* FYI, I approached OSIM about their products for Relaxation Month ’cause I loved them so much. They were kind enough to send me something special to write about and share with you.*

The schedule I’ve been keeping for the last few months has left me a bit weary. In truth, actually very weary and possibly with a hump… I’m suffering from a lack of sleep, not eating properly, running out of clean washing and I think one shoulder is almost touching my ear from mouse induced cramps.  High time to call a “Time Out” I think.

While I can’t put my life or my business on hold, I can make a concerted effort to change my ways for a while and so I’m calling in a Relaxation Month. A week to re-group, to get to bed early without guilt, to find those things that will restore the balance in my universe. And I want you to come along too.

So to kick off the week I decided to do something that had been on my list for a very long time. Find myself a personal masseuse. Oh the luxury! But reality is that the cost of getting a masseuse to rock up to my lounge room each night might just have put me into the poor house, and I’m not sure that they do 1am call outs.  Although perhaps this guy does..

It was then I had one of those “well duh!” moments, and remembered checking out the OSIM store and all their at-home massage products last time I was in Singapore.

OSIM make those massage chairs that are the rolls royce of at home relaxation indulgence. Sitting in one of those to try out in store elicits an almost indecent response from its occupants. But I’d forgotten until recently about all the other goodies they make. So wanting a champagne experience on my beer budget, I hunted out the OSIM uPapa Hug to fix my back and shoulder woes.

The uPapa Hug is built kind of like a shawl type arrangement. It goes over your neck and shoulders and is weighted to stay put and create the best contact with your body. Inside it are tiny little men with great big hammers that give your shoulders a total work out. (They may be motors or something but I prefer to think of the little men in there).  It is a simple plug it in to the wall and press the button to go, type of system. You can choose a Relaxing program or a Power program depending on what you feel like, but you don’t have to set anything complex or strap it down to a chair.

Unlike other at home massage products on the market I tried, it doesn’t rely on electronic muscle stimulation which I actually find rather exhausting in itself. It feels exactly like someone standing behind you giving your shoulders either a gentle or vigorous pummelling. As it cycles through its program you can feel the whole area warming up and your muscles melting into a softer, smoother release. Like giving a big sigh.

The other thing that sold me on the uPapa Hug, is that you can move it around all over your body. Down around your lower back, over your thighs, heck even wrap it around your butt if you’ve been doing too much stair master! I’ve been trying for a while to get my back and shoulders into shape as all this time at the keyboard is doing me in. $130 for each physiotherapy appointment (eek!), $90 an hour for a professional massage and even $45 for half an hour at one of those shopping mall massage places…. At those prices I just can’t give my back the constant attention it is so sorely needing.  So coming in at $288 RRP, the uPapa Hug was going to pay for itself it no time at all!

With all this in mind, and leaving their store mightily impresses, I contact OSIM to tell them about my plan for Relaxation Month and to see if they might be able to offer my readers something to help us all take a load off this August. They kindly offered to be a sponsor for Relaxation Month, and sent me my own uPapa as well as one to give away!  And not only that, they are offering 10% off for each and every one of your who’d like one of these for your own.

So if you’d like the chance to WIN your own uPapa Hug all you have to do is go here and register your details to be in with a chance.

And if you want one all for your very own self (or even to share with all the family) you can get your 10%off voucher here. Just register here and your voucher will be sent directly to you.

Make sure you leave me a comment letting me know you’ve registered (to help me keep track) and also with any of your favorite relaxation tips! Over the month I’ll link back to you and you favorite relaxifying treats!

If you’d like to check them out in store and give them a thorough trial for yourself, you can find a list of Australian OSIM stores here.  They have locations in Victoria, NSW and QLD or the online store has loads of options and information.

Over the rest of August I’ll be writing all about my journey for a bit of rest and relaxation in true Glamour Girl style. How I’m managing to do it or otherwise, and re-charging those batteries to keep creating. Yes, there will still be Daily Outfits and lots of other updates, but also lots of hints, tips, trick and recommendations to help you beat the mid year slump that we all too often fall into. After all, one can’t keep their groove without their mojo!

