Saturday 29 October 2011

What A Novel Idea

My weekend started splendidly, with a long overdue cup of tea in bed, an old copy of The Devil Wears Prada and silence... Pure bliss!

Teach took E for a walk to pick up the weekend papers and coffee, spend some time together and give Mumma her down time. It was exactly what the Doctor ordered.

The time to myself inspired me to get a little creative and start researching a few projects I've had filed in my head under 'Maybe One Day' for a long time. So I wrote a list of everything I'd like to do or at least get started in the next year, closed my eyes and let my index finger land on one...the one I would start today.

Guess what it is?

Thursday 27 October 2011

An Annual Tradition


It’s no secret I’m a lover of the longer days, balmy nights, time at the beach and BBQs on the deck that are synonymous with summer, but I have one other summer ritual I take great pride in each year and that is packing (read: dump in a large garbage bag and hide in cupboard) my old smelly jumpers, trackies and bed socks away for vibrant frocks,  plenty of arm candy and a must-never-take-off pair of dancing shoes! 

Yep, I usually go on a spring cleaning frenzy and make space for summer. I say usually because I haven’t been able to perform this magical ceremony for the past two years.

Monday 24 October 2011

Presents for Baby

A close friend of mine is expecting her first child in January. I'm soooooooooooo excited for her because I can completely relate to where she's at during this magical time....besides that, I know her and her husband will adore being parents.

Since we discovered she had a bun in the oven, I've been racking my brain trying to decide on the perfect gift to welcome Baby to the world, but I'd also like to acknowledge this beautiful time for the new parents. Dilemma. Do I get something personal for my friend, a gift for Mum and Dad or a trinket for the new bub? Perhaps all of the above?

Sunday 23 October 2011

Sleep Training: One Tired Parent's Diary - Part Two

Well it seems our endeavour to teach E how to self-settle during the night has ended before it really began...

I'm not sure if it was my initial resistance (covered by cocky confidence), levels of anxiety or desire to sleep and 'deal with it later' that overcame me, but I woke up today vowing to find another solution. Anything must be better than hearing my darling boy cry. In short, I gave up.

Friday 21 October 2011

Sleep Training: One Tired Parent's Diary





After more than four months of E's constant night waking - ranging from every 4 hours to every hour - Teach and I have decided to try and teach E to self-settle during the night.

Self-settling is also referred to as Controlled Crying (CC), Crying it Out (CIO), Sleep Training (ST) and Controlled Comforting (again CC). No matter what you want to call it, it's a controversial subject. Many wise women before me *cough* have prepared papers on the pros and cons of CC, some declaring it causes psychological harm on the child and instils a sense of abandonment. Others say allowing a baby to cry and fall asleep on their own (without being fed, rocked, nursed etc...) will not harm them in and infact could teach children resilience.

Thursday 20 October 2011

Havagdwkend

A cute conversation I had with my three year-old niece about her dog named Chai...

Me: What type of dog do you have?

Her: Chai.

Me: Yeah, Chai is his name, but can you tell me what type of dog he is?

Her: A little one.

Me: He is little, isn't he? Do you know if he is a terrior, a maltease or maybe a poodle?

Her: Chai. Chai!! [Now looking at me as if to say, 'Get it?!'] He's my puppy. He's little.

Me: He sure is.

How can I possibly argue with that logic? Have a great weekend y'all.

x Sian

Wednesday 19 October 2011

My Summer Essentials

The balmy weather I enjoyed in Townsville last week has me counting down to summer in Brisbane; the long hot days, time at the beach with my beautiful boys, jugs of cold Sangria and picnics in the park. Pure bliss!

In an attempt to hurry my favourite season along, here is a quick wrap up of the things I'm looking forward to this summer. It never hurts to daydream...

A new summer outfit


A treat for my feet!

No matter how I'm feeling, jewelled sandals are a great pick me up and perfect for all occassions. These are from Witchery. I think they'll look gorgeous with this Beach Dress. So adorable! Golf clap for Country Road's new summer collection.

