Under Lock and Key

Conversations with my 3.5 years old

2017-02-01T00:30:00.000+11:00

Me: "Hey Alex, it's Chinese New Year. Can you wish your Gong Gong and Po Po a happy new year in Chinese? Come on, give it a go. Say Xin Nian Kuai Le."
3.5yo: "Ding Ding Ding Dong!"

Me: "You haven't been a very good boy today. I'm not very happy with you."
3.5yo: "I'm happy with you, Mummy."

Me: (Looking at our reflections in the mirror): "Do you look like mummy, Alexander?"
3.5yo: "No!"
Me: "Do you look like Daddy then?"
3.5yo: "No!"
Me: "Who do you look like then?"
3.5yo: "I look like me!"

The modern fairytale he made up one night:

"Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in a castle in a faraway country. She had a ball, the ball was broken. So Granddad fixed it with some epoxy. The princess played with the ball at the pond with a frog. The End."

Christmas gift guide for kids

2016-12-13T00:30:00.000+11:00

With Christmas only a couple of weeks away, the hot question on everyone's lips at the moment is, "Have you done all your Christmas shopping yet?" I'm quite chuffed to say I am but if you haven't, don't panic. Here are some of the cutest gifts you can spoil your little one with.

1. Audi Ride On Car - A stylish ride on car for driving around the house or flaunting at the local park.

2. Luggy Basket Yellow - a toddler sized wheeled basket perfect for storing and transporting toys and other treasures around the house. It's looks so good, we don't mind lugging it to the beach, the playground or the shops!

3. Native Jefferson shoes - They're light, they're handwashable, shock absorbent, odor resistant and come in a myraid of funky colours that is sure to please any kid (and kid at heart). Alexander has an orange and green pair and he absolutely loves them.

4. Books - If there's one thing I can never buy enough of; it's books. Alexander is somewhat fascinated with poo of late and anything with animals is bound to be a hit, so What do they do with all the Poo from all of the Animals at the Zoo - Anh Do and Pig the Elf - Aaron Blabey are my picks for the boy this Christmas.

5. Bloomingville Mini Storage Basket Bag - This storage bag with the giggle worthy "Nothing is Lost" text is perfect for laundry as well as toys. It's gender neutral colour and design makes it a wonderful accessory for any kid's room.

6. Decor Night Light Cactus - Night lights are tricky; they need to be dim enough to induce sleep yet bright enough for bedtime ready and not too captivating that keep already sleep resistant kids awake. This cactus night light is not only cute to look at, it casts a reassuring glow when switched on.

7. Little Red Stuga Kebnekaise Mountain Knitted Bean Bag Pouffe - Each bean bag is made from 100% knitted cotton. The pattern cleverly and attractively portrays the snowy peak through the combination of white and navy. This gives the impression of snowfall.

8. To the Moon and Back Banner - This banner is carefully hand felted by women in a village just outside Kathmandu, Nepal, is made from 100% NZ wool felt and is 23 x 33cm with grey string for easy hanging. I always end Alexander's bedtime routine by whispering "I love you to the moon and back" so it only seems fitting to have this hanging in his room.

Conversations with my 3 year old

2016-11-29T00:30:00.000+11:00

Our conversations are getting more interesting these days...

Me: "Do you love Frankie?"
3yo: "Yes, she's our pet dog."
Me: "She's very special isn't she?"
3yo: "She's not special, she's just NORMAL."

Some difficult questions:
"Who made the beach?"
"Who do rocks come from?"
"Where do our poo go after we flush the toilet?"

On my taste in music:
3yo: "So AWFUL! Turn it off mummy!"

On my singing:
3yo: (hands on ears) "I'm NOT listening."

Me: "Hey, cutie pie."
3yo: "I'm not cutie pie. I'm Mr. Strong."

Me: "Why is your bottom soooo cute?"
3yo: "My bottom is not cute, it's BIG."

The Things We're Most Likely to Buy Out of Impulse (& How to Stop Doing it)

2016-11-11T00:30:00.000+11:00

Shopping as a Mum can be tough. You’re in charge of the entire household and with so much to keep track of it’s easy to end up spending money on things you don’t need. If this sounds like you don’t stress, recent research from CoreData and Choosi found Aussies admitting they’ve made large purchasing decisions they regret. With so many of us looking to get back on top of our spending habits it’s time to say no to impulse buying. Check out these great tips if you’re looking to claim control of your shopping habits.

Take control of your shopping habits to avoid digging deep into the money bank

When a deal looks too good to pass up

Ever noticed how often you find yourself picking up an item you didn’t know you wanted just because it’s on sale? You’re not alone. Almost half of all Aussies surveyed (41%) admitted to buying with their heart rather than their head in the latest Choosi survey. Sometimes that discount price or last minute deal is just too hot to ignore. Or so it seems. Retail specials like ‘two for one’ or ‘50% off’ can look good at first but if you find yourself coming home with outdated items or a strong feeling of buyer’s remorse then it’s time to act.

