A rainbow cake broke me

The internet has peer pressured me into tackling a Pinterest project.

When I put together my 101 in 1001 I was in an aspirational mood to be the mother that made everything from scratch, made every life moment a mystery and made every game one of learning.

That lasted about a month.

But I still have the list. And I still have to finish it. So for Mini Me's first birthday I decided to tackle the rainbow cake.

What a ridiculous idea.

Mini Me and the Rainbow Cake that broke me

 

100 Happy Days - DONE

Could I be happy for 100 days? Sort of. In the past few days with a teething demon child, self of self-worthlessness, worrying about who is or who isn't friends with me and mounting work has meant finding happiness was tough.

There are always the smallest snippets. Sleep. Sun. Fresh Air. Chocolate.

Sadly the camera is not always there to capture those moments, and nor should it be.

These are my final days of the 100 Happy Days challenge.

As I said at the beginning I have an easy and photographable muse who makes for great talent. Just look at that face. She certainly features heavily in my happy days.

What it hasn't shown is the amazing and supportive husband, family and friends I have. The joy of returning to work. The kindness of a stranger letting me in or saying something nice. The surprise of a nice text from a lost friend. The excitement of happy news of those dear to me. It doesn't show the laughs, the fun or the people I encounter on a daily basis that make this life very rich.

Ugh. I'm obviously feeling very touchy-feeling with this romantic dialogue. Clearly I'm procrastinating from work. So I'll stop and let the picture do the talking.

Thank-you to one of the super mums for this inspiration. It was a fun way to document my life.



Day 78: Giving blood to save lives. Everyone should do it.
Day 79: Good old chilli con carne on the couch.
Day 80: Showing the little ones how to plank.
Day 81: OMG. She looks like a doll.
Day 82: Bubbles in your hair is the latest trend sweeping the runway.
Day 83: Look who found daddy's beer stash.
Day 84: Bubbles and bath.
Day 85: My office for the day.
Day 86: Cornered!
Day 87: Ladies who lunch.
Day 88: Family park selfie.
Day 89: More ladies who long table lunch for BreastCareWA.
Day 90: Feeling dusty but remembering fond memories of the long table lunch.
Day 91: Open. Shut. The new favourite game.
Day 92: No. You make me happy mail from a friend that isn't bills.
Day 93: Swinging.
Day 94: It's for you mum.
Day 95: Posers at another picnic.
Day 96: It's getting hot in here. Flaming coffee liqueur at Nonna's.
Day 97: Who me stay up all night? Never!
Day 98: Getting ready for work together.
Day 99: Zonked.
Day 100: Put my feet up, take a break from work and relax. The 100 Happy Days are done!


100 Happy Days - Part 3

I can tell that I'm about to go back to work. A look back at the past month and my happy moment have revolved around Mini Me and food.

There is only a month left of my 100 Happy Days challenge and I wonder what sort of happy days I'll have while I'm back at work.

Photo Friday - week 9

Given I am taking daily photos of our Frocktober 2013 efforts, Photo Friday will be given a brief hiatus.

I hope to record Mini Me as the subject this month and I'm thinking to create a collage, or if I can work it out, into a little GIFF. HA! Let's see how techy I can get. If anyone has any tips on that, please let me know.

Here are the last photos for September.

1: Under the internal stars: The very cool Greens & Co in Leederville with its roof of lanterns.

2: Baby Docker: Sadly Fremantle didn't win the Grand Final, but Mini Me looked the part in her sailor outfit.

3: Let us count: Enjoying the start of spring weather.



4: Too many drinks: says it all really.

5: Farewell leggings: My last day of pants for a month.

Photo Friday - week 8

I must've been feeling whimsical this week. I noticed most of my photos had a dreamy cream look to them.

1: Selfie: Getting ready for a night out with bub or hub.

2: Good-luck charm: C'mon Dockers, let's get to the Grand Final (FYI - they did!).

3: Patiently waiting: Every time we visit my mum, Frankie sits by her bedroom door waiting for the cat to emerge.

4. Beef and corn tic-tac-toe: Playing with your food is fun while you cook dinner.

5: Treasure trove: The spoils of shopping during The Travelling Trunk party.

