A few weeks ago I introduced you to my little friends, Doug and Fred. They are hilarious and loving and hyperactive and gentle and annoying and adorable – they really cover the full spectrum in the space of a day. They’re loving WFH season…they’ll be in for a rude shock when things finally go back to normal!
They’ve had an ideal lifestyle while we’ve been staying on the Central Coast. Here’s a little Day In The Life action for you.
Mornings at the dog beach
These two HATE swimming with a passion, but they love being at the beach. They get their feet wet and cool off, but as soon as they see a wave approaching, they can’t get away from it quick enough!
Lunchtime Fetch!
Doug & Fred could play this allllll day. We actually have to be quite forceful when it’s time to stop because otherwise Doug will hyperventilate. He just keeps chasing that ball – even when he can’t breathe any more. His commitment to the ball is really quite admirable.
Spending some quality time with his beloved ball (TMI)
Afternoon Recovery
Pretty much the rest of the day is spent snoozing and snuggling. The camera roll on my phone is just a flip-book of sleeping dog pictures. They’re just so adorable when they’re sleeping and snuggling and loving each other! I wish I could tell you that they did something more interesting all day, but it’s literally 90% snooze.
Dinner
Let me just clarify – these dogs are VERY well fed. They’re both very small and they don’t need a lot, but they get delicious Raw and Fresh patties every night, along with the occasional bone and a whole lot of treats throughout the day! You’d be forgiven for thinking they were starving, the way that they carry on when anyone else is eating! These raw whole chicken & veggie patties look sooo appetising. They’re pretty unpleasant to prepare, but the dogs love them. I really appreciate that dogs NEVER get tired of what we feed them. Every day, they are just as excited to eat the same old thing that they’ve had every day of their lives. They sit right at my heel, watching my every move like a hawk until the bowls touch the ground. So easy to please!
While they are not mandatory at this stage, masks are being recommended in Sydney – and I’m very much of the better safe than sorry mindset! I just think that if I can do something that helps to protect me and those around me, there are really very few downsides to wearing one. It’s a little bit of discomfort that could make a big difference. I’ve been wearing masks when I know it will be difficult to keep my distance – usually when I go to the shops, doctors etc. However, I’m also very much of the single use sucks mindset, which has created a bit of an issue for me. Luckily, I’ve managed to find some really nice reusable masks from some wonderful corners of the internet.
It’s pretty hard not to look intimidating or generally unhappy with a mask on, so I’ve been practising my “smize” religiously (thanks Tyra). I couldn’t help but indulge in a bit of a top model moment to showcase my new treasures.
This one is hands down my favourite – by every criteria. It’s 4-ply (yes, 4!), fits super comfortably, has wire along the top seam for a snug fit across the nose, AND it’s reversible – for double the fun!
I absolutely LOVE Clothing The Gap. They are a social enterprise managed by health professionals, who create fashion that helps to support health programs in Aboriginal communities. The quality of these masks is pretty outstanding, and I love knowing that my money is going to a good cause, rather than some rich CEO’s back pocket.
Facebook
I bought this one from a lovely neighbour in a local Facebook group. She has been making these at home, and apparently she’s been run off her feet! It’s so great to see people coming together to support their local community at a time when so many people are struggling.
Facebook
Another design from our lovely neighbour!
These masks are 2-ply with a pocket for a filter, they fit comfortably and don’t pull too tightly around the ears. There is no wire, so the fit is not quite as snug as some other designs – but for a handmade mask they’re bloody fabulous! Super cute fabric choices, too.
Did I get a little carried away with the Top Model theme? Maybe. Did I move out of the focus range while my camera was on self-timer? Obviously. Was it worth it? You decide.
These last two are from another company that I adore. Ricepaper The Label are so transparent about their practices with respect to sustainability and ethical practices. They aim to reduce waste as much as possible, and made a limited supply of masks from their fabric off-cuts.
These masks are 3-ply, with adorable little ruffles covering the elastic straps. They’re simple and effective, but after about 10 minutes they do start to pull a bit behind the ears. Maybe just a little small for my big, beautiful face!
I’d love to know which reusable masks you love. Leave me a comment with your suggestions: brands you love, things to avoid, washing tips and tricks – I’ll take it all! I will also welcome constructive criticism on my smize…not sure I’ve nailed it yet!
