Looking for an original Australian handmade dress?

I'm currently trying to find more local Australian handmade ethical women's clothing labels. I really want to get on board with supporting local industry, independent designers & manufacturing on our soil. I really want to support my love of fashion in a way that is supporting the greater good ~ recycling, reusing, hand making ~ I think there's something extra special about one off creations & I know they last longer in our wardrobes than their fast-fashion counterparts.

I've scoured Made It for today's beautiful finds. I hope you like them & please feel free to comment with suggestions of local designers that you're a fan of! I want to make this a regular feature on Flair To Remember. Let's support local, gorgeous, hand crafted, unique fashion!



Lace Sweetheart Neckline Dress by Grace Of Autumn $145

This dress has been created by adapting two vintage patterns & can be custom made for you in size 10, 12 & 14 from new medium weight cotton. Turnaround about 1 week.



Custom Made Tea Dress by Charlie Bird Clothing $100

Give your measurements & get this dress handmade especially for you from $100 with your choice of recycled vintage cotton fabric. Turnaround about 3 weeks.



Woodland Maxi Dress by Sigrid Meleane $185

Handmade lightweight cotton dress with fitted lined bodice. Size 10.



The Revelry Dress by Sigrid Meleane $130

Handmade cotton & lace party dress with boned fitted bodice. Size 10.



The Novel Dress by Sigrid Meleane $120

Handmade cotton lined dress with cut out back & tie with hand printed doily detail. Size 10.

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Let me know if you snap up any of these beautiful dresses! I'd love to know their next home & adventure!

Happy Monday!

leo ~ end of summer {& my new website!}

Some moments in Leo's little life at the cusp of Summer & Autumn for my 2012 photo-a-day 'documenting delight' project. I'm enjoying this SO much! It's like being forced to look for the special little moments that you may just overlook in the rush of daily life. Moments of sweetness & a chance to fill up with gratitude at the fortune of being this amazing soul's mother. What an honour!



55/366 | documenting delight | leo legs

Yep, it's true ~ I'm addicted to photographing your adorable little baby legs! Look at them!! Can you blame me?! PS: how comfortable is it to sleep like that? Mummy agrees wholeheartedly!

{24.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



56/366 | documenting delight | in the ball pit

Your first time at a kids play centre! You were eventually brave enough to hop into the little toddlers section ball pit, as long as mummy hung out in there with you. This was your initial reaction & you would hand a ball out to any gallivanting little kid that hurled past in a gesture of friendship. Eventually you found your feet & you were having the time of your life ~ climbing stairs, cruising down slippery slides ~ it felt special to spend our Saturday morning giving you a fun & exciting new experience!

{25.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



57/366 | documenting delight | squirmy snuggles

Some Sunday snuggles & a sloppy big kiss whilst you crawl all over me trying to find the comfy position to relax in. I love that you want to cuddle in as close as possible. I love you too!!!

{26.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



58/366 | documenting delight | little froggy

Just hanging out in my green froggy onesie. Being adorable. As usual.

PS: we got this outfit for you so your Nanna would love you even more {if that were possible!} ~ she has a 'thing' for green tree frogs!

{27.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



59/366 | documenting delight | tickle monster

Probably one of my fave photos of this project yet. You two have your own special connection & little games just for each other. I love to see my boys smiling & so happy! Bliss!

{28.2.12 ~ taken via Canon 400D}



60/366 | documenting delight | just chillaxing

I love how you run absolutely amuck & then you come find me & cuddle up in the most awkward of positions & it just melts my heart. Hopefully you don't grow out of this stage too quickly!

{29.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



61/366 | documenting delight | climbing stance

I think you might have better luck trying to climb/stand/walk if you don't curl your poor foot under your body weight like that, little fella. But I just let you do your thing ~ you're very proud of what you can do & we all learn in our own time. Maybe I should massage that little ankle for you?!

