A Little Bit Of Magic Never Hurt Anybody - Airlie Fae's High Tea

I know there are loads of people who don't like the Royal family and think all this media attention on Catherine and Will's wedding is just a waste of time! But I couldn't help but get wrapped up in the excitement of the whole thing as my 5 year old daughter Airlie Fae was just smitten with Cate and William!!
I am actually really happy for her to watch this as many things we have watched in the past 5months have been heart wrenching and sad. Floods, Cyclones, Fires, Tornadoes, Earthquakes......people should just be happy that it was a positive story and something to celebrate.

Airlie has been excited for weeks and was disappointed that she wasn't invited to the wedding. She still continues to tell me she wants to go to England and who knows she might just get there one day?
The night before the wedding we were watching the TV shows that had the lead up to the wedding. Airlie disappeared from the room only to return with a telescope and proceeded to look out the lounge room  window out into the pitch black sky. I asked her what she was doing and she excitedly told me she could see England through her telescope. Now excuse me 'nay sayers' but if that isn't reason enough to embrace such a beautiful and positive thing that sparks imagination in a child, then I don't know what is?!

Then the day of the wedding Airlie got to make and eat scones at school and made a crown. It seems they did a bit of talking about the wedding and Airlie informed me that once Cate is married you can't call her Cate any more as she will become Catherine. Airlie also told me that Cate will also have another special name as she will be a REAL princess and that is and I quote 'so cool'!

We held our own High Tea to celebrate the occasion and watched the wedding on TV.
We actually started out having Fish and Chips for dinner and then the High Tea. Airlie and I had a lot of fun playing. It was actually a lot of fun to put the effort into doing this with Airlie and we both had a fabulous time.
I found free Royal Wedding printables online at creativepartybuzz.com  that were designed by the awesome Design Editor and we decorated the table from there.


Did you do anything to celebrate the Royal Wedding? What did you think of Cate's dress, Pipa's dress and  the rest of the wedding?
I loved both the dresses they were very very different to what we are use to seeing today but that is what is going to continue her on her path to becoming a style icon. Simple yet elegant. Never overstated but never under rated either. I wish them both so much happiness in the world. I hope they have a wonderful life together.

Magnolia Square Visit

This week I FINALLY got to Magnolia Square! This is exciting for me as it has been one of boutique markets I have tried to visit for the past 2 years but something had always came up and couldn't get there. So with a friend willing to come and a gorgeous husband who watched the kids, we headed off to check it out.
The market is being held at Malvern Town Hall in Melbourne and the setting is just stunning. I really love old buildings and this one is NO exception. The Hall is filled with a variety of retailers who provide products around children's wear, accessories,women's wear, homewares, paper crafts and much more.

I found some lovely tights for Airlie from Heavenly Creatures, party styling accessories from The Cupcake Wrapper Co and delicious and yummy passionfruit curd and chocolate sauce by Unforgettable Products.
I also sampled my very first macaroon that was flavoured with passionfruit and chocolate and it was to die for! The delicious food at Magnolia Square is being provided by ed dixon food design. I was told I hadn't lived until I ate a Macaroon and I think they are right! This could be a dangerous new obsession though. 

There were lots and lots of wonderful retailers at this market so visit if you can. Today the market is on between 10am-4pm today Saturday 30th April 2011.

You can find a full selection of what is available at the Magnolia Square Boutique Market  here 

What has Inspired you today?

I read these three quotes today and had to share them both with you as I thought they were brilliant. 


The first one I read was via Diva dot com on facebook


“I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” ~Lily Tomlin


How much better would the world be if everyone thought like this! I think I do try to think this way and believe that you shouldn't complain about something unless you have the solution to the problem or at least a good idea of one and how it can be put into place. 

Then I read via a blog called Sharnanigans and it is actually the tagline to her blog  and I LOVE IT! 

The grass isn't greener on the other side, it's greener where you water it ....

How many times have you looked at someone else and maybe wished for what they had....I'm honest, I'll admit it and say YES! Sometimes I have but then I sit back and go well I'm pretty damn lucky to have what I have already, now I'm thinking imagine if I 'water it' what it can become?!

Lastly but certainly not least I read this by The Constellations Project   

There is no strength without unity

Please go check out the Constellations Project, it is something that should be supported because as they say There is no strength without unity. 

What has inspired you today?

 

Video Of The Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Here are a few clips of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party that I blogged about in my last post. Everyone that was involved did a fantastic job!





