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As we prepare for our trip to Singapore Ive been searching for a bag that I can carry all of my essentials in (or should I say the kids essentials) for basic 'touristy' days out. Ideally I would love to stroll around with a tiny side purse but we all know thats not very practical when you need to stash nappies and wipes etc. I don't want to be lugging around a huge baby bag all day so I have been loving the bucket bag. I also love that some of these can double into a backpack which is so convenient!

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Review: AC On Tour Palette

I finally got around to buying this bad boy from Priceline a few weeks back. It was on special for $13 so I couldn't resist after all the hype and hearing so many good things about it.





So.. The Verdict? Lets just say its great for the price.

I found that it was a little chalky and took a hell of a lot of blending! TAP OFF THAT EXCESS GURL! The dark shades are extremely pigmented.

When I first tried it and used the first brown, it literally looked like dirt on my face even after tapping the excess off. After what felt like 5-10mins of cray cray blending it did turn out quite nice, so its important to 1.) Use a good brush 2.) Tap off excess 3.) Use a light hand 4.) Set a little time aside for blending.

I must say I do love the top row. Stacked with a face setting powder, yellow under eye brighter and highlighter - I quite like all of these shades and find that they are great value for money (these alone probably cover the $13 price that I paid so Im happy).

I also love the packaging and the amount of choice (6 pans total).

All up its a 6/10 from me

What were your thoughts/experiences with this palette?


X

SHOP AUSTRALIS

Magical Water Kefir

I am such a big believer in that if you want to look good on the outside, it always starts within. Taking care of your body and your health and wellbeing totally radiates on the outside and although I LOVE LOVE LOVE makeup and skincare, taking care of your inner health is always my #1 beauty tip. Its not always easy, and no one is perfect but small changes can make a big difference.

Around this time last year my friends from Edens Harvest introduced me to water kefir. To explain it as simply as possible, water kefir is a probiotic drink made with sugar, water and kefir grains and its benefits are awesome.

The grains aren’t actually grains at all, but are a mixture of good bacteria and yeast. Over a few days they feed on the sugar (you can see the difference below)











a few hours later...




Once completed, you are left with a drink that is packed with beneficial acids, vitamins and minerals and just overall goodness. (Read more here) and a lot of people end up replacing fizzy drinks with this.

Its benefits include:


– regulates immune system


– provides natural protection against diseases


– slows down ageing meaning healthier looking skin, more energy, better vision


– is known to treat a number of disorders


-helps to clear out the gut and regulate digestive system


You can read more about kefir and its benefits here.

So, in simple terms – Its a probiotic drink that tastes like fizzy without all the nasties and actually helps you, instead of loading your system with a tonne of sugar like how energy drinks and soda do. Uuuummm #Winning …

HOW TO VIDEO:

People may make their kefir differently due to taste preferences / temperatures and like with anything fermented, the alcohol content. I generally follow the method in this video when making my water kefir.


You can experiment with flavours using different juices, fruits and extracts. Some of my favourites are mixed berry, creaming soda (just vanilla) and pomegranate. You can check out some flavour ideas here and here.

If you’re wanting to start making your own water kefir, you can buy grains here.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup sugar (I use organic rapadura)

1/4 cup boiled water

Cold water – Filtered

3 tbsp Kefir grains

1 cup mixed berries

METHOD

Add sugar to a 1 litre glass jar and add enough hot water to dissolve.

Fill the rest of the jar with cold filtered water.

Once completely cooled (can not be warm or the grains may die) add your kefir grains.

Cover jar with a cloth and rubber band and leave to ferment for 24-48 hours in your cupboard or on your counter. The longer you leave it, the more sugar ferments out but longer than 48 hours may starve the grains.

Remove the cloth and rubber band and strain the drink and grains using a plastic sieve (try to avoid using metal) into another glass jar. (You can now restart the process at this stage)

Add mixed berries to your water kefir, close lid and leave to sit in cupboard or on counter for another one – two days (depending on the flavour and taste you like)

Strain water and berries and pour the drink into a glass bottle with an airtight lid.

You can drink straight away, or store in fridge.

For more info on kefir and probiotics in general, please check out Edens Harvest on Facebook!


Xx

Birth Story: Eva Grace Elizabeth

Eva is our first daughter and our second little Jelo. Just like Barclay, she too was delivered via C-Section.

