Mum Revelations - Renee Lee

1. Where do I reside

In 2011 I am living at New Brighton in Northern NSW with my family for the year.

2. What is special about where we live.

We live on 1/2 an acre across the road from the beach. Life is very relaxed here and the kids can play in the back yard every afternoon and on weekends ,and they get the chance to grow up like I did, riding bikes and making shops and bike jumps in the back yard. I love the small community feel of New Brighton and I feel very spoilt to be living across the road from the beach and being able to walk on it regularly.

3. How did I get my business started.

I have been thinking about starting Little Mouse Brown since my youngest daughter was born. I have always found there is a large gap in children's clothing for ages 8 - 12. I have been stock piling design ideas for years!! My youngest daughter is now 5 and at school so last year I decided that I might have the time for this business so I took my ideas off to a pattern maker and away I went.....

4. What is your favourite childhood memory.

Making cubby houses with my brothers in the back yard.

5. What are some memories that you would like to create for your children.

I like to spend as much time with them as I can so hopefully the will look back and remember sharing time with my husband and myself  at the beach, playing in the backyard, riding to the shop to buy bread , milk and lollies!! and teaching them to cook.

6. Who inspires you?

My parents because they have always worked very hard whilst retaining a wonderful sense of family and my Husband because he is so positive and always encourages me to try new things.

7. Describe your perfect day.

My perfect day .......   waking up to a beautiful sunny day in late summer early autumn and going for a walk on the beach with my husband, cooking the kids pancakes for breakfast and then riding to the shop as a family to buy the newspaper , coffee and letting the kids choose a lolly each. Then returning home to read the papers while the kids play in the yard. Having lunch as a family and then heading to the beach for the afternoon and boogie boarding with the kids and then coming home and sharing a bottle of wine with my husband while we cook seafood paella as a family...... my perfect day!

8. Favourite Holiday Destination.

New York and Moreton Island!! Total contrast but both wonderful places to be.

9. What are some of your favourite items that you cannot live without

Some of my vintage dresses, A White Lace "Lover" Dress, My " Karen Walker" Trench coat, Moroccan Oil for my Hair, Botanicals vitamin C serum for my face at night, My apple computer and my new canon camera.

10. What is my favourite product for kids and why.

"Milk" sun-cream. We have to apply sun-cream every day and its non greasy, moisturising, smells nice and it really does protect them from getting burnt when they are at the beach.....

11. What is one product that you bought that you did not need but just had to have.

An apple Ipad.

12. Your favourite children's fashion label.

Little Mouse Brown of course!!

13. What is your families favourite meal.

Green Chicken Curry

14. Are you a fashion Conscious Mother? If so what is your favourite label.

I love fashion and I have 2 favourite labels. Lover and Karen Walker.

15. What is the best thing about being a mother.

Waking up to my 3 beautiful children every morning and loving them so much.


16. A favourite photo.

This is one of my favourite photos. It is a picture of me and my 3 children, Indee, Riley and Zaya. It was taken 2 1/2 years ago. We were at the weddings of one of my dearest friends and the 3 children were in the wedding party. I had my doubts whether they would all perform there duties on the day and they all did exactly what was asked of them. Phil and I were so proud!

Thank you for sharing Renee. x

Check back later this week for Renee's label for tween's Little Mouse Brown look book.

10 things you you didn't know about me...

Hello lovely readers, the sun is finally shining in Sydney today and I am so happy to finally feel Spring 
in the air with Summer on the horizon.


The gorgeous Nikki from paperscissorsrockstationery has tagged me in a fun blog game '10 things you 
didn't know about me'  I then tag 5 bloggers that will also share their own.


Five bloggers I have tagged are

♥  Priscila -  Babiekins Magazine

♥  Nat  -  The Pagoda Tree

♥  Hayley -  Little Pinwheel

♥  Vesna -  My little Jedi

♥  Suzanna -  Mon Tresor

◎  I love cupcakes

◎ The fragrance I love to wear is DAISY by Marc Jacobs

◎ I am an early riser

◎ I am not big on the outdoors (camping) - give me a tropical holiday anytime in a luxurious Hotel

◎ I became a grandmother at 40 ( I have 3 step adult children) I have been with for 20 years

◎ I am 42

◎ I love fashion ( you probably already know that)

◎ I love the smell of Jasmine

◎ I love music - My favourite song at the moment is Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars

◎ I love shopping at Bondi Junction

That was fun. I hope you enjoyed reading 10 things about me.

