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Hi Honey, I’m ho-ome. Back in the office after three weeks holiday and life is good. Did you get a break? We were away at the beach with friends down the road and I knew I was relaxed when on about day 2 or 3, I completely lost track of time and days of the week. That, to me, is the definition of holiday.
The kids took a little longer to slide into holiday mode. My 6yo daughter – on the second day when I suggested we go to the beach was perplexed.
“AGAIN? But we’ve already BEEN to the beach!”
We had to work a little on expectations. I’m not one for lots of outings and adventures on holidays. I’m one for lots of time at home and mellowing out at the beach. But the ages of our kids (3, 6 & 14) worked particularly well this year – probably because everyone could independently operate an iPad. Helpful when Mummy is engrossed in How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran which has changed and crystalised the way I think about too many things to list in one post.
How To Be a Woman
I got to the end of this book and went straight back to the beginning. I’m now reading it for the 3rd time. Soon, I will know it by heart. Run don’t walk if you haven’t read it already. It’s FUNNY and smart and should be compulsory reading for anyone with a vagina.
It’s my third day back in the office and I’m easing the transition from play to work by dressing in beach-mode. This is confusing my brain a wee bit but proving wildly entertaining for the MM Team who are amused by the brightly coloured parrot who is sitting at my desk, trying to remember how to multitask (you can see some examples in the MM Weekly gallery at the bottom of this post).
I’m quite enjoying not being able to do so many things at once. This go-slow brain thing is working for me, to be honest. I have no idea how I used to manage having 15 applications open on my desktop, toggling between 10 different website tabs and twitter and the back and front ends of MM.
How did I do that again? Oh well, it’s gone now. I’ll just focus on getting through the day without an afternoon nap.
One of my favourite things to do is paint my kids’ toenails – my daughter AND my son. Why the hell not? I’m a bit in love with this hilarious concept of male nail polish. Or Mail-Polish as it’s called.
Alphanail
Nail polish brand Alphanail has launched a range that’s just for males, with the tag line “Designed for men. Worn by warriors.”
The range features metallics, blacks and greys with names such as Cocaine, Gasoline and Burnin’ Rubber, and come as a click pen applicator so men don’t have to deal with “dainty little brushes and girly nail polish containers”.
Those at Alphanail reckon men will appear more masculine wearing ‘nail armour’ and even be more attractive to women. They also believe that “no self respecting man should ever have to buy cotton balls”, so they also sell nail-polish removing wipes in a manly, gun-metal tin.
And from the ridiculous to the sublime, check out this stunning album created by Josh and his sister Grace, which they originally uploaded here. It’s self-explanatory, really. Have a look…
And finally, take a look at what’s been happening around the office this week…
The editorial team got together for another photo. Not as much tilted head this time. Always a good thing.
What’s on your mind?
 on http://www.mamamia.com.au){kind=link}
Comments
239 Comments so far
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Mia I love those shoes! Sadly I suffer from an affliction known as sausage legs and shoes such as those turn sausage legs into kransky legs. Sigh.
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Love your first day back at work outfit…I have the same bag!!!!
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Matt = Sooo Fit. Feel free to feature him in the gallery more often!
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Fo Shizzle! x
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Mia Mia Mia…loving your back to work wear…loving the neon..you look so happy and relaxed. Please can you tell me where you got tha gorgeous long neon necklace you are wearing with the blue cardy..just divine. Thanks lovely xo
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Welcome back, Mia. The office photo is nice. Happy you had a good break, love the site. I’m supervising my three teenage grandchildren while my daughter works. I’ve sat through all the little kids movies and live shows through the years. Now I’m the taxi driver when they go off to the movies with their friends, or just been here while they come and go.
I like the IPad age, it means I can relax and check my sites until it’s time for lunch or a ride to Maccas. There are so benefits to grandchildren growing up, but I miss the little hugs and making me feel I’m the only one in their world. of course I still love the grownup hugs they give.
I have yet to read. “How to be a Woman”, I will add it to my list.
