Christmas & Boxing Day 2015

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December 23, 2015

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Jesus Christ!

Christ Almighty!

Good Lord!

Sweet Baby Jesus!

Jesus, son of Mary!

Oh My GOD!

Jesus Wept!

All these curses are just a handful I’ve heard this Christmas. Or I’ve read them online. Many of them were popular on the construction site. There might have been a few F words flung into the mix to give the curses extra bite. Sometimes the word ‘broken’ or ‘crap’ didn’t cut it. 😉

The name Jesus is uttered and cursed in a manner of all situations and circumstances, and yet this name is one that has divided the world, despite God’s intention saving it. And save it, Jesus did.

When I came up with the idea of a chocolate Christmas Nativity a month ago, I wasn’t sure how well it would be received. I didn’t expect it to be shared as much as it was. I didn’t expect people to admit they wouldn’t be able to eat baby Jesus, role played by a Starburst Jelly Baby.

Jesus means nothing to some, yet everything to many.

For me, Jesus birth is a significant event that is the reason for Christmas. No amount of presents from Santa can outdo the present of Jesus, sent to Earth, to save the world and reunite us back to our creator. We all have a desire to know where we come from because it helps us understand who we are and how to live. Each one of us has a purpose here on Earth. Some of us are walking it, while others ignore it, while still others search for that purpose elsewhere. Each of us matter and each of us are living for a reason. We’re not some accident.

The world doesn’t need more religion, but it certainly needs to be reconciled to God and that can only happen by believing in Jesus and trusting him daily. And with recent world events, we need Him more than ever.

The name that is uttered as a curse, is really a blessing at Christmas and every day throughout the year.

Having said that, I love the festivities that surround Christmas.

I love all Christmas traditions. We do Santa at our house. His delivery of presents is highly anticipated by my two eldest girls. Phoebe has no clue and will be happy with a new toy or two that she doesn’t have to share with her sisters.

I love the gift giving, the baking, the crafting, the caroling, the lights, the over-eating and the time spent with family and friends.
So far our family has yet to be marked by a tragedy to dampen our Christmas Spirit. We still miss a grandpa who is living it up in Heaven, and a grandma who is stuck in a body and mind that no longer correlates with the world she lives in. We’re so thankful that both know Jesus .

We also celebrate Christmas, knowing it could be the last one for some members of our family. Jacob and I are lucky to have most of our grandparents still alive, but they are just getting by and each day is a blessing, with no guarantees.

But with Jesus there is the guarantee of peace, even when life is terrifying and uncertain around us. A heart that is sure in the promises of faith is not easily broken.

For me, Christmas is a reminder that when things look bleak, God has a plan, even if I can’t see it or understand it. The nativity scene is the perfect example of God demonstrating this.
Many still don’t understand Jesus birth or recognize it’s worth for what it is. All the extravagance that surrounds Christmas is an outpouring of love, yet it often overrides the significance of Jesus birth.

This Christmas, my prayer is that you understand the true meaning behind Jesus and that you experience profound peace and contentment with your loved ones. I pray that the name of Jesus is less of a curse word and more of an anchor in your life for 2016. I pray 2016 is a year of plenty for you and your family and that you won’t know what to do with those blessings, except share them with others.

My prayer is that violence in all forms of war and in the family home, cease. Sadly it’s on the increase and I find it ironic that the more we curse Jesus, the less love and tolerance there is with others. I pray that we can learn how to love, even when we don’t want to, and learn how to bless when we have little to give. The world becomes a better place when each of us knows our worth and we live in our purpose.

From my family to yours, we wish you a very safe and Merry Christmas and that as you ponder these things, you will have a profound understanding that you can carry on into the New Year.

How to Save on Furniture and Homewares This Festive Season

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December 22, 2015

how to save on furniture and homewares this festive season

This post has been written in collaboration with Gumtree

A couple of months ago I visited a friend to see her newly built house for the first time. The house was divine and had the most loveliest floor plan. It was bright and airy and perfect for family living.

I was impressed with the size of my friend’s kitchen island bench. It was huge and big enough to seat the whole family to eat their dinner or for the kids to do their homework. I was particularly taken by my friend’s bench stools which were a modern metal netted chair – something I had been looking for my own island kitchen bench.

My friend told me the chairs were designer (they looked it) and retailed for over $350 per chair. She had 6 of them at her bench. She admitted she didn’t pay that much for them.

When she saw the bench chairs at a retailer and found out the price, she nearly gave up hope of getting them. Until she was looking through a second hand paper and found someone on the Gold Coast was selling the exact bench chairs she was after. She ended up getting all 6 for $300! That’s $50 EACH.
Truth be told I was envious of my friend’s bargain, but it also gave me inspiration to do my own search for similar chairs. We don’t need them yet, but we will soon once Phoebe is out of her high chair.

It’s amazing what you can source second hand and how much you can save by being patient and doing a little research.
Fitting your house with new furniture can be a really expensive exercise if you choose to redecorate and buy brand new, but second hand doesn’t always mean old and daggy. Often people sell new furniture that they can’t get a refund on or they need to get rid of because of personal circumstances.
This time of year can be the perfect time to nab a bargain if you’re looking for new furniture.

How to save on furniture and homewares this festive season

If you’re having guests over Christmas and/or New Years and you don’t have enough seating, check out the bargains on Gumtree.

In the last year I have been on the hunt for a few second hand furniture items for our house to accommodate and entertain guests. I still haven’t quite found what I’m looking for and in the price range I need, but that’s the beauty of trailing second hand stores and researching online.

Some of the key furniture trends that can be sourced on Gumtree include:

Outdoor Timber Setting

Modern Steel & Glass top Outdoor Setting

Outdoor Lounge – Black

Outdoor setting – White

Sun Loungers

Bar Stools

Drinks Trolley

You can save quite a bit of money from simply purchasing second hand. Even Tony Abbot recently bought a second hand fridge off Gumtree to help with Christmas entertaining.

Have you ever bought anything second hand? Do you like to give your second hand items a bit of DIY action?

This post has been written in accordance with my disclosure policy.

Christmas in Brisbane 2015

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December 21, 2015

Every year (since having children) I get excited about seeing Brisbane with new eyes at Christmas. The Christmas Parade and Christmas Tree in King George Square can look the same year after year, but when you have children, you see the same sights with new eyes. To the girls, the parade and lit up tree is magic and I delight in the joy on my girls’ faces as they watch the parade and marvel at the lights on City Hall. Brisbane does Christmas well… but boy, doesn’t everyone know it with every woman, man and their tribe, trekking the Queen St mall, scoping for a space to get the best view of the parade.

Our family tradition starts with a visit to Myer Giftorium where the girls have a ride on the Santa Express train. We bought a few Christmas decorations for next year because I had a gift voucher that needed to be used before Christmas Eve and all my gift shopping had been completed. Hurrah!

Myer Centre Santa Express — Maggie and Esther waiting in line for the Santa Express train.

We had slight meltdowns by Phoebe while we waited in line for the Santa Express. Once the older sisters were on board, we had fun waving hello and goodbye as the train made it’s loop.

After choosing our new decorations, I got Jacob to buy the ornaments while I headed to the toy section of Giftorium to please daughter number 1 and 3. After ten or so minutes, I couldn’t see Jacob or Maggie anywhere. After some missed calls, Jacob had thought I had headed down to the mall to get a spot for the parade. The parade started at 6:30pm and I had mentioned we would need to be down in the mall by 5:30pm to get a spot. Thankfully Jacob and Maggie had gone down to save a spot.

We headed down to Albert Street of the mall where Jacob had secured a near the front spot, but it was warm and slightly crowded as people started to mill around to wait for the parade. There were people EVERYWHERE. It was a bit insane.

To entertain the kids, I gave them my stash of spare snacks. Of course, the kids ate through them all so I offered to get something more substantial from Hungry Jacks. 🙂

It took me five minutes to walk 20 meters to Hungry Jacks and of course the line was out the door with various other teens and mums lining up for the same reason. Just a bit further down, on the corner of Albert and Elizabeth Street is an express McDonalds where there was no line and the food came out pretty quick. I silently patted myself on the back for thinking on my feet. All those years of working in the city with my dad paid off after all.

While in line, I made small talk to another mum who obviously had the same goal as me – to keep the kids entertained with junk food before the parade started. We were slightly dazed and admitted we were ridiculously stupid for coming in on a Saturday night where it took five loops of the Myer Centre Car Park to get a park, to then standing in a crowd with tantruming kids who had no idea the amount of effort it took to get them into the city to watch the parade in the first place.

I made it back to our standing spot and within minutes the parade started.

Phoebe was delighted.

She also loved concentrating on placing the straw in and out of a lemonade cup which meant I got to watch the whole parade uninterrupted.

