Well PaisleyJade, its going to be a decadent one this week, thanks to having had a weekend of bubbles and glamour while away on a hens weekend in Auckland. Its back to reality with a thump today- busy times at work, potty training and trying to organise Christmas is now back on the agenda, and the sleep deprivation of the weekend has caught up with me. No photos this week, they're not fit for public consumption and I would be murdered by a certain bride-to-be.
Just to prolong the fantasy and glamour a wee bit longer, things I loved over the weekend were:
1. The changes made to Britomart- the area down there is just fabulous. There are some gorgeous shops, including the divine Jo Malone and the Kathryn Wilson pop up shoebox, where the staff are great. There are some fantastic bars and restaurants, including 1885 where we danced the night away and L'Assiete who do the best eggs benedict to soothe your hangover. Even the carpark is gorgeous with great murals by one of my favourite NZ artists, Flox.
2. Macarons and hot chocolate pastry- heavenly! We ate our way around the delicious French market, La Cigale and the first bite of the pasttry was........words fail me.
3. Dressing up and wearing makeup, heels and a dress. Not practical for walking, but I enjoyed the elevated status the heels gave me on the dance floor, even if they caused my feet to go numb.
4. Spending good time with a fantastic bunch of ladies and laughing our way through the weekend- it was just great. Its always great to meet a brides friends before the wedding, and with this particular wedding being only a week and a bit away, its going to be a repeat party weekend very soon so we're all very excited!
5. Husbands who hold the fort while you're away and gallantly deal with major poo incidents without panicking or phoning. You're a keeper JR!
Tuesday 15 November 2011
Friday 11 November 2011
Dental Stuff- Amber Teething Beads
I was asked about these again yesterday.
Seeing as crystals and their healing powers don't feature highly in my practice, I did a little bit of research to settle my opinion once and for all, and I've concluded that like many other branches of alternative medicine, its a bit of a scam that preys on parental anxiety, and that someone is making a decent wad of cash from it, so of course they want to continue to sell them.
Dentists are pretty much universally known to be blood sucking money hungry leeches, so I would imagine if there was a shred of decent evidence to support the use of amber teething beads, some of us would be jumping on the bandwagon- especially if there was money to be made from it.
I know there is lots of anecdotal evidence out there that they are a godsend, but the scientist in me remains unconvinced that they are anything but an expensive fashion accessory and a potentially dangerous one at that.
There isn't a single piece of scientific evidence to support the claims that the teething beads do anything near what they claim to, and I also struggle to see how they actually can work releasing any kind of acid at all given they are made from one of the hardest substances on the planet.
Apparently amber has to be heated to 200degC for it to release anything, and if it did release anything, how would you know exactly how much of the substance would be released? How do you know your child isn't allergic to this substance? What else can it do?
I found this blog which is a very good summary, and its well referenced which is essential for a health professional like myself to make any kind of judgement.
I didn't realise that some necklaces cost up to $90 (!!!!!!! yet some of the same parents baulk at spending $45 on a dental checkup?)
Have I used them on my daughter?
Our daughter has been pretty good with the whole teething process.
The two year old molars have yet to make an appearance, but we've got through the rest of the teeth without any magic beads or too much trauma.
I was more worried about the potential choking and strangulation hazards a string of beads on an infant poses, and would happily trade off a sleepless night or two for piece of mind in this regard.
Constant release of any substance into the bloodstream also concerns me (although I highly doubt the beads are capable of this).
Paracetamol in low doses has been clinically proven time and time again to be an effective pain reliever, it can be controlled and measured and given at timed intervals, and very little adverse reactions have been recorded when the medicine is used according to its clinical guidelines.
My advice- save your money- there are lots of awesome kids toys that can be bought for $90. Or use it to buy a decent electric toothbrush.
The memory of teething pain fades pretty quickly, but the memory of toothache or a bad experience at the dental nurse can traumatise children for life- to the detriment of the rest of their dental health.
Seeing as crystals and their healing powers don't feature highly in my practice, I did a little bit of research to settle my opinion once and for all, and I've concluded that like many other branches of alternative medicine, its a bit of a scam that preys on parental anxiety, and that someone is making a decent wad of cash from it, so of course they want to continue to sell them.
Dentists are pretty much universally known to be blood sucking money hungry leeches, so I would imagine if there was a shred of decent evidence to support the use of amber teething beads, some of us would be jumping on the bandwagon- especially if there was money to be made from it.
I know there is lots of anecdotal evidence out there that they are a godsend, but the scientist in me remains unconvinced that they are anything but an expensive fashion accessory and a potentially dangerous one at that.
