The Year of Dressing Well

When I look back on 2011, and my goals for the year, I can see that I have ticked off many things on my to-do list.  But, there are also many things I didn't do...

Like for instance, learning to play 12 Christmas Carols on the piano keyboard by this year. Nope. Didn't learn one in full.  I did begin having some lessons, and I was given a generous gift of a keyboard by my friend Nicole sometime mid-year but with all good intention in place, I just didn't put the work in.

Neither did I do one new thing a day.  I did many new things, many many in fact, but some days I was just too tired...    Being a mum does that to you sometimes.

So, this year, my goal is simple.

Every single day, I will dress my best.

Ok, minus the Christmas hat. 

Now, I find that this goal is a bit sneaky as it can encompass many things indeed.  You see, when I'm inspired to dress my best, I have to feel good about what I wear, which means I have to eat well most of the time and exercise....daily.  Yep, daily. I'm old enough now to know that the only way I keep to an exercise program is to do 'something' for 30 minutes every single day- no matter what the weather is doing.  For about 4 months now, I've been getting up, eating my breakfast and then doing this said "something" for about 30 minutes.  If I have time, I do a bit more so that on days I really don't have enough time in the morning, I can skimp a bit and just do a 20 minute burst.  Mostly I walk- across our grassy playground out front, up the footpath, down the drive and up the stairs- in a continuous circle until the timer sounds.  (I do it about 25 times!) If it is raining, I dance madly, leaping around and kind of zumba-ing to Ozomatli or Michael Jackson.  The time also doubles as my 'creative idea-making' time and I keep a notebook and pencil on the deck or on the table to jot down any bright sparks that might appear.  I usually begin with a question or problem in mind and just see what percolates....   So, by 8.30am most mornings, I've done a bit for my body, a bit for my brain and a bit for my mood too.  And I'm showered and ready to begin working. 

Dressing my best also means putting on my best face.  This is something completely new to me. I finally understand why my mother has to 'put on her face' every day, even if she has been in her pyjamas until 4pm on a home day.  I'm taking 'lessons' in styling, and hair doing, and fashion and elegance and eye makeup and eyebrow grooming- notes really- from those whom I admire and who always look good.  (My neighbour Coral (a mum of 4) and my friend Kyla (a mum of 5) are two of my style guru's, so I have no excuse really).  I'm taking notice of women out and about in the world who really stand out from the crowd, be it at the shopping centre, in the bank queue or walking the beachside pathways and I've taken to complimenting women, young and old, who have made some kind of effort to look their best. Complimenting others can feel a little strange as most women I've encountered have looked at me as though I am a stalker or a little weird when I've complimented them on a delightful outfit or perfect hair-do or gorgeous makeup. (I'm sure more than a few have wondered what I am selling) But giving a genuine compliment, and mine are 'in-awe-of-their-fashion-ability' genuine, does make a girl of any age stand up straight and feel just that bit better about herself.  A rosy glow of flushed cheeks from the surprise of an unexpected compliment adds to their beauty too.  I think each of us, as women, should give this beauty gift to one another more often.  A few days ago, I heard the girl behind me say to her friend how much she loved my stripe-y shirt and even that backhand compliment made me stand up a little taller, thinking that I had 'done good' for a change.

But back to faces, I'm learning, at 38, to do my face.  I've taken myself off for two free makeovers (ask at the beauty counters of your local department store- the girls are more than happy to help) and have for the first time learned to do my 'brows'.  And what a difference it makes.  Lipstick too.  And blush of course.  As a mama, doing my face beyond a slap of mascara and a bit of tinted moisturiser seemed a little too much like hard work, or a waste of energy, but now I KNOW for a fact, that my day is so so so much better when I take 7 or 8 minutes to give myself a rosy glow.  Looking good equals feeling good.  Out go the track suit pants, out go the tragic ugg boots, out go the daggy t-shirts.  Out! Out! Out!  Well, between the hours of 9am -5pm anyway.  This year, I'm going to pretend I'm a well-to-do lady going about my very important business, even if that business is to push my son on the swing!!  

Most happily, Dressing my Best means I need to have a lovely wardrobe of lovely things to wear.  That of course does not give me licence to run out and spend millions on dresses and clothes I'll only wear once but it does definitely give me permission to keep an eye out for bargain accessories.  Some of you may know that for the past two or so years, I've only bought clothes in my favourite colours of red, blue, white and black.  My goodness, how this has changed the way I shop.  It has virtually stopped me buying duds, or things that I can't wear because I have nothing to wear it with.  And as someone with a limited clothes budget, accessorising has become the way to funk up an old, tired or well loved piece.  Now, my visits to my local op shops have a purpose beyond retro-tupperware hunting.  I can always find oversized wooden beads, sparkly brooches, material off cuts, heavenly dress up shoes, chunky bracelets and things with which to make or alter into fantastic jewellery or homewares.  You can too.

This year, as part of my quest, I'm going to document my finds and makes a little with a weekly Saturday Style page.  And if you have any top tips for personal grooming or styling or things to make a nicely dressed life that little bit quicker or easier, I can't wait to hear from you too!  

My top tip this year came from my sister.   She swears by that stuff, Benetint, from the Benefit Makeup Counter.  The rosy glow from this cheek and lip tint lasts ALL DAY.  I'm now a convert.  Are you? \

So, will you join me in this year of 'Dressing our Best"?  Perhaps we can inspire one another, especially on those days we just feel like dagging out.   Are you in? 

Homemade Hula Hoops by Friday's Guest, Jo Treweek. Holiday Activity Fun.

My friend Jo showed me how to make a homemade hula hoop. 

They are pretty cool, don't you think? 

All you need is some poly pipe from the hardware store, some electrical tape in your favourite colours and something to join the pipe with.

For the adult size hula hoop, try using 25mm polypipe.  For this size pipe, you can also buy metal connectors to join the pipe into a circle.  Flex the pipe around your body to find the perfect size fit for you (somewhere between 2.4 metres- 2.8 metres is pretty good).  Push about half of the joiner into one end of the pipe then close the pipe onto the leftover length of joiner.  Seal with electrical tape to keep the join safely in place. 

Once your circle is complete, it is time to decorate.  

Here Jo had spun white electrical tape around the pipe and is now filling the gap with yellow and green striped tape chosen by her daughter.  

You don't have to stick with one type of tape either. 

The more colours the better! 

To make a child size hoop, use 12mm polypipe about 1.6 to 1.8 metres in length. 

(Again, check the length around the child's body and adjust as necessary) 

(Polypipe is the one with the dark blue lines running around the pipe) 

The man at the hardware store didn't have any joiners to fit this size, so he kindly cut a small 5cm length of 12mm copper piping and used that to join the two ends.  He wrapped the join with electrical tape to secure the join and gave it to Jo to decorate too. 

The children LOVED this. 

Mari and I had a go too!

Jo and I were brainstorming all the possibilities of things you could put inside the tubing to make noise.

Lentils, rice, tiny decorative stones used in fishtanks.. even a water filled hula hoop?

Can you imagine the swishing fun, perhaps with a spray or two for extra excitement?

Have you ever made a tubing pipe hula hoop or something else from polypipe? 

Perhaps you have other ideas for holiday fun?

Adorable and Elegant Gifts to Give

In my quest for everyday elegance, I'm often thinking about and searching for stylish gifts to give. 

Things that are both beautiful and practical, but that most importantly take note of the personality quirks and traits of the receiver.  I love the idea of 'it's the thought that counts' when it comes to gift giving but there is a big difference between thoughtful gifts and thoughtless ones, don't you think? 

In my favourite movie, "While you were sleeping" this idea of perfect gifting comes up twice.

Lucy's (Sandra Bullock) mother gave her dad 'the world'.  

