8 Blogs that ROCK!

At the moment, I'm currently studying and learning my way through an online {e-course} blogging workshop over at Decor8. Everyday in March, I'm learning, watching, absorbing and being inspired on how to grow my blog whilst keeping it true to me, and to my life.

This weeks 'homework' was to closely examine other blogs that we follow and love. And to explain what it is about them that we love.

So, here is my list of EIGHT BLOGS THAT ROCK...AND WHY:

1. Styling You - By Nikki Parkinson.

Nikki's blog is fab because it is so different to mine. Although, I am generally one to read and follow 'Mummy Blogs', Styling You still draws me in. I love the look of her blog. It's chic and pretty but efficient and easy to navigate. She won Best Australian Blog in 2011...and I can see why! I love that she gives fashion and beauty tips that are practical and affordable. She uses a mixture of video posts as well as lots of photos and I always leave her blog feeling uplifted and motivated.

2. Baby-Mac by Beth MacDonald

This is one of my fave blogs. My heart skips a happy beat when I see she's done a new post {which is almost daily}. I love that Beth blogs about her daily life. She keeps it very real. She gives a beautiful, honest insight into her life as a Mother, wife, home maker and blogger. Her photos are gorgeous, as is her home. I'm also inspired how she is making a living from blogging. She also took her talents and love of writing/photography/styling to a whole new awesome level late last year by creating a correlating iPad App. Along with her husband, they have a quarterly online magazine called Beverley. Clever lady :)

3. Daydreaming & Sightseeing by Wendy.

I recently found this blog through the Decor8 e-course and was drawn in straight away. I love the title of the blog and the overall soft, dreamy look. Wendy is a photographer {so her photos on the blog are beautiful} and she writes about her life as Mother and her current craft projects. I'm captivated by her travel posts - they're off to Paris soon. 

4. Fat Mum Slim by Chantelle Ellem.

Chantelle is now a professional blogger - meaning she works fulltime as a blogger and makes a living from it {along with some other freelance writing jobs}. I have been a reader of her blog for four years now and am still addicted to checking in at her recent posts. Chantelle speaks from the heart about life, love, motherhood and her daily experiences. She has an archive of fabulous recipes on the blog and is the creator of the ever-popular Photo-A-Day movement. I first came to love her blog back when Ella was a baby....because her daughter was the same age and it was when I read about her severe sleep deprivation that I clicked with her :) It was nice to know that other Mothers were open enough to talk about their toddler's sleep issues. Yet, since then, I read because she writes in a way that makes you feel like you're chatting in real life - like you're buddies. I also adore the look of her blog. It's well designed and easy to use.

5. My Pigeon Pair by Larissa.

Not only does this blog look clean, professional and inviting....but I love the content. Larissa is also a primary teacher and a mother of two - so I have platforms in which to relate to her. She showcases many projects on her blog that inspire me. She is the Queen of Organisation and gives lots of ideas to busy Mums on how to maintain a fun, loving life for your family....whilst also being organised and prepared :) She has a wealth of knowledge on educating whilst 'playing' with your kids.

6. A Beach Cottage by Sarah.

Oooh, what's not to love about this blog. I am in love with look and feel of this online space. A Beach Cottage started in 2009 as a journal of Sarah's move from England to Australia and of their renovations of seaside cottage in NSW. Her photos and styling are simply gorgeous. I linger on her photos, as they are simply divine. She also runs a blogging e-course for beginner bloggers {check it out if you're interested in starting a blog}

7. The Startup Wife - by Emily Quinton

I've only just recently found this blog and LOVE IT. I click with other blogs/bloggers who are writing about their life as a Mother and the activities/experiences they get up to. I love her BOOK OF THE WEEK posts {an idea I might borrow} and the simplistic layout and design of her site. She also runs photography courses for bloggers and I love that she is turning her passions and talents into a business.

8. Growing Home by Elisabeth.

This is another blog I just found recently {through the Decor8 e-course} and again I felt connected by her content. She too is a mother, who likes to live well for her children. She blogs about their craft projects and recipes. She puts on amazing parties for her kids and showcases them through fantastic photography. I just felt invited and at home from the minute I clicked onto her blog.

You can also read about my other favourite blogs in this posts:

Dig This Chick, Homely One, Faith Hope and a whole lotta Love, Maxabella Loves, Seven Cherubs & Lil Blue Boo: HERE!

And an older post {some of these blogs no longer write}: Sarah's Special Moments, Tied with A Bouw, M.E, Turquoise and Peach:  read HERE.

