I don’t follow fashion trends. I wear what I like and what suits me. If I like what’s ‘in’ then I guess I’m in. If not, then I’ll just be a out-of-date me. Black and Brown? It’s so 2009 apparently.
My husband and I had three children while we students (not sure how we survived, but we did), so I know all about shopping on a budget. To me, being stylish is making the best with what I have.
Skivvy: Ezibuy
Cardigan: Fashion Fair (wore it here and here)
Belt: Fashion Fair
Boots: Half price from Mika Boutique on Main Street Caloundra. Also worn here and here.
Necklace: Diva
My Tip: Don’t follow fashion. Wear what you like. Shop within your means. Be you.
What I Love Most: The necklace. It’s like wearing a little bit of happiness around my neck.
See other My Style Posts
My Style: 23.10.09: Planning a Special Outfit
My Style: 11.7.10: Soft Side of Edgy
My Style: 22.6.10: Casual Elegance
I Didn’t Clean The Kitchen Last Night
Are you sufficiently horrified? This is the sight I woke to this morning.
The Husband (I like calling him that) had been on-call for 60 hours and he stumbled home last night, absolutely exhausted. He fell into the chair, and I could tell, he just couldn’t move, let alone talk. I felt like dropping myself; however, seeing him in such a state gave me a little extra energy to put his needs above mine. (I know that sounds sickeningly like the perfect wife, and I’m far from that, but I felt so much compassion for him and he’s usually helpful around dinner). I placed food in-front of the children and then gave a plate to my husband, still in the chair, with a glass of milk. A glass of milk? I don’t know why I gave him a glass of milk; I rarely do that, but it felt like the nurturing thing to do — go figure.
The children took their plates to the kitchen sink. I don’t remember telling them a story. Did I? I certainly had no energy left to clean the kitchen. So there it was, sitting patiently for me this morning. Today, I feel fresher, and I can tackle the mess. I don’t like leaving the kitchen a mess but in a way, I feel good about it. I feel good about it because I was able to prioritise what was important for our family in the moment, and — stuff the rest. It was important, for the moment that has now past, to invest in my husband — I know it.
Sometimes, when my husband comes home I say this:
“I didn’t do very well in the house today, but I loved the children.”
He smiles. And then I smile.
Other Be A Fun Mum Links
Reading With Expression
Welcome Bug in a Book readers!
Reading with Expression (Children aged 0-6)
Reading with expression is a key to enjoyable read-aloud time with young children. Drawing from my experience as a children’s book consultant and reading to my own children, I’ve learnt how to get the most out of every picture book; to make it fun my children and myself.
When you choose a picture book, look out for these things:
Rhythm
Musical rhythm is ideal for reading with expression. Rhyming is one form of rhythm; however rhythm is not limited to rhyming text.
“But where is the green sheep?”
This line in, Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox, is a perfect example of a rhythmic line.
Other examples:
Dig, Dig, Digging by Margaret Mayo
Peepo! By Janet and Allan Alhberg
Repetition
Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Young children love repetition. When it comes to reading with expression, repetitive lines are gold. It gives the reader an opportunity to develop a musical-like way of saying the repetitive line, over and over again.
Choose a book YOU like
Find a book you like as much as your child. In my recent interview with Australian Author, Alison Lester, she shared this advice: “Always read something you like. There’s nothing worse than wading through some boring rubbish trying to sound interested. Be honest with your kids and tell them if you think a book stinks.”
Books I love to read:
Down the Back of the Chair by Margaret Mayo
Oh! The Places You’ll Go by Dr Suess
Add exuberant expression and words as you read
Experiment with expression. This might be anything from hand gestures to verbal gasping; or put them together like this: Gasp! {Cupping hands over face.} What could happen next?
Reading with expression makes reading aloud-time fun for both the parent and child. Not only does child experience the wonder of a book in an animated way; but also, the reader has the opportunity to feel like a child – once again.
Be A Fun Mum Links
Interview with Australian Author Alison Lester
Books are NOT Just for Reading
Theme It: Dr Seuss
Obviously, I’m not the only one who loves the writing and art of Dr Seuss. Look at all this cool stuff I’ve found! Oh! The Places You’ll Go! From shoes to wall stickers; from rare books to a big striped hat; come into the world of Dr Seuss.