Phoebe practicing her fine motor skill by trying to put the straw back in the cup. — Phoebe practicing her fine motor skills by trying to put the straw back in the cup.

After the parade, we headed to the Myer windows and from there we waited in line to get the girls a balloon and then we headed to City Hall to watch the Lights Spectacular. We decided to give the Pantomime a miss this year.

light show on Brisbane City Hall Christmas 2015 — Light Spectacular on Brisbane’s City Hall

Brisbane City Hall Light Show Christmas 2015 — And the girls loved watching the City Hall Light Spectacular

Despite the effort it took for us to get into the city and fighting the crowds, the experience was worth it for the girls.

Just someone remind me to book dinner at JoJo’s next year so we can view the parade without the huge crowds.

Christmas in Queen Street Mall Brisbane — Queen Street Mall, Brisbane

Do you have any family traditions at Christmas? Did you get to see the Christmas events in Brisbane this year?

How to Make a Copper Pipe Star Light

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December 17, 2015

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If you have any lone pieces of copper pipe, why not make a copper pipe star light?

I love seeing Christmas lights at this time of year. I personally think lights add that special something to Christmas décor and a tree can look bare without some sort of fairy lights.

I’m excited to share this DIY Copper Pipe Star Light project with you. I was inspired by a similar project made using sticks and I thought I could replicate the same look, using copper pipe.

Of course, I commissioned my dad to create the star using copper pipe he had at home. I sent the plans and picture of what I was after and he went to work.

We decided the best lengths to use for this project was 400mm (40cm), but you can choose whatever length you like, making it bigger or smaller depending on where you are going to display your light.

I chose to use 100mm (10cm) pieces to show how to create the star shape.

Materials

This is what you will need:

2 meters of 15mm Copper Pipe

Copper cutters or Hack Saw

Epoxy Adhesive

Measuring tape

Zip Ties

Scissors

Chubby Pencil

Typo Copper Wire Lights

Instructions: How to Make a Copper Pipe Star Light

You will need to measure and cut your pieces of pipe. You will need 5 lengths of 15mm copper pipe at 400mm (40cm) long each. You can use whatever lengths you like, but this is the perfect size for wrapping 3m of wire lights.

Once you have cut your 5 pieces, it’s time to put them together to create the star shape. I have used 100mm (10cm) lengths to show you how to create the star shape.

You will need to indent one of the crossover pieces to ensure a better fit.

Glue the meeting ends in place and use zip ties to hold the star in place.

Once the glue has dried, cut the zip ties off and wrap around your copper wire fairy lights. These can be bought from Typo for $19.95. Make a note to check the colour of the lights. We originally bought pink lights and didn’t realise our mistake until we turned the lights on.

Once we got the right lights, they made all the difference in the look I was wanting to achieve.

What do you think? To keep the copper from going black, you will need to add a lacquer or use Brasso to shine the copper up.

Do you make your own decorations at Christmas?

If you like this project, you might like to make my Copper Pipe Christmas Tree Decoration?

Taking Stock Pre-Christmas

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December 15, 2015

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The Plumbette taking stock pre-christmas

So much has happened since my last Taking Stock post. I’m going to be in planning mode over the Christmas Holidays, working on key messages I want to share through my blog. I’ve felt I’ve walked away from the main motivation for writing my blog and it’s simply because I’ve been trying to keep up with an array of post ideas, and offer posts that help a large amount of people. But if no one caters for the niche tradies, who will? So I will be choosing days to feature specific posts to cater for those that have followed me for a while and originally came to read about a female plumber sharing her experiences being a plumber. I try to keep a balance of plumbing, personal, building and renovation style posts, but sometimes one area is focused more.

Next year I will be sharing strategies I used to get through a tough career change and what to do when things don’t go as planned in your life. I’m sure the lessons will be for everybody as part of my story. But in the meantime, I’m going to take stock which is a clever post initiative by Pip Lincolne from Meet Me at Mikes.

Making : Christmas Craft. I made this chocolate nativity scene recently which went viral on Facebook. I’ve also been making some copper pipe Christmas decorations.

Cooking : Not a lot as I seem to burn it. Two weeks ago I burnt shortbread. Last week I baked cupcakes for our Kindy Christmas Party.

Drinking : Water. So much water.

Reading: Blogs and my Bible.

Wanting: Time to stop so I can catch up on all that needs to be done before Christmas.

Looking: For ways to use my time better.

Playing: Taylor Swift on my iPhone. I felt left out that I was the only one in Australia that didn’t go to her concert.

Deciding: What to buy Jacob for Christmas.

Wishing: I was ahead in all areas of life, but most days I feel very behind.

Enjoying: The end of year excitement and anticipation of Christmas.

Waiting: For the school holiday tantrums.

Liking: The cooler nights of late in Brisbane

Wondering: How Esther will go at school next year. She will be my first in Prep.

Loving: My family. Nothing beats time with Family at this time of year.

Pondering: What next year has in store.

Considering: What personal pursuits I invest my time in next year.

Buying: School Uniforms and Christmas Presents. It’s a very expensive time of year.

Watching: All the Christmas movies like Elf and The Polar Express.

Hoping: I can get a head of schedule so I can relax earlier before Christmas.

Marvelling: How much my girls have grown this year.

Cringing: Listening to myself on podcast. I can’t listen to myself and had to ask Jacob to listen and give me feedback.

Needing: To lose some kilos. It can wait till after Christmas.

Questioning: Why has Christmas arrived so fast this year?

Smelling: Lavender Peace. An essential oil that keeps the peace in our house.

Wearing: Bohemian Traders. Can’t get enough of their t-shirt dresses.

Following: The weather, keeping a watch for storm season.

Noticing: The shops are getting crazy.

Knowing: I need to go to bed earlier, but I end up going late which makes it hard to get up in the morning.

Thinking: How can I keep the girls entertained during the day, out of the heat.

Admiring: All the Christmas Lights this year.

Sorting: Christmas presents and existing toy stocks to make room for new presents.

Getting: Excited by all the end of year get-togethers and parties.

Bookmarking: This blog planner which will help me with my work next year.

Coveting: Nothing.

Disliking: The heat.

Opening: Bills. Why do they come right before Christmas?

Giggling: At Esther talk to Siri on my Mobile Phone. ‘It’s Esther. Rebecca’s girl. I’m not Rebecca. Rebecca is my mum.’ LOL!

Feeling: Tired. I’m looking forward to time away from the computer over Christmas.

Snacking: Chocolate and pretzels. The best Christmas snack combo.

Helping: Stuff the Bus: our church initiative to assist those that are doing it tough this Christmas.

Hearing: Christmas carols. The good, the bad and the ugly.

How are you feeling this December? Looking forward to Christmas?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

If you want to take part, just copy and paste this list into a post.

Making :

Cooking :

Drinking :

Reading:

Wanting:

Looking:

Playing:

Deciding:

Wishing:

Enjoying:

Waiting:

Liking:

Wondering:

Loving:

Pondering:

Considering:

Buying:

Watching:

Hoping:

Marvelling:

Cringing:

Needing:

Questioning:

Smelling:

Wearing:

Following:

Noticing:

Knowing:

Thinking:

Admiring:

Sorting:

Getting:

Bookmarking:

Coveting:

Disliking:

Opening:

Giggling:

Feeling:

Snacking:

Helping:

Hearing:

Tears in the Kindy Kitchen

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December 10, 2015

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I remember the conversation I had with my mum friends 3 years ago, as if it was yesterday. Esther was 22 months old and every fortnight I headed to a friend’s house where a group of mums caught up with each other. I was sitting at the outside table, momentarily lost in thought when I immediately caught onto the conversation with the mums talking about placing their child’s name down for Kindergarten (Kindy). I looked at the mums, slightly bewildered, thinking what type of Kindy had they enrolled in that required them to put their kids name down at the age of 1?

And then I realized it wasn’t just a Kindy, it was ALL Kindies! I went into a panic and admitted I hadn’t put Esther’s name down anywhere and one mum chastised me, while another told me I had to do it straight away because I wouldn’t be able to get in if I didn’t do it soon.

Another helpful mum suggested I contact a C & K Kindy that was situated in a low socio-economic area near me. The mum knew one of the teachers there and couldn’t recommend the Kindy enough. I made a note to ring them as soon as I got home to put Esther’s name down for 2015 enrolment. When I rang the Kindy, I was invited to come check out the facilities and bring Esther along.

Esther loved it and so did I. The teachers were LOVELY and the kids were happy and for some reason I remember all the kids had biblical names and for me that was a sign that this Kindy was the right one to go to.

On the open day, when Jacob came along to check the Kindy out for himself, he agreed that this was where we wanted our Esther to go, and it was going to give Esther the best learning environment before she would head into school the following year.