Airlie mouthed from the other side of the table "he's crazy!" 







Airlie Loves Opera singers and she loved this song.





I couldn't help it I had to have a bit of a sing along!












It would have been a wonderful day rain, hail or shine!

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Hello Jelly Beans and Marshmallows!! 


Do you remember the story of Alice In Wonderland and the Mad Hatter's Tea Party? Well during the Easter break my family and I attended the Mad Hatter's Tea Party and we had the most fabulous time!  The event was held at Southgate Melbourne and they did a fantastic job to putting together a wonderful event for families of Melbourne to attend!  I found it really easy to get there and used their parking as well which was so handy!! (I took Power St then City Road and then the parking was right there!) It was the first time we had visited the actual Southgate shopping area and now I know where it is we will go back again. 

The whole event was filled with colour and laughter from both children and adults alike. Firstly we checked in to this Free Event. We had to book our spots prior to the event as they were limited and only available for children.... Oh how I wished I could have joined in! Airlie decided to get her face painted (as she always loves to do) and decided to be Alice from Alice In Wonderland. I nicknamed her 'Airlie in Melbourneland' With bright rosy cheeks, blue eye shadow and pink lips she was ready for the Tea Party. 

First the Mad Hatter arrived with of of his grandness, he was very excited and totally into his character.  In the middle of one of his performances Airlie mouthed from across the table to me "He's Crazy!" and I couldn't help but laugh!  The look on her face was priceless...I just wish I had a better camera to capture it. 
The Mad Hatter was full of energy and he was really lovely to watch and to be honest, I think a lot of us parents were reliving our own childhoods as the tea party played out.  

But as the sunshine disappeared (remember we are in Melbourne) The Mad Hatter's Tea Party had to rush all its important jelly beans and marshmallows inside and upstairs out of the rain or as the Mad Hatter put it "Away from the clouds that were weeing on us" It was disappointing that the rain couldn't stay away for just a few more minutes...okay about 20minutes more but that's not the point! However the tea party was still a blast and we loved every moment of it.


Thanks for a great day Southgate!

Dover & Madden - Baby Its Cold Outside!

I find so many gorgeous things and with the sun not shining as warm as it has in the past months I just had to show you these gorgeous creations from Dover & Madden. I was firstly drawn to them because the name caught my eye. The name comes from the two streets the designer Vicki's grandma's lived on and as they taught her to knit, sew and bake she chose to use this for her business name. I thought that was very cool and always love hearing about how businesses come up with their names.  I then took a look at their Etsy and Made It shops and fell in love even more! Divine, Quality and Australian come to mind when I think of this brand and I will surely be ordering some for my kids. There are so many gorgeous hats, booties and mittens in this store, it is going to be tough narrowing it down to purchase just a couple.

I have added few of my favourites and  I would love to know which ones are yours? 

I honestly don't think you could just pick one! 

I am a bit of a hat junky when it comes to the kids and especially think babies should be wearing them a lot more. I think this stems from when Airlie was premmie and wore hats every moment of her life in the first 2 years. I honestly don't have that many pictures without a hat on her head because it was so important for her to not let any of that heat escape from her head. That precious heat needed to be kept so we could turn it into kilos after being born so premature.

You can find Dover & Madden on Etsy ~ Made It & Facebook so go and visit them and say Hi!
They have a little giveaway on at the moment so take a look at their facebook page before 6pm EST today!

Ruby's Garden Giveaway Winner

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to take a look at our latest giveaway thanks to Ruby's Garden.
The lucky winner who was drawn by random.org is .................................


MellissaD


Melissa can you please contact me here so I can pass on your details to the ladies over at Ruby's Garden. 
Thanks again for reading my blog and please come back again. Don't forget to let your friends know we are here too and look out for our next round of giveaways!


Also don't forget to please had over and visit Ruby's Garden where you can pick up some GORGEOUS little lovely bits for your little girl.

Ruby's Garden Giveaway

Today I am going to have a little giveaway just to say a HUGE Thank You to you all for reading my blog.
I would also like to celebrate making to date 126 Likers on Facebook!!

