Sponsored Post
I sat across from my friend and stifled a giggle. We felt like kids waiting to be found out after stumbling on an amazing world of grown-up wonder. I’m sure there was an invisible but impressionable sign on our foreheads with these words inscribed: mums on a night out.
Looking around, I could see sparkling glasses, shiny plates and white tablecloths; order, efficiency and poise; happy people, glamorous light displays and copious amounts of silver cutlery. Hello Cinderella moment! The last time I was at a fancy-fancy restaurant…was…thinking…thinking…
“Can you believe we are here right now?” I said to my dinner-date more than once during the night.
When asked to road test the ultimate date night AND giveaway a package for your blog readers, well – you say yes please! My husband is hard to pin down because of his work commitments so I arranged for my friend Bernie to keep me company. She came reluctantly, as you can see by her reply to my request.
This is how it went…
Live music greeted Bernie and I as we checked into Hotel Urban in Brisbane. There was perfume to try at the counter (I liked Brittany Spears – Fantasy), flowers, chandeliers, fancy couches and chocolates in our 2 x double bed room.
Getting dressed…
This night was in celebration of a new product by my favourite underwear brand. Berlei makes the most comfortable bras and now do legwear too. In true Berlei form: without a doubt THE most comfortable tights I have ever worn. Love, love, love! The Dig Free hosiery holds you in all the right places so you feel feminine and confident without the discomfort. There’s this wide band up the top so they sit beautifully under clothes and I felt nothing short of fabulous in them!
I promise Bernie and I didn’t mean to match our outfits so well. We both wore the 100 Denier Opaque tights in black.
Check it out online…
Barely There Legwear is available in an 8 Denier Light Shaper with control waistband and unique invisible shaping, 8 Denier Firm Shaper with innovative firming and slimming solutions, or 8 Denier Toe Less sheers. Available in Naked, Golden, Fair, Natural and Black RRP $15.95.
Dig Free Legwear is available in 15 Denier Sheer, 100 Denier Opaque tight and 100 Denier Opaque full length leggings. Available in Naked, Golden and Black RRP $14.95.
Dinner…
With the choice of any restaurant in Brisbane, Bernie and I decided on celebrity chef Matt Moran’s restaurant Aria, which sits on the edge of the Brisbane River overlooking the Story Bridge. Three letters: W.O.W. The incredibleness of the food made me want to sob with happiness.
It was a treat to linger over the menu, reading each description of mouth-watering combinations. Three courses to pick! Bernie picked the same entrée and dessert as I, but went with a perfectly cooked steak for the main meal.
SCALLOPS
seared and served with crisp chicken, seaweed, apple and radishDAUBE
of Ranger’s Valley beef cheeks with carrot purée and toasted oatsSOUFFLÉ
raspberry soufflé with white chocolate mousse and a raspberry salad
After dinner…
Two happy women finished the night wandering along the lit bank of the Brisbane River before heading back to the hotel for a blissful night’s sleep in a soft bed with crisp linen. I was curious to see how the hosiery held up after three courses of food and a walk. The verdict: I could LIVE in them!
Both Bernie and I mentioned what a perfect night it was. We chatted for hours about things I don’t remember and laughed out loud like silly school girls. Ah, yes, it was a good time. I needed that. It’s important to have these Cinderella moments as a mother sometimes, to remember yourself as woman. Isn’t it?
It was a difficult job, but someone had to do it. Ha! Adored every minute of it. Now, over to you…
Giveaway $1,000 Date Night!
Thanks to Berlei, I’m giving away The Ultimate Date Night Package worth $1,000, covering:
– A restaurant dinner for two
– One night’s hotel accommodation
– Limousine transfers from hotel to restaurant.
– Berlei Dig Free product
To Enter
Simply answer this question in the comments below:
Share how you make yourself feel like a woman (as a mum)?
Terms and Conditions
Open from Monday 29th April to Monday 20 May 2013. Open to Australian residents over 18 years of age only. Read the full list of terms and conditions here.
Coming into winter now, and tights have become a wardrobe essential. Pictured above are some of the ways I’ve worn them in the last couple of weeks.
Disclosure
Read my disclosure policy here.
190 Comments
Oriella Drovandi
May 2, 2013 at 10:24 amLip gloss! Not my daughters but mine!!
Trish Watson
May 2, 2013 at 10:39 amI would like to sit quietly and read a book. Or go shopping and slowly stroll in and out of shops without “I wanna go home!!” In the background!
