Bayside MamaMag Dec/jan 2015

BAYSIDE

mamamag Dec/Jan 2015

WIN A romantic weekend at Misty woods Retreat in the danDenongs worth$95o Modern day mother St Kilda Mums Healthy xmas tips Photographing kids New year action plan

free Local fun for the Bayside mum 1

ho ,ho, ho!

Well, November came and went in a flash.

There has been so much happening we hardly had time to stop and breathe. The kids had several parties on and I’m pleased to say my little lady is finally becoming, well, a lady, wearing an Elsa costume to a Frozen party this time round (last party she dressed as Sven the reindeer!).

There was the weird and wacky school disco, a trip to the amazing Santa’s Magical Kingdom (make sure you put it on the to-do list, it’s well worth it), and with the sun finally shining there have been several outings to our glorious Bayside beaches already with fish and chips on the sand. Oh how I love summer!

It’s getting busier at Mamamag with the second issue of our Port Phillip magazine out this month too.

The lovely Kirsty, who runs Bayside distribution, has taken on more work and is now running much of the local content for me. She did an awesome job of the gift photoshoot (check it out on page 26!) and I’ve had her running all over Bayside and Port Phillip the last couple of weeks!! We’ve also had heaps of other unreal mums and businesses get in contact lately wanting to contribute to the magazine. It’s so encouraging knowing people want to be a part of this little creation. We love your positive feedback and love hearing what you’d like to see in the magazine, so by all means get in touch if there is something you’d love to see featured in here. And make sure you tell us about any local events, as we love sharing them with our readers on the Facebook page.

And so as the year draws to a close, I wish you all the most amazing Christmas and New Year. Thanks for being a part of Mamamag and helping it grow.

Enjoy your time with your families and I look forward to sharing more adventures with you in 2015! /localmamamag @localmamamag

Cover image by Justine Ilarda

WIN

Contents The modern day mother Dealing with unwanted criticism

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Top tips for a healthy Christmas 4 ideas to keep you on track

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New Year action plan Time to get organised

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Amazing mums We introduce you to St Kilda Mums

12

Getting dinner sorted!

The easiest dinner you will ever cook

14

Mama of the month We meet Nicole from Belly Art

16

Business ownership bliss Transition into your own business

20

It’s all lies A sleep deprived mums story

24

We’ve got it wrapped Gift ideas from Bayside’s best

26

Turn the page This month’s top picks from Ulysses

28

Lovely locals We explore Hampton Street

30

Mama can cook We got Christmas lunch covered

32

a romantic weekend for 2 at misty woods RETREAT in the dandenongs worth $95o

Entries close December 31st 2014. Valid for a 2 night stay for 2 adults from Jan 1st - March 31st 2015.

See mistywoods.com.au for available dates.

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Parklife 36 Fun at North Road Foreshore

Mamamag is published monthly for the mums of the Bayside area by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd. ABN: 26 042 138 550 PO Box 8018 Brighton East VIC 3187 Phone: 1300 771 446 Email: info@mamamag.com.au www.mamamag.com.au

5,000 copies are distributed monthly.

Like to contribute an article or products for review or giveaway? submissions@mamamag.com.au

Family Fun in Phuket A great family holiday destination

38

Like to advertise in our next month’s issue? info@mamamag.com.au or download our media kit from www.mamamag.com.au

Get natural photo’s of your kids Nail your family photos this Summer

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The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishing staff. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission of the publishers.

Healthy mama 4 simple exercises to do at home

45

Fun for the kids Kid’s crafts and our colouring comp

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mamamag dec/jan 2015

Health related articles are designed to be informative and educational. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace one-on-one advice from your health practitioner.

Mamamag is printed locally (of course)

by Fishprint Brighton, using 100% Waterless Printing. Fishprint is a ISO 14024 ‘Whole of Life Cycle’ certified printer. fishprint.com.au

The modern day Dealing with unwanted criticism or lack of supportive comments

You look tired.”

“How come the house is always so messy?”

”Are you sure you’re coping?”

“Can’t you clean while he sleeps?”

These are some of the criticisms directed at new mothers from others in our Western world. They are criticisms that can leave postpartum mums with feelings of inadequacy and depression, suggesting she is failing as a responsible parent.

When the subject of sleep arises, instead of support, it is criticism offered or “my way worked best”. Remember that it’s unnatural to have everything ‘all together’ if you want to parent in a gentle and natural way, enjoying your baby and allowing yourself to heal and make a transition as a new mother, easier.

It’s really tough trying to gain confidence and certainty being the mother you want to be for your child when other people’s opinions get in the way. Most often, unwanted criticism will come at a time when you are extremely tired and you already have hormones flying around that make you extra emotional. It usually happens to first-time mothers and by the time you have your next child, people do tend to back off and give you space. It’s because by then, not only do they presume you know what you are doing, but you actually do know what you are doing. When someone suggests something they think will help you, it’s important to listen and then thank them for their concern. After all, they really do want to help you and are doing so the only way they know how. It’s the way they were 44

“Ohh, so your baby isn’t sleeping through the night yet…”

parented or parent. Everyone does things so differently but you may take what they say with a grain of salt and adapt it to suit you one day or you may find it really unhelpful and perhaps even hurtful.

Please don’t ever take the criticism personally and maintain your confidence no matter how tired or hormonal you feel. Most of the time the suggestions are coming from their own personal experience. It may have worked for their child and that family, but it also makes the parent feel better about themselves if they prove their advice to be the best. Sometimes a mother can feel confused or challenged if she sees something you did that she wished she had the support or courage to do. It’s their ‘stuff’, not yours.

The best way to handle these situations, especially if you care about that person, is to quote from a research article or knowledgeable person like your midwife or lactation specialist.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association suggests that by quoting someone else like this means that nobody’s feelings get hurt.

You can reply, “Thanks so much for that. I can see how much you care, but our lactation specialist suggested that we …” Or, “The research we’ve read about that, suggests … etc.”

mother Below are some common questions and comments and examples of how to respond and deal with them.

Does your baby ‘sleep through’ now?

Or …Why isn’t he getting enough sleep?

My baby’s getting just the right amount of sleep he needs. We are not actually designed to sleep all through the night as babies only have two stages of sleep unlike an adult that has three.

There are many healthy reasons that they need to wake for nervous system development.

For example just to rock them helps them to develop the vestibular part of the brain.

(If your baby does four-five hours in a row, this is good sleep) Yes, he’s doing wonderfully. (Every baby wakes at least once or twice for a refill and most mums don’t always tell you if theirs does.)

How come your baby’s not ‘sleeping through’ yet?

Research shows his brain is only fully developed at around five years of age and won’t have adult sleep patterns yet.

We are so happy to follow our baby’s lead and wake to resettle if he wants to wake. We like to trust his instincts and do things naturally.

Thank you for your concern though; it is tough sometimes but we feel the investment is already paying off as he is a confident and emotionally secure child.

Why does your baby feed all night?

Because breast milk isn’t just food and some babies use it to catch up on immunity or analgesic properties for teething. It’s natural for a breastfed baby and very common to feed several times during the night as the quality of milk a mother makes is better as she produces prolactin which puts baby into a deeper sleep and helps mum sleep too.

Also, his stomach is only the size of a marble and needs to refill often as he is growing at a rapid rate. But you needn’t worry as you cannot overfeed a breastfed baby. They control exactly what type of calories they need with each feed.

You’re going to spoil your child and they’ll become a spoilt brat if you attend to them every time they cry.

Research shows it’s the exact opposite. By attending to my child’s cries for help, I’m helping him to feel secure in his attachment to me, because his brain is still developing.

Eventually, when he is old enough, he will have a brain that’s developed enough to understand how to deal with stress better. I feel happy knowing that I’m helping him to cope with his feelings more. They are valid feelings too.

Why are you still breastfeeding after 12 months? Hasn’t he got teeth?

