What is a Mumpreneur?

Since starting my business in late 2007, I have been looking for ways to connect with other working mums, especially those who work from home, for advice, support and encouragement. I finally found it in April 2009 when I was invited to join 

Connect2Mums, an online community of fantastic women working, raising children and supporting one another through it all. Not only is Connect2Mums a great place to network with other business women, but I have made so many fantastic friends through this online community.

When I heard about the Connect2Mums 2010 Mumpreneurs Conference, I knew I just had to be there. Here is my post in a bid to win a ticket to the conference;

What is a “Mumpreneur”?

A “mumpreneur” can make dinner, deal with whining toddlers, help with homework and pack orders all at once;

A “mumpreneur” can make phone calls in her slippers with vegemite smeared on her top whilst still remaining (or at least sounding) professional;

A “mumpreneur” can hand make toys, take beautiful photographs, teach you how to use your accounting system or guide you through the maze of baby products on the market;

A “mumpreneur” will support other women, give advice and encouragement about raising kids and running a business and share a “virtual” glass of wine and block of chocolate with you on a Friday night;

A “mumpreneur” teaches her children the value of supporting others, that you can “be” whatever you want to be and the importance of doing something you love.

I am a “mumpreneur” and through the support of all the women at Connect2Mums, I have gained the knowledge and confidence to pursue my dream of working from home in my own business.

Love Jo xx

Running the Marathon of Autism

This month, Breathing Spaces is holding a raffle to support "Running the Marathon of Autism". 

Your donation directly supports the following goals:

•  Providing training in the form of an Outreach where a Son-Rise Program™ teacher travels from the Autism Treatment Center of America™ to work specifically with Felicity and her family one on one in their home. 
• Providing funding towards sending Felicity's mum to the United States for the 5 day 'Wide Awake' training course held at the Autism Treatment Center of America™ to further enhance the effectiveness of Felicity's Son-Rise Program™
• Providing on going bio-medical treatments for Felicity.

Here is more about Felicity.....


"Hi, my name is Felicity. I am 9 and a half years old. My mum is writing this for me because I can’t speak, read or write yet. I do have some words now and can say “up” and “mum” but before my Son-Rise Program™ I did not know how to ask for things with even a gesture, let alone a sound. I was unable tell my parents or teachers I was hungry or needed to go to the toilet!
I have been doing my Son-Rise Program™ for 4 years. This means I have a special play room in both my dads home and my mums home. By the way, I am home-schooled as you might have guessed. I love being home-schooled because it is quiet and uncluttered. I know where I am and what I am doing and I feel safe and loved. (I used to go to school but it was a scary place for me. Mum believes I felt very upset as I cried all the time).
I have some amazing friends (mum and dad call them volunteers) that regularly come and play with me in my play room. In there, life is amazing! My friends can create a game, song, activity... anything you can imagine. They are so much fun and they play with me the way I like to be played with. Sometimes I am very quiet and need to do my own thing for a while. The outside world and the people in it can be just so overwhelming. At these times my friends, my mum or dad will just sit with me and do exactly what I am doing alongside me and I find this so relaxing. It helps me to process what is going on around me and I need this time just so I can make sense of things. I love each and every one of my friends and am so excited to see them that I tell mum to go “out” of the playroom so I can play with them instead. My parents think they are very special people with hearts the size of the world.
Things I love to do:
* Bushwalking - sometimes I take myself for walks and scare the life out of mum!
* Singing - everyone who plays with me sings with me. I love it and know more tunes than you could think of.
* Swimming - last winter I jumped right off the jetty, near my home, with my clothes on and mum had to jump in after me. Boy, that was cold!
* I like putting things up in and onto strange places. The trickier, the better. At dads house, we have so many things hanging from our living room light and I think that is absolute magic. Dad is often amazed at just how many things he can stack into a new tricky location that is above our heads.
My Son-Rise Program™ is so special to me so my mum wants to go to America in November to do some more training. In July this year our family is also doing what we call an OutReach where an accredited Son-Rise Program™ teacher visits us all the way from the Autism Treatment Center of America™ and works one on one with us and our volunteers for two whole days. This will help make my team gain so many new skills and ways to work with me in my Son-Rise Program™.
Oh, by the way, I am getting better! I am recovering from my Autism, step by step, day by day. I am slowly learning how to speak and my world makes so much more sense these days. If you see me, I am happy, I listen and understand what you say to me and I would want to hug you and play with you in my playroom."

Running the Marathon of Autism

To support Felicity in this fantastic program, purchase your tickets to win fantastic prizes!

Beautiful French Homewares & Furniture

I have just come across the most beautiful range of homewares, furniture & all things French at Malmaison Botanical Interiors in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

Edwynna Adams, founder and owner of Malmaison, aims "to bring beautiful things to all our customers no matter where they reside either via this website or mail order catalogue".

The bricks & mortar store is located in the pretty city of Castlemaine, approx. 90 miuntes North of Melbourne. The online store can be found here.

Malmaison stocks a beautiful range of La Rochere French glasswear, Legle de Limoge porcelain, French market baskets, French Provincial style dinnerware and stunning furniture pieces. 

Other treasures to be found here are luxurious French soaps, gorgeous Parisian "frou frou" parasols,  and exquisite French quilts. 

If only my girls were little again, they would not be able to escape a French inspired bedroom with the gorgeous range of wall plaques, bunting and children's furniture!

For some inspiration, and temptation, visit Malmaison Botanical Interiors online at www.malmaison.com.au


Love Jo xx

House in the Hampton's anyone?

My absolute dream home is Diane Keaton's house from the movie "Somethings Gotta Give". I love the relaxed yet classic style of this kind of home. It seems to welcome you in for a glass of wine. I think the look can work well for both a suburban home or a sprawling property in country Australia. 


Here are some photos for inspiration;


This is my favourite kitchen. I love the all white and an island bench is so functional. 

Architectural Digest

Where's the pool boy??

Cote De Texas Blog 

Cote De Texas Blog

Little bit of French country style in this bedroom which also works well with a Hampton's inspired interior.

Country Home Ideas

This kitchen also works well, and breaking up an all-white scheme with the duck egg blue give the kitchen a relaxed, by the beach vibe.  

Country Home Ideas

Another French inspired bedroom with a luxe upholstered bed. 

Cote De Texas Blog

Perfect sized dressing room if you ask me! Just need more shoes to fill it now!

Cote De Texas Blog

I love the floor lamps in this picture. Coco Republic has similar lamps, and Luxe Homewares has a floor lamp with similar legs, but a round shade. 

I also love the stripes which I think are essential for the Hampton's look. 

Now all I need is the money to build my perfect Hampton's style home on a beautiful acreage block in Brisbane's West, and I'll be set! Not too much to ask is it?

Love Jo xx

Pottery Barn

Oh why doesn't Pottery Barn ship to Australia? 

Could there be anything more perfect than this coffee table to store and show all your beautiful things at the same time?

I love this style of storage. It allows you to display all the things you love. 

This storage system is the perfect alternative to a closet or mudroom. You can store all your jackets, umbrellas and school bags right at the front door where everyone has easy access to them. 

This gorgeous little red desk would suit a tween bedroom. Just the right size for a small, sunny corner. 

To see (and drool over) their beautiful range of furniture, homewares and accessories, check out www.potterybarn.com

Love Jo xx

The Happy Home

winterbed5
Originally uploaded by the happy home

I love this room. It makes me think of lazy Sunday mornings.

Nursery Concept Board

Here is a new concept board for a nursery. 

All the products you see are available from within Australia.