labubu leap

It started at my brother’s wedding, when my cousin hosted a trivia game and my daughters won a Labubu. One figure became a set, then a collection, because I’ve never been able to enjoy anything in a healthy, casual way - I leap from curious to committed in a heartbeat.

Most people notice only the jagged teeth, manic stares, and chaos, dismissing them as creepy. Then I came across the sweet series: pastels, soft fur, squinty eyes, mischievous smiles. That’s when the charm clicked.

In a world where childhood flickers mostly across screens, these little weirdos carried us back into the hobby room. My girls dressed them in miniature outfits, tugging tiny sleeves over chubby arms, pinching at buttons, fussing with hats and ribbons - each detail sparking a new personality: shy in a bonnet, gangster in a tracksuit, classy with a handbag. Imagination thrives in the hands, not on a device.

the cost of cheap friends

Family is fate. Friends are the choices that shape your life. The wrong crowd robs you of time, energy, money, and even your sense of self. I could list a dozen good traits in a friend: kindness, loyalty, humour, respect. But there’s one deal-breaker: stinginess. Not just with money, but with words. The type who can’t give a compliment without a barb and peppers every conversation with snark.

I finally cut off the spongers. A great 21st-century philosopher said it best in one of her many nuggets of wisdom: “Never be so kind you forget to be clever,” Taylor Swift writes in Marjorie. 

It felt like being nicked a thousand times, but I grew numb until the piggy bank shattered. When you’re young, she pockets your pearl necklace, swaps it for a plastic bracelet, and calls it a fair deal. When you’re older, she trades you lemonade scones for your king crab. You gift your baby things, only to have her secretly flip them for profit. That’s when you learn she isn’t thrifty; she is extractive.

Here’s what I’d tell my teenage self: you’re not stuck. You can leave. Real friends make you feel safe, seen, loved. Don’t let anyone treat your goodwill like an open bar tab. The worst kind of person is tight-fisted with theirs and greedy with yours. You owe nothing to anyone for being fortunate. You should never feel guilty, and what you share is your choice, never a duty.

It starts in the schoolyard. First, a bite of your chicken mayo roll. Then your whole lunch. She takes and takes, subtle at first, then relentless. That’s not a friend; it’s a leech. Rip it off, let it sting, and keep walking. The skin will heal, I promise, but the mind remembers. The scars aren’t on your hands, they’re on your heart.  

Left unchecked, the pattern follows you into adulthood and leaves you open to exploitation. Better an empty table than a bottomless cup.

In the end, money wasn’t the knife. Three decades of  cheap shots bled me dry and killed the friendship. 

clay date

My daughters are my greatest motivators. Even when I’m running on empty, they ignite the spark that keeps me going. My dear friend Hue is pure inspiration. Creative, thoughtful, generous, and optimistic, she lifts everyone around her. With their encouragement and enthusiasm, I find myself capable of more than I ever imagined.

We threw together a clay date for the girls and their school friends. I didn’t think I had the energy, but their excitement made it easy to rally. Hue led the pottery workshop with her usual calm magic, patiently guiding the kids as they shaped pieces worth keeping.

Lunch was a tea party spread, served on elegant three-tiered stands with avocado maki sushi, salmon aburi, spring rolls, and egg sandwiches. I loved that these young ones are now old enough to use proper dainty porcelain tea sets.

The afternoon was a mix of quiet concentration and cheerful chaos. Our guests were kind, respectful, bright, well-mannered, and mature, exactly the sort of company I wish for my daughters. I’m so grateful my little ladies have made such genuine friends.

soft spot

Labubus have been getting a fair bit of hate lately. I’m not personally invested, but I see no reason to mock what others enjoy. Collecting thrives on rarity, the chase, and the reward. It triggers dopamine: a spark when you spot one, a bigger hit when you score it, and a warm afterglow each time you see it. That “maybe this is the secret edition” keeps the loop going and hooks people.