"Actually, it was a globe with a light in it but for the romantic he was, 

it might as well have been the world"

And later in the film, the man she loves gives her the perfect gift too- a snow globe of Florence, the place Lucy most wishes to visit.  

I'm a die-hard nostalgic romantic and I can't help but be won over by this sensitive and elegant gift giving.  

My friend Mari gave me a perfect gift. 

On her return from Japan, she brought me a set of three origami silk paper bookmarks.  Simple- yes but perfect, definitely.  For I'm the kind of girl that has at least 10 books and magazines on the go at any one time and bookmarks are not just pretty accessories around here. They are necessities.  

In the book I've been reading these past few weeks, The Dressing Table , Clare Press makes a list of 'Adorable Presents to Give'.  I have new elegant inspiration, and I will approach my favourite markets, garage sales, car boots and antique stores with fresh eyes as I fossick for perfect gifts for family and friends.  Surely, everyone and anyone would love these things too. 

Here are my favourites from her comprehensive list....

(To read the others, you'll have to buy the book. A worthy investment for anyone seeking elegance in daily living. I LOVE this book)

Thick creamy writing paper with tissue-lined envelopes

A dressing table hand mirror

A bone china teacup and saucer

Six old bone-handled butter knives wrapped in brown paper

Delicious smelling room spray

Turkish delight

I'd add:

A personalised wax seal and a stick of envelope sealing wax

An exquisite silver parker pen, inscribed with a perfect quote

One simple silver bangle 

A locket on a silver chain, filled with a photo of friend's children

A Country Road duffle bag in their favourite colour. Seriously, this bag is just perfect for weekend travel. 

What is your idea of a Perfect Gift? 

Holiday Activity Fun: Rubber duck scooping

Ned played this game at a fete we went to recently.

Children were given a big scooping net with a long handle and invited to scoop up a rubber duck.

Each duck had a number written on the underside and the number determined what prize you won.

Why not change the rules a bit?

1.  The number might determine how many slices of watermelon they receive (either 1, 2 or 3) 

2.  Change the 'numbers' to shapes (hearts, stars, squares, circles) and ask the children to guess the shape before they scoop.  If they scoop the shape they chose, give them a big clap!

3.  Invite the children to take home their scooped duck

What a wonderful summertime game.  Can you just imagine how wet some of the children might get?

I can just see children hopping into the duck pond with the ducks somehow....

Have you any other ideas as to how children might use this duck game??

Suggestions most welcome.

Holiday Activity Fun: Cookie cutters and playdough

Ned and I found a set of brand new cookie cutters, plastic ones from about the 70's, in one of our local op shops. 

He spent almost a whole day playing with the cookie cutters and his rainbow playdough . 

It wasn't just cutting out the shapes.

No sir. 

Once he had made his rainbow set of cars, he spent more time driving them around.  

With these long holiday days, a set of cookie cutters and some playdough might just inspire your children too. 

Cake Pops for Christmas Day

Inspired by both my friend Felicity's mate Adam, and this book, Cake Pops by Molly Bakes, I made these delicious Red Velvet Cake Pops for Christmas Day.

You might like to make some too!

First thing is to make the cake.

1.  Place 250 grams self raising flour and 1/4 tsp salt in a big bowl. Mix and set aside.

2.  In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon raw cacao (or cocoa) powder with 4 tablespoons of natural pink food colouring made from cochineal extract and not much more- yay!

 (nb: red food colouring if you have nothing else).  Set aside

3. Combine 260ml buttermilk with 1 tsp vanilla extract in a bowl and set aside.

3. Cream 120 gram butter with 250 gram caster (confectioners) sugar until pale and fluffy. I used my thermomix but you can do it by hand or in a blender. 

Add one egg, beat the mixture, then add a second egg.  Mix well.  Add the pink cocoa mix to the butter and beat well to make a delicious looking pink buttery concoction. 

