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at the chias

at the chias

making a home | finding beauty in the ordinary | living for things that matter

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Here, I share some of the things we use and love. Some of the links are affiliate links, and if you purchase via my links I may get a small commission. Thank you for trusting my recommendations and supporting my website!

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I’m Audrey, a mom of two, living in sunny Singapore. Here, I hope to share inspiring ideas and snippets of our daily ordinary life, to spur you onward and upward.

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@atthechias

Early motherhood isn’t exactly the most glamourous Early motherhood isn’t exactly the most glamourous of seasons. Yet, it doesn’t mean that it has to be sloppy and less-than. 

A tip I learned early on is to focus on 3 simple areas to keep myself looking and feeling presentable. It could be as simple as dressing well even if I’m only going on a grocery run, putting on basic makeup even if I’m only seeing my family, and drying and styling my hair so it stays healthy and shiny. You could even “cheat” with things like a gel manicure or eyebrow embroidery, that don’t require daily maintenance. 

The @dyson_sg Airwrap i.d. is an all-in-one tool that works for both quick and easy hairstyles, and more involved ones. I can blow-dry and brush out my hair at the same time, without having to use a separate brush. For special occasions, the app helps me tailor the heat and timing settings for the perfect curls or waves, without me having to remember or count as I go. 

Search on @shopee_sg BQL-QGV-KGE

#DysonCollectivePlus #DysonSG #DysonHome #DysonBeauty
On mixed aged friendships, and no, I don’t mean fo On mixed aged friendships, and no, I don’t mean for your kids

As much as I love watching my kids in mixed-age environments, cultivating relationships with kids of different ages, I’ve come to realise that such friendships aren’t just good for children, they’re good for adults too. 

==

Today we were driving in the CBD, and a familiar aunty was crossing the road in front of us. I waved frantically and excitedly through the window. 

Many years ago, when I was breaking under the weight of a toxic work environment, I found myself in her office during a lunch break. You see, she’s a GP with a clinic near my workplace. No biggie that she’s 1.5 generations ahead of me. 

In that moment, what I needed was an older, wiser, friend, and she was that to me. I left the clinic with an MC and some drugs for my psychosomatic symptoms, and a dose of courage to confront my struggles. 

==

A few months ago, while digging up letter-writing stationery for my children, I unearthed a letter written to me when I was 12. My mum’s friend, who was living in Japan, was like a penpal to me back then. She’s a generation ahead of me. 

As a tween, my peers weren’t mature enough to be giving good advice, and it’s an age where it’s hard to be receptive to everything parents say. An older friend who isn’t a parent can say much more, and that she did, to encourage me in that season. To this day, she continues to encourage me in my season!

==

Becoming a parent, I’ve started to see friends who are half a generation ahead of me as treasures in my life. Parenting is hard. There is so much unknown that we face. Yet, having carried their babies and now watching them launch those babies into adulthood, I have stronger conviction of the impact of my role as a parent, and deeper understanding of how I steward but not author my children’s lives. 

==

If you’ve read till this point, all this to say, go find friends who are of a different generation from you. There is so much to gain from building relationships with people of different ages. And yes, I do need to invest in relationships with younger friends too!
“What’s for lunch?” “Can I have a snack?” This @t “What’s for lunch?”
“Can I have a snack?”

This @tjean_online steam oven has multiple functions packed into a small box, perfect for our small homes. I was impressed by the quality of the finishings and versatility of the machine. It’s probably best suited for small families — this machine will go to my parents now that they’re empty nesters. 

Other than the functions featured here, it can also dehydrate fruit, ferment yogurt, and steam bake. I used the probe thermometer to cook juicy chicken breasts, and you can do the same with other meats (roast beef anyone?). 

Find it on Shopee: ADU-SFZ-LPV
Blowouts are part and parcel of parenting, but the Blowouts are part and parcel of parenting, but they can be greatly reduced with a few tricks 😉😬

What else would you add?

#parentinghack
What would you add to the list? What would you add to the list?

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