Reasons to be cheerful...

I'm sure that was a cereal advert but anyway...  I'm sure you have seen all the 'feel good tags' that do  the rounds on social media designed for us to take five minutes to ourselves and think about what's important to us, what's made us happy, there's been #100happydays, the black & white photo challenge, the 5 photos that make you smile tag, 7 'unknown' things about you.  I love seeing these pop up as it is a great reminder to ourselves about the things in life that just make our heart sing and it's lovely to get an insight into what our friends value too.

No one ever seems to tag me in these, I don't know why, so I decided I'd do it myself and go old school with reasonstobecheerful but after I got thinking I decided it is actually probably more like reasonstobethankful....

1. I have the sweetest most sensitive boy.  He is (on the most part) a dream to be around, his eyes are so bright in the morning he is so happy to see me when he wakes and you can almost feel his energy. He has always been like this I hope he hangs on to it!  

2. I am blessed with a loving & supportive family in that even though I do things that absolutely rock their world they still support me & are there quietly making transitions and I know are always there a constant in my life that transcends physical locality.

3. That I have friends that are plentiful & diverse that I have so many different histories and memories with that I connect with all for different reasons.  Some relationships are intense and resonate with energy, some are bound in history some are new and insightful. I know these friendships are precious and I regard highly each and every one.

4. I have a girl that is adorable & sweet but is fierce & determined & strong.  I know I won't ever be able to stand in her way and I know she is going places I'm already proud of her and I know she's going to continue to astound me as she grows up.

5. I am lucky to be part of a team in me & my husband that he will look after me and our family, that we enjoy spending time together and that we can talk about anything to each other.  He totally and utterly gets me and loves me for who I am.  

So probably a little bit more deep than reasons to be cheerful but if you want to join me and let me know what's making you thankful right now please do! x

For anyone that's ever moved away from 'home'.

I'm just back from a trip home to Scotland. It was lovely seeing friends and family. Luckily I have worked out the solution to homesickness... I want to move everyone around with me wherever I go....that's not too much to ask is it?! Well perhaps not but I take solace in the fact that my relationships with the people I love and care for and choose are just as beautiful as they were when we left a year ago and I have no fear that that is going to change and that brings me tremendous happiness. 

Every new year brings a huge whirl of emotions and thoughts for me. It's not just resolutions it is revaluations and I think going 'home' really helped me with that this year. Lots of people were surprised we travelled back to the UK in the first year we had moved to Australia but for me it was a given. I wanted to see my family and friends and yes it stirred up a lot of feelings & emotions for both me and my two children but I'm glad we went. Because number 1 feelings are meant to be felt and I want to teach them that. At the end of our holiday there were lots of tears thinking about leaving and coming 'home' to Australia. Leaving what we know and what gives us such comfort. We spoke about it as a family in the taxi on the way back from the airport at 3am...about how lucky we are. To have two homes. Two sets of communities. Two lots of people who care for and love us. Two 'habitats' that give us different things and fulfill our needs in different ways. It was then in than taxi that I saw it. My three year old totally 'got it' she smiled and a look came over her face which was unmistakably one of gratitude. It was really quiet and beautiful and I thought "it's ok, we're ok".

It doesn't mean we won't miss everyone, that we won't have moments when tears cloud over our eyes in a quiet moment, we will. But what I'm trying to say is if you are in a similar position to me and you struggle with how you believe yourself to be coping or how your kids are coping with the huge life turning thing you have decided that's best for everyone maybe let yourself believe that you did in fact do the right thing, and that you and they are, in fact, ok.

Making Memories...Family Style

Have you started thinking about Christmas presents yet? Im busy planning a trip back to Scotland for Christmas so I'm feeling like it's a stones throw from the festive period again! My last christmas shopping post I chatted about giving experiences rather than a physical gift I stand by this idea. 

This year we decided to treat ourselves to a gorgeous experience of a one on one family shoot with the talented Jessica Roberts (I've spoken about Jessica before on the blog as I had my fabulous FRESH headshots shoot with her, have a look here) we took a well stocked picnic basket and a new blanket bought for the occasion a flask of of wine and down to the beach we went. 


