Category: Home


Apr
2016

What bloggers sometimes do on a Saturday

categories: Explore, Home

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So, sometimes bloggers blog and sometimes we hop into an Uber to the #CTmeetup and hang out together and talk about blogging. Earlier this month I went to my first #CTmeetup hosted by Cindy Alfino from 3 Kids, 2 Dogs & 1 Old House. It was great to meet some faces behind the blogs and try to connect the who’s who in the zoo dots.

It was a rather raucous occasion as many bloggers are larger than life in real life and also there was wine. And although this event wasn’t just for Mommy bloggers, many of us in the room were moms who were relishing in an afternoon off from wiping snotty noses and endlessly pouring juice into sippy cups. They say blogging is ‘an escape’ but if you ask me it’s the blogging events on weekends that are really what we look forward to the most. Continue Reading


Apr
2016

Meet the Mama – Catherine Crawford, single Heart Mama to gorgeous little Charlotte

categories: Home, Meet the Mama

Catherine

I met Catherine online in one of my favourite local adoption groups on Facebook called Passionate about adoption – if you’re looking into adoption or have already adopted, then make sure you join this group! Catherine is the lucky Heart Mama to little Charlotte and manages to juggle motherhood as well as her job as Director of Pay it Forward, a foundation which aims to uplift a child’s life through education. Thanks for sharing your story, Catherine.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family.

I am a single mother to Charlotte and I have two siblings. One brother who is 5 yrs older and a twin sister, both of whom are a great support to me.

Did you always know that you wanted to adopt?  

I often thought as a child that I would love to adopt, however this idea faded and when I was married as I thought I might have biological children. Continue Reading


Apr
2016

10 helpful reads for adoptive parents

categories: Home

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Whenever I read a great adoption-themed article online, I share it over on the Heart Mama Blog Facebook page as a reference for myself and to share it with others who might be interested too. It’s easy to lose track of these articles on the newsfeed and so I’ve put together a list of ten of my favourite most recent reads that have helped me refine my views on adoption (I’ve been sneaky and popped in two of my own posts too). I hope you find this list helpful!

  1. 5 reasons a new adoptive mom goes MIA
  2. Helping your preschooler feel good about race
  3. Do you have a reluctant spouse?
  4. For this child I prayed
  5. I thought I was gorgeous until I learned that I was just pretty for a black girl
  6. When the road is long and you’d like to forget about adoption
  7. Bonding with your baby at each developmental stage
  8. My friend’s adoption story inspired me
  9. What white parents should know about adopting black children
  10. About the adoption option

Have you read any helpful articles lately? Please share the link with us in the comments below.


Mar
2016

Q: Why did the tofu cross the road? A: To prove he wasn’t chicken

categories: Explore, Home

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Last week I took my vegetarian self (and a lovely vegetarian-friendly friend) to the Fry’s Vegetarian Cooking evening at Ginger & Lime Food Studio – an interactive cooking school that hosts evening courses in a beautiful home in the heart of Fresnaye. After fighting the traffic in Strand Street to get there (almost) on time, we were welcomed into the dining room with a glass of wine and some vegan sushi platters. It felt as though we’d stepped into a close friend’s dinner party, except that we didn’t know a soul. The place was filled with excited chattering of guests eagerly anticipating an evening of fine dining.

After our sushi starter we stepped into a bright modern kitchen and took our seats centered around the large kitchen counter. Denise, our host for the evening kick started the evening describing her passion for food and then we had the chance to introduce ourselves to each other. As per usual I felt in the minority confessing that I was a vegetarian, although this time it was because I was only vegetarian and not an all-the-way-vegan like the majority of the other guests. (Did you know that you can make vegan bacon? Apparently it tastes just like the real thing…) Continue Reading


Feb
2016

WIN: An online voucher from Bright Owl Paper Goods worth R550

categories: Home, Review I Giveaway

Hand-illustrated foxes and zebras dash across pages alongside landrovers and bicycles, sparking imagination in young hearts and minds with a hint of adventure and a touch of whimsy, while carefully chosen words tell little ones that they’re loved and valued.” – Bright Owl

Today I’d like to introduce this beautiful little company – Bright Owl Paper Goods to you! It was created by fellow Heart Mama, Elke Dunaiski, who used her graphic design skills to start her paper goods business in anticipation of being able to work from home when she became a Mom.

Fast forward a few short years and not only has Elke’s business and family grown with the arrival of her daughter in July last year, but the Bright Owl team has also expanded to include prospective adoptive Mama, Celeste, who is paper pregnant and waiting to be matched with her little one.

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I love how Heart Mamas flock together and love the fresh creativity of these two ladies – scroll down to see for yourself: Continue Reading