Quick Lunch.

These days it's hard to arrange three meals a day that everyone in the family will eat and will also be kind to my two-baby waist line. So I approached things from a different angle. I'll stop munching on the left over pieces of peanut butter sandwiches and half eaten pasta the kids no longer want, and I will actually sit down and make myself a little something special - and healthy.



I found these little numbers in the supermarket the other day. Vita-Weat Lunch Slices. Ok, so they're just crackers, but they're fancy schmancy crackers and I am a princess and deserve the very best that life and Arnott's can give me. I loaded these up with hummus, cucumber, thin slice of cheese, tomato and rocket. Bring it on!

Not bad for a frazzled mother of two looking to get into a pair of jeans she hasn't worn since they closed the Cadillac night club down. I hope my generous serving of tonight's Osso Bucco wont ruin all this hard work.

Brand Junkie: Push and Go Teddy

Tom turned one on Friday. I know, right? Like, where did the last year go, huh? It flew by and I have a little post I want to dedicate to just him in a few days. But before I do, there's something I wanted to share. My sister gave us money to buy Tom toys we thought he needed at this point in time (love it!). We were able to choose his gift. Make sure it was right developmentally. And of course, insure that it didn't beep, bonk, flash, whiz, zoom, or sing. I bought two toys at Baby Bunting from the Tolo Toy range and was very happy with the results.



He got this ball with hidden Teddy that pops up when you push the button. Cute!



And Push and Go Teddy.

Here's a little video of Tom and Annie learning how to share like the civilised human beings that we have raised them to be.

sporting new shoes.

There has been little in the way of 'shopping' for me since having Annie. It seems I never have the time, and when I do have the time and Annie seems content enough (sometimes even asleep) something always happens to interrupt my shopping session and I come home empty handed.

Take for instance the other day, I was wondering through a store in Chadstone trying to find a pair of casual pants. (since becoming a mother my wardrobe has shifted from 'going out clothes' to 'clothes that I can be puked on, walk the dog in and if I'm lucky enough arouse Ben in') Annie was just asleep, looking soooooo lovely as she kicked back in her buggy still clutching her Sophie. I made my way through the shop very quickly, always conscious that they can WAKE AT ANY MOMENT! I found a few pairs of pants - some a little bigger than others, as you just never know what size you are after having a baby and refusing, point blank, to give up your sweet cravings. I scooted the pram over to the change rooms, whispered to the woman that I had 'thurreeee' items of clothing.

'Pardon?'

Why was this woman talking so loud?? Like, did she need head office in America to hear her? Was she looking for a promotion?? From 'change room girl ' to 'girl who uses walkie talkie occasionally and stacks shelves' Could she not see that clearly I was a mother with a sleeping baby??? The hair alone would give that away!

'I said, three'

Still whispering...hoping she'll join me.

'That's three, right?'

Nope. Not a joiner.

'Uh huh'

Defeated and slightly pissed off.

Thankfully Annie did not wake up. She slept through the ear piercing screaming match. I wheeled her gently into the extra large change room, hung up my clothes and started to close the door.

'Eeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkrrrrrrrrrrrkkkkkkkkkpppppuuuuuuttttt'

The hinge on the change room door was made of the loudest plastic I think I have ever had the unfortunate luck to encounter. It's annoying tooth aching eek was followed closely by the triumphant bellow of Miss A's...

'wahhhhhhaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh wah wahhhhhhaaaaaahhhhhh'

Annie was not happy. I was not happy. And as a result, my wardrobe remains 'casual-clothes-less'. But, on my birthday my lovely husband gave me some money towards some shoes that I loved but simply could not justify the money for. They are casual (of course) good for walking maggie, walking in general, talking about walking. I loved the colour instantly and when my foot eased into them in the shop, my sole fell in love.




If you're a mother, a mother who needs good shoes, a mother who walks a lot because it helps distract the little one for a half hour or the dog for that matter, then you're a mother who needs a pair of Footprints. Well worth the $240 I spent on them. And that's with a sizable discount!

brand junkie.

Ok, here we go. I'll admit to being a brand junkie. When I find something I like, I am happy to tell, or should I say 'sell' it, to other people. So, occasionally, I would like to post about something that has just blown my world. It will probably teeter around nipple shaped feeding bottles and smashingly good wine, so all-in-all well worth the read.

Today's Product:

Velvety Vanilla Muesli

Product Picture:



Thoughts:

I've always wanted to be 'into' muesli. But, after being raised in Dublin (along with four other siblings), I was only ever introduced to cornflakes. In winter it was cornflakes with warm milk. Delicious. But, in Australia, with the sun nearly always shining through your kitchen window in the morning, sometimes Cornflakes just don't cut it. Besides, everyone who is anyone will tell you that muesli has much better things in it and goes well with fresh fruit, milk and yoghurt, all of which constitute a really good start to the day.

However, I have never found a muesli that hit the mark taste wise. Until now, of course. Introducing Velvety Vanilla Muesli from Table of Plenty (little Melbourne business). Here is the greatest combination of toasted and untoasted oats (the good and the bad, the yin and the yan, the devil and the saint) nestled amongst dates, nuts vanilla, honey and a touch of coconut. I tried it. I liked it. I buy it every week. It is especially good when you combine it with Jalna Bio-Dynamic Bush Honey yoghurt.

Damn. That's one hell of a way to start the day.