At the beginning of the year when I took Esther into Kindy, I worried how the heck I was going to get Esther sorted with a 6 month old baby on my hip and a nearly 2 year old who loved to go exploring.
I shouldn’t have worried.

The Kindy offered a safe environment for my younger girls to play. The teachers enveloped my younger girls as if they were part of the Kindy kids.
Each morning I would have to negotiate with Maggie on when we would leave. Sometimes I would leave with her screaming because she wanted to stay at Kindy.
In the afternoon, Maggie would run to Esther and give her a big hug and say ‘I missed you Esther’. A memory I will keep in my mind forever.

The beginning of the Kindy year saw Phoebe sit on the floor and play with my car keys while I signed Esther in, and then mid-year, Phoebe learned to walk and she was off – into the toys, or the paint or more recently, scooping water out of the toilets.

Esther thrived this year at Kindy, and when I’d watch her playing by herself or directing kids to do a certain activity, I would see much of myself in her when I was her age.

On Monday night I explained to Esther the next day would be her last day of Kindy and the news was met with sobs and protests of not wanting to go to school and how much she would miss her Kindy friends and her teachers. She loved her teachers and couldn’t imagine not seeing them again. She didn’t want to leave Kindy. I immediately worried again how she would go the next day.

Esther was completely fine on Tuesday at her Kindy breakup. But me? I was a hot mess of tears. What started the waterworks was the photo slideshow of the kids while The Carpenters played in the background.

I couldn’t stop the tears. It was slightly embarrassing. Some of the mums admitted to getting a tear in their eye and chose not to look at me so they could control their emotions.

Clearly I couldn’t control mine.

And then when the breakup party had finished, and I was picking up my Tupperware container from the kitchen, I pretty much bawled again at the Kindy kitchen sink!

This year has seen so much growth in my family. And Kindy has been an extension of our family. The community has been wonderful this year, and so supportive. It will be greatly missed next year.

So while I was sad to say goodbye, and I still get a bit teary about it (and I now have The Carpenters on repeat in my head), I know the goodbyes are only temporary because Maggie will be heading to the same Kindy in 2017 and Phoebe will attend 2 years after that.

I know the time will go fast and next year, new friends will be made and I’m looking forward to being involved in our school community. Our house is only around the corner from Esther’s new school and I want to offer a safe house for her friends to come over.

What I realized, after my emotional week, is that the best made memories are the little things we do everyday.
The everyday things like going to Kindy and excursions and catching up with mum friends and getting involved in the community events. It’s also watching the interactions with siblings and other Kindy friends. I guess I was sad to have only realized on the last day of Kindy how rich my life (and my family’s) had been with those beautiful moments, made throughout the year.

So, I apologise for not being as personal on Facebook this week. And not reading or commenting on many blogs. Truth be told I have tears running down my cheeks as I write this post.

Anyway, to the mums who have little ones going to Kindy next year, you are definitely going to enjoy it and those of us with a Kindy graduate, heading to prep next year, it’s ok to be emotional. But the great news is our lives are only going to get richer as we embrace a new school year and a new community.

Bring on 2016.

Did you have a Kindy graduate this year? Do you cry when a life season ends? How did your child enjoy their first year in Kindy or Prep? Any tips to get Esther prepared over the school holidays?

How to Make a Copper Pipe Christmas Tree Decoration

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December 10, 2015

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Copper pipe has many uses than just carrying potable water and gas. The pipe itself can be fashioned into a range of projects.

I had another cool idea, that I got my dad to work on to keep him busy since he’s retired. I told dad my design and he went to work to create it. I made another decoration myself, and it was easy to do.

Today, I’m going to share the steps involved in making your very own copper pipe Christmas Tree decoration.

This might even be a great project for the apprentices so they can practice their measuring and pipe cutting skills. Most plumbers will have spare copper pipe lying in the back of their truck. Those small pieces that roll around in the tray are perfect for this project.

Any brown or black marks from oxidization are welcome when making this Christmas tree. It adds to the industrial look. Of course if you want your tree to shine a bright copper, you will need to use Brasso to polish it up and add a lacquer to prevent the pipe going black.

How to make a copper pipe Christmas tree decoration

Firstly you will need at least 240mm or 24cm of 15mm (quarter inch) copper pipe, measuring tape, copper pipe cutters or hack saw, araldite and string.

Measure 6 pieces of pipe and cut accordingly. You will need:

1 – 60mm piece

1 – 50mm piece

1 – 40mm piece

2 – 30mm pieces

1 – 20mm piece

1 – 10mm piece.

Measure using a measuring tape and mark using a chubbie lead pencil. Cut the pipes to length with copper cutters or a hack saw. Copper cutters are preferred as they will give a nicer edge to the pipe and limit burring.

Compile your cut pieces of copper pipe into the shape of a tree. Use one of the 30mm pieces to be the stump of the tree.

Use Araldite or a glue that will bind copper/metal surface together. You could weld the pieces together, but the tree will turn black.

Glue each piece together methodically starting from the top. Use a tray to sit your Christmas Tree on so it can dry.

Feed through a key ring or piece of brown twine to hang your decoration.

Once complete, it’s ready to hang on the tree. The copper really stands out against the green foliage.

What decorations have you made for Christmas this year?

Keep your Toddler Safe At Home with Dreambaby® PLUS a Giveaway

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December 8, 2015

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Congratulations Paula Harris on winning the giveaway.

They say there’s always one rebel in the family and I didn’t expect it to my baby, Phoebe.

At 17 months, Phoebe is into EVERYTHING and whatever was safe with her sisters at a similar age, is not so for my Phoebe.

Phoebe being cheeky — This pet enclosure kept our Christmas Tree safe from babies and toddlers. Not so Phoebe who worked out how to move it and get behind it!

Many times throughout the day she has kept me on my toes by attempting to drop all array of items into the toilet – including the full contents of my make-up bag.

Or she climbs when she’s not meant to.

If boundaries are put in place to keep her safe from damaging something or hurting herself, she will find a way around it.

I’ve now had to look at my house in a different light with Phoebe around, and since I’m outnumbered when I’m home alone, she often will sneak somewhere and entertain herself with mischief. So you can imagine my relief when Dreambaby® offered me some products to review to keep my Phoebe safe.

Some of the key products I’m sharing with you from Dreambaby® are created to keep your baby safe at all times and protect your belongings. Out of the products that were sent to me, here are the three I was most impressed with.

1. The Dreambaby® Toilet lock is designed to ensure your toddler doesn’t fill the toilet with contents that shouldn’t be there. The lock is easily unlocked by pressing in the clasp. To ensure the clasp sticks to your toilet, clean the bowl and lid thoroughly and when attached to the toilet, allow a 24 hour hold before using the clasp to lock the toilet lid down. This contraption alone can save you expensive plumbing bills and the cost of replacing said items down the loo.

2. The Dreambaby® Liberty Security Gate is an easy to install gate that fits most doorways. What I love about the gate is I can keep Phoebe enclosed in the playroom without closing the door on her where she can’t see me. Gates are great for keeping toddlers and infants safe around stairs or other hazards in the house. They are definitely a must need in double storey homes.

3. The Dreambaby® Bath toy bag was a very much wanted item after the steel bin we used was starting to rust at the bottom. Our bin was only a temporary solution. The Dreambaby® Bath toy bag is a much better solution as the girls can easily see their bath toys and reach for them when they’re in the bath. I also like that it’s easy for the girls to pack their toys away. There’s nothing worse that slipping on a rubber ducky because the kids decided the toys belonged on the floor and not in a dedicated area.

Bath toy storage — Our old, rusted toy tin storage

If you’re looking for ways to keep your house safe for your toddler, head to the Dreambaby® website. There are a selection of cupboard locks and latches, safety plugs, toilet training products and cord wind-ups – Dreambaby® pretty much has it all.

The good folk at a Dreambaby® have decided to give one reader a Prize pack that includes

1- Dreambaby® Potty Seat

1 – Dreambaby® Bath toy bag

1 –Dreambaby® Cord wind ups for blinds

1 – Dreambaby® Toilet lock

1 – Dreambaby® Liberty Security Gate (white)

For a chance to win the Dreambaby® Prize Pack with a RRP value of $96, you need to like Dreambaby® and The Plumbette on Facebook and tell me the worst scenario or situation you found your baby/toddler in at home and how Dreambaby® can keep your baby safe at home.

The most interesting answer will win the Dreambaby® Prize pack.

Disclaimer: I was sent a prize pack from Dreambaby® for the purpose of this review.

Terms and Conditions

This is a game of skill. Each valid entry to be judged on creativity and originality, not by chance.

There is one prize: Dreambaby® Prize pack worth $96.

Entries open from 6am Brisbane time Tuesday 8th December 2015 to Wednesday 16th December 2015 12pm Brisbane Time.

