Relaxed

I love this photo taken by my 7yo. She staged, arranged and snaped. Unfiltered.

I am joining up for Wordless Wednesday with My Little Drummer Boys

and Twinkle in the eye

What I wore: My 40th birthday party

Last night I celebrated 40 with a bang. Burnt Orange served endless plates of delicious Tapas and we were bursting at the seams. There was lots of loud laughing coming from all ends of the room and too much champagne poured.

I completely loved my Kitten D'Amour dress. It was so fun and playful. I teamed it with a strutting pair of Pinkinc heels. I found these at Myer reduced from $189 to $28. The price made me love them even more.

Thanks to the lovely Mrs BC's House of Chaos for the centre top photo.

The 20s, 30s and 40s

As you probably already know, my 40th birthday is only days away. It has got me thinking about the last few decades.

The 20s - The Selfish Decade

The twenties were all about me. I broke off an engagement with my teen sweetheart. I met my love, I worked long, long hours for law firms that didn't give a rats. I wine and dined clients, lost nights in nightclubs with friends and ate too many rich meals in restaurants.

My heart was broken when my father died suddenly at 49 years old. This was my first taste of death and the biggest shock of my life.

I got engaged and married.

The 30s - The Mummy years

I had a miscarriage shortly after I turned 30yo. It was only then that I realised I wanted children. I had my first later that year and my second when I was 32yo. 

First there was Stompy...

..then there was Mimi.

I discovered that I enjoyed running and I wasn't complete crap at it. I competed in fun runs and even won a medal.

We bought and sold a few houses. This was our first house and it was barely bigger than a shed. We were so proud of it.

My girls grew up a little, started school and found their own personalities.

 We holidayed and partied

 With my gorgeous niece on Coronet Peak in New Zealand

(Pretending to be JLo and Marc Anthony but not quite pulling it off)

And spent a lot of time with family.

I can't begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to the next decade, because they seem to keep getting better.

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning usually starts with my husband walking around the house singing and attempting to motivate everyone to get up, get dressed and get to bootcamp. Don't get me wrong, I love bootcamp, I love my husband's happy songs but I also like to wake up slowly and drink two cups of coffee.

6.30am One cup of coffee later, we were down the beach with the Dimitri from Trainers by the Bay to kick each others arse. Bootcamp brings out my inner tomboy and competitiveness. I would hate me. Dimitri was kind enough to pose for some photos. 

What I love about bootcamp is that it combines my three loves. Family, nature and exercise. If only there were a way to include food and wine then it would be perfect.

8.30am Showered, dressed and sitting in Church. I decided to pack away the tomboy and be girly. I broke out my pretty, Italian brushed gold necklace and earrings. My husband picked these up in Germany. I love the delicateness of them.

Like teenagers, we both giggled when we saw the word Jesus because it reminded us of this photo we saw earlier in the week.

Image credit

10.30am At home eating warm hot cross buns with oozing melting butter.

12.30pm Blogging with children breathing in my ear whispering about grumbling tummies.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday

Blogger Basics: 8 ways to build up your readership

When you first start blogging you are amazed that even one person managed to find your blog. Your biggest readers all have the same surname as you or happen to be in your circle of friends. After the excitement of one or two regular readers wears off, you start to wonder how people will find you.  Here are a few ways I increased and continue to increase my readers:

1. Be a big reader and commenter on other blogs. I always try to leave a comment on any blog I visit. I think it is polite and...
• The blogger will see your name, your insightful or hysterically witty comments and be interested enough to visit you; and
• Their readers will also see your comment. Once again, if your comment is good, they might want to seek you out too.
2. Guest post for bigger bloggers. Ideally, look for blogs with a similar audience to yours. When I started blogging I approached many bigger bloggers and asked if they accept guest posts. Write a post and send it to them for consideration. Make sure it's original material and hasn't been used anywhere else. Also include a bio, a good photo and all your links.
3. Post regularly. It doesn't have to be everyday but visitors like to see fresh material. If I visit a blog that hasn't been active for a few months, I don't return.
4. Create Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts under your blog name and make sure you share new posts on them.
5. Share other peoples posts. When people know you are a sharer, they are more likely to want to share your posts too.
6. Participate in linky parties. This is a great way to find new blogs to read, and get people to notice yours.
7. Join blogger networking sites.
8. If you can, attend a blogging conference. This is a great way to learn a lot, meet great people and get your name out there.

What have you found to be successful in building up your readers?

Why I love Running shoes....

