Showing posts with label busy mum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label busy mum. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

the busy mum's advent calendar

I have loved advent calendars since I had those cardboard ones from the grocery store as a child.  You know the ones, a picture of the Three Wise men with angels, stars and manger scene,  and little numbered doors that each hide a single sticky foil wrapped sweet.  Mine was always stuck on the wall next to my bed so that I could open my eyes and immediately enjoy the normally forbidden treat of sweets before breakfast. 

Since then advent calendars have become much prettier and cleverer, a feature of the home Christmas display.  I know we have all been pinning our favourites for months.  Does this mean I have made one?  Not yet but I do have a plan.  But if you are out of time and energy have a look at the online calenders below.  I promise neither you or your children will not feel short changed.
Granny S sent the first online advent calendar to us three years ago and we are waiting eagerly for the 2012 one to begin.  These gorgeous interactive calendars by Jacquie Lawson begin with a pretty scene, this year there is an Alpine scene (above) and a London one (below).  Every day has a numbered ball, when pressed a little scene unfolds as the town gets ready for Christmas.  
Of course I don't know what happens yet either but I remember last year: carol singers sang hymns ...


...through the town and people came out of the houses to listen; Christmas decorations went up in the stores; all the trees were lit up.    There are little hidden games like designing your own snowflakes that then fall across the screen, or choosing the colours of the fairy lights in the trees.  I am as just as excited to see what happens as Miss E.

They have become part of our Christmas tradition, Miss E springs out of bed and runs to the computer to see what will unfold each morning.  This year we will be sending them to our niece and nephew who are an ocean away from us so that they can share in the fun too.

Only a few days to go...




Sunday, November 18, 2012

the busy mums festive season greetings with minted

Every year I mean to send out festive season greetings with a lovely picture of the family, a little update of the year just past, and wishes of peace and love from us to all our family and friends.  The good intentions have never once turned into reality, this time of year has always been just to busy.

So when minted asked me to review their online greeting card system I jumped at the opportunity.  
Could this finally be the year my family card actually gets done?
My test goals: 
- could I create a card in a reasonable time frame.  
  I figure an evening is the most time realistically available for a busy mum
- are the results good looking, good quality and reasonably priced
- can you create a good look without a professional photo of your family
- would I use them again

I was impressed!  Read on for a full review and have a look at some of the mock ups I created in just a few hours (the dashed lines would not be there in the finished product).
It was fun to browse the many different card options available.  They are really pretty and are a great source of ideas for how to set up your own family photo.  These are a few of my favourites below:  photograph from above (left), what a cute idea, and the relaxed shot (right) could easily be taken sitting on the floor against a white wall of your home.
I also love this action shot (below left), an easy way to get everybody smiling and perfect if you are a family of 3.  The card below right is great if you have cute individual pictures, but not a great one of the whole family.
So back to my review.  I didn't have a professional shot.  The action shot I uploaded, zoomed in, and changed to black and white.  I also have some cute Instagram shots, its not quite the crisp professional finish but I love their softness and colours (love Instagram!).
You can easily personalise the inside or back of your card.  Some really cute ideas, I like the nine photo grid, the patterns are pretty, but I would choose the option to write a short message, record a few milestones and give a short update on the family.  Great for people you aren't in touch with regularly, or even just as a reminder of the achievements and joys of the year past.  





Wrapping up - my review findings:

  • You could create a card in an evening.  Allow a little time to find the right photo and play around with the different layouts, its fun and easy to do.
  • The results look great, I am very happy with what I have been able to create.  
  • The prices are good: 25 cards printed front and back, and white envelopes would cost $80.25, $3.20 each.  
  • I haven't seen the final results yet so I will have to update you on the quality when I get them.
  • You can create a lovely card without a professional photo (its another thing always on my to do list that never happens).  An app like Instagram will help you create a pretty shot. 

Its been fun, its been quick, and I am finally going to have the family greeting card that I have always wanted.  Now I just need to remember to post them!!

Note:  this review is my personal opinion and is based on my experience using the minted website.  I would never blog about or recommend a product that I do not believe in.  Thank you minted for sponsoring my beautiful family cards in 2012.

Post script - just received actual cards...
I am very impressed with the print and paper quality.  The people I have given them to so far have loved them!!





Sunday, November 11, 2012

the busy mum's beach bag

I need to buy a bucket and spade.  Every time we have been to the beach Little Miss J has headed for the nearest bucket and spade and monopolised it.  The little owners are not always pleased!  
While I am at it I am putting together this beach bag so we are always ready to hit the sand.  No more hunting through the house to get ready, this bag is going to be packed and ready to go in the boot, just swap out the wet towels, top up the water bottles, and add a snack of course.  
The Busy Mum's saving strategy once again - a place for everything and everything in its place. 









































Clockwise from top left: 
bucket and spade from Kelly's Camping, 
- Bobble refillable self filtering water bottles.  Swallowing salt water by mistake makes us thirsty!  Officeworks stocks them in Australia.
- Canvas beach bag in lime from Target, to hold all the kit.
- Cute girls fedora from Seed
- Striped towel via the House Queen
- Banana Boat spray on water proof 30+ sunblock - spray is handy for when the kids just won't keep still.
- Roxy rashy to keep the sun off.

Always remember to Slip Slap & Slop as we say in Australia - Slip on a rashy, slap on a hat, slop on some sunblock, that sun is fierce!!!

Now what we really need is an outdoor shower at the front door so that the beach doesn't come home with us.


