Things that matter most

It's taken me almost 6 months to put pen to paper and get this post done.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't have the time to write it earlier, I could have found the time.  What I didn't have was the motivation, the inspiration or the desire to share any longer.  I created a cocoon, sort of, which is where i've been hiding my emotions, fears, stresses and even all the good - my ideas, creativity and enthusiasm.  It's been on hold from the rest of the world and now I want to start giving again.  I want to share what i've got and I think i'm finally in the right head space to do so.

I've been on a short, but long journey over the last few months, coming to terms with the discovery of a new child (my child) who will soon be making its way into this wide world of ours.  The thought alone of managing a newborn, on top of a toddler was enough to send me straight into a panic.  The anxiety, in a way, caused me to freeze up and discontinue what I had been working towards.  It made me second-guess and re-consider everything that I was doing.  Was it worth it? Was it possible? Was ANYTHING possible now that i'd be committed to raising not one, but two children? Obviously, the answer is yes.  Of course it is possible, everything is possible but at the time, I let the stress get the better of me.  I let it tell me that this was not going to be okay, that my sanity and my freedom would no longer exist and that my hopes and dreams could basically be written off.  I was wrong, I know that now but it was the way I felt and it's what I went through, in my mind, over the months leading up to now.

I think the major turning point for me was during my 20-week scan.  It was in those few hours, seeing moving 3D images of my baby on a screen that I was able to see the light.  For the first time I felt true love rather than angst and uncertainty towards my unborn child.  It was then and there that I realised this was not a bad thing at all.  This was a good thing, a really, really beautiful thing.  I was not only going to have one, but two of what I love most in this world...my son.  How could that ever be a bad thing?

As this pregnancy has progressed, it's become more and more clear that this isn't about me.  It's about them.  It's about my children and their need to be nurtured.  It's not about my most desired career path and lack of freedom.  Yes, these are things I might miss out on and may have to sacrifice, but those losses are nothing compared to what the kids will gain from my choice to be a loving, dedicated and nurturing mother.  My focus is now on my children, both of them and everything else needs no other place than to be on the outskirts.  It was all very confusing until I allowed my intuition to tell me what was most important.  As soon as that was clear I could push aside, quite easily, all the things that trailed behind.

Everything with great importance to you should always, always take precedence. That's what i've learned over the last few months and I wanted to share it with anyone who's struggling internally, as I was, to piece together the various aspects of their life.  All the parts to the puzzle do fit, I promise, you just have to know where to put them.

Read more...

DIY wall deco

    

Beaded Name Letter For Children's Bedroom

Materials

Stencil of the 1st letter of child's name

Beads

Pencil

Super glue

Scissors

2 plain sheets of white paper

Large frame

Instructions

 1. Draw around the letter stencil with a pencil

2. Organise your beads within the letter so you know where you want to stick each of them

3. lift each of the buttons up one by one and super glue them to the white paper (try to leave a tiny bit of space between the buttons and the pencil line)

 4.  Once all of your buttons are glued on, cut around the edge of the letter, following the pencil line (this is why you don't want your buttons covering your pencil line)

5. Glue your letter cut-out into the center of a fresh piece of white paper.

6.  Once the glue has tried, transfer your new sheet of paper (with beaded letter) into a frame that matches both your buttons and your child's bedroom decor.

I got this cute idea from an awesome blog I saw a while back but can't remember the URL for the life of me! If you happen to stumble upon this blog please email me because she has a lot of other great DIY ideas for both kids and decorating.  In the meantime, have fun with this one!

Read more...

Easter Cupcakes

 

Apologies for posting this after Easter, i've only just managed to emerge from my food coma.  Here's a cute recipe for next Easter...

Coconut & Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients

Makes: Approx 24 cupcakes

150g unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups Caster Sugar

2 eggs

2 tsbs vanilla essence

2 1/2 cups self-raising flour

1 1/4 cups milk

Coconut Frosting

250g spreadable cream cheese

3 tbsps unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup soft icing mixture (CSR is one brand)

3 tbsps coconut cream

1 cup shredded coconut, toasted

Mini Easter eggs

Method

In a bowl beat butter, add sugar then cream the butter and sugar together.  Add eggs and mix well.  Add vanilla, flour and milk.  Beat until smooth.

