Babyjo Blog

Mmmmm Coffee

2012-01-27T22:20:00.000-08:00

I did something huge today... I 'dropped' my beloved favourite local cafe and walked across the road to the "OTHER" cafe... because they serve fairtrade coffee. You know how I was saying I need to put my money where my mouth is.. well now my mouth has to catch up with my money :D

I wonder if I can take my takeaway coffee over there and sit with my usual bunch of friends for our morning chitty chat... maybe if I buy brekkie from them? They do serve free range eggs after-all :)

Walls of Green Silence

2012-01-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

Babyjo is such a gorgeous clothing range so it is essential to me that I continue to keep the beauty, love and ethics it has been built on going forward.

I have decided the origin of the organic cotton component of the clothing needs more investigating, because I knew zero about its origin or the people who had gathered it, processed it and worked with it.

I am happy with my current bamboo supplier. Yet, I have been burnt already - in just the few short weeks I have owned an eco brand, I found one of the suppliers (now dumped) flogging off cheap copies of our garments - even with our logo on them. I called them on it - and now they are refusing to answer my calls and emails.

When I was researching developing my own cloth nappy last year, I approached a Chinese manufacturer from off Alibaba.com, and requested a sample. They were SO excited to send me A VERY Well known Australian brand as their sample that I could "exact copy really cheap".
Yes, sadly, it is a true story. Going green is just another commodity until we balance the ethics on all levels - from production to completion with all the processes in between accounted for.

I also found many other Australian companies who use these Chinese companies, who are unknowingly being being treated the same (I could literally order anything and sew my own label on it that is an exact copy of my competitors.. nice huh?). Even custom prints can be purchased for copy.

I do have to add here, that I have found a good bamboo fabric supplier in China who is far more ethical and reliable.

I am currently researching fair trade option for bamboo fabric production, which is interesting to say the least. The bamboo textile production method patent belongs to just 1 company - so it is a pretty closed industry.

So, the bamboo journey continues on, with the organic cotton now in it's weave :)

Amanda

Bamboo Dreams

2012-01-15T20:20:00.000-08:00

I am most excited to find a man in Australia who loves Bamboo as much as I do (if not more!). Mr Durnford Dart, who has the nickname in the industry of 'Mr. Bamboo' - of course :). He has devoted 20 years of his life to growing and harvesting bamboo, right here in Australia. He is Australia's very own leading bamboo farmer! I am inspired and excited to connect with him.

Bamboo is such a quickly renewable resource as it is the fastest growing plant on earth - talk about sustainable! It grows anywhere from 30cms – 1.2m in a single day, and with sufficient rainfall it requires no additional irrigation. There is NO need to cut down our beautiful rainforests. The Chinese have been making paper from bamboo for over 1,500 years!

Bamboo grows so well in our warm climate area, and seeing this in action is inspirational. Investigating the possibility of bamboo textile production in Australia seems insurmountable to me at times, with the huge costs involved in setting up the technology to turn raw bamboo into a fibre. But, knowing now there are others out there hoping and working towards the same goal is uplifting.

So in between running babyjo and researching and writing about my bamboo trail journey - there is not much in my day that doesn't involve.. well - bamboo. :)

My next stop is to investigate natural and eco dyes and dyeing methods using these more sustainable methods . . . I'm not sure it is even possible to do so with bamboo fibre - so time to find out!

Bamboo fascinating fact: Traditional Oriental belief holds that being in a bamboo grove restores calmness and stimulates creativity... no wonder bamboo groves were also a favourite dwelling place of the Buddha!

Amanda

On the bamboo trail...

2012-01-04T15:50:00.000-08:00

It's official that I am even more in love with Bamboo now that I am getting knee deep into my research of this incredible resource.

I’m in search of Australian bamboo. It just so happens I have a holiday booked to the northern rivers of NSW (before the opportunity to buy babyjo had even come up ;). Upon arrival I was very excited to discover bamboo – is everywhere! Bamboo certainly is not growing in my local Blue Mountains town in NSW.

The gorgeous house @ Bangalow we rented was called Bungalow3 (divine plus!) and even had a bamboo fence or 2 and a bamboo tree outside the window :) I took that as a very good omen on arrival.

A bit of research on my holiday (thanks to google and some phone calls), means I have discovered that Australia actually has about 5 species of native bamboo . . so perhaps my dream of using Australian bamboo for babyjo isn’t such a pipe dream after-all . . . It makes much more environmental sense to support local industry and get the resource as locally sourced as possible.

My love of Bamboo and passion to find a resource that is sustainable, has taken me on a search of bamboo forests across the northern rives. I am finding lovely spots daily where I can sit under the VERY tall bamboo shoots and marvel at the grandeur and simplicity of a bamboo plantation. I cuddle my son (in his babyjo romper ;) and it’s pretty hard to believe that these gorgeous plants can turn into my equally gorgeous clothing range.

I have realized it is time for me to investigate the 'how’ of bamboo fibre production a little more. I don’t know all that much about the actual process of transforming bamboo trees into bamboo fibre clothing, and I want to make sure I am doing it as environmentally friendly as possible.Time to ask my chinese manufacturer a few questions ;)

As I transform my own knowledge I can't help but feel there is a global shift taking place - where we can all start to consciously create our futures instead of the old 'search and destroy' mentality.

Definitely on the bamboo trail now – and loving it.

Oh I must also confess that I am certainly making some time to spend by the ocean - running on the beach with my beautiful children :)

2011-12-28T18:46:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to say how excited I am to be the new owner of babyjo bamboo wear. I am passionate about creating a sustainable way of living for our beautiful Earth and babyjo offers me the perfect platform to create and educate about sustainable resources.

A tiny bit about me: I owned and ran an organic baby store for 2 years prior to taking up the opportunity to buy babyjo. I have 2 gorgeous children (including 1 bub small enough to wear babyjo luckily! :D). We live in the beautiful upper Blue Mountains of NSW.

I am looking forward to getting to know bamboo more thoroughly, and all of you who have been supporters of babyjo thus far, as well as all the new lovers of babyjo that I know will inevitably fall in love with bamboo baby clothing too.

