Christmas gift guide #3 Presents for Teachers!

 

I know I said I would be doing a series of three shopping guides but I have just thought of this one and so there might be 4.

Or 5....

 

Teachers! So beloved to us all. Hardworking, patient, dedicated, long-suffering.

How on earth do you thank them for guiding and nurturing your children for a whole year?

Its tricky.

Here a few cute ideas.

 

This key fob can be personalized and is practical and cute. I found this one on Etsy.

 

LocalLURE is a graphic design business based here in the Southern Highlands and they have just created this range of limited edition prints. So sweet and stylish. Perfect for teachers.
http://www.localluredesign.com/

 

I also found this on Etsy. Literary tea! How perfect for a book loving teacher. William Shakespeare blend. Too gorgeous.

 

This divine bracelet is from Hard to Find dot com where you'll find plenty of unique goodies. I think this bright bauble would be terrific for a favourite teacher.

 



 

Another local lady here in the Southern Highlands, Nicky is producing some beautiful embroidered tea towels as well as message boards and bunting for her label 'Beats Working'. So sweet and totally teacher worthy. Just call Nicky for product enquiries 0414244923

 

 

 

More personalized goodies. How could a teacher not love this mug? Again, thoughtful and practical.

 



 

Got a teacher with a wicked sense of humour? Is this the best bookmark ever? I just love it. I found this on Etsy too.

If you have ever tried Jacqueline Evans body products, you'll know they are pure luxury, and surely any hard working teacher deserves a good soak at the end of the day. These products are available on Hard to Find as well.

 

Just a few ideas for you.

xxxx





Shopping guide #2 Ethical shopping ideas

Thanks so much for having a look at this, my second guide for Christmas shopping.
These guides are really just supposed to be food for thought.
The idea for all this came from the universal feeling of stress and dread that this time of year can bring, especially when it comes to traipsing round a Westfield in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
Do we really need more stuff?
Is the reason you cant think of what to buy friends and family because they don't need anything?

Here are a few ethical ideas for gifts for the man, woman and child who already have everything.
xxx

1. WWF. http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions.aspx
These affordable gifts are seriously divine.
When you adopt an endangered animal, which you can select from a long list, you have supported the cause to help protect these animals and their environments. You also receive a plush toy of the animal, an adoption certificate, a gift bag and a photograph. So beautiful, and still gives children something to unwrap.

 

2. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia http://store.hamlin.org.au/

If you don't already know the story of the incredible Australian surgeon Katherine Hamlin, check out this site, you'll soon be converted to this wonderful cause. You can purchase gifts for the hospital such as sheets and blankets, you can support the midwife training project, or you can purchase items such as jewellery, coffee, scarves, books and handmade home wares. It's impossible to overstate the worthiness of this incredible organisation.

 

3. Oxfam Unwrapped https://unwrapped.oxfam.org.au/?utm_source=howhelp

This is a deadly one.

Essentially you can feel great about the gift you're giving through Oxfam to people in developing countries by giving them what they ACTUALLY NEED. You can give a goat to a village, a chicken to a family, clean water to a school, even cow pooh to farmers. Basically you are making the gift on behalf of your friend or family member and you give them a gorgeous card telling them how insanely meaningful their gift was. And pretty much no packaging. Win - win - win.

 

 

4. The Green Pavillion http://www.thegreenpavilion.com.au/categories/ECO%252dCHIC-BAGS/

How snazzy are these bags?

They're made from recycled rice sacks and recycled newspapers. They also have recycled tyre bags!

All ethically traded and weather proofed to stand up to the job. All products are traceable back to the villages they were made in, which ensures your first world dollars get back to the producers of the goods.

 

 

5. Oxfam Calenders http://www.oxfamshop.org.au/bookscardswrap/16712444

Everyone needs a Calender. I've heard some of you even use them.