Vicki xx

Mum Revelations -Stephanie Bond

I would like to introduce the lovely Stephanie Bond. Enjoy!

1. Where do you live?

Artarmon, NSW, only a couple of stops north of the Sydney CBD on the train. (photo: artarmon credit:Yewenyi on Flickr)

2. What is special about where you live?

We love it that we live right on the train line; only a couple of stops to work and means we only need one car, which is important to us. It's also a really multicultural area which we love. Our local grocery store is Japanese! We have some of the best sushi in Sydney right on our street, a cute little library, a great playground and a nature reserve too. My favourite thing of all? The sound of king parrots flitting by all day long.  (photo: king_parrot credit: Steph Bond)

3.  Do you work? If so what do you do? Or are you a WAHM or SAHM?

I'm a full time parent and part-time blogger/web publisher - I try to squeeze in my time online when I can. I think most of us can relate to the juggling act that goes on when you start a family!

4. What is your favourite childhood memory?

I have so many, but it's probably going for walks through the nature reserve with my family, looking out for sugar gliders and koalas.

5. What are some memories that you have or like to create for your children?

I love cooking with my eldest daughter and hope that she is picking up the skills and confidence to be confident with food when she is older. Even if it's just holding the measuring cups and stirring, it's all good experience and something we can do together. I also spend a lot of time pointing out and identifying the birds and animals and plants that we come across during the day. (photo: water_dragon credit: Steph Bond) 

6. Name 3 of your favourite activities or something you enjoy doing with your family?

1. We love going to the zoo together. In Brisbane we had a yearly pass to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary that we used almost weekly, and now that we are back in Sydney it's Taronga Zoo. (photo: taronga_zoo credit: Steph Bond)

2. Cooking is a favourite pastime in our household, whether it's something special for a weekend dinner, lunch with friends, or cupcakes for the kids. We love going to farmers' markets and sourcing the freshest ingredients we can find.

3. We've been having fun exploring north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The last time we were in Sydney we lived in the inner west, so it's nice to spend time checking out parks, reserves and beaches on this side of the harbour.

7. Describe your perfect day?

A sleep-in would be nice (I'd like to be a morning person, but just an extra hour in bed in the morning makes all the difference). Then breakfast outside all together; even better if friends come over to share. Then some quiet time for me while our baby has a nap and our big girl goes out with Daddy. Followed by a family adventure together and picnic lunch (a hike/the zoo/a park/farmers market). Some playtime and cooking at home in the afternoon during sleep #2. Then maybe an early dinner together - either at home or our favourite sushi or pizza restaurant. Kids in bed by 6 and 7pm. Then either a date night if we are lucky, or relaxing with an episode of Modern Family, The Office or something funny.

8. Where is your favourite holiday destination?

We love going to the US and Canada to visit family and friends - San Francisco, NYC, Virginia, LA, Vancouver. Closer to home, the Sunshine Coast for some surfing and time with Nanna and Pops. (photo: maryland credit: Steph Bond photo: noosa credit: Steph Bond )

9. From memory what was your favourite birthday and why?

This last birthday was pretty great. My husband organised a surprise night out for me with 3 favourite girlfriends and tickets to the roller derby. It was such a fun time, lovely to have my girlfriends meet and the derby was something really unexpected. I only wish that my husband had come too.

10. What is your favourite product for kids and why?

I really love our Maclaren Quest stroller. It's only 7kg. After struggling with our bigger, sturdier stroller, it has been so great to be able to collapse, unfold and pick the Maclaren up with only one hand, making life so much easier.