6: Good night all: To have a dreamless sleep like a baby would be a wish come true.

7: Under the stars: bringing the stars indoors.

Photo Friday - week 7

I don't see my dad often, since he born, bred and ingrained in Kununurra, so you have to make the most of when he comes to the big smoke.

The weather has been wooly but that hasn't dampened our spirits and it's been a great week. That says a lot because normally he drives me nuts! Try cramming a year of catch ups into a week. You rarely spend this much time with a parent.

But it's been fun, with some great memories, and no trucks, too.

1. Hitting the town: A very late Christmas outing (or is it an early Christmas outing) with my sister, her stud and Hubby.

2. The morning after: No, thank you 1907 for a fantastic eight-course degustation, hilarious service, free-flowing drinks, seedy hangover and breakfast. You spoil me!

3. Dog tired: I hear ya buddy. Weekends are intense.

4. It's wooly out there: But it's toasty in here with my uggs.

5. In front of me: Sure isn't easy baby.

6. Adventures of a mum: Today it is Salted Caramel Macaroons

7. At the hairdresser: Zia styling.

Photo Friday - week 6

This week I failed. On Thursday the day had the better of me and I forgot to take a photo.

It wasn't even a special day. I went to the chiro, then did my washing at nonna's house because our washing machine died that weekend. That's it. I'm putting it down to a mum blank moment.

1. Hands: Mini Me is forever holding her hands together, like she is scheming or praying. I never want to forget that.

2. Have your voice heard: It's election day, and the scandal of the day - sausage sizzles. Oh and the metre long voting paper.

3. Tied up: Rope installation at Peasant's Table.

4. It's coming up... spring has sprung and the blooms are blooming awesome.

5. Take me back: A snippet of our home, a list of awesome places in the one and only NYC.

6. TV buddies: A snuggle on the couch with her best friend.

Photo Friday - week 5

Half way through the week, I realised I was just getting slack and snap happy. So I lifted my game and tried to think of composition and making the photo interesting. This challenge is tougher than I thought!

 

1: Cherry ripe brownie: self titled gooey, sugary-ness.

2: Pizza baby: I think Mini Me enjoyed the chillies the most.

3. Dad's are special: Yep it was Father's Day and we needed the requisite daddy-daughter photo in bed.

4. Sky-gazing: Sometimes we forget to just stop and watch the clouds. So I did just that.

5. Hung dog: Poor Frank knackered after a big walk.

6. Ducky dive: Bath times are now my favourite part of the night. A good soak after a slippery miss gets out.

7. Snuggled: it's bed o'clock and I'm tired.

All Fired Up!

Since every day seems to be about dads, Father's Day should mean they have to change every nappy, attend to every cry and get her down for every nap.

You see, kids are excited when daddy comes home. 'Da' is generally their first word. Dad is the 'fun one'. Dad is head of the household (well not in this house). 

That cynicism aside, Hubby is a pretty good and hands on dad. So we had to celebrate him a little bit for his first Father's Day.

Boy did he get spoilt. I made him a cherry ripe slice, breakfast, he got to open a new date envelope, received a West Coast Eagles  membership and drank coffee from his new mug, created at Fired Up in Joondalup.

1: My attempt at a hand print card (fail) 2: The rich cherry ripe slice (thanks Taste.com.au)
3: Hubby and Mini Me with the spoils.

 

Creating the personalised mug was a brilliant suggestion from one of my Yummy Mummy Group mums.

With a range including plates, coasters, mugs, cookie jars and ornaments, and most around $20 with a $5 per 'painter', Fired Up helps create a great DIY gift with none of the mess or effort.

Given the area is not big and probably holds 20 people, we booked a table, and I suggest it's the same for even small groups on weekends.

At home I had tired to capture Mini Me's hand and foot prints with little reward for all the smudging and hot pink paint that got everywhere. But Fired Up made it easy.

The finished product and Hubby's present wrapped in a brown paper package (one of my favourite things).

The staff are super friendly and helpful. They actually did the print for us, cleaned up any smudges and we just had to decorate the rest. And given they do this a lot, crying bubs is no worry for them and they can calm them down, or still manage to capture the print from a fussy bub.

