With a host of awards for Best New Comedy to its credit, The Play That Goes Wrong actually appears to be doing something right for West End audiences, and now audiences here will get their chance to witness theatrical disaster on stages across Australia when this hilarious masterpiece stumbles into town.  Described as Fawlty Towers meets Noises Off, The Play That Goes Wrong comes to the Comedy Theatre from 22^nd February, 2017

The Play That Goes Wrong introduces ‘The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society' who are attempting to put on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong…does, as the accident-prone thespians battle on against all the odds to get to their final curtain call.

The Play That Goes Wrong is a highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned farce and Buster Keaton inspired slapstick delivered with split-second timing and ambitious daring. 

You can see this amazing production in Melbourne from the 22nd February at the Comedy Theatre. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster.ticketmaster.com.au

W I N 

You too could be falling over yourself watching this hilarious stage show! To win a double pass, like and comment on the Facebook post to be in the running! That's over $100 in value!

T&C's

Open to Victorian residents only.

Tickets are for the 8pm show on the 22nd February 2017.

Tickets are non transferable or refundable.

Tickets are for show only

It's 6:30 in the morning and I have just completed my very first FBW (Fat Burning Walk). I woke at 5:30 and hit the pavement! Wow! Do I feel the difference. No kids, no hubby, just me and the open road!

This is something I have never done because I never put me first. Now I've completed my walk and am home waiting for the kettle to boil so I can have a lemon water, and no one is none the wiser. I have t interrupted anyone's day! Wow, it is possible. Everything else is just an excuse. 

I need to lose weight and not because I want to wear a bikini or because someone laughed at my jiggly bits, but for my health. I can do this, I can make this change! 

I hope this doesn't sound like a new year resolution, because it's not! I don't like resolutions! This has to be legit. I have to make this work for me to stop my health dwindling, I've been told time and time again, so here I go! 

 

 

Here's my starting digits. I hope that by the end of the month this will be very different! A lot of you may remember my fitness journey, well, I know I can do it ... this is part two! 

LEGENDS IN CONCERT 

TRIBUTE TO THE STARS 

 

Prince, Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Adele, Olivia Newton-John

Long-running Las Vegas show comes to The Palms at Crown

From January 18 to 29, 2017

 

The original, largest and widely regarded as the world’s greatest live celebrity tribute show, Legends in Concert, is coming to The Palms at Crown Melbourne in January 2017.

 

Direct from Las Vegas, this internationally acclaimed production takes audiences on an electrifying journey through the songbooks of some of music’s legendary singers with world-renowned tribute artists, a live band, talented singers and dancers, lavish multimedia theatrical sets and authentic costumes.

 

The Legends in Concert tribute artists will sing with pitch-perfect live vocals on The Palms at Crown stage in Melbourne as they portray Prince, Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Adele and, for the first time, Olivia Newton-John. This will be their only Australian performance.

 

 

Legends in Concert

Dates:  January 18-29, 2017

Performances  Jan 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 – 8pm

Jan 20, 27 – 7.30pm

Sat 21 and Sat 28 - 2pm and 7.30pm

Sun 22 – 1.30 pm

Sun 29 – 7pm

Venue: The Palms at Crown, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank

Tickets: on sale now from Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au or phone 136100

Price: $79.90, plus booking fee

Website:   http://www.legendsinconcert.com

 

ALL NEW

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL – WOMEN ON FIRE!

OPENS AT THE ATHENAEUM THEATRE, COLLINS STREET, FROM WEDNESDAY 13 JULY

“It’s impossible not to laugh!” – New York Times 

The absolute smash hit Menopause The Musical is back with all new choreography and starring  ‘leggy’ superstar Jackie Love along with the return of Caroline Gillmer (Underbelly), Donna Lee (Beauty & the Beast) and Lena Cruz (Priscilla The Musical).  Renowned Director & Choreographer Tony Bartuccio gives a fresh and contemporary edge to the worldwide smash celebrating women and the change!

Opening at The Athenaeum Theatre, Collins Street Melbourne from Wednesday 13 July

The original Menopause The Musical debuted in Melbourne in 2005 for a six week season which was extended to six months.  The show then went on to tour other capital cities for five years and was seen by 980,000 theatre goers across the country.  Worldwide, it has been seen by 11 million people since it first opened in Florida, USA, in 2001.

Menopause The Musical follows the story of four women who meet at a lingerie sale and discover they have plenty in common, including memory loss, night sweats, hot flushes, too much sex, not enough sex and much more!

If you loved the original – you’ll love Menopause the Musical - Women on Fire, which will include 6 new songs and lots of new gags.  Featuring entertainer, Jackie Love as The Soap Star.  Jackie is a much loved Australian artist and personality, performing from the age of 12.  Winning multiple awards, she’s appeared on TV, in major Musicals and on stages around the world.  In fact, because of her international touring Jackie sings in 11 languages.

Director /Choreographer, Tony Bartuccio, is one of Australia’s foremost choreographers working across virtually every aspect of the arts and entertainment. Renowned for the Tony Bartuccio Dancers who performed on Channel 9 for the better part of two decades, Tony continues as Resident Choreographer and Creative Director, Variety and Events for the Nine Network.  For theatre he has designed choreography for Company B Belvoir – including The Sapphires original season, Malthouse Melbourne, Griffin Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, J.C. Williamson, Conrad Jupiters, International Concert Attractions and Crown Palladium.  In 2013 Tony choreographed Nine Network’s Love Child starring Jessica Marais.

Now the side-splitting celebration of all things menopausal continues in the all-new Menopause the Musical – Women on Fire!

SEASON DETAILS

MELBOURNE

VENUE:         Athenaeum Theatre

Dates From Wednesday 13 July

Tickets www.ticketek.com.au or Box office: 9650 1500

BRISBANE

Venue Twelfth Night Theatre, Cintra Rd, Bowen Hills

Dates From Saturday 21st May

Tickets Ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100 or 07 3252 5122

Have you ever thought ... "Oh, I will never do that" ...  when your mum said or did something in your earlier years? I have, often! Here is a list of things my mum did that I'll never do! 

• Ironing EVERYTHING! You won't see me standing behind an ironing board while I iron the tea towels or Doona covers, the only time that'll happen is is the queen of f'ing England is coming to stay and I think she might check my tea towel cupboard. 
• The 'good set' of everything that comes out on special occasions. The only good set of anything I have these days are the good set of wine bottles in the top of the cupboard, where the kids can't reach, waiting for the queen. Everything we own from plates to cutlery to bed linen is in full rotation! Saves me washing everything!
• This is my favourite. The pegs. My mum may have been a little ocd, she would colour coordinate the pegs to the clothes. Yep. White items got white pegs. Pink/red items got pink pegs. Blue with the blue and so on. I now purposely randomly pick colours, I will actually put back a peg if I have a pair that match the item I'm holding. That is not ocd, that is rebelling!
• I will not listen to old school music and force it on my children ... Oops ... Too late.
• I will not leave my child to sleep in the back yard if they return home after curfew. I know it was summer but damn it was cold and new I forgot my keys! Kids you are safe! I will let you in!!
• I will not teach my children how to drive! Oh no, no way! I still have nightmares about the look in her eye when she was trying to teach me gears. I am not hard headed and I did not think I knew what I was doing. Urgh, parents. 
• I will not make you pay board!!!! As soon as I started working, I was paying board! It was 'going into a separate account' that would be made available to me later on, that I never saw! But I found the whole purpose stupid! I was barely there! 

Oh the list could go on! Is there anything your mum did that made you cringe and swear to never do the same?

I often write about how parenting can be hard, how life can be hard, and it can. More often than not I feel it biting me on the ass.

I like to bask in the good days, but the bad haunt me. I have also spoken often about depression. It is a motherfucker. I hate my bad days, I hate that I get down and angry and sad and frustrated, and that is all in a matter of minutes! Maybe I am more of a split personality than I thought, I am a Gemini!

Lately I have been researching how I can manage my emotions without drugs, without being medicated. This all started when I approached our local doctor and he had my details prefilled on a script for antidepressants before I had finished my sentence. It is almost like an automatic reaction to someone saying, I'm not coping. It has taken me a very long time to come to terms with the fact that I need help. Never have I thought myself to be worthy of assistance, everyone else in my family has always taken priority over me. I was always more worried about the kids and hubby then I was about my own concerns. 

