Paper Christmas Tree Craft

To make this ornament paper Christmas tree, I took all the bits and pieces of Christmas paper stock I had left over after making paper baubles and gift tags. Using an office message spike and the longer strips of paper measuring about 15cm - I began pushing the strips on through the centre of each strip. As I worked up the spike I shortened the paper until I reach the desired fullness. Popped on a star to end it off. Simple, easy and pretty on any bookshelf around your home for the season. I made a few with my little one too.

Have fun, happy crafting
xx

Late Night Cup Cakes

I haven't a cooking clue as to why I woke the day after Christmas aka Boxing Day with a huge migraine. Sadly, I'm a sufferer but over the years I have learnt how to control, manage and keep away from what triggers them. Mostly - it's heat and we are in the throws of a heatwave.  Being man down, I woke to the sounds of hubbys voice phoning around looking for an open chemist. Wasn't long before I was brought some pain killers and a glass of juice. I slept the day away. Missed out on precious time with my boys and man but they were well taken care of and had a fun-filled father/son day.

At around 8pm I decided baking was the way to go. Cupcakes were e cards, with a mix and pour, bake and cake - whalla. There you have it. 24 butter cream iced cupcakes made from a standard chocolate cupcake mix. The boys were not too impresses with the pink icing and edible glitter but the chocolate sponge seemed to console them.My piping bag packed up as I stared icing but not worries - nothing a sandwich bag couldn't fix. Presented on this Christmas tree platter - done.

Happy baking

xxx

Chocolate Banana Lollies

With three sons, over the years I have sought ideas for yummy teethers. All my sons love bananas and chocolate. That goes without saying when it comes to my chocoholic boys who take after their chocoholic father. Chocolate banana lollies were a hit and still are as my 1 year old tackles his teething stages.

Peeled and halved, slide a blunt skewer into the centre of the banana. Dip the banana into melted baking chocolate. Sprinkle anything on from 100's & 1000's to coconut flakes. Anything your children favour. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes before delighting your little one with this delicious treat. My big boys like them too. Enjoy. 

Beautiful Bracelets Hand-Made by Val

Our local radio station ran a competition of sorts lately where you  called in for the R 1000 they offered to people with a business concept using that R 1 000 to turn out a profit and a possible new small business. 
My hubby followed this competition for weeks until the winner was revealed. He learnt a lot from the show that we could implement in our own small business.

One competitor in particular stood out to Mr. Valerie. Val as we came to know her as, started Beautiful Bracelets. Creating beautiful beaded bracelets at a set price. Vals concept took off well. Little did I know Mr contacted Val on twitter to arrange the purchase of a Beautiful Bracelet, not only as a gift for me but in support of small business owners. 

Needless to say - last night while at our church Carols by Candle light where they had a moon light market too, there was Val selling a wide range of her Beautiful Bracelets. WOW, what an amazing spirited woman. She is beautiful on the inside too. We got chatting for some time but our little ones soon needed their beds.

Here is the Beautiful Bracelet we purchased from Val - You can contact her on twitter @1000Bracelets or check out her website Beautiful Bracelets 

I love mine in crimson red, perfect for the Christmas season.

As per Vals tag line: Stylish bracelets to bring out the beautiful in you.

Beautiful Paper Baubles

I love Pinterest as there are so many shared ideas for many different crafts. Often, all it takes is a photo and a dash of  savvy to inspire your own creative master piece.

I had fun with my son crafting paper baubles for the Christmas season. We created a few with different shapes then added a little bling for that little sparkle. 

I used a textured pearl card stock from my local paper craft shop. When making the smaller bauble as per the pictures, six stars or circles worked best. Once cut and folded in half, I began gluing the halves back to back. On the third I added a ribbon then continued. Once the glue was dry, on with the bling and Walla - A Beautiful Paper Bauble.

With plenty shapes to go on, you can create till your hearts content. I like most how inexpensive they are to make and enjoyed the shared memories with my son.

Happy Crafting.

Growing Curves.

Over the last months dew to plenty stress, bad eating habits and an occassional dose of depression, my butt decided it was time to let me know she existed and was growing on me fast. I took a long hard look in the mirror where honesty was the name of the game and there was no kidding myself.

Somehow, regardless of how many years rise to meet us – we tend to always presume ourselves to still be that 20 something year old with that same shape that was effortless to maintain, if at all.

There it was, the truth. Without hesitation I called my mom followed by my sister. The lies we want to hear are all there, laid on thick to appease who really ?!?
Then the big excuse – It’s your thyroid !! Okay, maybe. Off to the doc, blood tests and a few days wait. What do you mean my thyroid is fine ???

Thoughts going through my head – eat less, exercise more. And for crying out loud woman – DRINK WATER. I know deep down my cooking habits changes to accommodate the growing boys with very healthy appetites. Pasta, rice, potato, bread. Not that eating any of this is bad but big portions of the same thing …

I grew up in a house where fresh green salads and grilled chicken breasts or steaks with a helping of beetroot or such was a way of life. Reality check – living in the city is horrid. A simple thing like jogging on your own is not a safe or smart thing to do. After a trip to my dentist where we got chatting about womans health, she recommended a dietician in the same building. I had my appointment the next day. How raw can one be because who would you be lying to but yourself when it came to answering some of her questions. As I answered and heard my own words, I knew exactly where my problem areas were. I was taken back a little when seeing portion sizes too even though the rule of thumb was the palm of your hand. Well then – dinner will be served on a side plate for me. Just to help with the psychological aspect of it.

I’m loving my new eating plan, which I might add is taking some getting use to from a habit point of view. Hubby too has joined me which makes adjusting that much easier. Back to summer foods which I love – grilled steaks and fresh fusion salads, plenty BBQ‘s and activities in the lush sunshine. Ah, just love Africa.

I often joke with my friends when going out for a morning jog escorted by hubby. ‘I will wait till traffic dies down so I don’t get hooted at for a laugh as my butt is smacking me around  ‘

I’m having fun meeting new faces at Zumba and Pilates classes, especially choosing the back row – it’s a whole other picture.

Here’s to all the moms, wives and women out there, celebrating life in our 30′s and the ever changing curves we encounter as the double digits change. Having fun, living life and aging gracefully. As I said to Tumelo when wanting that last cupcake – life is too short, but even shorter if you’re fat.

Mans Besty

He be Daddy's boy for sure. A mans best friend they say. Super funny when Toby choses to cuddle up to me and not hubby. Toby owns the space. He won't budge an inch if on your bed and you're trying to get under the duvet. Toby is a lovable, loyal and fantastic member of our little tribe.