Prize is not transferable or changeable

Prize sent out by Dreambaby® will not be replaced in the event it is stolen, lost or damaged in transit or virtually.

Entry is leaving an answer to the question and liking the Facebook pages.

A valid email address must be included in your entry. This email will be added to my newsletter, but will never be spammed or sent to third parties.

Entry into any giveaway or competition is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions

Entrants must be Australian residents and aged 18 or over.

The winner will be notified by email and has 3 days to reply and claim the prize. The winner will also be announced on Facebook. This giveaway is not endorsed by Facebook.

The decision on the winner is final and no dialogue will be entered into otherwise.

These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.

7 Ways to Keep Your House Cool Without Relying on Your Air Conditioner

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December 7, 2015

Contemporary Exterior by Perth Photographers Putragraphy

This post has been written in collaboration with Mastertint

I can’t live without the air conditioner on during summer. Which is probably strange to admit when you write a post about 7 ways to keep your house cool WITHOUT relying on your air conditioner!

Keeping a house cool during Summer is achievable and doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Many of these suggestions will pay for themselves over time. I’ve come up with 7 suggestions, and you may have your own which you are more than welcome to leave in the comments.

1. Build and/or buy in the right position. Before you even start to look at ways to cool your house, you can give yourself a head start by working out where the sun hits your house of a morning and afternoon. The orientation of your home will determine how hot your house will get during summer. Passive cooling and shading will ensure your house remains cool in even the hottest part of the day. It’s beneficial to have longer walls facing north as the sun exposure is minimized in summer but maximized during winter. For information regarding orientation check here.

2. Choose a roof in a lighter shade to reflect heat and light. The theory is a dark roof will store heat, but a lighter roof will repel it.

3. Insulation. It’s surprising how many households skimp on insulation, but it makes a world of difference to the temperature in your home. Not only does it keep your home cool during summer, it also keeps your house warm in winter.

4. Tint your windows. Window tinting is not just great for extra privacy in your home during the day, it also helps block out the sun’s heat. Mastertint specialize in window tinting for commercial and residential properties. The film provides a thermal barrier which can reduce the heat in a room by 80%.

Contemporary Living Room by Sydney Interior Designers & Decorators Jo Taylor Design

5. Add shut ters. For houses that have an orientation that isn’t ideal, add shutters to the windows that are in direct sunlight to block out the sun and heat.

6. Use a fan. Fans don’t use anywhere near the amount of electricity air conditioning does. A fan in a room that is insulated and has its windows tinted can keep a room livable during summer.

Contemporary Bedroom by Sydney Architects Watershed Design

7. Be strategic and alert. To put simply, watch for the weather report to see what the temperature and weather will be like. Go outside to see if there is a breeze. After a hot week in Brisbane, last Friday we experienced a cool change with a slight breeze which had me open the windows and turn the air conditioner off.

Some days you will need to relent and use the air conditioner, but using these tips above will ensure your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool.

How do you keep your house cool during summer? Do you rely on your air conditioner like me?

This post has been written in accordance with my disclosure policy.

How to Make a Chocolate Nativity Scene

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December 3, 2015

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Back in August I was asked by a food blogger to write a guest post sharing my favourite recipe. A month ago, I realized I hadn’t done anything about submitting a post and I had this crazy idea of creating a Christmas Nativity scene out of chocolate. Anyway, I went to work on my idea and went to submit it to the food blogger, only to be told they were no longer receiving guest posts.

So I was left with a heap of photos and a rough looking Nativity scene. I decided to share what I built here.

If I’m honest, I’m no food blogger. Earlier this week I shared a photo of my Christmas shortbread and it was black as the ace of spades. This is what happens when I multi-task in the kitchen. I didn’t realize I’d put a last batch of shortbread in the oven and while I was cooking dinner, those shortbread turned a deep shade of black. They were completely buggered.

Anyway, when I thought up my crazy chocolate Nativity scene idea, I visualized in my head what I’d need and went with the flow in creating it while my girls were napping. I emptied my top freezer so that I could set the components. If you do give this a go with the kids, try and pick a cool day or have the air con cranked up so the chocolate doesn’t melt when you work with it.

A month later, my Nativity scene is still sitting in the fridge and it’s still standing, so that’s proof that I built good.

The ingredients you will need are:

1 Block of Cadbury Chocolate (or a ribbed chocolate block)

3 thin Blocks of Dark Chocolate

1 Packet of Starburst Babies – for Baby Jesus

1 pack of Mini Flakes – for Jesus manger and decoration

1 Packet of Jelly Babies for Mary, Joseph and the Three Wise Men (you could also use Chico Babies, but I chose the colours so you could see them better against the chocolate)

1 Packet of Chocolate Melts

1 Packet of Changs Noodles – for the hay

1 Pretzel Star or Frozen Cereal Star

Firstly, you need to melt half a pack of chocolate melts. You then need to use 2 large platters to conscruct the base of your nativity scene and the roof. You will need to make sure the platter can fit into your freezer.

Fix the walls of the nativity scene by placing the thin dark chocolate blocks into the grooves of the Cadbury block chocolate.

Don’t worry about how messy the melted chocolate looks. It will be covered with noodles later.

Place the base in the freeze to set.

Meanwhile, break two blocks of the dark chocolate and place together to create the roof. Use two ramekins to keep the chocolate roof in place. Then place this in the freezer.

Remove the base of the nativity scene and drizzle melted chocolate on the floor of your Nativity Scene to add the Jelly Babies. You can also add the back walls using the broken off ends of the dark chocolate blocks which were used for the roof.

Again don’t worry if there is melted chocolate all over the place, the noodles will soon cover it over.

Quickly place this in the freezer for the Jelly Babies to set in place. Once set, attach the roof onto the base and sprinkle the noodles.

Add the cereal or pretzel star to the front edge of the roof and sprinkle flake over the top of the roof to hide the adhesion.

The chocolate Nativity scene is meant to look rustic. It’s a fun way to teach kids the real meaning of Christmas.

This Nativity scene would look great in the middle of a food table for a church Christmas party or even at home on the dessert table. Or it could be simply done as a craft at home with the kids these school holidays.

Have you ever ‘built’ something out of food? Do you get your bake on at Christmas time?

I’m linking up with With Some Grace for FYBF.

Kitchen Trends for 2016 & Home Improvement Thursday

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December 3, 2015

Country Kitchen by Melbourne Building Designers Vibe Design Group

Two weeks ago, I brought to you the bathroom trends for 2016, and this week I bring the kitchen trends that we will see in kitchens in the coming year. Some of the trends are transient to the kitchen.

While it’s tempting to include many of the trends seen in wet areas and on shows like The Block, remember to choose materials that you can afford and happily live with for the next 10 or so years. There is no point having the trendiest kitchen in Australia if you don’t love the space. But if you are looking to add some different features to your kitchen to make it a talking point or you are just after something a little different, these trends will help you work out what that point of difference will be.

Warm metallics will be supreme in the kitchen next year. Think copper, brass and gold and rose gold hues. The way to incorporate these metalics into your kitchen are through rose gold tapware or a copper rangehood. Silver and stainless steel still have their place in the kitchen, but the warmer metals will be the preferred choice in terms of style.

Contemporary Kitchen by Astoria Designs, Teneriffe Brisbane

2. Vintage vibes through the use of old look appliances and homewares will be trending. Kitchens will blend contemporary with vintage wares to create a kitchen that is homely and offers soul. The way to incorporate this trend is through the use of vintage look appliances and retro stools.

3. Porcelain benchtops and splashbacks will be quite popular. It’s the new material on the kitchen block. It’s a non-porous ceramic that has the same characteristics as quartz-based engineered stone. Except porcelain is a better material that can withstand heat, flame and won’t stain. It can also be manufactured to a variety of thicknesses which makes it attractive to those wanting a thin benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen by Cairns Design & Construction Firms Tropical Trend Homes

4. Comfortable kitchen stools are going to be popular. The design of kitchen stools have always trumped comfort, but now that kitchens are becoming the dining area of the home, comfortable kitchen stools with a back are going to be a trending look in kitchens.

5. Texture will be king through the use of textured laminates, concrete, stone or timber flooring, and timber cabinets.

Transitional Kitchen by Melbourne Interior Designers & Decorators Alexander Pollock Interiors

6. Neutral colours like warm greys and taupe will be popular as well as a pop of bright petrol or peacock. White and black will still be key contenders in the kitchen. Mint will be a surprising accent colour that looks crisp teamed with timber and white.

7. Thin benchtops will be in demand. Some benchtops can be ordered in as thin as 3mm. Whether this trend will stick around, kitchen designers aren’t sure, so be wary of this one unless of course you absolutely love it.