And checkout my BLOGROLL up top there in my menu. And please note, I adore/read/devour many more blogs regularly and over time will share them all :) So many talented writers/stylists/bloggers out there!!

So, tell me....WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BLOGS TO READ/FOLLOW??

I'm always looking for new reads and sources of inspiration.

Some feedback please?!

Hi All,

I've started to fall into a comfortable groove again with blogging and writing. I have some new ideas for this blog and for this online space. I am inspired and motivated and loving the process of regular posts.

However, I'm asking YOU; my readers - What would you like to see on this blog?! What do you want to read about? What kind of posts interest you most? What do you love....what do you loathe - when it comes to blog reading & following?

This blog is mainly my journal as a Mother - our life in words and photos. It's where I come to document our life as a busy, adventurous and love-filled family. It's my free space to write and share freely. That will probably never change.

However I do invest a lot of time and energy into this blog and want my readers to love coming here.

I want it to be more than just a 'journal'. A place where people find inspiration, ideas, resources and more. A place where you can loose yourself in reading post after post with a cuppa in hand.

So....please tell me....What do you want to read here? What do I do well....and not so well? What kinda posts tickle your fancy?

Please be honest. And please leave a comment. Even if you're not a regular commentor. According to my stats - over 1000 of you visit daily. So, please let me know what you want from me and this space :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Win a 2012 Christmas Planner.

Earlier in the year, the lovely Laura over at Twenty5Seven asked if I was interested in participating in a little Christmas project of hers. At the time, I was swamped with work and we were about to go away to Hamilton Island, so I said she could help herself to my blog and take anything 'Christmassy' from it.

Well....the clever little chicken that she is.....has put together an awesome 2012 Christmas Planner for busy people :) It's such a chaotic time of year - so much going on, so much to do, so much to buy etc etc.

But, with Laura's little planner, you can be more organised and on-top of things this Christmas Season...

This little diary contains a calendar, a Christmas craft activity, gift buying lists, gift ideas, recipes by Karla, menu planning, shopping lists, Christmas activity planner, a notes section and a gorgeous article from Cherie.

I love it. Laura has done a FAB job putting it together!

And I have FOUR to giveaway.

It's a quick giveaway - starting today Wednesday 21st and ending on Friday 23rd at 4pm. {Only 3 days....don't hesitate!}

Here's how to win one of four Christmas Planner Diaries:

You can enter up to three times, if you wish....

1. Follow my blog...over there on the right - - > click FOLLOW THIS BLOG {Networked Blogs}...you don't need to be a blogger to do this. Then leave a comment here on this post, telling me you're a blog follower of mine.
2. Head over to Facebook and LIKE my page :) Then leave a comment here on this post telling me you're a Scissors Paper Rock Facebook Liker :)
3. Become a Facebook Liker of Laura's page: Twenty5Seven.  Then leave a comment here on this post telling me you're a Scissors Paper Rock Facebook Liker :)

I will use random.org to draw FOUR winners on Friday afternoon, and email them straight away. So, please include your email address in your comments so I can get in touch with you ASAP! Winners will be notified by email and on my FB page.

I am heading away next week, so would like to post these off to you on Saturday 24th Nov, so you have them for the start of Dec!!

Good Luck! And thanks :)

What's All the Hoo Haa About?

So..... it's come to my attention over the past few weeks that there's a heap of 'hoo haa' happening online over the concept of 'Mummy Bloggers' getting paid to....blog! Maybe I missed some valid points, but I really don't see what the problem is?! A Mummy Blogger is basically a Mum....who blogs. And what they blog about is well & truly up to them. Most do it for fun, for a hobby, for an escape or to document their lives & thoughts. Others do it so they're apart of an online community & making connections. Some do it to inspire or be inspired and to have a creative outlet. And some have made it their full-time job & are earning a bloody good income from it....GOOD ON THEM I say!!! Whatever your motive is to justify your blog, thats' cool. It's YOUR blog, your space! And if you can make money from doing something that you love.....then I take my hat off to you!!

A blogger selling advertising space, is no different than a printed magazine selling space. A blogger being paid to write sponsored posts is no different than an Author being paid to write, advertise or review a product. No one uproars when a new business is launched....and it's making money! So, why....is a blog that makes money....such a confusing or sniggered-at concept?!

I have some sponsors who pay me a monthly or yearly fee to have their logo on my site & a few shout-outs on my social medias. I get paid to do what I love {write} and they get their business name & brand out there more. Win Win! No harm done!

