my creative space . . . 'romancing the hair'

Greetings all,

Earlier this month Christina of Hair Romance launched a fantastic eBook '30 Days of Braids' & i have been braiding up a storm ever since.  It's not just exciting for my daughters to pick out a hair-style-du-jour & creating fantastic hair styles, it's peaceful quality time where i'm not asking them about homework or chores . . . it's just fun & carefree.  

Yesterday i plaited two Dutch Braids into my eldest daughter's hair for school.  Little did i know by the evening we'd be at Accident & Emergency getting a fractured wrist Xrayed & set in plaster.  Her hair looked fantastic & this morning - sleeping soundly with her precious wrist  - it was hair perfection.

As my 3 girls have different hair types, colours & lengths, i'm experimenting with a variety of styles.  The Waterfall works brilliantly in short hair, across the head or sweeping down.

Out to dinner on Saturday night, i criss crossed her head with waterfalls.

For a day out with friends, i created a strong rope like tight style, it stayed put all day!!

 Her twin sister has waist length platinum hair, it's not as thick, however, it's glorious to work with.  We went French with this sweeping side style, again, first attempt, i swirled it rather than straight across her hair, but it was soft & lovely.  

 I just love how it looks the next day!!

 I've done this one a few times now, it's a Dutch Braid which joins with another one, then combines to create this incredible vine like finish.  I adore it.

 This is how it faired after 6 hours of high winds at the Floriade flower festival.  Whispy!! 

It looks pretty fabulous in shorter hair too.  Wish i finished it with a flower though.

 This is how the Dutch Braid looks . . . simple.  Also know as the Reverse or Inside Out Braid.

 Or try a regular French Plait on an angle, it always looks elegant.

 I've been having fun over on Instagram with these hair styles, i keep getting feedback that mums are all thumbs or just can't braid, they're hopeless at it.  I only learned how to French Plait earlier this year by Kylie from Mealy & i, the month before i had both hands operated on.  Trust me, i was not just thumbs & hopeless, my fingers were numb & i could barely grip a hair brush!!  I persevered & this has been about as creative as i've been all year.  It has given me great confidence in my hand skills though, i'm coming back!! 

For more Creative Space adventures, check out Village Voices.  Love Posie

i'm grateful for . . . 'little changes making a huge impact'

Greetings all,

Spring is a great time to turn-out-your-life & turn-over-new-leaves . . . warmer weather is inspirational, that said, it snowed at the supermarket yesterday!!  I loathe the expression 'busy mum' & 'juggling family' as it sounds like you're too busy for life because of your children or you're on the brink of dropping someone.  If you schedule & make time, you can do everything, truly.  I was a full time working mother back in the 90s with a husband overseas, i did it all for 2 years, everyone was happy . . . cloth nappies, breastfeeding, homemade puree food, exercise . . . . i wanted it, so i dedicated myself to making it happen.  Fast forward 11 years of being a housewife . . . running my family is my full time job & i cherish the opportunity, so i do it with gusto - we make our own pasta, juice, herbs, vegetables, chickens laying eggs & i maintain the house.  Above all, my family comes first no matter how much time they need, which is why i tear around during the day ticking off my chores, errands & exercise so i'm available in the afternoons/ evenings/ weekends.  Having my husband home for these 6 months is making life SO manageable with 4 children, as he cooks the weeknight dinners, yay!!

High school is the business end of parenting, you have to be undistracted & dedicated.  I love the time i'm alone with my daughter, often in the car, to gauge where she's at.  Teenage moods can change like the wind, no warning, we've had smooth sailing, yet are prepared for the outbursts & inexplicable drama sparks.  Over-reacting because i'm too busy, is the worst way to handle them.  I thank her for being so normal & easy, to remember she is loved, it makes such a difference in how much she communicates & responds to my advice.  I couldn't resist this LOVE cushion for at TYPO this week, i told her she can scream, punch or cuddle it, depending on how she feels.  She rolled her eyes, that means "thanks mum, i love you too."

 On the 12 Week Body Transformation programme, the pasta suggested is wholemeal, so i tried my hand at making some - 350gm wholemeal flour & 4 fresh eggs, fantastic results.  I bake with wholemeal flour & we always make our own pasta . . . so why hadn't i combined the two & made wholemeal pasta before??  Delicious!! 

 A lot of my girlfriends are turning 40 & finding hormones & age = diet disaster so they're trying various diet & exercise programmes.  I went into the 12WBT with a calm mindset, i don't feel like i'm denying myself anything, like baking these goodies for my children's recess, i actually feel like i'm feeding my body & soul better with thoughtful nutrition.  I'm ready for this, it's working & i will stick with this mindset approaching my 40s. 

 I would often treat myself with sushi, treat??  Honestly, the calories in one sushi roll are almost an entire meal, i was eating 2 for a snack or lunch on the go??!!  I figure the money i save on sushi, i can treat myself to a pedicure every other month.  I went with OPI Greenwich Village polish, not quite the rich apple green colour i had hoped for, it will be orange in October!!  FYI the pleasure of a relaxing pedicure lasts way longer than a sushi roll!!  The chicks peck at my toes if i don't wear gum boots in the coop.

 My middle daughter would have to be our easiest child, under the radar, perfect school reports/ sports results/ class captain/ beautiful behaviour/ lovely friends/ incredible hair . . . i'm very careful not to be so grateful that i ignore her . . . the invisible child who doesn't cause any grief.  We pair up & do her favourite things together, like braiding her hair.  Sounds so old fashioned but with requests like this swirling hair do, we're braiding for an hour or so.  We talk, we tickle, it's fun & she knows she's special.

Next week i will be grateful for my next two darling children, they both have tonnes of personality!!  For more Gratefuls, check out Village Voices, love Posie