Having researched this quite deeply in the past few months, I came to realise most women feel like this. Running themselves into the ground before stopping and looking at the destruction they have caused to themselves. This is where I am at. 

After years and years of putting everyone before me, I have pushed myself so far back into the darkness I wondered if I could ever come back. I am not the person I once was and even though I crave to be her, I never will. I accept that. What I have learnt? I have learnt to be gentle. I have learnt to walk away from something that is causing me stress. But most of all, I am learning to accept; accept myself for who I am, accept I can't change anything other than my own thoughts and accept my life for what it is. 

In the past few years, I have tried to suppress my emotions. That doesn't work. That just leads to an explosion further down the track. What I now do is;

• Vent. Be it to hubby (should he deserve it!) to a friend or a professional. Letting go of the thoughts in your head can be therapeutic, can also be damaging so be mindful of what you say and to who! 
• Journal. Allowing all the negativity to flow through the pen to the paper. It didn't work at first and I nearly gave up, but after a month of putting pen to paper it is helping! And I'm enjoying it too!
• Yoga. This give me time to let everything weighing me down go. I needed this. I do Yoga With Adriene. Adriene is a young Texan woman who is lighthearted, funny and accepting of every persons ability. This has been a God scent! I went to one yoga class and I felt like I was being crusified by all in there!! But the YWA community is so amazing and there to help too which is always a superb bonus! 
• Fitness. I wouldn't say I am fit, but walking has been a great way of releasing pent up stress and the fresh air is great at clearing the head! On a nice sunny day, there is nothing better!  
• Organisation. This is something I am working on. I am decluttering, minimising our belongs to have a clean and clear world to surround ourselves in. This is both therapeutic whilst completing the task and rewarding afterwards. It also allows for ease of maintaining the house, when there isn't a million things to clean and put away! 
• Routine. Routine is the winning tool. It is all about perfecting the art of having everything in order to complete a task when it needs to be completed, this was how our house was always run! It works and is necessary, but finding that routine again is difficult ... but it is possible.

I am looking forward to my appointment on the weekend with a Naturopath. After speaking with Karina the other day, I was encouraged to explore this world. My response to seeing a Naturopath was mixed. A few saying they are great and more so saying it's like witch craft! To me, I am open about trying it. If it doesn't work, well then it I don't go, but I have always been very spiritual and natural and think this will be right up my alley!

So I am nowhere near 'cured', I'm not even maintaining my emotions well, but I am in progress. It is possible. And with every good day, I feel a little more like myself and that can only be a good thing!

If you are feeling depressed or anxious and want to know more about what you can do to help yourself, check out these sites for more information.

No, I'm not talking about fashion or Valentine's Day, I'm talking about the most exquisite theatre production you will see this year.

This March, the China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group brings the touching love story to Melbourne. Be transported to an ancient town in southern China where a young man and a young woman tell their story of love and heartache after being forced a part. After a promise of marriage the young bride waits many years for him to return, with a dream of her red wedding dress.

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The production presents this most cherished ceremony of a southern Chinese girl’s life, and paints a vivid picture of the special wedding customs of southern China. It conveys the grandness and exquisiteness of China’s folk culture, as well as the dream and pursuit of the Chinese for peace and happiness.

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WIN

If you would like to join us at this special event, please head to the Middle Class Mamas Facebook page or Instagram page and like the special The Red Dress post and you will be in the running!

****Competition is open to Melbourne residents only. Tickets are for Tuesday the 10th March only and cannot be transferred to another date or time. Competition closes Wednesday 25th February and winners are chosen at random.****

Hi guys!

Today I want to talk about stretching. 

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Ok, who does it ... honestly now ... who can put their hand up and honestly say that they stretch before and after exercising? I can't. I am the worst for it. Hence my recent back injury and constant tightness ... well ... everywhere!

So my Myotherapist gave me some pointers to help me get back up and running and to strengthen the RIGHT muscles and not use my lower back all the time.

Did you know, when you stand from a sitting or lying position or if you are lift or bending you should be using your glutes. If you are anything like me, then your lower back would have been doing that work. The back consists of a delicate muscle structure, but your glutes are there to take on all the hard work, it's just we don't think to use them!

Try this one, the next time you get up from a chair or out of bed, squeeze your butt cheeks together. Yep, as hard as you can, imagine you have a coin between them and you can't let it fall. That's what you should be doing when you rise and bend. I on the other hand, was using my back every time.