We had such a great experience.   So much fun and it really reminded us all of how lucky we are to part of our lovely little family.  Team Hughes is going great guns and there's nothing like an experience like this to remind us of that feeling.  Jessica made us feel super comfortable in front of the camera which I think shows through how relaxed we are in these shots.  Miss Poppy just LOVED being in front of the camera and Ollie being in a very cheeky mood really entertained us all.  Here's a sneak peak of the images as this blog post is a bit of a spoiler alert for my family...we have up until now managed to keep the majority of the images under wraps! Jessica is running mini shoots on the beach every weekend up until Christmas I urge you to book in with her if you are in the Melbourne area...she is just fab.

We have decided to immortalise our images by getting a book made up of the images I went online and created my book via blurb. I was given a free voucher by blurb to review their service. Websites like My Voucher Codes often run discounts for it, so watch out for them if you're looking to do your own. I downloaded the free software to create the book which was very easy, chose my book design and that was that. I enjoy doing things like this so the process was pretty fun (and easy).

The book arrived very quickly and was fabulous quality it looks rather professional actually pop over to my Instagram for a peak at the family seeing it for the first time.   I'm really happy with it and can see I might get slightly addicted to this in the years to come!

I'm taking a personal day!

When was the last time you took a day off?  I don't mean you were genuinely sick and couldn't make it to work I mean you just needed some time off so you said bugger it I'm off you can't have me today.  Have you ever let your kid have a day off school because you think they might just need a break?  I friend of mine recently posted pictures on Facebook of her and her daughter out at the shops having a day of fun after a rather tough morning at school and she had been upset.  I was really inspired by her approach and it made me question how I would react in a similar situation and it has made me change my mind.

I started writing this post during the week sat at a Melbourne lane way bar, having a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon on a roasting hot day, by myself, no kids no husband just me my book and my notes app on my phone (where I often scribble draft blog posts when inspiration takes me).  I had came into the city for an appointment and when I got there it had been cancelled.  I was really annoyed... for about 3 seconds.   I could have jumped straight back on the train and made it back for kinder pick up, cancel hubby leaving work early let him stay and finish what he was doing.  Then I realised the opportunity that had been given to me...a hour (or two) of some time off.  To sit by myself for a while, watch the world go by, chat to the waitress about her gorgeous sunflower tattoos, savour a glass of red, tell the girl sat two tables down from me how I loved her curly hair, let inspiration hit me for this blog post.  It was heavenly. Then I got back on the train still in time for bed time stories etc I chose to enjoy every minute of my time off and it felt good.

Of course there are probably a thousand problems in what i've just said and you're reading it thinking oh great for you but I can't do this because...

1. I'm a mum...who's going to look after the kids while I'm having a personal day?

2. My workload is so over baring it's just going to be worse when I get back 

3. You are not meant to take days off!...what you need a rest...don't be silly you just go in!

Let me help change your mind 

1. But i'm a mum....there's always a way to take a break even when your a busy mum...let hubby do the bath and bed routine get out for a walk take your headphones pump some music and breathe in the feeling of being you...all by yourself.  Take a bath once the little ones are sleeping, turn out light put on a candle, relax, your TV or chores will still be there when you get out, leave them for tomorrow. If the kids go to school or nursery let yourself just have that time to yourself one day leave the laundry to another day, stack the dishwasher later.  Allocate at least one of these child free times to something you want to do and be present in that time.  Choose to enjoy it.

2. But what about my workload...ok if you are a very important person like a surgeon or something maybe you can't afford to call in randomly for  day off but you can allocate yourself a day holiday in the year just for you, no husband, kids at school/childcare choose what you want to do and plan it into the schedule.  Go there and enjoy every second.  If you're not out there saving lives etc and have a bit more flexibility but still a burdening to do list I'm not saying your job is not important i'm asking you to think how much more armed to attack it you will be if you take a break and really give yourself some time to breathe.  A day off not thinking about it all might be exactly what you need to come back stronger than before,  don't be a martyr choose to prioritise your happiness. Maybe you are working towards a certain goal, you're super committed you have to do it this time.  Just be careful you're not going too hard and you (and potentially your family) are suffering as a result sometimes its important to step back and realise if it's for you its coming to you (let's try and avoid a breakdown making it happen?)