Solution – Don’t go shopping without a set plan. Wandering around the supermarket without a goal in mind is a great way to get caught up in sales so only go to a store with a specific goal in mind. Try the 30-day rule too. If something catches your eye, then write it on a list and stick it on the fridge. Once 30 days has passed you can buy the item if you still want it. You’ll find a lot of those sale items that looked so good at the time aren’t what you wanted after all.

When you’re at the Grocery Store

There’s nothing wrong with a little treat now and then, when you’re a busy Mum you deserve to feel good so go ahead and spoil yourself. But if you find yourself shopping on an empty stomach and coming home with things you don’t need, there are ways to curb your spending.

Solution – Create a list before you go to the supermarket. Match it to your budget so you know where your money is going. Avoid shopping during meal times and always eat before you go so your head can overrule your stomach. It sounds simple but try leaving the kids at home too. It’s tough to stick to your list with a little voice nagging you for treats. Compare prices before you load up your cart and stay strong at the register to avoid any last minute impulse buys.

When you’re with the Kids

This is one of those impulse buys that slips under the radar because bringing your kids a smile feels so good. Large and expensive toys may seem like a great idea at the time but as kids mature and age they can soon become outdated. Buying for the little ones also happens on a small scale which makes it difficult to reign in. With the latest smartphone games offering upgrades and unlocks for a very small fee you can sink some serious cash into them on behalf of the little ones.

Solution – Start by considering the longevity of a potential toy. Even a great price won’t make up for your little ones moving on and wanting something else down the line. Try using the experience as a teaching tool. Giving your kids an allowance and showing them the value of choosing something with help the both of you to make better buying decisions over time.

When you’re on holidays

Taking a break from the daily grind is something we all look forward to, but if your family holidays are leaving you needlessly out of pocket, you will come home from the vacation stressed about your finances. Using a credit card on holidays seems convenient but if you’re incurring extra fees or not on top of your budget you’ll come home to a major headache.

Solution – Planning a budget before you go will let you stay on top of your holiday finances. Try taking cash with you and avoid using plastic to pay as you go. If you do need to bring the credit card, consider adding a credit limit to avoid overspending. If you’re a part of the 50% of Australians who overspend on holidays, consider designated ‘discount days’ on your getaway. Use these to look for cheap or no cost activities, because the best things in life are free!

Spending less on needless purchases and saving more money for the things you and your family deserve won’t happen overnight. But by planning your purchases in advance and by spending within your means you’ll soon make impulse buying a thing of the past.

Family Photography Session with Samantha Heather

2016-10-19T00:30:00.000+11:00

My mum and dad visited us from Singapore last month and we took the chance to organise a family photo session with the talented and very lovely Samantha Heather. (You may recall that she did a wonderful job 2 years ago when Alexander was only one).

It was a beautiful picture perfect Spring day when we met up with Samantha again at Fagan's Park at Galston where we simply hung out as a family, enjoyed the greenery and fed the ducks. Alexander has become quite resistant to photos lately but even he cooperated after some gentle coaxing (and maybe a lollipop bribe). Here are some shots from the day...

I love the candid shots, the naturalness of it all and in particular, how well Samantha had captured so many aspects of Alexander's personality in the photos. It brings a smile to my face everything I look at them and I know they will be treasured for many many years to come.

In this moment

2016-09-28T00:30:00.000+10:00

reading... Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. I picked up this book based on a friend's recommendation and also because I really enjoyed reading her other book Gone Girl. But it really is pretty dark and gory and depressing so far and I'm not sure I want to keep reading it.

watching... The Bachelorette. There's some serious eye candy this season.

reminiscing... Alexander's newborn baby days. We just celebrated his 3rd birthday and it's hard to believe it was 3 years ago since he came into our lives and turned it upside down in most wonderful way.

feeling... a bit congested. A case of hay fever I think. The only downside to beautiful Springtime, in my opinion.

cuddling... a warm and slightly stinky Frankie sausage dog. She really is the perfect lap dog.

wearing... new Calvin Klein cotton bikini Undies. I've just discovered how comfy and perfectly fitting they are. I bought 10 pairs!

listening to... daily Alexander's million and one questions and the non-stop Why Why Why?

enjoying... Stu being at home everyday for the next few weeks. It's nice to spend time as a family, not to mention being able to take turns to sleep in every other day. Bliss.

daydreaming... about being free. Free from responsibilities, debts, obligations, work, duties. Basically daydreaming about what I'd give to be a carefree child again.

loving... the gorgeous photos that the Samantha Heather took of our family recently while my mother and father were visiting from Singapore. Will be sharing them shortly, so stay tuned!

What are you up to in this moment?

Fab five - baby massage oil

2016-08-30T00:30:00.000+10:00

A wind down massage at the end of the day after a relaxing bath was an essential part of Alex's baby routine. It really seemed to soothe him, encouraging him to sleep more soundly and for longer. It was a wonderful bonding exercise too, I still remember how he would giggle when I got to his tiny little feet...