Line a muffin tray with paper cases, pour in miture until they are about two thirds full.

Bake in the oven at 190oC conventional (170oC fan forced) for 20 minutes or until golden.

While cupcakes are cooling on a wire rack, prepare frosting.

Frosting

Beat together cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer.

Add soft icing mixture and coconut cream then gently mix until combined

Beat on high for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.

To Decorate

To toast coconut, spread a thin layer on a baking tray and place under the grill at 180oC conventional (160oC fan forced) for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until light golden and even in colour.

Pipe a circle of frosting on to the tops of cooled cupcakes.

Sprinkle with toasted coconut to create nests.

Place three chocolate Easter eggs in the middle of the coconut nest, place on a platter and serve.

Note

Different flavours, such as lemon & orange can be used for this recipe as well.  All you have to do is substitute the 1/4 cup of milk for a 1/4 cup of lemon or orange juice.

Read more...

Twice Baked Pumpkin & Leek Quiche

 

These images definitely don't do this meal the justice it deserves.  heaven.  Pure, vegetarian bliss.  I got the first recipe, Twice Baked Butternut Squash (with quinoa & gorgonzola) from my new favourite food blog, Naturally Ella.  The second recipe, Rocket, Basil & Leek Quiche came from 'The Essential Vegetarian Cookbook'.

Twice Baked Butternut Squash (with quinoa & gorgonzola)

Ingredients

1 large butternut squash

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 medium shallots

1/2 cup quinoa

1 cup water

1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese, plus extra for topping

pinch of salt

Method

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Slice butternut squash in half and scoop out seeds.  Place each half cut side down in a 9x13 pan and pour 1/2' of water in the bottom.  Place in oven and bake until tender, about 45-60 minutes.  Once done, remove and set aside.

Rinse quinoa and set aside.  In a medium pan heat olive oil over medium low heat.  Dice shallots, add to oil, and saute until shallots are fragrant.  Stir in quinoa and water.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer to let cook until water is absorbed, 12-15 minutes.

While quinoa cooks, scoop out butternut squash, leaving a 1/4' - 1/2' on the sides and bottom.  Drain water from pan and return butternut squash to the pan, cut side up.

Mash butternut squash and stir in gorgonzola cheese.  Once Quinoa is done, add it to the butternut sqash.  Taste and add salt if need be.

Scoop filling evenly into butternut squash halves.  Sprinkle with gorgonzola cheese and return to oven.  Let bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese has melted and the tops begin to brown.  Remove from oven, cut each half in half, and serve.

Evenly spread filling back into butternut squash.

Time saver

The butternut squash can be roasted the day before cutting out a good majority of the time it takes to make this!

Rocket, Basil & Leek Quiche

Ingredients

150g (4 3/4 oz) rocket, stalks removed

1 1/2 cups (185 g/6 oz) plain flour

125g (4 oz) butter, chopped

1-2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon oil

1 large leek, white part only, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 eggs

1/2 cup (125 ml/4 fl oz) milk

1/2 cup (125 ml/4 fl oz) cream

Method

Preheat oven to hot 210 degrees C (415 F/Gas 6-7).  Wash the rocket and shake off excess water; finely slice rocket leaves.

Sift the flour into a bowl.  Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour for 2 minutes, or until the mixture is fine and crumbly.  Add water and mix to a soft dough.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 seconds or until smooth.  Refrigerate, covered in plastic wrap, for 30 minutes.