While there are a myriad of things you could reply with, like “It’s completely natural to give my baby my milk,” or “I’m sorry you can’t see the beauty in it. It’s a personal choice.” The best way to address this one is to refer to research and say things like. “The World Health Organization says that you should breastfeed until around the age of two to four.” Another good fact is that, “Lactation specialists say that after the age of 12 months, the antibodies in my milk double.” This helps people to understand that breastfeeding is not just food and the enormous necessary immunity they need from extended breastfeeding, not to mention attachment issues and how unique every case is, especially in other cultures that do not question extended breastfeeding.

Taken from ‘The modern day mother - Babies and sleep from womb to one’ written by local mum and author Andi Lew. Find out more at www.andilew.com

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STRENGTH IN NUMBERS7

Top Tips for a Healthy Christmas

By Holistic Nutritionist and Accredited Practising Dietitian, Sarah Leung.

It’s hard to say no to your favourite foods during the festive season. The Christmas and New Year period is fast approaching and your calendar is no doubt filling up with work parties and social and family commitments.

With all the celebration and excitement, it’s easy to forget about all your hard work throughout the year (and gain a few extra kilos!).

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Healthy Energy Founding Nutritionist and Accredited Practising Dietitian, Sarah Leung shares some top tips for avoiding Christmas weight gain below:

Don’t drink your calories Alcohol is notorious for providing ‘empty calories’ and zero nutrition, apart from being a source of energy. One gram of alcohol provides 29 kilojoules, compared to one gram of carbohydrate which gives only 17 kilojoules.

For example, there are less kilojoules in a light beer than a low-carb full-strength beer, because the alcohol content is lower (428kJ compared to 469kJ per 375mL). Two lowkilojoule alcohol choices are dry red/white/ sparkling wine or brut champagne or spirits such as vodka or gin with soda water or diet soft drink.

Try to limit yourself to one or two drinks only, as a glass of white wine in a restaurant (150mL) contains around 14g of alcohol and 426kJ (101cals). This means 3 or 4 glasses of wine are equivalent in energy to a meal. Also, make sure you stay hydrated by matching each glass of alcohol with a glass of water.

Don’t go to a party hungry

Enjoy sweets but wisely

Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties often serve canapés or small bites to eat. But, while canapés are small, kilojoules can add up very quickly. For example, just one small Indian samosa contains around 420kJ (100cals). Try to eat small and frequent meals during the day rather than turning up to a party hungry and binge eating on everything in sight as soon as you arrive.

Christmas is one time of year. There is no need to punish yourself and there is still room to eat small portions of your favourite foods.

Don’t replace binge eating with starvation dieting. Choose healthier options at parties if possible. For example, cakes and other sweet treats are usually high in refined carbohydrates (white flour and sugar) and saturated fats (butter and cream), so why not opt for fresh fruits instead?

Plan ahead Plan ahead for your next Christmas party.

Offer to host the party at your house so you have more control in healthy food choices.

If you aren’t hosting, why not bring a healthy plate? Sometimes just knowing that there will be food you can eat at a party can help you to stay on track with eating well. Some suggestions for a ‘healthy plate’ include homemade Vietnamese rice paper rolls, a large platter of raw vegetables (carrot, cucumber, capsicum, cauliflower, green beans) and reduced fat dip such as hummus, air-popped popcorn or wholegrain crackers and dips.

Don’t be discouraged if your weight loss plateaus over the Christmas period.

Remember to be kind to yourself and make maintaining your weight your new goal until all the social-eating commitments subside.

Merry Christmas!

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New year action plan The end of the year is upon us….

Did you know that one of the top three New Year resolutions is “to get organised”?

4) Take your top three priorities and set up a Plan of Action. Treat each of your tasks as it’s own project

I am sure we can all relate to that. I know personally every December I make a list of the things I want to get sorted in my home while on my break.

• Give your project a deadline ( try and make it in the beginning of your break so it is over and done with). Remember, projects all have a beginning, middle and end so you need to finish.

This is a great start, however the list is long and the break always seems too short.

• Setup a manila folder with your project name eg. Garage clean up

This year I have set up an action plan which I thought I would share with you. If, like me, you are having a “staycation” this year, or you have some time available before or after a holiday, guilt can tend to get the better of you.

• Write down your plan of action by using a project planning sheet template. (email info@paperclippo.com.au and I will send one to you)

When we are doing our organising projects we end up feeling guilty for not taking the time out to just relax and vice versa.

What then is the answer?

Set out an action plan!

1) Write a list of things you would LIKE to get done over the break 2) Prioritise the list 3)

Make a decision on how many of the tasks you feel you can take on and finish by the end of your break, eg. your top three priorities.

• Break the task down into bite sized pieces. Work on sections at a time to prevent the feeling of being overwhelmed which then ultimately causes procrastination!

5) Remember to take BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS for your satisfaction guarantee!

There you go… now you have prioritised your tasks and completed your top 3.

It is time to enjoy the rest of your break – guilt free!

Enjoy the Festive Season and wishing you a 2015 filled with all you wish for!

Allow yourself to leave the rest for another time but, do make sure you allocate a time in the future to complete the list.

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amazing mums

So your little one is growing up fast. He is in a ‘big bed’ now and that high chair, well it’s gathering dust in the corner of the kitchen isn’t it? And how quickly does he grow out of these clothes, they are practically still new.

Sound a bit like your house? Whilst many mums have friends to rehome quality baby goods to or head to eBay to earn a few bucks, many people hang on to un-used baby goods far too long, not really sure what to do with them. And surely there is someone out there that could use these goods more than you?

The answer to this problem is St Kilda Mums. St Kilda Mums was established in February 2009 by a group of five local Mums who were surprised that most opportunity shops refused to accept their donations of cots and prams and other nursery gear. “These items were only a few years old and in good condition but we had no one to pass them onto” said Jessica Macpherson, one of the original five.

Unwilling to accept that the local tip was the only solution, we tried to track down a local women’s shelter. We discovered that no service existed to match the needs of families suffering hardship with families who had nursery equipment to donate.

St Kilda Mums was created to fill this need.

St Kilda Mums is run by a group of mothers who volunteer their time to collect and sort donations of baby and preschool children’s clothing, toys and nursery equipment.

These items are assembled into beautiful packs and distributed to mums, who due to limited income, fleeing domestic violence or drug issues are unable to provide these essentials for their babies.

The presentation of the items to be rehomed was very important – Jess and the other mums wanted to be respectful of the dignity of the recipients, and wanted them to feel these items were from loving homes.

Originally the items were given to a local Enhanced Care Nurse to pass on to families in need in the local area. Word was put out to other caseworkers from local social service agencies and demand began to grow.

26 12

Today St Kilda Mums provide goods to around 200 different social service agencies throughout Victoria.

In the beginning Jess and Peta, two of the original mums, started receiving donations at their homes through word of mouth referrals. Local mums loved the idea of passing on their baby’s items for others to use. A few years in and supply and demand had grown exponentially and in early 2013 a Rent Appeal secured the funds to move to a bigger space. In June 2013 St Kilda Mums moved into a 300 square metre warehouse in St Kilda.

Throughout its growth, St Kilda Mums has always been 100% volunteer run.

Volunteers have worked during whatever free time they have, often from their own homes, and often juggling paid work and their own family commitments. From the grandmas who knit to the dad that designs the website, St Kilda Mums is a community-driven organisation.

The key to their growth and service quality is their on-going correspondence with caseworkers from the agencies they support. They have been able to identify the greatest areas of need and continuously improve their service because of their professional advice, support and counsel.

In the last year alone St Kilda Mums rehomed over 1500 bags of clothes, 850 bags of toys, 489 prams & strollers, 139 cots, 283 car seats, 107 high chairs, 57 safety gates and much more to around 200 community organisations.

How you can help: Donate baby things If you have nursery equipment, clothes or toys that you no longer use, we can get it to someone who really needs it. Here’s what you need to do: Step 1.

Please visit www.stkildamums.org to see if we rehome what you have to donate.

Step 2.

If the items you have match what we can rehome, please email a list of what you are wishing to donate to: donate@stkildamums.org.