Oh boy have I been looking forward to showing you this post! The other weekend I had the opportunity to shoot with Helen McLean – Pinup Photographer extraordinare!  I met Helen at the launch of Femme Fatale magazine (which she graced as cover girl herself), and have been talking all things Cheesecake ever since!

Based here in Melbourne, Helen offers Pinup Photography packages that are simply divine. There are all sorts of themed shoots you can do and she even has a big wardrobe selection on hand, which means that you can either bring your own outfits or choose from the selection on hand.

Helen and I first started organising our day over email, throwing around concepts for what we wanted to achieve, artistic references and any ideas we both wanted to incorporate. Just planning something like this is a tonne of fun! Given that I was doing this shoot just for myself and not for any other label meant that I could wear what I wanted and have some playtime doing what I love to do.

The morning of the shoot I packed up my car with dresses and jewellery I wanted to use to compliment what Helen had already told me she had.  I was even able to pack a few special props to add to our theme.

Apples, Cherries, Fancy Dresses Galore!

More scarves and hair flowers than you can poke a stick at! And see those.. RED COWBOY BOOTS with SPURS! You know what I want to wear!

Even old school Coke bottles and extra boobs should you need them.

After being treated to champagne, we talked through how we wanted to shoot each look for the day. We considered hair and makeup, what order we needed to do everything in and started piecing together the perfect outfits.  Helen is fantastic at creating beautiful hair and makeup looks for her girls, but because we were trying to fit lots and lots into one afternoon, I came pre-done to save time.

So once we were all together the fun began. In fits of laughter and to the strains of Julie London in the background, I commenced posing it up in true Pin Up fashion.

I’m thrilled to tell you that Helen McLean Photography has come on board as a Key Sponsor for Super Kawaii Mama – which means a bonus just for you my readers! All you have to do when booking your own Pin Up Package with Helen is mention the code SKM to get 10% off the total booking price! The offer is running until December 2010, and provide you secure your booking by then you can shoot later.

What I love so much about doing something like this is that it is the gift that keeps on giving. You’ll have a ball playing around and doing the shoot, you get to live a fantasy, take home some amazing pictures and have presents for your par amour to keep on their desk! You can do it by yourself, with friends, or even organise it as a special present for someone you love.

No matter where you’re coming from Helen can organise a special shoot for you, you don’t have to be Melbourne based. You could be coming from anywhere in Australia or even overseas. In fact, if you’re flying in she’ll even pick you up from the airport to save you having to hire a car or pay for cabs, and even serve you champagne to set the mood!

So how did my day turn out? I am OVER THE MOON with these!

Yes, it is as much fun as it looks, so head on over and check out Helen’s page to find out all about how you can live your pin up dreams for the day!

Recently I’ve been asked the same question by a number of people, both readers and good friends. That is, “How do you know who you are?”.  What they want to know is that in my role as wife and mother, how do I retain such a strong sense of self?  Let me tell you, this hasn’t always been the case.

Just like anyone else, I have had times in my life when I’ve “fallen off the wagon” so to speak.  Times when work took over everything, time when appearances were the last thing on my mind, and time when I thought, “Is this it? Is this as good as it gets?”  But by and large, these moments have been blips on the radar of an otherwise colourful and memorable life.

One such time for me was after the birth of my first daughter. I had a body that no longer belonged just to me, in a shape I didn’t recognise and responsibilities that I hadn’t even contemplated before hand. A demanding schedule with very little sleep and only a small baby for company did nothing to help the situation.  Like so many women before me, I would look through old photo albums barely recognising the woman I was just twelve short months before hand. But it didn’t make me sad, melancholy or wistful; it made me mad. And just like Dylan Thomas said, I could feel a “rage against the dying of the light”.

