Author: Caroline

Hellooo possums!

This is my first post for blogtember…

Day 1 – Introduce yourself however you like!

Well hello new readers (and old ones. I still love you), thanks for dropping by my blog.

My name is Caroline (aka Nightwolf) and this is one one my many ‘homes’ on the www.

A little about me. Tasmanian (that’s the island state at the bottom of Australia). Married. Mum to 2 gorgeous girls, Miss K who is 6, and Miss A who has recently turned 2. We have 2 cats and 2 chickens. I’ve been blogging since 2003 (back before it was cool hahaha).

I am passionate photographer which works well cause I love scrapbooking too. If you’re interested you can check out some of my photos over on Flickr and my scrapbooking at Nightwolf Scraps.

I recently wrote a post that was 38 things about me at 38, so check it out if you want to know more. I’m also a bit of a geek/nerd/whatever. I love Doctor Who, Star Wars and play Dungeons & Dragons.

So say g’day and let me know where your from  🙂

A little ladybird who liked to eat

Food is a pretty big thing when it comes to kids’ parties, am I right? You have to do fairy bread, well in our family anyway – it’s no party unless there is fairy bread!

If you do a search for ladybird themed food on pinterest, there is a LOT of cupcakes. I found a cute little Wilton cupcake kit at Spotlight so used that but here is some cupcake inspiration…

Jen Fisher this just might be my desire for Sophia's 1st bday. A ladybug cake & a few cupcakes for the small ones :):  ladybugs:  Lady Bug Cupcakes:  Ladybug cupcakes.:  Cute Garden Critters bee ladybird spider caterpillar snail cupcakes:  Ladybug cupcakes on red velvet -- or red velvet chocolate chip for the spots?:

If you are feeling creative there are cake pops, dipped pretzels, dipped marshmallows, creative fruits and lots more….And how cute are the cheese!

Ladybird Cake Pops.: Ladybug Marshmallows. The source includes lots of decorating ideas for a ladybug theme.:  Chocolate Strawberry Ladybugs! For best results, use dark, milk or white Chocoley Drizzle & Design Chocolate. http://www.chocoley.com/list/drizzle-design-chocolate #strawberry #chocolate: Sweet & Simple Valentine’s Day Treats: Lovebugs on a Log #Hallmark #HallmarkIdeas:   Ladybug m's...use a food writer pen! (see link for blog for other ideas - cake pop instructions!): These cute little ladie bugs were made using apple slices and chocolate frosting.:  Ladybug Jello Fruit Cup. This is too cute.:  FOOD - idea for kids party:  Lady Bug Cheese made with those red wax covered mini cheeses and olives!!:

It’s all in the decorations

You can go as big or as simple as you like with decorations for any party. This year since we are having a small afternoon tea gathering we’re keeping it simple – balloons, some dangling things and lady bird themed table decorations. We found Discount Party Supplies to be our one stop shop for decorations and will use them for future decorating needs.

That’s not why you are here though, is it? You’re here to see what ideas I had looked at and ideas you could use for your own lady bird themed event…..

There’s banners & bunting

Hey, I found this really awesome Etsy listing at https://www.etsy.com/pt/listing/228441084/ladybug-garlandnursery-tassel:  Fabric Ladybug pennant banner bunting, ladybug birthday party, bedroom, playroom decor, photo prop:

and painted rocks (or golf balls!)

ladybird pebbles - cute idea to place a couple on the soil inside a flower pot!: 12 Cute Garden Ideas and Garden Decorations 2:

and even a balloon weight

Great idea for 1st birthday party https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/290289163/ladybird-party-decoration-balloon-weight:

or just go with a simple red and black theme.

Next time I’ll be back and sharing some food ideas.

Currently #11

Raindrops on the fig tree

WEATHER: It’s the end of winter so it’s cold, raining,windy and sunny.

EATING:   Lots of Flavour Stack recipes. You can check them out over at Caroline’s YIAH Adventures.

DRINKING : Lots of hot drinks. Trying to keep the hands warm

LOVING :  how quickly Miss A has settled into daycare. Playing Pokemon GO.