We will reply with a list of planned collection times and dates.

Step 3 If you have a cot, car seat, pram or stroller, highchair, change table or porta-cot, these items have mandatory safety standards.

We can only rehome them if they pass our safety standards. Please take a few minutes to read the standards.

Donate your time St Kilda Mums is run by volunteers and all contributions of time are valuable.

We need help with all sorts of tasks big and small. We all have family and other responsibilities that come before our volunteer work so we have evolved a model of doing things that maximises flexibility. We sort, clean, pack and label in our homes, at our own pace, with kids and babies in tow, and we do what we can when we can. Every small job that is done saves another item ending up in landfill and helps another family out.

If you are interested in volunteering please email volunteer@stkildamums.org.

Donate money Cheques or money orders, made payable to “St Kilda Mums Inc.” may be sent to: St Kilda Mums, PO Box 356, Balaclava, 3183.

If you have a safety gate to donate, please remember to include the adjuster screws and bolts, suction cups for mounting on the wall, any extension bolts etc with it, in a clear plastic zip lock bag, taped to the gate.

What we do not rehome We do not rehome any maternity or adult clothing, nor electrical items such as monitors. Please review the list on the website for what we can and cannot home and if in doubt please email us at donate@stkildamums.org

We believe that by reusing and recycling much loved babies’ and children’s gear, we not only share the joy of motherhood with each other, but we save the earth’s precious resources too.

W stkildamums.org

@stkildamums 27 13

Getting dinner sorted!

The day has nearly come to an end. Having spent most of it comforting and feeding your baby, not to mention all the nappy changes.

All after yet another sleep deprived night.

That’s when it dawns on you – OMG, what are we having for dinner tonight?

You are exhausted but you know you need a wholesome, nourishing meal to recharge your batteries. You just don’t have the energy to make it happen; deciding what to cook, the old same, same doesn’t inspire you. The thought of waking baby (who has just fallen asleep) to head to the supermarket makes you want to cry. Can you relate to this?

Lucy McMorron, a Bayside mum, vividly recalls struggling with this dilemma after having her first baby, Max. Taking the time to plan and shop for dinner seemed to always end up at the bottom of her list.

“When I heard about the Dinner Sorted service from another new mum after one too many sleep deprived nights, I couldn’t sign up fast enough!!” says Lucy, and she continues “I don’t know where I would be without it, especially in the early months. It’s so easy to put all your energy into a new baby and forget to look after yourself. To not have to think about what we are going to eat for the evening meal and have it all there ready to cook in half an hour or less is godsend.

Knowing that we are going to be eating something tasty and nutritious makes me look forward to dinner. It is by far the best meal I eat all day!”

“An extra bonus is how it has improved both mine and my husband Andrew’s cooking skills” says Lucy. “From making very basic and repetitive meals up until just a few months ago, we now impress ourselves by easily whipping up meals we would never have dreamt of!”

The founders of this service Dinner Sorted, which Lucy calls godsend, Anna and Karin, are busy professionals and both mothers of three. They have been there themselves and know all about how time poor you are as a new mum and also how aware you become of not only spending your time on the right things in life; your new baby, but also of the importance of getting the energy levels right.

Anna and Karin are passionate about their food and about making life easier and more enjoyable for new families by helping them solve the puzzle of life. They truly believe this service will change the dynamics in families.

Dinner can be enjoyed together and time spent on the relationship rather worrying about what to have for dinner and spending time at the supermarket.

Dinner Sorted plans the meals, composes the recipes, sources the freshest ingredients and delivers each Monday to your front door everything needed, measured and ready, to cook four delicious and wholesome dinners for 2 or 4 people. All you need to do is simply put it together with help of easy to follow recipes.

Dinner Sorted also supports local Bayside schools, kinders and community groups by donating dinner bags to raffles and silent auctions. If your school or group is looking for donations please contact us at contact@dinnersorted.com.au www.dinnersorted.com.au

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MAMA of the month This month we met with Nicole Shulman, Co-founder and Director of Belly Art and Bayside Mum to Felix 14, Harry 13 & Lily 10.

How did Belly Art began and who’s involved?

The concept for Belly Art came about in 2000 when I was pregnant with my first child. After reading an article on the popularity of celebrity belly casting in Hollywood, I loved the idea of capturing this special time in my life and I thought it would be fun. I asked my friend Ilana Pincus, who is co-founder and my business partner, to help cast my pregnant belly and help me paint a design that would serve as a memento of this time in my life. We had a blast doing it. When I became pregnant with my second son, we decided to do another cast and we were amazed at the differences in the shape and size of my two pregnant bellies.

Our pregnant friends asked for their belly’s to be cast and designed, and then friends of friends began to ask for their belly’s to be cast, the demand just grew and grew and before we knew it, Belly Art the business was born!

What were you doing before the idea Belly Art was conceived?

I worked for global IT companies as an Office Administrator for ten years and Ilana was a Primary and Secondary School Art Teacher prior to taking maternity leave to have our kids.

What were the first steps you took to turn what essentially began as a hobby into a thriving business?

We set out by going to obstetricians across Victoria and putting brochures advertising our Belly Casting service. We were amazed at how quickly the word spread and we were inundated with calls all from all over Victoria and interstate. It was at this stage we created our first DIY Belly Casting Kit due to the demand from customers who couldn’t make it to the ‘studio’. We converted a room in my house in Brighton and christened it as our ‘Belly Art Studio’. Within our first year we had set up a website and local media was contacting us 16

to tell our story – it was a dream come true, but also really hard juggling 3 babies under 2 between us in that first year.

How did the business grow so quickly, how did you manage to develop what is today an extensive range of baby keepsakes?

We thought about what we wanted to see in the market place and what wasn’t available.

We wanted to create a range of keepsakes that used bright, funky, contemporary colours, as well as the traditional styles. We set about making the age old business of keepsakes modern, catering to parents of today. We knew the key was to create a range that was like no other, that was 100% safe and easy to use in our clearly recognisable striped packaging that parents would associate with quality. We researched our materials, we exhaustively tried and tested the products, we listened to feedback and we made our luck happen.

Parents loved the products and between word of mouth and products that flew off the shelves it allowed us to keep developing ideas with great momentum. There are over 15 products and services in our range today!

What has been the greatest highlight to date?

We were finalists in the 2013 Telstra Small Business Awards, which was a great health check-up for our business. We also developed the Inkless Print System which is used in a wide range of our products as it is exactly that, an inkless wipe that is applied to baby’s hand or foot that is completely invisible, safe and easy to use, that leave baby’s foot clean and dry.

When applied to the specially treated paper, a clear print of every single line and wrinkle of baby’s foot or hand miraculously appears in seconds. The Belly Art Inkless Print Kit won the Children’s division of the 2014 Gift & Life Instyle Award – this was the proudest moment to date for us.

They say never go into business with friends.

Was it hard to make that work?

Ilana are I were great friends before we went into business, we’ve always been open and honest with each other and we are quite different people, so we balance each other out really well and therefore, have a really strong and equal partnership. We also have different strengths in the business - my background is in business management, while Ilana is the Creative Director.

Ilana is an incredibly talented artist and has a Uni degree in Fine Arts. Ilana was also an Art teacher for over ten years so she is great with children and parents. The partnership works because we respect each other’s expertise and we like each other. Out of hours, we try to have a ‘work-talk free zone’, but easier said than done!

What is your best advice to other Mum’s thinking of starting a business?

Firstly, do your research. Find out where your ideas fit in the market place and who your target audience is. It’s really important to also surround yourself with knowledgeable people that you trust to bounce your ideas off. While it’s important to listen to their advice and understand that any constructive criticism isn’t personal, it’s also equally important to listen to your own instincts.

What has been an important lesson about running Belly Art? Life is so busy for Ilana and I as working Mum’s with 6 kids between us and constantly developing new product lines, looking after clients in the studio and our stockists, oh… and also being wives, but sometimes it’s not just about looking forwards in business but also taking the time to look back and reflect every so often on how far you’ve come. It not only helps to reaffirm that you are on the right track but also helps to reinvigorate the passion you have for your business during those times when life can seem a little overwhelming.

