Controversy Sells.

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I feel the boundaries around me, and carefully reach out to push them ever so slightly only to feel the scalding heat on the opposite side. I retreat, and am reassured that I've made the right decision to stay in my clear glass box. I admire those who aren't afraid to stand amongst the flames, but for the sake of my job and my family I need to remain inside in the cool.

I'm fully aware that bloggers who embrace and write the controversial posts and give full disclosure will always be more popular than the type of blogger I am, and I'm completely OK with that. I love them and admire their honesty and bravery and the way they paint their hurt, anger or passion with words, and I'm often jealous and wish I could do the same. Some of my favourite bloggers write this way. I'm not stupid, I realise that if I start blogging about sex or my views on boob jobs or even the last time I fought with someone or cried over something my pageviews will rise and my stats will skyrocket. But you know what? All that would come at a massive cost to me.

I can't afford to be controversial. I respect my husbands decision to leave him out of my posts and would never post something that may come back to hurt or embarrass my Little Lion later on in life. I adore my job, and want to feel secure in it. I don't particularly want my students or their families to know the inner workings of my life, and it wouldn't be fair to them. I teach blogging in my classes, and use Hummingbird's Song as an example. Can you imagine if I wrote about the last fight I had with Deon? Cue awkwardness and unprofessionalism now! *Rhian, I'd like to see you in my office please*.. Err, no. I want to keep my private life in a completely different compartment to my professional one.

For a blogger, I am quite private. Yeah, yeah, I know... I'll splash my face around here quite a bit and ham it up like an amateur model when doing fashion posts, but I keep a lot close to my chest. If you really want to know me, then follow me on twitter and strike up a conversation, or email me and you'll get a reply. I've made some beautiful friends through blogging, and they scrape away the surface and catch a glimpse of me underneath.

I'm not perfect. I've never claimed to be. It makes me feel a bit sad sometimes though when people feel that a blog such as mine isn't as worthy as those who are raw and honest... mine is also honest, but a different form. I try to inspire others and make this a beautiful safe place for people to come and simply feel happy. I love share my running journey, adventures with the Little Lion, my 'fashion shoots' with my students, inane stuff like the shampoo I use or my favourite biscuit recipe and the everyday bits and pieces that make me me. I talk about when I'm struggling or down, but I just can't show you all, the ugly and the nitty gritty, on here at least. 

But come find me on twitter and email, reach out and I'll embrace you. Trust me, I can fit more than just me in this glass box. There's room for plenty more xx

 

Baking Bliss- Anzac Muffins

Last week I spotted a tweet by Kidspot that grabbed my attention. It was a link to their Anzac muffin recipe, and this immediately appealed to the sugary side of me. I've always loved Anzac biscuits, and Wednesday was the perfect time to try these out with the Little Lion. 

After setting up and grabbing all the ingredients, I grabbed a saucepan and poured in 1 1/4 cups of milk, added 100gm of butter and 4 tbsp of golden syrup.

Bring to the boil and then whisk in 1tsp of baking soda. DO NOT DO what I did and chuck all the baking soda in at once as it rises and overflows like a goddamn VOLCANO. Cue lots of panic, throwing of the saucepan in the sink and lots of wiping up with Carter thinking it was the best afternoon ever. 

If you were smart and managed to do that step in a clean and calm manner unlike myself, set the mixture aside to cool. 

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees. Next up, it's time to combine all the dry ingredients. Sift in 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 tsp baking powder, 2/3 cup of brown sugar and 1/3 cup coconut. Stop for obligatory spoon lick. 

Grab new spoon. If the butter and milk mixture has cooled, then whisk in one egg and gently fold through the dry mixture. Make sure you don't overmix and cause your muffins to come out tougher than boots. No-one likes a tough boot muffin. 

I decided to make mini muffins out of these, so I filled a 15 mini muffin tin and had enough left over for 6 normal muffins. Now for the topping! 

In a small bowl, mix up 1/2 cup of rolled oats and 1/2 cup of brown sugar, then sprinkle over the muffins. Whack them in the oven for 20-25 minutes and scoff one down as soon as they're done. These suckers are so delish, and even better warm. I may have had two mini muffins. Or at least one and a half. Carter demanded I share the second one. 

Want the full recipe? Here you go! Thanks Kidspot! 

Anzac Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups  milk
• 100g butter
• 4 tbsp golden syrup
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup dessicated coconut
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (topping)
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (topping)

Method:

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk with the butter and golden syrup. Bring to the boil and whisk in the baking soda. Set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper and set aside.

