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There’s Something in The Air at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre – Shopping With Kids Part Three

October 22, 2016 / Lifestyle / 3 Comments

On Wednesday morning I felt good.

I had gotten up early to finally do a big walk with my neighbor. She had mentioned a couple of months ago that there is a running group in my suburb that meets three times a week. I was keen to get involved cause Christmas is coming and I don’t want to take my spring rolls with me.

Except I had no active wear. My old Nike runners were two sizes too small thanks to pregnancy and I now have feet as big as Ian Thorpe. (not really – but I am between a size 10 and 11 now)

While on holidays, I headed to Rebel Sport and bought tights to suck my belly in, a pink work out top to match my new pink running shoes. I was set.

The walk felt good, as did talking to my neighbour, who ironically was wearing an identical outfit to me. #twinning

She told me about a sale on a SEED Heritage for white canvas shoes which I had been meaning to purchase as another flat shoe to walk to school in.

I decided to head to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre to try on the shoes.

Well what a trip.

It mirrored my last trip to Indooroopilly when my girls fought and I left the shopping centre in tears because I couldn’t find a cocktail dress to wear to the Migas awards night.

This shopping trip faired in a similar fashion, except I was able to get the shoes – but not without some attention.

The first tantrum was from Miss Phoebe who put on a show because she didn’t get to press the button to the lift. The two women in the lift were literally shocked by her reaction. So was I. To diffuse the situation, I told Phoebe she could press the lit button, but instead she pressed the phone/call for help one.

I don’t take my Lord’s name in vain but I did mutter So Help Me God at that moment.

We headed straight to SEED Heritage and I couldn’t find the shoes. The girls got out of the pram and started opening all the umbrellas. I was looking for size 41 shoes and chasing my girls, who were chasing each other with open umbrellas. With bare feet, I was grabbing the umbrellas and placing them back into the holders.

I think the staff at SEED Heritage felt sorry for me.

But they were so good and didn’t show their annoyance.

We had only been in the store for ten minutes while I was trying on the shoes and diffusing the umbrella fiasco when Maggie announced loudly, (and holding her crotch as if she was about to explode) that she needed to go to the toilet RIGHT NOW.

This photo was not taken on the day, but this is what Phoebe looked like while we shopped on Wednesday morning.

So a staff member took the shoes from me and put them behind the counter, and I swiftly chucked both kids in the pram and ran to the toilet, hoping to avoid an accident. All was sweet. We made it in time.

We all headed back to the store so I could try on a top and buy the shoes.

The staff offered to watch my girls and the pram while I went to the change room. The store had a bucket of toys for kids to play with which, can I say, every store should have to help distract kids so mums can shop.

I don’t think they expected the screaming match that ensued over a wooden lipstick toy though. I cringed as I whipped my top off in the change room. I could hear Phoebe’s screams from the other side of the shop.

I came out and there were tears. Phoebe was not happy and Maggie had turned into mother authoritarian. #threenager

I bought the shoes and the top and was going to call it a day.

But I remembered I hadn’t had breakfast. We had a quick bite to eat and I then decided to head to Review to look at a fascinator. My girls were handed stickers and there were more cries from Phoebe because Maggie decided to put stickers on her and the pram.

Trying on a fascinator in Review

While in Peter Alexander, Maggie decided the window display needed rearranging by pulling the mannequin’s boxers down and playing with the puffed balls of cotton that were meant to possibly be clouds.

When I finally got into the car and I vowed I would not go to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre again until my kids are teenagers.

At least I got the shoes. And a top. And part of one person’s Christmas present.

The trip wasn’t a huge failure.

But I was definitely in need of prayer and a good drink to calm me down.

Do your kids fight in Shopping Centres? Got any tips on how to handle a two year old and three year old? Does anyone want a two year and three year old for Christmas? (Kidding, of course)

Five Fashion Pieces on my Wish List

October 15, 2016 / Lifestyle / 12 Comments

Just like any woman with a budget, there are times when I see something I love but can’t buy it because money has been divided up to pay for other things. Like the mortgage. And bills. AND FOOD.

But just because I can’t afford to buy them right now, doesn’t mean I won’t be able to afford them later.

So I put them on my wish list.

Do you have a fashion and accessory wish list? It’s a list that you have when you see something you love but either can’t afford to buy it right now, or it would make the perfect gift for Christmas… so you leave it and hope that it doesn’t sell out before you get it.