Are there any new products in the pipeline?

The Imprint Kit is our latest arrival and has been a hit so far, but we are busily working on an exciting new product we will be launching in early 2015, but at this stage ‘Mum’s the Word’!!

Visit Belly Art at 700 Inkerman Road, North Caulfield or online at www.bellyart.com.au Also available at over 450 stores nationally and overseas including Baby Bunting & Kidstuff Brighton.

Twitter: @bellyart FB: /bellyartkeepsakes 17

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Have you visited a Playhouse before?

Thousands of children and parents have enjoyed the benefits of our Playhouses.

You and your child/children can: • play on safe, toddler-friendly equipment and with hundreds of age-appropriate toys • participate in activities, including music and storytime sessions, as well as animal visits • attend events, such as Easter and Christmas parties • book for birthday parties • meet locals, make friends and share experiences • help prepare your child/children for kindergarten • come along any weekday during school terms (no booking needed) • be part of a fantastic community facility Both Playhouses operate as parent co-operatives with the support of Bayside Council.

The day-to-day running works solely thanks to its members. Check our websites for all the details. Your children will love it and so will you!

Need a place for your Mother’s Group or Play Group?

The Playhouses can be hired by members and non members for Mother’s Group or Play Group sessions as well.

beauma ris ch ildren ’ s play h ouse Hampton Children’s Playhouse

Beaumaris Children’s Playhouse

12 Willis Street, Hampton 3188 Phone: 9598 0729 contact@hamptonchildrensplayhouse.com.au www.hamptonchildrensplayhouse.com.au

24 Grandview Avenue, Beaumaris 3193 Phone: 03 9589 0566 membership@bcp.org.au www.bcp.org.au

Monday - Thursday: 9.30am to 2pm Friday:

9.30am to 12 midday

Mon, Wed & Fri: Tues & Thurs:

9.30am to 12 midday 9.30am to 4.15pm

how to have business ownership bliss How I (and other women) made the transition into business ownership bliss.

If you are a currently in paid employment and thinking of launching a business then you may be wondering what is the best approach?

How do you transition to self-employment and what is a typical transition? Do you resign immediately and let this baby fly? How will you know what is the right decision?

As a working mum, I struggled to balance raising children with my corporate life. I recently took a huge leap of faith and made the decision to start my own business. The journey to self-employment can be tough, but I benefited from great support. So I decided to share my experience to help others. Actually, I decided to take a step further and ran a survey of other women who have taken that great leap. I wanted to find out why women make the transition to starting their own business and typically, how long it can take.

I surveyed women from across Australia and the globe to see what they did and here’s what they told me.

It was not surprising that more than 70% of women who responded started their own business for the flexibility and the freedom that it offers. What the survey did detail was a strong component of women who started their own business due to a health or life changing experience that compelled them to become the master of their own destiny.

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So how long is the right amount of time to spend in transition?

Will I ever be ready?

For the most part, over 90% of women I surveyed, had spent time transitioning into their business. In fact over 50% of women were working full-time and 30% working part-time during their new business development phase.

Women who quit their job to build the next “big thing� were very much in the minority.

The time spent developing their business typically took as long as a year for a large group of women. There was a recurring theme of a lack of finance inhibiting a quick move to starting their business. Others also mentioned they had under-estimated the amount of planning needed to start. Of those who noted they had taken longer to start their business, the benefit of less stress on them and their family by not setting unrealistic expectations was identified. There was also the added benefit of additional product and service refinement, market testing and development. Many managed the process gradually by cutting down from paid full-time hours to part-time hours as they worked on their business.

Your employer may be open to a change in hours

“It’s not a race, I took my time, enjoyed the process with little stress”

If the logistics of working full-time and setting up your business sounds challenging, you can do what I did. When I realised I wanted to start my own business, I had an open and honest conversation with my employer about my project and that I looked to create a transition that worked for both of us. I was fortunate that they were accommodating as I reduced my hours and invested more time in my business plan.

This was a common quote from my respondees. Don’t put pressure on yourself and your family by setting unrealistic expectations about how long it takes to launch. The more time spent transitioning, the less financial pressure experienced and the greater planning is afforded to you.

I wasn’t sure if he would agree with the reduced hours, but without asking I would have missed out on the perfect solution. Nothing ventured nothing gained! We agreed that I would work 2 days a week on my business and 2 days with my employer leaving me one day with my son.

By Johannah Barton - Confetti Design.

Your working freedom awaits, you just need to start – actually I mean plan to start.

The purpose of Confetti Design is to help other woman realise their dreams by simplifying their website needs and demystifying their online presence. www.confettidesign.com.au

By approaching things this way, it kept me stress free, allowed for lots of research and preparation before launching. Once the doors were open ‘so-to-speak’ it gave me the time to build confidence and more importantly, build customers.

Build a support network to help you in the process Starting a new venture, even a one person business, has many challenges: marketing you and your business, becoming the bookkeeper and office manager, you very quickly become a jack of all trades. One of the greatest problems I faced was the isolation of working on my own.

I could no longer just chat with a colleague or ask for feedback. To address the loneliness of working on my own, I make sure that I attend networking events, many of which are held during the day, and make sure I connect or have a coffee with a client, former colleague or business acquaintance.

But for all the challenges, the benefits are obvious. It was satisfying to see a large number of women who started their own business now working full-time in their business, nearly one-third. Great evidence that a new career is achievable!

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A NEW BODY IN 9 WEEKS Join the thousands of people that have transformed their life and achieved their fitness or weight goals in just 9 weeks.

You’ll achieve your results or we’ll give you your money back and train you for free until you do!

Level 1, 475 Nepean Highway Brighton East. Ph: 03 9596 8537 1300 181 786

visionpersonaltraining.com

/visionpersonaltraining

Start before December 31st 2014 & receive 3 FREE sessions! *Conditions Apply

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The perfect gift this Christmas Tribes Cufflinks

High Fives & Little Kickers charms

Fingerprint Pendants

Laura Jones m: 0487 864 817 e: laura.jones@smallprint.com w: smallprint.com/laurajones Smallprint Bayside

Special Offer

Host a home group session & receive a FREE $80 charm GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

School Holiday Program at the

Brighton Recreational Centre

Full days of exciting excursions and centre based activities are available during the school holidays for 6 – 12 year olds.

Other programs during the term

Join us in the centre for:

Join the excursions to:

- Table tennis

- Rollerblading

- Painting and Drawing

- Art and Craft

- Enchanted maze

- Music Treasures

- Gym games

- Myuna animal farm

- Fitness for over 40’s

- Silent Disco

- Sand sculpture

- Childcare

- And more!

- And more!

- Birthday Parties

- Gymnastics - Yoga

Phone the centre on 9592 3033 or visit www.brightonrec.com.au for more information.

Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

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It’s all lies!

One sleep-deprived mum’s story!

My kids are being lied to. And I am not talking about the good old white lie of Santa Claus and how we down a glass of warm milk and nibble on an old carrot for the sake of pre-Christmas excitement.

No – I am talking lies that would shatter their LIFE. I find myself feeling more and more uncomfortable with it, so I feel the need to talk to some adults and receive absolution.

Here is the story. My son has been a terrible sleeper since he was born. So – in need of ideas and to keep my sanity sort of intact (it went at some other stage, I am sure), I did something unthinkable for a first-time mum.

I placed a comforter in his cot. To be honest, at this stage I would have placed my newborn face down on a sheepskin if that’s what it took to get an hour of sleep. So despite all the warnings of SIDS, advice from the maternal health nurse and even my own husband, whom I like to call the nursery police, I gave my son a small little zebra with a cuddly little body and some whispy hair in hope he would find it during one of his restless nights, snuggle his little face into it and damn it – go to sleep without needing me to hold his hand.

And it worked. He completely and utterly fell in love with “Bombo” (that’s his name!).