11. What is one product you have bought that you did not need but just had to have?

I probably have a few too many of those! I love our Rody bouncing horse - it's such an iconic piece and although not a necessary product, has been really fun for our kids and all our visitors too. I also love the Tutu du Monde tutu that I just bought our big girl for her 3rd birthday. She certainly doesn't need any more dancing dresses, but it's so luxe and stylish and I know that she will wear it every day. (photo: tutdumonde credit: Tutu du Monde)

12. Your favourite kids fashion label?

I will get into too much trouble naming just one. Australian kids fashion designers are so talented. I've probably got a favourite label for every day of the year. But off the top of my head, this winter we have had so much use from the Oishi-m jeans (with kimono fabric bum) for our little one. They have lots of room for a nappy, cuffs to accommodate all sizes, and an extra-wide waistband for keeping tummy warm. (photo: oishi-m-bondville2 credit: Steph Bond)

13. What is your child’s or family favourite meal?

Our big girl loves fish and chips and any kind of fruit. And cupcakes. Teddy bear pasta is a firm favourite too. (photo: cupcakes credit: Steph Bond)

14. Are you a fashion conscious mother? If so what is your favourite label?

I haven't bought much new clothing since having kids apart from some Country Road staples, but have been able to make the most of unusual pieces that I have picked up at markets and when we lived in NYC. I have some favourite jeans that I've collected over the years (Alvin Valley, Levi's, Paige Premium Denim, Heatherette, 7's, Yanuk... err, that's a lot of jeans...)

15. What is the best thing about being a mother?

Sharing with my girls everything I've learned so far, and learning from them too.

16. To finish off would you like to add a favourite photo? Tell us why it is your favourite.

I love this photo, taken last week, with my big girl. I'm usually on the other side of the lens, so it's nice to have a photo to remind me of my big girl's 3rd birthday, how much she has grown and this special time in her life where it's all about pink and fairies. (photo: bondville_steph+big_girl - credit: Carmen Lee)

Thank you Stephanie for contributing to ShoppeGirls xx

Heart Kids - Blackmore's Sydney Running Festival

A few of you may already know that a genetic heart condition affects a few 

members of my family. One of them, my step son, and his girlfriend are 

running in the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival.

They are running to raise funds for heart kids a charity to help little people

with heart conditions. We are so lucky that the research and technology has 

come so far as my stepdaughter and her little man ( nearly 2 ) have the 

genetic condition as well as my step son who is running this weekend with 

his girlfriend.

You can help raise much needed funds for continued research into heart 

conditions by going to their fundraising page on the 

go fundraise website here.

HeartKids are a not for profit organisation, run by both employees and 

volunteers who are concerned with the care of children either born with or 

who acquire Congenital Heart Disease. We offer support to families both in 

hospital, at home and in rural NSW. We rely on the generosity of our members, 

the corporate sector and our own fundraising efforts.

In loving Memory of our beautiful Judy!

Today it has been 5 years since we lost our beautiful Judy, while holidaying in 

Canada with my brother. It has taken me this long to let her go and live with the 

lovely memories we had. My darlingJudy was killed in a car accident on their 

last holiday before settling to have a family. Judy was so special always there 

with her beautiful smile and a cuddle or two. She also loved to play a board 

game or two and have a hot drink. I miss her lots.

My brother is happy now and has a new partner and a lovely baby girl, Sophie. 

Judy would be happy knowing that.

Step-tember Body Cleanse

image  little pinwheel

Today I am starting my spring clean body cleanse. Over the last 3-4 days I have been 
cutting down on my caffeine intake to try and make it easier for the coming cleanse.
I am really looking forward to achieving the final outcome.
I am a person who has to have her hot drinks so Herbal tea is my new best friend.
I love the idea of eating healthier and cleaning out my gut and hopefully lose a 
few kilos at the same time.This morning I thoroughly enjoyed my banana, 
strawberries sprinkled with nuts.I do try and eat healthy all the time but my worst time 
of day is in the afternoon where I either crave potato crisps or need a sugar fix.
I have nuts and dried fruit to help curb those cravings.

Mum Revelations - Priscila Barros

Today I would like to introduce the lovely Priscila Barros writer for popular blog 

Little Miss Heirlooms and lovely online magazine Babiekins - for the trendsetting child.

1. Where do you live?

I live in Sunny California, USA.