Roll the pastry, between 2 sheets of plastic wrap, to cover the base and side of a shallow 23 cm (9 inch) flan tin.  Cover the pastry-lined tin with a sheet of baking paper.  Spread dried beans or rice over the paper.  Bake for 10 minutes and then remove from the oven and discard the beans or rice.  Return pastry to the oven for 5 minutes or until lightly golden.  Reduce heat to moderate 180 degrees C (350 F/Gas 4)

Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the leek and garlic and stir over low heat for 5 minutes or until the leek is soft.  Add the rocket and stir over heat for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Spread over base of pastry shell.  Combine eggs, milk and cream in a bowl; whisk until smooth.  Pour into pastry shell.  Bake at moderate 180 degrees C (350 F/Gas 4) for 50 minutes, or until set and golden.  Serve topped with basil leaves and shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Note

If I was going to make this again, i'd top it off with a fruit fondue! I found a tasty looking recipe at Better Recipes (Chocolate-Strawberry Dessert Fondue), there are lots of others but this one looks yum!

Read more...

i'll feed myself thanks

Is anybody else dealing with the same issue? This is a very romanticized image of the aftermath I now find myself faced with on a daily basis.  It has its positives, Gabe's eating so much more than he was before and is actually enjoying the eating process.  It used to feel as though I was constantly force feeding him and all of the meals I was making were going to waste.  Now I just feel a bit like we're at a live in circus.. I've come to the realisation that we all need house cleaners.  Ones who are at our beck & call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  That would be too wonderful..

It seems as though this is the time for training and inevitably, messiness.  Training to eat, training to poo & wee, training to pack things away.  So much training - So much mess!  The only way I think i'll be able to get through this messy baby stage is by finding the humour in it..

"Having a two-year-old is like having a blender that you don't have the top for"
- Jerry Seinfeld 

First quote in my "make me laugh" notebook.

Read more...

Skinny leg jeans (toddler)

 

'Tis the season for skinny legged jeans. I've been checking out all the kids clothing websites in an attempt to compile a selection of "top picks". This is what i've come up with:

BOYS

The range featured above are all at COTTON ON KIDS.  They're well priced and have a good selection of colours. LEVI'S have a cute pair (click the link) but the ones below from Rock Your Baby are my favourites:

  

ROCK YOUR BABY

GIRLS

This is a good quality range from Ralph Lauren Kids.  You can buy them online at SHOP STYLE. Cotton on kids also do a girls pair and some denim looking tights which are pretty cute, COTTON ON KIDS.

Kingston Rossdale rocking out in his skinny's.

 Ridiculously cute, huh?

Email me for more options: sophie_gidoomal@hotmail.com

Read more...

Mumma model: Samantha Cardone

 

I decided to interview Sam because she's one of those mums who always seems to manage a thousand things at once and makes it look so, incredibly easy.  This is exactly what i'm not and really wish I was so I thought it would be appropriate to ask a few questions in the hope of gaining some inspiration for my own life!

 I first met Sam when our sons were about 4 months old and even back then when we were sleep deprived and things were so new, she looked a million bucks and somehow continued to have every aspect of her life in order.  This is a woman who's true to herself,  makes her own decisions and plans her life in accordance with her beliefs and intentions for the future.  As simple as it may sound on paper, this isn't an easy thing to accomplish.  The reason Sam is able to do it so well is because she genuinely believes in herself. Thank god because she's such an amazing girl with such huge capabilities and I doubt she would have been able to achieve what she has without the attitude that she's got.  

When meeting Sam for the first time, I think what I loved most about her was that she had confidence. So. Much. Confidence. I don't know where she got it from because I certainly didn't have it (as a new, young mum) but I basically took her on as my "go to girl" from there on in.

When Sam isn't busy being a professional model, she's a Mum to her beautiful 18 month old son, Charlie and wife to her husband, Matt Cardone.  Before Charlie came along, Sam already had a substantial portfolio of modeling work and had also starred in the first season of the television show, Australia's Next Top Model.  Throughout her pregnancy and since Charlie's birth, Sam has barely stopped working.  She's constantly performing the ultimate juggling act, between her home life, Mumma duties and modelling career but manages to pull it off with such style.  She's got this way of balancing everything, stress free (or at least apparently) and in such an organized manner.  How?! 

That's exactly what I asked... 

Can you tell me a little bit about your life and the two roles you constantly have to balance?

I have been modelling since I was 17 and I also run a small business, balancing this and motherhood has certainly been a challenge. Having a fantastically supportive partner and family and an incredible nanny has made the impossible possible.