READING : uni notes, recipe books 

ANTICIPATING : Miss A’s 2nd birthday

LISTENING TO : MUSIC :  Disturbed, FNM, lots of 90s stuff PODCAST :  Pocket Talk, Simple Scrapper member podcast

WATCHING : Game of Thrones; Preacher; WWE Cruiserweight Classic; Dice, Camera Action; Acquisitions Inc – The Series; Ghost Adventures

PLANNING : Miss A’s 2nd birthday, blog posts, uni assignments

LOOKING FORWARD TO : warmer weather

CREATING : Awesome Ladies Project layouts,  Project Life, birthday food, Day in the Life

NEED TO FINISH : cleaning up, making a plan of attack for cooking birthday food 

WISHING : it would warm up 

MAIN GOAL : get uni assignment done NOT the day before it is due

What are you “CURRENTLY” doing?

My Declutter 365 journey – June check in

June was all about the home office and the bathroom.

Our home office has migrated back inside again. Not that I’m 100% happy about that but at least I’m warm while doing the bookwork and keeping an eye on small people. Hubby & I tend to hoard different things in the office. Me, it’s all about paper and pens. Hubby, it’s computer parts. Upside – I chucked all my pens that don’t work. Hubby sorted and chucked a whole heap of old (& I’m talking really, really old) computer parts, discs and cords.

Next step was the digital clutter, a slow and steady pace on this one. I started with my work email and saved what I really HAD to keep and then binned the rest unless it is something pertaining to current clients. Then I moved onto my blog email. I’ve managed to get my inbox  to zero for the first time in ages. I’ve even decluttered a whole heap of emails that are no longer relevant. Go me! Now to start on my personal email

Over the next week I plan to unsubscribe to email lists instead of just deleting them. Only keep what is essential and interesting.

I’m slowly sorting al the files on my computer and 2 main external hard drives. I had so many double (& some triple ups!) and some files I no longer need so in the bin they went. I’m pretty good at backing up photos and files now since I had a hard drive crash last year and I thought I had lost all the photos of our youngest. Not a nice feeling.

Finally we moved onto the bathroom and then makeup. Look – clean bathroom 🙂 (just excuse the soccer gear hanging in the shower)

IMG_5390

July is the half way point and sees us moving onto the linen closet and the master bedroom.

Birthday gifts for the under 3s

This post originally appeared on From the Wolf’s Den. I’ve updated it to include gift ideas for children under 3.
Disclaimer – I’m not receiving anything for the products I link to. They are just ideas or products I personally own or sites I have bought from before.

My goodness, that has snuck up fast! Miss A will be one in a couple of months. I’m so not ready.

We’ll be doing lots of birthday prep sharing soon but today I wanted to share a list I’m working on that I thought might be useful for other mums of littlies – what to get a 1 year old

We’ll be asking guests to Miss A’s party to not buy toys this year. Now don’t get me wrong – toys are awesome but we have heaps. Boxes of toys that belonged to Miss K, most of which are still in great condition. Miss K and I will be sorting them soon into toys to keep for Miss A, toys that have sentimental value, teddy bears (cause you never get rid of teddy bears lol), toys to give to the needy (cause I really want to instil this in my girls each year before birthdays and Christmas but more on that another time) and stuff that can just get chucked out.

So what does one buy for a 1 year old that isn’t toys? With the help of the internet, mums in my birth group, friends and family, I’ve compiled this list of handy non toy suggestions for you.

  • Books. Kids can never have too many books. Write a little note inside to the recipient with the month & date.
  • Clothing. Check with the parents for size/season recommendations or if they have any preferences
  • Vouchers. Grab a voucher parents can use to buy baby goods – things like nappies & wipes. Boring but useful.
  • Memberships. If you have a zoo nearby grab a membership.
  • put some money in their saving account
  • A coin set (My mum has done this for Miss K – a set each year since she was born)
  • A dish/cup/spoon/fork set
  • a little something special for the mum & dad
  • Music CDs designed for little kids
  • DVDs for kids
  • Something my godmother did was to buy me a charm bracelet then a charm each year
  • Something personalised – towels, bowls, cups
  • An IOU for babysitting/day out with the little person
  • Adopt an animal on behalf of a child (eg. through WWF – yeah I know it comes with a toy but it’s sooo cute AND a good cause)
  • Have a toy made out of a special piece of baby clothing – like the onesie they came home in. Check out Beary Special Memories
  • Something knitted or crocheted. I can recommend the Beanie Bunch
  • Pram liners or car seat liners. I can recommend Max & I
  • Handmade bibs

Over to you. What non-toy gift would you give a 1 year old?