"Rest is not idleness, and to lay sometimes on the grass under the tree on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky is by no means a waste of time" ~ John Lubbocks

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier @ NGV - Melbourne

If you're in Melbourne in the next few weeks, looking to escape from the heat (or more likely the cold) take yourself to the JPG exhibit.  Even if you are not a fashion fan, it is such a fun and entertaining exhibit.  The gallery is filled to the brim with his exquisite work from the most recognisable to the intimate and personal beginnings.  Friday nights are lovely night out with a DJ, bar, dinner and talks.  A perfect evening with friends.

The first cone bar was in fact made for his teddy bear!

Messy hair, don't care

Cotton On denim shorts and Country Road shirt ☺️

Travelling my way

I know that the "this is how you should pack your suitcase" blog posts and articles can get under peoples skins but I secretly love reading them.  Vogue magazines traditionally publish the most envy inducing snippets, favourite destinations and must pack essentials of the jet set crowd and I devour those articles every single time.  I have a fair bit of travel experience, including with baby and toddler so here go my thoughts-

1. Anywhere warm and beachy is my go to.   Noosa!  The weather is balmy and the water SO warm.  
2. I love to wear white on holidays.  All the pieces match and white looks awesome with a bit of a tan (mostly fake for me these days).  I am a devout fan of Ecotan.  
3. I obsessively pack everything separately.  I'm a sucker for anything travel sized and I have several small bags for make up, hair products, skincare etc which makes it easier to pack and unpack both at home and away.
4. Muji is my best friend.  I use this tote for toiletries and hair products and I own a gazillion of these squeeze tubes that I pour moisturiser, shampoo etc etc into and keep topped up and ready to go.  They're easy to label with a marker.  As soon as I return from a trip and begin to unpack I refill everything so it's ready to go for next time.  I also refill zip lock bags with cotton tips and pads and headache tables as they are always so easy to forget to pack and a pain to have to go and buy at the destination.  Who needs a pack of 50 cotton pads when you just want 5? Mesh zip cases are also great for the small bits and pieces - lip balms, pens, coins and so on as the contents are visible.  They have saved me digging through the bottom of an endless pit that is a large tote bag on many occasions.  
5. The key to travel with a toddler is novelty.  On many occasions the flight cards and the meal tray will keep them busy for hours but some new stickers, small toys and favourite books never go astray.  We currently love the Apples to Pears Farm in a Tin.  
6. When travelling with a baby or a toddler always pack an outfit change for the both of you.  Chances of them spewing are higher when you don't have a spare outfit... 
7. Take those exercise clothes and use them!  I love to do some stair runs early in the morning to get the blood flowing and there will never be as many leisure hours at home as there is on holidays.  

What I wore

I don't get to dress up much anymore, so I really try to make the most of the occasions when I can.  Can't go wrong with some leopard, right?

Cameo "Warm Thoughts" Top, Kookai Skirt, Witchery Shoes

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou

Well what's a blog without a post about the new year.  You know the highlights and lowlights and resolutions.  2014 was insane.  I started a new job which I have a renewed love and passion for.  I've met some incredible new people and waved goodbye to some other people and things.  I want to continue to be the best possible mother I can be to my little girl.  I just want to be there for her.  I want to make an effort to be in the moment with her, to watch her laugh and learn and live.  Some days are really hard, but they make the good days even better.  And I want to keep making my house a home.  

I think the biggest challenge and in turn the biggest lesson this year has been staying true to myself.  To my morals and values and beliefs.  Sticking to my ways of parenting, routines, processing, thinking and living.  My intuition has been my saviour.  I've learnt to let go of what people have done and said to me in the past.  It's the only way to be free.  It's not easy, but who said life is meant to be all sunshine and rainbows?