How do you find the transition between the superficial side of modelling and the truth surrounded by being a mum?

It can be strange driving home from a big show, coming down off the high of being on the runway back to the reality and simplicity of motherhood. I often walk in the door and forget that I am all done up. Yet it never seems to bother Charlie. I think that it's because children see us for who we really are not all the layers we create around us. I think its the perfect balance, it tends to keep you very grounded. 

What are the ups and downs to being both a model and a mum?

The great thing about modelling is that it's flexible and pays really well. The downside is that the work is unreliable and often at very short notice. This means that unlike mums who work part or full time, I do get a lot more time with Charlie at home. The downside is that I cannot control when I work and for how long.

What is your ideal career and why do you see it as the pinnacle?

I would love to do more TV Presenting in the future. It's always been a passion of mine and I see it as a natural progression from modelling and from my degree in Arts Journalism.

Do you think that your career as a model has a definite cutoff point? If so, how do you feel about that?

I used to think that by the time I was 25 my modelling career would be over. I also had to face the fact that when I chose to have a baby, I may never have been able to model again. But what I've learnt is that the older you get the more commercial the market gets and the less competition you have. I was lucky enough to get back into good shape (with a lot of hard work) relatively quickly after having Charlie, I also continued modelling while I was pregnant. I used to work for high fashion clients now I work a lot more on the advertising side of the industry and do a lot more TV commercials. This also means not having to be as slim as I used to be. This past year I have worked for Stockland Homes, Subway, Michael Hill Jeweller, Powerball and Brisbane Marketing. I have also shot for clothing designers and walked in runway shows, the only difference is the brands are all for older buyers.

Can you tell me how you have managed to hold onto your job as a professional model and remain such an amazing and organized mum?

Ha! It's a bit of a farce! I have learned to prioritise and to ask for help. We have a cleaner, a nanny and a gardener. ( I know! Pathetic right!) These people mean that my time and my husband's time gets prioritised to Charlie instead of all those things on the "to do list." Life can get so busy and we can all get overwhelmed, so instead I choose to ignore the pile of washing and enjoy the time I have with Charlie. I guess the bottom line is the only way to juggle a tonne of balls at once is being able to throw one to someone else now and then.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your career and your absence from Charlie?

When I do work long days I do miss Charlie but having said that I try to enjoy the time I have away from him. I know he is in good hands and enjoying his day so I try to just do the same. It's funny how you always enjoy the time with them so much more when you've had a day doing something different. I know that being a full time, stay at home mum can feel a little like groundhog day!

Do you at any point have to weigh up the pros and cons and make a decision as to whether you will give up modelling or not? If so, what are some of the important factors you would have to consider?

The good thing about modelling is that I can choose when to turn down work and when not too. But then again if I don't get any work I have no control over that! I am hoping to have another baby soon and this will definitely affect my work choices but I feel that our family has to come first, if modelling doesn't fit into the picture then so be it.

Would you say you have found a fairly ideal balance between your home and work life?

I think I am very lucky to have the opportunities that modelling presents me with. Earning a great income, spending time doing something that I really enjoy and working with new and exciting groups of people is a unique situation that I am very grateful for. My agency (Vivien's) are also very supportive and understand that my role as a mother comes first.

Off the top of your head, can you come up with any “methods of coping” you have come up with since becoming a mum?

Me time. It is vital to look after yourself and your relationship or you are no good to your child!

Your life seems to run so smoothly even though you are so busy! Can you offer me some tips on how you’re able to organise yourself so well?

ASK FOR HELP! No one is super woman. Also don't sweat the small stuff, takeaways eaten together as a family are better than a home cooked meal with a stressed out, exhausted mum! 

Do you have any advice you would like to pass on to new mums struggling to find a balance between their work and home lives?

William Shakespeare wrote, "Expectation is the root of all heartache". We Mum's place unrealistic expectations on every aspect of our lives. Then we feel guilty when we cannot achieve these. 

Are you happy with where you’re at and what you have achieved?

Yes. I feel very lucky to have the life that I live. I've worked hard for it, so I try to enjoy it and focus on the positives.