Oxfam's range are particularly beautiful. There is a stunning Aboriginal art Calender as well as other photography beauties. Most of your favourite charities will have their own Calender. They make a fab, practical and affordable gift that helps.



















So these are just a few ideas of how we might all do something different, give a rad gift and feel really good about it too.

xxxx

Local Shopping Guide for Spunks #1 - Handmade Goodies

So, its that time of the year again.

You're either decorating your tree as we speak even though its only mid-November, or you're burying your head in the sand hoping it might all go away.

Well, it wont. I know, I know.... I'm sorry.

Fact is you need to get on board. And you know when the times comes it's actually quite fun.

So, I thought I would throw this at you.
Let's try mixing it up a bit this year...
I have put together a list of amazing local folks who make stuff with their own bare hands.
I KNOW!

Cause you know gifts have to happen, they may as well be unique, beautiful and full of integrity.
I have included links to their Facebook pages and from there you can get to their shops.

This is the Southern Highlands in NSW, readers. Even if you're not from round here you should really take a look at the incredible talent that we have in this neck of the woods. You can buy from them too, even if you're miles away.
And you'll want to. They're just that good.

https://www.facebook.com/inkandweave

100% linen tea towels, from Ink and Weave, proudly designed & screen printed in Australia. They're just so cool, you can frame or mount them and if you really want to, you can even dry up with them. Divine.

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Susie-Websters-Wearable-Art/229552670507957?sk=timeline

Susie Webster's Wearable Art is unique, beautiful, always evolving and made in her studio in the beautiful Southern Highlands. Susie's stuff is also available on Etsy.

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-and-Mrs-Munro/151519581687363?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser

Mr and Mrs Munroe make incredibly beautiful timber and wire pieces. They use various materials, and their work is quite unlike anything else. Handmade, delicious.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/tenthousandpaces/photos_stream

Ten Thousand Paces is a shop not long ago set up in Springetts Arcade. It is full of stunning local artisans' work, and if you're after something completely unique, this is your spot to shop.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/weloveclocks?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser

The Sydney Clock company are based in the Highlands where Matt makes these and other gorgeous clocks. His time pieces are also available in Ten Thousand Paces listed above.

 

 

Highlands Habitat is a range of divine goodies made by beautiful local lady Naomi. She has a gorgeous array of products including bath and body products and roll on fragrances available at Claytons Pharmacy, Bowral, or you can have custom made blends created for you including personalized labels. Heaven.

nberming@bigpond.net.au

 

 



Monday Lovin'



So, I let out a little secret today.
I love Mondays.
This was met with some.... horror.

I know its cool to hate Mondays and it's the expected behaviour for one to puff and sigh that it's Monday AGAIN.

Lemme outline why I love Mondays and why you should get on board, buck the trend and think differently of poor old Monday, who is quite frankly, only doing his job, under difficult circumstances.

Firstly. Am I the only one whose children are tucked all safe and sound at SCHOOL?????????
School!
School! School!!!

Best invention ever.
After the epidural.

I'm sorry but when I drop my baby's off knowing they are in professional, loving hands and not in my ear shot. I love the shit outta them so hard.

Monday, tick.

(Pupil free Mondays are an exception to EVERYTHING I write in this blog piece.)

Secondly. You know that wonderful weekend you had, hanging out with friends? Going to bed too late? Eating all that lovely food? Drinking all that gorgeous wine?
Monday? Brand new start.

Yes Ma'am, its a fresh chance to do better.
New years day, every week.
Healthy eating, healthy living, early to bed, all that, lots of water.
Bam.
You're welcome.

Third. The relaxed Saturday/Sunday vibe is still fresh.
Breathe deep and you can still feel the delicious down-time you just had over the weekend.
Hold hand's with that feeling and don't let it go.
Don't say goodbye at the gate, take in on-board.
Pop it under the seat in front of you.

Fourth. You know how we're all saying how fast the week goes?
Yeah, well, that's cause it does. And pretty soon it's Friday again which has its very own sexy flavour.
Hold tight, it'll be here before you know it.
Four sleeps.

