Mini Me!!

Ohh, it feels good to be able to sit down and blog! Life has been a little busy the past couple of weeks. Had an unwell Miss A - joys of teething. She had an ear infection and was literally stuck to my hip. At the same time, I have no idea how, but I put my back out. I mean, why not... Nothing like looking after an unwell baby when you can barely move!! All this why trying to set up our wonderful little business - Modest Jewels. It was full on but insha'Allah we are on the mend.



Mr M has been my support lately. Growing into a young man. Soccer has been the flavour of the month and he has been putting in 100%. We bought him a professional football and he has been practicing non stop. He spends an additional 30 mins at the field with my brother after training, which I guess gives him that little bit more. His skills & concept of the game have really improved and as you can tell, I am proud as punch! People tell me, he is so much like me but until I analyse him in detail at times I can't see it. Read on for one of those times.... 


We were at a game on Saturday and the coach (who is SUPER may I add - his patience is unbelievable) was having a pep talk to the team. "OK boys & girls, we need to do more tackling, more passing and really have fun." He then talks to one of the key players on the team (who I have named the little Maradona!) and says "you need to pass the ball to your team mates buddy. I don't want you to score goals but help your friends in getting a goal." This was after this young lad had scored over 5 or 6 goals - I stopped counting. Then, up jumps Mr M and says, "coach, why would you tell him to stop scoring? It is because of him we are winning, we need to tell him to score more!" Coach replies, "Mr M, its not about winning or losing - it's about having fun and everyone getting a turn." Mr M responds, "That's not true coach, we need to play and win. We have to be good at everything we do. We have to be on top!" OK, so that was when I put my head down whilst smirking and out of the corner of my eye I can see the coach staring at me!! I could only respond by saying, "His mothers son?"


I am not sure if I was proud or embarrassed. Proud that he listens to me and the fact he wants to be successful but embarrassed that I don't encourage him just to have fun? I mean, I do but at the end of the day it is a game right? A game is made for winning? I have always been extremely competitive and want to be successful so would love for my children to have the same thought? Either way, expectations have been set and are very achievable. It's good to have goals right?? He has received an award a week at school since back this term & yesterday I received an 'encouragement letter' from school telling me of his key strengths.. You rock my world muffin!!


The more and more I see him interact and grow the more I see me in him.. Some my say O.M.G, but I think, how better is the world going to be???

Keep safe & don't forget to check out Modest Jewels.


Peace out..
Mx

Modest Jewels....

As I have mentioned previously, my ultimate goal is to set myself up with a business opportunity that will make me the millions (muhaha). No really, just something that will stay in the family for a while and keep us all busy and entertained. That business venture has yet to surface so in the meantime I have decided on something a little smaller but just as exciting.

Let me introduce to you - "Modest Jewels- Clothing & Accessories for the precious woman". Corny? We thought it was cute... !! (pls excuse shot of business card, best I could get it!)

Modest Jewels is a small online based business where we will try and provide you reasonably priced and stylish clothing. We also stock Islamic headwear, shoes & vintage accessories. Considering that I am an internet shopping junkie, it just felt right. 

This week was the first week we really kicked off. I joined forces with my niece and we are determined to give this a good run for its money. We have been designing styles, meeting suppliers and just preparing everything that is required to run our home business. 

It feels great to be back doing business. Even though it has just taken off, but the adrenalin has definitely kicked in. I have never been a huge fan of marketing, cause usually my skills sold themselves (true!) but I am liking it right now. It is something different for me and I really think this is going to take off!

We have our first open day/session happening on Monday and I can't wait to meet some new ladies. Really, have always been one to help others so am looking forward to styling some of these women and bring out the Jewel in them (get it?).

I am stressing out a little though as I have to ensure that my SAHM duties are also completed, but that is the beauty of working your own hours - I will just have to re-write my routine. That's ok, I have done it gazzillion times this year, one more time won't hurt.

Perhaps our label could be the next on the catwalk...? Anything is possible. Feel free to get your autographs now... They could be famous in the coming years!