Rebecca
May 2, 2013 at 10:41 amI always try to have nice nail polish – even if it’s just the plain pearly one, as well as mascara and lip gloss every day. Oh, and I get a keratin treatment in my hair every few months so I have nice hair! 🙂
Belinda Lenihan
May 2, 2013 at 11:18 amI love getting my hair washed & straightened at the hairdressers, they always make me feel wonderfully refreshed and i feel fantastic after, I dont do it very often though, with 4 little kids I don’t get out much!
Sophie Sharp
May 2, 2013 at 11:49 amPutting on a pair of heels
Jess Geldens
May 2, 2013 at 12:02 pmDefinitely some form of pampering, soaking my feet in a foot spa or having my hair done are a few favourites – with a cup of tea if course 🙂
Lucretia Stewart
May 2, 2013 at 12:04 pmI always make sure I look nice even if its just to drop the kids at school. Looking good makes you feel great through out the whole day .
Kirstie
May 2, 2013 at 12:20 pmWe go out by ourselves every now and then, it’s been 3 months since the last time, but even the memories of a great night out with good friends can keep you feeling like “You” rather than “Mum”, as much as I love being a Mum, I can miss “Me” sometimes 🙂
Lisa May
May 2, 2013 at 12:32 pmShave my legs 🙂
Danielle Baldwin
May 2, 2013 at 12:48 pmHaving an uninterrupted shower (when hubby is on duty) and shaving my legs WITH shaving cream (not just a quick soapy shave in the shower), followed by moisturizing my whole body and some eyebrow plucking. This may sound simple but with 3 kids I actually don’t “indulge” like this very often and it really makes me feel like a woman again 🙂
Kerri Jackson
May 2, 2013 at 12:52 pmI’ve forgotten what it feels like to be a woman. 🙁 We haven’t been on a date in over 2 and a half years! But from my shaky memory putting on something nice and a pair of heels always did the job for me. Nothing is more feminine than doing a ‘sexy’ walk in a great outfit and heels 🙂
benita philipson
May 2, 2013 at 1:01 pmI wash and straighten my hair, grab a fun gossip magazine and head out for an uninterrupted coffee to breathe and catchup on me time…one of my favourite things to do…a dinner date with my husband is also a winner however it’s been over 6mths since we have done it due to kids, renovations,and limited finances…
Tiffany Pearce
May 2, 2013 at 1:09 pmAs a busy mum of a 1 and 2 year old boy I often forget what it feels like to be a “women”.
When I am in need I like to pull out my usual messy bun and run some nice loose curls through my hair. Whether it goes noticed or unnoticed by my partner it always gets me feeling more like the beautiful T.V mums.
Sam Symonds
May 2, 2013 at 1:12 pmHaving a shower by myself is a good start. I love to go and get my hair cut and coloured, escaping the house to have some me one where I get pampered is awesome. But the best thing has been losing weight and fitting back into my awesome jeans and having my husband notice and appreciate this. We went out for a movie (first time in I don’t know how long) and him holding my hand like we did when we dated (not walking hold kids hands) and standing with his arm around me made me feel more like a woman then anything else ever has.
Mindo Koerber
May 2, 2013 at 2:59 pmNot all, but almost all women like jewelleries. I like wearing jewelleries. That makes my day seems complete and more attractive. My daughter sometimes gave me stickers and put it on my (always) left side of my chest. That will be my brooch for that day. Or sometimes I wear handmade jewelleries that she made for me from straw or piece of paper. Most of the time “those jewelleries”raise questions from people that I met and I proudly say, my daughter made/gave it to me. Since I gave a birth 3 years ago, its hard to seperate myself from being a woman only or a mum only. It seems its bind together now, as a mum and a woman, and I feel happy for that.
Shelley Cluley
May 2, 2013 at 3:19 pmJust getting out the door without child makes me feel like woman but just spending that little bit of time by myself getting ready. Without wrestling for the face brush and bottle of blush. Doing my nails, being able to dry my hair and putting on a dress I haven’t worn in a while and heels!!! Oh heels, how I miss you!!!!
Margy Still
May 2, 2013 at 3:22 pmI like to mess about with my hair and try different styles.
Ali
May 2, 2013 at 3:49 pmWhen the kids are in bed and all is quiet nothing beats a long, hot bath with candles, a glass of bubbles!
Sarah
May 2, 2013 at 3:55 pmPerfume! Even when I am racing to pick up young Sir after a busy day, so long as I have a quick spray i feel like a new woman (and everyone needs that feeling!).