3. It's an innate thing that your aren't meant to take time off...well I think this was definitely me for a while (and I know for a fact it's my husband) he's ok if I take time out for myself but abysmal at doing it for himself.  Work ethic is great and it's something I am working on to teach my kids but I also want them to know it's ok to take a break.  To not get themselves into a frenzy about work/school related issue and to listen to themselves and talk about it. So i'm finishing this post with my 5 year old sat next to me playing dinosaurs because today he's taking a personal day from school.  I noticed a change in his usual easy going personality this week, every thing was too hard for him, he just wasn't responding to my requests in his usual way so we are having a recharge day and he gets it.  We are focusing on play today and being positive so fingers crossed when Monday rolls round again he'll feel a lot better equipped to face the pressures and strains that faces a five year old for a tiring week at school.

So tell me please?! How do you take time out? Are you prioritising your life in the way thats most beneficial to you and your family.  We all need some time out for our selves and i hate to break it to you but the world will not stop just because you decided to take a day off so do it and choose to enjoy every minute of it!

Motivation BOOST for Monday...

" Life can feel tough but remember we've got it good and you ARE enough

Even when your to do list grows take a deep breathe, tick it off and your stress will plateau 

Take a break, get out in the fresh air, look up to the sky and be thankful to just be there

You're here and your healthy

You have people that love you and care

That's what makes you successful. 

That's what makes you wealthy. "  

Sometimes I am a victim of social comparison and I always come off worse.  If you feel the same way here's a few words just for some perspective.

Be kind to yourself x

Change...

I've written about Change before on the blog (here) and (here) I felt like it was time to revisit it. The last time I wrote about Change I wrote from an unknowing place, full of anticipation, and fear but now I feel I am coming out of the other end and wanted to talk about the positives.

I'm more than half a year into living in a different country with my husband and two kids, I'm half way around the world from my family and friends and in that half a year a lot has changed. I feel like we are settling now.  Yes we miss 'home' we miss our family and our friends desperately. Who has taught me the biggest lesson in this whole process?  My children.  Five and three and they are teaching me every day.  What my kids have taught me is that physical distance does not change tense.  We don't speak about Scotland in past tense because it's not.  We still have all of our family and friends but we have them in a different format.  Yes I still do a sharp intake of breath when we encounter something that I think will upset my kids but I'm honest with them and when they say they miss their grandparents I agree with them, I miss them too.  I'm honest with them, we are in this together.

Dealing with change is almost like the grief/loss cycle which if you want to you can read more about (here).  Even though I chose this change I've still had to deal with the effects of it on us.  I've experienced all of the stages of the grief/loss cycle through this process and I was really trying not to compare the two because I didn't want to admit that we were losing anything by moving here.  Some days I get homesick, yes, and it's important to acknowledge those feelings but most days I take a leaf out of the kids book, I get on with it and I make an effort to recognise the positives, all the while very much knowing the people we have moved away from are very much there for us and accessible but in a different way.

With both kids now at school and kinder they are making meaningful relationships and with that has came a sense of belonging and a sense of community.  I think this is the single most important thing that has happened since we moved and something we had always taken for granted before.  I was under the impression that we (the four of us) were all that we needed to feel happy and secure but I was wrong and now realise that was an egotistical thought on my part.  It's certainly been a process but I feel we are adjusting and even more than that my children are thriving.  The same is happening for me I've definitely started to feel more of myself again (yes I have my moments) but I'm slowly reminding myself that's OK and perhaps I'm not the same as I used to be but being mindful not to beat my self up about it.  It's just a bad day, not a bad life.

I think about change a lot maybe because I don't believe in being stagnant, that to be human you are not necessarily a constant that you are on a journey, yes there's one of those buzzwords, and sorry to drop it but I truly believe we are.  Once you accept that, it makes life a whole lot easier.  Less resistance, more resilience.  I may have to keep practising that one but that's my end game for me and my family.