If you could instill any moral codes or beliefs into Charlie that he would keep with him for the rest of his life, what would they be?

I would encourage Charlie to be kind, honest and adventurous. 

If you could leave Charlie a message of guidance, for the day he becomes a dad, what would it be?

Be yourself, be brave and Love, Love Love with all your heart… then you can't go wrong.

CONTACT

If you have any interest in contacting Samantha Cardone, you can email her at morleysamantha@gmail.com. Sam also has a blog named Bad Mumma, so check that out if you'd like to get to know her a little better.

Read more...

The little veggie patch

The Little Veggie Patch is a company based in Melbourne.  It started with two boys who shared a passion for growing vegetables, organically (Matthew Pember & Fabian Capomolla). Together, they created this business with the intention of seeing more people live a greener lifestyle & grow their own veggies.

I found out about these guys because I got a free sample of their cauliflower seeds in the latest Smith Journal - the new, male version of Frankie magazine.  

They sell their seeds in packets (as seen above) and refer to them as 'The Vintage Heirloom Seed Collection Range'.  I'm not going to try to explain what makes them vintage & heirloom because they do it a lot better than I could.  If you want to know more, click on the link & it'll direct you to the website.

The other cute thing these two are doing is a kids program, they donate a heap of their "Little Veggie Crates" to schools around Melbourne so that children can learn about where their food comes from and get involved in the experience of growing it.  You can read more about this under their link 'Kids and Veggies'.

After starting our own little garden, i'm now a huge advocate for home grown fruit & veg. My son is obsessed with gardening! He's nearly 17 months old and waters all our herbs himself, our strawberries, cherry tomatoes - he obviously doesn't understand it all yet but definitely takes control whenever he's got the hose in hand and is anywhere near those plants.  Here are a few shots of him with our fresh batch of strawberries...

Read more...

Baby converse (no ties)

 

BABY CONVERSE, NO TIES! BEST IDEA, THEY'VE MADE MY LIFE SO MUCH EASIER.  I GOT GABE A PAIR AND HAVE BEEN DRESSING HIM IN REALLY SIMPLE CLOTHES (AMERICAN APPAREL BASICS) THEN ADDING THE SHOES - IT COMPLETES THE OUTFIT.  I USED TO PUT HIM IN THE RED LACE UPS BUT HAVEN'T BOTHERED WITH THEM SINCE BUYING THESE (THEY'RE HEAPS MORE PRACTICAL AND DON'T FALL OFF EVERY 3 SECONDS). I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND MANY OF THEM IN STORES BUT FOUND A BUNCH ONLINE. CHECK THESE SITES: 

SHOP STYLE 

ZAPPOS 

PARKLIFE 

Read more...

The surfer & the Mermaid

Surf photographer Ted Grambeau teamed up with Tim Baker, a surf writer to create this beautiful and unique children's book, The Surfer and the Mermaid.

 

It's a tale about a surfer, a mermaid and being kind to the ocean.  The story was inspired by a series of images. Ted Grambeau shot them and Tim Baker realised their potential.  Thank god for Tim because if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have the Surfer & the Mermaid and the world would never have seen Ted's unbelievable images.

The real surfer featured in these photographs is David Rastovich (Rasta) a famous free surfer.  The mermaid was his girlfriend at the time, Hannah Fraser Rastovich.  Hannah is a professional mermaid model who travels around the world being photographed and filmed in costume, as a mermaid.  The pair were in Tonga shooting a documentary intended to inspire people to protect the ocean and its inhabitants.  The documentary, MINDS IN THE WATER, took around five years to complete.  Throughout the doco, you basically follow Dave on a massive journey around the globe while he attempts to raise awareness about the ocean and its need for protection.  Within the five years he managed to cover Australia, the Galapagos, Tonga, California, Alaska and Japan.  It was in Tonga that Ted Grambeau was asked to fly over and shoot Rasta swimming with the whales, for promotional purposes.  Little did he know, this would be the start of a completely separate creation.  One that would spread Rasta's message even further but this time, to the minds of the young..