This is a great start at training your body to work the right way, but stretching in general is something that we all should be doing regardless of what type or how much exercise we do. I have downloaded the fitivity app, Fit Flexibility. I have tried and tested a few apps (some that have cost me a pretty penny) but this has been the best so far! It is great for beginners as it gradually eases you into pushing your body a little further. It is a 6 day program, Level 1 taking two weeks, level 3 another two weeks and so on until you look like gumby! Jokes! 

I hope that you too can get a lot more out of your body by stretching and keeping your body happy. Remember to listen to what your body is telling you, push yourself, but don't over do it, the damage is far worse than the lack of results!

Image courtesy of 123RF.com

Ok, bring on February! 

I am so pumped and motivated at the moment! I am ready to create a new me. 

So here's the thing, I have been on my Fitness Journey for a while now. I have lost 8 kgs, but of late I have been lacking motivation.I wanted a hot to trot bod by summer, I wanted to run 5-10kms and I wanted to be confident. All I achieved was a love of rolly bits and a possible bike ride 5kms. Not quite the achievement I anticipated.

So here I am, I thought a fresh start in the new year would get me going. Nope. I blame the kids. The kids and school holidays. But no more excuses! I am making a stance and will start living better. I am not waiting until Feb, I have started already, but that is just in preparation for the month to come. 

With only a week to go I have enrolled myself in two fitness and healthy eating challenges to make me keep in line. I want to create a better lifestyle for me and the kids so that we can live healthier lives. I have also been suffering from migraines again so here we have it, I have to take charge and make the change. (Sounding like a MJ song ...)

My first challenge; The Forage 4 Week Challenge

This is great, this is what I have been waiting for! This challenge sets out a four week meal plan for breakfast, lunch and tea,cereal teaches you about portion size and what to eat and not eat. It is also a sugar free, so it is everything I need to help kick my butt (and other flabby bits) into gear and get myself healthy again. I'm really excited to be apart of this and I know it will be interesting to see how the kids react to it too!

The best part of this challenge is it's free! Yes, you join up, buy their cereal and the rest is free! I would be buying breakfast anyway, so what is the big deal if I change brand? Makes sense to me!

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My second challenge; Blogilates Hot Body Challenge

If you have followed my Fitness Journey then you will know my love of Blogilates. I have been rather slack of late but I am back and super excited. This is such a great way of getting your body fit and strong and combining it with a healthy diet (or the above challenge) I am expecting great things.

This challenge however is more like motivation of the dollar kind! Yes, you pay $30 to participate and if you can lose 4% of your starting weight then you win a share in the pot. Depending on the amount of winners depends on what you win! That is motivation enough for me!! 

Of course, I would love it if you would join me on my new journey. I have so much motivation at the moment, but if I have people jump on board with me, I get the feeling that I will stick it out as I wouldn't want to let you down! You can sign up for the Forage 4 Week Challenge at their website and the Blogilates Hot Body Challenge can be found here, be sure to follow this link so they know I sent you! 

Thank you all again and here's to an awesome month of health, fitness and a stronger, better you! 

I had the most amazing opportunity tonight, to dine with some Melbourne bloggers. I had visions of getting them drunk and obtaining all their blogger knowledge whilst dining on delicious food! Instead I found myself in traffic for 1 1/2 hours!! Damn, I hate peak hour and these people wanting to get places! 

I witnessed three accidents on the way in and held my breath as I watched a car screech to a halt behind me! What is going on people?!?

So I whinged to the hubby, had a tanty in the car, maybe even shed a tear before arriving somewhere around an hour late ... so fashionably me! 

But the amazing Nicole at Seeking Victory had chosen a lovely restaurant for us to meet in, top job my love! And it was a pleasure meeting you! I also had the honour of meeting Sarah, from Creating Contentment too. Now this is a blog that I have been following for sometime, so it was very nice to meet you and hear what you had to say! It's always a pleasure hearing your thoughts direct rather than I creating the context!!

It was also nice to hear that there are people out there with the same issues and ideas. You are never alone in this world, you just isolate yourself.

Sadly I did have to run early to relieve hubby of his parenting duties, and my nerves played a part too. I truly hope I get to meet again! I had a lovely time! Thank you!