Anyway, Bombo became part of the family.

He went everywhere with us and Oskar (that’s my son!) wouldn’t and still doesn’t fall asleep without Bombo, the little suffocation hazard in his cot. So one day, Oskar, Bombo and I went to do some errands. We came home, dinner, bathtime, bedtime – the usual shebang with tantrums and a little bit of bribery with the hallucinating show “In the Nightgarden”. When I put Oskar to bed, Bombo wasn’t there. It was 7pm and my only chance of a goodnight sleep ever again was missing.

The problem with Bombo is, that he wasn’t purchased in Australia. We bought him in Germany. In a store that closed down. Bombo was actually on sale. (Yes, another kick in the guts, so I will make sure Oskar will never find out about that one either). Panic set in and I

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passed the child on to my competent and usually quite level headed husband. I set out to find Bombo, to retrace our steps of the afternoon.

He had to be found or else our life as a family would end right there.

I raced from store to store. Searched every curb and every street corner of our suburb until I went into the last shop I had been to – the local bottle shop (well, of course!).

And indeed – here was Bombo, having a jolly good time at the counter of the shop between a bottle of Jack Daniels and a case of cheap Pinot Grigio. My heart leaped when I folded Bombo into my arms, close to kissing the shop keeper (a pimply young man who didn’t understand my excitement about a 20cm zebra). I skipped home and brought Bombo back to our son, who by then had managed to even scare his dad.

That was the day when I decided that something had to be done. We needed a Doppelgaenger. A twin zebra. Something, that – if worst came to worst – could take over as Bombo II without Oskar ever noticing.

I searched the internet and after some time was lucky to find another one exactly the same. He was promptly ordered and has been in a rotation with the real Bombo ever since.

We do the odd swap-a-roo so both zebras have the same stink, but so far so good. No one knows except me.

Being an intelligent human being, I bought two of the same cuddly dolls for my daughter a few years later. One doll is rostered on for a while, then has a wash while doll No. 2 takes over. No questions asked, no tears lost.

I instigated this particular doll to be her one and only soft toy she now NEEDS to sleep.

I feel a bit like a drug dealer – but mostly I feel pretty good about myself and those Doppelganger toys sitting in my underwear drawer ready for their shift to start!

By Dörte Horn, local mum and author of children’s book ‘Sleep tight, Digger Dan!’.

EE

FR

s ad ck is so th p in m ju ing of br ir u pa yo n he

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Bayside’s newest indoor trampoline centre NOW OPEN! 2/117 Cochranes Rd Moorabbin - 9555 3900 Trampoline parties and casual jumpers book at www.jumpcentral.com.au Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

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4.

we’ve got it wrapped We’ve explored Bayside’s fantastic shops (lucky us!) to bring you these fun kids gift ideas!

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18 1. Dear Zoo $24.95 Kinda Books, Hampton. 2. Courtney Elise Bibs $20 Cuppa Cottage, Sandringham. 3. Mrs Greens Garden Tools Mini $12.95 Bay Road Nursery, Sandringham.

4. Deuz Mini Tent $77 G.Wills & Co, Hampton. 5. Make your own jewellery from $15 Beadil, Hampton. 6. Maileg Mega Rabbit 89.95 Village Import, Sandringham.

7. Starting School $24.99 Kinda Books Hampton. 8. Britt Dress $59 Pearl Rock, Black Rock. 9. Naughty or Nice Santa Sack $34.95 Frankie & Coco, Hampton.

10. Uimi Cot Blanket $169 Tiny Pokadots, Mentone. 11. I’m Toy Scooter $84.95 Trombie Toys, Sandringham. 12. Ingrid Garbenis Fox $40 Davies & Son, Hampton.

13. Jawsome Rashie. $44.95 alphabet-soup.com.au 14. Make Me Iconic Tram $89.95 Bay Road Nursery, Sandringham. 15. Janod world puzzle $33.95 Trombie Toys, Sandringham. 16. Petit Collage Nesting blocks $39.95 Bay Road Nursery, Sandringham.

17. Kinetic Sand 1kg $19.95 5kg $54.95 Bamkins Hampton. 18. Unicorn / Batman Print $119 each Frankie & Coco, Hampton. 19. Indus Baby Cushion $39.95 Darling, Cheltenham. 20. Under the sea rashie $44.95 alphabet-soup.com.au 21. O.B. Designs Crochet Ripple Blanket $88, Just Surprise Me, Brighton.

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turn the page Mix It Up, Herve Tullet, $19.99 This wonderful interactive book introduces children to the science of colour.

By following the artist’s simple instructions, suddenly colours appear, mix, splatter, and vanish in a world powered only by the reader’s imagination.

This book makes a great companion to Herve Tullet’s book Press Here.

Age 2 and up.

Little Dog and the Christmas Wish, Corinne Fenton & Robin Cowcher, 24.95 A modern day Christmas story set in Melbourne is perfect for this time of year.

In the story, Little Dog and Jonathan are best friends. They do everything together. But on Christmas Eve Little Dog finds himself lost and alone in a busy city. How will he find his way home? Can Christmas wishes come true? As an adult I love reading picture books set in my home city and this didn’t disappoint.

Age 3 and up.

Escape from Wolfhaven Castle, Kate Forsyth, $7.50 A fantasy adventure which will appeal to those children who love battles, magical beasts, and bravery in their stories. In this first book in the series, Wolfhaven Castle has been attacked, and only four escape capture - Tom, trained to scrub pots, not fight; Elanor, the Lord’s daughter; Sebastian, a knight in training and Quinn, the witch’s apprentice. Somehow, if they are to save their people, these unlikely heroes must find four magical beasts from legend. But first, they have to make it out of the castle alive.

The second book, The Wolves of the Witchwood, has just arrived. Grade 2 and up.

Withering-By-Sea, Judith Rossell, $19.95 This novel is set in Victorian England in the gloomy coastal town of Withering-by-Sea. High on the cliff stands the Hotel Majestic where eleven-year-old orphan Stella Montgomery leads a miserable life with her three dreadful Aunts. But one night, Stella sees something she shouldn’t have ... Something that will set in motion an adventure more terrifying and more wonderful than she could ever have hoped for.

A gorgeous illustrated hardback. Grade 3 and above.

Our monthly kid’s books are brought to you by our friends at Ulysses Bookstore.

They are passionate about their children’s books with an extensive range, informed staff, and they love nothing better than to inspire children’s reading with their programme of taking children’s authors to visit local schools. In addition, they have an extensive range of fiction and non-fiction titles for their adult customers.

Ulysses Bookstore, 33 Melrose Street, Sandringham Ph 9521 8020, www.ulyssesbookstore.com.au 28

Find the perfect gift for your little ones with complimentary gift-wrapping and lay-bys welcome.

Port Melbourne Store Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm & Sunday 10am to 3pm 293 Bay Street • Phone +61 3 9676 2532

Mentone Store Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm & Sunday 10am to 3pm 132 Balcombe Road • Phone: +61 3 9585 7814

Perfect gifts for babies, boys and girls www.tinypolkadots.com.au

Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

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lovely locals hampton street (nth end) Avond

t

1 3 6 Rd South

St

4 Rouen

Ludsto ne St

Littlew ood St

Hamp ton Primary

n Stree

5

Villero y St

Hampto

Arcadia

St

ale St

2

With over 320 retail traders and businesses, Hampton Street is the largest shopping strip in our area, but they still live and breathe local. This month we focus on the fabulous offerings of the North end!

1. Family friendly coffee and food - The Spare Room They serve a tantalising array of quality in-house prepared foods along with their renowned quality coffees. Offering indoor and outdoor seating areas, it is a great meeting spot for families with the little ones. 545 Hampton Street.

2. Fresh produce - Devolas of Brighton Devolas stock everything from everyday seasonal fruit and vegetables and herbs, as well as rare and exotic varieties. They also have a fabulous range of quality flowers and a select delicatessen range including quality cheeses, pastas and dry goods. 616 Hampton Street. devolas.com.au 3. Sweeties and treaties - Gateaux by Marc Frissard Under the eye of French Patissier Marc Frissard, Gateaux bring the authentic “French experience” to Melbourne in the form of exquisite pastries, cakes and desserts as well as delicious lunches, coffee and traditional high tea.