Alex's baby days may be over but he still enjoys a relaxing body massage just before bed. These are five of our favourite baby massage oils.

Mustela Massage Oil - I'm a huge fan of Mustela products and this is one of my favourite. It just glides on skin, so easy to spread on and doesn't leave that greasy slippery feel on skin that so many oils do and it has that signature Mustela scent that I find light and pleasant, making Alex smell absolutely delicious.

Green People Organic Babies Soothing Baby Oil - a fragrance free formula using a blend of organic sunflower seed oil, evening primrose oil and rose hip, it gently moisturizes baby's skin and scalp without irritation. I used this in Alex's early baby days when crazy hormones meant I couldn't tolerate fragrance of any kind.

The Jojoba Company 100% Natural Baby Oil - this oil is great for baby massage and amazing at moisturizing baby’s skin. It is made with pure and hypoallergenic jojoba oil, enriched with calming lavender and chamomile - Alexander seems visibly relaxed the first time I used this.

Little Innoscents Organic Massage Oil - a great product to use for baby’s skin that will absorb quickly and leave skin smooth and soft. This hydrating oil is made of sunflower and Jojoba carrier oils and therapeutic essential oils of Spearmint, Lavender, Lemongrass and Sweet Orange. It smells absolutely divine, I use it on myself!

Brauer Naturals Baby Massage Oil - this products contains natural Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Mandarin Oil, Honey and Paw Paw to pamper and nourish bub’s precious skin and it works just as described! It goes on very smoothly and has a very pleasant aroma. Leaves skin very moisturized until the next bath.

How to make up after yelling at your kids

2016-08-19T00:30:00.000+10:00

It can happen even to the calmest moms and dads out there. I mean, it happened to me recently. I was having a stressful day and Alexander did a number of really naughty things (smearing paint on our white walls, spilling water on the ground and "cleaning" it with his feet). Despite my best efforts at peaceful parenting, I just lost my cool. Words were said. Doors were slammed. Unfair treatments were given.

It happened before I could stop myself and of course, I felt an enormous amount of guilt for yelling at Alex and took steps towards making things up with him. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, here are the things you can do to make up after yelling at your kids.

Step 1 – take a breath. Being angry puts our body and emotion in a high alert, meaning your breathing becomes shallower, muscles are tensed, heart rate is up, and thinking is not clear. Get your body and brain back on track with some deep breaths. Go out for a bit if you must. Just don’t do anything else until you feel at least a bit calmer.

Step 2 – take responsibility without BUTS. Adults do this too! The fact is, it doesn’t matter who started it. This is a good time to teach your children how to take responsibility without you switching the blame to someone else. Do this by saying, “hey, I’m sorry, I let my anger get out of control.” Put the focus on you, but never add “…but you should know better.” Or “…but next time.”

Step 3 – be wary of re-triggering anger. Your kid might not be ready to call it quits or give out the fight. Sometimes it’s easy to get worked up when the issue resurfaces. Just remind yourself that you’re the one in charge of your actions, and similarly, you can be the model of self-control regardless if you blew it a while back.

Step 4 – start a do-over. You can now begin to fix the real issue by offering a do-over. You can do this by saying “ok, I’ll do it again, but this time, without yelling” or “Wow, I got so angry I don’t think I heard what you were talking about.” Say, you begin to feel angry again, take a short break and try it again later.

Step 5 – make the proper amends. Your children may feel disconnected to you if harsh punishments were given or if hurtful words were said. Following the steps above, set the situation aside for a bit, then wait on giving consequences and concentrate instead on repairing the relationship with your kids.

· Bring your kid somewhere special (I brought Alex to Luna Park for a ride on the Ferris wheel), or treat him or her to Hoyts Cinema in Erina Fair to watch a film he/she likes – this works wonders! It shows them that you’re sorry and you feel responsible for your actions. It can also provide a short break and allows you the bond and talk over things in a lighter note.

· Talking with your kids after the worst of the issue has passed and everyone has calmed down is also beneficial. Try to find the trigger – what pushed your buttons, and talk it over with your kid. Try to find a pattern that makes you respond with anger. (In my case, Alex was acting out because i wasn't giving him enough attention, I was busying making work calls and sending emails).

If you find yourself getting angry often, or if you find yourself swinging between a calm parent to an angry parent, perhaps it’s time to get some outside help. You may seek out a parent friend, a therapist, or a parent coach to open up and ask assistance. Admitting your issues is a sign of a good parent. I wish you the best!

Mudgee weekender

2016-08-02T00:30:00.000+10:00

Mudgee is a wine region approximately 3.5 hours to the North West of Sydney, which is generally speaking a relatively easy drive from home.