8. Geometric patterns will still be a key player in tiled kitchen splashbacks or rugs on the floor.

Contemporary Kitchen by Melbourne Architects Auhaus Architecture

9. Natural is in. This can be incorporated from choosing natural stone elements, timber and adding plant life to the kitchen. Timber will be rustic in the form of logs and tree stumps. Pendant lights made from sticks and tree branches will be a popular trend.

Contemporary Kitchen by Melbourne Kitchen Designers & Renovators Urban Kitchens

What is your take on the trends? Any of them surprise you? What will you add to your kitchen to make it on trend?

Last week on Home Improvement Thursday, we had some amazing link ups. Erin from Seven Little Australian’s and Counting shared the demolishing of the front of their house.

Holly from Simplify Create Inspire shared how to declutter your kitchen utensils which I very much need to do again!

A special mention also has to go to my Home Improvement Thursdays partner Nicole who won Business Partner of the Year at the HIA awards. Congratulations on your achievement. It was so well deserved!

Nicole and I love seeing you link up with HIT and thank you for consistently linking each week. Over the next couple of weeks, it would be great to see your Christmas tree and any Christmas decorating you have in your home.

If you’re a DIY, home organization, building, renovation, home makeover, home decorating, home maintenance or trade related blogger we’d LOVE you to link up with us below.Here are the HIT rules for how to link up and what you need to do once you have linked up.Linkable posts, must centre around the topics of DIY, Renovations, Home Organisation, Home Improvement, Home Makeovers, Home Styling, or Home Maintenance.

You can share 1 post each week. Please make sure they are new to the “Home Improvement Thursday” party.

Linking is simple, find the little blue button at the end of the post that says, Add Your Link, and then pop in your URL, and follow the prompts. Your link only needs to be added once and it will automatically show up on both of our blogs… it’s that easy!

Grab our #HIT button and pop it on your sidebar. Don’t forget to share it with others.

Follow the blogs of your fellow #HIT family, and leave a comment. Please visit and comment on at least three blogs that are near you on the list.

Leave a comment on the post below so we can return the favour and comment on your post.

Don’t forget to follow The Builder’s Wife and The Plumbette.

An InLinkz Link-up

When Christmas and Birthdays Collide: HeartinBox Giveaway

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December 1, 2015

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Congratulations Kristy Winters, You Won the HeartinBox Giveaway

Now that it’s officially the 1^st of December, I can start writing about all things Christmas. Isn’t it a fun time of year? I love it for spiritual reasons and emotional ones – everyone seems to be a bit happier that it’s Christmas.

On the weekend, Jacob and Esther put up our Christmas tree and I gave our bedroom a Christmas look. I still have to put up some décor around the house and wrap all the presents. But it’s definitely beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

There are of course a couple of downsides to Christmas. It’s not a time of cheer for everyone. It’s a time of year that can highlight the loss of a loved one, or it’s an added stress to an already busy time of year if looking after someone who is terminally ill. Sometimes it brings people back into your life you’d rather not spend time with. For others, Christmas can be a time of year that overclouds their one special day of the year – their Birthday.

Just last week I saw a Facebook friend make a comment ‘and so it begins…’ with Christmas overshadowing all the Birthdays that get forgotten celebrated in December.

There are families that refuse to put their Christmas tree up until the December Birthday has been celebrated.

And then there are the combined Birthday and Christmas Gifts which only people with Birthdays in December understand. I don’t envy December Birthdays. I’m quite glad I was born in July to even out the celebrations throughout the year.

But I don’t want to forget those who have their Birthday in December. Especially the mums who work hard in ensuring everyone else has a special day. So I am bringing a special giveaway just for them. For the mums that celebrate a Birthday in December. And if you have a friend who has a December Birthday, why not enter this Giveaway for them or share it so they know that they aren’t forgotten?

I came across this delightful small business started by a friend who is also a mum and has a heart to bless mums in a real and genuine way.

Heart in Box is the hamper/flower gift alternative just for MUMS. Heart in Box sends out themed gift packages (affectionately known as HeartBoxes) with handpicked goodies that uplifts and treats any special lady who is a mum. No occasion is needed to gift that special mum. Through our HeartBoxes, we hope every mama knows that they are loved, regardless.

There are four HeartBoxes to choose from

New Mama HeartBox the perfect gift for new mums.

Brave Mama HeartBox the perfect gift for any mum who needs a pick-me-up. This could also be a lovely gift to a mum who is battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. It could be even given to a mum who starts a new business.

Busy Mama HeartBox is the perfect gift for mums that need time out. A great box to give to blogging mums or mums that run a business.

Birthday Mama HeartBox which of course is for the Mum who is celebrating a Birthday.

Today I’m giving away a Birthday Mama HeartBox to a mum who celebrates her Birthday in December. Of course you can enter if you would like to gift this box to a friend who fits the December Birthday criteria. But why not share this post too to ensure all mums who celebrate a Birthday in December have a chance to win this gorgeous box?

Heartbox with nail polish — Contents of the Birthday HeartBox with choice of nail polish or Stay Gold necklace.

The Birthday Mama HeartBox contains a Kate Spade “It’s written in the stars” metallic mini notebook to journal down all the celebration fun, Kate Spade Coaster for all the birthday drinks that are coming your way, stone ground chocolate for that birthday indulgence. There is also a choice between a wine coloured nail polish* that celebrates your perfect age in style OR a STAY GOLD 18K gold necklace to remind mamas that any age is a golden age. Finally, a gold foil note card from us to you to wish the Birthday mama a Happy Birthday.

In order to enter the giveaway you MUST follow Heartinbox and The Plumbette on Facebook and/or Instagram and answer this question: The best Birthday present you have ever received and why it was the best. Follow the prompts in the widget to like the pages.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The most interesting and creative answer will win the HeartBox.

Terms and Conditions

This is a game of skill. Each valid entry to be judged on creativity and originality, not by chance.

There is one prize: Birthday Mama HeartBox worth $99.

Entries open from 6am Brisbane time Tuesday 1^st December 2015 to Friday 11^th December 2015 12pm Brisbane Time.

Prize is not transferable or changeable

Prize sent out by The Plumbette will not be replaced in the event it is stolen, lost or damaged in transit or virtually.

Entry is leaving an answer to the question and celebrating a Birthday in December.

A valid email address must be included in your entry.

Entry into any giveaway or competition is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions

Entrants must be Australian residents and aged 18 or over.

The winner will be notified by email and has 3 days to reply and claim the prize. The winner will also be announced on Facebook. This giveaway is not endorsed by Facebook.

The decision on the winner is final and no dialogue will be entered into otherwise.

These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.

Women in Plumbing Breakfast at Parliament House

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November 27, 2015

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On Monday I had the pleasure of attending the Women in Plumbing breakfast at Parliament House. The event was supported by the Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).

Two weeks before the event, I received an email from the head manager of QBCC asking to ‘save the date’ for the breakfast. Due to the timing of getting Esther to Kindy, and already organsing babysitting for her school interview on the following day of the breakfast, I declined the invitation, even though I really wanted to go and of course blog about it.

A day later I received a letter from Leeanne Enoch, Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Science and Innovation, inviting me to attend the breakfast and then, I had a request from Penny Cornah, the Executive Director of MPAQ, asking if I could share about why I chose plumbing and a bit about my blog, The Plumbette.

It seemed I was meant to go to that breakfast and I was so glad I could rearrange my morning so I could.

It was a morning of being inspired by women sharing being the ‘first’ in their industry. The highlight for me was listening to everyone share their challenges, but also their motivation of wanting to support women in their trade. It was refreshing and inspiring.

I got to catch up with Carlie, Brisbane’s only female plumbing inspector and Eileen the Manager of the Plumbing Inspectors in Brisbane. I also got to briefly talk to two other female plumbers who have had a son together since the last time we caught up.

women in plumbing breakfast — Myself, Carlie and Eileen

I met another female plumber who runs a family bathroom renovating business with her husband and the rest of the guests were managers or directors of the MPAQ and QBCC.

When I sat down for breakfast and saw the logo on the plates, I realized how big a deal it was to be sitting in the Premier’s Hall of Parliament House, and what an honour it was to be asked to share about my journey.

Penny (MPAQ) opened the morning’s proceedings, sharing her passion for the plumbing industry, as her dad was a plumber. She had often wondered why she didn’t do an apprenticeship and I almost wanted to yell out ‘It’s not too late’. But it was not a morning for calling out, and Penny’s career is an inspiration for any woman entering a trade environment. She started working for MPAQ 9 years ago and is now the Executive Director.