Tonight I am sitting here forcing myself to stay awake so that I can have 5 minutes alone time. Do you ever get like that? Is it odd that I force myself to stay awake to do this?

This week has been absolute chaos! I have driven the hour and a half round trip to my daughters school three times in the past two days, and I will do it again tomorrow for basketball. I have attempted shopping for clothes for an upcoming wedding and squeezed in activities for all the kids. We have rehearsed speeches, practiced a prayer for mass and I swear to God if I hear the words mum, mummy, mama or mama bear one more time I will commit myself.

I know that there are a lot more people worse off than me and there would be people rolling their eyes right about now muttering, first world problems, but they are still problems. My problems!

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Not that I think my children are problems (not all the time anyway) I think it is my lack of patience. But for what is patience when you are a mother of four ... is patience the little smile you find when there are witnesses? The sneaky turn of the volume knob when you know you are about to be included in the argument or conversation in the back seat of the car? Maybe it is the complete oblivion you find when your little ones are nagging or calling you for the three-millionth time today. Don't act all innocent, I'm not alone here, am I?

I hang out for these five minutes, the time I can sit in silence, find my calm spot and just relax before someone has a nightmare, or needs a massage or suddenly realises they have homework due the next day. 

Did your mother ever say to you, "I hope one day that you have a daughter three times as bad as you!" Guess what mum, your wish came true, but instead of one daughter three times as bad, I got three daughters three times as bad! I don't mean bad as in naughty, although somedays that is debatable, I mean forgetful, lazy, messy, unmotivated, whiney ... that list could go on and on and on! 

Being a parent is exhausting, maybe not physically like hubby gets, but mentally and emotionally. Some days I want to run away screaming then minutes later I melt for them when they give you those sappy eyes, other days you'll find me at the park being the big kid that I am, stealing goes on the flying fox! I love being a mum, I miss being me, but tonight I have realised that regardless of my 'status' I am me and that is all that matters!

Good night all and have an amazing weekend xxx

Oh hello lovlies!

Schools back and aren't we happy! Well it's back for one of mine, the big kid is still at home! Although, that can be a good thing. While the kids play, mama can sit down and flick through the new online version of My Child!!

Yes, My Child magazine is now available online and this months issue is free to download ... FREE I tell you!

Here's what Lise the Editor for My Child magazine has to say ...

My Child magazine came about after I gave birth to my beautiful son, Duncan, in May 2004. My husband Brian and I were both in our 40s (I had Duncan at 41!) and had given up on the idea of having children so Duncan really was a kind of miracle for us!


At school I was a bit of a rebel and when I left, I ended up working in exactly what I had never

Lise and Duncan

wanted to do – secretarial! Plus it was in the corporate sector – merchant banks and chartered accountancy firms – which did not suit my personality at all. Mind you, I was pretty good at it and ended up running conferences around Australia. Then in my late 20s I finally went to Macquarie University to do a double major in English Literature before moving into magazine publishing. I’ve now been working in magazines for over 20 years across weeklies, monthlies and quarterlies including That’s Life!, Elle, Family Circle and CLEO. I’d never looked at parenting magazines until I fell pregnant, however I found none of them were my cup of tea. Their features were too superficial to learn anything substantial from and their design unappealing.

I’d also decided I wanted to be around as much as possible for the first few years of Duncan’s life before he started school. I wanted to be there while he was little to experience his first steps and all those sweet (but often challenging) growing-up stages. But I also needed to work. These factors, plus my wonderful husband’s support, were what prompted me to start up my own magazine, which is still run from my home! The mag has been produced as a quarterly print publication since 2006 and has now transitioned to a free digital-only monthly format – our June issue (the first digital-only

What amazing accomplishments this woman has made, I am lucky to brush my hair in the morning and feed the children! But My Child has been my go to mag for all ideas and designs for the kids rooms and even though some things may be out of price range, others are not! And the thought process is started! Hubby always goes "Uh Oh!" when a new issue hits the bench, now I can hide in secret! 

I have loved reading this gorgeous online mag, I hope you do too!

Last month's author spotlight was on Melody Grace, and with her newest book being released this month I just had to share the good news!

I had the pleasure of reading this baby in advance and can I say ... it doesn't disappoint! 

Here's a look into what the fuss is all about!

He'll teach her a pleasure beyond her wildest dreams!

Alicia Wright isn't the kind of girl to make out with a stranger in a dark alley. She's spent years playing it safe, pining after the perfect man who's about to marry someone else. She doesn't know how to move on, until a sexy stranger turns her world upside down with a wickedly tempting proposition.

She'll rescue him from the edge of oblivion.

Rock star Dex Callahan swore his days of fame and debauchery were behind him, but the spotlight keeps calling his name. Determined not to fall into his old life, he goes looking for distraction -- and finds an intoxicating red-head with a mouth made for sin. One kiss could never be enough, so Dex offers her a deal: spend one week with him, and she'll forget her old flame ever existed.

Together, they'll ignite a passion that will change them forever.

No rules. No limits. As the whirlwind week of pleasure unfolds, Alicia discovers a desire she never knew existed and the tortured heart Dex hides behind his charming smile. But can old loves so easily be replaced? And when the week is over, will their bond be strong enough to weather the storm?

OOO .... The story of Dex and Alicia is a continuation of the Beachwood Bay series I was banging on about last month and is definitely worth a look!

You can preorder at Amazon and iBooks!

I have decided that being a parent is hard. Especially a parent to four.

Washing for, cleaning up after and cooking for four is a full time job on its own. Then add in school drop offs and pick ups, kinder, ballet, swimming, basketball. Our days are a constant go, go, go.

When do you find time to be you? Whether is be dinner and a movie or a bath. Do you struggle finding the time?

The past two weeks I have been sick. For most of last week I dragged my feet around all day unable to do much. To the point we avoided the stairs at all costs! Hubby was great, although his business is busy at the moment, which is great for the business, not so much for the home (or his sanity)!

Most of all I have been thinking about how much your life changes with four little people to chase after. Dinner is damn near impossible, visiting friends is a bigger task then ever, especially if those friends don't have kids!

I know in a few years time they will be grown up and I will wish them little again, but at the moment I wish for simple task like visiting the supermarket to actually be simple. I wish that they could remember their shoes or not wipe their snot on my shoulder. Who am I kidding, I wouldn't change them for the world, they are the most amazing little people I have ever met. They make every day worth waking up for. I just need to manage my time a little better and find a way to squeeze a little me into our schedule!

How do you do it? What do you do to take a time out?

Hello all!

Sorry it has been a little quiet on my end! It has been a mad house over here. May and June always are!

We've had birthdays, a Baptism, and plenty of school and out of school activities happening! As you already know we went away to Healsville too!

Firstly, I had a birthday! Yippee! Happy Birthday to me! This is what 32 looks like ...

I had a wonderful day! Hubby took the kids to school and Aerotots, before dropping me off at the beautician for pedi, massage and waxing! I had lunch with my Lexi when she finished, a snooze with her too. We picked up the kids, played for a while before dinner at the in laws. I was spoilt rotten too! New iPhone cover, slippers, voucher, perfume, jewellery stand and cardi! It was a great day with my beautiful family!

It was that weekend that we went away, only to return to the chaos of organising Mr Nate's Baptism. I had so much fun doing this. All this boy stuff is new and exciting and I love it! Trying to keep the budget tight, I did a lot things on my own, like the invites and the thank you's!

These were super simple and cheap too! The pillow boxes are from Kmart and were about $3 per pack, the ribbon I had left over from the invites and I got the labels from Officeworks for about $15, I had plenty left over too. The best part is that Avery have a website designed for their products, with templates so you can create what ever you need! Awesome! Then I filled them with Hershey's Kisses, because they are so damn yummy!

We had and amazing day. Surrounded by family and friends, we showered that little guy with so much love! After what was a horrible start, with me losing my bank card and then relocating to the MIL's house, the hair straightener and hair dryer dying, we were relaxed and were able to enjoy our day. 

Father Ian Baptising Nate

Nate with his Godparents

The Cake Table - Adorable cake made by my sister in law!

Love this idea! Created by Let's Celebrate

I was so pleased with it all. It had been such a wonderful and memorable occasion. I love my little family so much that it hurts, but on occasions like this I love sharing that feeling with those dearest. 