In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, brown sugar and coconut.

Whisk the egg into the milk and butter mixture.

Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, folding until just moist. Divide the mixture evenly between the muffin cups.

In a bowl, combine the brown sugar and rolled oats for the topping. Spoon topping evenly over each muffin cup. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Cool in the tin for 5 mins and then let cool on a wire rack.

Notes

• Make sure your milk and butter mixture is cooled well before you add the egg, otherwise you will just get scrambled eggs.
• Do not overmix the ingredients as overmixing creates a “tough” muffin.
• This recipe was created by Jennifer Cheung for Kidspot, Australia’s best recipe finder.

 

Wading Through Concrete.

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Sometime over the past week, I'm misplaced my mojo. 

Each step feels like my feet are encased in concrete boots, and the air is filled thick with custard. I feel all sorts of grey, flat and as energetic as wholemeal bread. Simple tasks such as bringing the washing in or going out to the mailbox seem arduous and I'm taking longer than normal to complete things I would whip through in a second. It's like someone has shot me with a tranquilizer dart. Today I napped on the couch three times as I couldn't keep my eyes awake. I feel weary. 

On Anzac day I made myself go for a run to try and snap myself out of it. A few weeks ago I was exhilarated reaching 11kms, and after the last two disastrous attempts I felt a prickling of fear and suddenly it all became too hard. Where has my strength and positive energy gone? Why am I so sapped? Last week I struggled to make 7km, and my breath became short and ragged as I tried to get back into the zone. Nothing worked. 

The weather has a huge effect on me. After sunshine cornflour skies and comforting warmth, a cold snap has settled in and the grey skies are battling me for pole position in the sombre stakes. Running the first two kms  wasn't pleasant, and despite my full length tights and headband covering my ears I still ached. I needed to banish my demons, and couldn't let it beat me three weeks in a row. That may have undone me. I finished a respectable eight kms, then sat down in the shower for ages, unable to move.

I'm trying so hard to keep on top of things, but I feel like I'm slipping. I can't get enough sleep, and I'm battling to refrain from indulging in comfort food. We've had to make a lot of life decisions in the past two weeks, and I'm feeling a little mentally drained. 

I need to find my mojo. I need it back, and fast. I'm not particularly thrilled with this version of myself. I feel like even my writing has gone to hell.

God, and it's not even Winter yet. Help. 

Any one have any advice they want to throw at me? 


 

Accessory Love- Sunglasses.

Quite a few years ago, when I was 16 years old in fact, I thought I was the epitome of cool by owning a wearing a pair of sunglasses in the style of John Lennon. Oh yes, those round sunglasses were in hindsight incredibly unflattering on me and really should have been reserved for the likes of Drew Barrymore in some early nineties indie type romcom. Why didn't anyone tell me?!

A few years later I embraced the bronze oval Calvin Kleins, then tossed the whole exxy designer thing and went for ten dollar sunnies with huge white frames. These actually lasted me for a damn long time, all through the first three years of my teaching career until I went all snobby and felt like I needed to re-embrace my designer phase.

Enter the in-your-face Dior sunnies. 

I splashed my cash while on Honeymoon (as you do) and flashed those Diors for a couple of years until I'd sucked the life out of them. Yep, ostentatious, but I loved the heck out of 'em at the time! 

Now? Well, now that I'm a mum and a part-timer I'm a a little more money savvy and have gone back to my fail safe $30 Witchery frames that go with pretty much everything I own. Summer, Winter, dresses, jeans, you name it and they'll be a part of that outfit. 

Oh, except for my aviators. On the days I want to embrace my inner boho chick they'll make an appearance, and they were also a permanent fixture during the Hamilton Island trip to celebrate the whole surfer chick look (along with salt encrusted curls and denim cutoffs). 

As you can probably tell, apart from boots sunglasses are my favourite accessory. Wherever I go I always make sure I have a pair in my bag, in my car or on my head. I actually feel quite lost if they're not perched on my head! I even have a specific pair for running, a simple lightweight pair from Bolle. Oh, and wait! I can't forget the frameless black pair that made an appearance through the mid 2000's!

So what next? I'm still loving the large frames, but now the cooler months are settling in I'd love a pair in black with a rounder frames to go with my Winter wardrobe. Something like in the following styles:

This is also my entry to the Sunglass Hut Inner Circle Nuffnang Fashionopolis Competition. phew! Trying saying that three time fast! 



 

The Dirt Road Catwalk- Cream and Beige.