You then leave your piece with them to 'fire up' and seven days later you can pick up your dishwasher, microwave proof ceramic.

Given it was a week before Fathers Day they were super busy we didn't expect to get our pieces in time, but I think they moved mountains to make sure as many dads had their own personalised hand and foot print mug, plate of piece of art.

I loved the outcome and think my Christmas presents are all sorted this year!

To top it all off, Fired Up makes a good little coffee and has a few snacks on offer as well.

To other Yummy Mummy Groups out there, Fired Up should be on your list of places to meet up to capture those little hands and feet before they start running around.

Fired Up!
29 Winton Road, Joondalup
P: 9300 1811
E: info@firedcafe.com.au
W: www.firedcafe.com.au

Photo Friday - week 4

Despite the weather man saying it'll rain, rain, rain, we've had some stunning days, giving me an opportunity to get out and make the most of it.

That is except when Mini Me plays up. I blame a combination of growing pains and the full moon.

 

1. Trapped: It's a gorgeous day out but do to an unsettled baby I'm trapped indoors.

2. Men being manly: The sun is shining, the BBQs are sizzling and men gather at the fire.

3. Happy baa-thday: who needs traditional candles when any old one will do.

4. Mini Me's perspective: I always wondered what Mini Me saw from her pram. Now I know and boy is my hair frizzy!

 

5. A Mini Me Minute: so many faces in such a short time.

6. It's the little things: these little minions are ready to make my coffee.

7. My perspective: and this is the perspective I have every morning after her feed, some play time on the mat.

Photo Friday - week 3

This week I found myself taking lots of abstract, close up shots.

It was such a sunny week in Perth you'd think I'd take lots of blue sky shots. And I ate out a lot, so food porn shots should've been all the rage.

But no I chose to zoom in and be all arty with textures and what not.

1. In Cloud 9: It was rainy outside, Mini Me was asleep and I was snuggled in my doona.

2. Food can: A quick trip to the local farmer's market and Hubby fills up on a Cuban sandwich.

3. Through the looking glass: A drink for Mini Me and a drink for me.

4. Playing with colours: another world or home?

5. Shooting hoops: Hubby relived his childhood at our local school. This one did not go in.

6. Ferny: my new fern on our outdoor table.

7. Here's looking at you kid: When lost for inspiration, the kid works alright.

Baby boom! Gift ideas

There's been a baby boom in Perth.

I have a list on my phone of 'Preggo due dates' with 13 women on it. That is 13 people I directly know popping out a little human. That doesn't include all the women I've met since with babies.

What my own Mini Me and 13 other babies has taught me is the art of present buying for expectant first, second or fifth time parents.

So I stop reinventing the wheel, here are my never fail gifts (sorry to those about to pop out a bub, you know what you're getting):

Pregnancy gift

Being pregnant can be a dream run or nauseous nightmare for some. For those on the long nine month (but you generally find out with six months left) I put together this little Preggo Pack:

• Bio oil - maybe it's my genetics, but I think it was this oil that saved me from stretch marks
• Chocolates - because they are for any celebration
• Raspberry Leaf Tea - for drinking after 36 weeks to help bring on labour
• Necklace/jewellery/accessory - to remind the mum to be she's still a woman
• Book for dad - really depends on the type of dad. Could be a funny, mushy or with helpful tips, but something to help him connect
• Fruit/veggie to show the baby size - depending on what week you give the present, this will also help dad visualise the little growing bub

Almost new mum / baby shower gift

Aside from the gorgeous clothes and toys, I found these few items the most helpful as a new mum, and hardly anyone brought them for me:

• Nipple cream - a horrible truth about being a new mum is ALL the breast feeding. This cream was the only thing that saved my nipples
• Water bottle - I was surprised how thirsty I was and always needed water on hand
• Packet of muesli bars - I was also surprised at how hungry I was and how hard it was to eat. These are good easy snacks
• Travel pack of baby wipes - aside from nappies I used so many baby wipes. Perfect for almost any emergency
• Pre-bub massage/pedicure - a final chance to relax or pamper those feet she lost sight of months ago

New parents

While flowers, more baby clothes and champagne were all lovely gifts, the best gifts were gifts of food. Anything in the freezer packed full of healthy goodness and easy to reheat were greeted with the most enthusiasm. Yes it doesn't last forever and you can't say 'blah blah brought you that' but it will go a long way to helping a new parents sanity.