565 Hampton Street. gbymf.com.au 4. Ceramic painting - All Fired Up Created as a place for people of all ages to come and enjoy ceramic painting, you simply select a pre-fired ceramic piece and decorate it yourself. Great idea for children’s parties and holiday activities. 568 Hampton Street. afu.com.au 5. Crafty fun for littlies and mum - Beadil For all ages, Beadil is a vibrant, fun and creative bead workshop with a unique difference. They offer a beautiful and affordable range of unique and colourful beads from around the world to explore, select, design and make jewellery and other creative trinkets. They also run kid’s parties and holiday programs.

500 Hampton Street. beadil.com.au 6. Toy shop - G. Wills and Co. This gorgeous little shop has beautiful toys for creative play... for all ages and stages! 551 Hampton Street.

Each month mamamag visit one of Bayside’s best shopping precincts to bring you new ideas for coffee, lunch, shopping, fashion, kid’s clothes and more. Drop us an email at submissions@mamamag.com.au if you’d like us to visit your favourite spot.

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Th e D eck Bri ghto n is th e perfect sto p o ff fo r a m o rn i n g co ffee, all day breakfast, o r fo r that hard-to-fi n d Paleo o pti o n m en u.

With plenty o f seati n g o n th e su n ny outdoo r d eck, an d a li ght bri ght i n doo r cafe Th e D eck Bri ghto n can cater fo r all sizes o f grou ps – large o r small.

7am u nti l 5pm o n Weekdays an d fro m 8am o n th e Weeken ds, we are always h ere fo r you r caffei n e fix an d with ou r h uge private fu n cti o n roo m:Th e Aviary, Th e D eck is th e perfect locati o n fo r you r n ext fu n cti o n.

212 Bay Street - Brighton 3186 ph: (03) 9596-2622 gez@thedeckbrighton.com.au www.thedeckbrighton.com.au facebook.com/TheDeckBrighton

Ava il a b le f p r ivat o r fu n ct e io n s

Present this coupon

For

20%

off your total cafe bill.

@thedeckbrighton

212 Bay Street - Brighton 3186 ph: (03) 9596-2622 gez@thedeckbrighton.com.au

(valid until the 31.01.15) Not in conjunction with any other offer.

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mama can Cook!

We’ve got Christmas day (in fact the whole of Summer) covered, thanks to some awesome recipes from local businesses and Mums.

Prawn, mango and avocado salad

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10min

Ingredients:

Method:

4 handfuls of mixed salad leaves 2 mangoes cut into cubes 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 20 cooked prawns, peeled and deviened 2 avocados, cut into cubes 1 handful of coriander, chopped 1 long red chilli, chopped (optional)

In a large bowl or on a platter, arrange salad leaves, mango, onion, prawns and avocado.

Dressing: 1/2 tablespoon of wholegrain mustard 2 tablespoons of white balsamic vinegar 6 tablespoons of olive oil 1 tablespoon of honey

From the fabulous new Summer TABLE cookbook.

In this new cookbook every recipe has a QR code.

A quick scan generates a shopping list for that recipe on your phone in the free Hello Table app!

To make dressing, shake ingredients in a jar until combined. Taste and adjust to your liking.

Pour over salad and sprinkle with coriander leaves and chilli.

Keep an eye out on the Mamamag Facebook page for your chance to win a copy!

Summer TABLE is written by local Bayside mum of 2, Jodie Blight.

Find out more at www.hellotable.com.au

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This chicken roll is a Xmas family tradition for the sisters at Two Locals in Black Rock.

Make it your’s too!

Christmas rolled chicken Beer Chasseur

Serves: 10-12 | Prep Time: 20min | Cook 4 | Prep Time: 15min | Cook time:time: 1hr 1hr

Ingredients:

Method:

1 boned chicken, size 20 or larger (ask your butcher to bone it for you and keep the skin intact)

Lay chicken out flat and patch any thin areas or gaps in flesh with slices of chicken breast.

2 extra chicken breasts (to patch up chicken where the meat is too thin) 3 cups of dried apricots (soak overnight in water) 1 packet of Tandaco stuffing mix (available at Coles and Woolies) 1 cup of pine nuts 3 packets of frozen spinach 1 roll of cooking twine Garlic butter to taste (for basting Chicken)

Cover with spinach then sprinkle with pine nuts.

Down the centre third spread the stuffing mix.

Place soaked apricots slightly overlapped over the stuffing mixture.

When layers are complete, chill in the fridge to allow chicken meat to stiffen.

Remove from fridge; roll up sideways and secure with wooden skewers. Tie up with string, tucking in the ends. Baste with garlic butter.

Bake for 30 mins at 220°C, turn, then another 30min at 180°C. In the last 5 min baste again.

Remove, rest, slice and serve!

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These Xmas delights are from Andi Lew, local mum and author of 5 health books. Visit andilew.com for details!

Amazeballs Perfect for the Christmas table or as gifts for teachers or friends!

Ingredients: 2 cups quinoa oat flakes, Forage porridge (gluten free options), or rolled oats 1 cup pitted dates, roughly chopped ½ cup of shredded coconut ½ cup of sultanas ½ cup of almonds 2 tbs organic peanut butter 1 tbs cocoa powder 2 tbs honey 3/4 tbs water 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Makes: 12-15 balls | Prep Time: 10min Method: Put all ingredients apart from the water into a food processor and blend until it has the consistency of breadcrumbs. Add the water and continue to process until it becomes sticky enough to roll into balls.

Use a tablespoon to measure the mixture and roll into firm balls. Roll into desiccated coconut to make the outside look pretty and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Note: If your guests are anaphylactic and cannot consume peanuts, you may like to use a different type of nut butter or cold-pressed organic coconut oil instead.

GATEAUX BY MARC FRISSARD - WATERPROOF STICKER PMS 1777C XXXXXXX DIE (DO NOT PRINT) STICKER: 50 MM X 50 MM 130GSM - MATT LAMINATE

French Patissier Marc Frissard specialises in:

Seasoned greetings.

Hand made pastries – croissants, danishes, brioche and almond croissants.

Individual cakes, light lunches and high tea.

PLUS our special Christmas Buche de Noel.

Order Christmas lunch or dinner from Love Pollo.

We’re open 9-12 Christmas Day so you can collect freshly prepared Pollo and salads. lovepollo.com.au Brighton Camberwell 310 Bay Street Shop2, Rear 656 Burke Rd Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

Open Tue - Fri 7.30am - 4pm, Sat & Sun 9am - 4pm.

565 Hampton Street Hampton | 03 9521 9771 info@gbymf.com.au | www.gbymf.com.au 35

Parklife NORTH ROAD FORESHORE PLAYGrOUND - BRIGHTON. My kids come here very regularly and although it is starting to age a little (it opened in 2005), it is a fabulous park in a stunning location right on Brighton’s foreshore. Affectionately referred to in my family as ‘The Pirate Park’, this nautically themed playground has a fantastic giant wooden ship with lots of hidey-holes to explore, all nestled on a safe blue rubber footing. The play equipment includes a slide, rope climbing nets, fireman’s pole, spring riders and a rocking row boat. There are shaded benches and picnic tables and clean public toilets across the road. Another draw card is the fantastic bike track that runs right along side the park (with a safe fence in between!) There is plenty of car parking and you can enjoy a coffee and treat the kids to ice-creams from North Point Cafe whilst you sit back and enjoy the amazing view of the city and bay.

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mamamag park of the month!

· Melbourne Australia · Chamonix France · Shop 3, 11 Waltham Street Sandringham Ph. 9598 1692 www.lesalonmelbourne.com · info@lesalonmelbourne.com

Christmas Packs in Store Now

Purchase any 2 packs and recieve 15% off the second ✦

Split Ends Treatment Deal

Add a split ends treatment to any service for only $25.00 this December (save $15.00) ✦

Monday Madness

All appointments made online for Mondays will receive $20.00 off this December All deals valid until December 31st 2014 · Melbourne Australia · Chamonix France · Shop 3, 11 Waltham Street Sandringham Ph. 9598 1692 www.lesalonmelbourne.com · info@lesalonmelbourne.com

Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

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family fun in phuket!

Phuket has been a favourite holiday destination for Australian families for many years. So why do families fall in love with this unique Thai destination & return year after year?

Top 10 Reasons Why Phuket is a Fantastic Destination for Families 1. Phuket has a fascinating history & culture to introduce your children to. Take a day trip to Old Phuket town and wander through the streets that are a combination of Colonial and Chinese architecture. Introduce your children to bartering. There is always a bargain to be found in the shopping strips of Phuket and a great way to mix with the locals.

2. Buddhism is the prevailing religion of Thailand. Phuket has 29 Buddhists temples of which the best known is Wat Chalong. This temple is where the locals come to practice their faith and the tourists come to immerse themselves in this peaceful religion. Take a tuk tuk from your hotel up to the Big Buddha. This massive monument is 45 meters high and sites atop the Nakkerd Hills and can be seen from many beaches of Phuket.

3. Phuket has some wonderful restaurants.

There is no need to dine at the hotel every night. With local and freshly caught seafood it’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local cuisine.

4. Zorbing at Rollerball over looking Kalim Beach is great fun for the whole family. Climb into your 3 meter ball and race each other on one of the longest tracks in the world.

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5. Hanuman Zipling in Phuket was rated top Rainforest Experience in South East Asia.

Imagine zipping through the ancient Phuket rainforest from tree to tree. This is a must for any adventurous family.

6. Take a boat trip for the day at the famous Phi Phi Island. If you are looking for a laid back way to spend time together on the beach, snorkelling and generally enjoying each others company, then this is a day trip to lock in, 7. Explore the Phuket rainforests on an elephant.

Elephant trekking is a popular tourist attraction and can be easily organised by Siam Safari.

8. Thai cooking classes for the whole family.

Learn the art of Thai cookery from the experts.

Begin at the local market place where you can learn about the ingredients before cooking and then enjoying the fruits of your labour for lunch.

9. If water adventure is for your family then look no further than Splash Jungle Water Park. This uncrowded water themed park is perfect fun for kids of all ages.

10. Day and overnight ski canoe tours in Phang Nga Bay. This activity involves exploring the beautiful natural architecture of this limestone Bay. Many areas of eroded caves and caverns are only accessible by canoe or kayak. This is a great activity for the eco tourist.

By Destination HQ. 23 North Concourse Beaumaris. Ph 9589 3294 or email travel@destinationhq.com.au

PHUKET FAMILY SPECIAL

$

FROM

5888

*

JUNE 2015 SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPECIAL BASED ON 2 ADULTS & 2 KIDS (UP TO 21 YEARS OF AGE)

(Package total for 4 people)

2015 SCHOOL HOLIDAY FAMILY PACKAGE INCLUDES: - 4 return Economy Class flights flying THAI - Departure taxes for 4 people - Return airport to hotel transfers - Daily breakfast for 4 people - Welcome dinner for 4 people - Guaranteed late check on the last day

SPECIAL VALID DURING JUNE 2015 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

- 2 x guaranteed adjoining rooms - 9 nights accommodation at Kata Beach Resort and Spa (4 star) - FREE upgrade to 2 Deluxe Ocean View rooms - Access to kids activities room *Based on travel on 21 or 22 June 2015. Add on $65 per person for departures on 28 and 29 June 2015.

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Why buy when you can borrow?

Bayside Toy Library has 1000’s of Games and Toys to choose from for children aged between 6 months and 10 years, plus: Play Group Packs Brand new themed toy packs that you can hire for mother’s groups, play dates, kinders or play groups Party Packs Very affordable rates (for members and non-members) inc. Roller Coasters, Ball Pit, Slides, Kids Tables and Chairs and more Bouncy Castle Hire

AND we now have a Mobile Toy Library trailer – so LIKE Bayside Toy Library on Facebook to hear where and when we’ll be out and about!

Opening Hours: Wed 7pm-9pm, Thur/Fri/Sat 9:30am-11:30am 212 Dendy Street, Brighton East Tel: 0447 985 221 Contact us for information on membership - new members always welcome 40

Email: info@baysidetoylibrary.org.au www.baysidetoylibrary.com Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

ALL UNDER ONE ROOF!

50 Church St Brighton

T 9592 8587

Family Friendly Bistro - Open 7 Days - Meals Available 11.30am - 9pm Check out our website with all the activities coming up.

Enjoy the Children’s playground PLUS Kids Eat Free coming soon!

THE SANDY Corner Beach & Bay Roads, Sandringham Ph. 9598 7255 www.sandringhamhotel.com.au Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

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5 tips on getting natural As a childrens photographer, the comment I get most is, “I love how natural they are” and “I can’t believe you got them to smile!”

With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to get your cameras out and capture all the family fun. It doesn’t matter if you use your phone or have a great SLR, just follow these 5 tips on how to get great, natural pictures of your kids, without the cheesy smiles!

1. Make it fun Real smiles come from real fun. Get them engaged in an activity that they love! Kick a ball, get in the sandpit, go exploring somewhere new with lots of exciting things to see and do. Challenge them to do something that is going to make a great photograph, like climbing, picking you a beautiful flower or finding the most beautiful shell on the beach.

As soon as they are bored, just follow them to the next activity or suggest something new to do that will keep the energy up and the fun coming.

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2. Never say cheese A big complaint that comes from mums is that they always get a fake smile. As soon as the camera is pointed their way, your child stops what they are doing, looks directly at the camera and pull a big fake smile instead of the lovely natural expression that you are looking for. Not again! The good news here, is that your child is trying to be good and make you happy. Take the picture, but then carry on a conversation, still keeping the camera poised. It’s the ‘Big Brother’ theory, they eventually forget it’s there and stop posing.

As soon as you want them to look your way again, ask them some questions about what they are doing and they will look your way and you’ll capture those natural expressions.

photos of your kids!

3. Become the child

5. Keep it short and sweet.

Get down to their level and get silly. I mean this literally, get physical - roll around on the ground, help build the sand-castle, join in with the cartwheels, or tea party. Have your turn, then pick up your camera again or have it handy.

Your photos will have a higher level of intimacy as you catch them at eye level and you will be photographing the world as they see it. Be funny. Let them laugh at how silly you are. It’s as simple as a funny face that ‘gets stuck in the wind’, making a mistake - ‘the dog goes Moo!’, ‘losing’ a flower on your head, making a funny sound as you bend over - Hilarious! Big smiles.

Time your shoot so that your little one is well rested, well fed, calm and happy so energy levels are high, smiles are flowing and you have maximum time to get good photos. When do they usually eat, nap and play? Are they wearing something comfortable they can play in? You want to take photos for years to come so make sure this is a good time. As soon as your child has had enough, it’s time to change up the location, activity or finish your session so it’s something to look forward to next time.

4. Pose by stealth When you tell your child to go stand over there by that tree, you are either going to get defiance or a stiff, unnatural photo. Try orchestrating the pose with excitement. Figure out what will be a great photo and then let them get there by themselves - “I bet you can’t stand on that bench over there! I’ll race you to it!”, “Oh, my goodness, look how beautiful that flower is!”. Anticipate where they will go and get yourself into position for a great photo.

Happy shooting!

By Cristal Cachia, local photographer from Otis and Sunday - www.otisandsunday.com

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Mums and Bubs @ Waves Leisure Centres Crèche – Occasional Care

Facility Hire

Waves creche is available to all users whether they are working out in the gym, doing a group fitness class or joining their other child in swimming lessons. As a registered occasional care facility, you also have the option of using the creche while you run errands or enjoy some ‘me’ time outside of the centre.

