Being Kind at Christmas – why is it so hard?

By Robyna on December 16, 2015

At a time of year meant to be filled with joy, kindness and goodwill, I often encounter the opposite. Car-parks, time and nerves are all in short supply and the kids have only just started holidays. Why is it so hard to be kind at Christmas?

The other day I was in our local shopping centre and it should have come with M15+ strong language warning. Arguments over who saw a car-park first, people ignoring give-way signs and other people swearing at them for doing so, patience running thin at checkouts and people squeezing into too-full lifts. Apparently, no-one with kind word, only exasperation about being one of many who decided to shop that day. Read more…

Oh the places you’ll go after kids – Brisbane’s best picks

By Robyna on December 13, 2015

After you have your first baby, it seems like the number of places you can go dwindles. Cafes with narrow spaces and no room for prams are out. Expensive restaurants are no places for infants. Nightclubs are for other people. Basically anywhere that requires you to be up past 9pm is a long forgotten relic of night times past.

However, there are some awesome places you discover AFTER having kids.

Here’s my Brisbane list..

Buying presents for kids that parents won’t hate

By Robyna on December 9, 2015

Shopping for kid’s Christmas presents is kind of fun. Particularly when you don’t have any of your own (kids that is, not presents). I remember those child-free days, when the toy aisle were corridors of nostalgic remembrance (I had that) and occasional envy (they never had those when I was kid). Now they are battle fields of hostage-like negotiation. Put that back. No, I’m not buying you that. We are here to buy your friend a present, remember? Yes, I think it’s very cool that the dinosaur can move and make noise. No, I’m not buying it for you. I don’t care if every other boy in your class has one.

If you are buying for a child this year, and don’t have one of your own, chances are that you are thinking about what’s going to impress your little friend. Can I suggest you also spare a thought for their parents?

This handy guide will help.

Camping for Fashionistas

By Robyna on December 7, 2015

I should be packing right now. Nine days of camping lie ahead. Nine days of nothing but surf, sand, friends, family and (hopefully) a non-leaking air-bed. It will be the longest stretch of time we have ever camped. Now, just to be clear we are a camping family but we are a convenience camping family. We go were the amenities are. No digging holes for me. I know a lot of people who prefer using a caravan to camping though, and I can completely understand why there are like that. You could easily check out something like this Camp Smart to show you how much more convenient a caravan could be.

Ten reasons to shop locally | Ten reasons to buy hand-made

By Robyna on November 18, 2015

In the lead up to Christmas, I am making a commitment to buy gifts locally, or make them myself.

Here is why I think it’s a great idea to shop locally or buy hand-made items directly from the artist, either online or through markets.
Read more…

Frocktober – The Next Nine

By Robyna on October 18, 2015

Eighteen days into Frocktober and no frock fatigue in sight. The glorious weather has definitely helped. This week it’s either been black and white or really bright.