Amanda

Christmas Gifts for Kids

2010-11-20T00:42:00.000-08:00

One of our favourite customers, (a SAHM mother to 2 gorgeous boys) has written a guest post for us this month - a great read for anyone looking to purchase Christmas gifts for little ones.
Shellie is passionate about our Environment (and protecting it) and raises some great points below.

"This Christmas, more than ever, I am determined that we should give
the earth a Happy New Year by making environmentally friendly
choices. I find that Christmas is a time where we really are
speaking with our wallets, and thus it is so important that we buy
carefully.
So often a gift is bought just for the sake of something to give. I
feel that if you are stuck for what to buy something, it is best to
donate on their behalf instead. I have some young cousins who are
really difficult to buy for and in the past I have used the TEAR and
OXFAM websites which have many choices available such as "buying"
school supplies for children, mosquito nets, or a chook for a
family. Greenpeace is another good one where you can donate money to
protect rainforests. Orangutans.com.au offer "cards-for-a-cause" and
a search of the internet will find you many similar options.

My immediate family do a Kris Kringle where the gift has to have cost
nothing (being a farming family, we are conscious of the environment
and do not like to waste money just for the sake of giving a gift).
This year I have made my brother a photo album from cereal boxes
decorated with scraps of paper and copies of his baby photos with a
bit of writing about him. My sister is going to help my mum paint
her house and my mum is brilliant at making things from wood so i am
sure to get something great from her.

My Mum's relatives come up with a gift swapping game, where we all
put one gift into the centre. we then take turns to either chose a
gift from the pile, or to steal one off another person. This year,
the gifts that we have to put in must be something that we have at
home, but no longer use. i have plenty of things i can put in!
My dad's family too, have adopted this idea. we have our Christmas
gathering the weekend before Christmas and this year I will be sure
that I put in only environmentally friendly gifts - a notepad made
from post consumer recycled paper and a pen from
www.goinggreensolutions.com.au
Some of my other favourite sites are www.biome.com.au and
www.todae.com.au
I recently bought my kids a little solar car from
Todae ($12) which is great to teach them about energy.
I have been searching for great gifts for my kids and for the
children of my best friend and have come across many wonderful
sites.
My favourites being
www.ecotoys.com.au
www.honeybeetoys.com.au and
www.thetribestore.com.au

My kids favourite toys are organic wooden "anamalz" and each birthday
and christmas we add something to their collection.
"greentoys" make some wonderful items including a tea set made from
recycled plastic bottles (their range can be found at
www.ecotoys.com.au)

"Boon" make bath toys that are bpa free and do not have holes in the
bottom to allow toys such as ducks to fill up with yucky water which
is then drunk by cheeky children. They also have some innovative
bath toys such as a ring toss game.

My favourite new item that I am looking at for my own children is the
rainbow nesting blocks from www.ecotoys.com.au. these are brightly
coloured blocks in various shapes - square, triangle and crescent -
that can be stacked in any way that you can think of. I love these
sorts of toys for kids as it gives them a chance to really use their
imagination. The blocks are made from environmentally friendly
rubber wood. I know that I can trust ecotoys and that they only
stock good quality, environmentally friendly products. For this
reason, I have passed their website on to family who are looking at
what to buy for my children.
I also saw an idea of making your own Christmas bonbons by using
toilet rolls. I have found some great little things that can fit
inside a toilet roll - wooden pencils from "Save the children" and
some organic lip balm. I also have some brilliant family jokes to
put inside. but i wont be sharing those here!
Finally, there is nothing better after a christmas lunch that to have
a great conversation with your relatives while you wash the dishes
(no need for disposable plates and cutlery).
So, this year, lets all give the earth a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year by making our purchases carefully."

Thanks Shellie for sharing this special post with us - It sounds as though you will be enjoying a wonderful Christmas with your beautiful family!
Jo.........

2010-08-26T01:53:00.000-07:00

About three things I was absolutely positive....... First, winter was in full swing. Second, there is a part of me that absolutely adores hats of shape and kind. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with bamboo!

You could be forgiven for thinking I am in a Twilight-induced-blog-posting-haze, however this is NOT the case. I have just found out that my good friend Simone over at Monkey Caboose has some totally divine winter hats made from....... (you guessed it) BAMBOO!

Zooni Mop Top bamboo hats feature one-of-a-kind designs that are guaranteed to turn heads! Each hat is hand knit with love and care from custom made bamboo yarn. Lined with soft fleece or jersey, these hats provide maximum warmth and comfort for your child. The perfect finishing touch to any outfit - and boy are they cute!

Zooni bamboo hats are available in 3 sizes - Small (6-12 months), Medium (12 -24 Months) and Large (2-5 yrs) you can dress your little person in a beautiful, warm and absolutely gorgeous winter hat.

Monkey Caboose has two bamboo styles available - "Dyno-mite" and "Sweet on you" Cupcake and a huge range of other adorable Zooni hats for winter - I just love them!

Whirlwind

2010-08-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

An update on the past week or so - It has been so very busy, but oh-so-much fun!
You have probably seen it on Facebook, or via twitter, however I was so excited to be at the Connect2Mums AusMumpreneur Awards in Brisbane last Saturday. The room was full of amazingly talented and hugely inspiring women, the "vibe" was contagious and I had an absolute ball.

Prior to jumping on the plane, I woke up early on the Saturday morning to cook up some pancakes (a treat in our house!) and watch The Today Show - it was so surreal watching myself of Television, but such a great experience. Mia loved seeing herself on there as well!
You can view the segment if you missed it - here on the Today Show website.I spent a lovely (almost) 24 hours in Brisbane - oh how I love their warm weather! It was so nice to go out in just an evening dress and not have to worry about a jacket/warmth or the idea that it may rain.It was an eventful night, and I am pleased to say that Babyjo was awarded the Best Eco Friendly Business Award on the evening - something that I am so proud of!
Thank you to both Peace and Katy and Connect2Mums - it was so lovely to be involved in the AusMumpreneur awards.

Here are a few cheeky pics of the evening - courtesy of Tanya at Love Bytes photography. Tan did an amazing job, capturing all the fun of the conference and speed networking, not to mention the gorgeous "photo booth" at the Awards dinner.

Pictured above is Anke from www.herbology.com.au - I was so lucky to receive a gorgeous big basket of herbal tea and other goodies from Anke, who sponsored the Eco Friendly award category. Thanks Anke!