In fact, I've finally put together a Media Kit, and I've started putting myself out there to drum up some support from big businesses. I won't lie....I would love to be paid to write on my blog. If it meant I can stay at home longer with my children instead of returning to the workforce next year & if it meant I was achieving a dream, and living 'my ideal life'....than that's just tootin' wonderful isn't it.

Bloggers have a voice....an influential voice, and big brands are seeing this. So they are turning to bloggers as another option in their marketing & advertising ideas. And I think it ROCKS!!!!

Anyways....that's my 2 cents. Congratulations to some of my fellow Aussie Bloggers who have landed awesome Sponsors. Sponsors who pay them to write, believe in them & allow them to do what they're good at! Eden Riley is off to NYC in August, thanks to her sponsor Maybelline New York....thanks to the world of blogging. And if that was me, I'd be shouting Maybelline's name from the rooftops, because not only are their products one that you'd be proud to represent, but they are supporting a wife/mother/blogger with her dreams & her talents!! WIN WIN Baby!!

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Anyways.....

Now, onto more important things :) And back onto what us "MUMMY BLOGGERS" do....we share & document & tell our stories.....

Ryder turned 7 months old on Sunday! SEVEN MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!! {you do realise I will be shocked with how old he's getting....EVERY.SINGLE.MONTH?!!!} I just can't believe he's yet another month closer to turning 1. Ahhhhh!!!

He's such a little dream. His face makes me melt every time. He's cheeky. So cheeky.

And full of spark....

Still no interest in crawling. But grabbing things, grabbing everything! {we call him Swiper....as you would've seen in the above video of him grabbing his sister's sandwich!} and he's already grasped the concept of what he wants, and when he wants it :)

His eczema was so bad whilst we were up in Cairns. Red & raw :( I think it was due to the heat. But since we've come home & I've been using QV on him.....it's almost completely disappeared!!!

He's a total daddy's boy. He goes electric when Chris walks in the room. And his favourite toy? A small rubber 'Smurfs' ball. Loves it :)

Being 'Mum' to this boy....truly makes me feel like the luckiest woman alive!!!

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Ok, it's getting late.....I'm off to harass a big brand company on being my paid Blog Sponsor ;) Any takers? ;)

Goodnight All x

P.S. Adding this post to STYLING YOU's linky about the recent Paid Bloggers Commotion.

Bloom by Kelle Hampton. Win this book.

There's no hiding the fact that one of my all time favourite blogs is: Enjoying The Small Things by Kelle Hampton. I first came across her blog, late one night in January 2010 and have been completely hooked ever since. I often wonder why her blog posts inspire & amaze me week after week, and really...it's not rocket science...it's quite simple actually: she's positive, she's consistent, she's uplifting, she's an amazing writer, a professional photographer, a dedicated mother, and she gives us honest insights into her life - the ups & downs! 2009 was a rocky year in my life's timeline...Chris & I encountered an array of challenging curve-balls & obstacles. So, when we welcomed in 2010 and we were given a fresh slate....I was motivated & inspired to make it grand & live it bigger & better! Finding Kelle's blog at that time was a huge factor in changing my perspective on life & how I live it. 2010 was grand....and I have to admit that I was drawing a lot of energy & inspiration from Kelle's words. Inspiration to simply look at situations with a different view point.

Her blog still to this day draws me in. The fact that her 2nd daughter has Down syndrome, now goes completely unnoticed by me, because I've been there on her site, reading her journey the whole way, and now see Nella no differently than any other child on a Mumma's blog.

Earlier this month, Kelle, launched her first published book: BLOOM - Finding beauty in the unexpected. Within it's first 2 weeks of launch, it hit number 11 on the New York Best Seller List...WOW! I knew this book was coming out & was anxiously awaiting my pre-ordered copy to hit Australian shores for the past few weeks. It arrived last Thursday, and the delivery woman must have thought there was a million dollars inside that parcel....I was doing a very big happy dance :) And I think Ryder was pretty happy too:

Either that....or he was just laughing at his Mumma looking ridiculous doing a happy dance in the lunge room :)

However, I was truly excited to get my hands on this book.....and I have hardly put the thing down ever since. It's exactly what I expected it to be....but more! It's beautiful.