Now for the Prize!
The prize is 1 headband of your choice for the beautiful Ruby's Garden. If you have a boy you can still enter as I am sure you have a friend with a little girl.
All you have to do is

LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH STEP YOU DO

* Like Ruby's Garden  (must do to qualify)
* Put your name below in the comments. (must do to qualify)  you don't need a blog just leave your name and email address - note your email address is not visible to the public if you put it in the email section provided. Much easier to track you down too!
* Tweet out the giveaway link (extra entry)
* Put giveaway link on your Facebook Status (extra entry)


T&C
Entries close 27th April 20 11 at 11:59pm
Winners will be drawn by random.org
winners will be posted on Facebook and here on the blog.
The winner must make contact with Oh Gorgeous Baby via email by 29th April 2011 5pm
(winners post will have contact details)

Kate & Williams Wedding - Why Aren't We Invited?

While watching TODAY on Ch9 this morning Airlie (5) got excited when they started reporting on the Royal Wedding and all that is happening in the lead up to the big day. There was something mentioned about guests of the bride and groom and Airlie piped up with "why aren't we invited?"   I thought it was sweet and had to explain that you have to know the special people getting married to be invited and sometimes if they have too many friends you don't always get to go. I told her that the wedding was going to be on TV on Ch9 and she said "lets watch it!"  So with Airlie's excitement I have decided to put together a little party for us to celebrate William and Cate's marriage. I was thinking of making some British favourites like scones, jam and cream and wondered if anyone else has any ideas on what I could serve?
Are you going to host a party or do anything special?




Powered by the Royal Wedding Merchandise Shop.


You can watch the wedding  via the Royal YouTube Channel too... how cool are William and Cate
or follow the event via Twitter via @ClarenceHouse

My little Princess Airlie Fae

What Would You Do For Your Kids?

You know that thing inside of you that makes you do anything for your kids? That thing that would have you give them your right arm if they needed it? Most of us only ever have to go as far as giving them whats on your plate at dinner time but other parents have to go much further to try and give their children what they really want to them to have. It also pushes them to help others too. This is just what Craig has done,he is raising funds and walked 65k for his Daughter Ruby who has Cystic Fibrosis. Craig is also doing it for everyone out there with CF.


Please check out this short video. 
An uplifting clip of how a community can work together to raise funds for Team Ruby. Team Ruby is one of the teams that entered the 2011 65k 4 65 Roses walk-a-ton, a major fundraising event to help children who are living with Cystic Fibrosis. They set a goal of $2000 and were surprised with the support they received....and it just keeps getting higher!!  


We are able to donate until the 6th of May 2011 so if you can spare a few dollars it all helps. Big or small it doesn't really matter, it matters that you donated at all!  Please go to Mycause to donate to Team Ruby and see what this amazing bunch of people have done. 
All funds raised go to Cystic Fibrosis NSW and Westmead Children's Hospital.
Show your support on Facebook  Team Ruby


You can also check out one of my earlier posts that was very insightful. 
The gorgeous interview with Ruby's sister Eliza who is 3. Eliza tells her Mum just what she thinks of CF and shares some other errr interesting things from a 3 year olds point of view.

Little Bloggy Blood Drive

I came across this blog today by Liz called  Lizosaurus and thought it was really worth sharing. Liz is hosting something really really cool! Little Bloggy Blood Drive is a regular event that encourages bloggers (and their friends and families) to join in a regular group blood donation hosted by me, Liz. The event is being hosted on the 30th of April 2011 in Sydney at the new Town Hall Donor Centre in Sydney City.If you are able to make it you should totally go!
All you have to do is go to the link above 'Little Bloggy Blood Drive' and contact Liz.

You can also find out the following things to help speed up the process
- available on the 30th April 2011
-Eligible to donate blood (You can also ask a Medical Officer if you have any questions or concerns by calling 13 14 95);

- Able to make your way to the Town Hall Donor Centre in Sydney City; and
- Want to be apart of some kick-ass life saving action…

…join our event page here! This will enable me to know exact numbers, and email you with updates about the event.

Airlie Fae is just days old in this picture.
Airlie was born premature at 27 weeks gestation due to me suffering
from Pre Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome.
We both came close to need blood transfusions while
in hospital.
Donating blood is really important and one thing that I feel really strongly about after Airlie had to have a blood transfusion at 8months old (5months corrected) when becoming sick with RSV and becoming anaemic. I also came very close to having platelets after Airlie was born premmie. I was suffering from pregnancy induced complications Pre Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome and when going in for an emergency c-section it was already on stand by if I need it. The the LP of HELLP stands for low platelets and the condition is a combination of a blood and liver condition. We also know a lot of premature babies who need blood transfusions while in hospital and some like Airlie needed them after leaving too. Did you know that a baby stores most of its iron in the last trimester of pregnancy? Well Airlie didn't even get the last trimester 'on the inside' so in a way we were lucky she didn't have one until 8months. You can read more about that at my other blog Moment by Moment 

Airlie Fae just before she got sick with RSV

and had to have her blood transfusion.

