Category: Motherhood

Lottie’s Nursery Room Makeover

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After 6 months of having our little #squishy AKA Lottie, in our room. We thought it was time to decorate and give our little miss her own room. The space was a just a blank canvas of dark carpets and white walls. The baby furniture is all hand me downs from her older brother’s baby furniture.

When it comes to home styling, I can put my hand up and state that it’s not in my creative eye. I am very luck to know someone that is though. I first reached out to Elisa from @blond.noir to ask if she wanted create a vision board for our Lottie’s Nursery. I was over the moon when she said YES! We had both worked together before and brought my little girls, Winnie’s Nursery to life just a few years ago. She did such a great job. Again, Elisa went above and beyond to create a vision board for Lottie’s space and within a few days we were planing how it would all come together. All I had to do was send her some 360 images and videos of the room and share anything I had in mind too. I left most of it up to the expert, Elisa as she has such a great creative eye for styling.

Over a few weeks Elisa brought the mood board to life. I love how she, like myself loves to support small business owners.

It actually makes me smile so much seeing it all come together like it has now.

Please note some of the pieces in Lottie’s Nursery were Winnie’s old belongings. So they may not still be available from the stores I brought them from or they were mine when I was little.

Here are the finer details of the stunning pieces that make up her room…

The floral cot sheet by the Dusty Belle by Princess Panda Pants Co.

Run Forrest: Blush Large Playmat by Grace and Maggie

Fairy Print by Narin Barnett, a contemporary artist in Melbourne from My Hidden Forest.

The Luxe Velvet Storage Case Set in Soft Grey is from, Vanessa’s dreamy online luxe baby gift store, Petit Luxe Bebe.

Wall Butterfly Decals by  Little Custom Creations.

Dreamy Canopy  by Spinkie Baby, they have so many amazing colour options for you to choose from.

The most stunning Mini Tulle Chandelier Mobile is by the clever Little Cloud Lane.

Bow Holder by the ever so talented Kiah from Cleo Blooms.

Lottie Small Scrabble Frame by Taylor’d Scrabble Frames

Change Mat in Cloud Grey by Bubsfirst 

Lottie Meaning Wall Art and Floral Wall Decor by Elisa herself from blond.noir.

Wooden Toys – @willownoak and @noc_noc_wooden_toys.

More about the stylist, Elisa –

Blond + Noir  is an Australian owned small business created in 2015 by Elisa Strbac, a life long interior addict and art lover.

With a background in all things creative as well as business Elisa decided it was time to put all those skill to use and do what she truly loves – to create.

Blond + Noir wall art is designed in house and is Australian hand made. We also sometimes get the amazing opportunity to work along side other talented Aussie artists! How lucky are we! Blond + Noir have pieces to suit kids interiors, grown up spaces and a just about any other space in your interior design!

If you’re looking for interior wall art, Blond + Noir is sure to have something you’ll love!

 

Our Lottie girl’s newborn shoot with Jennifer Horner Photography

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Feat. Jennifer Horner Photography

It is with great honour, that I am able to blog yet another stunning, photoshoot by our now friend, Jennifer Horner. She has captured so many beautiful memories of our family over the past two years. Memories that have become photographs in our lounge room on the wall or on display in the hallway or in our children’s  photo books. Ones we will treasure forever. This time round Jennifer photographed our newest addition Lottie Jean, at just 14 days.

She has such a natural way with babies and children. My children are always so drawn to her. She is professional, friendly and a whole lot of fun. She uses sensory play and safe practice to capture your little ones. When photographing newborn’s Jen always has someone working with her, someone that has trained with Jen over the years and is experienced.  Jen was constantly explaining to David and I with rationale the safe practice of supporting a little one when photographing them. As Lottie’s parents, David and I felt perfectly safe with Jennifer handling our little darling.

Just like with Winter Rose’s shot, we again had a discussion of what David and I wanted to capture  with Lottie on the day. She allows plenty of time for the session to shoot, in case you need to breastfeed and have a break. She also sends through an email prior to the day, so you know what to expect, what to bring and some useful tips on when to feed bub prior.

I am so in love with the neural tones, soft pinks and creams, lush greenery, palm prints (so me) and all the extra little details Jennifer had prepared for us on the day. I feel she really captured those special memories of our darling girl we will hold on to forever. A favourite flower of mine is babies breath, I had my cousin create a flower crown of babies breath for our Lottie and Jennifer continued with this theme in a series of shots with a stunning flat lay of babies breath she got from a local flower farm that day. She truly does go above and beyond.

