise a family is an awfully romantic notion. But Matt and I are playing dual-triple-quadruple roles of Mayor, Town Crier (that's me), counsellor, worker bee - we are the village people.

I wish things could have stayed as they were. They were hard, but we had our routine. The smalls had one of us. But I guess this is an evolution of our family life.

This is not a pity party. This is me grappling with what to do next. What's our next move?

the image is Tiny and her cousin P's culinary adventure in the garden this morning. They were cooking. Boy, those little girls, they love to cook.

Fashion Friday:: Short Skirts Are Back

I'm a massive fan of hand-me-downs. Being the youngest child, I was always found afloat amidst my sister's hand-me-downs.

One of my friends gifted me this frock, I was worried it was going to be way too small for me, but gave it a go nevertheless. It fit! High fives all 'round.

Over the last few years I've ditched black (I know - sacre bleu) and gone with navy. It's much kinder on my very fair skin. More flattering, more me. Less emo. Where I shy away from burgundy/maroon (too schoolyard for me) I embrace navy. Go figure.

Here I am, another day in paradise (read: work).

Fashion Friday: Double Denim Delights

Sometimes at work we have 'themes'. Well I come up with a theme and then insist that everyone complies. Yesterday afternoon after tossing and turning between 'get flirty with skirty' - or 'double denim' we decided that denim was the way to go.

Here I am, in my husband's chambray shirt, dark denim jeans - who could ever deny the delight that comes from double denim?!

I walk into work, round the corner to my desk, and lo and behold no one else is wearing double denim. They went for a single shot of denim. I'm double-shot, piccolo-mocha-frappuccino whole-heartedly embraced it.

Well hmph!

I feel just like Alex P. Keaton today.

Home Is A Salve

Going home this weekend was exactly the tonic I needed.


To hit that open road and get the hell out of Sydney.


The world knows I needed it. I felt lighter getting out of this city. To escape the traffic, the crowds, the noise. I could list endlessly why I needed to get out of Sydney. I'm no longer in love with this city. I feel like it's over between us.


It's not you Sydney. It's me. Actually Sydney - it is you. You've changed. And I don't think I like you anymore.


Going home, feeling my way through familiar spaces, slowing down, feeling the grass underfoot. I got to spend quality time with my babies. Although it's a bittersweet thing, this slowing down. Because when you slow down, you get to know what you miss out on. Everything must be photographed, documented, because who knows when you'll get to do it again? And then by documenting everything, you miss out on being in that very moment.  It's almost a paradox. 


It's most definitely bittersweet - and the only cure is to book in more holidays to look forward to. I'm looking forward to the June school holidays. Busting out of the city again to enjoy more time with my parents and my wee babes, and more time for living. 


Tiny clung on to me this morning as I was about to walk out the door to work. She didn't want me to go. I didn't want to go.


That wasn't bittersweet. It was just bitter. 

How Do You Cheer Yourself Up?

How to brighten up a mamas day when she has to hit the office on an otherwise ordinary work day?

Amp up the lipstick, pop on some sequins and a super cool mani to rock the keyboard.

What do you do to cheer yourself up?

Last Days of Disco

The last few months have been a real struggle for me. Juggling almost full-time work with parenting, with housework, with wife-ing, and then toss blogging on top of that - I'm not going to lie. I am 100 % completely exhaustipated*. 


Something's got to give because everything in my life seems to be suffering from the knock on effect of everything else. Every night I race home from work, help with the kids going to bed, and collapse onto the sofa so darn beat down, I can barely muster any energy to open my laptop, let alone use my brain to come up with some content. I've tried. Trust me. I really have, but I feel like I am drowning in over-commitment - it's not a good feeling. 


It's with heavy heart that I've decided to put PottyMouthMama into retirement. At least for the next few months. 


If you feel a bit jipped, might I suggest you start at the very start of PottyMouthMama? There's four years worth of content, with highlights being Tiny smearing poo everywhere, the Doctor being delicious, and me rummaging through someone else's bin. For. Weeks. On. End. 


Bon appetit baby.


By the way, I'll still come back tomorrow and announce the LEGO winner. Last chance to enter that competition chicitas. 


image source here


*exhaustipated was a word a girl that I used to work with always used. I never had the heart to tell her it wasn't a real word. So I always thought of it as a combination of being immensely tired - and constipated - all at once.

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.

Life As A Funeral Director

Back when I was 15 - at school we had to do 'Careers' as a subject. We had a teacher who had the world's biggest combover, wore short sleeve shirts and wreaked of BO. Not terribly inspirational.