4.  To put it all together, add 1/3 of the flour mix to the butter followed by 1/3 of the buttermilk mix.  Mix with a light hand to a rendition of a funky version of White Christmas, or the new version of Maria Carey and Justin Beiber's All I want for Christmas 

Repeat this step twice to finish up using flour and buttermilk mixtures. 

5. For the final touch, in a small cup, mix 1 tsp of bicarb soda with 1 tsp vinegar. Let it fizz for a moment then fold it into the cake mix. 

5. Pour the mixture into a cake tin. 

Don't you just love this loveheart flexiform pan from Ikea?

Bake the cake in a moderate oven (180 degrees) for 40 mins or until cooked through. 

6. Let the cake cool then the fun begins.  Using clean hands, crumble the cake into small crumbs. 

7. Make a vanilla cream cheese frosting.

Cream 80gram softened butter with 60 gram cream cheese.  Gradually add 200 gram icing sugar and one teaspoon vanilla extract.  Process until smooth, then add to the crumb mixture. 

Scoop the mixture onto a length of cling wrap, wrap it up well and put in the fridge for about 30 minutes to chill. 

8.  Remove crumb mix from fridge and roll small portions into balls to fit inside small patty pans. 

9.  Melt about 10 white or milk chocolate buds.  

Dip a plastic lolly stick into the melted choc and then push the stick about 2cm into a cake ball.  The chocolate 'plug' will help to secure the cake ball on the stick.  Place the finished tray back in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm.  

10.  The last step is to melt the rest of the bag of chocolate melts and swirl each cake pop into the chocolate mix.

Season with sugar sparkles in your favourite colour.  Stand your cake pops in the base of an egg carton.  Tip: Use a pop stick to poke holes in the cardboard beforehand 

All that is left is to enjoy them!!! 

Yummy.

If you want to be further inspired with amazing recipes and decorative ideas, this is the book again.  

Hope you are having an amazing Christmas Day with your family and friends.

Love to you all.

Amber. 

Table Manners for the Festive Season by Friday's Guest, Emily Patterson

Emily's contribution for Friday's Guest is so good and so timely, that this week we're having two Friday's Guests....  Happy reading!

Children with Perfect Table Manners for Family Holiday Meals

Written by Friday's Guest, Emily Patterson on behalf of Primrose Schools, 

where the best day care, a passionate staff, comprehensive curriculum and high standards prepare every child for a future of success

While table manners have been around a while, it's still very important to teach your child how to be polite. This is especially important around the holidays, when families will be gathering together for large meals. The last thing parent’s want is for their child to reach across the table yelling "MINE!" or belching loudly in front of their in-laws. By teaching your children these habits and behaviors at a young age, they will learn valuable lifelong lessons.

The first step to teaching children table etiquettes it to start at a young age. Just as children learn to scoot, crawl, then walk in steps, the same is true with manners. If you're expecting a child to learn something overnight, you're going to be disappointed. Instead, make it a habit to have regular meals around the dinner table. Practice what your preach as well. Children who grow up seeing table manners are more likely to mimic them.

If you have young children, around the age of two or three, talk to them before a large holiday meal. Explain to them that this meal is going to be a little different because more people, such as grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts, will be joining them. This doesn't mean they should forget their manners, however. Children around this age love showing off, so be sure to encourage them to impress their family members. They can do this by remaining seated throughout the entire meal, helping to set the table, or eating their own foods using the proper silverware. Be sure to be encouraging throughout the meal, this will help your child to learn.

As well as warning your child about what to expect before the holiday meal takes place, you should also give them feedback during the meal. Be sure to be specific, such as saying "You did a very good job setting the table for us and grandma and grandpa. I was really busy preparing the big meal and you helped us to even earlier." This positive reinforcement encourages good behavior and will serve as a reminder as to what table manners are expected.

Many meals consist of adults conversing and sharing stories about their lives. This is especially true around the holidays, when family members who haven't seen each other in a while are thrown together under one roof. Your child may not be interested in her uncle's new job, but that doesn't mean it's polite to interrupt. Instead, remind your child that we all take turns listening and talking. Try and encourage polite conversation if at all possible. For example, if your uncle just got a job as a teacher, ask your child what subject she thinks he would be best at teaching.

