loving on MONDAY

There is something about Monday's I just love although the weekend is over. I think of Monday as a fresh new start, a new beginning to right all those wrongs to start a fresh with hope and kindness.

image from uberkate

parenting MONDAYS

I am reading 'Bringing Up Bebe' by Pamela Druckerman.  I am only 1/3rd of the way in and I am absolutely loving all the tips that are connecting with me as I am reading. There are some stand out parenting tips that I just have to share. I wish I had have known this when my daughter's were babies (not that they were bad sleepers) but it would have helped and I think it will help all the new mother's out there.

This book is beautifully written and has some wonderful tips to learn from and help you parent your little one.

Tip 1 ~ The Pause

Dr Cohen (french paediatrician) suggests 'for my first intervention is to say, when your baby is born, just do not jump on your kid at night. Give your baby a chance to self-soothe, don't automatically respond, even from birth.'

This is quite logical as young babies make a lot of movement and noise while they are sleeping, which is normal and fine but if parents rush in and pick the baby up every time they hear a peep they may wake him up. Just like adults babies wake up between their sleep cycles, which last about two hours. It is normal for them to cry a bit when they are first learning to connect these cycles. If a parent automatically interprets this as a demand to soothe the baby they will have a heard time learning to connect  the cycles on his own. Dr Cohen says that if a baby manages to fall asleep on his own he will have an easier time doing it again next time.

Cohen also says that sometimes babies do need to be fed or picked up. But unless we observe and pause them we cannot be sure. If the babies requests become more persistent you will have to tend to your baby. But remember to give your baby a chance to learn.

I find this tip so welcoming to learn and not to immediately go in and pick your baby up..... just watch and listen and see if they can settle themselves.

loving on SUNDAY

May your Sunday be filled with happiness and sunshine. xx

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how to have HOPE

I am having a few life changes at the moment and I am constantly in and out with my emotions dealing with certain breakdown of a relationship and losing my father this year. I am on an emotional roller coaster thinking where will I be in the next few months or in a year. My life is about to change dramatically. I do have hope but it is going to be a process for all my family and friends. 

In a harsh world with shootings, murders and all the bad there is always hope and people always wanting to help in any situation. To me the world can be harsh and critical, look what they have been saying about Liesel Jones and how she has been scrutinised with how she looks. Hey may I remind all you critical people out there.....Did you make it to the Olympics? Are you swimming for our country? Take a good hard look at yourself before you go around scrutinising others. She is swimming for our country. GO LEISEL!!!!!!!! You show them girl.

Here is some inspiration for hope from Positively Present

Notice kindness in others. With all the negativity in the media, it's can be hard to believe people are actually good. But they are. Look around and identify the kind acts you see. Pay attention to the doors being held, the favors being done, the smiles being shared. Make a list if you can. In every day, there is kindness, goodness -- you just have to look for it. Choosing to notice the good will make you feel hopeful and will remind you that, in spite of the darkness, there are little glimpses of light. 

Be grateful for this life. Cliche as it is, the old "every day is a gift" saying rings with truth. Tragedies remind us of life's uncertainty. We really don't know what day will be our last. Now, before you let that idea bum you out, make the choice to see it in a positive light. The unexpectedness of life should not cause you fear; instead, it should inspire you to be thankful for every day, every moment, you're alive. Each moment is a opportunity and to realize that is to have hope.

Avoid negative-only news. Most news sources focus primarily on the negative things that have happened over a course of a day. It's important to stay well-informed, but it's just as important not to let the news suck all the hope from your life. If you must watch/read the news, supplement it with some positive news. Seeking out positive news stories and focusing on them will encourage a sense of hopefulness, a belief that goodness really is out there (even if we have to look a little harder for it). 

Be enthusiastic about life. The more you love about your life, the more hope you'll have. If you enjoy what you do, who you're around, and how you feel about yourself, you'll be much more hopeful when faced with negativity. Make an effort to be enthusiastic about life. Spend time doing what you love. Spend time withpeople you love. The things that matter most to you are the things that will help you embrace hope when times are tough; these are the things that will inspire you to believe in the good. 

on trend SIDE BRAID

              

1)    Blow-dry your hair with a barrel brush for a smooth finish. Use the Hair Styler to give your hair that extra bit of volume.

2)    Once dry, give your hair some loose waves. This will help give your hair more texture.

3)    Spray your hair with some texturising spray to give your hair a matte finish and added volume (as well as hold). 

4)    Gather your hair at the nape of your neck and bring it around to sit over your shoulder.

5)    Tightly braid your hair and secure it with an elastic band.

6)    To give your braid that messy look, loosen it up by gently pulling at the sections of the braid with your thumb and forefinger. source beauty heaven


My daughter has worn the side braid a few times to school this week.

Look of the Week ~ OLIVIA PALERMO

I am in love with this beautiful style worn by Olivia Palermo. Super chic and the pastel blue shade is just divine with the gorgeous tailored floral shorts. Just beautiful!

loving METALLIC NAILS

   

Nail art has gone wild with so many different styles, looks and colours. My favourite at the moment is Metallic. 

I am loving the metallic pastel colours as well as the pastel shades with a hint of the metallic stripe. Will you go metallic?

images from pinterest