Drinks with a view

Brisbane Powerhouse - one of my favourite spots in Brissie.

With my new outfit on, I'll head down to Brisbane Powerhouse for a few vinos with friends. I go for the views of the river and Teach goes for the free live music on Sunday afternoons. We always have a great time because everyone is happy and relaxed, it's a cool atmosphere and the tunes are groovy baby!


Good coffee and fresh food


I heart the big Fig Trees providing shade at the markets.
Nothing beats a saturday morning at the West End Markets located at Davies Park on Montague Street (it's official title is 'Davies Park Market' but locals refer to it as the West End Markets). We take E down there nice and early, enjoy a great coffee, pick up fresh groceries for the week then have a play before its time to head home and put the little man down for his nap.  If you're after a few quirky Chrissie presents too, I highly recommend these markets for vintage finds and one-off pieces. These markets are on all year round, but who wants to leave the house when it's cold out? Not me!!

Picnic in a park

The Jacarandas are in full bloom at New Farm Park - here comes summer!!

The other summer essential I lust-after during winter is a picnic in the park. E is now getting to the age where he can enjoy time outdoors too, so I'm sure we'll be spending lots of time at New Farm Park or Kangaroo Point. Both have spots to grab a coffee and shady trees to allow you to while away the day in peace and quiet. Mmmmm heaven!


What are some of your favourite things to do during summer?

Wednesday 12 October 2011

My Five Fave Spots In Townsville

E and I arrived in Townsville, my home town, yesterday to celebrate my parents' 40th wedding annniversary on the weekend.


I left 'The Ville' (as it's commonly called) more than ten years ago and have  no real desire to return. Not out of any dislike for the city, I should add, it's just that it reminds me of my teenage years. Each time I come back I remember the mischief, the late drunken nights, the first dates and the clubbing years. While some of those memories are fantastic, others I'd prefer to leave here, where they belong, not see them again at the shopping centre or in the queue at the pub. Eeek!

This town, in my opinion, is my parents town. Their life is here. I love coming back for a week to see them, but at 18 I knew I'd leave to create a home elsewhere. I did. I have.

All that aside, whenever I venture north of the equator, sorry I mean, to Townsville, these are the five things I always do, because to me they are an essential part of The Ville experience.

1. Have a beer at The Brewery:

Developed in Townsville's historic Post Office Building, this Restaurant/Bar is a great spot for a coldie. The onsite Brew House is visible to all patrons which adds a sense of participation to the brewing process, but it's the seven locally owned and made beers that have the beer connoisseurs coming back for more.  The pub grub isn't bad either, but the bar snacks will satisfy most. I enjoy a pint or two of the Belgian Blonde.

2. Have a BBQ on The Strand:


Arguably the most popular and well known city attraction, the Strand is home to free BBQ areas, a water park (pictured), a surf life saving club, a man-made rockpool and landscaped parklands. Several restaurants and cafes are located on the headlands with gorgeous views to Magnetic Island, but it's the space to have a picnic with friends and the afternoon sea breezes that gets me everytime. 

3. Walk up Castle Hill:

Many locals use Castle Hill as their daily source of exercise, hiking up and down before they go off to work. Once you reach the top stay for a moment to enjoy the panaromic views of the town and nearby islands. Insider's tip: if you plan to walk it, allow approx 1 hour for the return walk and do it either first thing in the morning before the heat of the day (approx 6am) or early evening (approx 6pm) - it could save you from severe dehydration and/or sun stroke. There is a goat track, but everyone generally sticks to the main road.

4. Enjoy dinner at A Touch of Salt:


This waterside venue (pictured above) has been my family's favourite restaurant since it opened several years ago. The menu is simple and elegant, the food is divine and the wine list is second to none. It is so popular that its sister property The Salt Cellar opened a couple of years back to keep demanding foodies fed. It's five stars for this top nosh!!