Stephanie Richards
May 2, 2013 at 3:57 pmAs a mum of 1 beautiful daughter, I like to take time out to get dressed up occasionally and do my hair and makeup and go out with my partner. There’s nothing like putting on a nice frock and a pair of heels to drag yourself out of mum mode and remind yourself that you are a beautiful woman who has everything to offer to the world.
Anne Carran
May 2, 2013 at 4:08 pmWith a splash of colour on my cheeks, a dash of charcoal eyeliner, a top knot bun on my head with a bright, usually polka dot scarf tied around like a head band with a half bow on the side I leave for work every morning feeling like the woman I am on the inside. A little excentric, a little crazy and lots of fun. I am an art teacher so I can get away with the bright colours & crazy prints. If truth be told my scarf is usually hiding my unkept, unwashed hair and my minimalist make up routine works with my morning schedule before my very active toddler comes racing in. It works for me & I leave for work at 6am mon-fri with a spring in my step. Oh can’t forget my blue-rimmed love heart sunnies. Ps it’s my husband who deserves the date night for putting up with a newly pregnant wife who wants to be in bed asleep by 7.30pm and taking on the Mr Mum role- cooking, cleaning & looking after our toddler. He is all kinds of awesome. x
Rebecca Roffman
May 2, 2013 at 4:34 pmAfter with being pregnant or breast feeding (I’m currently feeding my 8 month old daughter) for the last 5 plus years my answer would be wearing non feeding tops and a normal bra. It doesn’t take much to keep me happy 🙂 What an AWESOME competition! Fingers crossed
Georgia
May 2, 2013 at 4:41 pmHaving a bath, in peace, without my kids coming in and out saying ‘rudey bum!’
Samantha Outten
May 2, 2013 at 9:59 pmI put my make-up on every day, do something with my hair and dress feminine, not impractical but just feminine. If I look good, I feel good and if I look good, I get sweet comments from hubby which is always a bit of a booster! 🙂
Lee-Ann Chambers
May 3, 2013 at 12:50 pmI feel like a woman on the days I manage to step out of the door with clothes on with no stains from kids and there on the right way (not inside out) and just being able to go to the toilet by myself lol
Kerrie-Anne
May 3, 2013 at 2:36 pmSimply by putting on tinted moisturiser, mascara, some lipgloss and my favourite perfume! It is always nice when my Lil Miss 3 year old wants me put some on her as well (I just put on a very, very tiny amount or I pretend I have). 🙂
Penny
May 3, 2013 at 8:17 pmTo feel like a Mum I do something for them
They make my world sparkle like a rare gem.
To feel like a women I do something for me
It’s maintaining the two that’s really the key!
Renae Elsie Georg
May 4, 2013 at 7:38 pmA shower a day,
keeps the odour away.
A brush of my hair,
means the public I won’t scare.
And some make-up to make me look human,
These are the things that make me feel like a woman.
Talia
May 4, 2013 at 8:01 pmHow do I feel like a woman (as a mum). Good question!
The bible. It’s quite full of women’s empowerment (including empowering mums!!) and I find that when I dig into that I come away feeling much more like a woman – desperately loved and cared for, special, unique and cherished!
Lauren
May 6, 2013 at 10:21 amI think I’m still learning – my first is only 6 months old… I’m no longer too discerning, but managing to brush my hair is a start, I’m told! (Right? RIGHT?! =P)
Jacqui
May 6, 2013 at 6:53 pmI can’t wear my hair down at work so on my day off I love to wear it down and wavy! Last night my 3.5 year old daughter came by and touched my hair and said “I love it when your hair is hurly and down, it’s so nice” and for the first time in a long time I felt radiant, studying at the dining table after cooking dinner in my jim jams!
Kathryn
May 7, 2013 at 2:19 pmI have 3 boys (as Kelly likes to say, I am the pink in a house of blue!), so there isn’t too much girly stuff in my house (except my sewing room) but I love to wear a flower in my hair most days. At church I’m known as ‘the girl with the flower in her hair’ – that’s how often I wear them! If I’m going out other than to school and shopping, I like to dress nicely, wear pretty shoes and jewellery. My husband has just finished studying and is now working two jobs as a nurse, so we don’t get time to go out together, but since it’s our 10th anniversary this year, this date package would be amazing!
Paige Yang
May 10, 2013 at 5:04 pmAside from dressing myself up femininely, doing most shopping, cooking delicious meals for my lovely families, knitting and sewing beautiful outfits for my kids, cleaning and decorating my home properly and getting everything well-organised and well-scheduled make myself feel like a woman. Personally, housework isn’t a hard task or job, it’s fun for me. As a full-time mum, it keeps me busy and never feeling bored when I stay at home.