My pregnancy went really well with Eva. We were so ready for another baby and a sibling for B. We had to plan for Eva as Jeremy was working away on a 2 weeks on/1 week off roster. I was on ovulation charts and everything, it was very interesting lol! It took 4 months and finally WE were pregnant! hehe


Evas due date was August 17th 2012, but I was scheduled in for a C-Section on August 25th if she didn't make her way by then. As per usual - nothing went to plan haha and I went into labour August 20th. I had hoped to have a vag-birth [tmi? lol] with Eva, as I was told I could try. So...I went into labour and off to the hospital we went. Contractions were starting up, I was beggggging for an epidural but just like Barclays birth I wasn't dilating at all. My doctor told me I could try and go through with the vag-birth or be scheduled in for a C-Section. But I had to make my mind up there and then.




After Barclays birth experience where he was extremely stressed to the point where his heart rate kept dipping, I didn't want to put Eva through that. I didn't want anything to happen to her and I definitely did not want to have a birth like Barclays again where I was just so worried. I opted to have a C-Section and Im so glad I did. I have to admit I was a little sad that I wouldn't be able to experience a vag-birth [Im really sorry, I don't know what else to call it!]

I wanted to experience it so badly. I think its just where I suffered from FOMO [fear of missing out] on what it was like to give birth that way. My doc re-assured me that it was better to deliver her safely through C-Section than to go through a bad vaginal birth. Straight away everything was put into perspective and it reminded me what was most important. It didn't matter wether Eva was born via C-Section or via... you know what. As long as my baby-girl was safe and healthy, thats all that mattered.

This time round I wasn't all over the place. I was calm, and knew exactly what to expect. Jeremy and I went into theatre together both knowing what to expect, it was so good. I wasn't busy worrying like crazy - I was just happy and excited to meet my baby girl. We were allowed to take our camera in, which made us sooo happy. We weren't allowed to take any photos with Barclays birth which was such a downer, so you can imagine how happy we are to have these moments captured.

The surgery went well, apart from the fact that I could see the reflection of what was going on in the light shade directly above me lol! It was intriguing at first and I couldn't help but look to see what was going on - but in the end I had to look away before throwing up [you can watch this video here to see what I'm talking about. You've been warned though!].



Our baby girl was born at 4:52pm weighing in at 3.25kg and 49cm long. She made her entrance very known as her little lungs worked overtime hehe she cried her heart out. For me, I was so happy to hear her voice.

I couldn't wait to hold my baby girl - but I was waiting for what felt like forever because her Daddy just couldn't let her go! She had him wrapped around her finger as soon as he laid eyes on her.

Once I finally got to hold her I just couldn't believe that I had a little Princess. A baby girl of my own! She was just so beautiful and perfect, so tiny and delicate.

All through this time she was crying, my poor darling. She couldn't stop. They stitched me up, while Eva was taken over to the scales. Jeremy cut the cord and helped clean her up. Finally she was bought back to me and I finally got to feed her. She latched on so naturally and easily, I was so happy that she was finally calm and had stopped crying. I was so in love.

I got wheeled into a different room while I got checked over and then we were wheeled into our hospital room. Barclay was waiting patiently to meet his little sister. I was so nervous for this part. I didn't know what to expect. As soon as Barclay saw Eva he just wanted to cuddle and kiss her and take care of her. It was just the cutest thing to see in the whole world. My two little munchkins.




The most hardest part by far was the first night when everyone had to leave. This time round Jeremy wasn't allowed to stay the night and I found everything so overwhelming. I had my newborn, I was trying to recover from my c-section, I wasn't able to move as freely as Id like or even stand up at this stage - then being alone and exhausted just made everything and anything seem like a mission. Just grabbing Eva out of her bassinet was painful and difficult. It was frustrating. Changing her nappy would take me 10 minutes!

If it wasn't for the amazing nurse I had, Im sure I would have broken down in tears a million times. She was just the most beautiful, most helpful nurse in the world. She would push Eva in her bassinet on her nightly rounds to help get her to sleep, burp her for me, sing to her, change her, dress her - she did so much to help me and Ill forever be grateful!

We stayed in the hospital for 3 nights and at last we could go home!

My recovery in general went quite well. My scar didn't get infected this time but I did get a urine infection and Eva and I had to go back into the hospital for another five days.




The name 'Eva' means 'Breath of Life' and thats exactly what she is. She has so much personality and sass I just love her to bits. I can't believe she will be three this year! She is our little Perth baby - We moved here from NZ to start a new a chapter in our lives and Im not gonna lie, it was a little bumpy at first. But when Eva arrived, she was literally the new breath of life we needed to make us feel like everything would be okay. And it was.

