6 ideas on what to do with this year’s Christmas cards

By Robyna on December 31, 2015

For a little while we saw a significant drop off in Christmas cards. No doubt because of my own slackness when it comes to sending them. I love them. I love the idea of them. I just never seem to be organised enough to get them out before Christmas. Maybe I should start a tradition of New Years cards. Or mid-year cards. Or implement my 2016 Christmas plan.

When my son started school we started to get Christmas cards back into the house in large numbers. I enthusiastically displayed them, loved reading them and adored looking at them. But as I contemplate the Christmas clean up, I am wondering – what do we do them?

Here are 6 ideas on what to do with this year’s Christmas cards.

The lazy (but organised) girl’s guide to the festive season

By Robyna on December 30, 2015

The stardust has settled on Christmas and I have finally exhaled. One of my previous roles in life before kids was a project manager. I never quite kicked the habit of reflecting on lessons learned at the end of a big thing. So I have been thinking about the festive season, how stressy it’s all been and how I might be a bit more organised next year.

This is basically a note from my 2015 self to my Christmas 2016 self. My aim is to be one of those smug December people who say “Oh, I had everything organised for Christmas weeks ago.” I know – everyone hates those people. I still want to be them. Read more…

Flirty Fashion Under $30 – The “I Made It” Edition

By Robyna on December 28, 2015

So how is your credit card doing? Mine is still hungover after a huge splurge and demanding greasy breakfasts (at home – too skint to go out). The spending was lots of fun at the time but I am kind of glad I only do it once a year. BUT I still want something cute and new for New Years Eve, even if it is a casual BBQ with friends. I am a bit greedy like that. What’s a girl to do?

Along with fellow fashionistas, mums and broke people after Christmas, Andrea of Icadoo and Bron of Flat Bum Mum, I set myself the challenge of creating an outfit within a $30 budget. If you feel like playing along, tag #30FlirtyFashion on insta. So keen to see what you come up with!

Why I still believe in Santa Claus

By Robyna on December 23, 2015

We always have a few children’s CDs in the car and the boys’ current favourite is Puff the Magic Dragon. They adore that it’s a song about a dragon and can’t understand why the last verse always leaves me undone …

Dragons live forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant strings make way for other toys.
One sad night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his life-long friend, puff could not be brave,
So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. oh!

My tears never fail to fall along with Puff’s scales. The loss of childhood innocence, the end of magic and the absence of belief always leaves me heart broken.

I want it last forever – the childhood faith that impossible things happen every day and that our ordinary lives are sprinkled with magic. That the world is people with fairytale characters that leave money for teeth, chocolate at Easter and presents at Christmas. I still believe in Santa Claus. Read more…

The Stories in the Campground

By Robyna on December 21, 2015

Not so long ago I spent nine days camping by the beach. I didn’t write. I checked social media sporadically. I posted a few photos of the beach and the cute take-away coffee cups that I drove 40 minutes each morning to acquire. Mostly I just hung out with my family and friends.

And as I took a break from writing there were stories all around me. Holiday places are like that. Hotels and airports and camp-grounds, full of people and possibility. All travel is fertile ground for guessing at stories and making your own. Read more…

Thanks but No Thanks

By Robyna on December 18, 2015

There are so many people I am genuinely grateful for. My wonderful family. My gorgeous friends. The people in my community that make life a bit better for everyone. The person who invented champagne.

But there are some people who keep offering me things that I have no interest in. That I will never have any interest in. I just wanted to let them know that I appreciate the kindness but please stop.