There isn't a single piece of scientific evidence to support the claims that the teething beads do anything near what they claim to, and I also struggle to see how they actually can work releasing any kind of acid at all given they are made from one of the hardest substances on the planet.
Apparently amber has to be heated to 200degC for it to release anything, and if it did release anything, how would you know exactly how much of the substance would be released? How do you know your child isn't allergic to this substance? What else can it do?
I found this blog which is a very good summary, and its well referenced which is essential for a health professional like myself to make any kind of judgement.
I didn't realise that some necklaces cost up to $90 (!!!!!!! yet some of the same parents baulk at spending $45 on a dental checkup?)
Have I used them on my daughter?
Our daughter has been pretty good with the whole teething process.
The two year old molars have yet to make an appearance, but we've got through the rest of the teeth without any magic beads or too much trauma.
I was more worried about the potential choking and strangulation hazards a string of beads on an infant poses, and would happily trade off a sleepless night or two for piece of mind in this regard.
Constant release of any substance into the bloodstream also concerns me (although I highly doubt the beads are capable of this).
Paracetamol in low doses has been clinically proven time and time again to be an effective pain reliever, it can be controlled and measured and given at timed intervals, and very little adverse reactions have been recorded when the medicine is used according to its clinical guidelines.
My advice- save your money- there are lots of awesome kids toys that can be bought for $90. Or use it to buy a decent electric toothbrush.
The memory of teething pain fades pretty quickly, but the memory of toothache or a bad experience at the dental nurse can traumatise children for life- to the detriment of the rest of their dental health.
Monday 7 November 2011
Things I'm Loving This Week.
Ok, I don't even know if I have done this properly, but here goes! (Edit- turns out I didn't I am the only person on PaisleyJades "Things I'm Loving" page who has posted themselves twice, and misspelt their own name to boot.)
This week I am loving this dress/ top I made for Ruby. I followed the indietutes peasant blouse tutorial and just love the result- it looks great over leggings or shorts and is easy to whip on and off a busy toddler. Have had heaps of comments about it so am pleased.
I am also loving KMarts $4 t-shirts.
I put a couple of applique butterflies on one the other day- and I'm sure it easily added at least $10 to the value! Hows that for an "investment piece"?! Speaking of investment pieces, I tried this on today:
Its the crystalline drape dress from Cybele. I love love love it.. We have a few weddings to go to this summer and it will be perfec event if I do manage to get knocked up with no 2, but at $499, its VERY VERY expensive and I don't think any amount of pleading will let me buy it considering I was recently allowed a new sewing machine and have a large pile of spotlight receipts hidden in my car....
I am also loving longer summer nights, and the christmas feel around town. We are going to get our first christmas tree this year and I can't wait to receive all the ornaments from the Sew Funky Christmas Ornament Swap. I have started on mine, and the lovely ladies in my group have been asking what colours everyone likes- I have blazed on ahead and chosen all mine without getting a single "like' so I hope they do like them!
Finally I love two year olds and the way they make me laugh...even when I am getting a little weary of the constant stream of chatter and commentary about everything. I love the way they optimistically ask for cupcakes for breakfast as if its the most normal thing in the world..
I am also loving KMarts $4 t-shirts.
I am also loving longer summer nights, and the christmas feel around town. We are going to get our first christmas tree this year and I can't wait to receive all the ornaments from the Sew Funky Christmas Ornament Swap. I have started on mine, and the lovely ladies in my group have been asking what colours everyone likes- I have blazed on ahead and chosen all mine without getting a single "like' so I hope they do like them!
Finally I love two year olds and the way they make me laugh...even when I am getting a little weary of the constant stream of chatter and commentary about everything. I love the way they optimistically ask for cupcakes for breakfast as if its the most normal thing in the world..
Stuff I've been making.
I've been pretty busy lately- as well as Miss Rs birthday we've had lots of other birthdays so have been making personal little birthday presents, and have stockpiled a few, such as these zip purses from the Cat Taylor and Mousehouse blogs.
I used gorgeous laminated and nylon Echino fabric from Stitchbird Fabrics for the top one. The second one is lined with fabric from Sew Pretty and is made from waterproof oilcloth from the very generous Linda at La cuisine.
I really like making these- the colour combinations and sizes are endless and they make great gifts which is good because I am only going to need a couple.
I have also made some bunting, some for Miss R and some for a friend- I downloaded a template here and I love that something so quick and easy looks so professional! Even my husband liked it although he did say it looks like a row of G strings. Not sure where he sees those these days- my G string days are well and truly over. 
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