I just have to say, my photography students are all kids of amazing. They were so proud of the pics they took for the DKNY post, and were floored by all the positive feedback they received from it. Best yet, they've gained so much confidence in their work and absolutely love going out and doing our 'photoshoots'. Also, I felt it was about time I embraced our arid countryside, so each fortnight I'll be doing a post called 'The Dirt Road Catwalk' and showcasing a few of my favourite looks. So, what do we have this week? 

I adore knits, especially light ones that can be layered. Right now the weather is quite cool in the morning which gives way to burnished sunny skies in the afternoon, so I need to make sure my outfits are versatile. I have on my favourite pair of skinny jeans by Nobody which are an awesome fit, and have actually last me around two years now! I've gone for a long cream knit top by Sportsgirl, and layered with a white tank by Dotti underneath. 

My gorgeous sister gave me the necklace, also from Sportsgirl, and the camel coloured shawl-slash-cardigan. This cardi is fabulous, and I find it to be super handy for when we go out in the evening and the weather cools off. 

The boots I scored for about $40 from Essendon DFO about three years ago, and I immediately fell in love with their petrol grey colour and buckles. The heel size is also the perfect size to give me a little height, but not so tall that my feet are aching by the end of the day! To finish off this outfit I've added my Witchery sunnies and a handful of thin copper coloured bangles from Equip and Diva. 

As you can see, I love my neutrals and different textures. Layers of cream, white, camel and beige with soft fabrics and knits. I'm a fan of a messy updo, and I like to incorporate colour through accessories and makeup. Although you can't see it in these photographs, I'm wearing a lilac mineral eyeshadow with mineral bronzer and a soft pink lipgloss. 

A big thank you to the lovely Susan for taking the amazing photos, even though you did make me do a hitch-hiking pose, and we almost had a Wolf Creek incident (there's something quite freaky about long dirt roads and random cars). Aren't I lucky to have my own photography and styling team? I tell you what, my students are gonna go far! I just hope they remember me when they're mixing with the rich and famous in the future! 

 

Wordless Wednesday- Bell Flower #2

Playing Wordless Wednesday with My Little Drummer Boys.

Lest We Forget. 


 

Johnson & Johnson and Aveeno + Giveaway!

If you’re a long time reader, by now you’ll be well aware of the problems we’ve had with the Little Lion and eczema. If you’re relatively new, welcome to our tales of red blotchy skin, itchy sleepless nights and search for products to tame this condition. Fun times!

I’m always hesitant to try new products on the Little Lion, as the poor kid tends to react to the quicker than you can blink. However, I was approached to try a few different products from both Aveeno and Johnson & Johnson, and when I noticed the Aveeno products were designed specifically for toddlers with eczema, I jumped at the chance. Anything that contains oatmeal, throw it at me people! I’ll be right on board!

We used the Johnson & Johnson oil, moisturising cream and bath wash when the Little Lion was a tiny newborn, and I used to love massaging the oil into his skin after his night time bath. Back then he wasn’t the best sleeper, so I used to pray that the use of lavender would somehow lull him into a lovely deep sleep. To be honest I’m not sure that it did, but at least the smell of it would help us relax!

For the past two weeks I’ve been trialling the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion, Wash and Shampoo and Bath Wash on him. Each time we have swimming lessons I make sure we shower at the facilities there to wash the chlorine off as it’s so harsh on his skin. I follow it up with the Aveeno Soothing Relief Moisture Cream and so far, so good! No reactions!

The Little Lion's skin is constantly dry, so we needed a moisturiser that would combat this problem. The Aveeno products contain colloidal oatmeal which forms a protective barrier on his skin and helps prevent moisture loss. So far it appears his skin is improving, so the extra colloidal oatmeal must be doing its job! 

The teams at Johnson and Johnson and Aveeno have been kind enough to gift one lucky Hummingbird’s Song reader with a pack containing the following:

Johnson & Johnson 

Baby Bedtime Oil

Bedtime Lotion 

Bedtime Bath

and...

Aveeno 

Wash and Shampoo

Soothing Relief Moisture Cream

Soothing Relief Creamy Wash 

Daily Moisturising Lotion

Phew!

To win, leave a comment below along with your email address answering the following question:

Which daily moisturiser do you use, and why? 

For an extra entry, like my Facebook page and you get another simply by tweeting this post. Please let me know in your comment if you liked or tweeted! Cheers! 