Quirky . Fun . Imaginative . Intriguing . Mysterious . Silly . Meaningful
1. Dr Seuss Converse Shoes (from $35) 2. The Cat In The Hat I Can Do That Game $34
3. Dr Seuss Cat in the Hat Plush Hat $21 4. Lift the Flap Pocket Library $8.95
5.Cat in the Hat Gift Box (T Shirt & Bib) $45.95 6. One Fish, Two Fish Gift Box (T-Shirt & Bib) $45.95
7. Dr Seuss Jumbo Wall Stickers $23.95
8. Cat in a Hat Craft ( PDF) FREE 9. Horton Hears A Who Plush Elephant $35.99
10. Rare First Edition Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss $9,000 11. Scarce Edition of McElligot’s Pool by Dr Seuss $3,200
12. One Thing, Two Thing Twins Gift Set $69 13. The Secret Art of Dr Seuss $23.10
Other Be A Fun Mum Themes
* Shoes
* Owl
* Bathroom
* Retro
* Vintage
External Links
Nature Hunt
Chatting over a coffee without interruptions is a thing of the past for mothers with young children. Does that mean ’doing coffee’ stops? Of course not! My sister and I often meet at a park with take-away coffee. We keep our children busy doing a nature hunt, gathering and bringing back bits and pieces they’ve found around us. It keeps their hands and minds busy, in a positive way, so we can catch up.
Try asking questions:
Can you find me a stick? ** Oh, I think we need a rock now. ** Can you find 10 leaves?
Children love it, and Mums can snatch snippets of talk between treasure finds. It’s what Mums do, isn’t it?
“Wise mamas don’t give up the things they loved pre-kids, they just find new ways of doing them!” — Cath (SquiggleMum)
Take it home idea from Mon: The kids could make a collage out of the things they’ve collected when they get home as part of their recount of their day out. Lots of fun with glue!
Other Be A Fun Mum Links
Make Scramble Eggs Tonight, Have Fun Tomorrow
Instilling Fear
My attitude towards fear? I force myself to face it. If I’m fearful, I throw myself in the path of that fear so I’m compelled to conquer it. My attitude towards fear is definitely the “get back on the horse” approach. My faith in God and love of a challenge helps motivate me.
I love watching my children embrace new situations.
Here’s an example: Our best Family Zoo experience yet was at the Darling Downs Zoo situated 30 minutes from Toowoomba. I absolutely recommend it! The relaxed atmosphere and small crowd numbers meant a stress-free exploration day for the children. As a bonus, the children had the opportunity to hold a snake — for free (no hidden costs here) and I was proud how enthusiastic they were. This got me thinking about how sometimes, parents can impart their own fear onto their children, in essence hindering the opportunity a child has to explore the world around them.
I’ve probably done it myself in some areas; however, I try and keep my own fears apart from my children so I don’t influence them in a negative way. I don’t like snakes but I was willing to hold one. It did give me shivers though.
Dealing with fear is part of life, and my children do have fears. I just hope they’re natural fears, depending on the child’s nature, which could include snakes, and not fears I have instilled in them.
What do you think? Do you think fear can be instilled?
Some cute shots from the zoo. If you live in South East Queensland, make an effort to visit.
External Links
Childhood Fears: Supporting Your Child to Outgrow His Fear
SuperParents: Women of the 21st Century
Be A Fun Mum Links
My Style 23.10.09: Planning a Special Outfit
In October 2009 I was 30. So technically, I’m still 30. Do I sound paranoid? Maybe I AM paranoid. I’d hate to be paranoid. Am I sounding paranoid? 
No, I’m not paranoid about it — well maybe just a little. I surprised myself when I realised how afraid I was to be 30. I still like to skip, jump over fences, swing, climb trees and run barefoot on the grass at midnight. Must I stop now that I’m 30? Must I grow-up?
To ease the shock of being a decade older, I planned a party. A masquerade-supper party shared with my husband who is only 2 days older than me. {And yet he still sometimes forgets my birthday; it’s true! I love him anyway}.
One of my favourite things to do is plan an outfit for a special occasion. I usually start with something I fall in love with and work my outfit around that object. That something could be earrings, or a belt, a dress, bracelet, hair accessory or shoes. This time, I fell in love with shoes. Head over heels in love {no pun intended}.
Shoes: Shop on Long Road (Gallery Walk) Mt Tamborine, Queensland
Dress: Harris Scarfe (couldn’t believe how well it matched the shoes)
Hairband: Target
Bolero: Jacqui E (pinched from my sister)
Earrings: Can’t remember
Tip:When planning a special outfit, find something you really love and work around that object. I found my shoes about 9 months before my party. And I kept them too, without wearing them, until the special day. I went a little matchy-matchy with all the flowers but it worked because it was a masked-party event. Don’t be afraid to mix old with new; you’ll be creating your own unique look.
What I love most: The shoes! Hands down!
