Mother’s Little Helper

We all know being a mum can be a tough gig…so what do you do to get you through the day?  We all have our secrets… the rituals, the rewards…the stolen moments for ourselves when we can restore our equilibrium.  For me, it’s my morning latte…but all that is about to change.

Cappucino Italiano

In a bid to improve my health by detoxing my liver I decided to make a big effort to give up my daily soy latte.  It was hard, I really LOVE my daily coffee, it’s almost a part of my identity!  Since I don’t drink much, smoke or really have much fun at all, I was being quite childish about the whole idea.  Then, nature gave me a helping hand…a long week of gastro!  During this week, just the thought of coffee made me feel sick.  I kicked the habit, or so I had thought…

After I was feeling well again, I decided to just cut down my coffee intake.  I mean, you only live once, it’s a small pleasure…I am the master of justifying anything to myself!  So, off I went on Saturday morning to the Farmer’s Market, Keep Cup brimming with steaming, sweet latte…and guess what happened….I didn’t enjoy it!  I really felt I could have done without it.  I also noticed how it made me feel…jittery, anxious and whatever the opposite of calm is – agitated!  Running around like I was on fast forward.  And I remained feeling that way most of the morning…it was familiar…it’s how I felt most of the time.  Is it possible that my daily coffee (okay, sometimes twice daily) was putting me on edge?  I thought I needed that hit of caffeine to get me through the day but maybe it was just making things harder?

Back in my wild coffee drinking days...

And so…it looks like the coffee is going to have to go.  I’m sure I’ll still enjoy one now and again and there’s always the organic decaf my local deli serves but I am going to have to find myself another ritual, another reward…something new to get me through a busy and demanding day.

So what is your special treat?  Your daily ritual?  The time you take to exhale and let your mind indulge in a moments space…it is SO important we have these moments…Gee, we should have whole hours!

Share with us your favourite ‘me time’ activities…spread the love…goodness knows, us mums need it!

mamacino x

Beach Walks, Brunettis And My BFFs

I am blessed to have the best girlfriends in the world.  It doesn’t matter if they live five minutes from here or far away across the seas…they are always there for me, and I am truly thankful for that.

This week, I have been lucky to spend time with many of them, talking and drinking coffee (okay, and champagne) solving my problems and the world’s with a generous spirit, an open mind and a shoulder to lean on.  I have been walking in the sunshine along the beach, pouring my heart out to a relatively new friend who has become very special to me for her wisdom, kindness and her willingness to listen.  I have been cheered up by my Book Club friends over champagne, delicious cake and great conversation (not about the book, as usual).  They make me laugh so much…an awesome gaggle of girls with whom, after five years, I couldn’t do without.  And…as if it couldn’t get any better…I shared a coffee and lemon tart with my oldest school friends at Brunetti’ s in Carlton.

Latte...with love.

I love living by the beach but I am a Melbourne girl at heart so an opportunity to go SANS children for brunch in the city with my best friends is very, very exciting for me.  I blow dried my hair, dug out some bling and put on my favorite black summer dress.  Driving down Lygon Street feeling very cosmopolitan, I was flooded with memories of, dare I say it…when I was young!  The specialties of the local delis…organic sourdough breads, Italian olive oils, freshly made pasta, amazing coffee were calling to me…the energy of the place is infectious.  I even found a car park easily!  On meeting my friends we took up right where we left off last time even though it has been months since I saw them last.  With 8 children between us, we are used to talking fast and making the most of every moment.  We ate, drank, indulged and nobody got a parking ticket!  Definitely a great day out.  I left with a smile on my face and a spring in my step.  I was feeling…happy, loved and part of  a bigger picture.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Being a mum can be so busy.  You can be surrounded by people but still feel lonely.  Sometimes you just need to connect with a friend, someone who will listen and not judge.  Someone you can just have fun and laugh with.  Someone with whom, you can be 100% yourself.  I am lucky to have so many of these wonderful women in my life.  Whether they are taking my children to school for me, making time to talk or just sending a message to say ‘hey’, they mean the world to me and I wouldn’t want to be without them.

mamacino x