Of course, my life wasn’t literally over, but as many mothers know deep down there is a little grieving that goes on for the girls we used to be. And frankly, I wasn’t having any of it. I didn’t want to be surrounded by Wiggles music and the life of a homogenised happy baby commercial; I wanted something that was mine, that was ours and that was a unique reflection of the people we are.

Yes, that is all a little deep and raw but it applies to so many situations. Those times a job is lost, when children leave home, when we go through a bad break up; any life situation that we have allowed ourselves to become overly content in and sneakily, it has come to define us. That’s when it is time to take measures into your own hands and rediscover what makes you you. It can be a long slow process, but it is ultimately a joyful one. So take heed my friends and I’ll give you the secrets that help me keep my groove each day.

ART -

Image via Patrick Ng on Flickr

In order to think about who I am I also have to think about who I was. Fortunately I kept my school art folio with pieces dating right back to early primary school.  Each piece contains a memory of a time, of friends, teachers, passions and stolen kisses behind the shed. This is super powerful stuff and a brilliant place to begin your journey.

Whether you draw, paint, doodle or whatever; now is the time to pick up your tools and start to create something for yourself. It never needs to be seen by another person, but the process of creating it, what inspires you and learning to look at the world with different eyes is something you need to retrain yourself to do.  These are the skills that you will use each day when doing the most simple things like choosing an outfit, picking the tea set that makes your happy instead of the one that is just on sale, or finding beauty in the small free moments that each day brings.

MUSIC -

Image via Buttha on Flickr

I still have a little child’s suitcase full of my very first cassette tapes.  The first cassingle I ever bought ( Poison’s ‘Unskinny Bop’!), Mixtapes with love messages from high school boyfriends and even recordings I made myself with a little microphone and a portable tape recorder.  Some of it makes me cringe but I never fail to see the influences of this music on myself. The times I bought albums to impress a boy but really hated the band, and those that I never played for anyone, my heart set to music. The albums I would dance to like my life depended on it ( Jive Bunny & The Mixmasters anyone?), and the albums I have bought many times over that still appear in my collection. Music feeds your soul. Don’t let it starve.

Also, never say never. When asked to define my music tastes I used to say, “Oh everything but XX, I hate X.” Mind you, I had never really given X a good go and neither had I explored it properly. So I took off those blinkers and made a foray into previously forbidden territory only to discover a brand new passion that set my soul on fire. This is how I found New Music Me and she can make even the worst day shine!

FOOD -

Image via Sifu Renka on Flickr

I’m not the greatest cook. In fact I’m downright lazy. But when you have to do it and you have more than yourself to cater for, the things you love often go out the window. You find yourself living on a diet of spaghetti that pleases all and indulging in a block of chocolate afterwards as if that will make up for the neglect your palate has been suffering. Allow yourself to eat something that you really want. Something that may not be loved by all, may not be PC or even cheap. But do it, and do it just for you. If you want to eat a whole dozen natural oysters with caviar, then by golly  you’d better do it! Even if you have to hide in a tub of bubbles, or eat the sitting alone on the front porch, it is just you and your food. Treating yourself like the King of the Castle every now and again with nary a thought for the other occupants whims is key to true decadence and a great way to get in touch with what you really love.

There is so much more I could say on this topic, but this is the place to start.

So I’m offering you my challenge, my life line if you will.  Try these three simple things and tell me what a difference it makes to you. You can come back here and ask me questions or leave me comments to let me know how you get on.

Remember, life is for living – do it with all the passion and verve you can!

There are some moments in history that you really wish you were there for. And there is a particular day back in 1956, in a small room with a few men that is one of those days for me. It was a day when the music gods smiled and placed four legends in the same room, at the same time, where they did what musicians do and had some fun playing together.

Sam Phillip’s legendary Sun Studio played host to this moment, on a day when Carl Perkins was in recording an album (that was to include ‘Blue Suede Shoes’), when Elvis Presley dropped by. Jerry Lee Lewis was also there as a session musician waiting for a chance to show off his killer piano boogie styling; the moment was completed by the entrance of none other than Johnny Cash.

