How good it feels!

You know the feeling you get when you clean out your fridge or your wardrobe... that clear, focused feeling that allows you to believe that you can do anything?

Well I have been doing some cleaning and clearing of my mind over the weekend and I have to tell you, it feels fabulous!

So many things happen to us as mums, wives, business owners and friends that we spend so much time doing everything for everybody and we neglect ourselves... Just having that 20 or so minutes to think by yourself without someone asking you a question or for something is really magical!

It allowed me to box up some stuff in my head and move it out of the way - so that I could focus on what was important to me - really priceless!!

My thinking took down on a little journey and I found that I wanted to:

Always support myself

Learn to think in positive affirmations

Thoughts & other's opinions have no power over us unless we give into them

Trust myself and my abilities

Love who you are what you do

I still have quite a bit of work to do, but I figure you have to start somewhere and this isn't such a bad place to start!

Plus what have I got to lose? My happiness is under my control!

Enjoy your day xx

Love to Dance & Draw

Although it was still very very chilly yesterday we are excited that Spring is on the way this week and we just love being outside.

On Sunday we had some sun mixed in with our windy conditions and Ethan was playing outside.... so cute watching him play his games, chat to our dog Forrest and go off on adventures.

Without him seeing me, I snuck outside to take a few photos - he was dancing away without a care in world singing and laughing....Then after taking a break from all the hectic playing, he took his sketch pad outside and sat down our deck to do some drawing.

He took his time to look around and consider what he would draw... deciding on our Olive Tree - who we call Serge.

I have to say that I was very impressed with his fantastic artwork, so we took a photo of the drawing and a very proud artist!

I love seeing Ethan use his imagination and explore different creative areas.

The Cackleberry Kids xx

Congratulations Kim & Stickytiki

I have met some of the most amazing people and Kim from Stickytiki is one of them.


This week saw some fabulous news come Kim's way as Stickytiki received a great write up on the blog Print and Pattern followed by some more news that will see a feature for them soon.

I love seeing talent rewarded and such good people have great things come their way.

So from all at The Cackleberry Kids - congratulations Kim and Stickytiki xx

Sharing the SMILES

CONGRATULATIONS to Trish for sharing this lovely lovely story with us on our blog. Trish's name was pulled out of a hat this evening and is the winner of our Make Someone SMILE gift. One of our fabulous Cackleberry Kids Bucket Hats and Sunset Tees is on the way to Trish!

Here is Trish's story:

It wasn't me alone.I had a idea and I asked a few bloggy friends to send stickers or small things to a little girl (whose mum is blogger and friend) who was expected to be in hospital for over a week , and a cheery note to her mum.

They were in an isolation room too so very bored. Another blogger I asked, asked a few more people and in turn a whole hoard of us sent parcels to the hospital. Some sent things like extra magazines for her mum and craft items and glittery bits and bobs.It was a surprise for them both.

I know it was much appreciated.

I was amazed myself at how many people wanted to join in. That alone made me smile.I would love to do it again and send random parcels to a children's hospital for the nurses to chose a child who needs an extra smile. I will ...

Thank you so much to everyone who participated here on our blog, on our Face book Fan Page and on twitter! Such a wonderful experience sharing a SMILE and loved reading all of your posts!

Keep SMILING xx

A Golfing Sunday

E just loves playing golf with his Daddy and for the past few weekends it's been their thing... so cute seeing them toddle off together with golf clubs in hand and the look of sheer joy on E's face that he is off on a special date with his Daddy.

The last two weeks they have been going to the local park and have been having a hit down there, yesterday they took a soccer ball as well .... E told me it's an "Adventure Mummy"

The concentration is very important!

"I can do this all by myself Daddy"











I think they just love the running back and forth and chasing each other around!


See I can do it!! You have to hold the golf club this way....

So lovely

The Cackleberry Kids xx

Another new cooking adventure

Umm... the smell of fresh herbs and slow roasting pork!!!

I Wanted to find a new way to cook pork, so went searching this morning and found this great new recipe on the Notebook Website http://www.homehints.com.au/food+recipes/ and came across this fantastic recipe and it's so so easy that I wanted to share it!!

Slow Roasted Pork with Thyme and Marjoram

Ingredients:
1 x tablespoon fresh thyme
1 x tablespoon fresh marjoram
3 x garlic cloves crushed
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
1/4 cup of olive oil
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
Pork - approx 1.5kg (no bone)
(we used 2 tablespoons as we used a little more of the herbs to make a crust)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 220 degrees
Combine thyme, marjoram, garlic, salt, oil and vinegar in a mixing bowl.
Add pork and coat well
Let the pork marinate for approx 2 hours
Place pork on a rack in a baking tray and pour over any remaining mixture. (I lined our baking tray with baking paper to keep the excess mixture from drying out).
Cook at 220 degrees for 30mins
Then reduce temp to 150 degrees and roast for a further 3 1/2 hours or until very tender.
Remove from oven - cover with foil and allow to rest for 10-15mins
Pour over any excess sauce when serving.