“Here’s what I think. Feminism is not here to dictate to you. It’s not prescriptive, it’s not dogmatic. All we are here to do is give you a choice. We want to empower women to do exactly what they want, to be true to themselves, to have the opportunities to develop. Women should feel free. There is no typical feminist, there is nothing anywhere that says you have to meet a certain criteria.”
Emma Watson
Feminist QUEEN Emma Watson says it best, as usual. However, I will try to elaborate in my own words…
Women are many things. They can be gentle. They can be nurturing. They can be warm. They can be charming. They can be kind.
They can also be tough. They can be opinionated. They can be ambitious. They can be sexy. They can be confident. They can be intelligent. They can be intuitive. They can be creative. They can be brave. The most wonderful part is that they can be all of these things at once.
When women feel empowered to unlock all of the facets of their being, they are a force to be reckoned with.
In this project, I have had the privilege of exploring the things that empower the women in my life. I have been amazed by the complex, accomplished, self-assured women that have opened up their souls to me. I hope to show that just as women are multi-faceted; so are the things that empower them. Empowerment is not one-dimensional. It can come from things that are pivotal in the makeup of our lives, or from seemingly insignificant everyday tasks. Whatever it is that makes a woman feel confident, inspired, or free to be herself – that is where her power comes from.
Liz loves her tattoos because they make her feel like she can be in control of her own body and how she is seen. She is curating a feminist sanctuary in her own home with works by women artists.
Sophie is empowered by her work. She values having a seat at the table, and being able to use her voice to influence and enact change on a daily basis.
Natalie does not like perfection and she doesn’t like being told what to do – by a recipe book or anyone else. She loves experimenting with cooking, and where she can add a zucchini to any recipe, she will!
Joan has a keen interest in birds. She loves seeing them enjoying things like a bird bath, the nuances of each different bird and how they forage for food, the intricate colours in their feathers, the markings around the eyes and best of all the way they nurture their young!She feels particularly empowered by her ability to capture that in a photo to share her knowledge with others.
Roisin values the power of makeup to lift her mood and present herself in the way she wants to be presented. We often talk about the opportunities that we miss out on as women, but she sees makeup as one of the privileges of femininity. It is one of the few things that we get to do as women which is harder for men to enjoy; when a lot of the time the roles are reversed.
Helen loves her job! On top of the sense of purpose and fulfilment that it gives her, it also has lots of great perks! She has been able to give her family the opportunity to travel the world and make wonderful memories.
Bella is passionate about education. Teaching is her vocation, and she is empowered by her ability to have a positive influence on children’s lives.
Jessie finds empowerment in running regularly. The achievement of reaching a new goal makes her feel both mentally and physically strong.
Bella loves to forage. The excitement of being able to pick something out of the garden and turn it into a delicious meal is both satisfying and grounding.
Phoebe is empowered by the freedom she has as an Australian woman in the 21st century. She loves her work and she has enjoyed being able to travel and work overseas – all without the need to be escorted by a husband!
Lucy loves the feeling of wearing boots. The sound they make, the sturdiness of the sole and the confidence they give her to walk through life and through any situation in comfort – just as a man would.
Natasha has worked hard to achieve her aspiration of becoming a nurse practitioner. The added responsibility and professional accountability that she has earned, coupled with her skill set, will allow her to provide a higher standard of care to her patients.
Millie finds running to be something that allows her to have control of her mind. She loves to maintain an active lifestyle in order to have power over her own health and wellbeing.
Toni feels empowered when she can take something old and give it new life. She relishes the ability to create things of her own, without following conventional design rules.
Siobhan finds power in her ability to repair, refurbish and reuse. Her creativity and skills allow her to extend the life of things that would otherwise go to waste – a cause that is of great importance to her.
I find power in the process of learning new skills. It reminds me of how capable I am and how I can benefit from taking on new challenges in so many different ways. I have enjoyed photography as a way of looking at the world through a new lens; and being able to display the fruits of my labour in our home is the most rewarding experience.
Thank you to all the wonderful women who volunteered their time, faces and minds to me over the last couple of weeks. It has been an inspiring experience for me, and I couldn’t have done it without the generosity of all the beautiful faces you see above. Thank you!
