I've lived everywhere man! And I have the confused fashion sense to prove it!>

I've lived in most of the capital cities of Australia since becoming an adult. Not bad for someone who only became an adult 8 years ago! So far I've lived in Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Darwin and now Perth.

The things I have discovered aren't as interesting as you may think. I can tell you what I like or don't like about places but moving around as much as I have isn't all it's cracked up to be.

One thing I have noticed though is Perth seems to be the most fashionable I've lived.
It does help that we live close to Fremantle which attracts fashion conscious people but even heading further out into the suburbs most people seems to have got their shit in one sock fashion wise.

School drop off is a bit of a wake up call for me. The first week little madam attended I was as sick as a dog so looked like a bag of crap no matter how much concealer I whacked on. Almost every single mother waiting around with me for the classroom to open looks like the stepped out of a magazine advertorial.
All very practical but fashionable. A sea of denim jeans, either boots over the top of the jeans or ballet flats, jackets, jumpers and cardies galore and it works so well!
I seems to be the only one hiking my pants up to stop my arse crack hanging out pulling my shirt down to prevent it from ending up under my boobs.

The only thing that I can put it down to is the fact that Perth is so isolated from the rest of the country it gives Perth women a chance to actually think about what they should be wearing! ( I know it's a far out idea but it's the only thing that can explain this phenomena)

Sydney and Melbourne were all over the designer items and Darwin had tropical chic covered (tropical chic is cotton anything and things right?!)
Canberra was a merger of Sydney and melbourne. (Have a look at www.hercanberra.com.au to see some canberra fashionistas.)
Brisbane, I was 18, worked nights so not many social nights out and it before the rise of the ballet flat. My feet still hate me for wearing only heels or thongs every single day.

So where are you from and how would you describe the local fashion? The good, the bad and the ugly!

Cheers.

Cie
xox

The clothing boom!

Today I'm taking a good hard look at my extremely limited wardrobe.
As we are living at the inlaws there isn't enough room for ALL of my clothes, shoes and accessories so I'm making do with the basics.

I'm a shopaholic from way back although since my discovery on the awesomeness of op shopping in 2008 I don't usually spend more than $10 on an item of clothing.

I have some amazing clothes including many designer pieces but I find myself dressing in a bit of a mummy uniform every day. T shirt long sleeved shirt or singlet, cardie, jeans and ballet flats. Cute and casual but a pinup it does not make!
I'm not wanting to dress rockabilly every day. For me this isn't practical. Although I do envy people who can manage it.
I just want to look NICE! You know polished and effortless but oh so fashionable and stylish at the same time. I know....every woman's dream.

So I'm thinking about doing a self portrait series. (unless little madam has some photography skills she's kept well hidden there is no other way to go about it at the moment unfortunately)

Taking daily shots of what I'm wearing no matter how shocking it may be! (trackie daks and slippers anyone?!)
And post as a weekly compilation on the blog and daily on twitter and Instagram. I will aim to wear as many different items of clothing/shoes/accessories to suss out what I do or don't like in my wardrobe and I hope you guys will all leave feedback.
This will be the new format of the help me dress myself posts as my BIL has started full time works and I can't con him into taking pics for me during the week anymore.
This will be starting tomorrow.

Also if there any any questions on where I got things from, what brand things are or what makeup etc I'm using please don't hesitate to ask.

So strap yourself in and get ready for some fashion disasters as I attempt to navigate my own wardrobe! Eeek!

Cheers.

Cie

Wombats on the loose in Perth??!!

Hello hello!

You know how I said I was going to write a post about the event I was heading off to...and then I never did it...well here is all the details.

And I must say I have a bloody good excuse for not writing when I said I would. Little madam had school Friday so I figured I had a heap of time....WRONG! She spent an entire 20mins at school before I had to pick her up. The munchkin is sick.

I'm a terrible mother because my first thoughts were Noooo! I'm not missing my chance for a night out!

Luckily she wasn't THAT sick. Nothing a quiet day in PJs and lots of fluids couldn't fix.

So when hubby got home from work and I had finished applying my face we bundled her into the nice warm car and I was promptly delivered to Black Toms Bar in west Perth with promises that I wouldn't call to be picked up again at some ungodly hour.