Crazy

2010-07-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

Wow - just trying to find the time to write a blog post this month is proving difficult! It seems as though 30 days have been bundled up and rolled into one week - Where did the time go?

I am so excited to be jumping on a plane tomorrow and heading up to the Connect2Mums AusMumpreneur Awards in Brisbane - regardless of the outcome, I am still so proud to be a finalist in the Eco Friendly Business category, and I am really looking forward to a great night out with a room full of amazingly talented women!
This week's highlight was having Channel 9 and an interviewer from The Today Show at our house - I/Babyjo have been interviewed for a story that will run tomorrow morning (Saturday 31st July) at around 8.10am on Mumpreneurs and the AusMumpreneur Awards , along with the lovely Elizabeth from La Toriana, and Antonette Golikidis from Little Innoscents - I am nervously anticipating seeing myself on the TV - it is a first for me, so I am not sure what to expect just yet~

Another exciting media event for me this month was inclusion in The Sunday Age - a very well written article on Successful women and a study in flexibility. Mia and I even had a lovely photo inclusion which you can see below!

So, what's next - hmmmmm, will have to put on the thinking cap and come up with something exciting for next month!

Make sure that you make the most of the last day of July tomorrow , it wont come back for another year!

An award for our environment

2010-07-18T02:34:00.001-07:00

What a busy few weeks it has been!
Initially, I was so chuffed to hear that Babyjo had been nominated for an Award at the upcoming Connect2Mums AusMumpreneur Awards to be held in Brisbane on the 31st July.

I was then even more excited to find that we are now a finalist (with 4 others) in the category of "Best Eco Friendly Business". The other finalists are just amazing, each with their own fantastic business that has a strong focus on being eco friendly and environmentally responsible/aware. You can read more about them here at Connect2Mums.
I love the fact that there is a business award for this category, and regardless of the outcome, our world is still better off for the changes that we are all striving to make - Every bit counts!

So.......I have my plane tickets ready (get me out of this chilly Melbourne weather!) and a lovely "frock" ready for the evening, and I am so looking forward to meeting so many fabulous business owners and amazingly talented "Mumpreneurs".

The AusMumpreneur Awards celebrate and recognize those achieving success in the industry, in areas such as business, product development, services and innovation in both online and bricks and mortar businesses from around Australia.

In conjunction with a super 3 day conference, the AusMumpreneur Awards take place at a glamourous Awards dinner at Rydges, Southbank, Brisbane on Saturday 31 July. These awards are the only events of their kind in Australia and will be officially opened by Hon Karen Struthers MP the Minister for Women.

Connect2mums provides a safe and supportive environment for women in online businesses to get together and share information, network and gain support. The site provides members with relevant information and opportunities to interact and socialise with other mums across Australia and New Zealand. Friday night live chats, newsletters, product reviews, real-life events, competitions and articles are just some of the ways women get connected at Connect2mums.

For more information on the the AusMumpreneur Awards visit: www.connect2mums.com.au or you can email connect2mums@gmail.com

We do things differently around here!

2010-07-04T02:19:00.000-07:00

I've been busily working away this weekend - which is a big plus when the weather is as cold as it is! We are so excited to bring a fun new way of shopping to you and your friends and family.

Babies around the world are loving Babyjo Bamboo - so why not share the secret with your friends & family & benefit when sales are made.
Similar to a “Tupperware” party, however carried out online, we are proud to offer Babyjo e-parties to our valued customers and friends.

The rewards are fantastic, and easily achievable - simply share the details with your friends and family, then sit back and relax!
What a fantastic way to add to your existing range of Babyjo (or make a start for a new arrival) and offer your little one the most beautiful, organic clothes & blankets imaginable!
We've kept it as simple as possible, and there is very little for the "party panda" to do - all material and information is supplied - you just need to find the friends to join the party!

HOW DOES IT WORK?
** Contact us to confirm your e-party & a start date will be arranged.
** e - party invitation, order code & flier will be sent to you via email
** Share the invitation with friends, family, facebook – whoever!
** Sit back and relax while your friends shop with FREE POSTAGE!

e—parties run for 10 days, so your selected friends and family have plenty of time to browse our website and make a selection. Using the unique code to secure free shipping, customers can place their order via our online site at www.babyjo.com.au
As the “party panda”, you will receive $20 store credit* upon placing your booking. For every $ spent by your friends & family, you will receive additional store credit to use on your own purchases—SIMPLE!

Below is an indication of store credit received in comparison with sales made throughout the duration of your e-party

$ 200—$300 in sales = $30 store credit.
$300—$400 in sales = $50 store credit.
$400—$500 e-party = $70 store credit
$500—$600 in sales = $90 store credit
$600—$800 in sales = $110 store credit

If this sounds like something you would love to take part in - become a "Party Panda" today by contacting us via email for more details!

Wrapped up in blankets for winter

2010-06-13T02:47:00.000-07:00

Firstly, I must apologise for my lack of blogging of late.
Ok - I will be honest - It has a little to do with the onset of winter and desperately wanting to curl up on the couch and stay cosy, a little bit to do with being busy finalising and receiving our latest range of 2 layer bamboo blankets and beanies, and a LOT to do with becoming obsessed with the Twilight Saga..... Strange, I know. I must be about a year or more behind the rest of the world (and I abstained for as long as I did as I KNEW that I would get "sucked into it") but in reality, when the bug bit - it bit hard!
I found myself neglecting work, neglecting the family and walking around trying to cook, clean and sleep with a book under my nose. Addictive is the only word - I read all 4 books in just over a week and a bit (plus 264 pages of Midnight Sun online) and am now just starting Breaking Dawn (the fourth book) for the second time..... Yes - I probably will just finish it tomorrow and then pick up the first book and start all over again, but for now, I am content to just hang out on the couch and read, read, read!
That being said, my reading obsession was interrupted on Friday (thankfully) by the arrival of our shipment of stock for this winter. I wanted to go a bit brighter, a bit bolder and a bit funkier - so Little Akai and Little Apple Blossom have joined our range of blankets, and Natural Eco has made a stunning return (as it was ever so popular and sold out far too quickly).

With thanks to a gorgeous friend of mine and her beautiful bub (not to mention her husband who takes fantastic photos) - we captured the little man (below) testing out the new range!

(Pictured above - Little Apple Blossom 2 layer bamboo blanket and beanie set) and below (my favourite) Little Akai 2 layer bamboo blanket and beanie set.... What a cutie our little model is!

And our entire range of beanies are finally here - just in time for all those gorgeous winter babies!
So.... It wasn't an entirely unproductive few weeks (chuckle chuckle) - I did manage to get a lot done, even with my "diversions" that I am sure a few of you could relate to! Righty-O, I have a book to read...........

Oh - babyO !

2010-05-06T02:40:00.000-07:00

In what is turning out to be a wonderful month already, we are so excited to introduce you to one of our new stockists - babyO.With one of the most beautiful sites I have seen in a long time (not to mention user friendly) - babyO provides an amazing array of natural baby bedding and sleepwear. With a versatile range of organic, natural and eco-friendly baby products, you need not look any further!

I love that you can find mattresses, linen, pyjamas and more - all from the comfort of your home (in your own PJ's!) A favourite of mine is the Nest Organic Cot Futon Mattress (pictured below)

and if I was to do it all over again (ha ha) - I would definitely invest in a beautiful Lambykins Merino blanket like this one! (Red, of course!)

Of course, you will be able to find our gorgeous Aiko Pyjamas and 2 layer blankets at babyO - these will also help to make your little person the comfiest they can possibly be when sleeping.
I love that babyO offer a wide range of choices for eco friendly, natural and soft sleep options to give baby a wonderful night's rest.

So that you can stock up on gorgeous items from babyO and help them to celebrate the launch of their gorgeous business, register online for their newsletter and receive 15% off all purchases until the end of June!

Happy shopping and we welcome babyO to our bamboo family!

Bamboo Addiction

2010-04-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

As you may be aware (although just in case I haven't mentioned before) I LOVE bamboo!
I have bamboo growing in big pots around my house, decorative bamboo ladders, lucky bamboo on the kitchen bench and a business- which revolves around.......well, bamboo of course.

So - just to fuel my bamboo obsession a little further - We have added some gorgeous Agoo products (bamboo of course) to our site - all are available immediately and have the same super soft luxury that our very own Babyjo Bamboo clothing and blankets have.

Head over and have a peak here - your little people will love the underwear, socks and leg warmers - they are just too cute!

Punch Your Lunch!

2010-03-21T01:47:00.001-07:00

I love it! Our friends over at Monkey Caboose have done it again - just arrived, the Lunch Punch makes lunchtime and sandwiches fun!

Speaking from experience, my 3 year old just won't move past the good old Vegemite sandwich (and even then, she usually pulls the 2 pieces apart, licks off the Vegemite and then leaves the rest!) - not the most nutritious lunch and frustrating for me, as sandwiches can be healthy, interesting and nutritious (not to mention fast and easy to make and take on the run). She is a fantastic "eater" and is happy to much away on most healthy food, she just WONT touch sandwiches for some weird reason.

Enter - The Lunch Punch, an interesting "tool" to add to your parenting toolbox. I was lucky enough to road test one from Monkey Caboose, and I am so impressed. I have never managed to get my little one to eat a full ham sandwich (baby steps here, I will work up to salad and chicken/avocado etc) - but hey presto! The Lunch Punch made the cutest 4 piece puzzle which took her attention and made it plenty of fun - she seemed to forget that she doesn't eat ham sandwiches, and ended up eating the lot AND asking for another puzzle. (I have always loved that she will eat the crusts of her toast and vegemite sandwiches, however the lunch punch does remove these, so I had to just go with it and see!)

With 4 "punches" in each box, you can make one Monster puzzle (great for if you are feeding multiple mouths at the same time) or you can have 4 smaller size puzzles in varying forms. For just $12.95, I highly recommend trying this one out for a bit of fun - great for fairy bread at a party too - make the giant puzzle, and watch them have some fun!

**Disclaimer - Yes, you WILL end up "punching" out your own sandwich into a puzzle - it can't be helped. We take no responsibility for this!

We've made it to the front.....

2010-02-17T04:37:00.000-08:00

Cover, that is! I was so very proud and excited today to pick up my copy of My Child Magazine - only to see that our Little Master bamboo beanie was on the cute-as-a-button model on the FRONT COVER!!

Not only this, we also had some product photographed in My Child's"Go Natural - Eco fashion for bubs" section, along with some other fabulous brands. I love seeing Babyjo in print and I am especially proud at the moment - celebrating 2 years and loads of success, I LOVE what I do and I love all of our customers, stockists, industry friends and people I have the pleasure of meeting along the way!

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who entered our Big Birthday Celebration - our very deserving recipients have been notified, and prizes will be sent out shortly. The fabulous array of goodies would not have happened if it wasn't for the following brands/business' so a massive thank you to you all:
Agoo, Mamma Bellah Kids, Monkey Caboose, Mudd Kids, Little Choopie, EJ Kids, Cackleberry Kids, Petit, Cheeky Chickies, Little Billies, Qtees Designs, Mini Lala, Czarque, Pram Rock and Pouchmiss - how fun it was to celebrate!

1st Prize - Bridget B
2nd Prize - Kristen S
3rd Prize - Sally G

Thanks again for the wonderful entries and for sharing such personal thoughts, I thoroughly enjoyed the month and getting to know you all a little better.
Jo

Modernise your Little Munchkin

2010-01-28T21:07:00.000-08:00

I love groovy stores for little ones, that focus on funky, eco friendly and safe all at the same time!
Louisa over at Modern Little Munchkins has such a super collection of funky, modern and affordable items, it is well worth having a look around their site.

You know that I can't stop at just that - here are some of my top picks:"Baby Bonkie" Ecobonkie (Everest) - such gorgeous design and looks so cozy I want one in my size! 100% Certified Organic Cotton.

Earthlings Kimono Dress (Blue Shadow) - I love these - so great for the little miss to hang out in and be comfortable at home, but also suitable for out and about and looking a little cute and special.

And how about this one - "Polka" Monoscope Hood dress - 9 colour stripe knitted hood dress. Pre orders being taken for March Delivery - Oh........ I want one for Mia!