Reality: We had just driven about a few hundred metres from our driveway when Alexander started and persisted with the "Are we there yet?", "Holiday house?", "I can't see it?", "Nearly there yet?" questions, making it what must be the longest 3.5 hours of Stuart's and my life. Luckily Alex was able to amuse and distract himself for parts of the journey looking at the trucks and diggers along the way, singing along to the Wiggles, so we managed to arrive sane, albeit a lot weary. It helped that our accommodation or "holiday house" as Alex calls it, looked like this:

Trelawney Farm, Mudgee

We were joined by two of our closest friends for the weekend. We visited numerous vineyards where Stu and our friends partook in wine tasting and spent too much money, while Alexander and I went on little adventures, exploring each vineyard's property; for example, meeting a dog which was taking a dip in the dam that had somehow been trained to catch stones in its mouth, meeting farm animals, getting up close and personal to a grater digger truck with wheels as big as me, and exploring a very productive vegetable garden against an amazing backdrop where we found the most enormous cauliflower I've ever seen in my entire life.

We also attempted using the outdoor woodfire oven for the first time of our lives. Firing it up took 3 long hours, but it made some of the best pizzas Stu had ever made. One night Stu and I even managed to duck out or a special dinner date at the hatted The Zin House where we enjoyed an absolutely delightful degustation meal made with the whole garden and farm produce ethos. Highlight dish of the night was a vegetable tart tartin, a savoury twist on the French classic, made with the lightest of puff pastry. Mmm, my mouth's watering at the mere recollection of it.

How was your weekend?

Review: Dermalogica IonActive Treatment

2016-07-21T00:30:00.000+10:00

Last week, I was invited to try Dermalogica's new professional skin treatment called IonActive at their VIP room.

The change of season has left my skin feeling parched and looking quite dull so it really was the perfect time for the customised facial therapy supercharged with machinery such as Ultrasound and Microcurrent with one of their lovely and very knowledgeable skin therapist, Andrea. (Lucky me!)

After an in-depth skin consultation about my current skin care routine and concerns, I was brought to the treatment room where Andrea cleansed my skin and started my skin analysis. (Turns out my forehead is quite dehydrated, which explains the congestion in that area). Following that, Andrea customised my treatment to my skin type, starting with the application of the IonActive to target my dry and dull skin, using a Microcurrent followed by the use of Ultrasound to ensure the supercharged ingredients was better absorbed into the skin.

My favourite part of the treatment was the use of the ExoThermal Gelloid which is a self-heating formula that warms with the natural heat of human hands. As Andrea expertly massaged the Gelloid onto my face, it just felt so wonderfull warm and relaxing! Finally a hydrating concoction of serums, primers and creams was lovingly application into my now supple skin, and then I was ready to go!

When Andrea handed me a mirror, I was amazed at how noticeably clearer and brighter my skin looked after just one treatment. It has been just over a week now and my skin still looks and feels wonderfully soft. For maximum results, Andrea recommends a series of one treatment per week for 6 weeks. Now I just need to find time to do this.

Thank you Dermalogica for the opportunity to trial this wonderful professional treatment, my skin and I love it!

Conversations with my nearly 3 yo

2016-07-19T00:30:00.000+10:00

My nearly 3yo has an obsession with dinosaurs and eggs.

Nearly 3yo: "Alex Mummy go cave?"
Me: "Yeah sure, we can visit a cave one day."
Nearly 3yo: "And find dinosaur?"
Me: "That might be a bit hard."

Me: "Can you help Nanna find her knitting?"
Nearly 3yo: "Mystery, can't find it."

Me: "Come sweetie, Mummy give you a kiss."
Nearly 3yo: "No, Mummy sick. Germs come in my mouth, make me sick."
Me: "Oh yeah, that's right. Just a kiss on your forehead then."

Me: "Hey, Mummy has a surprise for you!"
Nearly 3yo: "What is it?!"
Me: "You guess."
Nearly 3yo: "Egg?"

Nearly 3yo, counting money from his piggy bank
Me:" Hey sweetie, put the money back, you don't need it."
Nearly 3yo: "Alex need it!"
Me: "What for? What do you need to buy?"
Nearly 3yo: "Chicken, egg, ice cream!"

Party planning - Alexander's construction themed birthday

2016-07-12T00:30:00.000+10:00

Alexander's birthday is still a couple of months away but he was quite adamant we started planning after attending a couple of his friends' parties and so we did. We started off by making a list of people he wanted to invite, he named a couple of his favourite friends, before deciding it might be a good idea for Mummy to be there. And then as an afterthought, he invited his Daddy too.

Then we had to decide on the theme which was an easy task, seeing as Alexander is just obsessed with construction and diggers and trucks. Never in my life had I imagined I would be planning a construction themed party but there you go, we found these gorgeously appropriate invites from Tiny Prints which got Alexander's big tick of approval. I ordered them together with matching envelope liners, wrapping paper, decorative stickers for use on goodie bags and even I got all excited at the thought of having Alexander and all his friends having a ball digging around with their diggers and trucks.

We're so ready to party!

Except, Alexander has had a change of heart and has now decided, "Nobody come to my party!" And guess why? Because he doesn't want to share his birthday cake.

Toddlers. They're tricky.