If you are experiencing change, whether that be moving away from home or a change in your status quo I hope this might help give you a different perspective on things.  Focus on the positives, be pro-active to seek them out and celebrate your successes.  As I was writing this the world decided to give me a sharp reminder of reality and it decided to hail.  Yes we moved to Australia and it's haling outside.  Ah the irony.

Need an positivity boost? (click here)

Just another manic Monday...

What is it about Monday's? Why do I feel like I'm having a nervous breakdown every Monday. How come that 'Mercury in retrograde thing' seems to happen to me every Monday? Why can I not function on a Monday?

Before I had kids, when I was working full time and sometimes feeling less than 100% fulfilled I would say to myself 'oh bugger it' I'm just going to have a baby...then I'll not need to get up and go to work. Well let me tell you it's definetely not the answer! There is something out to get me on a Monday.  Last Monday started out by me driving for almost an hour to pick something up to not actually get it in the end and then ended up with me locking myself and the kids out when I went to the school run.

I know it's not just me (and I realise this is not end of the world stuff here) I've had lots of chats with my friends recently that feel the same. I seem to (every Monday) re-evaluate my life ...why did I not get a job as a psychologist, do I really want to be at home with my kids, should I get a full time job, do I want to be self employed, why can I not eat a carb free diet, I have sooo much to do, why have I not done any of it yet, why can't it do it itself...blah de blah.  It goes on like that until about half way through Monday evening (read post glass of red whilst cooking dinner) when I realise oh it's just a Monday. Tomorrow will be Tuesday and I'll feel much better...until, of course, next Monday!

So if you're reading this and feeling the same way let me re-assure you.  You are not alone.  I highly recommend clicking on the link, listening to The Bangles, feel better and get on with your day.  It is, after all, just another Manic Monday.

Tassel garland- decorate your little girls room with fun and punchy colours.

Little Miss P is three and she's definitely no longer a baby.  We used to have the IKEA canopy over her bed which I LOVED but after it fell down on her in the night I absolutey could not put it back up.  Something's in life are easier to deal with when decisions are taken out of your hands...I really loved that canopy can you tell?  So anyway, great opportunity to get crafty and do something still little girl but cool and zesty to match her personality.

I gathered some inspirational messages (all free printable from Pinterest) and got them printed at Officeworks on 170 gsm paper ($5.05) exactly.

A few packets of tissue paper & cellophane (your choice of colour) I liked the coral, metallics, pinks & lilacs as they picked up the colours in my inspirational prints and they just looked like fun and punchy colours together (much like Miss P). This cost me about $10.00 mainly because I don't know when to stop and I bought some pink string to hang the tassels from. You can buy everything you need right from this post just scroll to the end to Shop the Post (contains affiliate links).

Firstly. Lay a sheet out (still with one fold widthways)

Fold it in half (lengthways to make in half height)

Fold it in over (width to make in half width again)

Fold it length wise but leaving approx 2 inches at the top 

Start to cut up wards and all the way along (about 1cm width each) when you get to the start of the gap your tassel will start to magically appear.  I did it all free hand as I can imagine measuring each tassel would drive you slightly up the wall and this way makes for a slightly more 'organic' looking tassel. 

Do this all the way along until it looks a little bit like a sideways jelly fish (according to my 5 year old)

Fold it all out and start to roll up to the top (carefully as it's quite fragile) and you might have to detangle the tassels as you go.

Give it a good pinch all the way along.

Then twist it.

Once twisted loop it over and seal by glueing a strip of tissue paper all the way round, or you could tie with string, or use a pipe cleaner to add a bit of sparkle or my new favourite thing washi tape.

I liked using a contrasting colour of tissue paper. 

Repeat the process for as many tassels as you like (I watched a few of The Great Interior Design Challenge) and only stopped for tea and biscuit munching.  The cellophane ones were a bit harder to make but exactly the same process.

Line them up into the formation you want, thread them up and go!  I used a length of pink string with gold metallic string plaited through it.

I hung the inspirational prints with matching string and mini pegs nice and high above the bed and you can see the big reveal over on my Facebook page....not to spoil the surprise but she LOVED them.  If you haven't liked me on Facebook yet please stop by and say hello.