Be sure to like our page on Facebook (Modest Jewels) and check out our range. I will be more than happy to assist you in anyway.... Would you like fries with that??

Take it easy and may the jewel be with you!!

Love

Mx

To Fox or not to Fox?

I am currently going through the dilemma on whether or not I stop our subscription to Foxtel. 

Don't get me wrong, Fox has been great to me. The fact I can record my shows and watch them when the children are asleep gets me excited and makes me feel human but..... I have to sit back and think of the return on investment. 

Now that we are on one income, one must be a little smarter with how they spend their money - I want that dream home right? There are many things I can justify, but I just can't seem to do it with Fox. Yes, I watch my shows maybe 1-2 hours a day but most of that is recorded 'free to air channels'. I love the fact that I can fast forward the ads but does this justify $105 per month?

When you become a SHM (stay home mum), you are suppose to be up to date with the latest soap dramas, reality tv shows... right? I so wouldn't be a cool mum if I didn't know the latest on Jerseylicious or the 'Real Housewives of BH"???

I'm battling within myself, husband insists that it is pointless considering there are so many channels on free to air TV (which mind you, I had a digital antenna installed just in case I decided to flick the switch on Fox) and that such a small portion of our day is in front of the tele. Mr M is only allowed 30-45 mins a day after school and even he has lost interest in 'Dora' & 'Cat in the Hat!'. Miss A is still oblivious to it all and even if she wasn't, Playschool is on ABC!

Perhaps no Fox will get me more motivated to hit my 'I must accomplish' list quicker? Means I might not have any late night snacks with my tea whilst watching my recorded shows? Hmmmm.... I am tossing and turning.

I ask you... To Fox or not to Fox?

Mx

Greener Grass?

Settling into this stay home mother/full time housewife role, it was time for me to branch a little further & start to expand my network. So finally, I took the plunge and had a morning coffee with some of the mothers from Mr M's school. I mean, I see them most mornings and afternoons so was able to get to know them a little so it was natural that this be the next step.

Off we trotted to the local McDonalds - don't be critical, it's just around the corner and seemed to be the right place. Have you checked out Maccas coffee lately? It was quite nice. Perhaps I've just lost my coffee palate?

Anywho, this coffee session was extremely refreshing. Not only was it something different but it was nice to hear about their lives, ways they handle things and really just a general catch up getting to know each other that little bit more.

After a few jokes and some conversations that shouldn't be repeated, we noticed a young lady sitting behind us. Young business like woman, sitting on her laptop. Earphones to her ears busily typing away - well so we thought. It brought back many memories for me. I use to be that woman (perhaps not at Maccas) but definitely in a coffee shop. Scheduling meetings, customer follow ups, scheduling time for shoe shopping...... ohhhhh!

Since we were a little giggly and perhaps loud (4 women trying to get a few words in) it was only polite to turn around and apologise. To our surprise this lass was eager to have a chat with us... As she joins our conversation, she throws in "oh I'd do anything to be in your shoes." Don't wish to hard muffin, cause I did the same thing all those years ago and wallaaa.... here I am!

Of course I have no regrets and I love my new role of having maccas coffee dates then to rush home only to cook, clean and prepare for the after school activities and to respond to the yells and screams..... But back then, grass always seemed greener on the other side....

Keep Safe

Mx

What's cooking today?

To continue with the new found love & passion of cooking, a friend & I have created a new page on Facebook - "What's cooking today."

This page stemmed from dilemma and seeking ideas to create my 14 day menu and how easy would it be if you were just stuck on what to cook for the day? We all live such busy lifestyles that it would be awesome to be able to grab a recipe in one click!

This Facebook page will include all sorts of recipes, easy ones, more challenging ones and creative meals. We will have them sorted into segments; beef dishes, chicken dishes, fish dishes, vegetarian dishes, desserts etc so I am hoping it will appeal to all palates. 

Be sure to add this page & share with us some cool recipes that you think others will benefit from.

I personally can't wait to see some of these recipes, I will definitely share my attempts and hopefully positive outcomes with you all!

Hit LIKE now...

Love Love 

Mx

Humbled... Thank Allah!