Mandarin Macadamia friands

2016-07-05T00:30:00.000+10:00

I made a batch of these the day after we went mandarin picking. It got Stu and Alexander's big tick of approval, and hey I thought it was pretty good too. I gave some to my neighbour, who took one bite and declared that I was, "a really good cook" but the honest truth is, I usually just throw a few things in a bowl, mix them up, shove them in the oven and hope for the best. As it turned out, this was one of the good ones; the zesty fresh taste of mandarin combined with that wholesoom nutty flavours of almond meal and the crunch of roughly chopped macadamia nuts....Oh yum.

Mandarin macadamia friands
(Makes ~10)

Ingredients

3-4 small mandarins
15g macadamia nuts, roughly chopped
125g butter, melted
1 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup almond meal
3/4 cup self raising flour

Instructions

1. Place mandarins in a pot a cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 hours.

2. Drain mandarins and allow to cool. Roughly chop, removing and discarding any seeds. Place mandarin and puree in food processor until smooth.

3. Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius. Grease friand tray.

4. Whisk eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Add mandarin puree, butter, chopped macadamias, ground almonds and flour and stir with wooden spoon until combined. Pour into friand tray.

5. Bake for 15 minutes or until skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

6. Allow to completely cool before dusting with icing sugar.

Mandarin picking at Ford's farm

2016-06-28T00:30:00.000+10:00

One day, just out of the blue, Alexander turned to me with an earnest look on her face and requested to go to a farm. To pick apples. I explained that apple season was over but suggested we could pick mandarin oranges instead? He considered it for a second and said" yeah, let's pick orange apples". So on the weekend, off we went for just over an hour long drive to Wiseman Ferry and arrived at Ford's Farm to pick some mandarins.

Armed with a green bucket, Alexander walked down the orchard like a fruit picking pro and proceeded to fill it with mandarins. We picked Imperial mandarins - they're the ones you find in the supermarkets, as well as the Satsumas, which we loved. Satsuma mandarins are small with bumpy skin and don't look too attractive and their skins so delicate, it required quite gentle handling. But do they taste wonderful! So sweet and juicy and flavoursome, we loved each bite even though it made our hands sticky and gooey.

After filling our bucket, we weighed and paid for them ($8 for 4 kg, pretty good I say), we proceeded to buy bags of hay to feed the sheep at the farm. Alex loved how they came right up to him and stuck their heads into the bag and kept giggling. It was very cute to watch.

So we came home with 4 kg of freshly picked mandarins, so surely you must know what's coming up next, don't you? Yup, stay tuned for a mandarin recipe....

Fab five: nourishing night creams

2016-06-21T00:30:00.000+10:00

With the cool and the dry crispness of winter upon us, every evening I find myself reaching the richest of night creams to soothe my dry parched face and let it work its magic as I sleep. And what a difference a good moisturiser makes. My skin feels soft and smooth in the morning and looks absolutely radiant (even if the rest of me is not!). Here are five of my favourites...

O Cosmedics Comfort Cream - as its name suggests, this super luxurious and velvety cream containing potent mix of antioxidants, is deeply penetrating and comforting for distressed skin. It heals, protects, hydrates and repairs against UV damage and aging. My skin is immediately quenched and looks radiant on application, it really is TLC in a jar!

Natio Ageless Firming Night Cream - I love Natio for their range of effective, affordable products. This hardworking night cream is no exception - it feels silky smooth and is my pick for warmer months when it just melts into skin, leaving it soft and supple without that horrible greasy feeling. It has a light botanical fragrance, making it very pleasant to use.

Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer - I have sensitive skin and so have always been a wee bit afraid to incorporate retinol in my skin routine as it can cause some flakiness. I'd read many good reviews about this moisturizer so decided to give it a try. It has a mild enough formula (0.1% retinol) that it doesn't irritate my skin and oh my goodness, does it work to give calm my skin, reducing redness and dullness and the deepness of fine lines.

Dermalogica Super Rich Repair - a highly concentrated, heavy duty cream packed full of peptides and shea butter, this is the moisturizer I have reaching for since winter's arrival. Though thick, it spreads out well and is readily absorbed by the skin - a little half pump goes a long way. I just apply nightly to clean skin and let it do its magic repair work while I sleep.

Botani Olive Repair Cream Day/Night Moisturizer - a richly hydrating but fluid cream that effectively hydrates dry skin types. It even works as a treatment for Eczema and Psoriasis, redness and irritated skin conditions. I use it when my skin is congested, typically in the warmer months. I like that it is suitable to use day and night - it works well as a make up base and leaves my skin feeling dewy and smooth. And of course, its all natural formulation gets a big tick from me!

Do you have a night cream to recommend too?

In this moment

2016-06-14T00:30:00.000+10:00

Life has been crazy busy of late; apologies for my sporadic posting and lack of communication. To be honest, the last month has been a whirlwind of ups and downs. My business has taken off in a way I'd never dreamed it would so quickly and while it was wonderful and I'm ever so grateful it did, I was barely ready to cope with the demands of a full time job while juggling motherhood.

