smile...
Expect wonderful things to happen...and it will!
A chalk drawing of a surfboard
{no assistance, no prompting, no aids to follow}
just Daddy saying
"draw whatever you want little mate"
Top Drawer part two
Yesterday I shared with you my wonderful trip to Top Drawer and one of the two Spring/Summer trends at the show in the forum put together in partnership with leading trend forecasters, Trend Bible. Today I am sharing with you the second big trend for this Spring/Summer.
Spectacle S/S 2011
A theatrical story inspired by aged curiosity shops and old apothecaries. An antiqued glamorous and sinister atmospheric story with decadent folklore and fairy tales at its heart. Dark, shadowy colours with heavily embellished sequin surfaces and high-shine metallics. Motifs of magpies, crows and insects. Glass cloche's, antique frames and glossy black furniture. A new mood for appreciating the bizarre, unique and wondrous!
I would love to get some of the insect embroidered napkins made from vintage damask tablecloths for my Halloween. I am also coveting the textile taxidermy magpies from Donya Coward.
Have a sweet day!
Dealing with Difficult People # 5: Toddlers
I am not one of those mothers who smiles sweetly at the wild-eyed newbies frantically rocking their selfish newborns and shrieks "enjoy the baby stage, just you wait until they're TWO."
No, I'm not one of those. I can't stand those know-it-all mothers who just have to share (but more on them in a later post). Besides, I think newborns are the most difficult creatures known to woman.
But toddlers, ah Toddlers, are a very close second.
Ruthless, cunning; dear god they're accountable to no one. If you've never eyeballed a Toddler on the Verge of a Naughty Breakdown, you've never viewed a true enemy. Once a Toddler has something in their sights, they will stop at nothing, absolutely NOTHING to get it.
Enter the Terrifying Toddler Tantrum.
Mothers have been broken. Supermarkets have been trashed. Dummies have been lost.
But fear not, I've got their number. Most toddlers will try the major full-blown TTT, but most will hang out the white nappy after a single incident* when they come up against their natural born enemy: The Prepared Mother. Pop these tips in your arsenal and get ready to return fire.
1. Ignore
It's a constant refrain here at the Difficult People Files. Whether the bad behaviour is coming from a smug shop assistant, an Olympic Parent or a juiced-up Mr 2 in aisle five... the strategy is the same: IGNORE THEM. Quietly (but in a voice loud enough to be heard over the screeching... this takes practice) say, "I don't like the way you're behaving, Mr 2. I'm going to head off and you can join me when you're feeling quieter."
Step over the little tyke if you have to (avoid stepping on fingers, but they can generally take some subtle foot-to-the-butt treatment as you go by) and hide yourself nearby. Monitor out of your peripheral vision, only looking at them directly if you are certain they can't see you.
Note that while you are ignoring Mr 2 you will most probably have to ignore the tsk-tsking of general passersby as they judge you for being a cold, heartless mother or wonder what you're doing hiding behind the biscuit display. IGNORE them. If you so much as make eye-contact with one of these Concerned Citizens, Mr 2 will have won.
2. Be patient
They don't show this on Supernanny due to editing, but ignoring takes lots and lots of time.
Just keep waiting and Mr 2 will at some stage work out that you are not around for his grand performance, get even more hysterical, come looking for you, find you behind the biscuits, throw himself at you dramatically and cling like a demented barnacle to your disinterested skirt. Keep ignoring. Resist the urge to kick the hysterical little cling-on off like a used pair of undies. Mentally run through your shopping list. Mentally run through your 'To Do' list. Mentally run through your 'Life Goals'** list. Remind yourself that no child ever died from crying***. Ignore Concerned Citizens.
3. Do the walk
Allow Mr 2 to exhaust himself sobbing. You will need him fairly droopy for this next stage. This is the 'I'm really leaving' stage. You have to walk as if you mean business - with confidence, purpose and vigour. You have to do this while dragging a screaming child along, clinging to the edge of your skirt.
