A Tribute to Mums!

My dear mum would be celebrating her birthday today, 31 August.

It goes without saying that she would be so proud of her children and grandchildren, all of whom she totally adored and who regard her only ever with the greatest love. 

She passed away before I started Peek A Boutique so she never got to witness or enjoy the magic of embroidery that I've only recently embraced. I know she would truly have marvelled at this amazing embroidery machine in action - fascinated by every stitch and in awe of every design it creates. She would've just loved and supported every baby gift, every new idea.

She was a peacemaker, a nurturer, a gentle and beautiful woman.

So it's cheers to mum. We'll make a toast in her honour tonight. 

And here's to all mums who have nurtured and supported us, and whose influence is far-reaching and evident every day.

xx Trish

Cantalope Eyes?????? What....

Today, a bit of frivolity and nonsensicalness! (no, that's not a real word).

Have you ever sung particular words to a song each time you hear it, then years later you find you were totally of the mark? This morning I was listening to the sound track from 'The Boat That Rocked' which is another movie in the genre of 'feel good' movies which I absolutely LOVE! It's just such fun.

So, 'Judy in Disguise' I've thought forever, was 'Judy in the Skies'. As it turns out I've been singing the wrong words for years! Maybe I was doing a bit of a crossover there with 'Lucy in the Skies with Diamonds'? That's my excuse anyway. But apart from all that, I looked up the lyrics to 'Judy In Disguise' (because I didn't believe what my ears were telling me) and yes, we have in those lyrics "cantalope eyes come to me tonight" (just as I thought); a "chimney sweep sparrow with guise"; and a "lemonade pie". Wow! Bizarre, curious and fascinating lyrics.

I have now concluded it's little wonder that some of us (I'd like to think most of us) have a tendency to fabricate our own song lyrics. I can actually recall quite a few other examples - these are definitely not words that I've sung myself - a friend of a friend sang these:

Mr Show Lambie - (should be) Mrs Jones and Me

Blinded by the light, set up by a doucher in the middle of the night (should be) cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night);

I became I wine embrandouator (should be) I became a wine and brandy waiter.

(I never did know what an embrandouator was and I still don't know now)??? But I do know that ridiculousness often gets the better of me.

Trish

Dogs Are Helping Kids Learn to Read - I Love this Story

It makes perfect sense to me that beginning readers and children with learning difficulties can confidently read to a dog as a non-threatening and non-judgemental audience who won't mock them or correct them if they make a mistake, nor give negative feedback of any kind.

Come on, we all talk to our dogs (don't we - please agree with me here), so why not encourage a child to read to a dog? Of course it needs to be the right kind of dog and the article refers to a professional therapy dog or well-trained family pet that is part of a safe environment in which the child feels comfortable.

I'm passionate about children's literacy and support any way of enhancing a child's prospects of learning to read.

Enjoy the article by Joe Wilkes on Ceasar Milan's website.
Trish

http://www.cesarsway.com/news/dognews/Dog-Eared-Books-A-New-Definition?utm_source=mobilestorm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Aug11NL_3

Already Missing 'THE BLOCK'!

Weeknight viewing just won't be the same without THE BLOCK. I know there's still the auction to go but I'll miss the challenges, the triumphs, the room reveals, the couples and the insights into their lives and relationships - which seems a bit creepy and a touch voyeuristic, but isn't that what gets us all in?

Yeah, I love seeing the stunning outcomes of all their hard work (Porky and I have had our fair share of renovating and now feel we could back up for more). But for all of us addicted to the show it's like we get to know and analyse the personalities of the couples and the individuals, we have a favourite couple, we take a side in an argument, give armchair advice on the choices made and the colours chosen, agree or disagree with the judges, approve or otherwise of the finished results; and maybe even imagine ourselves living in those rooms, entertaining in those stunning outdoor spaces with our own families and friends (however, I draw the line at imagining P in the mankini)! Or anyone else I know in the mankini. Hilarious but so very cringe-worthy! I loved Amy's comment "I've seen too much"!

Oh yes, so have I (but I did watch all those replays)!

And apart from all of the above, I feel for the couples leaving 'their' houses which have become so much a part of them; which hold a part of their story, reflect their character, their taste in decorating, their hard work and their love. Get a grip I tell myself - it's only a TV show. But is that all it is - after all it IS real people being filmed as themselves - in a situation in which they are without their privacy and from which they must return to their normal everyday lives.