Amber Scheld
May 17, 2013 at 8:07 amMy signature red lippy makes me feel good and stylish even when I feel like poo from being awake all night with my youngest.
Becky Truloff
May 17, 2013 at 8:08 amI like to get a pedicure and enjoy the massage chair, once every now and again 🙂
Penny Worl
May 17, 2013 at 8:08 amI hate to admit it but I feel like a woman most when I finally get the time to shampoo my hair! And I also admit that I do sometimes go 1+ weeks without running shampoo or conditioner through my hair! So when I finally get to… boy do I feel like a woman!
lou
May 17, 2013 at 8:09 amfeminine underwear. nobody needs to see it but me (and maybe hubby if he helps with the housework). it is one thing that I don’t have to share with my daughter. everyone feels a little bit sexy with secret lingerie on
Sandahl Svilans
May 17, 2013 at 8:09 amPutting on make up , doing my hair and getting a new dress , being a mum of 3 that doesn’t happen very often but when I do it, makes me feel like a new women 🙂
Tam
May 17, 2013 at 8:09 amI try to dress nicely but comfortably every day. Some times it’s hard to fit it in on the morning, but as long as I have brushed my hair before we leave the house I am happy!
Lynette
May 17, 2013 at 8:10 amI like to put a bit of make up on and wear a pair of shoes that have a heel instead of my sneakers! 🙂
Sallyann Silver
May 17, 2013 at 8:11 amLiving in a small rural town, we don’t have a lot of chances to dress up. We have one pub and a crappy pub restaurant! I would love to treat my one of my friends (who never gets out without the kids) to an awesome unforgettable night of drinks, dinner, dancing, shopping and sleep ins! Dressing up has always made me feel fantastic. Please help me help her feel special!!!!!!!!
K McLean
May 17, 2013 at 8:14 amIt’s hard with a baby! I need to still put my perfume on everyday….even if I don’t get a second to brush my hair properly!!
Kath Murphy
May 17, 2013 at 8:15 amI always wear pretty undies, being a mum doesn’t mean losing the lovely feeling of lace 🙂
Rebecca Euston
May 17, 2013 at 8:15 amI try to wear nice underwear as a Mum. It makes me feel good about myself
alana
May 17, 2013 at 8:23 amAhhhh I sit here in the dark, the house perfectly quiet. I was asleep but my kids had other ideas and so they peacefully sleep with daddy on mummy’s side of the bed. It must be fate because I probably wouldn’t have time to enter a contest!!! What makes me feel like a woman? Gosh it’s amazing transformation from when I was childless to now….I wouldn’t change a thing! I used to take a good hour just to do my makeup but now give me 3minutes and I’m done! I swear I’ve been using the same mineral powder, blush, mascara and gloss for 5 years since my first child arrived hahaha!! I’m too scared to change it in fear I will need 5minutes instead of 3, and end up spending the day looking like Ronald McDonald! So to answer your question…. What makes mummy feel like a woman my answer would be……….3 minutes:-)
Donna Cadogan
May 17, 2013 at 8:24 amIt’s hard to do, and sometimes it feels impossible. But when I feel that way, I know to dress up in something pretty (even if I’m not even leaving the house) and put on some mascara and lip gloss.
Kim Walkington
May 17, 2013 at 8:24 amAs a recently widowed not quite 40 mum, I need the occasional childless night with my friends. I would love to share a special one with my BF who has helped me through my darkest days.
Bec
May 17, 2013 at 8:26 amTry to do something just for me, a bath, a run, or a good catch up with my best friend (who is child free)!
Sophie
May 17, 2013 at 8:29 amGo to the beautician and get waxed and then go home (with no kids around!!) put on some nice moisturizer on my whole body and dress up nicely… Doesn t happen that often anymore… :-/
Ffyona Rigby
May 17, 2013 at 8:32 amAs a busy single mum of 5, sometimes I feel lost in a world of nappies, dishes, washing, school uniforms and conversations about cats, superheroes and Lego. Feeling like myself, finding the woman inside the event coordinator/taxi driver/ referee is a sometimes difficult task but on occasion it’s as simple as putting on a new pair of stockings, wearing some “dangly earrings” or having a cup of coffee before it has gone tepid. When they are all snuggled and fed, all the books read and finally in bed, I have time to remember that it’s me, and the woman I am, that stays strong and true. I snuggle into my bed wearing pink pyjamas and smile a distinctly girly smile.