Oh, make sure you always wear a non-elasticised skirt to the supermarket. That should have been Tip 1.
4. Bring out the big guns
By this stage you've been hanging out in aisle five so long that they're rotating the use by dates on the food. Most toddlers will have eased to a dull roar by now, but if you've got one of those stubborn ones, you will need to bring out the big guns.
"Do you want to stay here tonight? Well, calm down please."
Start to walk away again. Repeat the threat of abandonment until tantrum has subsided (don't panic, things are generally faster now they're facing a night hanging out with the store packers).
5. Hug and praise
Once the tantrum has gone and you are left with a red, heaving sludge that used to be Mr 2, get down on the floor with him (he will absolutely be on the floor. Prone.) and say, "That's a nice boy now, I'm so glad we're friends again. Shall we keep going with the shopping?"
The answer to that question, by the way, is "No." Do not keep going with the shopping. Move at lightening speed through the check-out and get the hell home.
Yes, it's taken time, yes it was a long haul. You should feel battle weary, but smiley. Exhausted, but satisfied. For you, my friend, have won the war against the Toddler. Now, you can do anything.
How did / do you handle your own children's tantrums?
* I mean it when I said that they will only ever have one using these tips. Each Tsunamis had exactly one. My only glitch was Cappers - she was never a screamer, she was a leg dropper (you know, suddenly the legs cannot possibly bear weight and the child is stiff as a board). She used to watch you disinterestedly as you walked and walked and walked away and eventually you were faced with having to start walking backwards lest you find yourself crossing roads. Really needy that one...
** If, of course, you are self-absorbed enough to have such a list. I will not judge.
*** This claim is not substantiated. It is possible that one or two healthy, loved children have cried themselves to death at some stage in history. Please do not forward sad children-dying-of-crying stories. I will not read them.
[Image via Revoluzzza's amazing monster fest]
Adopt a Softie
So if you love the idea of the Hope Softies but are HOPELESS at SOFTIES, this is your opportunity to contribute.Remember, when you're paying it forward, 'handmade' is a very generous word. Made by hand, remember? Bake a slice, make a pet rock, buy some pretty ribbon and tie it in a bow... you don't have to wear clever crafty clogs to be a 'handmade' guru.
Pay it forward.
Oh, and speaking of being really, really nice, do you think if you have a moment, you could pop over to Sugar Coat It and vote for my sister And then there were four in the side bar? She really wants a blog makeover and if she doesn't win Melissa's then I will have to do it... so, pretty please?!
[Softie image is by Revoluzzza - my fave - which may or may not be indicative of what Brenda has in store for your donated softie...]
Now I am 20 Weeks...
All of a sudden, my little sonny-boy is 5 months old...
And this month in particular has been an absolute corker for development and change! Yes folks, Elli-boo is officially on. the. move. But in a kind of stealth fashion. The type that when I place him down on the floor on a rug and leave the room for 30 seconds, I come back to find him jammed underneath the glass coffee table (1.5 metres away), his little head peering forlornly up through the glass as if he can't quite work out how he got there, either! I've had to drag out Fern's old Safe-T-Sleep and velcro Elliott into his cot for sleeps, otherwise I hear him whinging in the middle of the night only to find him over on his tummy, unable to find his way back onto his back!
Elli also sampled his first culinary delight a few days ago... a bit of organic baby porridge from the Rafferty's range. He wasn't overly convinced, but he certainly gave it a go! I can't believe I'm going to have to start becoming a steaming/ pureeing/ ice-cube tray-stuffing domestic goddess in a matter of days! With Fern unable to watch Elliott eat without it being "my turn! my tuuuuuuuurn!" I'm hoping it might be the catalyst for her to start eating vegetables again (don't get me started on this) and so I'm sort of secretly looking forward to this stage where, if he's anything like what Fern WAS, he'll open his mouth like a hungry sparrow to any veggie concoction I place in front of him. For a few months, anyways... I'm sure there'll be more on this exciting devt over the coming weeks!