It was the W.O.M.B.A.T Xmas in July drinks.

That sounds boring as bat shit it k ow BUT W.O.M.B.A.T stands for Website and Online Media, Bloggers and Tweeps. It is a social group supporting online media personalities in Perth  A group of Local bloggers in a room with pre paid booze! Well then it's on like donkey kong!

I was terrified before arriving. My modest little blog is nothing like some of the others going. I felt very out of my element. There was actually talk on facebook the day before from Chantel from BossyMummy about hiding in the toilets tweeting because of the nerves so I knew I wasn't the only one a bit scared. (

Turns out there was no reason to be worried. A glass of Bubbly was swiftly offered on arrival by the lovely Colin from Associate woman/super parents and introductions were made. The first people I met was Karen from Yellow Dandy Dreams who was a blog event virgin like me and Taryn from This Is Taryn who had done it all before and helped to put me at ease

Taryn  on the left, Karen on the right  and ME smack bang in the middle 

It was interesting as I'm still not 100% over my flu bug and trying to talk over a loud bar with what felt like two maxi tampons in my sinuses wasn't easy. I'm sorry to anyone there that couldn't understand a word I said and were just nodding politely. Your manners were impeccable!

After everyone had arrived and the glasses had been refilled a couple of times Colin introduced us to Katrina  from Bubbler our lovely sponsor for the evening (along with Nuffnang and Digital Parents Australia) and the lucky door prize was drawn Felicakes from My Life In Mono, I'm so jealous of your prize!

Colin and Felicakes

Around this time the big group of people wearing name tags attracted the attention of a very drunk "Ricky Gervais" lookalike who threw himself at our neat stack of gift boxes. He was wrangled by Georgia of Parental Parody and Glow of Where's my glow and luckily no boxes were harmed.

Jules from The Bumpiest Path, Taryn's AMAZING hair , "Ricky Gervais" and I

Glow with the wall of gift boxes, Lani from Me & Boo on the left and Sarah from  Dear Baby G

Yvette from Delightfully Tacky Lil Squirts has a heap of other pics on her post about the night HERE

There was lots of laughing and frivolity after that then all of a sudden it was time for this Cinderella to head home,sadly it was a couple of hours before midnight... but after a week of very little real food, a generous helping of cold and flu tablets mixed with all the wine I probably would have turned into a pumpkin if I had stayed out until then! And orange isn't a good colour on me!

More cowgirl than Pumpkin!

Ms Glow and I.... No more wine for me!

After I left things continued for a bit... not sure what I missed But I'm positive that there will be lots of stories coming out in everyone's blogs. :)

Kim (in the hat) and Glow

I had a great night.... Now when's the next one?!!

Cheers
Cie

Playing Catch Up.

Hey everyone.

Sorry for the absence. Again.

Lots has happened in the past week, little madam started school 2.5 days a week. She loves it. But because I had 2.5 days of me time...of course I got sick....AGAIN! I don't know if it's the same head cold getting a second wind or a whole new one. And it sucks! Because I'm coughing so hard I end up vomiting. And I'm apparently a pretty passionate vomiter as I've blown out a whole heap of blood vessels in my face and it looks like I have a black eye. I've added a picture to the end of the post to show it.
(just to quickly add before anyone jumps to conclusions. I'm not pregnant!)

Speaking of pregnant. One of my beautiful friends has just publicly announced that she's expecting a baby!! I'm so very excited for her and her husband. They have been trying for quite a while with no success. He is in the navy and was never home at the "right" time. Finally after an international move and a deployment they managed to match schedules and make it happen.
Congrats again guys!!

Hopefully this germy thing that has taken control of my body is gone (or at least under control) before tomorrow night. I'm off to a special bloggers event here in Perth (there will be more info in tomorrows blog) and I will be sure to bring you photos and lots of blog links on Saturday. I'm super excited! (and nervous!) but everyone going seems super nice so I'm sure it will be a blast!

How's your week been? I hope everyone else is healthy.

Cheers
Cie

Music to my ears

Hi spunky folk.