Once I stop breastfeeding I will start to donate again as they won't allow me to do it while I BF. I wonder if there is such an event in Melbourne?

Breaking with tradition.

With the Royal Wedding coming up very soon the world is a buzz with all things wedding and Royal. I was wondering since William and Kate seem to be breaking so many traditions with their wedding, do you think they might do this? It would be awesome if they did and the general public would love them even more!
I am amazed at how close some of these actors/dancers look to the real royals.



Did you do anything like this for your wedding?

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers.. So who are you?

I love this clip. So tell me, who are you?
I believe you must be the change you wish to see in the world. ghandi

Please Vote For Oh Gorgeous Baby & Moment by Moment

 I am a little bit excited to tell you that my 2 blogs Oh Gorgeous Baby and Moment by Moment are in the running to win Best Australian Blogs 2011 Competition - People's Choice Award 
Now I need your help with this so please vote for both my blogs if you think I should win. I have some stiff competition with over 450 blogs being nominated so every vote is gong to count!   


You can only fill out the voting form once  and you can vote for as many blogs as you like so don't forget my blogs!!  


The blogs are listed in alphabetical order so please look for  Letters M & O and you will find Moment by Moment and Oh Gorgeous Baby. Just click so a tick is placed in the box and click through till the end. Make sure you finish the whole form off (it should take no more then 3mins) otherwise the vote won't count. You will also see my name Fiona Dixon written after both blogs as their author. 


The lucky winner of this contest wins  $1000 worth of writing courses from Sydney Writers' Centre, which would be greatly received if I won.


Please know I appreciate you reading my blog and commenting too. I also will be ever grateful if you could vote for me too.  


Thanks so much and please share with your friends.  
You Rock!! 


PLEASE VOTE HERE FOR OH GORGEOUS BABY & MOMENT BY MOMENT :) XX

Movie - A Cheese Stringer Goes To School by Mason Dixon (10)

We recently received a delivery of cheese stringers by Bega Cheese to review.
I have to say that I wasn't really sure how good they were going to taste as I remember eating some kind of cheese product when I was a kid and it wasn't that nice. I am happy to tell you though that the few I got to eat were really yummy and actually lots of fun pulling apart and eating.
We were sent 3 flavours including Original, Swiss and Chedder. They all tasted delicious but Airlie did say that the Swiss had lots of taste.

I personally liked how the stringers are already wrapped so I can throw them in a lunch box for school or a snack bag if we are heading out and I need back up to keep the kids happy.I also like that 1 stringer provides 16% of  a child's daily calcium too. The fact that they are made with Mozzarella Cheese that is also 37% less in fat than regular cheddar cheese is  also a bonus too....for the kids and me especially when I steal them when they aren't watching. I'm not sure why but I honestly think they taste better when you pull them apart to. Not sure if that is some special thing that is with the cheese or just in my head? They just don't have the same taste if you just chomp them rather then pull the stringers apart.

I also have to say that I loved knowing that the product comes from Bega and has110 year old strong history of making cheese. I like to support farmers around Australia and this is one I will continue to support.

Since the kids actually did most of the reviewing (I only got to eat a few when they weren't looking)  we decided they would take it from here. Let me know what you think of their effort?

Airlie drew a lovely picture of a Bega Cheese Stringer and herself but since Mason got to make a video she wanted to make one too....





I think they did an awesome job and I may just have some budding artists on my hands.

A 3 year olds thoughts on CF... and other things.

I wanted to share with you this gorgeous interview with Eliza (3), who is the sister of Ruby (8 months). Ruby has Cystic Fibrosis and this interview is between Eliza and her Mum Danni. The insight into just what Eliza thinks about CF is amazing and also a reminder that kids are always absorbing a little more then we expect.... but then they too are also just kids and sometimes interview questions get lost in the conversation of um poo and other random things a 3 year old can think of. Please be entertained and educated by Miss Eliza and her Mummy Danni.


Danni - Eliza and I had a conversation about CF and Ruby. She is a funny little kid! I find her memories of staying at the Ronald McDonald House quite suprising, seeing as at the time it was a real struggle for her. And the part about her Grandma's family, totally random! Good luck following this one...