A huge thank you to my sister in law for the AMAZING cake, my in laws for opening up their home (last minute) and assisting in every other way, to Nate's godparents (even if Father Ian did forget your names) and to everyone who shared this special day with us! 

I had the most amazing weekend a couple of weeks ago ... I don't mean to brag!

Oh it was divine! Relaxing! Surrounded by beautiful scenery and people!

Ok, so for my birthday last year the family got me a hot air balloon ride. But as I was pregnant (and slightly unwell!) I wasn't able to go. So we left it, and left it, AND left it! Christmas came and we were spoilt rotten by my mother in law who gave us a weekends accommodation in the Yarra Valley so we could have our balloon ride.

This month’s Author Spotlight is on Melody Grace. Melody is an Adult Romance novelist, with two of her novels making the USA Today Bestselling List for Unbroken and Untouched.

Having just myself finished the Beachwood Bay Series, I have to admit I love reading her style. She has enough information to find yourself at the beach house or walking the main street to Johnny’s Bar. You are transported to fantasy place where you feel the characters emotions and you are taken on their roller coaster ride, without feeling bored by too much information.

The story of Juliet and Emmerson is one of love that defies the odds, emotion raw and truthful and as always a happy ending. The series then continues through the other characters of Emmerson’s sister, Brittany, Juliet’s friend Lacey and finishing with Juliet’s estranged sister, Corina. A look into each person’s view, each person’s life and a creative continuation that doesn’t bore.

If you’re keen to read any of Grace’s books, head over to bookworld.com.au which offers 10% off their already discounted prices to anyone who becomes a Bookworld Citizen. I’ve partnered with them this month to promote their clearance e-store sale. Currently they are offering up to 70% selected books (they may even have some of Melody Grace’s books on sale!) but if you are looking for a bargain you can head to their website for more books at discounted prices. Also, free delivery too!

I had the up most pleasure of trialling this amazing product from Tommee Tippee lately!

What a helping hand this one has become! I have never used an item in my kitchen as much as this! Well with the exception of the kettle!

When it arrived, I ripped it open and put it straight to work. Within minutes, I had sterilised a bottle, steamed some fruit and veggies, blended them all and it was drying on the sink once again. I honestly could not get over how amazing this product is and how easy it is to use!

My favourite option is the steamer. I am able to throw in some fruit for lunch or when cooking dinner for us, add the veggies and meat so Nate can eat like us! I'll show you how ...

Firstly, we chop up the items you want to steam. Nothing too precise, roughly dice them up so they come out softer. Add them to the universal bowl and cover. Depending on what you are steaming, you add the desired water and set the temperature! 

Here I am using pear, which I peeled and diced.

Next we add the blade to the glass bowl you were using as a lid and add the steamed produce!

With the motorised head we can now blend the items to your desired consistency. Depending on your childs level of eating you can puree or just chop! It is ideal for young eaters who need their food small.


Then you are ready to serve!






















So easy!

In addition to this amazing function, the food processor also warms bottles AND sterilises them. You can even chose to make your food in advance and warm/defrost it in this baby!

All the temperature information you need comes in the instructions ... but recipes are not included! So tell me, what's your favourite veggie or fruit mix and you too could be the owner of the amazing and versatile Food Processor! Use the RaffleCopter widget below to enter. Entries close 12pm 02 June 2014. Open to Australian Residents only! Sorry!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a letter to my children when they have children of there own. It is an exercise to help me be a better parent.

To my dearest children,

This Sunday just passed was Mother's Day.

What an amazing day this is! I love it! Not for the gift or the breakfast in bed (or the lack thereof), but for the undivided attention of my children, the love and fun and joy we share.

And yes, I had to raise my voice a couple of times. And yes, I had to use the 'but it's mother's day' line too. But they are kids, what do you expect?

I was able to start the day with all four in our bed! Then ... get this ... I had a shower!! ALONE!! Haha! We had a fine dinning breakfast at McDonalds (my choice), lunch with the extended family and a walk through Williamstown with an ice cream. Then when we returned home, the little ones had a nap while we watched a movie, popped some popcorn and chilled out! Pizza for tea and then we all but flaked it in our bed!

Could you ask for a better day? I would think not!

Thank you to my beautiful children for my amazing gifts, and to my wonderful hubby for treating me like a queen! Love you all xxx