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Thank goodness for Wednesday! This is the week of mad planning for my overseas trip! It is so exciting but completely overwhelming (only 77 days till departure!) It has suddenly become so much harder than I thought it would be. So many things to think about that I didn’t actually know I had to think about!
And money. Why is there not a money tree in the back yard. Three years of saving and I still don’t have enough!
So, I would really appreciate some advice from the lovely MMer’s. I would love to know about cheap(but fun/clean) places to stay in London, Germany (Berlin), Amsterdam, Italy (Venice, Rome and Florence) and Greece (Athens, Santorini)… As well as some must do activities. Greece is proving to be rather difficult (and very expensive). I was planning on just doing one island.. is Santorini the best? I don’t really know what I actually want to do so unsure how to pick one!!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
xx
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Depends what you want out fo the Greek Islands- do you want crazy drunken partying or pretty beaches and sunsets?
Santorini is beautiful but probably one of the more expensive islands..
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I am not really sure. I am not huge on the partying (being such a grandma at 22) but in saying that, if it is there then I will probably go. I am only planing on doing a couple of days.
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I went when I was 18 to Malia and Mykonos. Malia is where all the English go (I was on a gap year and went with english friends) so everyone loved that I was Australian lol.
Mykonos is pretty amazing! I spent every night partying and every day sleeping/ chilling out at the beach
I used Hostel World to find places to stay in Europe- Hanz Brinker is Amsterdam: definitely not the..nicest accomodation but fine for a few nights and is in a perfect location!
I stayed at nice/expensive hotels throughout Italy and didn’t make it to Athens so can’t help you with either of them sorry!
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great advice can be found on lonelyplanet.com – thorntree
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I spent 6 weeks in Europe last year and had a blast.
I went to Santorini and I stayed in Fira which is the central part of the island. I had an amazing time even though I went on my own. Yeah it is a little expensive but worth it. You can stay a little out of Fira and there’s buses or you can hire quad bikes to get around to the beaches.
You MUST go up and see the sunset at Oia it’s gorgeous.
In Berlin I was actually a bit sick but got a 2 day hop-on-hop-off bus pass and that got me everywhere I wanted to go in the 2 days I was there.
I think my favourite/most suprising place I visted was Vienna. It was just awesome. I hadn’t expected much from it but it was so worth going. I stayed in the Believe-it-or-not Hostel and it was cheap, clean and really comfortable, it’s more like an apartment. Everything is done for you (including washing and breakfast), you get wifi and it’s really central. Highly recommend.
A couple of times I did overnight train trips to get to my next location – Zurich to Vienna for example, it got me there and saved me on accommodation for the night as well.
I also went to Nice, Monte-Carlo, Rome, Hamburg, Salzburg, Munich, Paris. So let me know if you want advice on any of those places
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London – if it’s your first time, then a lot of the ‘touristy’ things are probably on the ‘must do’ list.
A lot of museums & galleries are free, and I’d recommend the National Gallery, British Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum (my personal favourite). And if you want to see Jane Austen’s childhood manuscripts etc, then the British Library Galleries are worth a look.
Historical sites like the Tower, Westminster Abbey & St Paul’s aren’t free, but if you want to visit them, it’s a good idea to go earlyish in the day to avoid crowds.
It’s a great walking city, in the older parts, because there’s a lot of stuff close together and you can go from historical landmark to interesting pub to park to shopping. This mapguide is really good but doesn’t cover the outer areas:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Mapguide-Michael-Middleditch/dp/0140279482/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326852704&sr=1-3
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I lived in Amsterdam for a semester so whilst I can’t give you accom tips, I can help you out with things to do if you’d like!
Berlin I stayed at the Circus Hostel and it was really good – highly recommend it. And you should definitely do one of the ‘free’ walking tours – you pay the guide what you think it was worth at the end, so they end up being really great tours as they know they are working for your money!
My hostel in London was good but I can’t for the life of me remember the name – I’ll get back to you if I do! The ones I stayed at in each of those Italian cities weren’t great – and I can’t remember what they were called either!
How exciting – I wish I was planning a trip right now!