You could use these tassels for soo many occasions. To dress a candy buffet at a wedding, use calming pastel colours for a nursery or even just to funk up your workspace.  I'll be doing Mr boy some silver, black and grey for his room too so watch out for them.  Dare to tassel....you'll never look back! Well maybe you'll look back to bunting...we will always have bunting. Let me know in the comments what you think? ps all the way through writing this post i couldn't decide if it was tassel or tassle....anyone enlighten me?!

{shop the post}

For more inspiration for imaginative and gorgeous ideas to decorate your family home there's always Pinterest  I have a board on there  DIY  projects (kids and girly things)  (while you're there give me a follow :) but I've put this gorgeous looking book on my wishlist too because I just love a beautiful book.  It looks divine.

Some mummy ramblings...monday blues/surviving the holidays.

I wouldn't call my self a mummy blogger.  Sometimes I'll do some general mummy blabbing really so I can say it outloud with out having the bend someone's ear about.  So basically it's your choice to continue reading from here on.  Let the ear bending commence...

It's Monday, on the second week of the school holidays, we are just back from a little night away at my friends farm in country Victoria it was lovely, heart warming, open fire, chatting till the early hours style visit, so today I'm struggling.  I don't know if it's just a Monday I struggle with in general, I always have monday blues, or maybe because when I have a lovely weekend I kind of grieve going back to the norm.  Today I've given the kids a 'snow day' (I'm in Melbourne, there's currently no snow) so basically I mean we stay in our jammies (or for miss P whichever fairy princess she choses to be) and we just do whatever we want to do.  

If my husband walked in right now I can already see his face.  He's not an ogre or anything more just a mild OCD sufferer.  The kids are drowned in cushions, spread out all over the living room, dishes are waiting patiently to be washed and the laundry is exactly where I left it prior to the new 3 loads that have congregated and all that's on my to do list is a movie and big ass bowl of popcorn.  I will of course do the quick half hour tidy up approx 6.30pm just so he doesn't think I'm an absolute slob mum...I'm not by the way.  I'm just taking a snow day.

So what I'm saying is, some days in the holidays, just give everyone a break and let them make a mess, pull out every toy they own, make a fort of soft furnishings (this one happens to me a lot...I have quite the collection of cushions).  Just chill out if it keeps them entertained and allows you to do something for you I say let them do it.  Keep reading to see what my two got up to to inspire this post (I think this was post-fort-collapse).

Mess really can be magical...when it means five minutes peace!

If you can't stand staying in all day and the wee monkeys will likely to drive you to drink pre the 5pm threshhold here's a few amazing mummy bloggers I follow that help me keep them entertained (on more high energy days i.e. not rainy mondays) or at least remind me I'm not alone through the power of social media! 

• www.mamamiss.com- a great resource full of how to's, yummy healthy snacks, a general wealth of information to be devoured.
• www.littlemelbourne.com.au- obviously this will only help if your a Melbourne mum but I'm sure there's loads of local blogs out there that are run by real mums telling you whats on in your neighbourhood and if there's not start one now!
• lifekidsandaglassofred.com -I particularly love the Facebook feed and usually pops up just as I'm about to have a mini meltdown/crazy moment.  Impeccable timing!
• www.selfishmother.com- not just one but a collection of amazing mummy writers, ok I don't agree with every post, but it's a real honest view of mum hood and that I like.

So...what's you way of keeping sane in the holidays...I would love some suggestions! Thanks for letting me bend your ear ;) x

You are doing great...

I have never been good at taking my own advice. Its a major issue really.  I have had so many conversations with my friends over the years where I give them my age old advice nugget of wisdom which is....'don't be so hard on yourself".  I hear myself say it to others all the time and no matter what that persons situation is in life and what ever issue they are dealing with this certain piece of wisdom always seems to apply.  Because we are.  We are all too hard on ourselves.   Although I dole it to out to others I struggle to take heed of that all important lesson.  

This is the thing there's a major gap between what we know and what we do.  I nearly pursued a PhD in this exact subject part of me wishes I did because I would one be a genius if I worked it out and two I would be totally content in that I would be doing all of the things thats you're meant to do to be ultimately happy, healthy, wealthy, fulfilled and all those other things we all are striving for and, probably, giving our selves a hard time about. 

