Monday, March 26, 2012

Putting Alice back together - A giveaway!

As a mum, wife, and owner of 2 businesses, I always feel like there isn't enough time to fit everything into my life. I feel like something has to be shoved to the side in order to make other things happen.
I always find time for my creative projects, although this often means the washing is left in piles on the table (or still in the basket!) or my blog goes untouched for a while.

A few weeks ago I was invited to read a new book 'Putting Alice back together' which was written by Carol Marinelli. Carol is a mother from Melbourne who juggles work, family and household duties, and had still managed to write and have published this debut novel. I was interested right away as I love to read. I soon started thinking about Carol and wondering how on earth did she manage to write this? I was struggling just to find the time to read her book, and she had written one!

Carol has an interesting tip on this very thought.
She lives by the rule that you can do anything for 15 minutes.
Whether is be writing a book, writing your blog, doing the laundry, or crochet, if there's 15 minutes spare you can fit something in.
Well I like this way of thinking. Too often I'll find myself fluffing around wasting time if I think there's not enough time to do something. I guess I think that if there's not enough time to finish the job it's not worth starting, but I should really think of it as getting a head start! Especially with blogging as it can sometimes take forever just for one post.

Another great tip she has is: lose the guilt.
I'm sure most of you mothers out there would agree that there is an enormous amount of guilt when you are pursuing your own interests/dreams/careers. You think everything for your family needs to be perfect and feel like a failure if you don't meet the standard you hold for your home life.
The fact is, your children will feel loved whether or not the house is spotless all the time, whether or not gourmet meals are served every night, and they won't even feel neglected if you take a bit of time to do the things you like. It is hard I know. But I believe it is important to have a good mix of family time and you time. It helps you stay sane! I actually think it makes you a better parent too, more patient and less frustrated.
Now, back to the book!
Putting Alice back together is, as the title suggests, about 27 year old Alice. She is going through a rough patch in her life and is forced to come face to face with her problems instead of turning to wine and valium. 
What follows is Alice's turbulent journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Marinelli touches on some very common and real issues that affect so many of us - financial debt, career confusion, depression & anxiety, disfunctional relationships, substance & alcohol abuse and a broken heart. Plus Alice is hiding a deep dark secret she's been trying to forget for years, which is starting to tear her life apart.

I found this book to be a very 'real' read, I felt as if I knew Alice and could appreciate what she was going through. I was completely immersed in the story of Alice and couldn't wait to see how her life panned out. I was mentally cheering for her and wanting to see her life take a turn for the best.

I loved Putting Alice back together and now one of my lucky readers has a chance to win their very own copy to read and love too!
Simply leave a comment on this post and I'll draw the winner next Sunday the 1st of April!

and Harlequin Books are giving one lucky person the chance to win a $500 debit card! Enter here.
Putting Alice Back Together by MIRA is available for purchase now - online at Harlequin books or in store nationally RRP AU$29.99 


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Hooked...

Can there be such a thing as too much crocheting? 

















I sure hope not, cos I'm hooked! (pardon the pun!)

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

I made a dress

I made myself a dress yesterday!
I'm so happy with how it has turned out, I'm even going to wear it to work today. Let's hope I've sewn the seams right so I don't have a wardrobe malfunction during the day!
 I bought the pattern from Spotlight to join in on this sew-along. Turns out my huge boobs aren't cut out for that style of dress so I had to make a few alterations to make it work. And I added these little frilly bits to the shoulder too. I'm very happy with them!
With a belt jazzes it up a bit for work, without is good for days off.
Think I might tackle this one again in different fabric. I love vintage dresses but it's hard to find a style that suits my shape, so I think I might just use vintage style fabric to get the look I'm after.

So what do you think? Do you make your own clothes?

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Well hello there!

I have been a bad bad blogger. No reading, no writing. Bad.

It's all Instagram's fault.

She is like my mistress. She has stolen my heart and I can't get enough

Not a great deal of exciting stuff has actually been happening here. Lots of stuff, very busy stuff, but not exciting stuff. Well, I think it's exciting, but it's not really blog-worthy, you know?
Truth be told, I am turning into a full blown Nana. I love it and will not fight it! Let me bake scones! Let me make jam! Let me crochet til the cows come home! I am a happy Nana!
We have been spending a lot of time at home, enjoying the last of this beautiful weather (when it's not pouring rain!). Picking blackberries, making patchwork doona covers, having fun with our many animals, we have been making the most of what we've got right here.
That's what my dreams are made of.

I have been taking a crazy amount of photos of us doing these things.
I am totally digging fat mum slim's photo a day challenge, it's fun to be given something to look for!

For all you non-instagrammers out there, here's a few too many snaps so you can have a sticky at what I've been doing.

So while life hasn't been overly exciting, we have been having a great time chilling out and enjoying the little things at home.
It is my most favourite place to be in the world!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...