{1.3.12 ~ taken via Canon 400D}

~~~~~~

He's growing up fast ~ I'm a busy little mummy!!! Oh & speaking of busy ~ I've just launched Flair To Remember's little sister ~ Make Bliss Happen ~ a blog focussing on health, wellness & feeling amazing!



I'll be posting there about organic products, fitness, health, my quitting sugar journey, yummy recipes, inspiration & motivation.



I've been bursting at the seams with so much to share on wellbeing & mindfulness & I thought it best to have it's own little home. So please, come join in the conversation over at Make Bliss Happen if you're interested in those topics. I'd love to have your company! But of course, Flair To Remember will continue as usual with my mama-hood & life adventures, photography, style & wardrobe/interior inspiration.

Thank you for the amazing support & wonderful joy you bring to my world ~ you're amazing!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

becoming a mum & a day in the life of....

Following on from my pregnancy & birth story, I was asked on Formspring the following question which I hope I can address as honestly & clearly as possible here...

"What's the best/hardest/most rewarding/most challenging things about being a mum? And what is a "day in the life of Nikki" really like?"



// BEST //
• being a mama ~ what an honour
• being cuddled, missed, reached out for

• being able to work from home & spend so much time with Leo

• creating a little family

• unconditional love

• forced to smile & laugh every single day {how lucky is that?!}

• the intuition that happens naturally ~ I've never felt more in tune with myself, my gut & the universe as a whole

• to have a reason to want to be a better person,

• the meaning it gives to my existence

• to be able to help make someone's life amazing

// HARDEST //
• trying to make the 'right' decision about everything

• trying to always follow my gut/instinct

• navigating through all the information/opinions out there to find the happy balance that works for Leo, myself & our family

• understanding what is upsetting Leo when he can't communicate very effectively yet ~ it's getting easier as he gets older, but this was one of the hardest things in the beginning

• always having to be 'on' ~ it's definitely a 24/7 job

• making sure I get balance in my life, I notice if I'm out of whack, the whole family is too

• getting enough sleep & down time

• getting through my workload ~ although starting Leo in daycare is helping out significantly

• finances ~ we've definitely struggled in this department!

// MOST REWARDING //
• cuddles, smiles, giggles
• being called 'mama'
• following my instincts & realising they were right
• seeing Leo grow as a healthy little human

• watching Leo's personality emerge

• Leo's happiness ~ it's everything, it makes me feel like I've succeeded as a mama

• the love from Leo, my husband, family, friends

• the connection to strangers ~ people love babies & like to chat to mamas, I've noticed!

• making positive changes to the health & wellbeing of our family that benefit us & the environment

• becoming a better person, through this huge life change

• the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of children & to appreciate the magic in it again

• fine tuning my ability to focus on & see the important things in life

// MOST CHALLENGING //
• cleaning poo out of cloth nappies {can I be knighted now?!}
• Leo's upset times when lots needs to be done {although it's probably the vibes of the 'lots to be done' that makes him upset ~ catch 22!}

• teething
• {previously} being woken up many times throughout night
• income/cashflow/budgeting/getting by on one {consistent} wage
• moving home twice with a 6 week old + then 6 month old
• change in figure, fitting back into clothes, body image

• communicating effectively with my husband regarding family/household duties

• baby colds {I wish they could blow their noses, poor things!}

• living so far away from my side of the family & the support there

• each new stage in Leo's development provides new challenges & reevaluation of what previously may have worked!



// A {WEEK}DAY IN THE LIFE OF //

5.40am ~ Mick's alarm goes off, often Leo wakes up or is up by 6am
6.00am ~ give Leo some water & then some milk if he's interested {he's just recently weaned from his morning breastfeed} / change nappy / put down for a play
6.20am ~ make/pack Mick's lunch / organise Leo's brekkie / make a cuppa
6.30am ~ Mick goes to work / feed Leo his brekkie in highchair / drink cuppa / often watch Today show whilst checking emails & social media
7.00am ~ Leo plays / I eat my brekkie / put on washing loads / put sprinkler on gardens if need / put away washing up / reply to urgent emails / edit blog drafts / if busy work load, start on some with Leo playing in my office / change nappy
8.30am/9.30am ~ Leo down for a big morning nap around this time / I get changed / hang out washing / get as much of my graphic art work done whilst he's asleep / blog
