Mum's craft v's Dad's craft!

This is how I set up for the kids to do some painting......

and this is how dad set up for the kids to do some painting.....

20 things you might not know about me!

Me! (Christmas in Hong Kong)

As a newbie to the world of blogging I thought it might be nice to open up a bit and tell you a little more about me.  So here is a list of 20 random things about me!  Some of you might know them, some may not and some of you might just think I’m barking mad…..

1.   I am a huge Home & Away fan.  Yes HUGE!!  I have been watching it for about 15 years.  I once said that one day I want to live in Summer Bay and guess what?……here I am.

2.  I have a tendency to totally over exaggerate things.

3.  I absolute can’t stand peas!  Hate them!  Especially the way they pop in your mouth when you try and chew them – and not to mention how annoyingly difficult it is to keep them on your fork.  As I result I have never given my kids peas!

4.  I was born on 9^th January and am a Capricorn through and through – especially the part about being stubborn!

5.  I iron everything!  Even bibs!  I know…… I’m totally crazy but I just can’t help myself.

6.  I worry way too much about what other people think of me.

7.  I used to work as an Inflight Beauty Therapist and travelled the world in First Class.

8.  I have met David Beckham, Brad Pitt and Michael Douglass.

9.  I find cooking every day dinners the most BORING job in the world.  If anyone has any inspiration please send it my way.

10.  I couldn’t live without my GHD’s.

11.  I have the most amazing engagement and wedding ring combo.  I just LOVE it.  Thanks Mr D.

12.  I have an irrational fear of being fat and have probably been on every diet imaginable.

13.  I  am terrified of frogs (and spiders and actually most other insects and reptiles) but frogs are the WORST!

14.  I completed my Bronze, Silver and Gold medallion awards before finishing school.  The gold one involved trekking with a group of friends for 4 days through Wales (in the middle of nowhere actually), with just a backpack of supplies and a map!!  Even I can’t believe I did that!!

15.  I suffered from post natal depression with my first child.

16.   I love receiving mail from friends and family.

17.  I have watched EVERY episode of Sex and the City and Greys Anatomy at least 3 times.

18.  I love having my feet massaged.

19.  I am a tea drinker.  I have at least 5 cups a day, even in the height of summer.

20.  I am a great believer in the healing power of crystals and maintaining the balance of the chakras in my body.

So there you have it!  If you fancy sharing your list with me, I’d love to hear it!

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Todays Candy Bows Australia orders

These are a few gorgeous Candy Bows Australia orders I packed up ready for posting today.  Luckily they all look fabulous as I had a very eager little helper with me!!

Miss H and I had such fun putting these together during 'quiet time' after lunch today

'sweet as a cupcake' birthday card with a fabulous bright purple, hand tied boutique hair bow

This is a set of cute little fairy 'thank you' cards each attached with a pretty mini hair bow ordered for birthday party lolly/gift bags.

This little tutu and bow set is for a little someone's 1st birthday.  Isn't it tutu cute x

If you'd like to see more from Candy Bows Australia then click here: https://www.facebook.com/CandyBowsAustralia or email me on info@candybows.com.au

A simple solution for craft crazy kids

I got completely busted the other day trying to subtly throw out some of the mountains of craft that the kids have made.  “Mum, why are my pictures in the bin?” asks Master J  “What do you mean?” I enquire (knowing full well what he meant).  He disappears and comes back with a huge pile of ‘crafts’ and dumps them on the kitchen floor.  “All these!!  They’re my favorite ones and YOU put them outside in the red bin!!  You know....... the one with the red lid where you throw things away??”  “Oh goodness”, I say, “I don’t know how that happened???????  It must have been your dad! (I’m great at passing the buck in these sorts of situations!)

Yes!  I had to photograph each and every piece!

I do love my kid’s craft (well most of it anyway) and I do try to keep some of the ones that I think are really special.  But honestly – if I kept them all we’re end up with our house looking like something out of one those TV shows about hoarders, where you can’t even see the furniture from all the ‘stuff’ in them!!

Master J's very own bedroom door display

While spending a little time on Pinterest (so addictive) I discovered this smart phone app called ‘Parent Pocket Gallery”.  It allows you to take photos of your kids’ artwork with your phone and add them to a virtual gallery.  I have set up a folder for both Mater J and Miss H and it’s just fantastic!  You can add labels and tags and any information that you want to the pictures and it stores in them all in dated order, and in custom folders.  I’ve also added a little story to each picture (something they’ve told me about it).  The best part is the slide show.  They get so excited to show Mr D the “show’ of all their work on the big computer screen.  It’s just too cute seeing them so proud and enthusiastic.  Another great perk is that you can have your virtual albums transformed into coffee table books.  That way you’ll never be in trouble for ditching their work again!

Bedtime Blogging

After a typical day of Nanny Mummying, where I have heard the word ‘Mum or Muuuuum or MUMMMEEEE” at least 1000 times, I’ve undone and re-done 3 sets of seat belts at least 10 times, I’ve negotiated my way through at least 3 toddler wars, I’ve picked up the same set of lego blocks off the floor at least twice and this is only by lunch time!!  So when bedtime arrives I cannot wait to snuggle up under the duvet with my favorite gadget – my kindle!  I just love getting stuck into a good book, but the only problem I have these days is trying to find the time to finish them.

Since creating my own blog, I have started to do more and more research into the world of blogging and I can honestly say I feel like Alice in Wonderland – escaping down a rabbit hole into a whole new world.  The wonderful thing about finding a good blog to follow is that they are just short stories.   Unlike reading a full novel, you can always finish them in one sitting, without having that painful wait until the next bedtime, before you can sit down in peace for the for the next installment of the same story.

I have now swapped my beloved kindle for an ipad and it is equally as addictive.  What I love about bedtime blog reading is that there is something for everyone and one blog can easily lead you to another and another.  I love it when an email pings onto my phone telling me that there is a new update on my favourite blog.  I can even read them on the go……often whilst sitting in the school playground at 10 past 3 waiting for Master J to finish his “quick play”.

There is one particular blog that I wanted to share with you.  It is called Indieberries and it is written by Che Kershaw.  A few weeks back she wrote about her recent engagement and it is quite possibly one of the most romantic stories I have ever read.  It will make you laugh out loud and make your eyes well up with tears.  It is an absolute MUST read and it starts like this:

To read the full post (and you MUST) click here:  http://indieberries.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/hey-world.html

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