My version of Labubus was a group of quirky plush toys. They weren’t popular or expensive, just small-eyed, big-smiled figurines that I found completely charming. One or two became a little family without me really planning it. Most people didn’t notice their appeal, yet a couple of friends still gifted me some without judgement. I held onto them for years because they made me happy.

In my mid-twenties I redecorated my room, decided I’d moved past toys, and donated the lot.

After becoming a mum, those funny little faces came rushing back in a wave of nostalgia. I searched online and found them still floating around, some even new with tags. One in particular caught my eye: the hippy chick, soft and familiar, with a black stain on her dress like the one I remembered. She turned up in a house only ten minutes from where I grew up. She looked exactly the same. Maybe it wasn’t the original, but that didn’t matter. It felt like she had come home.

to all the friends i’ve loved before

It took me decades to understand that some friendships belong to certain chapters, not the whole book. I held on out of sentimentality and duty, even as life pulled us in different directions. I once believed shared history guaranteed loyalty, but time proved that bonds can loosen and not everyone belongs in the future.

But growth demands honesty. Not every relationship is built to last. There’s nothing more awkward than a flat conversation or one laced with subtle competition, where everything becomes a comparison. I’d take watching cement dry over forced small talk any day. I now gravitate toward friends who bring joy, encouragement and authenticity.

I used to feel responsible for everyone’s happiness, often at the cost of my own. I was overly inclusive, inviting people along and bridging social circles just to make sure no one felt left out. Secretly, I resented it. Entertaining acquaintances I wasn’t particularly fond of out of guilt was a self-inflicted burden that only fed internal conflict.

I regret the hours spent twisting words into polite refusals, protecting feelings at the expense of my own peace. Now, it only takes a few taps to disconnect: a simple unfollow on social media, a bit of silence, a shift in energy. Sometimes the quietest exit speaks the loudest intentions.

I don’t take breakups lightly. I’m nostalgic and old wounds make abandonment feel dangerous. I tend to hold on longer than is healthy, convincing myself endurance equals care. This habit stems from past trauma, where moving on felt like losing a part of myself. But when I finally step away, it means I’ve reached my limit. I know it’s not ideal, but it has been my mechanism for self-preservation.

Letting go creates space. It clears the ground for healthier bonds, genuine connections, and relationships that feel alive rather than obligatory.

playground politics

The past week has been an uphill climb, a steep learning curve, and a test of loyalty. Adversity reveals character. 

One clear lesson stands out: friendship cannot be forced. Without shared values or common ground, no genuine connection will form. Confidence often unsettles the insecure, and instead of facing that discomfort, some choose exclusion, gossip, or passive aggression.

It’s a hard truth to face when you’re young, but there is no need to shrink for others. You can stand tall, hold your ground, and still speak with honesty, even when it feels awkward or unpopular.  

The way you stand matters as much as what you stand for. Firm opinions can live alongside kind words. Calling out poor behaviour does not require cruelty. Using your voice does not mean closing your ears. Respect comes from knowing when your words carry weight and choosing moments with care. 

My message landed. The culprits admitted fault, showed remorse, and reached out for reconciliation. Words, when sharp and deliberate, can cut through pride and create space for change.

Apologising takes humility and courage, whether in writing or face to face, and accountability deserves recognition. Dave doubts their sincerity, but I feel relieved. Peace has returned to the playground, the air feels lighter, and the tension has lifted. At the very least, they now understand the adults are not passive observers but active guardians. 

Through this, I’ve felt the strength of fellow mama bears who share my values. Their support has been steady and reassuring. Moments of friction strip away the noise and show who truly stands with you.

if the shoe fits

Taylor Swift gets criticised for turning heartbreak and betrayal into songs. I do the same, with fewer guitars and a much smaller audience. 

Blogging has always been my outlet. Long before social media, I wrote to vent, sometimes with subliminal messaging tucked between the lines. I didn’t need a crowd. A handful of loyal readers was enough to feel heard and make my point. That space was mine, and it still is. 