Parents should also do their best to set a dinner routine. This can be tricky around the holidays, since holiday meals, such as Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner, are often much different than a regular dinner. This doesn't mean that everything has to be new and scary, however. By setting regular meal times, you child has a rough idea of what to expect. If your child has been to several holiday gatherings, be sure to remind them about the previous years so they know what to expect. Children learn best when they know what to expect. This will help them be polite and respectful during holiday feasts.

Continue to follow these simple guidelines throughout the year, table manners are always good to have no matter what season it is!

Thank you Emily. It's a handy reminder for tomorrow.

If you'd like to feature as a Friday's Guest in 2012, email me at amber.greene@hotmail.com

Remember, New Years resolution???

Christmas Eve Roasted Pumpkin and Gooey cheese warm salad by Friday's Guest, Kyla Levi

Roasted Pumpkin and Gooey Cheese Warm Salad by Friday's Guest, Kyla Levi

I visited my friend Kyla a few weeks ago and she made us this for lunch.

Oh my.

What a treat.

It's a perfect semi-light salad for the lead up to Christmas.  You might like to make it for Christmas Eve supper. 

The recipe for you by Kyla. 

Firstly chop up a selection of your favourite winter vegetables.

I like pumpkin, sweet potato, fresh garlic, onion and purple onion too. 

I also suggest potatoes and zucchini too. 

Place them on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil. 

Bake in a moderate oven for about 30 minutes or until the veggies soften and roast, but do not blacken.

While your veggies are roasting, prepare the salad.

I use a variety of green lettuces, freshly washed and dried, then placed in my bowl.

Chop up a 250gram block of gooey camembert or brie cheese into slices, and also a block of feta cheese.

A soft goat's cheese or goat's feta is a nice variation too. 

Place the cheeses on top of the salad. 

When your veggies are ready, tip them straight onto your cheesy salad.  

Toss the salad. 

Leave the salad to sit for 5 minutes to allow the heat from the veggies to melt the cheese and spread that cheesy goodness. 

Sometimes for an extra bit of salty flavour, I grill some proscuito until crunchy and then break that over the top too. 

Serve immediately and enjoy the healthy flavoursome salad with your family and friends. 

Thank you Kyla, I'll be making this again over Christmas for sure.

If you too would like to write for Friday's Guest on MamaMoontime and share your goodness with our creative community, email Amber at amber.greene@hotmail.com

Why not make it a New Year's resolution to share something creative that you do? 

A no-frills cheap Christmas gift for young children

In this month of Christmas excess, I was reminded that sometimes the most simple of things, in this case a whole bunch of pegs from the peg basket, can be the best gift ever.

Playing with pegs!

Who'd have thought a pack of pegs could ever be such fodder for children's creativity?

Ned and his little friend spent at least an hour making dinosaurs, crocodiles, mountains and little houses too.   

Why not pop a pack of (wooden or colourful plastic) pegs into their Christmas stocking and see what your children come up with? 

Erwin the Elf's Round the Globe Tour #4

For those of you who have been following the story of my cousin's little girl Annabel, and our Handmade Gifts for the Advent Garland for Annabel and the children of Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick, here is an update for you...

Firstly, a note from Harriet (Annabel's mum)

Hi honey. The advent gifts have been fantastic; the kids have had an absolute ball opening them and some things have been so amazing like a mini storybook, handwritten, all about the three kids. Things hectic here ad always - Annabel a handful as quite clingy - but will definitely take a pic tomorrow and email. Love you lots x Harriet

Erwin stopped by Rachel, Kayde and Aaron in Brisbane, Maria, Liam and Jacob in Advancetown, and
Erwin visited Sachiko and Mia too...