The competition will open 7am Tuesday 24^th of April, and close 9pm Wednesday 2^nd of May. The winner will be announced on my facebook page and contacted by email. Competition is open to Australian residents only. Good luck! 

 

Star Remnants.

The blaring sound of a peppy boy band singing affirmations to a female shatters the deep slumber that had enveloped me. Fragments of a dream start to dissipate and for a moment fuse into reality. I'm disorientated and open my eyes to an inky blackness- it's 5:30am and the start of a new workday.

I throw the sheets off and goosebumps immediately prickle my skin, the cooler mornings are unkind compared to the warmth of Summer. I flick the light and squeeze my eyes tight to prevent the harsh glare and fumble my way into the bathroom to stand silently under the calming spray of water.

Vegemite on toast with pumpkin seeds and green tea. The only two things I can stomach this early in the morning. I will the caffeine to energize me, invigorate me. Early mornings I am silent, locked in my own thoughts and reflections as I mentally break down the day. I can't talk, or converse. I need time to dust away the fragments of sleep.

Fifteen minutes before we leave I wake the Little Lion, whispering to him to ease him into the cruel time of the morning. Sleepy eyed and fluffy haired, he clings to my neck and holds his McQueen car in his left hand, refusing to let go even while I quickly dress him for the day. I can't help but take the time, time I don't have, to hold him and cuddle his warm little body. Five minutes to go and I'm now moving like a whirlwind- accessories on, a slick of lippy and lipgloss, essentials thrown in handbag, lunch and snacks for the Little Lion and a piece of toast in the toaster ready for him to eat on the way to care.

His eyes widen with animation as he glances out into the sky still peppered with the remnants of stars. Moon! Look Mummy, Moon!

We stare for a moment as an illuminated ball shines down at us, and we drive off and merge with other early risers. I feel like we're encapsulated in our own little world as we navigate the streets, a soft orange bloom beginning to alight on the horizon.

A stop light, and I turn to glance at the Little Lion. McQueen is still clutched in his tiny hand, and he laughs as I sing along with the radio. The light flashes green, I blow him a kiss, face the front and drive the both of us off into our day.

 

Baking Bliss- Carrot Slice.

Have you ever had one of those moments when doing the wonderful and exhilarating chore of grocery shopping that you buy bulk of one item, thinking you had none at home? And then you start to unpack at home and you find that you had a whole draw of them stashed away? Yep, that's me. For some reason I thought we were out of carrots... and now I have two whole bags full of carrots. Half a crisper draw. It was time to vamoose those carrots away into something delectable. From there came the inspiration to whip up a carrot slice thanks to Taste.com

After greasing a slice tin and preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, throw together 3/4 cup of raw sugar, 175ml of oil and 3 eggs. 

Once combined, grate a large carrot and throw it in along with a handful of raisins and the zest of one orange. Sift in 175g of self raising flour, a couple of shakes of nutmeg and cinnamon and one teaspoon of bicarb soda. (On a side note- how awesomely smooth and soft does my hair look? I had a Keratin treatment done, more on that later!) Stir that sucker until just combined. 

And pause- photo op time! 

Pour all that gooey mixture into a pan and let the oven do it's thang for around 20-25 minutes. You'll find that it's cooked to perfection once it's springy to the touch and a skewer comes out clean. This is one super quick and easy recipe to do which is just the type I'm looking for when it comes to baking with the Little Lion. The slice itself is actually quite light, but I felt it needed a tad bit more injection of flavour. Perfect little afternoon snack with a cup of Chai though! 

Want the full recipe? Check it out below! 

Carrot Slice from Taste


Makes

12 bars

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (165g) raw sugar
• 175ml sunflower oil
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 large carrot (about 140g), grated
• 100g raisins
• Grated zest of 1 large orange
• 175g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/3 cup (55g) icing sugar (to ice, optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line the base and sides of a 28cm x 18cm slice pan.
2. Use a wooden spoon to mix the sugar, oil and egg in a large bowl, then stir in the carrot, raisins and zest. Sift in flour, soda and spices. Stir to just combine, then pour into the pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a skewer inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool slightly, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
3. If making icing, sift icing sugar into a bowl and stir with 1-2 teaspoons warm water to form a smooth, soft icing. Drizzle over slice with a teaspoon, then leave to set for 10 minutes. Alternatively, dust with 2 tbs sifted icing sugar. Cut into 12 bars.

Notes

• Store for 2-3 days in an airtight container.

   

My Five Key Winter Looks.

