Facebook Archives - With Some Grace

Facebook Lovin’ Sunday – 16/03

March 16, 2014 By: mamagrace7111 Comments

Forget facials, masks or even botox. Well, maybe I can’t speak for botox.

BUT.

I have discovered that there’s a way to save money on facial beauty products.

“How? How?” Your curious mind asks desperately.

You need to do 3 things. Ready?

Exercise, sweat and have a towel.

Yup. Mind blowing, riveting stuff, huh?

Seriously.

When you sweat buckets, your pores open, which can be a good thing for facial cleansing. Firm wipes with a towel, even a little scrubbing motion can get rid of all those dead skin cells. Keep rubbing until your skin turns a little red.

And maybe you already knew this stuff. I kinda did. But didn’t realy put it to the test, until recently.

After my detox, I went for a 8 km run. Longest run in what felt like ages but somehow I had all this energy built up and man, talk about Perspiration Falls.

Afterwards, I grabbed that gym towel and scrubbed myself, perhaps until a little raw.

I know, I know. Sounds gross.

But, how’s this for a final result? No airbrushing. Or filters. Promise.

Anyway. Just little Sunday beauty tip. From me. To you.

What’s your best, yet cheapest beauty tip?

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share

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Facebook Lovin’ Sunday – Father’s Day Edition

August 31, 2013 By: mamagrace7111 Comments

Another commercially driven opportunity for retailers to convince us they know what fathers would like for their “special day”, encouraging us to buy stereotypical gifts – handyman tools, the electronic gadgets, the spiffy ties.

We thank our dads and the father figures in our lives for the masculine traits they bring; the sense of protection and comfort.

But what about the other softer, sensitive stuff?

My dad’s a crooner. For as long as I can remember, his golden baritone voice has always soothed me, reminding me that a song without emotion is just an empty melody.

He taught me self-confidence through music and performance. As long as I’m singing from the heart, the audience will always be appreciative.

Being in a quartet that recorded their own album, I saw how my father collaborated with others in sharing their love of music; praise and adoration doesn’t belong to one but shared by many.

For all the dads – including those sadly no longer with us – father figures and single mothers taking on that paternal role, thank you for the hugs, kisses and gentle care. For all your strength and stoic support, we’re also grateful for the moments of love and sensitivity.

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share

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Facebook Lovin’ Sunday – 21/07

July 20, 2013 By: mamagrace7115 Comments

Hi ho, y’all!

Happy Sunday!

It’s been an extremely busy week for me – coffee sampling, boom speakers water resistant testing and tasing all sorts of delectable dishes However, there will be very few words from me today as the photos say it all…

Man, I didn’t realise my facial muscles were capable of pulling such stupid expressions.

A big thanks (or not) to Tina Gray at Tina Gray Dot Me and Simon at Fast Lane Dad for capturing far from flattering moments.

Next time, it would be really, REALLY appreciated if you’d stop me from looking like such a crazed idiot?

Kthanksbai.

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share!

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Facebook Lovin’ Sunday – 07/07 {Cold Power Sensitive Touch Giveaway}

July 6, 2013 By: mamagrace7137 Comments

Before their arrival, people would often ask me if I was going to dress the twinlets in identical clothes.

And while I hadn’t thought that much about it prior to their birth, I did end up being one of those twinnie mums that LOVED buying 2 of everything.

In fact, I was such the wardrobe manager and stylist of my teeny weeny boys that there were nights when I couldn’t sleep from the excitement. I couldn’t wait for the new day to begin so that I could dress my boys in “matchy matchy outfits”

Geez, Grace. They’re human babies, not your dress up dolls.

After much protest from Mr Surfer we started to dress them completely differently. Fair enough. After all, the twinlets are two individuals with distinguishing personalities.

And to be completely honest, a mismatched existence has proven to be a far less stressful. The reformed perfectionist in me has surrendered to the imbalance and the well, imperfections.

I mean, when your laundry pile gets to these unbearable levels of disarray, who’s got time to worry about precise twin coordination?

Especially when it comes to socks. Can’t figure out which twin is which? Just look down and I invite you to survey…

I will pay you a handsome amount of chocolate if you can find a matching pair in this bottomless basket.

Better yet…I will be giving away a lucky reader 2 packs of Cold Power Sensitive Touch Laundry Detergent.

Where I’ve let priority go on immaculate dressing, it’s now all about being pragmatic.

Proving twins have their own identities and separate DNA make up, it’s K-Bear who has the egg and nut allergies as well as being more prone to eczema and asthma.

Cold Power Sensitive Touch is ideal for our home. It’s hypoallergenic and determatologically tested and is free from perfumes to ensure sensitive skin remains free from irritation.

It’s even a proud partner of the Eczema Association of Australasia.

Without worrying about complicated routines, you can just use the recommended dosage in your laundry load and let it find your socks for you…just kidding. It will give your clothes a thorough clean, though.