Flower crown by Rachel  – @bohemianblossomcrowns

Jennifer has offered my friends, family and Alice In Healthyland  tribe members, a special one time offer to use on any booking you make with her. $100OFF. This is not something Jennifer does often, so honestly if you feel this is something you have been wanting to do for a while, just do it. You will not regret it at all, I promise.

BOOK HERE and make sure you state ALICE IN HEALTHYLAND when you book.

Okay so drum roll please…

Here are the stunning images from our Lottie girls Newborn shoot.

Lush Greenery

The whole world in her hands.
Palms + Ferns

Her little facials.

Naw I could just kiss her!

So in love with our daughter.

Daddy + his newest daughter.

Sibling love.

Our first family photo.

 

Want to connect with Jennifer?

Website –http://www.jenniferhornerphotography.com.au/

Instagram –https://www.instagram.com/jenniferhornerphotography/

 

What is in my nappy bag the third time round…

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So we recently welcomed a new addition to the Bingham tribe, our darling Lottie Jean. So upgrading our nappy bag size was a must for us. I have a 3 year old boy, Cruz, a 18month girl, Winter Rose and a newborn baby girl, Lottie. 2 days a week its just Lottie and myself but the other 5 days we will head out on adventures as a mini tribe. I have had a few messages from you mumma’s asking what we pack in our nappy bag. So here it is lovelies…

Firstly the nappy bag I choose was the Storksak Stevie Luxe in black scuba.  I choose this bag because it was a decent size (being a mum of 3), however it is super lightweight to carry.  It has lots of compartments to keep your bag organised, which we all know “sparks joy” thank you Marie Kondo for reminding us of those oh so good feels. It also keeps your essentials stored safely. There is even a cheeky cooler at the back of the bag with a hidden zip for easy access to the baby bottle. This has come in handy for me as I have had to pump EBM every three hours so I didn’t have to hunt through the bag when she got hungry. The bag comes with a cooler bag, I have used this to not only store milk but snacks too. You can even use it as a cooler bag for your lunch, once you no longer need a nappy bag. There is also a luxurious size changing mat with pocket storage, so it is easy to take out of the bag and it covers the surface area of most changing tables in the parents rooms.

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So what is in the nappy bag this time round you ask…

  • Nappies of course, I have a mixture of both cloth and disposable.
  • Wipes, I make my own and store in a travel sealed container (see recipe here) or love Water Wipes.
  • Change Mat, I love to use a reusable one to look after the environment. My nappy bag came with one ,but you can buy one from Storksak if you don’t already have one. The parents rooms can be a little gross or there might not be somewhere to change your bub, so you can just do it in the pram or on the floor with the mat.
  • Hand Sanitiser, just a small one is fine. I make my own non toxic one with essential oils and aloe vera gel.
  • Outfits for the baby, just one spare in case of emergency poop. For my toddler I have spare undies (because toilet training).
  • Snacks for all of us and bottles for the girls (still breastfeeding to but expressing). I like to stick to easy snacks like fruit, popcorn, bliss balls, mini muffins.
  • Not always, but depending on where we go I like to put a small activity or toys in the bag like colouring pencils and a pad or cars for my son.
  •  A muslin wrap, this can be doubled as a cover for bub or tie the two corners around the neck and its a breastfeeding cover. Great if bub falls asleep and you can cover the pram with it. I always like to keep a pram peg in the bag to, just to secure if need be.
  • I currently need an organic or natural baby/nipple balm. I buy one that can do both.
  • A disposable bag to store a dirty nappy. Just in case there is not a bin around.

 

CADDY STROLLER ORGANISER LUXE is handy if you are just heading out for a few hours. Fits a packet of wipes, 2 nappies, baby bottle, my wallet and phone.

Milk Bath Maternity Shoot with Brisbane Photographer – Tahlia – Wylde Folk Studio

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Photographer – @wyldefolkstudio_

Hair – @c_ba_hair

Model – @aliceinhealthyland

Crown – @bohemiamblossomcrowns

Make Up @lust__minerals

I have been friends with Tahlia for a little over three years. Prior to that we may have passed each other by as we both grew up around Brisbane and went to the same gym. Our real connection started when we caught up with our little babes, Cruz and Summer. It’s been beautiful having our friendship blossom over time as well as watching our growing family create the same friendships and bonds too. You know when the universe just guides you and you just know that we were destained to be best friends (just like the movie Step Brothers when they go DID WE JUST BECOME BESTFRIENDS? moment).