Not only did Tim Baker turn these images into a storybook for children but he also turned them into a stage play.  He said that as soon as he saw the photographs, he felt inspired and knew that they had the potential to tell an amazing story.  Once he was given permission to write the book, Tim created a method that helped him to inspire his imagination and bring the story to life.  Tim's method was to sort through all of the photographs, picking the ones he felt would work for his story before compiling them into a storyboard.  At that point, he went through each image, examining it, whilst allowing his imagination to run wild.  I guess it's a matter of looking at a series of images, kicking back and saying, "inspire me, please".  What a brilliant method of achieving creative inspiration and what a beautiful story that unraveled because of it. 

 

'Bleach Surfing The Fringe -  Surf, Art and Music Festival' launched this year on the Gold Coast.  Tim was asked to adapt the Surfer and the Mermaid, turning it into a kids stage show that would be presented as part of the festival.  He did this brilliantly and turned it into a complete success.  It was a one man show and Luke Townson (my son's dad) played the surfer who narrated and acted out this beautiful & unique production. I was pretty proud, I must say.. I think the most important and inspiring element about this story is the message within it, to protect our waters and be kind to the ocean and it's inhabitants.  Both the book and the stage show of 'The Surfer and the Mermaid' were in a sense a mechanism, or a tool, used to spread that message to the young without having to preach it or forcefully present it.  The story is creative and engaging, exactly what our children need to hold their attention and inspire them in a way that will stay with them through to adulthood. 

BUY BOOK ONLINE

Read more...

Super food smoothie

THIS IS A RECIPE THAT I'VE NOW TAKEN UNDER MY WING AND DECIDED TO RE-NAME, THE SUPER FOOD SMOOTHIE.  IT'S COMPLETELY PACKED WITH HEALTHY GOODNESS AND GIVES YOU THE BEST START TO THE DAY.  I THANKED GOD WHEN I TASTED THIS, IT'S RIDICULOUSLY GOOD.

I N G R E D I E N T S

coconut milk (the amount you desire, 'so delicious' is a good brand)

1/4 avocado 

1 teaspoon of cacao (raw, unprocessed)

1/2 teaspoon of maca*

peeled almonds (a handful or less) 

some flaxseed (small amount and optional)

banana (optional)

desiccated coconut (optional)

pinch of xylitol (optional)

M E T H O D 

chuck everything into a blender until combined.

*Maca - The loving earth website describes this product as, "an energising and revitalising superfood of the Incas.  jam packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes and all the essential amino acids.  Grown at 4,000m above sea level in the Andean district of Junin by the Pumpush people who have been cultivating and consuming maca as a staple food for thousands of years.  Contains unique alkaloids, which help stimulate the master glands that in turn may help optimise and balance the entire endocrine system."

I'VE NOW STARTED PUTTING HALF TEASPOONS OF MACA INTO LOTS OF OTHER RECIPES.  THE WHOLEMEAL BANANA PANCAKES RECIPE WHICH YOU CAN FIND IN MY KINDY SNACKS POST, TASTES REALLY GOOD WITH A BIT OF BOTH THIS AND CACAO POWDER AND EVEN SOME DESICCATED COCONUT.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GIVE UP COFFEE, GET ONTO THIS RECIPE BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU A SIMILAR SORT OF KICK, MINUS THE SHAKES.

Read more...

Valentines day (on the cheap)

YESTERDAY, A FRIEND OF MINE SAID TO ME, "VALENTINES DAY IS  NOTHING BUT ANOTHER DAY FOR HALLMARK TO MAKE MORE CASH THAN THEY ALREADY DO."  THIS MAY BE TRUE BUT IF I'M NOT GIVING ANY MONEY TO HALLMARK THEN IT'S OKAY TO GO ALL OUT, RIGHT? LOVE IS, AFTER ALL, KIND OF A BIG DEAL...

Read more...