Friday, November 9, 2012

Busy mum's midweek dinner..... pork belly secrets


Slow roasted pork belly with refreshing apple & fennel salad

The perfect dinner when you know will you be busy and want something warm and satisfying.  Less than 10 minutes prep is rewarded by 2 hours of glorious kitchen smells and then a scrumptious dinner.   
The secret is in those Sichuan peppercorns and yes, you need all those peppercorns.

Pork belly is very rich so I like to serve this dish with a fresh, crisp salad of apple, fennel and rocket.    And oven roasted potatoes if the family is hungry.  If you like pork belly you will love this meal. 

Ingredients:
1 kg (2 lb) pork belly (try find a less fatty one)
4cm ginger, sliced
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 star anise
1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed
2 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, crushed
Water

Preparation: 
Preheat oven to 180”c (350”F)
Place pork belly in casserole pot with a tight fitting lid. 
Add all other ingredients and enough water to just cover.
Put in preheated oven with lid on for 2 hours.
After 2 hours remove pork and cut into 2cm (3/4 in) slices.  Return to casserole and cook for further 45-60 minutes with lid off.

You will know it is done when the pork is very tender and beginning to brown.

I found this recipe in Every Day in the Kitchen (Allan Campion & Michele Curtis), called simply “the pork dish”, and it is a firm family favourite.  Left-over’s make delicious sandwiches, but sadly there never are any.

I am so excited, the crisp salad of apple, fennel and rocket is being featured in the first addition of Snowed in Magazine which will be launched on 15th November.  This magazine is the latest creative venture of Ashley Pahl of She Makes a Home.  Ashley writes a wonderful blog that is one of my favourite reads. It is full of considered thoughts on her life as a mom and creative business woman, her wonderful card designs (that are sold on Etsy), her favourite recipes and inspirations.
I will remind you when it is launched.   I can't wait to see it especially as Ashley has accepted three of my submissions and I can't wait to find out if they make the final cut and how they look in print!!!  (Inelegant squeaks of excitement)
Have a lovely weekend!!!



Tuesday, November 6, 2012

the busy mum's race day survival kit

Busy mum's all had lives before their children, and given the chance we still know how to party.  I am off to the races today, its the Melbourne Cup, for those outside Australia, a really big horse race knows as "the race that stops the nation".  So I needed a hat.  I have never been a fan of the old fascinator, looks a little like a bird stuck to  the side of your head, so I decided to go the whole hog and wear an actual bird on my head.  The gorgeous flowers were inspired by this party hat tutorial on Oh Happy Day.  Excellent instructions and I was very pleased with the results, especially once I added the birds.























































So my hat is ready but wish I had this survival kit prepared and ready.  Glorious pink and tortoise shell sunnies from Wayfarer online, a delicious Gucci Bamboo bag in pink, fashion tape to keep all your bits in place and away from the paparazzi by Zodee, and these brilliant fold up shoes from Kindred Sole.  Have you heard of fold up shoes?  They fold in half and very flat so they fit in your purse.  When comfort finally wins out over vanity, after a long day or night in heels, you slip them on and carry your heels home.  No more walking on the pavement in your stockings!!







































Hope you all had a glorious race day!!



Sunday, August 26, 2012

MINUSCULE TV SERIES.... for you and your kids

Do you know these little guys yet?  If not I may just be saving your sanity, because I don't know about you, but I can't do Dora baby, not one more time.  

Introducing the teeny tiny bug eye-view world of Minuscule.  Made of course by the French, I don't imagine French children listen to the Wiggles, or High Five. Non Non!
Its cartoon, but not as you know it:
-the backdrop is real gorgeous France, very pretty,
-no dialogue, no irritating sugary squeaky voices, just very cute sound effects & simple instrumental music,
-each episode is about 4 minutes long, long enough to finish dinner, unpack the drier, drink a cup of tea in peace.  Need I say more?  Give it a try.The baby is obsessed, she clutches the remote and presses every button in the hope that "mmmmiiiii" will magically appear.  The rest of us think the baby and the show is funny too.

Tell me what you think, because in a perfect world the kids don't watch tv, but in the real world they sometimes do.  Any other  recommendations will be gratefully received.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

busy mom's first aid kit

Essentials for soothing bumps and bruises - keep these handy!
Sometimes the distraction is the best part of the cure.
Cuddles and kisses to make it all better are best, but these help too.
Tiger Balm: 
For muscle aches but sometimes just looking at the tiger and playing with the tin is enough.  Works a treat with growing pains.
Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment: 
A miracle in a tube!!  Soothes and heals burns like nothing I have ever seen (its a fixture in our kitchen drawer), and is the only moisturiser that works on my dry lips.
Frozen Ice Pops
Unopened they are good for putting on bad bumps instead of ice.  Also great for getting fluid into hot little bodies when you are worried about a fever or dehydration.  These lovely organic ones are from Real Nice.
Cute bandages
Our current favourite are these Rainbow Monkeys, hard not to smile at their funny faces.
Arnica Gel: 
Reduces bruising and soothes stiff muscles.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Top 5 baby books

I don't think I can survive The Wiggles and Dora the Explorer the second time around!
These are five board books that you will still enjoy reading on time 1001.
Baby sister gives them all high five.
top 5 baby books

Lovely pictures, words that trip off the tongue even when your mind is somewhere else, and characters and drawings your baby will love for years and years to come.
Any other suggestions?