I basically ran on adrenalin for weeks, spending every spare minute I had on work, and neglecting my health and then...I crashed. A couple of panic attacks later, I was forced to review everything, politely declined some work and took time off to just breathe (and write a blog post, haha). It's a constant juggling act and I'm still learning how but at this moment, things are hey OK...

reading... Five Star Billionaire by Tash Aw. Stu highly recommended this book and so far it has been fairly addictive. It's about five very different characters manovering the glitzy and seemingly complicated world of Shanghai and I'm left wondering how they are all connected to each other...

watching... Shark Tank. I find it both entertaining and educational. As a new business owner there is just so much to learn from the Sharks and the aspiring entrepreneurs.

buying... new gumboots to better cope with the epic amount rain we have had in the last week.

feeling... settled, at peace and very thankful for all I have.

planning... Alexander's 3rd birthday party. It's not till September but that boy is so impatient to grow old! He has been talking about having a party for weeks now so we started preps early. So far we've decided on a theme and venue, ordered some party invites, and Alexander has worked out a list of people he wants to invite (somehow 'Mummy' came 4th on the list and only as an afterthought).

wearing... my extremely soft and warm cashmere jumper with my favourite pair of jeans and a pair of stripey socks.

listening to... Alexander's non-stop monologue. He is talking in full sentences now and saying the most hilarious things (I'm saving them for a "Conversations" post).

looking forward to... a remedial massage that I've booked in for tomorrow. Relief for my crook shoulder and back!

cooking... a thai red curry with chicken for dinner tonight.

loving... how the beautiful red, orange and yellow trees that line the roads are glistening in the winter sun as I drive around my neighbourhood.

What are you up to in this moment?

Conversations with my 2.5 yo

2016-05-31T00:30:00.000+10:00

Everyday is a fun day conversing with my little man.

Me: "You're such a handsome little man, Alexander!!"
2.5yo: (shakes head) "Alex not man."

Me: "Alex try some baked beans, they're really yummy."
2.5yo: "Alex can't like baked beans. No, Alex can't like that."

2.5yo: (Counting) "One, two, eight, nine, ten."

Me: "Do you love mummy?"
2.5yo: "Yes."
Me: "Little or a lot?"
2.5yo: "Alex love you lots."

Fab five: hand washes

2016-05-17T00:30:00.000+10:00

Ever since Alexander's arrival 2.5 years ago, hand washing became a bit of an obsession (thanks to all the poo-cleaning, drool-wiping, germs ridding associated with kids). Al-cheapo hand washes from the supermarket no longer cut it as they left my hands dry and cracked so I turned to other alternatives that are kinder and gentler to the skin. Washing my hands now feels like a real treat. Here are five of my favourites...

Sonett Hand Soap Rosemary - the invigorating smell of rosemary is one my favourite scents of all time. It brings the green of the garden inside and helps me focus. This hand soap has a mild formulation that effectively cleans and nourishes. It is so gentle, I even use it to clean my body and face.

Musq Hand Wash Lemon Myrtle and Mandarin - A hand wash without any nasty chemicals that is good for my skin and our planet. The uplifting combination lemon myrtle and mandarin, enriched with the goodness of eucalyptus, tea tree and rosewood makes this hand wash an absolute treat for the senses.

Mor Essentials Hand and Body Wash Sugar Rose - A combination of soft sugary rose and tropical fruits, this scrumptious hand wash is hydrating and soothing even for irritated skin. Use together with the Hand and Body lotion to layer on that delicious scent.

Peppermint Grove Lemongrass and Lime Hand Wash - If scents can take you places, this hand wash transports me to an exclusive lush tropical paradise. It smells delightful and looks elegant. I'm always looking for an excuse to wash my hands when this is on my bathroom sink.

Crabtree and Evelyn La Source conditioning Hand Wash - I've always been a fan of Crabtree and Evelyn's divine concoctions of lotions and potions. Their La Source hand wash is no exception; it is rich lathering and pH balanced. I love that it is so luxurious to use and smells wonderfully reminiscent of crisp clean sea air.

In this moment

2016-05-10T00:30:00.000+10:00

reading... emails and enquiries from clients! Yes my business has launched and the response has been most encouraging. I've even made a few bookings and helped a few families with their child-minding needs.

watching... Alexander playing in the garden. He is most happy being in nature, playing with leaves, sticks, stones and dirt.

buying... more office supplies for my home business.

feeling... pretty chuffed and contented. It seems all is right in this moment.

busy... raking up all the leaves in the garden. It's a never ending task this time of the year.

wearing... cardigans, my favourite jeans and t-shirt. The cooler weather is upon us but the afternoons are still lovely and warm. Move away dresses and hello to layers.

listening to... the sound of Stu and Alex playing in the living room.

looking forward to... watching the Australian ballet perform Symphony in C this week. It's my Mother's Day present from my gorgeous mother in law.

cooking... a nourishing and warming chicken soup with carrots and corn for dinner tonight.

loving... how Alexander is now playing with all the other kids in our street. There are about 10 of them ranging from 2.5yo (Alex) to 12 but somehow they all manage to play nicely together with the older kids looking out for the littler ones. It is most endearing and lovely.