10.30am/11.30am ~ Leo up from nap some time around here / cuddles / change nappy / play
12.00pm ~ fix Leo & I something for lunch / eat together / play
2.00pm ~ approx, Leo may have a short afternoon nap / washing up / bring in washing / household duties / emails
5.00pm ~ Mick home from work / organise Leo's dinner
6.00pm ~ breastfeed Leo / Leo bath or shower & in pjs
7.00pm ~ organise dinner / eat / shower / other household duties / read / relax / organise myself / chats & maybe TV or movie with Mick
10.30pm ~ go to bed

Phew, now I'm exhausted!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I really enjoyed thinking over these areas of my life ~ what a great question! Thank you!

What are your thoughts on the ups, downs & daily life of mother/fatherhood?

leo moments in february

Happy Tuesday lovelies!

Leo is loving his new daycare & is going two days a week now, I'm so happy he likes it as it's giving me time to get on top of my workload. I'm starting to get some organisation happening over here! Success!

I thought I might share some more snaps today from my 2012 'documenting delight' photo-a-day project ~ I hope you enjoy!



48/366 | documenting delight | leo + granddad

I think Granddad might be keeping Rudolph up just for you, little man.

{17.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



49/366 | documenting delight | leo + grandma

About to hang out with Grandma for a few hours whilst Mummy & Daddy head out for a little mexican date with a few friends. You were content at this stage, but not too impressed later on, we hear. Oh well, we can't win every time!

{18.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



50/366 | documenting delight | fast asleep

Today whirled by, my little man, and I have to admit, I forgot to take a photo throughout the day! I remembered & snuck in to find you snuggled up the far end cuddling Mr Sheep. Thank you for being such a fantastic sleeper & sleeping through the night. I'm very very grateful!

{19.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



51/366 | documenting delight | the big boy

You've got some new clothes, now you're getting a bit bigger {thanks Grandma & Aunty Chelsea!} ~ I put this new little outfit on you today & couldn't believe how grown up you looked. It wasn't just me, as soon as your daddy got home from work he said 'he grew up today' ~ I'm not sure if you suddenly did or if it's the clothes. Either way, you are just too cute for words!

{20.2.12 ~ taken via Canon 400D}



52/366 | documenting delight | my puppies

"What are you taking a photo for Mum? I'm just crawling around, hanging out with the puppies, with a washer hanging out my mouth. No biggie."

{21.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



53/366 | documenting delight | world domination

I like to think you were contemplating world domination at this moment in time.

But, really, you were letting me know that the joke I was running with was getting old. "It's not funny anymore Mum... next!"

{22.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



54/366 | documenting delight | snuggles

I love you so much, my soulful big eyed boy.

{23.2.12 ~ taken via Canon 400D}

~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed these little moments in our day to day lives.
Thank you SO much for your amazing heartfelt comments of late ~ you are all so wonderful! I really appreciate the beautiful words left on my recent post about my pregnancy & Leo's birth story. It was absolutely wonderful to share & I'm so glad it didn't frighten you too much!

I hope you are having a fabulous day ~ I'm sending love, happiness & big ol' smiles right your way!!

being pregnant & leo's birth story

My life changed when I found out I was pregnant. I knew I was pregnant before I officially found out. I even tested for it & it came back negative as it was {in hindsight} too early to tell. But I just knew & when I tested again a week later, it was confirmed. I was over the moon, so damn excited & I rang my family & told my close friends even though it's 'taboo' to share the news before being out of the uncertain woods of the first trimester. But even before I hung up the phone to Mum & Dad, I started worrying about my epilepsy & the meds I take for it & what damage it could possibly harm the little soul within me. I'd checked with my neurologist about my meds should I want to fall pregnant & he confirmed the low dose & type of med I was taking was deemed the safest for both mum & bub. I'd had the official word. But there's always a risk & upon finding out we were pregnant, it consumed me with worry. I tried to eat the right things, exercise, breathe deeply, envoke positive vibes from the universe & send beautiful thoughts to the tiny human growing in my womb. Although I had somewhere in my heart been curious about a home-birth or a birth centre delivery, I was considered 'high-risk' because of my epilepsy which meant obstetrician visits & a hospital birth. I've never had my heart race so fast as when we went in for my 12 week & 20 week scans. We were given the all clear on possible side effects from my epilepsy/epilepsy medication. I was so thankful this bub was strong enough to bypass the minor complications in my own body. I was amazed my body was just able to handle all this baby-making/growing on it's own. Are you kidding me?! What a hot diggity damn MIRACLE!