I do love sportswear, running shoes and all the paraphernalia that goes along with them.  Here are a few reasons I love running shoes:

1. They come in really cool colours. I am like a magpie and love bright things. The brighter the running shoe the more desperately I obsess on them. 'Get in my cupboard' (said in the voice of Fat Bastard from Austin Powers);
2. When they are new, they feel like you are running on springy-sponges. You feel like a superhero;
3. You feel fitter as soon as you put them on. (Also check out this and this for other faux fit tips);
4. When your kids start running away, you are more likely to catch them than if you were wearing heels;
5. When you run away, your children can't catch up;
6. They re-motivate you. As soon as you get a new pair, you want to hit the pavement straight away;
7. They make you walk like you are stronger. Just like P!nk or Jennifer Garner when she was Sydney Bristow in Alias;
8. You can use them without any other equipment (except clothes and a sports bra)
9. They don't make your feet hurt if you wear them too long.
10. They are lighter than any other type of workout shoe. Some of them are like wrapping your feet in a cloud.

Vibram - toe shoes. I reviewed these after a run.

On Tuesdays I link up with IBOT at Essentially Jess

Life of Pi Movie Review

I was one of the lucky winners of Nuffnang's double passes to preview Life of Pi. This isn't released until January. Woohoo!! Last night, I organised my date for the night, Lisa from Mrs BC's House of Chaos, got pretty and headed off to Dendy at Portside. We got there with 15 minutes to spare. This is just enough time to have a quick drink and enjoy the river view.

I am a huge fan of Yann Martel's book and I couldn't see how this gorgeous, crazy, unbelievable story could be translated to the big screen. Oh, my friggin' gosh!!! This was simply beautiful. It completely exceeded my expectations. It was amazing in 3D. I think this is one of those movies that should be seen this way. I could really feel the rough seas, the deep bengal tiger growl and the gentle rocking.

The casting was excellent. Suraj Sharma was perfect as 16 year old shipwrecked Pi. I had seen it mentioned that Gerard Depardieu was in it. I am surprised he was even mentioned for the brief 30 seconds he has on screen.

I love Richard Parker!

Thank you Nuffnang and 20th Century Fox for this experience.

Girl on Raw

I have been following Girl on Raw for a while now and find her so inspiring. Robyn used to live in Redcliffe but now resides with her family in Saudi Arabia. Robyn is an international flight attendant and a qualified Raw chef.

If she wasn't impressive enough, she has now found time to write an ebook titled 'Smoothies and Juices for Newbies'. I was so excited when I saw this. My husband has been known to go through the odd diet and he recently brought home a shiny, new, industrial strength juicer. He had been whipping up the oddest combinations which he would then attempt to balance as he chased me through the house to taste test. I still have fennel flashbacks.

Now, I am getting on the same bandwagon but I have some tried, tested and delicious combos to drink. I am a huge fan of the Ginger Top and the Honey Bee. These are both so simple and yummy. I also think I will be drinking the Detox Juice quite a lot after the Christmas season.

This book has much more than just recipes. Robyn also provides a great guide to help and inform you about raw, organic diet and health. It's full of great tips and excellent advice. You don't have to go completely raw to enjoy this, you can just add elements to your existing diet.

GIVEAWAY!!! - THIS HAS NOW CLOSED AND THE WINNERS NOTIFIED BY EMAIL

I am really excited to be able to offer a free copy to 3 lucky readers. If you would like to own a copy of  Smoothies and Juices for Newbies, all you need to do is:

1. Leave a comment either here or on facebook telling me why you would like to win a copy.
2. Enter prior to 6am on 28 December 2012.
3. If you would like to 'like' Redcliffe Style or Girl on Raw on Facebook that would be nice too.

Good Luck!!


Robyn's Bio
Robyn Law is 'Girl on Raw' a certified raw food chef, writer, coach, speaker and teacher. Although based in Saudi Arabia with her family, Robyn often travels home to their native Australia and other parts of the world, where she educates other on how to make more raw food a part of normal day-to-day living.

With over 6 years of eating a predominately plant and raw based diet, Robyn has been sharing her tips, tricks and knowledge gained from both formal training as well as self study through both her blog www.girlonraw.com, eBooks, coaching programs, group and personal classes.

You can find and follow Robyn at: www.girlonraw.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

I have not received payment to review or host a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

On Tuesdays I link up with IBOT at Essentially Jess

Product Review: Image Skincare

In August I attended the Beauty expo in Sydney. There were hundred of stands and thousands of products. I stumbled across an Image Skincare stand. I'd never heard of them before and they were offering free facials. I couldn't resist for three reasons. It's a facial, I am a product whore and I needed to get off my tired, sore feet.