Danni - What does Ruby have? 
Eliza -CF. 


Danni - And what does CF stand for? 
Eliza -That you never feel better. That what it means.


Danni -What do we do for Ruby to make sure she doesn't get sick? 
Eliza - Give her medicine before her feed.


Danni - Anything else? 
Eliza - Yes, I know how she got CF. Cos she was born with it and she never feels better


Danni - Do you remember what happened to Ruby when she was first born?
Eliza - She had to stay in hospital.


Danni - And where did we stay when she was in hospital? 
Eliza - At the Old McDonald House. 


Danni - What did you think of staying there? 
Eliza - It was really fun! I meeted lots of friends! Prue and Ava. 


Danni - Why did Ruby have to stay in hospital? 
Eliza - So the doctors could fix her.


Danni - And did they fix her? 
Eliza - Yes. No. Yes 


Danni - What else do we have to do to keep Ruby healthy?  
Eliza - We feed her. 


Danni - Yes, that's true. What do we feed her? 
Eliza - Milk. Mummy, why do we give her milk?


Danni - Because thats what babies drink. 
Eliza - I want to drink milk one day, all the time. Oh, and we give her anti-biodies and Pentavite. Lets talk about the Old McDonald House. Who else did I meet? 


Danni - You met lots of kids there. 
Eliza - Yeah, cos they were sick. I meeted another girl who was a bit taller. She might be 4 or 5, I don't know how old she is. 


Danni - Did you really like staying there?
Eliza - Yep! I didn't like when mummy and daddy had to go to the hospital all the time. I liked when you went to get Rubys milk. I loved playing games with daddy everywhere.


Danni - And did we get any visitors when we were there? 
Eliza - Yeah, Aaliyah. That was fun, and Aunty Helen, and - oh, I think the girl that was a bit taller than me was 6! I'm not really sure, that was a long time ago. She said she was 8, no she said she was 9. 


Danni - Are you talking about someone who was staying at the house? 
Eliza - Yep, she had a blue top and white pants. 


Danni - Ok then...what don't you like about Ruby having CF? 
Eliza - I don't like her having lots of medicine. And I also don;t like her about going to the Old McDonald House. 


Danni - I thought you liked the Old McDonald House? 
Eliza - I do, but I don't like her keep going back there. 


Danni - You mean for clinic visits? 
Eliza - Yes. whats clinic? 


Danni - When the nurses and drs check her out. 
Eliza - Yes. What about Prue? she had to stay longer! 


Danni - Yeah, she was still a bit sick at the time.  
Eliza - Did Prue lie in a cot too?


Danni - No. 
Eliza - What did she lie in? 


Danni - Probably a bed. She is a teenager. Was there anything fun about the hospital? 
Eliza - No- oh there was a big TV with Dora the Explorer on it, that was good! Rubys room was boring. I wish we didnt stay at the Old McDonald House. I love my bedroom. 


Danni - Do all babies have CF? 
Eliza - No. Kai doesn't. Ollie doesn't. Kelly's baby doesn't. Who else has CF? 


Danni - I don't know any other babies with CF. 
Eliza - Oh! Grandma didn't have CF as a baby, but her daddy did. Her daddy name is Grandad Jimmy. And Grandma's uncle had CF when he was born. And he hardly got fixed quicker than Ruby! 


Danni - Really? I didn't know that. What's Team Ruby? 
Eliza - Team Ruby...I don't know! 


Danni - Is daddy doing a big walk? 
Eliza - Yeah, 


Danni - And why is he doing that? 
Eliza - To fix CF! 


Danni - How's walking going to help CF?
Eliza - Walking doesn't fix CF silly! Cos we get money to help CF! 


Danni - Oh, what does the money do? 
Eliza - Well, we give it to doctors- no, it's special money you get to put in your mouth and you help CF. It's not money, it's medicine but round like money. But babies don't have it, adults do. Cos you have to melt it in your mouth. Mummy I need to do a poo. 


Conversation closed.

Baby Ruby and Big Sister Eliza.

Have you ever had a conversation with your child and thought WOW! they know a lot about that or have they made you laugh with an comment like Eliza?

Do you know what is CF?  Please watch this short movie below .....yes I know you are busy but this is actually a really clever clip that makes it so easy for both Adults and Children to understand. 

If you would like to read more about Ruby and her family please visit their blog