I read loads of birth stories, books on getting through childbirth naturally, forums on cloth nappies, the chapters on birth/newborns in parenting books & scoured Etsy for gorgeous vintage baby clothes. We had a good feeling our bub was a boy, so we wanted to find out as we didn't want to keep referring to 'him' if 'he' was a 'she' & we had no surprises there, definitely a boy! I had a couple of bouts of vomiting; extreme tiredness; I regularly had swollen feet/ankles by the end of the day; I need to pee ridiculous amount of times; I was finding it hard to sleep with this huge mount on my stomach; I endured the "wow, but you're so BIG, are you SURE you're not having twins" comments from friends & strangers; I freaked out about pooping in labour {apparently extremely common, but you don't care at the time... yeah right I thought, but all this never confirmed as I ended up with a c section delivery}; I tried to remember to do kegel exercises {damn you, pelvic floor}; I tried to eat healthily {but many times succumbed to the Magnum-urge}; I put on over 20kgs + hoped my body had a after-baby-plan in mind to lose it again; I was boiling hot throughout my Summer pregnancy; I was pregnant for nearly 42 weeks. It wasn't a glamourous affair, I can tell you that for free. But it was amazing & special & to feel those kicks, hiccups, heartbeats & doctor-approved-baby-happiness at each appointment, my heart was full.



Now, the birth didn't go anything like I hoped. I was O-V-E-R being pregnant. I wanted to meet, hold & kiss this baby. I didn't want a huge belly anymore ~ I wanted the end product! My body had no signs of going into labour & my due date went flying by. I was booked in for an induction, which I really hoped not to have to do, as based on my personal research, it seemed to have a really low success rate in ending up with a natural birth. I wanted with all my might to have a natural drug-free birth. I spoke to my lovely friend who is a midwife & tried everything she suggested ~ raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, sex, walking & visited an acupuncturist recommended by her for some labour inducing acupuncture. The acupuncture did the trick after my second session & I went into a long bout of pre-labour from around 9am Saturday 26th March 2011.

Eventually {after one too-early hospital visit & drive home} I was admitted to hospital {with 5cm dilation} on Sunday 27th March 2011 at 3am. I had EXTREME back pain during labour & had my husband, mum & midwife pushing on my lower back with all their weight during each contraction. I tried the bath, but I couldn't handle the pain in the water so got straight out. I faced the hospital bed for hours, grabbing it with each contraction & trying to visualise, breathe & deal with the most horrible pain I'd ever experienced. I had an attempt to break my waters as hours had passed, but only my fore waters seemed to break. I was very slowly progressing & eventually the pain moved to the front, so I stood in the shower & used the hot water from the hand held wand to soothe the pain. We hoped that the pushing urge might come soon, but more hours passed with contractions & sometimes only 30 seconds to recover before the next 1-2 minute contraction. I tried some gas, but it made it hard to focus on my breathing & also made me extremely dizzy. The doctor on duty eventually examined me to find my cervix swollen & no sign of bub moving. He was posterior & very far back & the medical staff were thinking we'd end up with a cesarean delivery.

My husband & Mum spoke for me {whilst I tried to breathe & cope with my labour} & let them know, if possible, I really hoped for a natural intervention-free birth. The doctor was really lovely, honest and let me know that the only solution she could see was for me to have an epidural & hope that would let my body relax for a little while, so that the swelling might go down. So, with me, Mum & my husband in tears, they organised the epidural. From this moment on, I wasn't even allowed water as they were concerned I would end up in theatre, {where usually you're not meant to eat/drink since the day before.}

Getting the epidural was the worst experience of my life. Hands down. I don't know how long I had to attempt to sit still whilst enduring these unimaginably painful contractions, but it seemed like an eternity. Eventually the anaesthetist was able to do his thing & we were done. Apparently. I could still feel the contractions completely on my left side. It was a nightmare & completely freaked me out as I was still meant to stay still so the anaesthetist could fix the epidural. At one point, after being told to use the gas to deal with the pain whilst attempting to stay perfectly still, I felt myself being pulled upward through a sort of vortex & I was above myself & everyone in the room, looking down on everything that was happening below & I honestly thought I was dying. I let out {described to me later} a loud, long, blood curdling wail & eventually found myself back in my body. I couldn't describe what just happened, but Mick & Mum were in front of me staring at me with shock and worry in their eyes & I cried like I never have before in my life. I kept thanking Mick for being there & that I loved him, that I thought I was dying & that I was so thankful to be alive. {Please note ~ it's been hard for me to write this down & I've only told a handful of people as I didn't want to scare other women about birth. There are enough frightening stories out there. But this is my story, it's the truth & as positive as I am about life & everything in it, this is my experience of what happened. I felt it was time to share.}

Eventually {hours later} the head anaesthetist was summoned & he fixed my epidural within moments. Where he was for the initial epidural I do not know, but I was so thankful he eventually saved the day for me. It was an absolute relief to have a break from the pain & it turned out absolutely necessary as bub's heartbeat was slowing {after being so healthy & happy the whole labour thus far} & the doctor was getting worried. She again asked me if I wanted a c-section. I asked if there was anything else they could do as I only wanted to do that if it was the only option left. She suggested they could do a scalp test on bub to check his vitals. I'm not sure on the technicalities involved here, but it came back borderline. She consulted with the head obstetrician & it was all systems go for an emergency cesarean section delivery.

Bodies filled the room, I was prepped for surgery & rushed around to theatre. Mick was in tears for me, but I knew it was the right thing to do for bub, as his slowing heart beat was one of the most terrifying noises I've ever heard. I was so scared they wouldn't properly fix my epidural before surgery as although it had been fixed & my pain numbed, I still definitely had feeling in my left side & I'd heard about people feeling things in a c-section. I was shaking uncontrollably from the epidural, was frightened to feel the c-section, was shaken up from the experience of floating above myself & watching what was happening, I was worried about my baby's vitals & how he was coping with this 'nightmare'. {By this stage I was calling the experience a living nightmare, I'd been so shaken to the core.} After being assured "we have done this before", the epidural was topped up, a screen put up, I was covered in warm towels to help my shaking & the c-section began. I stared helplessly into Mick's eyes, asking him again & again if I would feel the pain & he lovingly & as bravely as he could, reassured me it would be OK. They ended up having to use forceps to get my baby out as he was posterior with de-flex head & completely stuck.

Leo was born at 6.26pm Sunday March 27th 2011 ~ 4155g {9 pound 3} & 55cm long.

I saw him being brought over to the nurses & he was HUGE, pink, beautiful & wailing like a newborn should in a sterile, cold, ridiculously bright operating theatre with a bunch of strangers in coats & masks. I couldn't believe he was mine. As soon as I saw his face I thought 'Leo' ~ one of our top boy names, originally suggested by Mick. I was handed my bundled up baby boy immediately, but I was shaking so violently I didn't want to hold this precious cargo for fear of frightening him or not being able to hold his weight properly. Mick took him & held him right beside me & I stroked his little face & felt like everything would be fine. He was here, healthy, beautiful, loud, pink, all arms/legs/features/toes/fingers/genitals accounted for! I asked Mick what he thought we should name him & he said 'Leo' straight away, I was so excited we felt the same, although at the same time I was utterly exhausted, I would probably have agreed with whatever name my husband uttered!

They wheeled Leo & I into recovery with two nurses who were absolutely wonderful with debriefing me & making me feel normal & OK. I think they organised more pain relief & maybe dressed me, I honestly don't know. I do remember one of the nurses asked how I was able to wear nailpolish into theatre & I explained my labour ordeal & she still thought I was lucky to have worn it in there. So adorable. It was Revlon's "Make Mine Mango" & she double checked the name a couple of times! Leo breastfed straight away like a little champion & that action alone comforted all my worries & concerns. He was FINE, he knew what to do & wasn't disorientated from whatever portion of the pain relief that may have filtered through my body to his. Pure bliss.