Ok - so, I know that I always focus on the little Miss in our lives, here is some love for the little masters out there!

Available for Pre Order (March Delivery) - Polka Nemisis Sleeveless Hoodie (knitted)

Moppit Sleeveless Zip Hoody - So funky with a casual pair of shorts!

Alright, I have to stop there or I will go on and on as there are loads of cool finds at Modern Little Munchkins, if you drop in to visit, please let Louisa know that we sent you!

Come and Visit us at The Baby Show

2010-01-25T02:09:00.001-08:00

The Baby Show is coming to the exclusive Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, Melbourne for the first time from 5 - 7 March and we are going to be there! With unbeatable shopping, great offers, fantastic entertainment and expert advice - The Baby Show really is an essential part of having a baby!

This brand new event is not to be missed and will be filled with some of the most exciting entertainment acts as well as fantastic shopping for pregnant couples and parents of babies and toddlers:
Shop and enjoy exclusive offers on an array of products and all the baby essentials from over 100 big industry brands and stylish boutiques ranging from: Huggies, Tommee Tippee, Mothercare, Maclaren, Chicco, Medibank, Ecostore, Happy Baby, Nestle, Peg Perego, Nintendo, Pumpkin Patch and Angus & Robertson and.........BABYJO!

Meet Dorothy the Dinosaur and dance with The Teletubbies live with an exciting new interactive dance show!

Get the best advice on parenting and health from leading specialists in free seminars and talks.

Try before you buy some of the big name brand strollers.

Relax in the Tommee Tippee Baby Feeding Room, The Babylove Changing Room and ask for assistance from our dedicated team of porters.

Everything you need for your pregnancy, baby and toddler – The Baby Show is an essential part of having a baby.

Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased in advance for a limited half price offer via www.thebabyshow.com.au or alternatively, I have some free tickets if you are thinking of going - just contact me and I will post them out to you.
I look forward to meeting you if you come along!

Madeit Love

2010-01-24T01:29:00.000-08:00

Oh Gosh - I just had to share this with you, I have just spent the last hour or so engrossed in Made it and searching through all of the beautiful stores that make it....... 'Made It'! I literally can't remember why I started looking there, but I did find some super cute things I wanted to share with you quickly.
(In no particular order mind you.)

On the right, we have a great idea - the 'Colouring book for grownups! Love it - I have sat down so many times and ended up "really trying" to colour in Dora and Boots (in the right colours and inside the lines), so this would be a lovely change - pity they are sold out currently, or I would have bought one!

Next up, I discovered this cute softie toy rattle handmade teether, so cute and very funky - I just have to wait for someone to have a baby so that I can get one as a cute, unique little gift!

Now these next ones have really caught my eye, and I have bookmarked the store to go back later and make a purchase - My little one and I go to the library once a fortnight and always get far too many books to fit into her little book bag that she currently has. How cool are these! I also love the little bird on the canvas - too, too cute. Hmmm - now to pick a colour.

Spending 9 Months Waiting?

2010-01-20T03:09:00.000-08:00

Well then, in your "spare time", why not drop over and look around this gorgeous site - 9MonthsWaiting is the stunning result of Cathy's hard work, and boy has she got some gorgeous products on offer!

Not only do I love the name (let's face it, we have all been there, and we know how much time you spend waiting..... waiting to meet your little one, waiting to see if it is a boy or a girl, waiting to see where you are when you go into labour, waiting to work out if the name you have chosen actually fits, waiting to see what labour is really all about - waiting, waiting and waiting) I also love Cathy's ability to combine so many beautiful brands (ours included - he he) into the one store. Clearly a big supporter of bamboo, 9MonthsWaiting has a great selection of bamboo clothing and blankets, along with some gorgeous organic cotton options. I had to narrow down this post, due to the amount of products that I wanted to share with you, so here goes:

An absolute steal - Ergo Pouch Ergococoon (organic cotton) - $19.95 (sale)
This gorgeous 6 piece Cot Set by The Living Textiles Company (Misha Bear set) - $209.95, with everything you need to set up the nursery (yep - while you are waiting!)

These gorgeous Vanchi Bibs (2 in a set) - $12.95 (Guava and Lychee shown) - I love that they pull over the head, I have had many a battle with curly toddler hair that gets caught in the velcro on some bibs - not great when food is involved....
And finally (yes, I did restrain myself on this post!) - Three Little Trees (who i just LOVE) Miso Miso Blanket - on sale for $19.95 (reduced from $39.95) - I believe there may only be one left, so get in quick!
So head over and see Cathy at 9MonthsWaiting - they are having a fantastic sale at the moment - up to 50% off selected items and Australia wide postage starting at only $5.00.

The Little Haven

2010-01-18T18:48:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with our Big Birthday Celebrations, it is a pleasure to introduce you to another of our online stockists - The Little Haven. Recently launched, with an absolutely gorgeous website I must add, Carolyn has sourced the most gorgeous collection of products so that you can discover beautiful findings for your little one, as well as having a haven of resources to nurture, support and enrich your parenting experience.

Head to the "Your Parenting - Ideas & Resources" section and you will find some great tips for Being a parent - I love that the site is easy to navigate and looks so gorgeous! Some of my favourite picks from The Little Haven are:

Folding Roadway Playmat - $29.95. Open it up anywhere and you have an instant fun - fold it up when ready to leave and pack the toys away again.

Skip Hop Tubby Bath Bag in Orange - Soft, stretchy and stays put - a great place to keep all of those bath time toys - Made from soft wetsuit (Neoprene) material that is BPA and Phthalate free (available in orange or blue) - $39.95

Loopa Bowl - $16.95 - With Spill resistant technology, this funky bowl keeps your toddlers dry food and snacks inside the bowl, not matter what they do with it (wish I had seen these when my little one was this age!)

Also highly worthy of a mention is the fact that The Little Haven is having one of the biggest sales around on Hugabub wraps - I love this one below ("Green Tea"- now reduced to $104 from $130)
I also am a fan of these gorgeous new Lelby's "Floral Fantasy" Bean Bag chairs - Exclusive to The Little Haven in Australia and oh-so-cute! ($99.95)

The Little Haven is having a Summer Sale at the moment, with up to 30% off on selected brands - I highly recommend heading over to say hi!