These are my little tips. I wonder what other's go to presents are for new parents...

 

Photo Friday - week 2

Week two of Project365 and it hasn't been too bad. I've had a busy week but again, I always forget to get that shot. And I need to start thinking a little creatively too.

I'm pretty happy with Tuesday's creative attempt to follow my windscreen wipers as they frantically tired to wipe away the big old fat rain that came down hard and fast.

Happy snapping!

1: My other baby: Frankie has been my fur child for the past three years. Though he has gone through 12 pairs of shoes, countless undies, a day bed mattress and two bras, I still love this reject dog (now that is a story to tell).

2: Ready for a pampering: Ah to feel like a woman again. This is thanks to my old uni girls who gave me this little session as a birthday present. I felt like a rock star.

3: Blue sky city: That's the best thing about home; endless blue skies. even in winter.

4: Gnoming you: Our lemon gnome always says hello after our afternoon walks.

5: Rain, rain go away: Did I say it never rains in Perth?

6: How they grow: Mini Me met a wee little week one baby and thought it was pretty funny.

7: Out of space wall art: What makes a sushi place cool? Astro Boy wall art (Mr Munchies, Beaufort Street Mt Lawley

DIY: 30 sucks card

I LOVE my birthday. It's my favourite holiday. A day dedicated to me, people are nice, there's gifts, there's lunches and lots of free drinks.

The number means nothing.

But for many the number is worse than the childhood monster in the closet. It's ominous, judging and going to expose their life like a bad tabloid journalist would.

I've had a lot of family and friends reach milestone birthdays lately. My young family members use it as their badge into the adult world. My friends fear the big 3-0.

One friend if celebrating her pearl birthday this month and there are a few surprises in store.

And one went in the post - a 30 sucks card.

DIY Sharpie mugs ideas

Finally Mr Picnic proposed to my blonde bombshell friend, who shall now be referred to as Mrs Picnic.

Engagements are exciting. They are the start of something shiny and golden, before the potential angst of wedding planning, families and post-honeymoon blues can begin to creep in.

I love giving friends a little something soon after the announcement, and rather than the standard bottle of champagne, this time I created a 'his and hers' mug set (especially since she loves tea).

Personalised his & her mugs made easy with Sharpies

DIY This Little Pig nursery prints

When I was setting up Mini Me's room I scoured the net for DIY projects because I wanted to be that mum.

They all looked hard and time consuming. So I came up with my own and I'm giving it to you for free. All you need is a printer and five frames.

This little pig prints to brighten up the nursery wall

A year of dates

What do you give a man who has everything? A year long gift.

To show my gratitude Hubby got a leave pass, Liverpool game tickets AND 12 gifts... How great am I!

12 gifts in one - a year of dates!

After 13 years of gift giving I needed a special idea. Yep 13 years. It's not always smooth sailing. Sometimes I've hated him. But he is my best friend and no relationship - romantic, family or friendship - can survive without work and quality time.

That's why rather than one envelope with a card, Hubby was given 12 - each with a monthly pre-planned date of mostly things we've never done, just for us.

The plan is to open the envelope together at the start of the month, look at the calendar and decide on a date.

It was really easy to put together. 

 

An easy idea that anyone can pull together.

The ideas were things we've never done before, some inspired from my 101 in 1001 and others from the Entertainment Book (gosh I love that book).

The brown blank cards and envelopes were from Kmart. The date cards were adapted from free, downloadable Mad Men inspired save the date cards from Wedding Chicks.

Hubby was pretty stoked and being impatient ripped my nice packaging open for July and wanted to crack into August.

Our first date is actually a pre-planned weekend away. He can't get too spoilt now can he?

30 notes in the post

Does getting writer's cramp and posting 30 baby introduction cards mean #82 is almost completed?

30 thank you/announcement cards sent to family and friends