He was an absolute angel from day one & we were so in tune with each other. A few people commented that maybe the worse the birth experience, the better the baby! {I guess you have to make light of it all somehow!} Despite it all, I'm so glad with how everything turned out. And I'm thankful I was considered 'high risk' as the doctors on duty said we need to be grateful for this day & age in modern medicine, because in other circumstances {or in a third world country} both mum & bub mightn't have made it. Wow. That definitely opened my eyes & made me appreciate everything even further.

Maybe that experience did put Leo & I in tune even more & perhaps helped with the bonding at the sheer relief of that ordeal being over. I became a mother. I have never been more peaceful.



On the fifth day of Leo's life, we were able to go home, with my Mum staying in town to help & with the most beautiful baby I think I've ever seen. I cried the whole way home as I sat in the passenger seat of the car whilst Leo was in his baby car seat in the back ~ I realised it was the furthest apart from him I'd ever been. I had to stop & call Mum & have a cry about it before doing the whole drive home. With a part of my heart now outside my body.



And so began our journey together, in the big ol' world, together at last, a little family.



& me, one proud, sore but content, terribly blessed new mama.

a-leo-a-day

Catching up on my 2012 photo-a-day of my little Leo! Can you believe he is now 11 months old?! I sure can't.... gosh time flies so fast! I'm so glad I'm doing this project to remember all these special little moments....



40/366 | documenting delight | leo the wineo

My little man, you make me laugh everyday. You are a BIG fan of Daddy's beer bottle, but this one surprised me! Here you are, knocking your little tooth against my empty wine glass & marvelling at the 'tink' it makes. Little do you know the hilarious faces you're pulling for your mama through the distortion of the glass, but you think I'm loving the 'tink' as much as you, so you just keep performing. You're a little legend, buddy!

{9.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



41/366 | documenting delight | the bearded bubba

Why so serious my little bubble-bath-bearded bubba?! You were pretty entranced by trying to gobble the bubbles in your bath tonight. It's definitely the little things isn't it?! Too damn cute!

{10.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



42/366 | documenting delight | leo + the gramps

Hanging out in our backyard before our BBQ with your Grandpa & Granddad. It was the last night your Grandpa was staying with us after a road trip from Armidale NSW to us & back again. Special moments like these we'll remember for a long time.

{11.2.12 ~ taken via Dad's Canon 600D}



43/366 | documenting delight | pretty fly

You love taking our sunnies off us or staring into your reflection when we're wearing them, but Daddy changed the rules today, you didn't know what to take of it all! Pretty fly, little man, pretty damn fly!

{12.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



44/366 | documenting delight | leo + tallulah

You absolutely love animals & they just love you right back. Hanging out with the rarely seen or heard Tallulah at Grandma & Granddads. She was pretty happy brushing past you & enjoying your soft delicate pats & amazement. Even though you look like a lion ready to pounce in the photo I took!

{13.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



45/366 | documenting delight | valentines day

Your Daddy surprised me with pressies, wine & a sunset family picnic for Valentines Day. I don't know how I could love my little family more than I do. My heart was bursting with gratitude at this moment. I feel so blessed to have this amazing family. My loves.

{14.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



46/366 | documenting delight | bath chats

You absolutely love the water & bath time is a favourite time of day for you. It just lights you up. And I always have a smile on my face. Good ol' baths!

{15.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}



47/366 | documenting delight | leo, daddy + falcor

This photo was taken by Daddy whilst you were hanging out in the grass with him & the dogs. I love it, it's so adorable & I die for this face you love to pull when you're Really Happy! We also get a little memory of the Tooth Situation at this point in time. Yes, you were a little vampire baby for awhile there! Oh, and there were other photos, eating the grass & such, but this took the cake!

{16.2.12 ~ taken via iPhone}

~~

I hope you enjoyed these little daily Leo snippets ~ more updates very soon! I'm playing catch-up here!

Have a wonderful day!