Where Am I?

Where oh where has PottyMouth gone?

I've been busy. Reading an incredible and life changing book that was recommended to me by Onya Magazine's Editor-in-chief, Sandi.

I must admit, it's been a very long time between books for me. I don't even remember the last book I read because I start them, and then leave them. If I'm not in, I'm not in.

But this book. I am in. Wholeheartedly. And it's life-changing. But I'll write more about it later because it deserves a post of its own.

What's keeping you busy of late? What are you reading? Spill.

It's Friday Night. Do You Know Where Your Bloggers Are?

Have you had a good day or a bad day?

I have had a no good, very bad, awful, terrible, horrible day.

So let's fast forward onto better, brighter things.

I'm sending you off around the world in just a few simple clicks.

First stop - off to see my sister, Sarah, who just came back from a positively dreamy trip to Paris and London. She's just started capturing those first few days over on Calico + Ivy's blog - be inspired.

Next stop, you're keen to check out Germany while you're over in Europe, ja? Then check in on beautiful Bianca and her babes in a German summer. No wonder she's heading to Sydney soon.

Everyone knows that Tasmania is my idea of Utopia. Despite never having visited. No matter, I'm living vicariously through Michelle of Hugo and Elsa fame. Literally feast your eyes over here.

So you find yourself in Tassie - you must, absolutely must pop into The Hut Chronicles. Marian's garden is evolving, it's a joy to behold.

And one more stop on this whirl wind tour - have a cup of tea with Mrs Smith. This post resonates with me like there's no tomorrow. Thank you Mrs Smith for writing it so beautifully and so bang on.   You are an inspiration lady.

What's that dear reader? You want MORE? MORE??? Ok. Have this song. If you can listen to this and not be in a good mood and want to crazy dance with the kiddies, then I honestly do not know what's wrong with you.

Good night and good luck.

Horrid Henry School Holidays Giveaway

Have you ever read Francesa Simon's Horrid Henry books? Well. Maybe not you, but your kids?

They are very, very good. The Doctor adores them. They are funny, and clever - and just what little people like. Humour that's totally read-able, a little bit of mischief and a few illustrations tossed in.

But did you know they made a film of Horrid Henry? Just like the books, it is super good - and stars the ever-beautiful Angelica Huston, the cerebral and stylish Richard E. Grant. It's a great film - and Tiny loves it (she's four), just as the Doctor does (he's seven) just as Matt and I both do (we're in our 30s).

The good news is I have a Horrid Henry giveaway. One that's perfect for the Winter school holidays.

There will be two winners. One winner will receive the Horrid Henry DVD and a hard cover activity book. The runner up will receive one copy of the HH DVD.
All you have to do to enter is tell me in 25 words or less (and I am strict so I don't get into trouble with the law):

What was so horrid about you when you were small?

---------------------------------
Open to Australian residents only
Entries are open from Saturday 30th June 2012 - winners will be announced on the PottyMouthMama Facebook page on Wednesday 4th July 2012.
You must be easily contactable.
There will be no disputes, no arguing and strictly no haggling over the winners.
PottyMouthMama is the judge of all entries.
PS - I love you.

Tiny Book Club

The other day Tiny asked me to read her a book. I agreed. Then she brought this out to me. 

Stuff. On My Bedside.

I have a mountain of stuff on my bedside table. Actually, a lot of it is Matt's stuff, because I decided we were swapping sides. Why? Because every single night one of the smalls would come in and wake me up. Every night. I got so exhaustipated that I said we had to do a "side exchange". Much like being an exchange student in a foreign land, I am now sampling the delights that are the other side of world bed. As part of this exchange I have inherited a whole stack of Matt's books, art catalogues and reading matter. 


On his side are some disinfectant wipes that are still there since Tiny had the vomiting lurgy. And another stack of books and some dust bunnies. It's a home interiors photographic dream, quite frankly. 


But back to my side. I have my nightly must-haves. Hand cream (this Aesop hand cream was gifted to me sometime again, and my goodness, it is certainly one of my favourites). And Blistex. I HAVE to have lip balm on before I go to sleep. Or I can not, will not go to sleep. I know. Go figure.


It's all part of my nightly ritual.


I also have a stack of newspapers next to my bed. I still read the news old school. I like the smell of newspaper, I love a broadsheet, and I keep those weekend papers there for the week so I can suck out the marrow of the news for the week. 


I am crazy like that.


What's on your bedside? 

Fairies. And The Like.

A few million years ago, when I worked doing PR for a big department store, I had a friend in one of the book buyers. She used to gift me books that she didn't want. It was a happy relationship. I love books, and I loved chatting with her.


Let's fast-forward a few years, to two nights ago, when Tiny asked me if she could look at my fairy book. I didn't remember telling her I had any fairy books, but I remembered, way back in my brain's archives that that book buyer had gifted me this awesome fairy book many years before. I went trawling through our bookshelves and found it. I'd never actually read it - except to know it was about fairies. 


Tiny was in fairy heaven. 


But not only that, it's a book about fairies AND fashion. Tiny's two giant passions. 


To illustrate this even further, just prior to Easter, Tiny was walking around the house saying something like: "I'm a fashionista for Easter". I have no idea where this came from. But she'd been brainwashed by something or someone and was living Karl's dream. 


Last night Tiny - after about 76 tantrums, finally crawled into bed with Matt, to be calmed into a sweet four year old bliss reading Fairie-ality. 


And then she finally went to sleep. She's so beautiful when she's sleeping. 

Well Hello Mr Darcy

Mr Darcy. Ahh. The delectable Mr Darcy. Moody. Broody. Intelligent. Slightly awkward. Well-spoken. Moody. Broody. Mysterious Mr Darcy.


Where would we be without Mr Darcy? And Colin Firth walking out of the lake in *that* white shirt. Swoon. 


Here friends. This is here for your Friday viewing pleasure. Yes. Yes. You can certainly thank me later. Sigh. But for now, quick, grab a fan, I feel faint. 


image sources:
1. here
2. here
3. eeek - sorry not sure
4. brookish


this post comes courtesy of Tom - who inspired this post. As Tasmania's very own Mr Darcy. Thank you Tom.

Reading + Running

The Doctor is turning into a bit of a bookworm. Which is rad in my books (excuse the pun) - because I was a total bookworm, and from there, my love of the written word formed.

There's so much to be gained from reading a good book. Losing yourself in a story, learning more about language. It's rich and can transport you elsewhere.

On the weekend I bought him Andy Griffiths' book 'The 13-Storey Treehouse'. I thought it would last him a little while. It's a graphic novel, plenty to keep small boys entertained and captive. He read it in one afternoon.

I mean amazeballs. But yikes! This mama better get her game on baby!

Today I went looking for a new book for him. I asked at my favourite children's book store after scouring the shelves by myself. The lady gave me a couple of recommendations, and I wound up with a Horrid Henry book.  

And he read it this afternoon.

So mamas, have you got some book recommendations for my 6.5 year old, book-loving boy? I'm a mama on the prowl looking for new words to share with my little-big boy. I am literally running to keep up with his voracious booky appetite.