Yesterday was a good day...

While I sit here today, ruing the fact that I didn't not have enough sleep, I can quite happily say that yesterday was a good day... The kids were well behaved, always an immediate plus that shapes the entire day! We went to our local shopping center and shopped around and had a Chai Latte... Marleys babycino was impressive, the dudes love us there!


Fed Marley her food obsession, pasta salad, for dinner, to ensure a fast get away to our night out... Then our date to Jay and Silent Bob Get Old, with Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes... But first we strolled up Acland St (St Kilda) grabbed a bite to eat and a delicious brandy snap from Acland Cakes, held hands, chatted and basically were lovers in love... Will expand on the actual show in another post, but it was great! Got home and thought we would be badasses staying up late! Which is what I am paying for now... But it was worth it!








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Little boys Next linen chinos

People always comment on how much easier and more fun it is to dress little girls, I disagree with this... I take just as much joy in dressing both of my kids... I love shopping, choosing outfits, making sure that they look good and that what they are wearing reflects their personal style as well as being practical for the days events... It all sounds a bit much (probably) but for the most part I am a stay at home mum and if I am looking at my little humans all day, I like them to look cute!
Now winter has come, practically overnight, I have switched up their wardrobes and all of the new winter clothes are coming out... Unfortunately it feels as though boys either wear jeans, or tracksuits all winter long... I am not feeling the lack of choice... Jeans are just not comfortable enough for little ones crawling, walking and climbing... And while tracksuits certainly have their place, I just feel that there should be a super comfortable, but a little less casual option? Then I found it! At nextdirect.com they have these cute, comfy linen/cotton blend chinos, which are perfect for my needs! I bought them (big fan of Next, quality, value and free shipping!) and they are perfect... Not heavy, durable, good fit! Am definitely going to buy some more... They aren't heavy for outdoor play in winter, but perfect for visiting, parties, going out for afternoon or morning tea!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My boys kicks...

The things that touch my heart... Marks and Maces sneakers... It trips me out that one day his feet might just be as big as his Dads... I treasure these days... I especially treasure baby toes...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friends of the Zoo

The Royal Melbourne Zoo is one of our favourite places... Any time I am living in Melbourne, I get here a few times a year... Now we have kids we usually visit every few months... Because we are regulars we became Friends of the Zoo, it means you pay a flat rate and can visit any of the zoos including Werribee and Healesville, as much as you like...

A definite benefit of visiting a lot with small children means that we are always home in time for naps... Just checking whichever part of the zoo we feel at any visit... It has been brilliant watching each section be refurbed, so the animals quality of life is improved... Also makes it much more pleasurable to spend time there...

Anyways, we got our VIP Zoo lanyards in the mail today... Awesome idea, kids feel special wearing them and they have all of your contact details in case you do lose track of your little one! Makes me want to go back soon!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Akumu Ink delivery

I have recently discovered the Akumu Ink website... They have extremely cute tshirts!!!
www.akumuink.com
Got my delivery today, woohoo!
If you like your shirts a little dark check it out...





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Nap time

After a great day yesterday at Supafest, a nap when the kids nap is in order...


Clearly they are home, with the mega bloks on our bed...
I do look forward to our bedroom being just ours again one day... One day...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Supafest Melbourne 2012 Review

When the Supafest tickets went on sale, it was in the midst of two kid tiredness... I saw it as a light at the end of the tunnel, a set date in the future that we would be able to leave the kids overnight, go out, listen to loud hip hop, hold hands with my love, and not be suffering exhaustion... I thought the tickets were pricey for a one stage festival, but the line up was impressive... Ice Cube was high on our lists, having never seen him before... Also P Diddy, Missy Elliot, Ludacris, Kelly Rowland and Naughty by Nature (again), were on our list to check... As time went on and the cancellations took out half my list, I was getting angry about effectively paying $130 to see Ice Cube...

In the hours leading up to the event I put all of the grrrrrr behind me and just saw it as a day out with my wonderful husband... It was 26 and sunny, I had the best human in the universe as company, and there would be music that I love - even if in limited quantity...

On the train there were LOADS of kids, I was getting worried, we might just be the oldest people there... Surprisingly we weren't, but when Naughty by Nature did a 'who is under 25?' 90% of the people there put their hands up!

The wait time getting in, tickets, bag search section was set up well... They barely searched anything, thought at hip hop shows there would be a pat down, but nothing... Great food choices, not enough toilets, and pretty mediocre stalls... The merchandise was good, but not enough people working there...

Never a fan of the bar separate from the party, we didn't use it... The grandstand seating was awesome, somewhere to chill, especially when less awesome acts were on - Lupe, I'm talking to you...