2. What is special about where you live?

San Diego is a really unique place. I live about 30 min from the beach and about an hour from the snowy mountains. We have a huge mixed culture which brings a lot of flavor to our city. We are about an hour from Mexico which means we also have the most yummy authentic Mexican food around! As far as my home, We live in a 2 story home with my husband, new puppy Max, and my sons Carter and Christian. We have about a half an acre with a pool! We are all fish so its really nice to have the pool to use through out the year since California doesnt really get cold!

3.  Do you work? If so what do you do? Or are you a WAHM or SAHM?

Im a SAHM at the moment. I think its one of the most important jobs ever. I am pouring into my son's what I want them to take out into the world. On the side I blog at Little Miss Heirlooms and have a new childrens Magazine called Babiekins.

4. What is your favourite childhood memory?

Hum, I have so many. I guess my favorite are the most simple. Just playing with my sister. We were really close when we were little and part was because my dad had horse ranches. Sometimes we would live on a couple hundred acres. Once we lived on this amazing ranch that actually had a waterfall and these huge rocks that had the indentations in them from where the Native American Indians woman use to grind their grains. We would play that we were indian princesses for hours! :)

5. What are some memories that you have or like to create for your children?

I really hate the parents that plob their kids infront of the tv like babysitters and its probably because my sister and I were always outside playing. I think its so important to make memories with them that last forever. Some favorite memories are trips we would take in the car. We would do roadtrips a lot and it was so exciting to wake up early and get into the back of the car and "camp out" while our parents drove. We always stopped at fun places and I would love to do this with my kids. Its just so exciting to show them different places .

 

6. Name 3 of your favourite activities or something you enjoy doing with your family?

laughing, swimming and cooking

 

7. Describe your perfect day?

Hum, waking up late (that never happends), having the boys wake me up with some hot cafe and a french baquet.  Me walking out of my room to a perfectly clean house...:) You did as for perfect right?

8. Where is your favourite holiday destination?

We go to Brasil a lot because we have so much family there and its super fun especially at Christmas time. Here in the states I love where I live. San Diego is just so much fun! We go to Big Bear a lot to enjoy the snow when its winter. Our next trip planned is Paris!! :)

9. From memory what was your favourite birthday and why?

Hum, well I remember one year my parents didnt have very much money so my mom bought small wood pins (that looked like little horses) and painted them all. After she was done painting she let me choose which one I wanted and I still remember the one I choose to this day - a grey horse with some pretty silver dots. We lived on a horse ranch (my fathers) and so all my friends got to ride a poney at my party!  I think I must have been like 5. I think this is a really great example of how simple a party can be and how the thought is what counts. Thanks mom for teaching me at a younge age!

10. What is your favourite product for kids and why?

I like lights a lot! I love the lampin lamp and purchased one for carters room from Lapin and me . Lights never go out of style  and when you are sick of them they arent that big of a deal to change. There are so many great lights too like the ones they have at Ikea at the moment. Cheap and make such a great impact! I love the LuckyBoySunday dolls for kids and need this one for my boys (lucky boy sunday). I also love ma cacabane! I would have this this when I was little (pirouettecacahouete).

11. Your favourite kids fashion label?

Bobo Choses  is definatly a favorite for me. I love how fun the design is but how wearable their line is. I also love Ola and Olek, im loving popupshop.

12. Are you a fashion conscious mother? If so what is your favourite label?

I like to mix my kids clothes. So they might wear a designer label top and then some shorts that we purchased from a thrift shop or somewhere like a Target. I also love mixing new and vintage items.

13. What is the best thing about being a mother?

My favorite is to see my 2 boys interact. They are starting to fight a lot (I guess its bound to happen) but when they get a long they really get a long well. Its so fun to hear Carters laugh when Christian is doing something silly cause its so contagious. My favorite part of my day I would have to say is bedtime and not just because I will get some peace and quiet but because I usually lie down with the boys (seperatly) for a while just to talk. Its fun to hear about their day, hear there funny stories and the nonscence they make up just so they dont have to sleep. Always makes me laugh.

Thank you for sharing Priscila. X