I continue to write about people who cross me or my family. If you don’t want to be cast as the villain, don’t mistreat others. Every choice has a cost. I won’t apologise for writing. This is my page and my story. I don’t tag names or hand out invitations. But if you’re lurking, reading between the lines, and feeling exposed, stop and ask yourself why. If the shoe fits, that weight belongs to you. Take the discomfort as a mirror. Spend less time spying on other people’s lives and more time on your own classwork instead of copying someone else’s.

My last post touched on my daughter’s friendship breakdown. People like to say, “Let the kids figure it out.” To me, that’s a cop out. Children need space to grow, but not at the cost of being hurt, cornered, or made to feel powerless. That’s when they need their parents. That’s when I step in. The world is already hard enough. I refuse to let it chip away at my child while I stand by in silence. She knows I’ll speak up. She knows I don’t let things slide just to keep the peace. She knows her mother will protect her.

Cyberstalking, hiding behind fake accounts, cheating during exams, and schoolyard gossip might look like games until someone lands in the principal’s office with a suspension.

This is not school drama. This is me drawing a line. You don’t get to mess with my girl without facing consequences.

mate expectations

Every parent hopes their child will find friends who are kind, honest, thoughtful, and grounded. We want them surrounded by people who value learning, stand up for what’s right, support others when it matters, and respect boundaries. The thought of them losing themselves to fit in, or being steered toward choices that erode their character, is unsettling.

Watching my daughter navigate this stage, I’ve seen how intense and unpredictable high school friendships can be. Puberty carries a storm of emotions and self-discovery, and the need to belong shapes much of how she views herself and her peers. Interests shift, dynamics change, and encouragement can quickly turn into pressure.

We raise our kids with strong values: to know their worth, to show kindness without being pushovers, and to walk away when something doesn’t sit right. Letting go of the wrong people is difficult at any age, but especially in adolescence, when friendships feel like the center of everything. Watching her step away with self-respect is a source of pride. She is forming a circle that will carry into adulthood, built on integrity, empathy, and genuine connection.

Some friendships will fade, and that is part of growing up. The lesson that matters is recognising what is real: bonds rooted in trust, consistency, and care. The ones that don’t just survive the twists and turns of youth, but emerge stronger.

cracked rose-tinted glasses

The “ick factor” was once mostly tied to dating. It is an abrupt, inexplicable wave of discomfort that shuts attraction down in an instant. It might be how someone handles money, the relentless typos in their texts, or a careless remark that lingers for the wrong reasons. Subtle but powerful, the ick is almost impossible to ignore once it strikes. Gen Z has stretched it further, and now it surfaces in friendships and social dynamics too.

Closeness often acts like rose-coloured glasses. With old friends, you overlook bad habits. Others might point them out, but loyalty softens the edges. You’re not blind, but the flaws land differently. Then something shifts. Maybe it’s a sudden moment or a slow build, but eventually the filter falls away. The cheap shots that once felt playful now sound crude. Sarcasm curdles into bitterness. Nosiness feels intrusive. Even typing “u” instead of “you” becomes irritating. The quirks that went unnoticed now stand out in stark relief.

A good friend is like wallpaper in a well-loved home. The cracks and faded spots tell a story, becoming part of the comfort. It’s a test of your connection, proof that true friendship holds even when the surface wears thin.

The ick shifts the balance of a friendship. It strips away goodwill and shows the person without disguise. Relationships survive through a thousand tiny concessions, until the offences cut too deep to dismiss.

fresh ideas, fruitful results

If you know me, you’ll know I’m all about fresh food and produce. If it were allowed, I’d send my daughters to school with a mini fridge. Since that’s not an option, I’ve turned to clever solutions to keep things crisp and cool, like the omielifeinc ice pack, made from BPA-free, food-grade plastic with non-toxic gel, paired with reusable metal ice cubes. Together, they do an excellent job keeping the girls’ fruit fresh all day.