I have just loaded a heap of previously purchased music on iTunes that I didn't have on my current laptop. A set of new headphones and a quiet Saturday night. Bliss?

Every time a new song comes on there is a memory that comes with it. A situation, a person, even a smell. Not all of the memories are good ones but with that comes the satisfaction of how far from the person I once was.

All of those memories, some of them terrible, some of them terrifying, most of them pretty upbeat. The feelings are still linked to the music that has become an unofficial soundtrack to the last 26 years of my life. And although not all positive they motivate me to make the next 26 full of happy memories to link to new songs.

Smells have the same effect. If I smell a man wearing "Joop" aftershave I freeze and have to force myself not to panic. Brut body spray reminds me of highschool. Calvin Klein "Be" makes me think of my husband.

There are alot of Demons hiding in there. But they will have a new purpose. My new gym playlist. Nothing motivates as much as anger. Prove all those f**kers wrong! I am better than them and better than they encouraged me to think I was. I'm fabulous! I am worthwhile.

Wow sorry two dark posts in one day.
Better do a fluffy one tomorrow!

Are there any songs that hold special memories for you? Good or bad.

Much love.
Cie

It's become a yearning.

Hi everyone

I really want to have a second child. As usual I have a heap of friends who are pregnant at the moment and although I'm completely over the moon for them I starting to get a gnawing feeling deep inside.
I used to inwardly giggle when some people would talk like wanting another baby was a physical urge, or that they felt like someone was missing from their family. I thought it was a touch melodramatic if they already had one or two healthy little ones.

I have an amazing friend who after years of infertility and double digit miscarriages now has 3 beautiful little poppets. She understood when I became a bit of a hermit after finding out about the whole pcos issue. She didn't push, but just reminded me that she was always there to talk if I wanted to. No pressure or judgement.
(By the way, this will be an interesting way to check if she reads my blog)

I know I'm only 26, I know my biological clock isn't in free-fall yet it feels like I'm running out of time.

I'm worried that with having a second child comes all the new things to feel guilty about. Showing alleged favoritism, sibling rivalry, being a stay at home mum for my first and childcare and the working mum routine with the second to allow us to get ahead financially instead of wallowing in debt.
And yet even thinking of these things means I'm getting way ahead of myself. It's not even known IF I can fall pregnant to even have another baby.

For now I just have to focus on what I can do I suppose. Exercise and eat healthily.

All for all those people who explained what it felt like and I didn't understand. I do now and I'm so sorry.

Much love

Cie

Sorry for my absence.

Hi everyone.

So sorry but blogging has taken a bit of a backseat this week as I've officially started looking for work. Yes the time has come (a bit sooner than I was expecting but for financial reasons it's a necessity)
In my former life (BC-before child) I worked in retail and because of working hours it's where I'm hoping to gain employment.
I'm trying to get my head around before/after school care combined with separate full days of childcare. How do working mums do it??!! I need help! How do I fit in hopefully full-time work and still make sure little madam gets to and from school on time? How to navigate the minefield of sub-par childcare centers? Finding a much needed vacancy in a local before/after school care facility. The whole thing has me so stressed out that food isn't appealing at the moment (not the healthiest way to lose weight!)

I would love some advice or direction from those in the know.

Much love.
Cie.

Not quite the Adams Family.

Hey everyone.

I told you it was a twofer for today. :)

Tomorrow my MIL is hosting a family gathering. Just close family and a couple of MIL's friends that she classes as family. Nothing over the top, just a BBQ lunch.

If this was your family how many people would be coming? 5? 10? 15?
Just the family that live nearby and need less than a weeks notice remember....

There are over 30 people coming tomorrow. THIRTY!!

And that just my MIL's family.


Holy flipping crapballs!

I come from a family that even an event organised months in advance and people come from all over to attend there is less than 30 people.

Most of these family members I haven't met yet which should be fine, I'm just worried about my reaction to the inevitable question, "So when are you having another baby?"
I know it's asked out of kindness but having to explain to over 20 people likely to ask that my body is broken will be hard.


So family. What's yours like? Big? Small? Insane? Close knit?


Cheers

Cie

Are you interesting?

Hey everyone.

Sorry about the lack of post yesterday. I had a random spew bug hit me yesterday afternoon. All good now. Weird!

I had a minor tantrum session with/at my husband today. I'm so terrified about entering the real working world full of adults who's clothes haven't ever had someone else's poo on them before. I'm convinced I will fail at all social interactions as honestly, I'm just not very interesting!
Before kids I was interesting. I had weird jobs, most of which involved stunningly beautiful naked women. (more on that another day)
But since becoming a mum I am downright boring!
So he has asked me to attempt to be positive an think of interesting things about myself.

While I think about it...
(may take a while, oh shit there's that negative self talk again!)...
Tell me what makes you interesting? The more obscure and unexpected the better!

Much love and interesting thoughts.

Cie.

Paranoid rantings according to my husband.

My daughter wiped her face and said "yuck" after I gave her a kiss good night.
I feel very rejected and hurt. Of course this started the "I'm such a shitty parent and she hates me"
Cue my husband rolling his eyes at me.

Puhleeeeese tell me I'm not the only parent who does this. Who doubts them self even though they are doing their best. Or is it paranoia?

Either way I'm going to wait until she's asleep and then cover her in kisses.


Much love and suspicious thoughts

Cie

Winter confessions

Hi everyone

I don't know about all of you but this winter has been a bit of a shock to my system.
It's so bloody cold!!!
We moved to Darwin in early May 2011 and moved May 2012. I had a whole year of sun and humidity. When we arrived in Perth I had to scramble around in boxes looking for my long forgotten winter wardrobe. What I did find was either too small or had perished due to the tropical climate. So I've had to scout around and pick up some basic winter items on the cheap (oh my god I love op shops!)
I'm not very good at winter fashion. Don't get me wrong. I love looking for it, touching it, seeing it on other people. It just doesn't seem to have the same attraction for me when its on me. Winter fashion is luxe, it's somewhat theatrical, it's layers, there's an emphasis on collars and buttons. I adore winter fashion but struggle to find find the right fit for me.
So here's where I finally admit the truth...
I must confess that when I'm in the house I wear my dressing gown and slippers even if I'm fully dressed underneath.
(everyone does that right?)
I also avoid washing my hair during winter, gross I know, but its so cold! Dry shampoo is a lifesaver!


I'm linking up today with Mumstrosity's winter confessions.




Much love

Cie

PS. Also as a bit of housekeeping the way that I comments set up have been changed. You no longer need a Google account or similar to leave a comment. Just your name/URL. :) 

A blog post about blogging... How very original!

Hi everyone

Was back at the gym today for the first time in a fortnight. My body now hates me for the time off and then the subsequent flogging it received today. Ugh


This Isn't my first blogging rodeo. Used to write a blog (which I have now removed) when my daughter was much younger.
It was very much a mummy blog.
The title contained the word mummy, almost every post was about motherhood and parenting. It had a rather large following on Facebook (well over 2000 people) and on the blog as well. The problem wasn't the blog. It was me! I changed as a mother, a blogger and as a person. The path I had started down wasn't right for me.
I wasn't as passionate about pushing my slightly crunchy parenting philosophies anymore and one particular political ideals post almost cost me a number of real friendships.
It was at this point that I shut it all down and vowed I was never going to blog again!!

I suck at keeping promises. Obviously.

However this time it's intentionally different. I will never post a photo of my daughter and I will never name or post a photo of my husband. This is because he said NO and she doesn't understand and can't really consent.

It's not a comment on the trust I place on you guys but it's a public blog and anyone can see this. I would also be in HUGE trouble if anything I had written on here, got hubby into trouble with work...Its what pays the bills!

So I'm sorry if anyone was hoping for cute kid photos in the future (she is super cute I promise!) but it's just not going to happen. You will just have to put up with my random almost daily ramblings about other stuff and junk.

I blog because I love it. It gives me a way to declutter my thoughts and attempt to quieten my brain for a few minutes. I admit I do get a huge thrill when I get an email about a new comment. I read every single one and promise to respond to any questions you ever ask.

Much love.
Cie

I'm so terrible at photography that even Instagram can't help me!

Hi amazing, awesome, lovely, beautiful people who read my rambles.
Have I told you recently how much I love you?!

(No in not sucking up, just being nice!)

I have decided I want to learn to take photos. Nothing special, I don't need to take pictures that could come from a magazine or art gallery. I just want to take decent photos. I seem to be like my grandma when it comes to photos. The light is terrible, the placement of my subject matter is all wrong, I have no idea what shutter speeds or zoom lenses are all about. So the logical solution is to use Instagram. The app that makes complete photography hacks like me feel artsy. Epic fail! My Instagram photos are still just as terrible but with a old-timey colour saturation and a carefully blur.

I would love to know if anyone has any tips for absolute novices like me?
Or maybe I should just keep trying with Instagram, surely I can't get any worse...can I?


Much love

Cie

Fremantle adventures and Jeggings. Do you jeg?

Hey there funky people!

I hope your Saturday was a fantastic one.
We had a busy day. The thrills of housework in the morning (Yay...Not!) and then we went out for lunch in Fremantle. Jus burgers next to the freo markets was recommended by BIL and so we through we would check it out. Very glad we did. Very yummy!
Hubby had the cheese burger with cheddar and I had the Spanish SNAG.

Spanish SNAG burger and I added 'slaw to it., Yummo!

We both said that the cheeseburger with blue vein cheese will be the choice for next time. Little madam just had all of my chips. The sacrifices a mother makes!

After lunch we wandered down to the esplanade so little madam could have a play at the playground. We were lucky enough to stumble upon the winter festival which was sponsored by lipton Free samples of chai latte. Yes please!
Checked out the ice rink (didn't have a skate) watched a few stacks on the ice (one was pretty serious and an ambulance was called) then back to the park then home again, home gain, jiggity-jig.

The original plan for my afternoon was to find my nearest shopping centre with a crossroad store to try on some jeggings but it wasn't to be. Didn't want to confess to my husband today that the reason I wanted to "duck" to the shops was for jeggings. In our house wearing leggings as pants is grounds for divorce so I'm not sure if jeggings fall into the same category.
My reasoning for jeggings is that I have short, solid chunky legs and I can't find skinny jeans that fit my thighs but will also fit right at my hips/waist. I'm curious to see if jeggings would be the solution. Easier to take up in length than real jeans I'm guessing? Thinner material means I can tuck them into boots (once I find a perfect pair with a generous sized calf if anyone finds them point me in the right direction!)

So do you jeg? Are they more acceptable than leggings as pants?

And as an added bonus random question. What would be on your ideal burger? :)

Cheers to you tonight. I'm about to pour myself a wine :)

Cie


Ps. There are a stupid number of brands mentioned in this post. None of the mentioned brands have sponsored this post or exchanged items of value in exchange for being mentioned. They all just happened to be part of my day. Dammit. I should make them pay me for this shit.

Style? What you really need.

Hi everyone.

I've just reading finished Nina Garcia's "little black book of style"
(you may know of Nina from project runway or as the editor of ELLE magazine)
It wasn't a particularly intellectually stimulating book, how many books written about fashion really are honestly. It's a pretty shallow, fickle industry.
But it did provoke a few thoughts in relation to my own "style"

Nina's list of 10 must have items were...

1. the little black dress
2. a classic men's white shirt
3. cashmere cardigan or turtle neck
4. a trench coat
5. denim
6. a classic men's watch
7. diamonds
8. ballet flats
9. a classic high heel pump
10. a great bag

It made me think, I completely agree with Nina's list but there are a few extra items that women in the real world need. Not all of us live in Manhattan and work for a world class fashion magazine. We can't be perfect all the time. So I have added 10 more of my own

10 real world must have items

1. Pair of black yoga pants with a fold down waistband. (preferably in bamboo... Scrumptious) - for those days you really don't want to get out of your PJ's but need to leave the house for one reason or another.
2. One black and one white singlet with a built in shelf bra - If you can find a seamless one get it in every colour. These go under everything all year around and can prevent those super cleavage mishaps in low cut dresses or shirts. They can also be worn with jeans and a jacket when deciding on a shirt hurts your brain.
3. A giant pair of sucky-in knickers.- Saggy post baby belly? Period bloat? General fat day? No match for these babies. If nothing else they make you stand up straighter because slouching will make you feel like your vital organs are being crushed.
4. One pair of perfect black or brown boots that are comfy enough to wear every day (and go with pretty much everything for 3 seasons of the year) however if you live somewhere like Darwin, replace these with thongs. It's too bloody hot to wear anything else all year around.
5. A pair of jeans that never shrink down in the wash. Freshly cleaned jeans always make me feel like I've gained 5kg. That wriggly dance you have to do to get them on isn't sexy.
6. A jersey dress in whatever cut suits you best. I find that anything with an empire line works best for me, focus on the boobies and skim all the lumpy bits. If you are short like me get maxi dresses taken up. Tucking them into your undies at home is fine but in public, well people give you strange looks, I know from personal experience.
7. The perfect skirt (for you)- Be it A-line, boho, micro-mini or maxi. This is one I have struggled with. I'm over a size larger in shirts than I am in jeans and could just never find the right one. I have now discovered a-line pleated fullish knee length skirts and I don't feel like a mushroom in them. Skirts are like fancy jeans. Put one on and you far more dressy with no extra work.
8. The right jacket. Whatever cut or colour as long as it can be dressed up or down. The sort of jacket that can be thrown or for the school run and also worn for drinks with the girls. And for the love of god don't be vain and get a too small size. You need to be able to move your arms!
9. A wrap dress. Every woman looks good wrapped. My favorite one is white with a collar and capped sleeves and a full skirt. Very 1950's! Wrap dresses are very forgiving. They hide a multitude of sins, can make big boobs look smaller, small boobs look bigger and everything in between. A win-win for everyone.
10. A cute/funky scarf. This is a new discovery for me. I used to be able to blame random marks/stains/food on my shirt on little madam. Now that she's getting older rather than admit I'm the worlds messiest eater I can cover with a long scarf! It also adds colour and interest to your outfit, makes it look like you put some effort in to getting dressed and keeps you neck warm. It's the holy trinity!

I think the biggest thing to being stylish is attitude, if you think you look good and feel good then other people with be tricked into thinking you look amazing. (Strange how that works huh!)

What are the 10 items on your list? Feel free to double up on items from Nina's list (or mine)

Much love.
Cie

Do you gym?

Hi everyone.

As I've had this awful cold for the past two weeks I've slacked off with my gym attendance. (as in no attendance at all)

Of course this has made me feel guilty which makes me think of the gym...then I feel guilty again. Quite stupid really

I'm not a gym junkie by any stretch of the imagination. I go because I have to. Simple as that. Sometimes I enjoy it, most of the time I just feel sweaty and yuck.

The gym I go to is more of a Heath club then a straight forward gym, so it attracts a wider variety of clients than some places. Many of them older people or mums like me who use the onsite crèche.

I'm not one of those people who dress up nicely to go to the gym. Although my BIL asked me the other day if I was wearing makeup to the gym. Ahhh no! But I will take the compliment. It started a discussion in my super full household (5 adults + 1 toddler + fluffy dog= FULL!) about people at the gym. BIL was saying that he know a girl who has to shower and do her hair and a full face of makeup before leaving the house and then needs another shower to remove the reapply the sweat shifted war paint. Apparently she go to the gym much as she doesn't have enough time. (I'm sure she could fit in the hour at the gym. The two hours of pre and post primping may have to go)
It made me start thinking about the people I see at the gym.
One "group" of people that always catches my eye is the people (mostly women) who look so self conscious and uncomfortable being there I just want to give them a hug. They alway look like they want to disappear into their oversized T-shirt like a turtle into its shell.
I usually see the same people a couple of weeks later with a completely outlook. They have realised that most people who go to the gym aren't supermodels. They are ordinary people who are so focused on getting what has to be done and out of the way they aren't paying any attention to anyone else.

Which brings me to "the ladies only section" my gym has. That small curtained off semi private area scares the crap out of me. I would prefer to stay on the main gym floor and just be one of the masses, red faced and sweating like a pig on the treadmill. The ladies only area seems cliquey to me What are they doing in there? Dealing in illegal south american weightloss pills?? Why do they need the curtain? It's like a velvet rope to a VIP area you need a vagina to access! No thank you!
Everyone knows women are far more judgmental of other women than men are.

So do you gym?
Any gym stories?

Much love.

Cie

Entering the real world as soon to be former stay at home mum.

Hey everyone!

As I previously mentioned my 4 year old daughter starts school in less than 4 weeks (part time kindergarten here in Western Australia) Full time Pre-primary starts next year.

As shes an only child (at this stage) this will mean I have to re-enter the world of adults.
<cue dramatic music!>

{To childless peeps this sounds all very strange I'm assuming, I will try and explain}

• I can no longer live in jeans and a t-shirt that don't flatter, using the excuse of comfort and practicality.
• I can no longer spend endless days hanging out at home with limited outside world contact (without a child involved it just seems lazy!)
• I will actually have to wear all the super high heels I own and have told my husband that I WILL wear them when little madam isn't with me.
• I cant duck to the shops with unwashed hair and no makeup hoping people will just assume that I'm an overtired mummy (always helps when little madam has a tantrum while we are there, adds to the illusion)

The truth is that I could have started my transition back to the real world years ago as the demands (especially physical) have decreased exponentially as she has gotten older and more interdependent. So why didn't I change?

Honestly....I was scared.

As much as I hate the term "just a mum" the stereotype gave me comfort.
If people found me boring at a backyard BBQ and ended conversation abruptly it was their problem not mine as it was because I was "just a mum"
If I looked for part time work and was rejected it was because the employer saw me as "just a mum" not because I have no concrete qualifications.

Maybe it had nothing to do with being "just a mum"... Maybe it was just me!

I have, for the most part, LOVED being "just a mum" and staying home to raise my daughter. I have watched her grow and not missed a single milestone. I'm very fortunate to have been able to do this as I know many other mums (parents) can't stay home full-time for a million different reasons. (and this isn't about judging that one way or the other)

But I'm a bit jealous. Do mums who return to work earlier have this feeling of being completely lost when school time comes around? Do they flounder at the idea of 2.5 days a week alone?

I would love to hear from everyone.
Childless peeps- How do you feel about "just a mum" people?
Mums who returned to work early- Do you still feel lost as your child/children start school, Like a loss of identity?
"Just" mum's- Am I alone in feeling this way?


much love
Cie

Help me to dress myself {number 1}

Ok Guys and Dolls
Get those thinking caps on and keyboards warmed up. This is the first on what I hope to be a series of social interventions on how I dress myself.

This is the first item up for discussion.

A knit dress/tunic I got on Ebay for about $1.00

I have worn it in 4 different ways and I want to know what works and what doesn't.

I want critiques, suggestions, opinions (I like honesty but don't be an arsehole...I have a pretty thick skin but don't want to hear nasty comments about me....we are judging the outfits OK!!

OK here we go!

Go nuts!!

(and one last super serious shot....I'm a sexy devil!)

Much love

Cie

PS- remember to "like" my Facebook page here.

Anti-fashion? Or just a cry for help? :)

Most women learn to present themselves using fashion and dressing to suit their body in their late teens and early early 20s. 
I did the same. I worked out that my boobs and shoulders should be shown off and that I preferred to mostly keep my legs covered (not because I actually had bad legs, although I thought so at the time, but because you show of your best assets and keep the rest covered to avoid looking cheap) 
I got married at 21. I was a size 6/8 and I was super duper fit. Going for a 5km run after work every day was my debrief, a way to separate work and life. (At the time I was in the defence force so I literally LIVED at work so needed separation of the two) 
Then I feel pregnant. 
I was scared of exercising and made the mistake many first time mothers make, I stopped exercising. 
I gained the normal pregnancy weight and probably a little bit extra. Not as much as I felt like I had gained. 
I gave birth to my daughter, I was exhausted but couldn't wait until the six weeks post partum was up so I could go for a run. 
I ran when I could, I ate ok I suppose, not perfect but not terribly and yet the weight wouldn't budge. 

In the past 4 years of my daughters life I have sweated, starved, sworn at the lack or results. Taken heavy duty amphetamine based prescription weight loss tablets and still not much of a change. 

I'm now a size 14/16. I was 53.3kg at 12 weeks pregnant. I'm now 86.3kg. 
I am now at least aware that I'm battling against hormones and insulin levels that come with pcos...BUT... That still leaves me with a problem...

I have no idea how to dress my new shape. 

I have looked at so many fashion blogs. High fashion, thrifty fashion, plus sized fashion. My problem is I can't find another fashion blog anywhere that relates to me. I'm short (only 159cm) I'm not "curvy" or tall enough for the plus sized outfits to work on my body, and the high fashion outfits I adore won't work unless I was 30kg lighter. So where to now? 

Usually one would grab a bunch of girlfriends and ask them their opinion. My problem is after living in 6 different state capitals all over Australia in 6 years my girlfriends are spread far and wide. 

So what's this go to do with anti-fashion blogging? 

I guarantee I'm not the only woman who feels this way. I KNOW I'm not!

So I'm going to start appealing to all my girls far and wide and all the ones I haven't met yet to help me. For the love of the sisterhood help me!!! 

I'm going to post photos of me in 3 different variations of outfit based around a key item each time and I need your god honest opinions. Which ones work and which ones don't and why. It will teach me and in the process teach other women how to dress themselves again! 

Thoughts? You keen? 


Now I need to think of a name for this game. 

Much love. 

Cie

My first thoughts on finding out about PCOS.

Hello all


As I had a day off yesterday (Sunday is the day of rest after all!) I'm going to try for a twofer today. One serious and one slightly fluffy. Lets crack on with the serious.

I was officially diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) early this year, but I have known that something wasn't quite right for a while now. It was just now given a name buy a professional.
As any Gen Y'er would do after getting a diagnosis I came home and promptly jumped onto Google....Big mistake!

"Uterine cancer, infertility, hysterectomy, acne, facial hair, heart disease, insulin resistance, weight gain, sleep apnea, burst cysts, mood swings, hirsutism, androgen's, balding, acne, dandruff, heart disease, diabetes, depression, menstrual issues!" 

All the things a 26 woman trying to have a second baby wants to hear! NOT!


It scared the crap out of me and I spent the next week crying myself to sleep, never allowing anyone including my husband to see how much it effected me.

I was broken...defective... and as far as having a second child was concerned, barren!!


Looking back all the tell tale signs were there. 
I hadn't lost any of my pregnancy weight and had actually gained some on top of it!
I didn't get my period regularly, only once every 3-6 months or so. 
My hair and skin had changed.
Although I was making great headway in dealing with my depression i still had big mood swings for no reason.
I had a couple of strange little black chin hairs that I plucked regularly.(OK more than a couple but not heaps, or is that denial?) 
I was ALWAYS tired (I put that down to being a mum!)
It wasn't just the weight gain but my entire body shape had changed.
and the big one.... I couldn't get pregnant when we wanted me to!


Once I got over my sooky-la-la week I started talking about it, mentioning PCOS on many of the random Facebook pages I'm a part of and I realised that
a) So many more woman had it that I had realised! And so many were surprised to find someone else who knew what PCOS stood for.
b) There were many other woman who were in a much worse situation that I was. Many hadn't had any children even with medical assistance despite trying for years. Some women have to shave their face, neck, arms daily..makes my weekly plucking seem trivial. Some women had had cysts burst and had to have one or both ovaries removed. Made me feel like a douche-bag for getting so upset about my low level symptoms!
c) There are ways to combat the symptoms naturally. The big one is losing weight (bit of a double edged sword this one, Help PCOS by losing weight but PCOS makes it REALLY hard to lose the KG's)
Also that removing as much sugar from your diet will help with weight loss and the insulin resistance. I'm attempting to quit sugar (or at least keep it under 24g total per day) If you want more info on quitting sugar have a look at Sarah Wilson's eBook "I quit sugar" HERE. Also Melissa from "Suger Coat It" is quitting sugar as well see HERE. :)


I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on PCOS.


Much love
Cie