What are you up to in this moment?

Finding peace: faffing with flowers

2016-04-29T00:30:00.000+10:00

How do you find peace?

If you've connected with me on Instagram, you would have noticed my hobby of faffing about with flowers and photographing them. It must have started over a year ago when I realised that our gorgeous wooden table that Stu made with recycled wood made a wonderful backdrop for bright flowers. While Alexander takes his daily nap, I'd wander about the garden for fresh floral pickings and then arrange them on the table before photographing them.

For some reason, I find this exercise very relaxing, soothing and fun; perhaps it unleashes the creative side of me, playing with different colours and textures. I also find joy in playing with different angles, and find it interesting how the sun's movements throughout the day casts a different sort of light on my arrangements. In any case, floral faffing brings me a sense of peace.

This Mother's Day, the lovely people at Flowers for Everyone wants to give everyone the chance to find peace on Makepeace Island (Sir Richard Branson's Australian home) this Mother's Day. They're giving away one lucky winner two nights exclusive and sole use of Makepeace Island for a family of four valued at $10,300. I guess that's pretty good way to find peace too. So make sure you enter the Find peace on Makepeace Island competition now..

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Flowers for Everyone. I was compensated for this post. However all opinions are my own.

More conversations with my 2.5yo

2016-04-26T00:30:00.000+10:00

At 2.5 years of age, Alexander is quite the twonager.

Me: "Alex, don't spit your food out, that's not good table manners"
2.5yo: "Sorry, mate."

Me: "Good night Alexander, sleep tight, don't let the bed...."
2.5yo: "Quiet mum, too noisy. Wake everybody up."

2.5yo: "Stand over there, mum."
Me: "OK. But why?"
2.5yo: "Coz."

2.5yo: "Alex need money, mummy."
Me: "What for?"
2.5yo: "Buy ice-cream."

Apple and sultana pie

2016-04-22T00:30:00.000+10:00

It's really starting to feel like Autumn; the temperatures are dipping, the leaves are yellowing, the days getting shorter. Our winter woolies have been dusted off, the crock pot ready for making warm stews and soups. And I have been busy baking warm delicious apple pies, served golden and warm from the oven with a hot cup of tea in hand. Oh the simple pleasures...

Apple pie

Ingredients
10 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
80g sultanas
2 sheets store-bought shortcrust pastry
1/3 cup almond meal
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons raw sugar

Method

1. Line the base of a lightly greased 20cm pie tin with one sheet store bought pastry. Prick pastry with fork all over and blind bake for 8-10 minutes in 200 degree celsius oven. Set aside and allow to cool.

2. Place apple and lemon juice in large frying pan. Cover and cook over medium heat for around 8 minutes until tender. Add caster sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and sultanas, mix to combine and cook for a further 2 minutes.

3. Add an even layer of almond meal to the pastry base then add apple and sultana mixture.

4. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut one sheet of store bought pastry into 2-3cm wide strips. Arrange strips on top of pie to make a lattice. Press edges to seal and trim excess pastry. Brush with egg and sprinkle with raw sugar.

5. Bake in 180 degree celsius oven for 35-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden.

Busy mums: how to free up an extra 10 hours a week

2016-04-19T00:30:00.000+10:00

If there's one thing that I could have more of, it would be time.

Juggling family responsibilities with the upcoming launch of my home business and other commitments means life can get chaotic quite quickly and ‘me time’ is essentially unheard of. I'm a strong believer that having too much on my plate can do more harm than good for my health and well-being. Recently, I discovered that the secret to achieving some balance back in my life is outsourcing.

Getting some help is about prioritising what need to be done, so that I can spend my time doing what I love. A great way to start is to think about what can be delegated to others, such as cleaning or life admin. These can take up quite a chunk of my weekend, which could be better spent with friends and family. If you're a busy bee like me, you can rejoice – here are 10 hours’ worth of household tasks to consider outsourcing next time you’re pressed on time.

Garden Maintenance - A beautiful garden sets the scene for a serene home life, but keeping on top of those pesky weeds and overhanging branches can take longer than you think. If you’d rather spend your Sunday’s enjoying your garden (instead of working in it), outsource the time-consuming upkeep tasks like lawn mowing, hedge trimming and weeding. Be specific with your requests too, so if you’re growing your own veggies, make planting and mulching a priority. Average time saved – 2 hours.