I love Lady Bugs!

2010-01-18T03:58:00.000-08:00

I really do! So does my little one Mia. However, the Lady Bug I am referring to are our friends over at Little Lady Bug - newly opened and with a growing collection of gorgeous offerings, it is such a gorgeous store!
Check out these gorgeous shoes by Baby Bella Maya (Ocean Mist - RRP $19.95) in 0-6months
I also love their cute new range of ruffle pants from Vintage Kids (Red dot and cherry ruffle RRP $34.95) - great for little bottoms! If you are still not convinced (he he) - Little Lady Bug also carry these gorgeous lace leggings (perfect for summer) from Baby Bella Maya for just $19.95.

Also carrying a cute range of bamboo blankets and clothing *blush* - Little Lady Bug will fast become a favourite place for your shopping needs! Lets give them a welcome and drop in to visit!

Stock your wardrobe with Agoo!

2010-01-16T17:47:00.000-08:00

As you all know, I am a massive fan of Bamboo! I never thought that it would be possible to make friends in the industry (due to most of my work being done late at night and on my own) however, I love that I have connected with Susan from Agoo and we regularly chat and keep in contact. We talk about bamboo of course, and they have the most gorgeous bamboo leg warmers in their range, but we also support each other and throw round ideas from time to time.

Agoo are having a MASSIVE sale at the moment, and I wanted to share it with you all, because there are some super savings to be had. With up to 50% off their 09/10 Spring/Summer Collection (excluding accessories) there are some fantastic bargains to snap up! Agoo also have a gorgeous range of Active Wear - a special fabric which has some great attributes. With a +50 UPF rating, 4 way stretch, stain resistance and special "wick away" properties to keep kids cool, comfy and protected, it is no wonder that the Agoo Active wear range and bamboo leg warmers are so popular.

My little one Mia has the most gorgeous "Squart" (Yep - you guessed it, a cross between shorts and a skirt) in maroon, with a cute little butterfly and a matching tee to go with it. She wears this with some beautiful Agoo Leg Warmers in winter, or without in summer. I love the fact that she is super comfy, super cute and well protected from the sun's harmful rays. So head over to Agoo and have a look at their gorgeous range when you have time! Happy shopping....

Introducing - The Allergy Shop online

2010-01-13T22:02:00.001-08:00

Jumping forward now to another one of our fabulous stockists, I am excited to introduce Kerrie and her online store - The Allergy Shop. The Allergy Shop sells a fantastic range of allergy products, and also provides information and fact sheets on eczema, asthma and allergies. They stock clothing for eczema sufferers (clothing designed with in-built mitts to help children stop scratching), along with our luxuriously soft bamboo baby wear which is great for eczema management. Other products include organic cotton gloves, sensitive-skin sunscreen, wet wrap garments, asthma spacers, allergy shampoo and conditioner, laundry care, organic cotton underwear, eczema cream, allergy-friendly toys, fragrance and chlorine free/biodegradable nappies and more...

Due to bamboo being fabulous for eczema management, I often get asked for things such as scratch mits and wet wrap garments, so it is great to be working with Kerrie and to be able to refer these customers on. It is often hard to find what you need when your child has severe eczema or allergies, however Kerrie has sourced the best from around the globe and presents it all beautifully in their online store.
Here are a few of my favourites:

Organic cotton briefs ($15.00) and singlet ($19.00)

Sunscreen for eczema /sensitive skin EnviroDiscs

I particularly love the EnviroDiscs and hope to try these out one day - similar to soap nuts, you simply pop them in your wash instead of using chemicals or liquid - and "voila" - (here is some more detailed information)

EnviroDisc replaces harsh washing detergents with reusable chemical free washing discs.
- Allergy free and anti-bacterial (killing bacteria such as E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klabsiella pneumonia)
- Chemical free and non-toxic
- Environmentally friendly
- Highly economical (saves more than 50% of the cost over conventional laundry detergents)
- Cleans and softens the fabric but does not add fragrance
- Suitable for top and front loading washing machines and easy to use
- Lasts up to 700 washes for top loaders and 500 washes for front loaders
- Water from the wash can then be used on the garden

For more information visit www.theallergyshop.com.au or phone 0432 237 477 to speak with Kerrie.

In the beginning

2010-01-13T01:43:00.001-08:00

This being our month of birthday festivities, I thought I would celebrate by sharing some of our wonderful stockists and previewing their beautiful stores. Nothing has made me prouder than getting Babyjo out into stores and into peoples homes worldwide and it is all thanks to these wonderful people I have met along the way.

This being said, it is only fair that I start with our very first online stockist, La Toriana.
With amazing labels such as Tea Princess, Princess Ratbag, YmamaY, Eternal Creation, Three Little Trees, Lambykins & Oobi (oh gosh - I could go on and on) - it is no wonder that owner, Elizabeth is one very busy woman! Elizabeth's eye for baby and children's fashion is fantastic and she combines style, quality and affordability with ease in her gorgeous online boutique.

Tea Princess Limited Summer edition white shift dress with embroidery - $69.95

YmamaY - Burt Shirt for boys - $39.95

Princess Ratbag Pettiskit "Ebony Black" - $80.00

Always a favourite of mine, Three Little Trees Winter Bamboo Wrap Dress - $54.95

These are just a few of my favourite items, however (as Elizabeth would say) Grab a Cuppa, sit back and enjoy the La Toriana experience~

Babyjo Big Birthday Celebration!

2010-01-11T03:56:00.000-08:00

Wow - I can't believe we are turning 2 in February. It seems like just yesterday when I started designing garments and looking at bamboo fabric swatches, and now, here we are, proud to be a part of so many people's lives throughout the world!
Not only has the journey of starting and developing a business so far been a great one, I can not believe how many wonderful people I have met (both online and in real life). When I put out the call to let some friends know we had a special occasion happening, they were so generous and happy to help us celebrate! I am completely overwhelmed at the result, so here goes!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY BABYJO!!!!

We are super excited to present the following celebration giveaway to all of our subscribers, fans, friends and followers (*please just note the entry guidelines at end of the post) Running from January 12th until February 14th 2010 !