5. Swim at Balgal Beach:


Balgal Beach is approximately 40 minutes drive north of Townsville past several other beaches that remain well known to locals but hidden gems to visitors. Those keen for a dip in the big blue will have to swim in the netted enclosure during stinger season (October to May) however the laidback atmosphere and refreshing waters will make up for it. I know Teach can't wait to take E here for his first swim in the ocean.

Any other recommendations?
For further information go to Queensland Holidays.

Sunday 9 October 2011

A whale of a time at Cabarita

Each year two of my favourite girlfriends and I catch up for a fun-filled weekend of gossip, shopping and wine tasting half way between Coffs Harbour and Brisbane. Typically this means a weekend in Byron Bay, however this year, we all agreed Byron was too expensive, busy and seriously overrated, so we decided to explore further afield and set up camp at Cabarita. 

Awww...Paradise at Cabarita Beach!
Only 40 minutes drive north of Byron Bay on the Tweed Coast, Cabarita (the original name for the town is Bogangar, an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of many pippies') is a quaint seaside village young (in tourism terms) enough to be a family friendly, affordable destination but still old-fashioned enough to provide its visitors a warm, hospitable retreat. 

Despite our growing displeasure with the Bay, we were slightly anxious to venture away from the comfort of its well known beaches and cafes for a place we’d never heard of, let alone been too. We soon discovered our worries were unfounded.  

My girlfriend Ed had booked a two-bedroom family unit at The Hideaway, a clean low-key hotel located less than a five minute stroll to the beach and the centre of town. The six of us (Ange and her two daughters, Ed, myself and E) settled in to our rooms before getting our feet in the water - we knew if the beach was up to scratch we’d struck gold! 

One foot on the pure white sand had us praising the heavens for this hidden treasure. The beach is everything you’d want and more. Long as far as the eye could see, pristine waters, clean uncluttered sand with hardly any people on it AND lifeguards so you knew you’d be looked after. We made our way to Norries Headland for a few happy snaps before making our way back to the hotel via the main road to double check that our dream find was true. 

I’m proud to say Cabarita has it all. Restaurants, cafes, shops, a surf club, walking tracks and a lookout over the ocean...sound familiar? The rest of the afternoon was very relaxed. E slept while the big-girls shared a bottle of bubbles and the little-girls made arts and crafts by the pool. 

Several other guests at the hotel said Hello as they walked by our patio to the beach and made small talk about the weather. One couple and their four-year old told us they lived in Cabarita but needed a little getaway. The Mum explained, “everything is in walking distance from here and the views are so good you automatically feel like you’re on holiday. We don’t need to go anywhere else.” I couldn’t agree more.  

We’d found paradise - a spot yet to be over populated with holiday makers from all corners of the globe and a beach not spoilt by developers selling its picturesque lifestyle only to destroy it in the process...again, sound familiar? 

Sunday came all too soon and it was time to say goodbye. Procrastinating the inevitable, we watched surfers and swimmers take to the water over a coffee before our final walk along the beach. The younger girls collected shells while the rest of us admired the views of a pod of whales playing in the distance, obviously delighted with their holiday destination too. 

E having a little quiet time

Our weekend was all to brief, but we agreed Cabarita would be the destination for our annual catch-ups from now on – just as long as one of us could wrangle a few whales to show up again too!

IN BRIEF:
Cabarita Beach is between Byron Bay (40 mins north) and the Gold Coast (20 mins south). Follow the Cabarita Beach exits from the highway.
The Hideaway is located at 21 Cypress Cresent, Cabarita, NSW. Phone 02 6676 1444
*Cabarita Beach image originally from The Age

Tuesday 4 October 2011

A Weapon of Massive Consumption

A good friend of mine has the innate ability to find goods she’s after at ridiculously cheap prices. She usually stumbles across them at the Reduced to Clear stage and walks out with seven new  tops, shorts, cute shoes and change from a $100. But it doesn’t just apply to clothing...

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