Outsourcing gardening jobs means I simply get to enjoy the garden and my homegrown vegetables

Pet Care - Outsourcing some extra love for your furry friends doesn’t mean you care any less, it shows you care even more! Give your family’s best friend the attention they deserve by arranging for a dog walker or dog groomer if your schedule is jam packed. You get the extra time you need and they get pampered, win-win! You can also arrange for someone to pick up bulk pet food or even routine visits to the vet - no animal and no task is too small for a little extra affection. Average time saved – 1 hour

Heavy Duty Cleaning - Let’s face it – no one actually enjoys cleaning. Appliances like the fridge, oven or microwave and areas like the bathroom can build up considerable grime and need regular deep cleans for hygiene and safety. Schedule in a weekly cleaning schedule for different appliances, and seek out a helping hand for the heavy duty tasks, so that you’re not stuck in the kitchen for hours to no end. Average time saved – 2 hours
Home Repairs - Fixing something with your own two hands is working hard, but outsourcing home repairs to trusted professionals is working smart. A busy home will need repairs from time to time so instead of waiting around all day for a repairman to arrive, use a skilled member of your community instead. Tasks as small as TV mounting and light bulb changing, or as large as fixing a broken washing machine can be arranged and completed easily, without being a time-suck to your schedule. So the next time a wayward soccer ball cracks a window you’ll know exactly where to turn. Average time saved – 2-3 hours

Spring Cleaning - Don’t wait for spring to get your household cleaning underway. Staying on top of the little things is a time saver now and a cost saver later. Outsource the time-consuming and tedious tasks like washing the curtains and scrubbing off mould. Average time saved – 2 hours

Tech Support - Having a piece of technology die on you at home can be a huge drain on time as you chase up experts to help bring it back to life. Avoid the stress of a broken laptop, a poorly working router and Wi-Fi problems by outsourcing your tech needs. This means no long waits on the end of a phone for help and more time doing what you love. Consider getting help to bring your memories to life with digital scanning too. Converting piles of family photos can be a huge task, so let someone else do it! Average time saved – 1-2 hours

Life Admin - You know all those pesky, menial tasks that eventually build up into a crazy to-do list? There’s a name for it – life admin. Whether it’s collecting your dry cleaning, paying bills or organising appointments, these jobs can pile up. Delegate your life admin to a ‘personal assistant’ for the day and let them tackle it for you once and for all – you’ll be surprised by how much time you can save. Average time saved – 1-2 hours

Being a mum is a full time job in itself, I find that using these outsourcing ideas gives me the flexibility to enjoy a weekend with Stu and Alexander or catch up with friends. If you’re ready to start delegating like I have, look into online marketplace platforms and apps like Airtasker, which allows you to outsource with the click of a button.

In this moment

2016-04-15T00:30:00.000+10:00

reading... contracts, procedures, insurance policies. My nanny agency launches in two weeks! Exciting stuff. That said, I've decided not to link it here. I think it's important to keep my personal life separate from business.

watching... Ultra Rich Asian Girls in Vancouver. It's free to watch on Youtube and each episode is only 12 minutes long. It's a real eye-opener, the lives of these uber rich girls and how catty to each other behind their backs or sometimes to their face. So entertaining, I highly recommend!

buying... some warm clothes for Alexander. Nothing from last Winter fits him anymore so it's a new wardrobe for the little man. Wish I had an excuse like that every season.

feeling... pumped, full of energy and excitement.

planning... a little birthday celebration for Stu.

listening to... the pitter patter of the rain on my window. Autumn is finally here and so is the rain and cooler temperatures. Quite liking the cool respite.

looking forward to... a sleep in this weekend. So Stu and I have been taking turns to sleep in and it is absolutely divine. 10 hours of uninterrupted is total bliss for the eternally tired me.

baking... a warm delicious apple pie to have for dessert tonight. Will share recipe shortly.

loving... the gorgeous camellias in bloom in the garden right now. They're in so many shades of pink! Even Alexander loves picking them.

What are you up to in this moment?

Fab five: scented candles

2016-04-12T06:41:00.000+10:00

My love affair with scented candles has been undying and strong. I love gifting them to my friends and myself - few things cheer me up more than a delicious smelling house. And these days scented candles are housed in containers so fancy they're play a huge part in interior design. Today I round up five of my favourite scented candles to share with you... Spilt Sugar Classic Rustic Jar in Lime & Coconut - Spilt Sugar is an eco-conscious brand and their candles are all meticulously handmade from the highest quality 100% pure soy wax, with no nasty additives. I personally love the rustic mason jar they're housed in and that delicious lime and coconut scent.

Mor Emporium Classics Fragrant Candle in Lychee Flower - a black soy wax candle housed in a stylish black glass vessel which adds elegance to any room in the house. Made with 100% cotton, lead-free wick, this clean burning candle smells of berries and soft florals.

58 Degrees Chrome Soy Candle in Coconut and Orange Flower - this beautiful smelling candle offers up to 60 hours of burn time in a sleek chrome vessel, which I plan to use as a vase after it is all used up.

L'Occitane Lavender Scented Candle - this calming lavender scent never fails to transport me to the time Stu and I visited a lavender farm in Tasmania; it's so true how smells can evoke memories. This is my go to candle to use in the evenings to create a relaxing atmosphere at home.

Aromabotanical Pear and Ginger Candle - sweet, spicy and floral - the unexpected but gorgeous combination of pear and ginger is my pick for freshening up the house with. Just a couple of hours and the whole house smells divine.