With sincere thanks and appreciation to our very generous friends, 3 lucky subscribers have the chance to win the following:

First Prize Value - $517.00

1 x Allerhand Modern Baby Bag - From Mamma Bellah Kids - RRP $149.95
1 x Milk Dot Stoh Lunch Tote - From Monkey Caboose - RRP $44.95
1 x Baby's Day Visual Chart - From Little Billies - RRP $26.95
2 x Agoo Bamboo Leg Warmers - From Agoo Australia - RRP $30.00
1 x "L" Plate Tee - From Qtees Designs - RRP $24.95
1 x Bubba Louie Organic Tee - From Cackleberry Kids - RRP $40.00
1 x Long Sleeve "Sail Away" Tee and matching hair clips - From Little Choopie - RRP $35.50
1 x Bamboo Cover Up - From EJ Kids - RRP $49.95
1 x Gorgeous Modern Cloth Nappy and set of hairclips - From Mini Lala - RRP $47.00
1 x Babyjo Striped 2 layer Blanket - RRP $32.95
1 x Babyjo "Aiko" pyjamas - RRP $33.95

Second Prize - Value $240.00

1 x Pouchmiss - From Pouchmiss - RRP $39.95
1 x Bamboo Bodysuit and 1 pair soy socks - From Mudd Kids $RRP $26.00
1 x Petit Enfant Baby Travel Gift Pack - From Petit - RRP $27.95
1 x Pair of Cow Print Loafers - From Czarque - RRP $79.95
1 x Babyjo Striped 2 layer Blanket - RRP $32.95
1 x Babyjo Footed Kimono Romper - RRP $27.95

Third Prize - Value $ 157.00

1 x Cheeky Chickies "Choose your own Adventure" certificate (chose one top and one bottom) - From Cheeky Chickies - RRP $70
1 x Pram Rock Tee - From Pram Rock - RRP $19.95
1 x Babyjo Striped 2 layer Blanket - RRP $32.95
1 x Babyjo "Aiko" pyjamas - RRP $33.95

How do I win one?

Competition is open to everyone.

1) Participants must be registered as a Babyjo Newsletter subscriber

2) Participants must have made a purchase of $19.95 or more through Babyjo or one of our stockists (proof required) during our Birthday Month.

3) To enter, please tell us in 100 words or less, "What makes your little person the most precious in the world?"

4)Entries are to be sent via email to contactus@babyjo.com.au no later than 9pm on February 14th 2010.

5) All entries will be judged based on the question asked above, and prize will be awarded as judged by a panel of prize contributors.

6) Winners will be notified via email on the 16th February 2010

6) All decisions are final and Babyjo reserve the right to refuse competition entry if the above guidelines are not met.

We thank you for taking part in our Birthday Celebrations, and if you haven't already done so, we would love for you to join us on Facebook or Twitter in the future.

Move over Tupperware - ecobabies is here!

2009-12-06T02:03:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely surprise this week when one of our new stockists sent me a link to a super article on her new business ecobabies. This article ran in 3 papers - Check out the gorgeous clothing her beautiful children are wearing in the below photo!

Here is the text from the article (Courtesy of Ross McRae - In My Community news), and I know that Erin is going to be run off her feet once all of those WA mums get into full "ecobabies" party mode.

"OFTEN the best business ideas come out of necessity. Erin Edwards turned her back on the corporate life when she settled down just over two years ago to have her first child with husband of five years, Cameron. Being away from the concrete jungle gave Ms Edwards the opportunity to make her family’s life more environmentally friendly.

Already a strict vegetarian, Ms Edwards started growing her own produce in the back yard of her home. But it was while raising her two children, Alice (2) and 10-month-old Oscar, that she discovered how difficult it was to find eco-friendly baby products. And thus Ms Edwards’ business, ecobabies, was born.

“I started ecobabies to give people the opportunity to see and touch a range of natural, eco-friendly baby products in a relaxed environment,” she said.

“I am passionate about babies and caring for the environment and it was important to me to combine the two.”

Knowing all too well that new mums are time-precious, Ms Edwards has tried to make ecobabies an accessible and stress-free shopping experience. “The idea is that people have an ecobabies party where I come to their home and demonstrate the range of products,” she said. “They include cloth nappies, nappy accessories, bamboo clothing, baby care products and baby carriers.”

**end article**

I am delighted that Erin has chosen to introduce Babyjo (along with other gorgeous brands) to her rapidly growing market/clients, and I am so excited to see how well she is going already - What a fabulous idea, it is just like having a department store come to you (with carefully chosen items) in your own home - Too easy!

If you are interested in booking an ecobabies party - feel free to download/browse through ecobabies range in their online catalogue, or call Erin for further details (contact number is located on website)

Thanks again Erin and all the best for ecobabies in 2010.

Sommers Home Made Muesli Bars

2009-12-02T03:42:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm - too good to miss out on! I posted this on Love Ya Baby this evening, but then felt that I would like to share it with you all as well - simply the best muesli bars (easiest, yummiest and best) to make.

Personally, I like healthy - My little person has a savory tooth on her, and she is happy to eat almost any fruit and vege I put in front of her. She does have the occasional ice cream or bit of chocolate as a small treat, but generally, we eat healthy all the time. We love these muesli bars as they are relatively healthy *bit of honey and bit of butter* and we know exactly what is in them. (Just quietly, my "big person" loves them also and they are great to take to work.)

Recipe is courtesy of my lovely friend Sommer, hence the name.

You will need:

150 g Unsalted Butter

175 g Honey

3 Eggs

60 g shredded coconut

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 tablespoons sesame seeds

200 g pitted prunes or dates, chopped into small pieces

100g dried peaches/apricots, chopped into small pieces

75 g currants or sultanas

To make:

Pre heat oven to 170 degrees (Celsius) and line a sandwich tin or flat tray with baking paper. (NB - size doesn't really matter - I use a large one and just place mixture in part of it.)

Put the honey and butter in microwave until melted and runny.

Crack and whisk the eggs together (little people love doing this, and can easily help)

Combine all other dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine melted butter and honey with whisked eggs ans then stir into the dry ingredients. Spoon/tip onto tray and spread mixture to the edges (or spread and even up sides not touching edges)You can sprinkle extra sesame seeds on top for garnish.