My friend has a saying, (and if you read this you will know who you are as I have never heard this expression pass anyone else lips in my life). I was moaning  on about some issue, a wrinkle on my forehead or a pimple that had popped up and she said 'a blind man would love to see that wrinkle' it instantly made me laugh and simultaneously realise I was being ridiculous.  The thing is we often look at ourselves in the worst light, give ourselves the hardest time, measure ourselves against others or a previous version of ourselves (I am terrible for that one)  no idea why as it's not constructive or motivating.  It's negative.   So if you are at all like me here is my little reminder to myself.  I'm saving this one as my home screen on my phone and repeating to self regularly for optimum effect.  I invite you to do the same if you like me need a little reminder....

Have you got a little trick to remind yourself not to be so hard on yourself? I would love to hear them!

Cleanse your wardrobe for the season change.

Well there has certainly been a season change here in Melbourne and the lemon print playsuit in my wardrobe has taunted me too many times so it has been banished!  I know its awful trying to drum up the motivivation to 'gut' your wardrobe but trust me I do this twice a year (usually spring & autumn) and it is the most refreshing/rejuvenating thing you can do to your wardrobe.  Yes it will more than likely take you the best part of a day but it's almost cathartic and I promise you will feel virtuous at the end as you sit back with a well earned glass of vino.

{benefits of the cleanse}

• clears space which means you can find things quicker

• allows you to see what you actually have thus giving you more outfit options

• lets you get rid of things you no longer love

• motivates you to fix items that require mending

• allows you to make sensible choices on things you might need to buy to supplement your newly cleansed wardrobe.

{be honest with yourself}

This is your opportunity to be really honest with yourself about your style and what you actually really love in your wardrobe.  There's alot of reading out there on how to choose what to keep and what to throw when it comes to your clothes.  I do alot of clear outs and some things I just don't have the heart to say goodbye to even though I know I'll never wear again.  I keep these in a small vintage suitcase as I wonder if maybe Poppy will wear them one day (or atleast dress up in them).  I find it quite easy to be honest with myself and ask 'have i wore this recently?' if i haven't wore it this summer I doubt I will wear it the next summer so I'm usually brave enough to donate or recycle.  If you need a bit of help in making choses like this maybe do some prior reading try  "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: A simple, effective way to banish clutter forever" by Mari Kondo  (click here to buy now) and also research into what you'd like to evolve your style into (hello Pinterest for outfit inspiration!)

{so, lets get our cleanse on}

This is what you will need:

1. a messy wardrobe

2. some vaccum pack bags

3. a really big cup of hot tea (and potentially a biscuit or two)
4. 'helpful' three year old assistant (optional)

Start sorting through your things and make 5 piles of the following:

1. Things for storing (so the things highly inappropriate for the next two seasons i.e. said lemon print playsuit/bikinis/etc)

2. Things that may be worn in the season transition period

3. Things to wear for the next 2 seasons (season appropriate and basics for layering)

4. Things to donate/recycle (more on recycled fashion here)

5. Things to mend (and get them mended!)

I usually try to make the most out of the warmer days in the season change by layering my dresses up with jumpers and tights/boots here's a few examples of how you can do it.  Get creative it you can make your overall wardrobe more capsule you will need less clothes in total. Give it a try. Be brave.

Denim is pretty versatile but you can make this work with lots of different kinds of dresses/skirts here's a similar idea with a more summery dress.  I'd wear this one with a neutral/grey tight and grey boots.  Just because I'm going into winter I refuse to wear only black!

So, you're almost there! All that's left is to bag up your clothes for storage and organise your hanging rails.  I usually 'bunch' by garment colour and try to arrange by similar colours as well which makes it look a bit nicer and more aesthetically pleasing.  As I don't have a huge amount of hanging space I have also chosen to bag and store my occasion dresses for extra space.  You can do the same principal on shoes, children's wardrobes, coats etc.  And the plus is it feels like Christmas on the next cleanse when you get all your lovely storage bags back out.  Couldn't resist including a pic of my little helper that Princess Elsa dress will never go out of season for this one :)

Are you a hoarder? Or do you love a good clear out? Let me know in the comments if you will attempt the cleanse! Please note this post contains affiliate links.  Thanks for reading, Amy x

What to do when you lose your self confidence...