Janet from Middle Aged Mama used to write a wish list of clothes she wanted (not sure if she still does it) and I always found it fascinating to see the fashion desires of someone else on display.

Today, I thought I’d share with you five fashion pieces on my wish list.

It’s no surprise that most of what I’m sharing with you today is bright and colourful… isn’t that what summer fashion is all about? I just wish I had a tree in the backyard that grew a lot of money so I could buy these things. I know it would help the economy… surely!

Five Fashion Pieces on my Wish List

1. This dress from Birdsnest immediately caught my eye because of the colours. Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s the Globetrotter by Ruby Yaya Durban Sayonara Dress and will set you back $149.95.

2. I love a stripe tee and this Emerald Stripe Contrast Tee from Bohemian Traders would look so good with my to-be-acquired white jeans, and of course in my wardrobe. Will set me back $79.

3. I need new white jeans and these 7/8 Jeggings from Katies will be perfect. Katies have a 50% pop up sale if you want to have a look…

4. Pom Poms are everywhere at the moment and I’m loving them on accessories. Just like these gorgeous Pom Pom Woven Earrings from Stylefast. They only cost $30 and I know I’d get a lot of wear out of them. They also match the Globetrotter dress above….

5. How cute are these Pom Pom sandals from Wittner (149.95). These can only be pre-ordered, but will be available early November. Do I pre-order?

What’s on your list? Have any of these items made it onto yours?

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The Karate Kick That Saved Me From My Fashion Faux Pas

August 9, 2016 / Lifestyle / 29 Comments

A couple of weeks ago (or it could have been a month ago?!) Jenny from Styling Curvy messaged me to say she would be up on the Gold Coast and would love to catch up with me and other bloggers early August. I said of course and couldn’t wait for the details.

The date was set and the venue was chosen and I admittedly thought it would be too hard to organize a babysitter to look after the girls so I could go. It was also the day before my eldest daughter’s birthday party. But the fear of missing out prompted me to organize my mum–in-law to visit and the babysitting dilemma was sorted.

Last Thursday night I messaged Jasmine from Pretty Chuffed to see if we could travel down together. Details were organized and Jasmine offered to pick me up on her way down to Burleigh Heads.

Friday morning arrived and I was late getting ready. As a result I was late getting Esther to school. I had to be home in time for Jasmine to pick me up as I didn’t want her to be waiting for me when I got home.

Before I left to take Esther to school, I had just chucked my Frankie 4 silver shoes on which did NOT go with my outfit. I also had to fix my makeup and put a brush through my hair. I went to open our bedroom door so I could put on my boots and makeup and the handle wouldn’t turn because it was LOCKED. One of the girls had pushed in the lock from the other side.

I panicked because the door is a difficult one to unlock and I had needed my dad’s help last time to unscrew the door knob from door.

I was frustrated and upset that I would possibly have to miss the meet up. Jasmine arrived to pick me up and I apologized profusely and told her to go on her way because I wasn’t ready and I didn’t have matching SHOES! #fashiondilemna

I got out my multi-grips and cursed and cried as I tried with all my might to undo the door knob.

In the mean time Phoebe came up to me and told me ‘I did it. I did it Mummy’. Which was cute to hear but so frustrating as well.

I tried to calm down (didn’t work) and rang my dad to find out where he was to see if he could come help me. I was determined to get down to the GC.

Dad was 20 minutes away, so I tried undoing the lock again. And I got it. But the bolt was still keeping the door closed.

Not one to give up, I karate kicked the door, and the door flew open. YES!

I told dad not to come and raced into the ensuite to fix my makeup and put on my boots.

I told Siri I had no time for GPS stuff ups as I was already late getting to the catch up.

I arrived and I was relieved to not only have found a park but to have made it so I had enough time to catch up with everyone who rocked up.

Karin from Calm to Conniption

Robyna from Mummy and the Minx

Jasmine from Pretty Chuffed and Kirsten from Kirsten and Co

My brunch

Shannon from Forty Up, Karin from Calm to Conniption, Robyna from Mummy and the Minx, Kirsten from Kirsten and Co and Mudface AKA Kate from Loveface Lives and Jasmine and Audrey from Pretty Chuffed were at the catch-up. I’m glad I made the effort to come down.

Fashion Bloggers

I always try to make an effort to catch up with bloggers because we rarely get to see each other in person. Thankfully our blogs and interactions on social media makes the distance and time between meetings seem shorter.

The ultimate #everydaystyle backdrop was located (by me) for an outfit photo. Thank you to Kirsten for taking my shot.