Back to religion class yesterday and honestly, the inner peace I gain from these classes is phenomenal. May Allah bless our teacher who endures much patience to put up with us all. Her knowledge is amazing, may she be rewarded for sharing this & allowing us to become better Muslims.

After the lesson, which is in two segments; one about the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the other segment is about 'life after life', off I go to share my new found knowledge with my husband. Mind you, thank Allah he is rather educated and can add a little more to it to give me that extra knowledge. So with my 'I think I'm cool hat' on, I relay my learnings. We speak about our Prophet (pbuh) and the characteristics he possessed and all of a sudden I become extremely teary. As we know, it doesn't take me much to shed a tear or two but when it comes to religion it just seems to be that much deeper. Why was I teary? Not only because I want to be a better Muslim but because of two other reasons. One, a story my husband was telling me. Without going into detail (in case I get it wrong and that ain't a good thing) but the meaning to this story was the love the Prophet (pbuh) is unbelievable. I quote from my husband "Your mother does not love you a third of what the Prophet (pbuh) does." I mean, what?! This noble, humble, pious man has love for all of his people. He didn't want to die until he received confirmation from Allah (swt) that he will look after his people (ummah). How unselfish is that? These days, no one wishes well upon their own sibling/friend let alone the whole ummah!

The 2nd was a statement made by our teacher, "No calamity you are faced with will compare to the calamities that the Prophet (pbuh) was faced with." Can you believe this? Here we are crying over the fact we can't afford that lavish car or house yet this noble man suffered more than we can imagine and never lost faith!

This truly hit home with me. More so because I am a mother and have extreme love for my 2 children and I hear it is not a third of the love this great man has for us. The only man that will vouch for us on the day of judgement. Every other person will be seeking forgiveness for themselves and the greatest man to live will seek Paradise for you. Truly, it humbled me. Humbled me to become a better Muslim. To do everything for the sake of Allah.

This may not relate to all of my readers, but if only I could inspire you to research this great prophet (pbuh) and let's start acting the way he did. Let us implement some of his character and what a beautiful place the world will become!

I am very pleased to be obtaining such knowledge and hoping it makes me a better Muslim to get me to a better life after this life!!

Loving you all for the sake of Allah 

M x

What's on your menu?

Last night I created a 14 day menu to make my life that tad more easier. I tried to spice it up by putting a variety of multicultural dishes into the menu. I think it looks quite exotic - not to mention healthy.

Today was the my first day and I can honestly say, my anxiety levels were decreased. It is strange, because I knew exactly what I wanted to cook the day just seemed to run smoothly. Don't get me wrong, I didn't complete everything I wanted to but I was quite calm. Dinner was made (lunch for my husband) and whatever came after that I was cool with it.  I am hoping to also save myself a buck or two doing this way.. That family home needs to come by year end right?!

Structure is important for me and today I realised it was the thing that I really missed in my life. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely versatile and can adapt to all situations (that felt like I was writing my CV) but it is nice to know what could potentially happen when. 

Back in the good ol' working days, I remember checking my calendar in the morning and knowing just what was planned gave me that inner peace. My menu has done the same. It will also allow me to showcase my hidden cooking talents and be creative.. Might have to find me self the ultimate apron to ensure I play the part correctly!

I would also love to hear of any recipes or dishes that you recommend. As this is an ongoing thing, I am going to be looking for some exciting dishes to try.

I wonder how these wonderful people can just play it hour by hour. I mean, I look at my mum. The most versatile woman in the world (thats not the only awesome quality she has but we will leave that for another time). Mum didn't need a menu nor a routine, guess I didn't inherit that trait considering I'm on the other end of the scale.

Then we have my husband. I find it strange with him. He spent most of his life at boarding school and as we would all know, boarding school has structure like you wouldn't believe. They allocate exactly the time you eat and if you don't you miss out! Fair to say, that trait didn't continue.... Thank God he has me in his life to keep him together ;).

On another note, back to religion class tomorrow. Aim is not to miss any further classes and tick off a task to achieve that personal satisfaction.... Can't wait, am very excited!

Til next time...

Love Love

Mx