Thank you Babygirl,

Love you always.


X

Birth Story: Barclay Dean

I was 18 when I gave birth to Barclay. His due date was May 7th 2009, but I was on the border of being 2 weeks overdue and was scheduled to be induced on the 20th May (Jeremys Birthday!). However, as usual - Barclay had other plans and I went into labour early morning May 19th.

Everything was going smoothly. I was in labour for roughly 5 hours before getting intense contractions. I had a shot in my leg and inhaled some of the gas to ease the pain, but for me they both didn't really do much. About 30 mins to an hour later, all of a sudden I was going in and out of consciousness. 

Everything started to go blurry and I couldn't understand what anyone was saying to me. I remember seeing blurs of doctors and nurses surrounding me. I just thought the gas was tripping me out to be honest so I had no idea what was going on. I was told I needed to go into theatre to have an emergency c-section, but first I needed to give consent. 

I was handed a form and my heart sunk as I was so worried about my baby. I had to focus and concentrate just to hold the pen in my hand properly, so I could quickly sign everything. All I could remember thinking was 'what the hell, get my baby out now!'






Barclays heart rate was dipping like crazy as he was so stressed. He was ready to make his way, and quickly at that - but I hadn't dilated enough - only 2cm! it was sending both of us into shock.

I was out of it, I couldn't talk properly and I was in so much pain. It wasn't funny at the time, but my hubby always reminds me of how crazy I was - screaming and crying, slurring my words, banging my hospital bed from side to side throwing my arms everywhere as I was being transported from my room to theatre. I can not remember any of that [seriously lol]. All I can remember was being in my hospital room, closing my eyes, waking up in a hallway where I saw my mum and dad, then closing my eyes again and waking up in theatre - getting ready to receive a huge ass needle in my back.

As soon as that needle hit, my body was calm. I was wide awake, happy, able to talk and couldn't feel any pain. Hallelujahhhh! Finally, Jeremy and I were going to meet our baby boy.

The cutting was interesting. A c-section has to be the weirdest feeling in the world. I could feel my tummy being moved around. I knew I was being cut open. I was awake - but I couldn't feel any pain. It was a very strange feeling.




I was so nervous and excited to meet Barclay. I had a million things rushing through my mind. Is he okay? is he healthy? is he breathing okay? does he have all his toes? what does he look like? Im going to be a mum!? .. All quite typical thoughts of a new parent. 

Finally, the doctors had delivered Barclay but I couldn't hear him crying. I couldn't hear anything. I could juuuust see the nurse over the blanket covering my view [this is so you can't see the doctors doing surgery on you etc] - she was taking him over to the scales but he wasn't moving. I started to get extremely nervous and teary. I asked Jeremy if everything was okay. Right then, I heard a huge, loud cry and it was the biggest sign of relief. Barclay was so comfortable, he didn't want to come out! He didn't wake up until the nurse pricked his foot! he was enjoying being a lil bun in the oven hehe. He was born 3:34pm weighing in at 9 pounds and 51cm long.

He was finally in my arms, I was so overwhelmed and happy. I thought he was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I actually surprised myself by not breaking down in tears like I thought I would haha, I was just way too happy. [Although seeing Jeremy hold him and kiss him might have made me tear up just a teeny tiny bit]. He was perfect. He was healthy! He was here and he was ours.





Me on the other hand... I was exhausted, like most first time mothers are! I got stitched up and we were taken to our room. Jeremy was able to stay the night, thank goodness. He had to soldier it out on a mini-not-quite lazy boy type chair. It was so nice having him there to help with the night shifts - we got to spend time together with our new little boy and it gave me time to recover and get some rest. 

The next morning I was told I had to stand up and walk around. I got the shock of my life! 'What?! I just had surgery and I can't even feel my legs - walking around is the last thing I want to do!' but hey, I had to. Trying to stand up was the biggest trial. It felt like I had been hit by a bus and lost all my groundings. It hurt! I struggled big time with recovering from my c-section. My scar got infected, I couldn't walk properly for 4 months and I still bled for nearly 3. Not gonna lie: it totally sucked! BUT of course, as they say - it was all totally worth it! and crazily enough I would do it all over again [which I did haha].

Your first-born teaches you soooo much about life, and Barclay has DEFINITELY taught me a whole lot and then some. He changed mine and Jeremys lives forever! For the better. He turns 6 in a few months and I can't believe how much he's grown and how quickly time has passed. I guess time flies when you're having fun!

Love you B.

X