Naughty By Nature were awesome... I am a fan from my teens, they did a good job... It felt tragic that you could see most of the kids had no idea about them... Got teary when Treach did the Tupac spiel...

Lupe Fiasco, oh dear... I know I am a good 10 years older then the crowd, and my feelings on Lupe confirm that I have missed something critical about today's music... Dude has no voice, style, charisma... I don't know what they like about him?

DJ Scratch, set was okay... The whole thing he did about men 'tasting' ladies was a bit off key at an all ages event... Some of the tracks he played we're awesome, unfortunately done were stopped short due to the kids not knowing them, which was sad... In an effort to crossover he played 'smells like teen spirit' Nirvana... This was the least impressive thing he could have done with true fans, but the kids loved it...

Ice Cube... Great... I am so glad I saw him... Could have done with more old tracks, but can absolutely see why he didn't do it... Worth going to see him alone! I also think its adorable he brought his boys on, and that one if their emcee names is Dough Boy... After the show we came home and watched Boyz N The Hood...

Kelly Rowland, there is a part of me that needed to see her... Girl looked gooood! Her dancers were smoking hot! Her track selection was appropriate... I just didn't think she quite brought it... Felt that her vocal wasn't on point, and her backing track was turned up way too much on some tracks...

Overall, the beautiful weather, good layout, not too offensive crowd did make up for the cancelled acts... I had an amazing time! Was also nice to meet Dr Bind from ozhiphop.com, always good to put a face to the name, especially after so many years!

Popcultcha Delivery...

Oh I know it's been all about deliveries at the moment... Making bank on eBay so am spend, spend, spending...

Saw the Popcultcha stand at Supanova and fell in love... Resulting in an order a couple days ago... If there is any geek on the inside you should definitely check this site!
www.popcultcha.com.au

If you can wear horror shirts, they have loads of awesome ones... Unfortunately they freak Marley out, so I will keep my Walking Dead shirt for special (kid free) occasions, while I am putting on my Buffy V Edward one on now! The Dawn if the Dead shirt is Marks...




















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

US Food Delivery

Aaaaah yeah, got a US food delivery in the mail yesterday... More for Mark then myself, but any arrival of sweet deliciousness makes me happy!
















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Crayola Delivery

I love those website that do deals! Brandsexclusive, Ozsale, Spreets, the list goes on... Today I got a Crayola delivery from one of them... Mail makes me happy! Even happier when it's hours of kids entertainment packed in!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Prep's Cool

Getting ready for Supafest... Outfit planned, nails done... You may ask why so early? Because I am not going to have time again before Friday, and these nails last 10 days, even with two kids!!! BOOM!

Sally Hansen Salon Effects


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Wiggles at Princess Theatre Melbourne

My kids love the Wiggles... They were banned, Marley spotted them somewhere and became addicted, Mace got addicted... Now they are used in very special circumstances in our home... When the kids are driving me crazy, sick, tired, grouchy, the Wiggles go on and they either go quiet with big smiles like on Valium, or sing and dance with big smiles on their face... So they stay...

Their show this time was completely different to last time... In a small theatre - compared to the big top! We were three rows back and it really felt like we were the only ones there! They played all of their hits with Greg as their singer, which I enjoyed much more then when Sam was...

Lots of energy, dancing, acrobatics... A little less Captain Feathersword then we would have liked... But overall it was a great show... Marley was stoked! And because she was, I was...










- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Supanova pop culture convention

Last year we took our fresh little baby, Mace, to this event... This year we had limited childcare and were able to go on a date...

This year there were issues with opening late and queues to get in... They did fix up the issue of pay on the day attendees getting in before pre paid, but it still felt awfully long, and as usual, I felt for the families... It is hard to wait with kids... More ridiculous queues once in to get tokens for photos and autographs with the supastars... I don't know how they could fix this? I was just happy that I didn't want any!!!

Great vendors, loads of great products to check out... We browsed for ages! Bought a couple of bits and pieces while people watching and checking out all of the costumes...

Chandler Griggs was set to start at 10.30, that was moved back to 12.10... Wasn't too much of an issue for our schedule though... Made use of the limited as ever food choices and settled in for Chandlers chat... He did really well for a 12 year old! Some great insights to working on Walking Dead...

Then I headed off to Peter Facinelli, Carlisle Cullen from Twilight... He was awesome, very charismatic... Moving around the room to the people asking him questions... Very hands on and touchy feely with the women, they loved it...

After that our limited childcare was expiring so we zoomed home to our lovely kids... Marley was impressed with the special edition Pinkie Pie we bought her...

Another awesome day out at Supanova! Still more tomorrow if you are free!?! Otherwise there is always next year...
































- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Hunger Games Film

It only just occurred to me that I didn't blog about the Hunger Games film earlier! I saw it opening weekend, Gold Class, thank heavens because it is quite long! Long but completely engrossing... The only indication that I had of time was when they brought me some churros, ordered for halfway through, I was gobsmacked as it didn't feel web close to what I thought halfway through would feel like!

I loved the film... As an encore to the book... I highly doubt that I would have enjoyed it as much, or even close, had I not read and loved the books... I think a whole lot of what makes the story awesome was left out! I know time is limited, and they did what they could with what they had, but it wouldn't have been enough for me if I didn't know everything else... I spoke at length with Mark (husband who hadn't read the books) afterwards about the story and he agreed that it lacked depth without the backstory... I have since started reading him the book aloud, as he won't read it on his own and waste precious reading time!

I enjoyed the cast, I had doubts about Peeta, still do a bit! But otherwise they did a great job... I didn't enjoy shaky cam, I get what the director was trying to do there, but it just made me feel a bit off... I don't get why there are outcries about the casting of Rue and Thresh (clearly black in the book), these people obviously didn't read he words in the book...

All in all it was a good experience, but not one I would recommend if you haven't read the books...




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Walking Dead Compendium One

I am going to start by saying I am completely and totally in deep with the television series... Reading the comic (the compendium is the equivalent of 48 comics-1088 pages, I read it in just over 24 hours) has just expanded on the show, each doubling the pleasure in the other...
The comic is far more intense... Some characters from the show are missing, while we are given other characters... They are absolutely fearless as writers, killing off important and main characters so effortlessly just to give the reader more insight to how easy it is to underestimate the walkers, and also into human nature...
I absolutely devoured the book... It was so heavy that my muscles ache from holding it for hours on end, putting it down only to parent!
If you like the show, zombies, comics, awesome characters, read it!!! Can't wait to get into the next one!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Chesterfield Farm

www.chesterfieldfarm.com.au

Was looking for something fun and local to do with the kids on Good Friday... Emailed the farm and they said it was business as usual... Only $35 for a family of four, which I think is awesome value, entry to the farm and another dollar for some animal feed... There is a show on at 11, but we didn't want to stay until 12, so we just stayed for an hour and a half... You could easily get 2+ hours of fun here, especially if you were checking the show and going on the tractor ride...

Marley LOVED it, cuddling the goats, rabbits and pigs... Feeding (watching Daddy feed) the cows, horses, deer... It was really lovely, especially because it was such a beautiful day weather wise, nice to soak up the last of the sun before Autumn really kicks in! Mace was less impressed, hopefully by the time we go back he will be properly walking and get the animals a little more... On the plus side, he learnt the word goat!


















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The walking dead season 2

I know that there were mixed reviews on season one, but I was sold from the get go... Season two gripped me from the start!
Definitely faster paced this season, felt like the story moved quickly, with enough character development to truly capture my mind... The zombies brought enough fear and suspense, they got me in to this show, but it is definitely the characters that will keep me watching... This show reminds me of Lost, which to me is a good thing... In an unprecedented situation how do humans cope? How do we survive when we don't have safety, laws, our families, homes, and can barely rely on what is left of humanity to save us? I love this type of story...
Was not impressed with losing two main characters in the last two episodes, but it looks like we will be getting more next season! While I was looking forward to some zombie free dreams, I have decided to mess that up and start reading The Walking Dead Compendium One that I bought Mark last year...




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Chevron Renaissance Towers Surfers Paradise

Chevron Renaissance Towers
Surfers Paradise
www.chevrontowers.com.au

We had a 16th floor 2br apartment in the the third tower for a week in March... The apartment was awesome, large, roomy, with everything we needed... Location was brilliant, we usually stay a bit closer to The main strip and beach, but this was just as good...

The facilities are amazing, indoor and outdoor pools, both beautiful... Coles just downstairs so easy to get supplies... Loads of parking...

I highly recommend staying here... We will no doubt be back! Below are the views from our apartment...







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Lady of the Rivers Philippa Gregory

I had read all of the books in her cousins war series... They have all been brilliant, true to her style... This one is no different! I love the different perspectives of these books, so much so that I have downloaded 'The Women of the Cousins War' historical essays... Together it all gives a unique take on the women of these times... If you are a fan of the period, or of Philippa, read it...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ringer - TV

To be very clear: I only started watching Ringer because it has Sarah Michelle Gellar in it... I am a huge Buffy fan and try to keep up with what most of the Whedonverse actors are up to...

So I start watching and quickly become addicted... Not in the Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad or Homeland way... In the super cheesy, predictable, so bad it's good way... Then as the season progressed I feel like it actually got good, really good... There is no saying whether it's even going to get picked up for a second season, but I sure hope it does...




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone