Inspiration for the week...

 

If you're feeling a little sluggish this cold Monday morning, here's a little affirmation to see you through. While this iconic slogan is taken from British WWII propaganda material it is still very relevant today, and one I'm chantting during my morning routine with a grumpy E. Say it with me, 'Keep calm and carry on.' Feel better?

In other news, today is the 1st August, which means the last official month of winter. Yippee!! I guess it's time to start thinking about hitting the gym before summer... Actually, that's a VERY bad idea. I'm off to make another cuppa, lather butter on several crumpets and get under my doona.

Enjoy your week. 

Love, light and laughter.

x S

Image from Made By Girl

Bubs in Brissie: Max Brenner

The smell of decadent chocolate enveloped me as soon as I walked in. E and I had arrived at Max Brenner for our weekly Mother's Group catch up and I knew instantly it would be beyond delicious. The sight of chocolate lining the walls and the smell of belgian waffles made me relax before I could even say Hello to our group.  

It's chocolate heaven at Max Brenner

The divine Max Brenner opened in South Bank last year introducing Brisbane to 'the bald man's' chocolate culture, inviting us to smell, taste, feel and share his love affair with all things coco. Um...OK! You don't have to ask me twice.

Several Mummas had arrived before me and arranged tables at the end of the counter for our get together. Eight of us fit comfortably in the space with our prams nearby and bouncing bubs on our laps. I'm guessing our mid-morning meeting time was a big part of allowing this to happen because I've heard stories of chocolate devotees queuing for hours to worship at the alter of Brenner. I don't blame them.

Without hesitation I lined up too. A Hug Mug (named after its stylish design which allows you to hug it close to you) of dark chocolate was my bevvie of choice. It was simply sensational. I'll admit, I was nervous that drinking a MUG of chocolate would make me sick, but quiet the opposite. I wanted more. Right away, if not sooner!

Tasty Hot Chocolate in a heart warming Hug Mug

During the course of the morning, my friends were feasting on Banana Bread served with melted hot chocolate, Banana Praline Crepes served with melted hot chocolate and an Exploding Chocolate Shot, among other things (click here for the menu). They all oo'd and aah'd in the right places boasting that their plate was the best of the bunch. It's definitley not somewhere you want to go if you're keen to regain your post-baby figure but it's well worth a visit for a reward once you've achieved it! 

Child-Friendly Environment - 3 rattles
Again, the mid-morning mid-week venture to MB was more than likely the reason it felt spacious and bub friendly. Now, don't mistake me, I'm sure kids are welcome all the time, but it can get very busy at night so if your tot likes to run around and make noise, the university students who fill the tables and chairs might not approve. Overall, Max Brenner is very relaxed, casual and suitable for families. It offers Babycinos on the menu as proof.

Nursing (Breastfeeding) - 3 rattles
Several of my companions all nursed at the table and no-one battered an eyelid. The cafe's spaciousness allows your party to feel like it has its own space without encroaching on others, so if you choose to nurse here, it shouldn't be a problem.

Parent Room - 2.5 rattles
The parent room is a well hidden secret. Luckily a Mum in our group had been before and informed us it was located in the bottom of the building opposite. Look for a grey door opposite the side entrance of Max Brenner near several ATMs. You will need to get buzzed in (unsure if this is only available during business hours) but the room is very well maintained, clean, and would fit approx 3 to 4 Mums at a time. If you each have a pram then 3 will be a snug fit. Run out of nappies? For $2 you can purchase one from the vending machine. A microwave and Avent bottle steriliser is also available. An adult and toddler toilet is included.

Parking - 2 rattles
There is plenty of underground parking at South Bank or 2 hour paid parking on nearby side streets. If you visit MB during peak times (weekends, public holidays) be prepared to walk. Note, this is more a reflection of carparking at South Bank not Max Brenner. Elevators are available for prams but again, if it's busy, only a few people can comfortably fit in the lift with a pram. The South Bank car parks offer a hand ful of 'Parents with Prams' car parks but get in very early or very late to grab one.

Playground Equipment - Not applicable

Overall Rating - 3 rattles (out of 5).

Max Brenner
Shop 1.1 & 1.2 Stanley Street Plaza South Bank
07 3255 0411
www.maxbrenner.com.au 
Opening Hours:
Mon - Thurs - 8:00am - 11:00pm
Fri - Sat - 8:00am - 12:00 Midnight
Sun - 8:00am - 11:00pm

Darwin or Bust

Our holiday was not going well and we hadn’t even left the airport yet.

Teach, E and I were off to Darwin for five days to celebrate a friends wedding. We’d been looking forward to our little getaway since the couple announced their engagement six months earlier. I’d been to the top end once before and knew what to expect, but for Teach and E this was a new adventure, plus it was our first family holiday.

Yep, it was going to be great. A trip we’d always remember and have fond memories of. The gorgeous weather, pictures of a happy family living it up with friends away from home. Oh, how we’d laugh and share memorable moments when we returned....

Reviews for Brisbane Mummas

As many of you know I joined a Brisbane mothers' group a while back. It's for professional women on maternity leave in 2011 and I'm LOVING it - and not just because I know many of them read this blog!

E and I really look forward to our weekly catch-ups, getting to know other new Mums and their gorgeous tots, sharing our experiences plus having a few old fashion belly laughs for good measure.

Each week we plan to meet in a new cafe, park, movie theatre or sometimes even a member's home in order to get out and about across our lovely city. The coversation almost always turns into one of 'will it be practical for a large group of Mums with Bubs?' 'Can we all fit?' 'Where do we park?' And so on....

This common conundrum got me thinking - why isn't there something online that helps Mums out? There are hundreds (if not thousands) of groups meeting each week somewhere across Brissy and I'm sure they all have the same question, 'Where is the most convenient and baby friendly place to meet?' Even if you're not part of a group, I'm sure you'd like to know more about a cafe, park or shopping centre before carting the baby/kids along only to find you can't fit the pram in, you have to walk miles from your car and it's not child friendly at all!

So I've decided to put my former Tourism PR hat back on and help Brisbane Mums out. Each week I will take it upon myself to visit a new cafe, park, library, movie theatre, gallery, shopping centre etc..., etc... across Brisbane and give it an honest motherly review.

Bubs in Brissie will rate the location's parking options, child-friendly environments, nappy changing facilities/general amenities, playground equipment (if applicable) and most importantly the coffee and cake! I'm sure it'll be bloody hard work but I'm willing to take one for the team in an effort to preserve your sanity.

Now, where should I go first? Where is your favourite spot for an outing?

Check back here on Friday (29 July) for the first "Mummas & The City" review.

Home is where the heart is at 5am

E is waking at 5am these days. He's decided because it's winter and 5am is usually the coldest part of the day, he'd have some fun and make Mumma get up and start her day. He giggles and laughs when I come in to get him in the morning. 'Yay, she's here and out of her warm bed. Woo hoo! That's 27 to E and zero to Mum.'

5am. I haven't had two 5 o'clocks in my day since I was footloose and fancy free. Living the single life with verve, vigor and my good friend Vodka. Oh, I remember those days so well - I think? Girlfriends and I would start the night with a few drinks at my inner-city apartment then walk into the Valley for a dance and one or... cough, two beverages. This was before the days of a 3am lock out when you were allowed back in if you happen to go outside to take a phone call or leave your friend in the loo...I digress.

5am was a respectable hour to be awake back then. It was a badge of honour. Something you'd boast about at 9am on Monday morning when your boss asks why you smell like a brewery and sound like a man. 'Um, I've only had 2 hours sleep,' I'd whisper. My boss, bless her cotton socks, would love this news and load me up with extra work and have me out at meetings with clients to ensure I worked harder than normal. She had just as much fun with me as E does now.

Today, 5am is punishment.  After a night of E waking each hour, 5am is not a badge of honour but more a trumpet call of parenthood. YOU'VE ARRIVED! With eyes falling out of my head and a cup of tea glued to my hand, I try to start the day. I think of Bridget Jones at her Mother's Turkey Curry Buffet and agree, I should have my head in a toilet like other normal people not singing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes to a five month old... Aaaaargh!

Despite my protesting I can't imagine life any other way. Even if I wasn't a proud Mumma, I'm not sure I'd want to be out late anymore. Who has the energy? More importantly who has the bloody money!! $15 for a glass of wine...tell 'em their dreamin'. Nope, give me a friday night in with my two favourite boys, a big serve of homemade lasagna, a glass of vino (from a bottle that costs less than $15) and I'm the happiest woman in the world.

Yes, I'm a Cancerian. We're a notorious bunch of home bodies but I don't think I'd go out even if I could. Home is my safe haven, my office, my playground, my favourite restaurant, my cafe, my movie theatre and my disco-tecque. Home is where my heart is even at 5am in the morning and I wouldn't change it for the world.