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For Berlin I would try either Meininger’s (http://www.meininger-hotels.com/) or the Grand Hostel (http://www.grandhostel-berlin.de/) – I’ve stayed in both and they were great. Hope this is helpful
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Greek islands are overrated in my opinion! We went to Santorini, Paros and Rhodes. Rhodes was the nicest of the 3.
Although everyone raves about Santorini, I kind of thought it was just a little island covered in dirt and prickle bushes with all of the buildings painted white and blue! I did go in cooler weather though so it was very quiet. Maybe going in their summer would make it totally different.
For partying and glamour, Mykonos is the place to go.
I also thought Athens was pretty crappy in comparison to other European cities. If I were travelling to Europe again, I would save the money I spent on going to Greece and use it to stay longer in Italy (which I looooved!). I also did Venice, Florence and Rome and absolutely loved all 3. I would have loved to travel to the italian countryside or even stay longer in Rome. Switzerland was the other country I adored.
Good luck – hope I haven’t made it harder!
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Don’t. Go. To. Ios.
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Yes, I think my liver agrees. And it was 11 years ago! But man, it was fun!!!
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We used a website called stayz and stayed in apartments when we travelled. Pretty reasonable but always clean and well maintained. Bon voyage!!
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Bookkat, I was in Europe in July last year and Greek Islands were my absolute favourite of all the places I visited. I went with my partner and some friends who have travelled the world and we all agreed that Santorini is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I can’t believe someone thought it was overrated. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I went to both Mykonos and Santorini (two main islands) and loved them both. Santorini is on top of a cliff so you won’t be anywhere near the beach, and even if you go down to the beach it’s a red sand volcano beach not suitable for swimming, whereas Mykonos is right on the beach and it’s a beautiful white sand beach. That’s the main difference between the two. Both have amazing weather, night life, food, energy, people etc. Santorini has some of the best views you will ever see in your life. If you must choose between the two, I would pick Santorini for the breathtaking views.
I personally hated Athens and couldn’t wait to get out of there. I would skip Athens, it’s nowhere near as nice as the islands and it doesn’t compare to any of the big European cities either so you’re probably better off visiting one of the other amazing cities in Europe.
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Thank you all! I think I am more confused now! I am hoping to do a tour of the Croatian Islands which sounds amazing. I always thought that the Greek Islands were the place to go. Perhaps better as a trip on its own? I am still waiting on more details but I am so excited! Thanks again
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Oh I so remember that feeling. You want to see everywhere but there’s never enough time or money! Best to have an idea of routes and travel options, (i.e. your own van with friends, rail pass, Busabout, etc) but give yourself some flexibility to chop and change as you see fit. For example, you may love some places but be disappointed in others (Athens for example!). Or you may hook up with travel partners that takes you in a completely different direction to what you’d planned. Always be safe, but it’s fun to be a little unstructured.
Good luck with your trip! It’s a total rite of passage. Enjoy it all.
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I never feel like I have enough money when I go overseas and always come back broke, so I know the feeling!
As for accommodation tips, YHA hostels are generally pretty good, if you don’t mind backpacking (they sometimes have reasonably priced singles too). They can be a dollar or two more per night than other backpackers but they tend to be well established, clean, well-appointed and central.
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Hi Bookkat!
Can I recommend an awesome place to stay in London? YHA St Pancras is great. Really clean and affordable. Also right in the thick of it and literally across the road from St Pancras/Kings Cross station.
http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/london/hostels/london-st-pancras/index.aspx
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My European backpacking adventure was 11 years ago, but this is my Greek island summary: Santorini had stunning scenery but was very touristy and pricier (but definitely still cheaper options), Eos was the party island (I partied all night and then slept on the beach!), Naxos was laidback and less hectic (quad biking was amazing), Kefalonia was full of package holiday groups.
The best advice for accommodation is from other travellers. It’s also a great conversation starter when you’re in the hostel bar. Try not to be too structured with your trip and go with the flow. You’ll never know what great experiences come your way as a result! Be safe, but be flexible.