...from someone completely not qualified to provide proper advice.

{disclaimer}

This is purely my story.  I am not really qualified to provide this kind of advice other than what pops into my head and I finally decide to listen to it after drowning it out for a few weeks/month or so, if you truly want/need reliable advice perhaps consult an actual psychologist.  Anyway so here we go with a little 'heart on my sleeve' ditty.... 

If you don't know I moved to Melbourne with my husband and 2 kids about 4 months ago and I came here in the mindset that I was taking a break from work.  I've worked pretty much every weekend since I had my little darlings (now 3 & 5) and I just felt while I had the opportunity I would take some time, we could have some time, to just be a family at the weekends.  Well that was great but the time has come that comes to all that I must go back to work.  I say I must but no-one is making me but I'm ready and its about time I made it happen.

{confidence}

The thing is, I have become to realise, without my work I've taken a real blow to my confidence.  I've realised that for me to be doing 'something' is what makes up a very important part of me, and that I'm not content not fulfilling that part of me.  I went for my first coffee morning meeting at Ollie's new school, the experience was daunting, not that the mums weren't lovely and welcoming, they weren't the problem.  The problem was mine, a problem of confidence.  My husband phoned me afterwards and asked me 'How was it?', 'Did they like you?'.  I suddenly realised I, all of a sudden, have became a person that I don't particularly like much or maybe a better way of seeing it is 'Do I admire myself much right now?' It left me thinking how can I expect these new, uber confident, and established women really like and identify with me if I don't feel myself and feel happy in myself as a person of worth.

{facet}

I wrote a whole post once about how being 'just a mum' (my words) just wasn't enough for me, I never hit publish because when I read it over I realised what I had written was probably quite offensive.  Offensive to lots of people, in all different situations and to people in those situations who I have as friends. To those of you who have decided to devote all of your time to your gorgeous kids (hats off and I mean that), it was probably a kick in the teeth to those of you who have struggled to have a family and may well give up everything to be 'just a mum', to the mums that have no choice but to work full time and often doing it all and all on their own, well I thought you'd all probably want to drop kick me.  I'm not judging anyone here and I hope the feeling is mutual.  What I am talking about is me in my situation and I would never judge anyone else so if you are offended by what your reading I promise I'm not talking about you, it's all about me (as usual).

{decision time}

As I walked away from that coffee morning, I made a mental decision.  Not to go home via the bakery and buy myself a big bun and latte to drown my sorrows in, but to take action and get on with it.  After you've worked hard at a successful business and left it all behind its quite daunting to go backwards.  Back to 100ish facebook followers, back to trying to establish a name for myself in an already saturated market, to be the new girl, to work hard on my blog for not many people to see it.  However and anyway, so that's where we are!

If you're reading this and feeling the same way I urge you to take action, do something to change the way you're feeling.  Don't let it infest your thoughts and take over your thinking because trust me it will.  Even if it's baby steps decide your plan of action and stick to it.  We should all be on a journey of self development in this world whether its as a person, a parent, an employee, a manager because we've been given a bloody great opportunity in this life and we actually owe it to ourselves to just go for it.

{made over ladies}

So....you can see my first baby step here on the blog I've made a new page dedicated to my new Made Over Ladies make up services here in sunny Melbourne (look up at the top or click here).  If you have had any interaction with me in a wedding/makeover/lesson capacity please pop a comment here (scroll down to the little pencil icon) and let people know your thoughts...give me a hand up this steep little ladder back up to my own standard when I can say I've got it back and I'm feeling good because you know what, I miss it and I will get it back.

Soundtrack today was 'Beneath your Beautiful' by Labrinth I too have built my walls a little bit too high x

Making it Happen with Heather Masterton

Today we meet Heather Masterton for our #MAKEITHAPPEN series.  Much like myself Heather carved out a working life to suit her family life and, most of all, her priorities.  Want to know how to do it all? Read on...