Vintage circus party

 

WHEN OUR BEAUTIFUL BOY TURNED ONE, I WENT ALL OUT AND PUT ON THIS VINTAGE CIRCUS THEMED PARTY FOR HIM.  THE CATERING & DECORATING WAS ALL DIY BUT A LOT OF THE FINER DETAILS WERE EITHER BOUGHT ONLINE OR MADE BY CLEVER & CREATIVE HELPING HANDS.  JUST IN CASE YOU'D LIKE TO RE-CREATE THE THEME OR PURCHASE ANY OF THE BITS AND PIECES WE PUT TOGETHER, I'LL INCLUDE ALL OF MY SOURCES THROUGHOUT THE POST.  IT WAS THE BEST DAY AND THANKS TO ROWE TIMSON WE WERE ABLE TO CAPTURE A LOT OF THE MOMENTS THAT OTHERWISE, WOULD HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN.

 

SOFIA AT CASA AZUL DESIGN CREATED THESE INVITATIONS FOR US. THEY WERE SO UNIQUE AND FIT THE THEME PERFECTLY.  AS SOON AS I SAW THEM, I FELL IN LOVE.

 TO ENTERTAIN THE BABIES WE SET UP A PLASTIC POOL AND FILLED IT WITH COLOURED BALLS, WHICH THEY ALL SEEMED TO LOVE.  I ALSO BOOKED A BALLOON ARTIST TO COME DRESSED AS A CLOWN FOR A FEW HOURS BECAUSE BALLOONS ARE ONE OF GABE'S FAVOURITE THINGS.  THE CLOWN WAS BRILLIANT, THE BABIES ALL PLAYED WITH THE BALLOONS AND THE OLDER KIDS WERE KEPT AMUSED BY HIM AND HIS BALLOON TWISTING ABILITY!

THE GORGEOUS LITTLE BANDANNA BIBS & THE BIRTHDAY BOY'S BOW TIE WERE MADE BY KOBI, A SUPER TALENTED YOUNG MUM WHO RECENTLY CREATED THE BRAND, ALFIE.

 

KOBI HAS AN ADORABLE COLLECTION OF KIDS CLOTHES WHICH YOU CAN VIEW & PURCHASE THROUGH HER FACEBOOK PAGE : Alfie By Kobi

 

AFTER GABE'S HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG, WE LET HIM DIP HIS LITTLE MITS INTO THE BIRTHDAY CAKE AND GET MESSY.  THANK GOD HE HAD FUN BECAUSE THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO USE FOR THAT CAKE ONCE HE WAS FINISHED WITH IT.

 

AS THANK YOU GIFTS AND TAKE HOME BAGS, I DECIDED TO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE.  FOR THE OLDER KIDS, I FOUND SOME CIRCUS THEMED SHOW BAGS ONLINE AND FILLED THESE WITH SWEETS.  UNFORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T PHOTOGRAPH THEM BUT I WILL PROVIDE A LINK WHERE YOU CAN PICK SOME UP. 

 

THE ONE YEAR OLD'S WERE HARDER TO BUY FOR. IN THE END I DECIDED TO FILL SMALL MUSLIN BAGS WITH THREE TOYS, A SMALL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, A CIRCUS THEMED MAZE AND SOME BUBBLES.  I FINISHED IT OFF BY TYING A SMALL RIBBON (EITHER BLUE OR PINK) AROUND THE DRAWSTRING, DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE BUB WAS A BOY OR GIRL.

S O U R C E S

Popcorn cupcakes: Home made vanilla cupcakes with torn marshmallow placed on top of 

the icing.  Dabbed softly with yellow food dye.  'POPCORN' cases came from Sofia at Casa Azul Design.

Retro peanut bags: I love parties

Striped paper baking cups: Robert Gordon Australia

Pink cupcake flags: Wheel & Barrow

Happy birthday sign: Sofia at Casa Azul Design

Red & white paper straws: Kikkerland

Circus tent: Ikea Australia

Old-fashioned clown popcorn bags: I love parties

Cake flags: Sofia at Casa Azul Design

Party favours: Muslin bags (eBay), baby musical instrument (Spotlight), circus themed maze (I love parties website)

Cotton candy circus show bags: I love parties

Photographer: Rowe Timson at Rowe Timson Photography 

Read more...