"He arrived at our home on Thu and spent overnight happily having a lots of kisses and hugs from us (especially from Mia! - She was so sad when she found out he has to leave to next family..). Then, we delivered him to the next family (Liz and Meg) in Miami on the way back from Cath and Abbey yesterday as I realised he still has quite a long journey ahead him and didn't want him to lose the days because of the weekend. Hope it was ok.."

Liz and Meg sent Erwin onto the Meech household with Michelle, Anthony, Chloe and Evie.... 

"Erwin had lots of fun playing on Chloe and Evies new swing set!! 

And enjoyed a yummy family "mock" Christmas dinner!! He will be sent safely back on his journey again today..."

Erwin is off to visit Steph, Ethan and Jemma today and Lara and D'hrys just in time for Christmas...
He'll pick up his travels again after a day or two's well earned rest.  But in the meantime, here's a glimpse of what Christina made for Annabel... how cute is this?

Santa and Mrs Claus Peg Dolls: A how-to tutorial

Santa and Mrs Claus took the time to pose for a quick photo before Santa's big journey begins this weekend.... 

Don't they look sweet together? 

(This was our crafty project at last weekend's Crafternoon #6 hosted by me) 

If you'd like to make your own Santa and Mrs Claus, you'll need peg doll forms. 

Large Angel's for Mrs Claus and Large Man  for Santa Claus.

Both of these forms are from Casey's Wood.  Do let me know if you find any other suppliers, especially one in the Southern Hemisphere.  

The first thing to do is to paint the bodies. 

Red all over from the neck down for Santa.

Mrs Claus is painted red around the back but leave a space for her 'apron' on the front as shown. 

Paint her apron in your choice of colour.

Remember to add the apron tie around her neck. 

I use acrylic paint and one generous coat has been plenty. 

Santa's beard/hair piece can then be needlefelted.

Take a strip of white fleece about 15cm in length.

Wrap it around and around your fingers as shown.  

The doll form's head needs to be able to poke up through the back to fit inside the helmet head of hair.

Use a needlefelting tool, available from most craft shops and Waldorf Toy shops, to shape the head and beard.  Place the fleece only (the above picture shows me testing the fleece helmet on the form) on the foam and rotate it as you poke.  Poke the needle barb in the places where you want the fleece to sculpt in or thicken. Be careful of your fingers!!  

Remember, use a foam block under your work to keep fingers out of harm's way. 

Separate a little of the fleece on the front side to make a moustache.

When the helmet of hair is complete, glue it in place.

You can now also paint a white belt with a black buckle, or do as I did in a later version and glue a thin 3mm strip of white felt onto the body to meet up with the black buckle.

(I think this looks better actually) 

Use a fine paintbrush and paint or a coloured marker to dot some eyes and some lips onto Santa too. 

Mrs Claus needs hair too.

Take a 14cm length of fleece, about 3cm in width. 

Beginning at one end, make a plait with three strands of fleece. 

Cover the head of Mrs Claus in PVA or craft glue. 

Then beginning at the base of her skull, twist the plait around and around to make a bun. 

Use extra glue if you need as it dries clear. 

I've embellished her apron too.

I attached a 'tree' pushpin onto a small square of green felt, stitched a red line of running stitch for decoration and then glued the felt to the timber. I also painted red dots all along the border of her apron. 

What might you do? 

The last thing is Santa's hat.

Cut out a piece of red felt in this shape.

Mine measures 12cm along the base and 9cm high. 

Fold the felt in half along the midline and sew it up from base to the tip using blanket stitch . 

Glue a strip of white felt to the base. 

Stitch the hat to the hair of Santa. 

I made a fold and a tiny stitch on his hat too.

Remember to add a pompom or a bell to the tip of the hat too. 

Happy Christmas to you all....my beloved MamaMoontime readers.

I love sharing with you and hope you enjoy reading as much as I love creating the things I feature.

Thank you, my friends.

You make my day with your comments and emails and good thoughts.

Have a great Christmas with your family and friends.

I look forward to another year with you all in 2012.