{meet}

My name is Heather, I’m a 29 year old first time Mum with a 9 month old daughter. I’m the editor of a Scottish wedding blog www.brawbrides.com which features real weddings with real stories, styled shoots and advice on the overwhelming process of wedding planning. I like to champion weddings in Scotland and small Scottish businesses. I do this by running a small networking group of wedding suppliers; we meet up once a month, big each other up on social media, and work together on styled shoots and most recently a ‘Wedding Workshop’

I’ve been writing Braw Brides since January 2013, after getting married in May 2012 I just couldn’t leave the wedding world behind and saw an opportunity to work with and help some lovely businesses who had helped me create the wedding day of my dreams, and I wanted to continue to network with people in this creative industry. I am a qualified Graphic Designer and after spending 6 years in the print trade and another year as an events co-ordinator, it was already time to do something different.

 www.gavinbutler.co.uk

{the journey}

I’ve tried a few ‘business’ opportunities… I’m an all or nothing personality and found I never wanted anything enough to give it my all (apart from in my running career, but that’s another story), until I fell pregnant. I want to spend all my time with my child so much that there there was no way on earth I was going back to full time employment.

I’m going to make a bold statement but it is honestly how I feel; working a full time job and raising a child is not an option for me, we would not have started a family if I had to go back to work full time. End of. I know some people do it and thats fine, I couldn't and won’t, and I’m willing to sacrifice things for that time with my child, for example, doing up our house quickly, or going on holiday, or on a personal note, my gym career has taken a dive, as has my wine drinking career. Who cares, we’re together.

I just want to be the best woman I can be.

Braw Brides is giving me enough of the ‘me’ time I need, but the be all and end all is raising our baby.

I’m goal orientated so working on Braw Brides is just an endless list of goals to hit, which is what drives me. Seeing people motivated and passionate about what they do is something else that I love, and that’s where my small networking group comes in.

{support along the way}

I read a lot of articles, I didn't think I did until I say things to people and it always starts with ‘I read online that…’ I read, or start to read, a lot of books… recommendations being ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’, ‘How Not to F*** them Up’, ‘How to be a Hip Mama Without Losing Your Cool’ ‘How to Start a Business from your Kitchen Table’ ‘Born to Run’ ‘Bounce; The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice’

I keep an open mind; I’ll literally try anything. If someone suggests it, or I read it, I’ll give it a go. Attachment parenting, okay, I get that. Slings, yep. Breastfeeding, one of my biggest achievements. See that placenta tablet thing, I’d try it, and I’m not afraid to say it (told my husband that yesterday, he didn't look so impressed). Barefoot running, that’s cool. 

Yoga is one of the best things; I try to keep doing it. Bikram yoga, even better.

I’m from Glasgow; not a lot of folk do the above stuff ^^

My Dad is one of my resources, he’s the most open minded person ever.

{how to achieve the goal}

Know your own mind. Make decisions quickly. Don’t question them. Make lists.

If it goes wrong, accept it (I’m still learning that one)

Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks (Reaaaalllly still learning that one).

{words of wisdom}

Never say ‘I don’t really have a choice’ because you do.

{days off are important} 

Oh how this has changed from only a year ago… yoga, swim with the baby, play with my Mums puppy, laugh with my husband before falling asleep.  

{an inspirational woman is...}

My daughter inspires me every day to be the best woman I can be. Her tiny personality amazes me already and I want to do the best I can to nurture her and help her grow. "Strong Women, may we know them, may we be them, and may we raise them." 

"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.” JK Rowling

You can find Heather at www.brawbrides.com which features real weddings with real stories, styled shoots and advice on the overwhelming process of wedding planning. It really is a go to if you are planning a wedding wherever you are in the world it's jam packed full of gorgeous wedding inspiration, looking for an insight into Heather's mumlife pop over to her instagram for an adorable dose of #daisybaby isn't she gorgeous? 
Connect with Braw Brides here:

www.brawbrides.com

facebook.com/brawbrides

twitter.com/brawbrides

pinterest.com/brawbrides

If you are reading from anywhere other than Scotland here's a little FYI from Amy...

"braw"

brɔː/

adjective

SCOTTISH

1. fine, good, or pleasing.

   "it was a braw day"