Penny Cornah MPAQ — Penny Cornah, Executive Director of MPAQ

We then got to hear MP Leeanne Enoch share her successes and her desires to help women in plumbing feel supported as they pursue their career. Leeanne is a genuine, warm and inspiring woman to listen to. As the first Indigenous Woman to be elected into QLD parliament, she understands the pressure and responsibility of being one of the ‘firsts’ in her career and this resonated with me. My blog is the first plumbing blog of its kind in Australia and I think the world (but I could be wrong and happy for someone else to take that claim if they started before me). I never anticipated it to be challenging to build, nor as successful as it has been.

Kellie Lowe, QLD’s first female Commissioner for the QBCC also shared about her career and the highlight of being the first female Commissioner.

Kellie Lowe First Female Commissioner — Kellie Lowe, First Female Commissioner, QBCC

She has assisted the QBCC in prosecuting unlicensed persons from carrying out unlawful building work. The QBCC has issued 17 fines for various plumbing and drainage offences since it took over regulating the plumbing industry in November 2014. The fines have tallied up to $19,467 for unlicensed work. This is why it’s important not to carry out your own plumbing work and why you should always check your plumber has the correct license if they do work for you.

Breakfast was served, on gold initialed QLD Parliament crockery. I took pictures just so I could show you.

After breakfast, it was time to hear from two female plumbers, Carlie and myself.

Carlie Lowe female plumbing inspector — Carlie, Australia’s first female plumbing inspector.

Carlie shared why she became a plumber and the challenges she has faced both becoming a plumber and a plumbing inspector. One thing that Carlie mentioned, which helped me see my role in a new light, was that there is more to a trade than just being on the tools. The career opportunities are vast and many when you become a tradie. There are careers beyond the tools.

I instantly felt a weight fall off my shoulders when Carlie mentioned that.

You see, since I stopped working on the tools to have Phoebe, I have felt guilty for not being on them in the last two years while on maternity leave. Ridiculous huh? I’ve been self-critical about writing a plumbing blog, and not being on the tools. But I shouldn’t put this pressure on myself when I have three little girls to mother. Writing a plumbing blog is a pretty cool business (which I love) and while I only occasionally get on the tools to help people or review products, my role can still help raise awareness for other women entering the industry to becoming a tradie.

In QLD there are 15,000 plumbers and only 45 of them are female. From memory, I was the 13^th or 15^th female plumber in QLD to receive her license. That was 5 years ago.

When it was my turn to share about my career, I decided to break up the presentation in three sections – What I did pre-kids, during kids and post kids (now). As I was putting the slides together for the presentation, I surprised myself with what I had achieved in 9 years. I didn’t want my presentation to be solely about what I’ve done. My goal was to inspire everyone in the room on what they can achieve if they dare to dream big and plug away (pun intended) on their career. I wanted them to seize new opportunities and face challenges positively.

This graphic was designed by Kirsten & Co, the quote is my own.

I walked away from the breakfast with a spring in my step. I realized my part in the plumbing industry was unique and valid. It inspired me to continue to write my blog in a way as to encourage and uplift.

Special thanks to Leeanne Enoch MP, the MPAQ and QBCC for organising the breakfast. It was a memorable morning and I look forward to the next one where hopefully we get to mingle with female plumbing apprentices who need our support and encouragement as they go through their apprenticeship. It’s not easy, but it can be done triumphantly.

Have you ever gone to Parliament House in your state? Ever met an MP in person? Who inspires you in your career or your role as a mother?

I’m linking up with With Some Grace for FYBF.

Six Reasons to Consider Shutters for Your House This Summer & #HIT

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November 26, 2015

6 reasons to consider shutters for your house this summer

This post has been written in collaboration with Giamar

I have to admit, whenever I see some sort of outdoor window covering on the front of a house, I immediately think an older person lives in the home. I’m not sure why. Window shutters can often be disregarded when building or renovating a house, but they shouldn’t because they can offer so much value to your home. With the summer heat soaring to high temperatures this season, finding ways to keep the house cool can be paramount and shutters can offer an energy efficient solution.

Here are six reasons to consider shutters for your home this summer.

1. Shutters block out the sun in summer. Block out curtains can only do so much because the sun still pelts onto the window and into the room. The curtain blocks out the sun, but not necessarily the heat. With shutters installed on the outside of your home, the heat will be kept out.

2. With the heat kept out, your air conditioner won’t have to work so hard at keeping your house cool during summer. Shutters help keep that cool air in your house and vice versa in winter, they can keep the warm air in.

3. You can control the amount of light you want in a room. Giamar Roller Tilt Shutters have unique tilt feature that lets you control and manage the noise and light coming into your home with one touch control. This is great for kids’ rooms when the sun rises early in Summer. Keeping the blinds shut at night will help keep the night feel longer which hopefully allows your kids to sleep in longer. (No guarantees but you do what you can right?)

4. Shutters can offer visual appeal to a house. Unlike window shades, they are not bulky and by choosing the right colour, they can blend in to the exterior of your home.

5. Shutters can offer privacy in a room. Keeping the shutters closed means people on the street can’t look into your house at night, or even during the day. We have the unfortunate scenario where we can’t get undressed in our bedroom with the lights on as it will be a viewing show for the street outside. Shutters would fix that problem for us.

6. Shutters can keep intruders out. It’s very hard for a house to be broken into when there are shutters on the windows. Summer is always a popular time for thieves – especially over Christmas holidays when they know there will be presents under a tree.

Giamar can offer Privacy Screens and Sun Control Louvres which are perfect for keeping your outdoor entertaining area cool during summer. There is nothing worse than entertaining outside, under your pergola and having the sun and heat beat down into the room. Installing the louvres can prevent that problem, and the privacy screens can be custom made to suit all projects. Popular installations are for privacy around spas or outdoor bathrooms.

Giamar Louvre privacy screens — Giamar Louvres

How do you keep the sun out of your house during summer? Would you consider getting shutters on your windows?

Disclaimer: This post has been written in accordance to my disclosure policy.

Last week on Home Improvement Thursday I learned quite a bit from the posts that linked up. The one thing I learned that had been bugging me for a while is understanding how Norwex works when cleaning your bathrooms – or just generally everywhere using microfiber cloths and water. How do the cloths get rid of the bacteria? Nikki from Nooks & Cranny shared how Norwex works and even has a giveaway on a basic home cleaning pack, perfect in time for Christmas. Nicole and I always enjoy when you link up. We look forward to seeing what you share this week.

If you’re a DIY, home organization, building, renovation, home makeover, home decorating, home maintenance or trade related blogger we’d LOVE you to link up with us below.Here are the HIT rules for how to link up and what you need to do once you have linked up.Linkable posts, must centre around the topics of DIY, Renovations, Home Organisation, Home Improvement, Home Makeovers, Home Styling, or Home Maintenance.

You can share 1 post each week. Please make sure they are new to the “Home Improvement Thursday” party.

Linking is simple, find the little blue button at the end of the post that says, Add Your Link, and then pop in your URL, and follow the prompts. Your link only needs to be added once and it will automatically show up on both of our blogs… it’s that easy!

Grab our #HIT button and pop it on your sidebar. Don’t forget to share it with others.

Follow the blogs of your fellow #HIT family, and leave a comment. Please visit and comment on at least three blogs that are near you on the list.

Leave a comment on the post below so we can return the favour and comment on your post.

Don’t forget to follow The Builder’s Wife and The Plumbette.

An InLinkz Link-up

Prove the Doubters Wrong

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November 25, 2015

Whenever you start something with good intentions, there will always be one person or one group of people that doubt your ability to succeed.

From my experience this negativity comes from two places: Pride and Envy. Very rarely have I found it come from a heart with good intentions. Of course, some criticism is good and is often needed for growth, but I’m not speaking about that type of negativity.

This week I was reminded about what I went through to finish my apprenticeship. The memories are as clear as day, even though the years have trickled by. Interestingly some of the challenges that female plumbers are facing right now, I’ve experienced handling them, and can offer wisdom on how to steer through these obstacles. I look forward to sharing those blog posts in the New Year.

But I digress, my biggest concern about doubters is they plant a seed of negativity and that seed can grow if we feed it with our own negative thoughts. And yes, it’s true, most of us who do try something new, battle with our minds on whether we have what it takes to pursue our dream. The only way for a seed to not take root is not to feed it and that’s where the battle of the mind takes place – learning to repel doubt to keep the flame alive. No one tells you the mind battles you go through to get where you want to be. Often one negative comment or action can be the breath that blows out a person’s drive to achieve their dream.

But you can’t let it. Whatever that dream is, whether you want to be a tradie and you’re a female or whether you’re a mum and you want to start a blog. Whatever you have felt led to do, you should do it because the world needs to see people passionately following their dreams.

The world is a different place to what it was 20 years ago and it will be different in another 20 years. If you don’t start now, you can never evolve because how can one evolve if they haven’t started?

Yesterday Mamamia shared this article about ‘mummy blogging’ being dead and how they are going to change the way they deliver content. Good on them. I hope it works out for them. I will never pull down another blogger or media group who decides to steer in a different direction.