In a moment of serendipity and foresight, someone thought to switch on the recording equipment as these legends jammed together, giving us a chance to hear the one and only time these four men ever played together. And it was magical.

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The Ultimate Jam Session, produced by Bold Jack Productions, is your chance to relive this historic moment in all its goosebump inducing, heart stopping glory. Fronted by James Blundell, Dave Larkin, Nick Barker and Ezra Lee, backed up and held together by the versatile Sun Studio Trio – Dave Folley, Steve Hadley and Shannon Bourne. These lads put together are pure joy. Last Friday night I had to opportunity to sit front and centre as the boys kicked off their show with a bang.  Now this isn’t your ‘tribute’ style of show replete with stereo typical costumes and bad wigs, but just unadulterated, first class Rock n Roll. They keep it simple, tight and let the music speak for itself.  They shake you to your core with riffs that move your body,  vocals that make women swoon and men holler.

As I sat there watching tendrils of smoke curl in the spotlight and listening to my passion come to life, my heart was in my mouth.  Like that rush of adrenaline and endorphins that hit you on the first date with a big crush. And it didn’t subside, not for one second.

But it is more than just great music, it is a journey to a musician’s heart. Behind the big names, behind the hype, behind the screaming fans; just four brilliant men playing up and playing around, letting themselves enjoy the music for the music’s sake.

It was The Day the Music Lived.

Come backstage and meet the men behind the show.

What a night!

Posing around with Ezra Lee and hearing all about his upcoming trip to Vegas to play with Jerry Lee Lewis. Go Ezra!

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Nick Barker approves of the Kitty Von Purr dress.

The show will be playing all over Melbourne and Australia regionally, before getting set for an even bigger season. You can find out when and where the next show is playing on The Ultimate Rock n Roll Jam Session Facebook page.

*Yes, I recorded this in six inch heels, with my little hand held camera in the near dark of stage side, trying not to get too distracted by lilting voices and sultry eye.. so bare with me – it’s just like being there!*

It seems that just about every blogger out there has done a “What’s in My Bag” post over the course of time, but not me. I’ve been asked to do this several times, but just keep forgetting to photograph. So when I came across my Holy Grail handbag at Wintersun this year, it was a great excuse to combine showing you this beautiful bag and to illustrate just how amazing it is by showing you what I can fit in it!

The contents of my bag vary slightly depending on the day, but this is what I carry most days.  I decided to shoot all this on my Hello Kitty tea tray so that you can see the relative size of each piece as well; and also just for gratuitous use of cute props..

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Top row: iPhone, coin purse, handcream

Bottom row: Mirror, key case, wallet

I’ve made it a point to collect matching silver vintage GloMesh and I love the way it is all coming together. Next on the agenda is a DIY silver mesh iPhone case!

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Top row: Compact powder, fold up parasol, breath mints,nail glue, eye drops, lace trimmed handkerchief, homeopathic remedy.

Bottom row: Business cards, lip pencil, lipstick, lip gloss, tape measure, comb.

All very important and in the bag every day.

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Top row: Vintage hand fan, mini video camera that doubles for stills, sunglasses

Bottom row: Gorilla tripod, Cigarette case (for holding all manner of small bit and bobs, like mini sewing kit, earrings I take off and don’t want to loose etc..)

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So this is rather a lot to be carrying around each day without resorting to a large shoulder bag or the whole ’schelping’ thing I fear.  And this is the reason I took all these shots on the tray, so I could also shoot the handbag that holds it all on the same tray and show you it’s Tardis-like qualities!

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1950’s, painted leather, framed handbag with gold detailing and little gold feet!

Best Bag Ever!

And for 20 bonus points it even has a RED interior!

I don’t know if I could love this bag anymore than I already do.  I’m treating it to regular conditioning and top shelf placement in the hope of having it last another fifty plus years.  Do you have a favorite vintage bag that works with everything and what sort of things do you carry around?