Hope you enjoy this as much as we are!!

Here is a photo of our second cooking adventure today: Roasted Vegetable Lasagne....smells good too!!


The Cackleberry Kids xx

Introducing Hilary Wardhaugh Photography

I’m so clucky when I photograph little babies and kids! I love it! Such innocents, big eyes and gummy smiles...But, when it gets to teenagers I love that challenge too. The challenge for me not to be too much of a square! Although, I do tend to get laughs if they think I am just so un-cool!It’s a privilege to meet a new family and follow their lives photographically. Seeing the changes and all the different stages in their lives.As a AIPP Master Photographer who uses a very relaxed approach and natural light I always aim to get simply beautiful images....naturally! ®

Hilary's ability to capture a moment in one click is amazing and having had the honour to work with her recently I understand why everyone wants to work with her.... Hilary has a very calming way of making you feel comfortable and relaxed and all of a sudden you don't even remember that she is taking your photo...

Talk about capturing a smile, this photo says it all!!

Hilary is also very passionate about making a difference and has been working on a project that will give couples an avenue to choose Green companies and products when organising their weddings. Hilary herself is a Green photographer and looking after our planet is very important to Hilary.

Hilary and her gorgeous little boy, Henry - such a cutie!

We are looking forward to our next photo shoot with Hilary and adding to the amazing photos we already have.

Thanks Hilary!!

The Cackleberry Kids xx

Our Project Runway Adventure

WOW!!! what a night! Full of glamour, fashion, too much tanning and lots of beautiful people swanning around the room.

Thankfully it was a lovely sunny and dry day in Melbourne when Stella (Managing Director of Little Miss Stella PR) and I ventured off on our little adventure.. waiting outside in the wind.... watching the beautiful people pass us by - well we were a little excited!!

Whilst waiting for the doors to open, we met the Stunning - and she is truly Stunning, Julie the winner from Project Runway Season 1. She was so friendly and chatted to Stella and I for a few minutes like we were old friends. Such a lovely person and of course she looked Divine!

Walking into the venue for the Project Runway Catwalk show and seeing the actual runway - the centre piece of the room really was show stopping even before the show had started, and YES it is as white and stark as it looks on TV.

Once settled into our seats we eagerly awaited the show to begin. The charming Henry was our MC for the evening and was fabulous in sharing little stories from the show about the various challenges and the Designers.

The show, and I promise that I won't share any of the details as I don't want to spoil it for anyone else, was fantastic - the minute the first model walked onto the runway you could feel everyone in the room take a collective sigh..... so amazing!

Due to the taping of the show we watched each Designer's collection twice - which I found very great as you miss so much on the first walk.

Then Stella and I were off to the after party! Woo hoo we had a lovely time : ))

We met some great people and had a lovely little chat with Mark, who we saw at the GPO the next morning, he is such a sweetie and very very kind! Had a photo with the 'tiny' Lauren - she is so tiny, even in her 12inch heels!!!!

And before we turned into pumpkins, Stella and I made our way home with our little goodie bags and wonderful memories.

I had such a wonderful time and really enjoyed sharing the experience with the very glamorous Miss Stella! xx

Momento - thanks!

Just a short blog post today

Wanted to say a great big Thank you to the Girls from Momento Dezigns in Manuka, Canberra for their wonderful assistance and kindness in helping me pick an outfit for the Project Runway catwalk show this evening.

They were so lovely and just so nice - fantastic service!!

So if you are ever looking for a fabulous outfit for any occasion and you are in Canberra, then I highly recommend Momento Dezigns - such care,honest and helpful assistance!

Momento Dezigns

Shop 4, Manuka Court

17 Bougainvilee Street

MANUKA ACT 2603

Thanks again!!

xx

A celebration for Trifle

Yesterday my boys; my Husband Lawrence and my Little Man Ethan decided that we would spend the day celebrating the launch of the Trifle Shoppe.

It was such a lovely day here in Canberra where you didn't have to wear layer upon layer of clothing, so off we went to one of our favourite little cafes; Idelic Cafe in the suburb of Kingston, for Brunch.


As always the food was exceptional and we were spoilt by the lovely Angela and Bobby who own and run Idelic - thanks guys!!

Lots of eggs, pancakes, hot chocolates and coffees with some of Ange's fabulous chocolate cupcakes thrown in... we were so full by the time we left.


Off to the park we went to run off some of that food.... and all that energy! then onto a very lazy afternoon at home - it was so nice not to have to do the washing or tidying up for just one day - felt so good : )

Then onto dinner - yummy Thai red curry with a beautiful bottle of red that Lawrence decanted that he had kept for a special occasion, so we thought in honour of Trifle, why not!! E of course had his Apple and Pear Juice.

A huge Thank you and hugs to my boys for a wonderful, relaxing day in the warm in celebration of Trifle's launch on Friday xx

Make Someone Smile

Being nice to someone and bringing a smile to their face is such an enriching experience and really it costs us nothing to be kind!