And what I love best about Cold Power? The fact that you’re guaranteed of fresh clean clothes and still save money and energy by using cold water.

Available in powder and liquid form, top loader and front loader (2kg, 2L) for $14.99 (RRP) in all supermarkets.

To be in the running to win 2 packets of Cold Power Sensitive Touch all you have to do is:

Like With Some Grace on Facebook
Subscribe to With Some Grace by Email
Leave a comment on the blog and tell Mama G: “What’s the craziest mismatched outfit your little one has worn in public?”

Terms and Conditions:

This giveaway is only open to Australian residents
Closing date for entries is Sunday, 14th of July.
The winners will be contacted via email on the following Monday.
If the winner does not reply to my email within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen.
Entries will be judged on merit and decision of the winner will be final

***This is a sponsored post for Cold Power and Digital Parents Collective. Cold Power Sensitive Touch provided compliementary samples for this post, however the opinions and content expressed within are completely my own. ***

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share!

Update 15/07/2013:

Winner of the Cold Power Sensitive Touch Giveaway is: Luisa from Motherhood Herald

Congrats, Luisa!

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Facebook Lovin’ Sunday – 26/05

May 25, 2013 By: mamagrace7125 Comments

Out of the internet blue, an interesting question was posed by the lovely Sit Down Mummy on this Instagram photo I posted:

“A week from the event how have u pulled up?”

Yes, it’s been exactly a week since I ran the longest, most arduous race of my life (so far).

And while my pins have fully recovered, it was actually my toes and feet that were suffering the most post-race pain.

There was a blister on the left foot that actually covered my entire little toe. Unfortunately, I failed to pop it. It eventually deflated the next day but then swelled up again on the following and turned into a dubious shade of purple. Do blisters have sinister minds of their own? Not sure. But this one certainly felt like it did.

Then there was the middle toe. Same foot. No blister but my toe nail was a little wobbly and ready to drop off. T’was such a pretty sight.

Needless to say, on Monday, I wore ugg boots. ALL day. To day care drop off and pick up. To the shopping mall. EVERYWHERE. I must’ve looked damn sexy.

I didn’t care. I had run 21.1 kms. I was riding on an emotional high. And a week later, I still am.

What’s been your biggest post race/exercise injury? And did you pop it? Have I totes grossed you out?

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share!

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Facebook Lovin’ Sunday – 12/05

May 12, 2013 By: mamagrace7118 Comments

Happy FBLS, folks! But most importantly, Happy Mother’s Day!

And while we ourselves will be showered with love and attention from our own families, least we forget sending some gratitude over to our own mothers or those who have been mother figures to us.

Living in Japan for almost 8 years during my single, career-free days, I would always phone up my Ma to let her know I was thinking of her. There’d be tears of homesickness, which were largely due to me desperately missing her Indonesian home cooking. (The lady sure knows how to make a mean Nasi Goreng).

Then, the conversation would somehow steer towards when I was coming home to settle down and get married.

*Crickets chirping*

Strangely, the phone connection would turn “haywire” or I suddenly had to go.

Well, we all know the rest of the story.

I eventually did come home, found myself a husband and Ma got the grandchildren she so desperately wanted.

Interestingly, Telstra recently conducted a survey to look into the calling habits of Australians and found that almost half of young adults aged between 18 – 15 phone their mums everyday with more than one in 10 calling because they need something – the kind of phone call mums lease like receiving.

The research also discovered that nine out of 10 mums would rather their kids call ‘just for a chat’ with older mums (aged 65 and over) twice as likely to want their children to call to ‘check up’ on them than any other age group.

This year, my Ma’s visiting us so no more awkward conversations or imaginary crappy phone connections.

But, we still chat on the phone (My mum was born with a phone to her ear). Maybe not everyday but often enough to know the love is there.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Telstra have graciously provided me with 4 double pass movie tickets to giveaway to my readers!

All you have to do is:
- Leave a comment on this blog post telling me: What’s been the greatest piece of advise your mum (or any mother figure in your life) has given you?
- Subscribe to With Some Grace by Email
- And because it’s FBLS, follow With Some Grace on Facebook

Terms and conditions:

This giveaway is only open to Australian residents
Closing date for entries is Sunday, 19th of May.
The winner will be contacted via email on the following Wednesday.
If the winner does not reply to my email within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen.
Entries will be judged on merit and decision of the winner will be final.

Don’t forget the important FBLS stuff:

1. Copy and paste your Facebook Blog Page URL and link it up below

2. If you can, please “Like” a fellow blogger’s page through your personal account. (For some bizzaro reason, the number of Likes on a fan page is only tallied from personal accounts).

3. For the love of bloggy karma, don’t link and dash! Reciprocate the Facebook Like love, ‘k?

* Not a deal breaker but how about giving a shout out to a new page you found ? Doesn’t cost much. Give tenfold, get hundred back, I say.

P.S To try and get as many bloggers joining in, please share or retweet this post! The more pages there are here to “Like”, the more love there is to share!

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A Mother’s Sanity Check List

December 1, 2010 By: mamagrace713 Comments

This miserable weather sucks pineapples. Big ones. Where’s my dose of Vitamin D ??? I rely heavily on Sydney’s usually sunny days to get out of the house and keep my boys and I away from bouts of moodiness caused by sheer boredom and restlessness.

Sooooo, in a (kinda) follow up from my previous post, I thought I’d make an attempt to remind me of what keeps me from going around the banana bend. Here’s my Top 10 list. There’s nothing radical. Some of these may be considered as “no-brainers”. But hey, when you’re a stay at home mum of twins, your resources are limited. It’s an eclectic series of the shenanigans that I get up to when I am let loose and given 30 minutes of completely-undisturbed-heaven-sent free time (Yipeee !).

1. Watch An Episode Of “Modern Family”

Isn’t it funny how a show about a dysfunctional family (Well, 3 of them) is in the top of my list of things that help me keep sane ? I especially love the episode where Lily the baby bumps her head while wearing a Diana Ross (In her RCA years) afro wig. Love, love, love it !

2. A Caffeine Hit

I had given up coffee for a good 3 years even before I was pregnant. But 6 months into motherhood and I fell off the bandwagon. These days, I swear I could completely immerse…no, no, no…drown myself in a bath of cappuccino. Love the stuff. But, I do my very, very best to stick to the one-cup-a-day rule. So, like a pilgrimage to Mecca, I walk/drive (pending on weather) up the road to my favourite local coffee shop and grab a LARGE cappuccino (No sugar, thanks…I’m sweet enough..).

3. Having A Gas-Bag

Friends. Communication. Can’t live without either and it takes all types of buddies to help you put things into perspective. There’s the chat with a fellow mummy to compare who’s more exhausted. Then, there’s the conversation with a non-mummy gal pal to catch up on goss and live vicariously through their fabulous life.

4. Escaping to Hollywood

It’s like that line Miranda uses in SATC when her trashy gossip magazines arrive at her new home in Brooklyn: “Let it go, it’s my thing.” And then she sits in the corner, reading the tabloids from cover to cover. Every Friday – rain, hail or shine – with my $10 note clutched in my hand, I race down to the newsagency to get my weekly dosage of salacious celebrity goss/trash from Who Weekly and OK ! publications. Who’s Jennifer Aniston hooking up with this week ? Is Katie Holmes pregnant ? Why did Eva Longoria Parker file for divorce ? It’s evil and wrong but I can’t get enough of it.

5. The World According To ~~Stalkbook~~ Facebook

“Hi, I’m Grace and I’m a Facebook addict…I haven’t logged onto FB for….7 minutes now…” Again, another terrible obsession. But my mother-in-law summed it up perfectly: “It’s your lifeline, dear”. Where would I be without it ?

6. Soaking In The Bubbles

…Or in my case, bath salts. A tub of warm water, a generous handful of Radox Muscle Soak Herbal Bath Salts, some lit candles (Pomegranate scented, no less) and Newton Faulkner on the iPod…Aaaah ! I transcend to another world.

7. Bust A Move

Madonna, Marvin Gaye, Abba…my lounge room is my disco. One morning, reliving old high school memories, I performed a dance routine for my boys. It was to the 80’s, Madonna classic, “Holiday” and had all the cool moves. Despite being proud as punch that I actually remembered most of the steps and motions that my friend and I had choreographed all those years ago….my (at the time) 6 month old sons gave me a puzzled look. All that effort, yet little return. Typical.

8. Tinkling On The Ivory

Music is therapy. I’m no Liberace or Stevie Wonder but my Gors & Kallman piano and I…we go a long way. Sometimes I pretend I’m playing at some sophisticated, smoky jazz club like The Basement. What the hell…why else were we blessed with a sense of imagination ???

"Any special requests ?" - My Gors & Kallman Piano

9. The Ocean

We’re blessed to live 10-15 minutes away from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (Biased much ?). Despite the recent fuh-reezing ice cold temperature of the waters at Bondi Beach, there’s no other feeling than the one experienced when diving into your first wave. I always come out feeling invigorated. That dull headache (caused by 24-48 hour house confinement and screaming banshees) always clears itself in the ocean.

My Sanctuary: Bondi Beach

10. Sweat It Out

Last, but certainly not least…exercise. The jogging, the kickboxing, the weights, cardio…I used to loathe it all. It was like a chore. Now, it keeps me focused. It’s the fresh air. It’s the fact that I’m given a task that isn’t related to bottles, bibs or baby poo.

So there you have it. My list. Come on. I dare you. What’s yours ???

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