• Open 6 days per week • Children from 8 weeks to 8 years • Book for up to 4hrs per day • Discounts available for multiple children

Our crèche facility, including secure outdoor play area is available for exclusive hire for mothers groups or if you just need a venue for family get together or birthday party.

Bookings essential.

Mon – Fri

8:30am to 12:30pm

Sat

8:30am to 11:30am

111 Chesterville Rd, Highett Ph: 9559 7111 wavesleisurecentre.com.au Visit the Leisure Centres website for further details

Mon – Fri

1:30pm to 3:00pm

Sat

1:30pm to 5:30pm

Sun

10:30pm to 5:30pm

Waves Leisure Centre now on Facebook

keeping your community active

Affordable Group Outdoor Personal Training Great location at Basterfield Park. Get personal attention to technique while working in a friendly group. Loads of variety, and great 30min classes for the time-poor. Create your own mums & bubs class or I can design you a home program.

Call Carolyn on 0411268732 or email carolyn@inspiredfitnesssolutions.com

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Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

HEALTHYMAMA Stuck at home? Stuck for time? Can’t make the gym?

Burn fat and build muscle following these 3 key factors and 4 simple exercises, all in your own time!

1. Intensity:

Work to a high intensity. Breathless, sweating, heart rate up!

2. Technique:

Better technique will allow you to get all the benefits from the workout whilst reducing the chances of injury.

3. Limit rest breaks: Keep these to a minimum and you heart rate will stay high meaning

you will burn more energy!

This workout is designed to maximise your time, burn fat whilst also build lean muscle.

This workout can be done anywhere which is a great for those who don’t have access to a gym or gym equipment.

Don’t forget to warm up 5-10minutes before commencing (a light sweat is always a good indication).

1. Pushups with rotation: Perform a push up and then rotate the body so your hand is pointing at the sky, (forming a T shape), and then rotate back down to the ground and repeat starting with another push up and rotating to the other side. If you need to, do the pushup on your knees and then go up onto your toes to rotate. Repeat 20 repetitions.

2. Lunge Squat Jump: perform one lunge each leg followed by one squat jump. Add on one lunge each leg plus one squat jump after each round until you reach 10 lunges each leg and 10 squat jumps.

3. Single leg/double leg reverse crunches: Laying on a mat, have your feet at 90 degree off the ground and extend one leg until just

off the ground, then bring that leg into the chest using your abdominal muscles. Repeat on the other side. For a more advanced alternative allow both legs to extend and retract together. Repeat 15 times each side or 30 for double leg.

4. Cardiovascular exercise in 3 minutes: Choose running, skipping, spin bike, knee high jogging on the spot, mountain climbers, boxing etc. Make sure your intensity is up and you limit your rest before you start the next set of strength work.

Repeat the entire sequence three times.

Remember to follow the 3 keys factors to help get the maximum benefit from this workout.

This month’s HealthyMama is brought to you by Jack Geddes BAppSc (SportCoach) Sports Coach and Personal Trainer www.thelinkedstudio.com.au

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REAL RESULTS Sales success rate of 95% Property management success rate of 100%

KATHY HEDGER Director, Licenced Estate Agent and Auctioneer, REIV Member

Ph. 0409 418 649 E. kathy@realtybayside.com.au

realtybayside.com.au

Psychology & Wellbeing Want to feel less stressed, tired or overwhelmed?

Want to improve your relationships?

Do you want support with parenting issues?

More than ever women are faced with increasing demands. Work and home pressure can create significant levels of stress that can, in turn, effect physical health.

Anastasia Sagris-Desmond is a local psychologist with 20 years’ experience in helping people to improve wellbeing and overcome personal challenges.

111 Charman Rd Beaumaris.

Call 0412 853 957 or 9585 0616 to enquire or make an appointment.

Private health and Medicare rebates available.

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Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

Literacy & School Readiness Classes for Pre-Schoolers Age 3-6

ENROL NOW FOR 2015 Build your child's reading & writing confidence, lay the foundations early Sandringham location - Ph 0409 792 255 emily.kinderschool@gmail.com emilykinderschool.wix.com/kinderschool

Perfect gift for a girl!

Prints from $20.

Framed or unframed.

Hand delivered in Bayside.

@darbyillustrations

Christmas cards Gift tags & wrapping Gift bags and boxes Table settings Bon bons

Christmas lights Tree decorations Stocking fillers Kris Kringle's Craft & knick knacks

@sarahldarby1

orders & commissions at www.sarahdarby.com.au Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

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fun for the kids Christmas Finger Prints Tis the Season!!! Love Love the Season, so much craft and only one month to do it in!!! These wonderful little finger print art works can be done with any age, from your one year old, toddler, big kids, parents and grandparents. They can be used for decoration, cards, gift tags or on present wrapping. Just have a go! Lizzy Ann Designs is taking part in my very first retail pop up shop, very exciting.

Check out my facebook page for details. Facebook.com/lizzyanns tudio I hope everyone has a lovely holiday season filed with love, laughter and cuddles xxx Reindeer Brown paint, goggle eyes, tiny red pom pom, brown marker, glue and your thumb for the head.

Snowman White and green paint, black pen, tiny piece of orange felt, glue, and your thumb for the body and pointer finger for the head.

Christmas Baubles

Gold paint, black pen, ruler and your pointer finger for the balls.

Christmas Tree

Green, red, yellow and brown paint. Your pointer finger for the tree, trunk and star. Your little finger for the red baubles.

Christmas Lights Red, green, yellow, pink, blue and orange paint. A black marker and your pointer finger for the lights.

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win!

with mamamag

Colour in Santa and Rudolph for your chance to win ONE of FOUR Wobbly Eyes Dinosaur or Animal Copy Colour books!

Simply post your entry by Jan 31st to Mamamag.

PO Box 8018 North Road LPO, Brighton East VIC 3187

Name: Address:

Age:

Postcode: 49

For your child's next birthday party, why not invite Dancing, Games & Party Fun Awesome Songs & Music Glitter and Tattoos Prizes for all & Birthday Gift Theme & Character Options

“Check out our cool Party Themes.”

www.jitterbugs.net.au 0415 438 990

Did you know that “Getting more organised” is in the top 3 New Year resolutions?

Get more organised or help someone get more organised for 2015!

Call in organising specialist Sue Glasser to take you from overwhelmed to organised in easy and manageable steps. m: 0402 109 007 t: 9095 6145 e: mailto:info@paperclippo.com.au www.paperclippo.com.au

Sara Jade Weddings & Events Planning & styling services for children’s parties, birthdays, weddings, christenings, engagements, & special occasions, themed events, launches & corporate functions.

We offer expertise in theming concepts, creating a unique look to your event. Our impeccable detail always creates a WOW factor. With our selection of bespoke furniture to hire, your next event can now be a collection of colour, style and something a little bit fancy.

Contact Sara on 0413 384 923 E: info@sarajade.com.au W: www.sarajade.com.au

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Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

like mamamag on facebook TO win great prizes We give away all sorts of great stuff to our ‘likers’! @localmamamag

Educational games, toys and resources.

Products hand-picked by teachers & mums!

FREE gift wrapping & delivery in Bayside www.thelittlebluedoor.com.au

live local– shop local Mamamag is a FREE magazine for the mums of the Bayside area.

Without our local advertisers, mamamag wouldn’t be able to bring you this little mag of monthly fun FREE. And without mamamag you might not have known about the multitude of great local businesses and services available in the Bayside area. There might be a lot of ads in here, but we believe they are all businesses and services that local mums will love or need. And we wouldn’t be here without them.

So... Live Local + Shop Local!

Then you will be a true Bayside Mama!

For advertising enquiries visit www.mamamag.com.au Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention Mamamag!

gabi eckereder midwife (rm) lactation consultant (ibclc) mobile 0431 737 339

mumsmilk can see you in your own home or at our bayside consulting rooms. 7 days a week. antenatal education postnatal care breast feeding support low level laser therapy mumsmilk.com.au facebook.com/mumsmilk

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