But when steering in a new direction, don’t dampen the dreams of others. Mrs Woog shared the post with a comment she would have to find a new job and there were a number of comments from her community that said they were stuffed before they began. I think you’re stuffed if you don’t start.

I believe there is space for more mummy bloggers. And here is why.

There will be new mums next year and the year after and the year after that and many more years after that. There will be new challenges and changes that new mums will need to navigate. We need mummy bloggers to share how they navigate those changes in the present and future, for new mums who are going through them themselves.

We need mums to share the sweet spots in parenting and the not so great. Your story in your present time is needed for those who are going through the same issue. Your future stories are needed for future mums.

Of course once you start your blog, you may, like Mamamia, evolve to try new things. You may also choose not to.

The main point is to start and prove the doubters wrong. But you can’t prove your doubters wrong if you never start and if you don’t put one foot in front of the other.

For me, I turned the negativity (about being a female plumber) into a fire in my spirit to prove the doubters wrong so that they would be left eating their words.

And now, many of them are reading mine.

So please, don’t shrink back because of what someone has said or what someone is going to do differently. Just start and persevere and you will find your way.

What do you think about mummy bloggers? Do we need more or less? Is blogging dead?

Keep the Kids Busy This Summer With Crusaders Camps

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November 24, 2015

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This post has been written in collaboration with Crusaders Camps

Last Tuesday night as Jacob and I drove our girls to church, we stopped behind an old, remodeled Ford. In the back of the car I could make out there was a well-dressed young couple. At first I thought the couple must have just got married, as you could tell from the back that the girl was wearing a tiara and the young man was wearing a grey suit. In my mummy brain moment, I told Jacob the couple in front of us had just gotten married. As the light turned green and we eventually passed the car, Jacob said no they’re going to their formal. There’s no ribbon on the car. Ah-huh! Of course. November. The month of school formals and schoolies week.

The realization made me smile because our first date was at my school formal. That was over 14 years ago.

I have fond memories at the end of 2001 when I graduated from high school. There was my school formal where I took my future husband (although I didn’t know it at that time), and then I went away on Schoolies Week to the Whitsunday Islands. My parents were fairly strict on where I went outside of high school, so I was relieved that they agreed I could go on a schoolies camp of sorts, up north which was known back then as Backflip. If I requested to go to the Gold Coast I knew the answer straight away. There was no point asking, but there was initiative of showing my mum an alternative destination.

That Whitsunday’s trip was fabulous. A team of leaders and a couple of hundred (could have been less) 17 year olds (who had parents that thought similarly to mine!) travelled by Qrail to Proserpine. We were divided into groups and our itinerary included sailing around the Whitsunday Islands for a couple of days, relaxing at Long Island Beach Resort for two days and 1 night, and hanging around Airlie Beach. There was never a dull moment. I had such an awesome time, my friend took this photo of me fast asleep at a table, outside a café, in the heart of the shopping precinct of Airlie Beach. I think I slept for half an hour or so! Embarrassing!

The best part of going on Backflip was having the safety of leaders that were similar in faith and were there to ensure us kids had a good time and didn’t get ourselves into trouble. When you’re 17, and you’ve finished school, you think you know everything and you’re keen to try everything. Thank goodness for the safety net of those leaders!

When I think back to my teenage years, some of my best trips away were on church camps or school camps that offered a variety of activities with a safe and spiritually enlightening atmosphere.

The Crusaders Camps in Sydney are just like that. Camps that are run through school holidays that offer adventure activities for kids, while encouraging the development of their mind, body and spirit.

These days, so many teens and young kids revert to the IPad or TV during their holidays. While I believe teens and kids need to learn how to make their own fun, sending them on a camp is not a fob off option. The Crusaders camps are organized to ensure your teen has a good time and gives them the freedom to search out their spirituality in a safe environment.

Camps like The Crusaders are a great option for working parents who are unable to take time off work to look after their kids during school holidays. Often it can give a buffer until you can take time off to spend with your kids.

If you live in Sydney and its surrounding suburbs and you want your child to have super cool memories of their holidays, why not check out Cru Camps? Or at least get your child to check out what’s on offer at the camp. Not only will your kids make the best memories, they will make new friends. I still keep in contact with some of the friends I made on that Schoolies trip many years ago.

Did you go on Schoolies week when you were 17? Ever go on an organised camp during school holidays?

This post has been written in accordance with my disclosure policy.

Finding the Sweet Spot in Parenting

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November 21, 2015

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It may come as a surprise that this year has been one of the hardest years of parenting for me. In some ways I assumed this year would be easier because Esther would be at Kindy and I’d only have Maggie and Phoebe at home. But it can be hard keeping a 1 year old and 2 year old entertained.

Phoebe gets into everything and Maggie likes to destroy everything. Typical toddler behavior.

toddler emptying drawers — Phoebe loves emptying containers and drawers.

While I’m crafting with Maggie and Esther (on the days she’s not at Kindy) I set up an obstacle course of sorts with toys for Phoebe to play with. The morning always ends in mess and screaming because Phoebe gets a hold of the glue and Maggie gets upset, or Phoebe takes Maggie’s favourite Barbie and snatches it from her and Phoebe screams in protest.

Just a typical day with little people I guess. But it can sometimes be unrelenting. The fighting and screaming and eye rolls have often left me exhausted by the afternoon and when Jacob walks through the door I sigh with relief that I have backup.

Through the mess and the attitude, through the tears and the screams, I stop to find my sweet spot in parenting.

That sweet spot of seeing my girls play nicely together or when they remember to say please and thank you. My girls aren’t bad kids. But they sure know how to test me and my patience.

And patience is what is most important in these early years as my girls grow and learn to control their emotions. Sometimes the to do list can overwhelm my brain that I forget to stop and take in the sweet moments of parenting.

Take for example last week when I took all three girls grocery shopping with me. I’ve reverted to doing my shopping back in the store because 1. It gives the girls an outing and something to do and 2. I’m not great at organizing shopping delivery online. I always leave it to the last minute which means all the available delivery options are filled the next day. Right when we’ve run out of bread and can’t do for a day longer.

I don’t mind taking the girls shopping with me. They are a great help picking apples and tomatoes and counting bananas. They are also cunning and have snuck the odd pack of lamingtons or bag of lollies in the trolley. How I don’t see it on the conveyor belt when I unload the trolley, I’m not sure. Esther has obviously got it down to a fine art.

Anyway, last week before we even walked into the shops I spotted a 10 cent coin in the carpark and got Esther to pick it up. I told her she could put it in her piggy bank when she got home.

Of course Maggie was upset that she didn’t have a coin so Esther gave it to Maggie to keep the peace. She apparently only likes gold coins anyway. Smart kid.

We went about our way through the aisles and when we got to the check out, I started to unload the trolley. The checkout lady was talking to Esther and Maggie. Maggie kept jumping up and down and trying to put her hand over the conveyor belt. I was too busy feeding the belt with our groceries to take notice of what Maggie was doing. Maggie was insistent and said three times ‘I can’t reach. I can’t reach. I can’t reach Mummy.’

I looked at Maggie and told her ‘You don’t have to reach Maggie. Mummy is putting the groceries up here.’

‘But mummy I can’t reach’ and she continue to jump and strain over the conveyor belt. The checkout lady stopped scanning my groceries to understand why Maggie was saying she couldn’t reach and then it dawned on us both at the same time. Maggie was upset she couldn’t reach across the conveyor belt to put her money in the donation box for Blind Dogs Australia.

The checkout lady responded, ‘Well aren’t you a generous and clever girl, wanting to give your money away. Well done mummy for bringing up such a sweet girl.’

I had to blink back my tears and picked Maggie up so she could drop the 10 cents into the donation box.

And then without a second glance she went to put her face up close to the mirror that sits at the end of the check-out and blew a raspberry, thinking nothing of what she had just done.

I could have missed that sweet spot had I continued to ignore Maggie as I unloaded the trolley.

The sweet spots of parenting are all around us. We just have to choose to stop and listen. And bottle memories like these when the sweet spots are hard to find.

How do you find your sweet spot in parenting? What have your kids done lately that have made you blink back tears (in a good way)?

Bathroom Trends for 2016 & Home Improvement Thursday

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Contemporary Powder Room by Melbourne Architects alsoCAN Architects

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November 19, 2015

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If you’re planning a bathroom renovation for the New Year, you’ll be interested to know these bathroom trends for 2016. The bathroom has evolved from a room for functional purposes to an oasis of relaxation. The key to a successful bathroom renovation is creating a bathroom that won’t date over time. Here are some key trends that you may like to incorporate in your bathroom.