As part of this course we had to answer a questionnaire on the computer, which would then tally up your likes, dislikes, favourite colour, favourite food and personal disposition, and spit out what it thought you should be.


Sounds exciting, doesn't it?


So that computer spat out my results. What it thought I should be when I grew up.


A funeral director.


My 15 year old brain imploded.

And then I left it there.

I continued school, studying anything I could that would move me away from becoming a funeral director. Visual arts. Drama. Modern history. English. No biology.

So it must have been three years later, towards the end of year twelve, when school leavers are preparing to hit the real world, and I was working out which degree I wanted to apply for. 

We had a different careers advisor by this time (phew) - and I shared my dream to tread the boards, and become an actress.

Her response: "You'll never make any money."

My 18 year old brain imploded.

Way to take my dreams, hold them up to the light, then throw them to the ground and stomp on them. Repeatedly. Way to go.

So I ditched the idea of going to NIDA.

I completely ditched it. Those dreams were dashed, and I've never really reconsidered it. Those poorly chosen words just kept ringing in my ears.
Instead the careers advisor told me I should pursue something like public relations.

And I did. I went to uni, attended one class of public relations theory, left that class and thought "I can't sit through that" - and enrolled in Writing instead. But worked in PR the whole way through my degree. I got the best of both worlds.

But lately I've been thinking of being a funeral director and how life would have been so different. It takes a gentle art to be a funeral director I think.

Have you ever had a mid-life crisis/career change?

image via: Daily Mail

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.

Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart

The very next day I got an inflatable Santa suit and wore it to work.

And now friends, all my colleagues have until mid-January to recover from me being dressed as Santa for the afternoon. I am on holly-days.

PS - If you are staying in the Hunter Valley, or just driving through, be sure to check out the Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights. Amazeballs.

Office Politics

I found this somewhere, can't remember where, because my friends I have CHRISTMAS FOG BRAIN.

But I had to share it with you. Your office Christmas party may well be a distant and fuzzy memory, but just in case, here it is, your guide for your work party.

My Own Private Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

About a month or so ago, Ford kindly lent me their brand new Ford Focus Titanium.

Did you know, I've never owned my own car? When Matt and I met, he had a car, and as we fell more and more madly and deeply in love, it became apparent that his car was a gift with purchase. I got the benefits of a car together with a new boyfriend. Win: Win.

Since returning to working in an office, we tend to borrow my MIL's car during the week, so that I can drive, instead of spend 1.5 hours x 2 travelling 24kms. It's a blessing that we are able to borrow her car, but you know Santa, I can't help but feel life would be so much simpler if we had a second car.

When Ford contacted me and asked if I'd like to drive their new car for a week - I very promptly responded that I'd be a fool to turn this opportunity down.

Santa, I'd be pretty chuffed if you popped the zippy new Ford Focus down my chimney. Though we don't have a chimney, so I'm happy for it to be just parked in our driveway. 

Santa, this car is the shiz.

You see, it parks itself, which is an additional gift when you're trying to slip into tiny spaces in say - Surry Hills or Paddington - and you can say: "Look ma, no hands" quite literally as it reverses into that spot.

It has voice recognition. Heated seats (which when I was driving, I put on so Matt felt like he'd wet his pants all of a sudden - naughty Lexi!), a sun roof, which Tiny sampled (above) and a roomy boot. Just look at that boot full of groceries. What a sweet ride! OH! Not to mention the fact that it has a keyless ignition. So you walk up to the car with your keys in your handbag, it senses you're in the vicinity et voila - it opens the doors. And you hop in, you can start your engine. No more rummaging through your handbag - which is BRILLIANT when you have smalls in a busy carpark. Straight in, no stuffing around.

I even boasted to Matt that, for the first time in my life, while driving this car, I felt sporty. Me? Feeling sporty? Holy cow.

I zipped around in that car all week long. Manufacturing reasons why I needed to drive it. Truly. I loved that car so much. I'm still pining for it Santa. In fact, I whizzed and whizzed around in that car, and even after a full week of whizzing, I still had a quarter of a tank of petrol. That baby corners like it's on rails.

Excuse me Santa, but does your sleigh offer that kind of fuel economy? Didn't think so. 

So Santa, what I'm thinking about is the Ford Focus for Christmas. Red Candy.  

Love, 
Lexi

FYI: this is not a sponsored post. Ford lent me the car. I drove it. I loved it. I wrote about it. I'm still pining about it. Santa, bring back my sporty wheels!