Thank you to Jenny from Styling Curvy for organizing the catch up, Shannon for the gift (and Jenny) and Kate for booking the café.

Bring on the next catch up. Hopefully there will be no dramas on my end next time I head down to the Gold Coast.

Have you ever been locked out of your bedroom? Missed an event because of your kids?

I’m linking up with Kylie Purtell for IBOT.

How I Changed my Black Tie Dress at the Last Minute

July 26, 2016 / Lifestyle / 20 Comments

In March when I was presented with the Female Plumbing Ambassadorship for QLD from the Master Plumbers Association of QLD, we worked out a list of events that I was to attend to. One of the events was to present the Andrea Vogler Award for a Woman in Business at the Plumbing and Gas Awards. The event was to be black tie and lounge suit for the guys.

Black tie typically means a formal dress but not a ball gown. I slightly panicked about finding the right dress because I really wanted to look professional but also stunning. But I didn’t want to spend a fortune either.

So I trawled the internet and found a gorgeous Leona Edmiston dress with sleeves. I figured the awards night would be in the middle of winter so it would be a cold night and the sleeves would mean I wouldn’t have to find a jacket or shrug to keep me warm.

I bought the dress online for around $227, reduced from $500 (It’s now down to $100 but in XXS). When I put the dress on, it fit fairly well, although it was a little big in the bust and the dress length was quite long. I also worried the dress wasn’t my style. This was the dress I bought. I think it looks much better on the model that me!

But when I put the dress on for my mum and Jacob, they agreed it was a good pick. So I happily put the dress away in anticipation for wearing it to the awards night.

Last week I showed my dad the dress and he told me he thought it was old fashioned and a colour his mother (my grandma) would wear. But he then tried to reassure me that he didn’t know much about fashion.

The thing is, I suspected the same thing. And usually my dad has a good eye for what does and doesn’t suit me. The same thing happened when I bought my formal dress 15 years ago. I had two dresses purchased and my dad didn’t like either of them, so he took me into the city to a tenancy he did the plumbing in (which happened to be an exclusive Brisbane fashion designer). A new red fabric had come in from Milan and the material was picked and the dress was made. I loved that formal dress and my dad has always took pride that he bought me my formal dress. I have still kept that dress in case I ever fit back into it. #stilldreaming
Anyway, I was a little worried about my dress and then I read the weather forecast and saw it was going to be a hot day on Friday. The last thing I wanted was to get sweat patches under my arms from being too hot in a dress.

But I didn’t have time (nor much money) to do anything about the dress and just decided to wear it. I had to get a necklace so headed to Mt Ommaney shopping centre on the Thursday and bought two necklaces from Lovisa that could be layered over each other.

Unfortunately when I put the necklaces on with the dress, they didn’t sit nicely on each other. The line on my bra could also be seen through the fabric of my dress. I resigned to going back to Mt Ommaney the next day to get a refund on one of the necklaces and find a smooth bra that didn’t have any seams or lace on the cups.

Thankfully Jacob was home so I raced to the shops to do my errands before my hair appointment at 11am. For some random reason I decided to head to City Chic as I remembered reading somewhere on the internet they sold bras.

When I went in, I saw they had a sales rack with a whole heap of formal dresses. And there was this XS black and white dress that I really liked.

City Chic Dress – One Left in XS

I whisked it to the change room and asked the shop assistant what size an XS would be. She told me it would fit a size 14. I slumped a bit because I’m usually a 16 because of my broad shoulders and I’m still little curvy in the middle.

I still tried the dress on and I’m glad I did. A few pics were sent to my dad and mum and of course Jacob, who was questioning why I was buying another dress because he really loved the green one. But I loved the black and white one more and for $50, I couldn’t put the dress back on the rack.

So I bought the dress and a strapless bra. Headed to get my hair done and put the dress on for my hairdresser who told me she loved it and we had to change my hairstyle plans. I was going to have my hair up, but because the dress was strapless, we opted to have my hair down.

My hair was put in Velcro rollers and I was given strict instructions NOT to take the rollers out until right before I headed to the event. This meant I would have to pick Esther from school with rollers in my hair and walk like this into Myer to get my makeup done.

I put my sunglasses firmly on my face and walked through the Myer Centre to the Benefit bar to get my makeup done. Benefit did my makeup when I went to the Kidspot Awards in 2014 so I knew they would do a good job. Plus the $75 paid to get your makeup is reimbursed with product.