Tahlia loves natural, organic and light inspired work. She does not distort her work with large amounts of editing. She believes that gentle touch ups and colour adjustments is all you need. Tahlia sets a beautiful environment for her clients and always makes sure they feel at ease with her presence. She knows how to make them laugh and sings while she photographs your children. You can see it’s her passion and she loves what she is doing.

Tahlia has photographed so many memories for our family and for my business and blog @aliceinhealthyland. So I was so grateful to have her shoot this special moment in my pregnancy and capture the bump with our two little babes. Cruz was scared of the flowers in the bath haha #mumlife but we managed to capture some cute snaps with him and the bump.

Tahlia is offering my following a special discount. State my name ALICE and you will get $50off your booking of a Maternity, Newborn or Family Photoshoot. Thanks so much beautiful! Such a lovely gesture.

A special thank you to the girls CBA Hair for styling my hair, Bohemian Blossom Crowns for making Winter Rose and I’s flower crowns and to Lust Minerals for supplying the make up. Necklace is by Eden Zoe and has my little ones initials on.

The lace garments are just from Kmart or EBay.

Feeding your baby for the first time. By Gina Rose AKA @nutritionbyginarose

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Boston & Winnie are just about to venture into the wonder world of food, where did the last 5 months go! Lucky for them they have Mother’s that are serious foodies.

Infant nutrition is crucial for supporting optimal growth and development. Think about this for one minute.. choosing foods for your infant can either prevent a disease or feed one. Now, that sounds serious, but we actually have the power to influence our children with fuel to set them up for a healthy life.

Continue reading “Feeding your baby for the first time. By Gina Rose AKA @nutritionbyginarose” →

Newborn Photoshoot – Celebrating our Winter Rose.

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Photoshoot Captured by Jennifer Horner Photography

Hair by SarsHair Studio

Make up done by a sleep deprived mumma haha.

Gown by Eden Elizabeth Creative

Jennifer Horner is a stunning photographer from Brisbane, Queensland. She shoots maternity, newborn, family & children and motherhood sessions. I feel very lucky to have crossed paths with her. I met her during my maternity photoshoot, she was so down to earth and so easy to work with. Jennifer is an incredibly gifted woman and I am so blessed that she was able to capture some newborn photos of our darling Winter Rose.

Continue reading “Newborn Photoshoot – Celebrating our Winter Rose.” →

Alice In Pregnancyland #32weeks-38weeks

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Pregnancy Emotions. Pregnancy Eating. Pregnancy Exercise. Pregnancy Style.

I actually cannot believe I am typing the last blog of the Alice In Pregnancyland series. (for now haha) I remember chatting To Tahlia about collaborating with me for the #bumpstyle shoots and now here we are at 37 nearly 38 weeks finishing off the bump series. I have really loved building a friendship with Tahlia from @wyldefolkstudio_ while we did the photoshoots she is such a kind hearted person. I now have a friendship for life with her. Not to mention how blessed I was to collaborate with so many gorgeous labels and maternity brands. throughout the 9 months. A huge thank you to everyone that followed the series and continued to send through such beautiful feedback. Big Love to you all.


Pregnancy Emotions

The last few weeks I have been on a emotional roller coaster. I have been so excited to meet the little one, I have had mum guilt with my one on one time with Cruzie, I have cried happy tears and I have cried god knows what tears. To me having a good cry really does help me just let it all out, breathe and then let it go. All these new emotions feel like it’s my heart is expanding and I am ready to meet our new little one now.

I finished up work at 36 weeks. Best decision as I was going to work to 37 weeks, the heaviness of nursing and being on my feet got to me a little. So I am so glad to be on maternity leave. It feels so different not having to go to work again. 

I have been making the most of my time with Cruzie too. I have been taking him to singing and reading at the library, reading and extra snuggles at night time, park hangs and babycino dates. I am loving being off work with him again. 

Everyone has been asking how Cruzie has been? Does he know? I think he knows a change is coming. He won’t let anyone rub my belly but David, he pushes their hand away or pulls my top down. We brought him a little dolly and he has been kissing it, changing its nappy, pushing it around in a pram. It’s so cute to watch. I think he will be a great big brother. 

I keep telling myself that I need to slow down as my body is tired, but its true “nesting” is a real thing. I keep thinking of new things to do and clean. I forget to rest and I am on the go all day. Then I have the worse braxton hicks and back ache in the evening. So I should listen to all the advice and just put my feet up. Haha easier said than done though. Plus entertaining my little man. He sleeps well in the afternoon so I should just lay down then and watch some Offspring on tv. Maybe tomorrow? haha.

