About Me

Hi, I’m Maddie. I’m not a tastemaker or trendsetter or curator. I’m not a style guru or influencer. I’m just a Graphic Designer mum to three year old daughter, Aspen and I see stuff on the internets that I get an itch to share with other mum friends. Since so many kid style sites out there show the perfect and pristine, Colour Me There is a chaotic, colourful oasis with just a dash of quirk to add a bit of spice to your day. Words are kept to a minimum so you can get your colour fix in those mummy nanoseconds you have spare.

Our little family lives in sunny Brisbane, Australia after many years abroad living in Calgary, Canada where Aspen and Coco (our crazy beagle) were born. Our daughter was named after the beautiful Aspen trees we fell in love with in Canada but she’s allowed to tell her mates that her parents were extreme snowboarders who named her after the ski resort…for extra street cred…

More recently we lived in Christchurch, New Zealand. We experienced the devastation of the earthquakes and have a fierce love for this city which was once so beautiful and now stands in ruins. Leaving was one of the hardest things we’ve had to do but also the most necessary. Now that we’re back home in Brisbane, we’re coming to terms with the lack of snow (frowny face) and how much has changed (including ourselves). You just never know where life will take you!

Feel free to contact me if you have any feedback, questions or generous praise colourmethere(at)gmail(dot)com

 

How life before Motherhood prepared me for the job:

A love of musicals. I pretty much have a theme song for every activity. “Shnee Shna Shnappy” makes nappy time so much more bearable for all involved.

Mad Tetris skillz. A mile high stack of dirty dishes and one small dishrack is not mission impossible. I can fit 50 plates/pots/bowls into that little thing with the precision of an Aztec pyramid builder. Of course, it requires just as much precision to unstack it. I haven’t lost a plate yet.

A high pain threshold. Having my entire back tattooed is nothing compared to the pain of a 3am toe-stub that you can’t react to because you’re carrying an almost-asleep baby in your arms.

A sense of humour. ’nuff said.

‘Nightclub Ear’. My years of dancing two feet from the speakers at nightclubs has meant that the thousand decibel screams right next to my ear are like enchanting fairy music.

A million do’s. Throughout my life, I have experimented with every hair colour, style and cut you can possibly dream up. My husband met me in a fauxhawk phase and shaved it all off for me at one point and then on our wedding day, I wore a friend’s hair extension. Thus I don’t feel as if I’m missing out on anything when I shove my hair into my ‘signature cap’ every. single. day.

Multi-tasking. Working in the fast-paced ad industry for over 15 years has given me the ability to work to crazy deadlines (1, 3, 5am feedings), take client direction (calm screaming baby), be creative (find solution to screaming baby) all while maintaining my sanity*. Aspen is the ultimate ‘demanding client’.

*claim unsubstantiated by impartial third party

 

Things I’ve learned in my on-the-job training:

I have more patience than I ever thought I had.

I will never say “My Child will never…”

Kids are pretty resilient things.

Toy batteries never last long enough.

Just when you think you can’t handle any more, something else comes along and you handle it.

Everyone has their own opinion and set of experiences based on their own kids. Noone has ever had your child and been in exactly your situation so it’s OK for you to go with your gut – you know your own kid best.

Being a Mum is the best job in the world (except when it’s not).

 

Things I like to feature:

• Small businesses (especially ones run by parents)
• Eco friendly products
• Anything local
• Quirky / Fun / Colourful products
• Inspiring interiors
• Things I’d like to make
• Apps for Kids and Mums

 

Contact me here: