A Punchy Gorman Winter

If you live in Sydney, then you know that the weather can't flipping well make up it's mind. It's hot then it's cold, it's up then it's down, it rains then it steams. Oh wait. Sorry, I got brain-washed by Katy Perry.

If you're like me and you love Winter for it's rugging up qualities, then just clap your peepers around Gorman's new Winter Collection.

How does Lisa Gorman do it?

You know I like colour. And pattern . And quirk.

She ticks all of these boxes.

And then some.

And even if we have a bitterly cold Winter, well - the brights will cheer up even the most bitter days, non?

How can you beat that citrus jacket in the top pic? You can't, my friends. So you might as well join it.

Click for more Gorman goodies here.

BLK #16: Darren McDonald and Paul Bui shoot Emily Jean

Emily Jean test above and below by Zachary Handley

The shoots are rolling in for BLK #16, six complete with eight more under way - love a packed shooting schedule! The week before last our Australian senior fashion editor Paul Bui teamed once again with Darren McDonald to shoot soon-to-be-big Emily Jean at Chic Sydney. She has fabulous bone structure and in the few shots we have seen of her to date - including the shots by Darren and Paul - it is clear the camera clearly 'loves' her. Keep an eye out for her at New York Fashion Week.

peacock ring

flossy



$150, noir jewelry
http://noirjewelry.com/Rings/PennythePeacock/518#

So Rad

After posting with a shot of Tootsie today, I went and hired the DVD.

Such GOLD!

If you have not seen this film since '82, then you should totes hire it. It's so rad.

Dustin Hoffman
Jessica Lange
Bill Murray

So cool.

Working. And What Does This Mean?

I've been giving it much consideration lately - I was formerly a stay at home mum (SAHM) - and found it immensely tiring, but in the same breath - immensely satisfying. You got to see the outcome of what you put in, and, for me, that was my proudest achievement. Daily you reaped rewards in the form of sticky cuddles, sloppy, wet kisses, and the pinnacle of parenting - high-fiving after mastering potty training. It was full of daily simple pleasures, and sometimes it was mundane, but mostly it was full to the brim of a gentle kind of happiness.

When Matt and I decided to switch things around so he could finish his studies, I returned to the paid workforce. I had been freelancing for five years, which was getting more and more tricky with two small kids, but it had its rewards too. But it was inconsistent, so I started looking around.

I went back to the coalface, working 4 days a week, and have been there now for 18 months. It's not been an easy transition either. I am riddled by mother's guilt. I always feel like I am missing out. I always feel like my kids are missing out on their mama.

Work is satisfying and exciting, and of course there's the thrill of hitting targets and weekly wins, I get to utilise my years of experience, but it's definitely not the same as parenting.

Sure there are tantrums. Arguments. Petty office politics. But on the flipside, I do get to go to the toilet cubicle solo.

I race hither and thither so I can be doing my job to the best of my abilities, and race home so I can spend as much time as possible with my smalls.

And recently, it made me think:

What do other mums think?

Is it more important to work in a job that stretches your brain (in a good way), and let's you blossom professionally?

or

Is it more important to have a flexible job?

And

Is it possible to have both? Or is brain-stretching distinctly separate to flexibility?

I'm undecided.

PS - I don't know why I felt the need to post a picture of Tootsie. I just did. I love Tootsie. I just can't even rationalise why I put that picture there.

Oh Yes.

Who can't relate to this? Raise your hand if you dare.

found via Pinterest and first seen via the totally rad MamaBake

A Big Week At Chez PottyMouth

Well, well, well.

It's been a big week around our neck of the woods.

The Doctor started back at school. Exciting. Scared. Nervous. Poor little guy was so nervous on the day, he couldn't eat much for breakfast, so we just chatted about why he was nervous; what was going to happen at school (we could only guess); and how he knew lots already about school - and he'd be back with his friends.

This week he is KO'ed and hitting the hay early every night.

Golly gosh he makes my heart swell.

And the other big news for the Doctor...
He lost one of his top front teeth on Tuesday - and the Tooth Fairy came overnight. Mega cute attacks.

Tiny is at a new preschool and loving it. I have such a good feeling about the preschool, and can't wait 'til I get to go and pick her up again, because I just quite like being there! Maybe I should study early childhood, then I could go there more often. 

And the good news here: Tiny is hitting the hay early too - which is amazeballs because like I've said before, that girl has STAMINA, with a capital S. 

How's your week going? School? Packing lunches? You ok?