19 March 2018

What motivated me to start my own business

For as long as I can remember I have dreamt of starting a business from home. It was one of those things that I thought would be ideal for when I had children at school. I could have flexibility, be there for the Easter hat and Book parades, be able to walk my kids to school then collect them in the afternoon and hear all about their day, be able to help out in the classroom, and fit my work in between. 

For most people starting a business is about making money, being their own boss and building a successful business. 

While those factors are important to me, it wasn't my sole reason.

For me, it's showing my girls that they can be whatever they dream to be as long as they work hard and not give up. At 6 months my business is still in its early stages, and while I have a vision to where I want it to take me, I know that could all change in a blink of an eye. And while there are days when its hard, and I think of giving up, all I need to remember is why I am doing what I am doing.

Cherub drew me a picture of jam jars :)

Cherub (my 6 year old) drew this picture of jam jars for me. This is why I started my business.
Its seeing my two girls watching me work on my business, or marketing ideas, that gets them so excited they go and draw a picture that relates to my business name or they discover a joke about jam and ask me to put it on my Facebook page.


Its hearing my 9 year old ask excitedly "Are you doing stuff for your business Mum?", or "Are those for your business?" and be interested in what I am working on or something I had printed.

It's the look of awe and the sparkle in her eyes. that big grin she gives me that makes it worth all the stress, and hardwork a startup requires.

She looks at me with not only love, but with hope, pride, a little idolizing and a "If Mummy can do it, so can I" attitude.

Popette loves to write, so her dream is to become an author, but at only 9 that may change....she's already changed it from Mummy, Kindy Teacher, Ice Cream shop owner, Magician, Diver, Painter, Professional Piano player, Ballerina, Pastry chef, and Spy! (Gee, she's going to be busy!)

Its showing my girls that while Mummy is good at all the Mummy stuff (some days not quite as much, is it bedtime yet?), she can "go to work" like Daddy, and be good at other things while still being there for them.

Have you started your own business? What was your reason?

06 March 2018

Exploring...in the rain

A couple weekends ago we took the girls on a little adventure. It was a miserable, rainy day, and were bored being inside so I suggested to Hubby to take the kids for a drive up the mountains and see if I can take some photos with my camera.

Of course, on the way we had to make a quick stop at a little patisserie in Wentworth Falls for a delicious pretzel, nearly the size of Cherub's head!


The cakes on display at Conditorei Patisserie Schwarz, Wentworth Falls - we have promised to return for cake another day!



Originally we had plans to stop at Echo Point and go for a walk to see the Three Sisters, but driving past the lookout all we could see was a blanket of mist, so we continued on our drive. After a drive through Katoomba, we headed further up the mountain to Blackheath, where we arrived at Govetts Leap lookout within the Blue Mountains National Park. Govetts Leap has a number of walking tracks and wonderful views of the valley when not covered in mist! 

We took a short stroll along the Govetts Walk track in the rain, but it was a little slippery and Hubby left his hiking shoes at home, so we stopped when it got steep. The walk was just long enough, that the girls were excited to have had a bushwalk and were happy to finish up, and find somewhere for lunch.


The lookout was just like Echo Point, or soupy as Hubby called it.




Entering the National Park






Loved the colours




Afterwards we made our way back down the mountain. We had a quick stop at The Hydro Majestic Hotel, an old beautiful vintage hotel that's decorated in Art Deco style. While we didn't go into the hotel, we popped into the Pavilion to see what they had on offer for lunch. We had a little look at the menu and hotel's memorabilia, then with hangry kids in tow went to a pie shop at Wentworth Falls for lunch.

The view from the Hydro Majestic carpark

Old menus, newspapers and postcards from years gone by

Old uniforms worn by hotel staff

Anyone need a seat? 

Stained glass doors from the old part of the hotel

Entrance into the Hydro Majestic Pavilion where you can enjoy a light lunch, cake, wine or just take in the views of the Megalong Valley

We had a great day exploring the mountains. The wet weather made for some great misty photos and made some of the views look mysterious and have an eerie feeling to them. I love how vibrant and fresh the ferns looked with the light rain that fell on them while we were walking around.

Do you like to venture out in the rain?