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I’m not sure how long you’re planning to stay in each place for, or what your budget is, but for cheap, clean accom in London, Berlin and Amsterdam, you can’t go past the easyhotel (as in easyjet). When in Berlin, it’s sooo worth getting a public transport card called Berlin Welcome card for about EUR25 for three days, including Potsdam. Potsdam is an absolute highlight, if you like European History (think Potsdam Convention, declaration of WWI, Frederick II who introduced potatoes to the western world). You can take a bus tour once there, well worth it.
Museums in London are free and I love the National Gallery. If you have to choose only one activity to do in London that you have to pay for, make it the Tower of London (crown jewels, a codpiece of Henry VIII that has to be seen to be believed), etc etc.
When it comes to Greece, Santorini is amazing. There’s no doubt about it. But it is as dear as poison. Have a think about Crete instead. You can find really cheap deals as it’s a European all-inclusive hotspot, and you can always take a day trip to Santorini for around EUR200 and see everything.
You’re really picking a great time to come, the Euro has shit itself against the dollar (the dollar was 81cents yesterday), so have a think about getting yourself some now. I don’t know how long it will stay this good for, as it might just be fallout from France’s downgrading last week…
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Oh, and in Amsterdam a good hostel/hotel is the Winston Kingdom. In the Red Llight District and very easy to use as a base. There’s not a lot that’s cheap in AMS though, especially the beer! The Heineken Experience is cool, Anne Frank Huis is also cool (but book your entry well in advance or you’ll stand outside for more than an hour, guaranteed), Van Gogh museum is great, and if it’s your thing you can sit in a coffee shop and get wasted for a day. There’s also loads of live music going on all the time, so if you’re into concerts have a bit of a look at what might be playing before you go, you never know what you might get to see.
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This post always makes me want to wear more colour.
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Oooh I love the ‘mailpolish’. One of my twin boys (3) asked me to draw a big boy last week. “That’s right Mummy, he just needs a head, arms, legs and toe polish.”
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I did LittleDudes toes last time I did mine. He had great fun choosing different colours!
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Awesome! Have been waiting for a Mia post!
Question: where are the shoes from?? that you wore on Today…
xx
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MMer’s I’m in need yet again of your advice, thoughts and wisdom.
One of my housemates was broken up with by her boyfriend of two years just under two weeks ago (just a month after my own break up).
For the past two nights she has had a past crush over for booty calls.
Putting my concerns for her aside, the situation has made me feel really insecure and uncomfortable.
At that stage in my break up I still wasn’t eating and everyday seemed like an eternity that I had to get through. While I’m feeling pretty good now, I still don’t have anybody in my life that I could be THAT intimate with.
All in all, her moving on so quickly has made me feel unattractive, weak and like I’m doing something wrong and will be stagnant for a long time.
I know everybody processes grief in different ways, I just can’t help but feel this way.
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Sounds like she might be relying on this booty call to make herself feel better/attractive again. Eventually, she’ll have to realise that she’s got to feel good for *herself*.
Neither of you is doing the right or wrong thing, but I imagine that you will feel “whole” sooner than she does. Good luck.
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Great advice!
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You’re right – everyone deals with grief in different ways. This is hers. Trust me, this is not an indication that she has moved on, this is a sign that she is still in incredible pain and wants the bandaid of temporary intimacy.
I would bet my week’s salary that after those boys leave, she’s crying.
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Break ups are hard, Hayley. And some people have a fear of being alone when they’re newly single. A friend of mine broke up with her boyfriend months ago but is still sleeping with him because she hates being alone and having to admit that she’s single.
If you’re still getting over your break up, that is completely fine! Being entirely sinlge (i.e. no new lovers) might give you a chance to work out how you feel about yourself and the things you like about being single. It’s also a great chance to do something that you may not have done when you were in a relationship i.e. join a new club or go on a solo road trip to a place you’ve always wanted to visit but never have.
If you are ready to jump back on the relationship horse, sexual or romantic, take your time in finding someone you’re truly comfortable with and who can be honest with about wht you want.
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Hayley, as Sarah Wilson said on her lovely post http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2011/09/when-youre-the-somebody-that-they-used-to-know/, I find that I have taken twice as long as the length of the relationship to get over it. I mean, completely, utterly, I’m-ok-now, over it. And in the meantime, I couldn’t even think about being with someone else. But that’s just me.
And if that’s you too, that’s ok. Maybe she was over him before they actually broke up, maybe she’s feeling crappy and getting it on with an ex makes her feel better, maybe he’s a temporary band-Aid; maybe she is in denial about how upset she is. It’s hard to know. But don’t worry that it takes you a long time to move on; for some of us, the depth of hurt shakes us fundamentally and we take some time to process our grief, to get to know ourselves again, and to move out into the light.
I’ve found that people who move on quickly have rarely processed what happened to them and that in the long-term it makes it harder for them to move on cleanly; they accumulate scars instead of letting things heal nicely. Not always the case, but still… can happen.
Don’t feel unattractive or weak because of this. Take it easy in this time, you’re someone who needs to, just like me. Heal fully and take your time. xx
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I think that everyone deals with breakups in their own way. My flatmates and I all broke up with our partners within 3 months of each other (yes, our house has been an interesting place!), and we’re all handling it differently.
One is ‘taking time for herself’ and is adamant about being by herself for a few months, the other one is still occasionally sleeping with her ex and I’ve recently decided to cut my ex totally out of my life and have since slept with a friend (no strings attached).
We often talk about how we are individually working through our own issues about the breakups in different ways, but ultimately it is whatever works for you is what you have to do.
Just stay true to yourself. Try not to compare yourself to your flatmate, or anyone else. Sending you hugs. xx
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Oh Hayley! You are not unattractive or weak! I actually think your housemate isn’t dealing very well. It seems like she’s running away from her problems, not that I think her way is wrong. Speaking from a similar stage as you, I definitely won’t be able to booty call anyone (probably ever) and the thought of kissing someone else is still foreign to me. Everyone grieves differently and one day you will find someone who you feel like being THAT intimate with. Many hugs!
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If this guy is just a booty call, if she isn’t getting into a rebound relationship with him, then I wouldn’t worry. As others have said, it’s probably a band-aid on the hurt , “getting back on the horse that threw you” or reaffirming her desirability.
After a long-term relationship ended badly I had a short fling with a colleague who’d always fancied me and, on these criteria, it was a great success. I started to feel sexual and desirable again and started to pick myself up.
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What an inspiring project for Josh and his sister! As a big sister myself, although my lil sis is ‘normal’, woe betide anyone who dares to cross her! They’d have to get through ME first….
OMM: I am rocked by the news that Greg is returning to the Wiggles. I totally get why he wants to come back, but I’m devastated for Sam. I have a bit of a crush on Sam Wiggle, I’ll miss him.
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But Greg is the original Yellow!
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I know that, but I was too old for the Wiggles when they were first around, and my kids have only ever known Sam.
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Fair enough
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I know what you mean, when I heard the news all I could think of was how awful it would feel for the current yellow Wiggle. He would have put a lot of work in and now has no say in the matter… sad.
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I don’t have kids so not well informed on the Wiggles but why on earth can’t they both stay????? Also why has it taken so long, couple of years, for the original ill wiggle to be allowed back? They have resisted his return for so long…….
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i remember when greg was the original wiggle. the way i see it, i think sam might be glad.
whenever i have seen them perform i can’t help but thinking how mind numbingly boring their life could be. sure they earn a heap of cash, and travel the world, but it must get slightly tiresome being so energetic and happy all the time.
he would have made a name for himself, a heap of cash and maybe he truly does want to spend some time with his family.
i hope that is the case anyway, i would hate to think he is being booted out against his will.
also, i think greg may need the cash i am sure he sold his story to woman’s day or something about how he lost all of his money…
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Mia, I love that you always wear such colourful outfits to work!
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Agree – that back to work outfit is to die for! Stockist breakdown, pretty please??!
And Vanessa’s dress – wub!!
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I agree too , LOVE the back to work outfits! I am inspired by Mia’s style, welcome home Mia:)