But most of all, I'm enjoying the little personality that's blooming like a summer Frangipani. He laughs with joyous abandon, his little eyes crinkling in delight. Even when Fern splashes water onto his face while in the bath. And he squeaks at me like a little chipmunk, little sounds that one day will become words... and he wraps me around his little finger, he does. And has done. And probably always will do. What is it about mummies and their sons? Keep growing, boy-o. You're my little man in the making.
ps. Thankyou SO much to each and every one of you who have posted words of advice and support for my impending little business. YOU have given me the confidence to give this a go, and your advice is invaluable. If I could give you all a big kiss, I would. So thankyou thankyou thankyou. x
Read More...
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| Yes, he's a chunky little monkey... |
Elli also sampled his first culinary delight a few days ago... a bit of organic baby porridge from the Rafferty's range. He wasn't overly convinced, but he certainly gave it a go! I can't believe I'm going to have to start becoming a steaming/ pureeing/ ice-cube tray-stuffing domestic goddess in a matter of days! With Fern unable to watch Elliott eat without it being "my turn! my tuuuuuuuurn!" I'm hoping it might be the catalyst for her to start eating vegetables again (don't get me started on this) and so I'm sort of secretly looking forward to this stage where, if he's anything like what Fern WAS, he'll open his mouth like a hungry sparrow to any veggie concoction I place in front of him. For a few months, anyways... I'm sure there'll be more on this exciting devt over the coming weeks!
But most of all, I'm enjoying the little personality that's blooming like a summer Frangipani. He laughs with joyous abandon, his little eyes crinkling in delight. Even when Fern splashes water onto his face while in the bath. And he squeaks at me like a little chipmunk, little sounds that one day will become words... and he wraps me around his little finger, he does. And has done. And probably always will do. What is it about mummies and their sons? Keep growing, boy-o. You're my little man in the making.
ps. Thankyou SO much to each and every one of you who have posted words of advice and support for my impending little business. YOU have given me the confidence to give this a go, and your advice is invaluable. If I could give you all a big kiss, I would. So thankyou thankyou thankyou. x
Wordless Wednesday: On Cloud Nine
Taken by my parents lake. At first this was a 'outtake' photo. But after playing around with in Photoshop it has become one of my favorite photos!
Top Drawer
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to Rice DK's Kiss and Glam up presentation day on the 18th January at Top Drawer, a UK based interior trade show. Unfortunately, due to my day job I wasn't able to make it, but as the show opened on Sunday I went then.
I was accompanied by the uber-stylish fashion blogger Holly Springett. Please check out her blog for all the up and coming delights the fashion world has to offer.
I had visited the Top Drawer website the night before and had a look at the brands I most wanted to visit, including old favourites Lisbeth Dahl, Rice DK and Belle & Boo.
Top of my list was the pretty vintage-looking brand Miss Etoile, who didn't disappoint! More on that later...
Upon entering Top Drawer there was a trend forum highlighting two big trends for this Spring/Summer and two future trends for Autumn/Winter 2011 put together in partnership with leading trend forecasters, Trend Bible.
Vintage Vacation S/S 2011
Vintage Vacation featured a pretty ice cream van adorned with delightful bunting - a nostalgic story based on the familiar comfort of happy childhood holidays in Britain. Think pretty deckchair stripes, fifties florals, rik-rak and hand crafted knits and embroideries. It encompasses the growing trend of home baking and includes whimsical cake stands reminding you of the tea rooms found in most seaside resorts up and down the country. All in a colour palette of faded brights and pretty ice cream colours.
I had a fabulous time with Holly and was totally inspired by all the lovely treasures I saw and the sweet people I met. I will, of course, be sharing more about the other trends at the show as well as other show highlights over the next couple of weeks so stay tuned...
A big thanks to Shermine at Rice DK for the invite, beautifully bright eye candy and goody bag!
The gorgeous candy wallpaper is by Kate Usher and is called "Oh Sweetie" it is available from My Deco.
Have a sweet day!
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