I went and seen my midwife for a 36 week scan and check up. The cheeky bubbas legs are sitting frog legged but the head is right down there. I keep thinking in my head that the baby will be here early because Cruz came early but I shouldn’t get my hopes up. I discussed my birth plan and what I wanted. My birth plan is to have a natural birth, hopefully not be on the monitor like last time, have a bath or hot shower, use essential oils and just have David in there. David is my rock and he really did help me through the breathing techniques last time. I do still feel anxious about the birth experience and labour but I am just trying not to think about it, what will be will be.

Pregnancy Eating.

With eating I have been a bit all over the place.

I wake up so hungry and have to eat before I go for a walk. For breakfast I normally have smoothies or protein pancakes. Thats its the I just swap it up between the two.

Then for snacks I have almonds, nuts, apple or a bliss ball. Sipping on so much raspberry leaf tea to ha.

Lunch is lots of greens and a source of protein or a chia sourdough with cheese, figs and cucumber sandwich or the same combo on rice cakes.

I am obsessed with Bolognese at the moment with zoodles (zucchini pasta), I am addicted love it. I also love white fish or salmon with greens for dinner, I have gone off all brown rice and sweet potato probably because my belly already fills so fall at night.

Cravings – organic milk chocolate from Flannerys Health Shop … YUM!!!!

Pregnancy Exercise

Walking 30-45minutes around the block (filled with hills) but very slowly as I get pelvic pressure. I put my podcast on and enjoy the metime I love it. Makes me feel better. I love doing about 20-40 push ups daily on the kitchen bench and 20 squats on the shower too. About 3 times a week I use my little 2kg weights and do a little arm workout too. If I have having an exhausting day I just don’t exercise at all. Maybe just do a stretch. The last week I have really slowed down, but thats okay, my body needs the rest.

Pregnancy Style

So besides loose boho styles and a few tight comfortable maternity dresses I have been living in maternity leggings and a jumper. Argh so comfy. I do love dressing up the bump, but I feel my wardrobe has become very limited and don’t really want to add to it till the baby is here. 

For this #bumpstye shoot I wore a dress I purchased for a hens day a few months back. Its called the FAWN WRAP DRESS and I brought it from the @theselfstyler online. Guess what they just restocked it too. You can buy it HERE. Its perfect to take you through your pregnancy journey and will be great for breastfeeding too. Its not actually a maternity dress but it should be its so comfortable.

Tahlia and I decided for the last bump photoshoot we would find a beautiful spot with long grass (secret location) and invite David and Cruz to come along for some family photos. We had a lovely afternoon watching the sunset and Tahlia came with her family too, so nice. I hope you all enjoy the photos.



Thank you again for reading. 

Big Love,

Alice (in healthyland) xoxo

Pregnancy and Fitness…who’s to judge?Written by Lauren Rose Kelly

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Written by Lauren Rose Kelly

Let me set the scene. I am not one of the many ‘insta-fit-mums’ with the minimal body-fat, eight-pack and no cellulite. This is me. I am 30, pregnant with my second child and this is my pregnancy fitness journey. I will touch more on my pregnancy fitness with baby two (below).

Before I get into my journey I want to touch on something that is bothering me on this topic. I originally had intended this post to be about all the fitness options available for pregnant women, instead I began to feel (hormonally) overwhelmed by the key-board warriors ‘attacking’ mothers and mothers-to-be on social media because of their lack of education on the topic. I have the up-most respect for the ‘insta-fit-mums’. I admire their commitment to fitness, health and finding their new balance while pregnant and most of all I admire their strength when it comes to the ongoing (never ending) public criticism they receive about their pregnancy. Can anyone else see a common theme here…? THEIR. A pregnancy journey is exactly that. It is individual. Every woman and her body are different. Recently, I read with great disappointment an article in the Courier Mail on pregnancy ‘insta-fit-mum’ Chontel Duncan. I don’t know her at all, but I do understand her journey is hers and I don’t believe or see anything wrong with advocating for a healthy and fit Mum throughout her pregnancy. She did not say that a pregnant woman has to train like her but instead find a balance that is the right fit for THEIR pregnancy. Again that word their. Why is a woman’s pregnancy and her pregnancy fitness journey anybody else’s to comment on?