After what felt like an endless search, I’ve finally found the perfect lunch boxes. The Blue Water Bento Splash range by ecolunchbox ticks every box: leakproof, space-saving, and made from non-toxic stainless steel with secure silicone lids. Stylish, sustainable, and parent-approved. And while we’re on the topic of lunch essentials, I’ve always found those little soy sauce fish bottles a bit suss. No expiry date, just lurking indefinitely. Since I’m all about freshness, I can’t bring myself to trust them. Instead, I fill my own little dispensers as needed. Much better peace of mind.

mastered it

I’ve always admired a particular type of intelligence: knowledge carried with grace, ideas challenged with respect, words delivered with clarity, and connections formed without ego. To me, it is one of the most valuable traits.

The deepest cut comes when someone questions my mind. Dismissal strikes at the heart of who I am.

Today I focus on determination, the drive to show up, stay curious, work hard, and push through self-doubt. I also celebrate the people who stood beside me, family and friends who cheered me on and made time to share this occasion.

One of my biggest regrets in life is not giving 12th grade a proper go. I was heartbroken, certifiably lovesick, and couldn’t function. I skipped classes, barely scraped through my final year of high school, and the disappointment still lingers. I often have recurring dreams of a do-over, but I always wake up before I even make it to the classroom. It feels like an unfinished chapter - one where I didn’t achieve the HSC mark I was capable of.

Maybe that’s why I pursued this master’s degree, not just for the qualification, but to settle a score with the past. And now, with the story rewritten, perhaps those restless dreams can finally sleep.

elegator

I hadn’t set foot in the Hermès boutique since my birthday last year, when I picked up the Birkin. At the time, it felt like the perfect finale, the kind of high note you walk away on. I’d dabbled in other designer labels, convinced that I was done with the Hermès game. The waitlists, the whispered negotiations, the endless anticipation no longer held the same charm. 

I’d seen alligator bags in-store, displayed in the vitrines. Beautiful, yes, but they never made my heart skip a beat. Then, out of nowhere, the itch came. No idea why, no rhyme or reason, just a sudden, sharp pull back in. 

I reconnected with my sales associate, and after a bit of small talk and a few medium purchases, she made a big offer: the elegant Kelly II Retourne 25. Alligator. Exotic. Rare. Everything I hadn’t known I wanted until I did. 

It felt serendipitous, this impulsive acquisition, neatly tied to both my birth month and master’s graduation, making it a special gift to myself. 

🍊 Kelly II Retourne 25 Alligator Mississipiensis Y1 Vanille

tiers of time

The first time I saw a three-tiered dessert stand was at my best friend’s Bridal Shower in 2007, the same year that I started dating my husband. It was arranged with cute cupcakes and pastries, and I remember thinking how pretty and elegant it looked. But at that stage of my life, it never occurred to me to buy one since I had no reason to.

Six anniversaries later, when Amelia was a newborn, the dessert stand popped back into my mind. Perhaps it was the sleep-deprived haze of early motherhood or the longing for something beautiful in the midst of chaos, but I suddenly felt drawn to it. I started searching through online marketplaces like Gumtree and eBay, slowly piecing together a collection, not just of ceramic dessert stands, but of cake stands, plates, ornate tea pots, sugar & milk jugs. Each item felt like a little treasure, waiting for the right time to be used.

But life got busy, and when we moved houses, they were packed away into storage and forgotten. Seasons changed, and the collection remained untouched, tucked into boxes, waiting for an occasion I wasn’t even sure would come.

Who would have thought that the opportunity would finally arrive at Amelia’s 12th birthday party? She had chosen a pastel theme, and as I unwrapped each piece, I realised just how perfect they were. The soft hues, intricate patterns, and timeless charm made everything feel so special, almost as if they had been waiting all these years for this exact celebration. It was a full-circle moment, something I had unknowingly been preparing for since the very beginning.