I know, I know... it's only the middle of April so I'm jumping the gun a little, but here's my post on five key looks and accesories I'll be embracing this Winter. Yep, I've mentally packed away the sandals, bikinis and flippy Summer dresses and am bracing myself for those inevitable frosty mornings. Brr! Bring on the hot chocolates and marshmallows!

Before last year, I can honestly tell you that the last time I donned a pair of leg warmers was in Primary school, where I'd trot off to my dance class in a turquoise and white leotard (complete with tiny white belt), black tights and hot pink leg warmers. Oh, and don't forget the Jiffy shoes! So eighties. Finally the trend has been updated, and I can get enough of a pair of chunky knit leg warmers in neutral shades under a pair of knee high boots. So adorable, and extra toasty as well. Another version of this trend is to slip a pair of knee high socks over tights when wearing skirts or dresses. 

I think you get by now that I'm a tights fanatic. However this year it's a slight change for me- I'm expanding my collection of black patterned and textured tights and I'm going crazy for a dash of colour, especially mustard. Being that I wear a ton of black and grey in Winter, this is the perfect way to inject that shot of colour. I'm also embracing woolen tights, especially those with a snowflake pattern. I'm seeing them everywhere lately and dammit, I want in! Oh, and where can I find a pair of aqua tights like in the last pic? They are gorgeous! 

I have never been a skirt girl. Like, ever. For some reason I always felt they sat strangely on me because of my body shape, but now that I've been working out and lost the baby weight I'd put on after the Little Lion was born, I can't get enough of them. Running has also toned up my legs, and I think it's time to embrace them and show them off! Layered with tights or leggings, ankle boots and a long draped cardigan, these will be a staple in my wardrobe for sure. Cotton On has a special at the moment where you can buy 2 for $30 so if you're looking to stock up head on over! 

Hats were always the one accessory that I bypassed. I would always favour jewelry, scarves and shoes over them, but this year hats, especially beanies, are firmly in my focus. Slouchy beanies, knitted caps and pompoms will all feature and they are the perfect way to hide a bad hair day. Sportsgirl have some adorable ones at the moment, and I've very tempted to buy the Ocelot Mini Bear Hat with ear flaps and pompoms. I wonder if I could pull it off...

Really, can you go go wrong with a draped cardigan? The long lines flatter and elongate your body, especially the waterfall shape. Sleeves, no sleeves, striped, chunky, black, grey, cream, mustard... bring them on. The perfect way to layer and keep warm, and they look fabulous with scarves. Over skirts, dresses, jeans and tops, they're so most versatile item you can own. And if it comes with a hood? Even better. I'm a big hoodie girl. 

Are you going to step out of you comfort zone and embrace a new trend or fashion item you thought you'd never wear? What trend do you have your eye on for the upcoming colder months? Will you be wearing one of my five favorite looks? Let me know all you gorgeous fashionistas! 

 

Less than Perfect.

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As much as I would like to be a make everything from scratch kinda girl, I often resort to marinades in a bottle. Packet cake mixes. Spaghetti sauces in jars. And yes, I even have canned soup in the pantry... but don't worry. I just use it for bases for other recipes. The stuff isn't too flash on it's own! 

Once upon a time I had lovely gel nails that were colourful, sparkly, glitterfied and refilled every four weeks. Then life bit me on the arse and I had to give up those sort of luxuries and actually spend money on grown up things such as bills and mortgages. My nails are now short, slightly raggedy and often coated in paint, pastel or charcoal. The glamorous life of an art teacher!

When I get tired, I get overemotional. I get short, stroppy and am generally an all round narky pain in the arse. It's definitely best to avoid me when I've hit the tired zone, and the only remedy for this a nice big chunk of uninterrupted slumber, which is then normally followed by a sheepish apology from me when I've woken. 

I buy diaries and calendars with the intention of using them, and run out of interest around April. I'm terrible at remembering birthdays and didn't fill out any of the baby books I received for the Little Lion. 

When I encounter a tough patch in life, it's been in me to go all internal. I want to hide away and curl up into my little shell. Run from the situation until I reach the sunlight. However, I'm working on it and learning to talk and work through situations. It's tough and gritty and raw sometimes, but resolution comes so much quicker. 

I'm less that perfect. I'm imperfect, but all these little crooked stitches make up the patchwork of my personality. 

Imperfect. Wait.

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That's better. Maybe not perfect in the traditional sense, but perfect for me. Perfect for Rhi.  

And that's all Ok. 

 

Wordless Wednesday- Bell Flower.

Playing Wordless Wednesday with My Little Drummer Boys.