I recently saw another ‘insta-fit-mum’, Emily Skye announce her pregnancy on the social media platform to excitement from her followers to mixed criticism when she said she was off to do her ‘normal’ workout. The comments were ridiculous and uneducated. From one follower stating that pilates caused her to have a premature baby, to another stating to just walk because otherwise she will cause damage to her baby. I am baffled. Where has the education gone? Why are we still in a society where women are told to ‘sit and eat-for-two’. Why cant a woman train? with safe variations, like she was pre-pregnancy? I will leave you with that…

My Journey

Here is my journey. I have had several people ask me how much weight I have put on because I look ‘small’ for my gestation. Question, what is the size of a pregnant belly at 32 weeks? Exactly that there is no perfect size. For me I have never really carried weight around my stomach and found that an easier area to keep toned so both times now my stomach is low, compact and tight. As for weight this is something I have debated about sharing and I have decided not to. Whilst I check-in on my weight, my midwife and OB never have.

So what do I do to maintain my health and fitness throughout pregnancy. To some it may seem like ‘too-much’, but this is MY journey and I am sharing it to help educate women that keeping up your fitness and health throughout pregnancy can and will benefit you. Besides the intensity and modifying exercises throughout each trimester I have ben doing reformer and mat pilates two to three times a week and F45 two to four times a week depending on how I am feeling. I also chase after a 12kg, nearly two year old and puppy who love long walks and park play.

Pilates is something I have always been passionate and addicted to especially as my recovery with Jack was relatively easy made thanks to this fitness revolution. This time I have a reformer at home making it convenient to exercise before Jack wakes without having to go anywhere. F45, especially as I have entered into my third trimester, has been a lifesaver. The motivation, support (physical and mental) the program provides me is exactly what I have needed, especially on the cooler winter mornings. I love doing a 5am workout, coming home and preparing things for the day and knowing my workout is done.

Mentally, emotionally and hormonally this is my fitness regime, that is supported and monitored with my OB and allied health professionals, which works well for me and my pregnancy.


So without professional fitness qualifications here are my TIPS for your Pregnancy and Post-Partum Journey.

Check out  – You want real advice check out UB Mumma for professional health and fitness advice.

Don’t judge – don’t judge the ‘insta-fit-mums’ they are humans like you and me and not bulletproof.

Stop comparing – Don’t follow/stalk/screenshot/ postpartum fitness images and sites if it won’t benefit you. Guess what just like your pregnancy journey your post-partum journey is yours as well.

Originally posted on www.hunterandrose.net

 

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Lauren Rose Kelly

Maternity Photoshoot – Celebrating our second child.

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Photoshoot captured and styled by Jennifer Horner Photography

Hair and make up by Suzie from An Eye For Style

 

MENTION CODE “ALICE” TO RECIEVE $50 CREDIT

TOWARDS YOUR MATERNITY OR NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT. 

Jennifer Horner - Alice In Healthyland
35 weeks pregnant

Jennifer Horner is an amazingly talented photographer from Brisbane. She shoots maternity, newborn, family & children and motherhood sessions. Jennifer is an incredibly gifted woman and I am so thankful that she was able to capture such a treasured moment in my life.  

From the first email of contact, to the first moment I met Jennifer, she was extremely professional but so friendly to chat with. I found her very easy to connect with, (which is great when you are standing there just in your underwear in front of just her and the camera haha) and she made me feel welcome and relaxed in her studio. 

After connecting with Jennifer via email, she sent out a questionnaire and information pack about the the maternity shoot for me to complete and send back. Asking a little bit about myself, how many children I had, my husband, the colours I loved and what I had in mind for the photoshoot and what she could offer. She was very happy to answer any questions or queries I had in the lead up to the shoot and was prompt with her replies. I thought this was a great way for Jennifer to get to know me before she meet me. 

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 The morning of the photoshoot I had my hair and make up done by Suzie, owner of An Eye For Style and then headed straight to the studio for the shoot. When I arrived, Jennifer had the studio set up ready to go (it was beautiful, filled with lots hanging blooms from the ceiling and a great playlist of tunes in the background). She had all the gowns & kimonos colour coded and ready for me to start trying them on straight way. She also had other options not far to offer if need be as well. I felt extremely comfortable and had lots of laughs with Jen, as she prompted me into different positions as she would snapped away with her camera. Jen would quickly change the backdrop or scene while I slipped into the next outfit too. All very well organised. She would show some of the images on her camera to me throughout the shoot to which I loved. 

 

 

My experience with Jen was exceptional, I would highly recommend her to my friends and family.  She is not only creative and talented, but so welcoming and always making sure I was happy and comfortable throughout the whole experience.

So thank you Jen for capturing this precious memory of my bump. I look forward to one day gifting these images and sharing stories of my pregnancy with my children.

Want more from Jennifer Horner?

Website – http://www.jenniferhornerphotography.com.au/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/JenniferHornerPhotography

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jenniferhornerphotography/

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