Fifth. School.
Seriously.
So beautiful.

So cheer up Charlie, start hating on Tuesday instead, cause that shit sucks.
***insert previous exception regarding pupil free Mondays.***

xxx

Will madam be having the carrots or the chemo?



So, I've learned several enlightening things today.

See how I said enlightening? Do you think I mean enlightening?
Or insulting?

Correct.

Here's what I've learnt today.

1. Kale will prevent cancer
2. "Yoga and a vegan diet cures pretty much anything". That is a direct quote.
3. Cancer is a multi billion dollar industry and there's NEVER going to be a cure because too many people are making too much money from it.
4. Stress causes cancer.

OK, suit up.

Number one. Find me one person, ONE person who has cured their cancer by eating Kale.
(I'm going to need proof, I'm just that kind of gal.)
It isn't an option.
If it was WE'D ALL BE DOING IT!
It's easy to administer and it doesn't make your eyelashes fall out. Win-win.

Conversation between an oncologist and a patient:

Onc: So these are your options Mrs West, we can remove your uterus, and hit you with 12 rounds of chemotherapy, ORRRRR you can eat Kale.

Mrs West: Oh I don't really like Kale doctor, lets go with option one.

NO.
DOESNT HAPPEN.

Ditto ginger/turmeric/garlic/green smoothies/overripe bananas/green tea/activated nuts/camel milk/soursop.

THEY ARE NOT SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO DO ANYTHING EXCEPT ADD TO THE ANXIETY.
And create gas.

I hope to god it really is that simple, but for now, chemo, surgery, radiation and drugs are all we've got that has proven to beat cancer. Suggesting otherwise is false and insulting.

Yoga and a vegan diet?
Shut Up.
Just Shut Up.
Seriously where in the world are people curing cancer with cucumber, lime and deep breathing?
Where?
Show me where.
I WISH.
I REALLY DO.

Corporations may indeed be making billions out of cancer treatments, but as long as its all we've got that's scientifically proven to work, I'm going to go with that. Cause I am just one woman with one life and one body.
Had I been given the option of chemo or carrots, my heart would have said 'Go with the salad' but my head would have said, 'Let some other sucker try the coleslaw route, I'm going with the stats'.

I hope with all my heart that those stupid people don't ever have to decide between radiation or guava, but if they do, I'd have a guess they wouldn't choose the fruit.

There are people that do. I know there are. And good for them for having such strong faith in the healing powers of groceries. In many circumstances I agree with diet as a healer. But this is an exception for me. And I find it insulting when people who have no idea tell me perhaps a mango frappe might have saved me.

And as for number 4: Stress may very well cause cancer, SO SHUT THE STUPID PEOPLE UP PLEEEEEEASE!

Ommmmmmmmmm.

My Last Surgery

So, tomorrow I'm due in for a little day surgery.

Those of you who know me will know that I have walked around for the last 19 months with an odd looking button on my chest. Its accompanied by an odd looking wire that leads up my neck.

This photo looks like Im showing my nipple but I'm not, its my port.

 

 This is my port in action. Its a little valve that was inserted into my chest and carried the chemo drugs from the I.V. into my heart.
It sounds bad. But its good.
I never had to have any poor stressed out nurses digging for my veins, which can be an incredibly traumatic thing when you're having chemo.
With my port I could just plug in and go.
I had to receive one of my drugs for over 12 months so it was a great recommendation to have the port put in just days after my mastectomy.

Its been with me through thick and thin.
Almost two years.
Bizarre.
It really signifies THE END for me.
Its funny the things that really mean something in the end.
The bloody thing even has its own ID card.



Anyhoo. Tomorrow it will be in the hospital incinerator.
Weird.
A tiny little day surgery and all visible signs (with clothes on) are gone.
Training wheels off.
For real.
Its over.