Party Venue: Home Store & Cafe, Ashgrove
Soon, I’m attending the Connect2Mums conference and the Ausmumpreneurs Awards. I anticipate a full, inspired weekend of learning. What am I wearing to the Ausmumpreneurs Awards? Not sure yet, but I’ve fallen in love with a dress. I need to muster up some courage and brave the walk into the shop and hope the price tag is not too high. It will feature in an up-coming My Style post, I’m sure.
My Style: 11.7.10: Soft Side of Edgy
My Style: 22.6.10: Casual Elegance
Full of Beans
Children are often full of beans. I’m making it literal.
I look-out for easy, healthy snacks for my family so when I was alerted to the new Edgell 3 Beans & Corn range I was excited. It’s absolutely a food I was interested in trying.
My review:
I love beans. I love them for their taste. I love them for their nutritional value. I love them for their versatility. Bringing beans into a convenient snack is nothing short of fabulous. The Edgell 3 Bean & Corn mix comes in a convient portion size snack container with an included fork. The added corn gives a sweet, but not too sweet, edge to the snack. Mix it with some salad and tuna and you have an easy lunch for Mum or include it in the lunchbox.
The Edgell 3 Bean & Corn come in these three flavours:
In supermarkets now.
The expert:
“The three flavours of Edgell 3 Bean & Corn are popular combinations in modern cooking and appeal to a variety of consumers — there is something for everyone in the convenient flavour sachets. The practicality of the sachets also means you can choose to go flavour-free if you prefer.” — Shelley Dillon, Dietitian
I’m thinking about beans now: Chilli Con Carne is going to be on the menu for this week.
Be full of beans — they’re good for you.
Would you like to try them? Be the first person to comment on this post (Australian residents only) and I’ll post you a serve to try, plus a Simple Great Meals apron.
External Links
Be A Fun Mum Links
I Have Three Crushes
No, I’m not talking about me. Although, David Tennant’s Scottish accent is pretty cute. Ahem, but seriously, I’m recalling a conversation I had with my then seven-year-old daughter. I remember it clearly because it was a triumph moment for me as a mother.
Flossie: Mum, I have three crushes.
Now, just imagine me. I’m driving the car. At these words, my immediate reaction was to — basically — FREAK OUT. I could almost see the words fly out of my mouth. “WHAT! You’re way to young for that. That’s absolutely ridiculous! Who are they? Where are they? Why are they? How are they?” {breathe}
And I’m so very proud to say I literally grabbed the words as they came out of my mouth and swallowed them hard. Instead I said — nonchalantly, like we were talking about the cows in the paddock. I tell you, it took a great deal of self-control.
Me: Yes darling? Is there something about these boys that are special.
Flossie: Yeah, they’re really nice and kind.
Me: They are lovely qualities in a person aren’t they?
Flossie: Yeah.
Me:You’re growing up Flossie. And it’s okay to notice boys and think they are nice. When I was a girl, a boy and I where chosen go to the office to do a job for a teacher. I thought this was pretty special. I love it how you’ve noticed one of the important qualities in a person: kindness.Thank you for telling me about it. {We talked a little more about the ins and outs of crushes.}
I was grateful she was willing to talk to me about it. I could have easily followed through on my first instinct, and potentially closed off the communication channel between us. As a parent, I’ve made many mistakes so, when I actually do it right, I triumph the moment; I celebrate it.
Have you had a parenting triumph moment?
Other Be A Fun Mum posts:
Theme It: Shoes
When it comes to shoes, I’m a pushover. I pause to look in the window of every shoe shop I pass, just to look — of course, mostly, sometimes. Will you check out the shoes at number nine. If you love shoes, the Princess Chic Blog is filled with interesting posts and topics. Enjoy browsing.
1. Devine Designs Shoe Bracelet $28 / 2. Shoes: A Love Story $19.95 / 3. Fluff Passport Wallet $16.95
4. Jade Ash Flower matching handbag, shoes and wallet $59.95 each
5. Novelty Shoes: Joker, Clown, Goblin, Petal from $35 (child to adult sizes / colour options variable)
6. Official Disney Cinderella Glass Slipper $79.95 7. Melissa Campana Gold Sandles $99
8. Cindy Lost Her Shoe Handbag $325 USD 9. Mai Lamore’s Rose Shoes $27,945 USD
10. Itch Sneaker Boys Tee $17.95 11. Shoe Shine Kit $32 12. Girls Shoe/Handbag Dress $60USD
13. Button Canvas Art Tutorial FREE 14. Shoe Speakers $45 15. Shoe Doll House $102
External Links
Other Be A Fun Mum Themes
* Owl
* Bathroom
* Retro
* Vintage