Walking through Myer…

Kalani from Benefit did a fabulous job of covering over two pimples that decided to pop up that week. My makeup looked fabulous. We took a quick selfie in front of the Myer mannequin that had the same hairstyle as me!

Thanks Kalani for doing my makeup!

Jacob then whisked me to our hotel at the Ridges where we got ready for the 6pm VIP drinks.

As promised, I took my rollers out right before we left to attend the drinks and my hair was PERFECT!

This is how I scrubbed up in the end!

I was so glad I wore this dress because I was very hot at the awards, mingling and talking.

I knew I’d made the right decision to get a different dress. Or maybe the dress was heaven ordained just for me.

I will keep the other dress for another occasion – providing the weather allows me to wear it!

With my love

Have you ever made a last minute change to an important outfit? Do you have a dedicated Black Tie dress for special occasions?

I’m linking up for IBOT with Kylie Purtell.

Shopping With Kids Part II

June 14, 2016 / Lifestyle / 25 Comments

I had a bit of a dilemma last week. The dilemma was I had nothing to wear to a function I had to go to last Friday night, even though I’d received the invitation a couple of months ago.

I knew I needed a cocktail style dress for the event, but I placed it at the back of my mind until said event suddenly became a week away.

My wardrobe is usually kitted for all seasons and events, but since having kids and putting weight on and losing it this year, my clothes have either been ill fitting or I’m still a little too round in the middle to fit into some things which I am not ready to part with.

Last Thursday was the only day I had available to try and find a dress for a gala I was attending the next night.

Nothing like leaving things to the last minute!!

After dropping Esther to school, I told Maggie and Phoebe we were going to the shops to get mummy a dress.

Maggie said she wanted to go home so I bribed her, telling her that when mummy found her dress, she would take her and her sister to the playground. It was met with a ‘yay’.

All was well with the drive to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre.

I got the kids in the pram, walked into Myer and they fought. Phoebe kicked the back of Maggie’s seat. Maggie cried. I roused on Phoebe. She did it again. So I swapped the girls into different seats and Maggie decided to payback her sister by kicking the seat Phoebe was now sitting in.

I gritted my teeth and perused the sales racks.
.
I finally found THE dress. It was my size and it was stunning! The sale price made it even better.

So I took THE dress to the change rooms.

I sat my girls on the bench seat and gave them snacks, warning them if they moved, there would be no visit to the playground.

I whipped my clothes off and chucked the dress on… only to discover the zip wouldn’t go all the way up.

The Dress. Looks better in real life.

No wonder it’s on sale I mused as I took a quick selfie, and wished my shoulders weren’t so broad.

After getting dressed, the girls were off the bench, with one pushing the pram and the other tentatively peeking outside the waiting area to make a run for it.
I chucked both girls in the pram, with the harnesses on and they started to protest.

I went into Sheike and tried on two dresses while the girls cried because they were strapped into the pram.

The carrying on kept on while I walked from one end of the shopping centre to the other.

I went into a kids shop to buy some more winter clothes and Maggie had a major meltdown when I refused to buy her a ballerina dress.

The crying was so bad from both girls, the shop assistant took one look at my face and down to my red faced, snotty nosed girls and said “I feel for you”.
I felt for me too because I just wanted to join in with the crying. Not only did I not have a dress to wear for the gala night, but I had kids who couldn’t play nicely with each other.

We left the shop and I told the girls we were going home.

No morning tea. No playground… and still no dress.

I got the girls into the car, chucked the pram in the boot and sat at the driving wheel thinking why did life have to be so freaking hard?

The only option left was to re-look in my wardrobe and try on some dresses that might fit for the night.

This number I bought for a wedding I was asked to sing at proved to be the winner. It was a dress I wore pre Phoebe and Maggie.

The dress (From Cue) I wore to the Migas Gala Awards Night

Not only did the zip go up, I had the perfect necklace to uplift the dress.

Maybe those tantrums from my girls were meant to be.

As I was getting ready, Esther looked at me and said, ‘You don’t look like my mummy.’

And Jacob said, ‘I’m so glad you’re my wife.’

Ironic how we can be feeling low one moment and on top of the world the next.

So the moral of this tale is don’t leave it to the last minute to find an outfit for a special function and if you do need to go shopping, go without the kids!

Ever surprised yourself by fitting into something you never thought you would? Gone shopping with kids lately? Tell me where you shop for a cocktail dress?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

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