Timber in the bathroom will be big next year. There’s been a real push towards the natural when it comes to creating interiors and what better way to introduce nature into a bathroom than through the use of timber? Expert designers advise timber will be used differently than previously seen. If you want to add this look to your bathroom, why not have a timber feature wall or wooden fixtures. Duckboard flooring is also another popular way timber will be introduced to bathrooms.

2. Cool tones are in. Blues and greens will be dominant colours in bathrooms in 2016. If you’re scared of this dating, use the colour in an accent tile or use your accessories to introduce the colour. All shades of pink from coral to musk will also be popular in the bathroom.

3. Unusual tile patterns. Simple tiles will be laid in different ways. Popular patterns are herringbone, basket weave and windmill.

Contemporary Bathroom by Melbourne Home Builders Metricon

4. Big tiles are in; mosaics and tiny feature tiles are out.

5. Double head showers are a popular choice for the shower. Rather than a dual shower head, the installation style that will be trending is the above rain shower head with a separate hand shower on a rail.

6. Metallics will still be making an appearance in the bathroom through brass tapware to copper baths. The more worn the look, the better.

Contemporary Bathroom by Sydney Kitchen Designers & Renovators Granite Transformations

7. White taps are coming back in. A white mixer installed on a white basin offers a fluid look and will pop against a bright splash back.

8. Textiles and homewares will be added to the bathroom to create ambience and a living room vibe.

Contemporary Bathroom by Melbourne Interior Designers & Decorators Austin Design Associates

9. Industrial chic will be a big trend for 2016. Concrete walls and vanity tops will be hugely popular and will add to the ‘cool’ interior.

Modern Bathroom

10. Indoor plants will be popular in bathrooms next year. Lush and leafy plants are what will be seen in bathroom interiors. Mother-in-law tongue and Jasmine will be popular choices for the bathroom.

Contemporary Powder Room by Perth Building Designers David Wilkes Design

Which bathroom trends will you incorporate into your new renovation next year?

Last week on Home Improvement Thursday, Aaron from Mayfair Plumbing gave great advice about giving your kitchen or bathroom a facelift. Sarah from TOMFO shared her new office and how she made her desk. It’s something I would love to do in my office when the girls are old enough to work with me in there.

As always, Nicole and I love seeing you link up and look forward to being inspired by your Home Improvement posts.

If you’re a DIY, home organization, building, renovation, home makeover, home decorating, home maintenance or trade related blogger we’d LOVE you to link up with us below.Here are the HIT rules for how to link up and what you need to do once you have linked up.Linkable posts, must centre around the topics of DIY, Renovations, Home Organisation, Home Improvement, Home Makeovers, Home Styling, or Home Maintenance.

You can share 1 post each week. Please make sure they are new to the “Home Improvement Thursday” party.

Linking is simple, find the little blue button at the end of the post that says, Add Your Link, and then pop in your URL, and follow the prompts. Your link only needs to be added once and it will automatically show up on both of our blogs… it’s that easy!

Grab our #HIT button and pop it on your sidebar. Don’t forget to share it with others.

Follow the blogs of your fellow #HIT family, and leave a comment. Please visit and comment on at least three blogs that are near you on the list.

Leave a comment on the post below so we can return the favour and comment on your post.

Don’t forget to follow The Builder’s Wife and The Plumbette.

An InLinkz Link-up

When Your Breath Smells Like a Toilet (And How to Fix it)

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November 18, 2015

This post has been written in Collaboration with Robert Duhig Dental

Plumbers are notorious for creating smells while they work. Whether cutting into a sewer for a new connection or disconnecting a toilet or grey water pump that has remnants of last night’s dinner. (bleugh)

Some plumbers smell themselves because they’ve been covered in all manner of effluent.

The smells plumbers can control are their own bodily ones. Come to mention it, everyone can control their own body odour by practicing good hygiene – daily showers, antiperspirant deodorant under the armpits, wearing new undies every day, washing clothes when they reek, farting in the toilet (not always practical, but much appreciated) and brushing teeth to keep bad breath at bay.

But bad breath is not as easy to fix by just brushing your teeth.

Bad breath is caused by a number of different factors, and most people won’t tell you you have it unless they’re really close to you and can’t stand the smell that permeates from your mouth when you talk to them.

Bad breath is usually caused by a number of different scenarios which include:

Bacteria that likes to congregate in your mouth
Bad Oral Hygiene and Periodontitis
Dry mouth
Smoking
Eating food that has garlic, onion and/or spices
Reflux
Chronic Sinusitis
Tonsel Stones

It can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of bad breath. Until now.

Brisbane Dentist, Robert Duhig, offers a breath analysis through the use of the Oral Chroma (aka the Halicheck) which can pinpoint the cause of your bad breath. The Oral Chroma is a breath analyser that is 100 times more sensitive than the human nose. This new technology is helping dentists find the direct source of bad breath in patients, which allows them to tailor make a treatment plan.

Robert Duhig explains via his dental website how the analysis works:

The Breath Test is very simple and easy to do. We put a syringe (there is no needle attached) into your mouth while you breathe normally through your nose. It stays in your mouth for a minute then we suck up the Breath sample which is then injected into the Oral Chroma Breath Testing Machine. It takes about 5 minutes to analyse the sample after which we can show you the results and even print them out for you to take home.

The process is simple and pain-free.

If you suffer from bad breath and are looking for a gentle dentist who can handle and fix your bad breath, Rob Duhig Dental at Sandgate is the place to go.

For appointments or more information, head to the website. Don’t walk around worried your breath smells like a toilet any longer.

Robert Duhig Dentist is one of Brisbane’s few providers of cutting edge breath analysis using the Oral Chroma machine. This state of the art machine measures chemical trace in your mouth to detect and target-treat bad breath problems. If you dread visiting the dentist, relax knowing the dentists at Rob Duhig Dentist will provide a gentler, friendlier dental experience for the whole family.

Do you work or live with someone with bad breath? How do you keep bad breath at bay?

This post has been written in collaboration with my disclosure policy.

The Best of Myer Giftorium 2015

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November 17, 2015

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Is it me or has Christmas come early this year? I feel like the Christmas parties are now being celebrated in November and the stores have been preparing well in advance in anticipation for the big event. Despite the early warnings, I haven’t finished shopping yet, but I have started looking and thanks to an invite to Myer’s Giftorium in the Myer Centre, I was able to get some present ideas for those I’ve yet to buy for.

This year’s Giftorium featured different brands to the previous year. If you think you will see the same products instore this year, you won’t. You will see more. Myer has increased their overall Giftorium footprint by 12 percent which means there is a lot more to offer.

Disney is heavily featured in the kids domain with displays from Frozen and Toy Story. There is a large selection of games and craft kits on sale as well.

I would have taken more photos, but I had a one year old and two year old who were eager to check out the toys and ruin the displays!

One of my favourite parts of the Giftorium in the Myer Centre is the Santa Express Train and lining up to have an exclusive visit and photo with Santa. It just adds to the whole experience of Christmas shopping I think. Or at least you can bribe your kids with a free train ride if you need to get some shopping done. Miss Phoebe screamed blue murder when placed in the train, hence why the seat behind Maggie is empty. I’m sure she would have calmed down once the train started moving but safety said if she didn’t stop crying, she would have to be removed from the train.

After the train ride, we waited in line to see Santa who is in a room in the middle of the Santa Express track. I wanted to see if we would have any meltdowns. But we didn’t. Just a note here, you will need to book in to see Santa if you do come to the Myer Centre.

Maggie told Santa she wanted Smarties and pink presents for Christmas and Phoebe was more interested in sleeping Rudolph than giving any sort of attention or requests to Santa. She’ll learn quick next year I have no doubt.

One of the popular items at the Giftorium are the personalized Nutella jars. I got one in my goodie bag and I can’t wait to open it… although I will most likely be sharing it because my kids can’t read yet.

There were special displays for pet presents, which for some people are their only babies and deserve being spoilt. Funnily enough I bought two donuts for Phoebe’s room, only to realize at the counter they were actually dog toys that squeak. I’m still going to put them in her Santa Sack so they can be displayed in her room.

Inflatable Flamingo and Donut Pool floats were on display – as well as entertaining products. Anything that has been trending in entertaining and homewares were amongst the gifts on display.

I couldn’t leave without buying Maggie some Minnie Mouse shoes, inspired my Miss Smiley who bought the same ones. I also bought Cinderella shoes for Esther, which ironically, just fit her feet.

I found that a lot of the products on display were great for Kris Kringle type gifts or stocking fillers. If you’re on a budget this season, Myer Giftorium will have a present to suit your wallet.

Thank you to Myer and Kids Business for the invitation and the goodie bag given during the event.

Have you started your Christmas Shopping yet? Do you feel like Christmas has come earlier this year?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

Why I Choose Not to be Scared of The Future World my Girls Will Live In

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November 16, 2015