I immediately loved these products on a very shallow level. They smelled amazing and felt gorgeous. But smelling and feeling good isn't enough. DO THEY WORK?

Let's get real here. I am almost 40 years old. I have suffered from pimples and blackheads all my life. Pregnancy blessed me with lovely hyper-pigmentation and now I have wrinkles to add to the mix.

Immediately
My skin looked great after the facial. I bought a small trial pack and within a week I was contacting them to purchase more. Still, one week isn't enough to know if they really work but it's long enough to know that they are working at a low level and my skin was reacting in a positive way

4 Months Later
I have had another two level 1 peels. My skin is smoother than it has ever been and my pigmentation is definitely fading. My love of these products had deepened. I am planning a few level 2 peels before my 40th as a present to myself. I am really excited to see the results.

What I like

• My home care range includes only 6 products. I love that I don't need to buy 25 products to achieve results at home
• I also find them well priced compared to other high end products.
• They work at a cellular level
• They are Paraben free, animal cruelty free, environmentally friendly, no chemicals preservatives or artificial fragrances

I am thrilled that my local beauty salon fell in love with Image too. This is very convenient. If you would like to check them out for yourself, contact Beautiful You and tell them I sent you ;)

This is not a sponsored post but an honest review of some gorgeous products.

Beautiful You Hair and Beauty
07 3284 6463
beautifulu@bigpond.com

The Walking Dead in Lego

I have been watching 'The Walking Dead' and I love it. I download each episode as it becomes available and can not wait until I can sit quietly and get my fix. Now I see walkers (zombies) everywhere.

I was walking passed my daughters abandoned lego game and this is what I saw.

Obviously it's all over for the headless lady, I am assuming that's Lori but I am concerned that the blonde may be Andrea.

Hershel Greene's deserted farmhouse

I hope this isn't Daryl Dixon (the requisite, delicious, bad boy)

 The mysterious Michonne as she collapses on the wrong side of the fence

 "Nervous Nellie" the horse borrowed by Daryl to look for Sophia

 A walker or just passed out after a big night?

 Maggie driving the escape van

 Carnage, everywhere

 Weapons to re-kill the walkers 

Maybe I need a break from this show and should watch something light and fluffy.

What are you watching at the moment?

I am joining up for Wordless Wednesday with My Little Drummer Boys

and Twinkle in the eye

LOL movie review with a give way valued at $200

This movie is a remake of a French movie by the same name. It's a coming of age/love triangle/teen angst/drama movie. I think it's fine for what it is. It's not going to change your world or inspire you to start writing fan fiction but it will keep you entertained for 1.5 hours.

Miley Cyrus is the lead and does a fine job. I think she is quite charismatic on screen. Demi Moore is her mum. I am not afraid to admit that I like Demi Moore. I like her voice, it's so sexy and husky. I want a sexy, husky voice but it would probably sound more drag queeny on me.

image source

The movie touches on teenage sex and drugs so I would recommend this movie for older kids, maybe 14+. The rating is M. I guess it's like Gilmore Girls dirtied up.

The good bits

• The mother/daughter dynamic. They were very close and believable. I think Demi and Miley probably really like each other in real life
• Demi's voice (pass me the whisky and smokes)
• Fisher Stephens. I just like him. He is one of those people I call strangely attractive. I wish he had more than 5 minutes screen time
• Miley Cyrus seemed like she was playing herself. She must be a great actress or she really was just being herself

The bad bits

• It seemed like a little stray vaseline might have got on lens when they were filming Demi.
• I thought Demi's love interest seemed a little young. At 34 year old Jay Hernandaz might even be too young for me
• I also don't think the mother would hop on the back of a motor bike 2 minutes after meeting someone for the first time. What kind of message is this giving the young and impressional teens watching this movie?
• The chicken fondling scene was not necessary
• Ashley Greene's make up

GIVE AWAY 
Roadshow Entertainment have given me 5 copies of LOL! If you would like to own this movie, all you have to do is:

1. Leave a comment either here or on facebook telling me why you would like to win a copy of this DVD.
2. Enter prior to 6am on 11 December 2012.

If you would like to 'like' Redcliffe Style on Facebook that would be nice too.


LOL is available to rent & own on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download from 12 December 2012

I have not received payment to review or host a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

On Tuesdays I link up with IBOT at Essentially Jess