So this coming week visit our blog and post comment telling us what you did to make someone smile and you could be the winner of a fabulous Cackleberry Kids gift - something from us to make you smile!!

So Little or small it doesn't matter, everything makes a difference!

The winner will be announced on the 24th of August

Go on and do something nice for someone today xx

Pondering!

I'm not sure if it's the weather or the universe trying really hard to tell me something...... it's kinda been one of those days where you are here, but not here, totally distracted and can not for the life of me focus on my to list which has 100's of things on it!

I received a nice note from someone from my past and am pondering on what I should do with it, should I reply? How should I reply? what will the effect of the reply have? so many questions running around in my head..... with no clear indication of what I should do.

So the pondering continues.....

* I do believe that things happen for a reason, and that the reason will eventually make itself clear when it's ready - I'm just not very good at waiting sometimes.

* I think that we throw things out to the universe and we are answered, however not always getting the answer we had hoped for.

* I believe in Karma

* I also believe that the teacher keeps visiting until we learn the lesson.

Now I just need to find out which one of these this all fits into!

So my pondering will continue for the time being.

xx

Green4Life Launch

Last night I was invited to go along to the Launch of the new Green4Life website ttp://green4life.com.au and it was such an honour to be there to support Hilary and Stephanie - they have really done a wonderful job on getting this amazing project up and running!

Mr Stephen Byron, Managing Director of the Capital Airport Group and owner of Brindabella Business Park, officially launched the website. Other speakers on the evening were; Janet Jeffs, Ginger Catering Director, and Hilary Wardhaugh, one of Canberra’s leading Professional Photographers.

The Expo is being held in March of 2010 on the 28th of March from 10am to 4pm.

Green4life- wedding and lifestyle
A new initiative by Stephanie Allen and Hilary Wardhaugh in Canberra Australia designed to show couples how easy it is to live a more sustainable life from their wedding day onwards.

Businesses wishing to be involved can contact Stephanie or Hilary through info@green4life.com.au

I also attended to support a few of my Fabulous clients (from my other company) that are sponsors of this event and run Green businesses here in Canberra - have to say I felt like a very 'Proud Mum' standing there with them!

It was a really lovely night and Congratulations to Hilary and Stephanie!

The Cackleberry Kids xx

It's the Little Things

This week it's been rather hectic and a little bit stressed here at the Cackleberry Kids house... lots to do with the new collection, deadlines looming, submissions to be put together and the normal array of 'Stuff' we all have to do.

Tuesday happened to be a particularly full on day and I who am normally quite controlled was feeling the panic.... then all of sudden I noticed that my lovely cherry blossom trees were budding and I just felt so much better!

The hint of spring was starting to appear and it just made me smile

Then to totally brighten my day, my wonderful boys gave me a beautiful bunch of tulips - sitting at my dinning room table, typing like a mad women I looked up and they just looked amazing with the sun coming in through the

windows - its was so lovely and I felt so uplifted and inspired to get over my mountain...

It's the little things that matter!

The Cackleberry Kids xx

Our Friend StickyTiki and Kim

The StickyTiki range of wall graphics are designed by Kim Hands and turned into a reality by her partner Simon Lindegren. Kim and Si live and work with their three children Zavia, Jasper and Kahlo near the sea in beautiful Ahuriri Napier New Zealand. All of their products are designed and made at StickyTiki's HQ. Their children and their surrounding are a constant inspiration for Kim's designs.

When her children were little Kim painted murals on their walls but had to fit this in between her own art commitments and being a busy Mum, so started to think ' if this is difficult for me and I am an artist..how hard must it be for others'? Plus children grow their tastes change, rooms and homes change, 'wouldn't it be great if you could put up a mural that could move house with you or be handed down to a younger sibling, cousins, friends'! Kim also wanted to expand her children's minds and get away from the images they are constantly bombarded with on TV and make their space beautiful, cool, quirky, a little fantasy and uniquly original!

StickyTiki invites nature inside, to teach children about their surroundings with a little magic thrown in and of course images that will visually stimulate their little minds! So StickyTiki was born and Kim and Simon sourced only the best products to work with making their fabric wall graphics truly original and thoughtfully designed pieces of art.

Kim's background is a Degree in Visual and Fine Art with 10yrs as a practicing full time artist. Her medium is painting and own work is dreamlike and fantastical which makes a perfect grounding for working on children's images.

It is Kim's desire to produce beautiful timeless pieces that both children and adults love and to make sure StickyTiki is always innovative, original and nice to the environment.

We met the fabulous Kim through the Skout Trade Fair network and fell in love with her Wall Art and her! The wonderful and talented StickyTiki team - Kim and Simon, create the most realistic and colourful wall graphics that we have ever seen... They whisk you away to other places and capture a place in your heart when you see the look of shear joy on your Child's face as you put the wall art into their rooms!!

We are honoured to be working with such amazing talent and with out question the loveliest of people!

The Cackleberry Kids xx