So what's the addiction that I and millions of others viewers have to THE BLOCK and other reality TV? Do we feel like we've shared their journey - is this the addiction? Or is it the fact that watching the people involved fulfils a fantasy within us all? (I don't mean in a creepy way)! Moreover, the watching is justifiable by the viewers and desired by the participants because it's a TV show in which those people have willingly subjected themselves to being watched.

Oh well, whatever it is I find it an interesting phenomenon,  AND, I want more of THE BLOCK!!!

Trish

One Of Those Mornings

Hey, what happened to the weather - we're back to 'brrrrr' - hard-to-get-out-of-bed-weather.

So, why can't I just get up when the alarm goes off? For me, an alarm going off at 5:15 is an instant sleeping potion and I crash back into the deepest, most fitful slumber - as usual. Luckily I wake up fifteen minutes later, knowing I REALLY need to get out of bed NOW and head for the shower. How hard can it be? It's 10 steps away from the bed. But no, too warm and cosy in here. I can steal another five and still get out the door in time for my meeting. In serious danger of falling back into a deep, deep sleep.....

WHY didn't I just get up? Now I'm running late, I've put my top on inside-out but I don't yet know that yet. I'm flying out the door, calling back to whoever hears me to feed the dogs and check their water - please? I'm about to start the car and (thankfully, thankfully, thankfully) notice that my top is inside-out. This morning, it's a blessing  the windows are fogged up. A quick change manoeuvre and I'm on my way, cursing myself as I go.

Salvo's Oasis Ball 2011 Fundraiser

The Oasis Ball this year was a huge success in raising funds and awareness for the Youth Support Network which seeks to put an end to youth homelessness.

Peek A Boutique is proud to have been involved by donating a gift valued at $250 to the auction on the night. The final fundraising results are not yet to hand, however by all accounts it was a fantastic event and will be a great outcome in terms of funds raised. Nothing but praise for all the Oasis team!

See the pic of Peek A Boutique logo below - rubbing shoulders with the big guns!

Congratulations once again to the work done by the Salvo's Oasis team.

Trish

Salvation Army's Oasis Young Parents Program

This month, Peek A Boutique has also become a proud supporter of the Oasis Young Parents Program. We have donated the first of our birthday gifts to children aged from birth to three years who are involved in this program. The Young Parents Program provides support to the parents of these children, many of whom are without a support network of any kind and come from severely disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Examples of the types of support provided to parents by Oasis include educational and social activities run on a weekly basis; for example, workshops with skilled facilitators on child behaviour and development, cooking classes, visits to the early childhood nurse, first aid and a range of social activities.

"In addition to educational and social activities the program also provides tailored one-on-one support which includes home visits and assistance with building support within the young parents communities. Our aim with the Young Parents Program is to create a strong support network for disadvantaged and 'at risk' young parents as well as increase skills and knowledge in order to break the cycle of disadvantage. Many of the young parents involved have demonstrated real growth and development throughout the program and often express greater self-worth and confidence in their parenting ability."

I congratulate all those involved in this vitally important initiative.

Trish

http://salvos.org.au/oasis/what-we-do/oasis-services/

Check out my new promo material!

(Peek A Boutique flyer)

These are our awesome new flyers (thanks to our wonderful designer, Bridey Martin)! She has done a stellar job! Keep your eyes peeled - you might see them popping up in your local area, shops or even your workplaces.

Trish x

Ladybugs - So Cute!

I think the ladybug theme for a baby girl is so sweet. The red and black is much bolder than the usual colours used for decorating a nursery or setting the theme for a baby shower but it is such a lovely design. There is something really special about ladybugs when you're a little girl. When my girls were little they were in awe of ladybugs and when they found one they'd start speaking really softly and moving about gently so as not to scare it away (so adorable)! Be still my beating heart.

Look at these great ladybug ideas for babies - cookies, cupcakes, cakes, invitations and decorations. Everything you could ever need! Some great ideas for a nursery room or for a baby shower! There are some very clever people around! Love them all, but my favourite is the white 3 tier cake swarming with little ladybugs!

(Make Fabulous Cakes)

(Melanie Judge)

(Fat Cook)

(Cake Central)

(Cake Central)

(Glorious Treats)

(Design Dazzle)

(Pink Cake Box)

(Theme A Party)

(Squidoo)