Why do I love it so much? Because it's honest & raw & acknowledges deep pain....but it's also so positive & inspiring & full of beauty. Kelle talks about the end-of-the-world emotions she had when Nella was born with undiagnosed/unexpected Down syndrome. Her words take you in....as if you're inside that hospital room with her. The story unfolds more......meaning & change starts to happen. The memoir then continues through these emotions {which have had me in tears} to reveal a whole new perspective on life & challenges & living! And that's why I wanted this book so badly.....I wanted to get inside Kelle's head to truly see how she copes, how she thinks & how she has made her life so grand & so beautiful.....after everything!

Being able to change someone's perspective on any given topic is a powerful thing. I'm not an overly opinionated person but I see things through my own eyes. To gain other perspectives, I have to focus more, look further, read more or take a step back and look in. However, with Kelle's blog & her new book....she has changed my perspective on life & motherhood & Down syndrome. I'll be honest here....my view & perspective on having a child with DS has completely flipped in the past 2 years of being inside Kelle's life. If you had asked me about having a DS child when I was pregnant with Ella 4 years ago, my response would've been completely different if you had asked me last year whilst pregnancy with Ryder. Kelle CHANGED my perspective. That's power. And that's power going into a good energy source. Life is rarely how we expect it or plan it to be.....yet how we choose to live it & tackle it, is what matters....it's what shapes us.....it's what defines us!!! I'm now more aware of this! Thank you Kelle.

She's also inspired me to get my butt into action.....to finish the children's book I started in 2008, to finish the memoir I started in 2009, to tick a few more things off my bucket list :) What have I go to loose?!

Heck, I love the book so much...and want to share Kelle's messages with as many people as possible, so I've bought another copy of BLOOM to GIVEAWAY to one lucky reader here!!!!! Simply leave a comment here on this blog post telling me; What makes your life more beautiful?! A comment will be drawn randomly on Wednesday 25th April 2012 {7pm Aus EST} and announced here on my blog and on my FACEBOOK page. For multiple entries into this draw.....simply Tweet, Facebook or Instagram about this giveaway & then come back here & leave a comment telling me you did so.

Tag me on Twitter: @SPRockDesigns. Tag me on Facebook: Scissors Paper Rock. Tag me on Instagram: @clairechadwick, so I see the links :)

Good Luck!

Bloom can be bought here! And you can see the trailer here.

{{"And the older I get, the more I embrace change as an opportunity to learn just what I'm capable of. I'm capable of so much" Kelle Hampton - Bloom.}}

P.S. The MESSAGE TO TEENAGE ME photo project ends this Friday 20th April. Please participate if you haven't yet :)

P.P.S The ipad3 promo is also drawn on April 27th...wow...a big month of prizes & freebies! Soak it up peeps :)

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Update: 25.4.12.... 8pm..... The winner is......

Comment Number 14 {Zoe from Little Swallow Blog}. CONGRATS!!!!!! THANK YOU so much everyone who entered & shared this giveaway link! Zoe, please contact me with your postal address :) Yay!

I am. I'm Not.

{image by me}

I am not:

• a super Mum - I have many faults.
• into watching sport on TV - I'd rather watch grass grow...sorry Chris.
• as patient as I used to be.
• going to whine about winter this year - I will embrace it & enjoy it.
• good at saving money.
• a fan of my kid's starting each day at 5am {after several wakings in the night}.
• the centre of attention at a party....but not the super shy one either.
• the most co-ordinated person - even though I've danced all my life...and can multi-task like a pro.
• very good at remembering to drink water.
• always content - I'm always looking for something to do, make, experience or achieve.
• not tired of hearing my kids laugh.
• not able to wear my hair down much at the moment - a certain little baby boy ends up gripping on to handfuls of it...ouch.

But, I am:

• madly in love with 3 beautiful souls.
• highly addicted to coffee. {as I sip my hot brew as I type}
• trying to bring up happy, healthy, balanced, strong & kind children.
• loving the space & storage our new home has - and the fresh mountain air that sweeps through.
• going to bake more {soon}.
• craving & feeling a desire to start running again.
• holding a baby as I type this, playing calming music over the iPad speakers - trying to create a peaceful, happy place whilst Big Sister is at Kindy.
• trying to find more balance in my life without putting myself last.
• constantly reminding myself to slow down....breathe....and enjoy the moments.
• always dreaming. and dreaming BIG.
• proud of my Husband Chris for all that he's achieved & is striving to achieve with his business ventures.
• in love with my current life - I hope I don't ever take my blessings for granted.
• sick of over thinking things....and analysing my every decision.
• glad it's Friday. I love weekends with my family.
• ME.

Buy this vintage style wall print from here.

Please, tell me, what's on your "I am. I'm not." list?