NB - It is up to you how thick you make them, I usually try for about the same thickness as shop bought muesli bars or slightly thicker.

Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool for at least half an hour before cutting into snack sizes or muesli bar size. (Makes approximately 12) - If you try and take the baking paper off the bottom of them before they have cooled - you will be in a huge mess, so don't be tempted! Just wait patiently....

I like to wrap individually in glad wrap and keep them in the fridge (or they can be stored in air tight container in the pantry for around 2-3 days.

Hope you and your little person enjoy as much as we do!

New Blog(s)

2009-11-30T02:57:00.000-08:00

What do you think of our blog's new look? We love it! Thanks ever so much to the hard work and professionalism of Sarah at Style Me Gorgeous and the team at Webnovation. It is so nice to have such a lovely new home for our little panda, and a gorgeous blog to match!
A lot has been going on lately, the weather has been amazing and Christmas is fast approaching.

I have started up a new blog (separate to this one and Babyjo) that I would love for you all to check out! Love Ya Baby - a blog for your little person, is all about "being". Being a parent, being a great mum or dad, being happy, being healthy and being the best that you can.
I have already written a few great posts about gardening, worm wee (of all things) and I have embarked upon a review of our fave Melbourne Parks. Sometimes, its hard to know where to go, what to do and just to come up with a new and interesting activity for your little person, so this is where Love Ya Baby can help. Subscribe to receive email updates, or add us to your Google reader - I promise, you wont be disappointed.

So - that's it for today! Short and sweet and I am looking forward to the warm weather ahead, when I will be outside with my little person, picking fresh tomato's, snow peas, eggplant and carrots from our lovely garden!

Lollipop Christmas

2009-11-04T03:44:00.000-08:00

A while ago, I introduced you to the world of Lollipop Baby - I so wish that I had a little bubba who would fit into their gorgeous designs - and I wish I had found them when the little miss was smaller!

Wait until you see how cute their Christmas range is! To refresh your memory - Lollipop Baby design and create the most gorgeous, quirky and funky personalised clothing for your special little one. Make their Christmas a special one this year - and head over to see their gorgeous range!

All designs are printed on 100% cotton, combed for softness and comfort and are available in white short-sleeved bodysuit (onesie) or t-shirt and long-sleeved t-shirt. Sizes available are 3-6m, 6-12m and 12-18 months.

This was just a sneak peak of some cute ones - I am going to have to buy one just for fun! Wishing everyone happy shopping in the lead up to Christmas!

A new home for our little panda

2009-11-02T02:32:00.000-08:00

Well - the day has finally arrived - our new website has launched and looks absolutely amazing!

A few months back, I was over the moon to find out that I had won (on Skout) a package from Webnovation (amazingly talented web designers) and Style Me Gorgeous (Gorgeous Graphic Designer). Not only did I get a brand new website, our little panda received a brand new home and some "Gorgeous Styling" from Sarah, and I have to say - I am in LOVE with it.
I really can not thank them enough. From start to finish, their service has been amazing, each time I have made a suggestion about something, or asked for changes, it has been completed immediately, and the end result has far exceeded my expectations.

To celebrate, we are having a "Launch Special" - Buy any striped bamboo blanket, and receive a striped bamboo beanie FREE! ($19.95 RRP) - To take up this offer - simply head over to our site, select your blanket and beanie colour, then use the code "launch" at checkout to receive your discount - Too easy! (offer available until the 16th November 2009)

I invite you all to have a look around Babyjo and the new site - and if ever you are in need of a super team to work on your website, I would not hesitate to tell you these guys are the best!!! Thanks Webnovation and Style Me Gorgeous!

Couldn't help myself!

2009-10-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

It's hard you know - working from home, on the computer constantly, looking at gorgeous things for little people..... I often get sidetracked, and find myself hitting the "pay now via paypal" button and then get excited awaiting something in the post for the next few days.

I was delighted with my latest purchase - from a gorgeous, gorgeous website Thula Thula.
Beautifully designed, and exceptional quality, these drawstring pants (advertised as boy's drawstring pants) look so comfy and cute, that I had to buy some for Mia.

I was amazed at the quality, and I love, love, love them. The little Miss spends so much time hanging out with me, playing around and needing to be comfy, so these are nicer than trackies, different to jeans and allow her full ability to move freely (not to mention that they are so darn funky!)
Other faves I have my eye on are the "Ant's picnic singlet" and the "Tic Toc Stripey top"

The "Anchor sunsuit" and "Apricot Ruffle Cardi" are other favourites, and look absolutely gorgeous. Naomi from Thula Thula is delightful to deal with and shopping is super easy on her site. Thanks for sending my gorgeous purchase! I highly recommend a spot of shopping for your little poppet at Thula Thula, or keep up to date with new releases and designs at their blog.

Funkiest Bibs I ever saw.......

2009-10-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

Dribbling, drooling, teething, sucking, slurping, more dribbling - It's a scenario that most of us are quite familiar with in the first few months (or longer) of our little one's lives.

I know that I used to get so frustrated when I dressed Mia in a cute new outfit, only to have big dribble (or even worse, milky chuck) marks on the front ~ Its a fact though, most bubs have a tendancy to have no control whatsoever over their mouths...

Here's where Flobib come in - not only have they got gorgeous bibs, they are different to the norm and are cut to make your bub look even cuter! I love the fact that they are made from gorgeous, funky, designer materials and I love the bandana shape that ensures that outfits are still able to be seen, yet are protected from little dribblers!

Here's one of my faves, I love orange! - Have a look at Flobib's site for the entire range.

I am also loving Flobib's use of bamboo, in their new "Pocket burper" , a bamboo burp cloth with pocket to catch anything "extra" (if you know what I mean!) ~ too cute for words and perfect to take anywhere with you!

You can now follow Flobib on Facebook to see what gorgeous, groovy product they will come up with next! Happy shopping!

Introducing.........

2009-09-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to have so many wonderful stockists! Babyjo is growing and growing~ we thought that it is high time that we share some of their lovely stores with you and we wish to thank them for their support!

One of our latest stockists is the most gorgeous new store - Enchanted Closet in High Street, Armadale (Melbourne). Enchanted Closet also have a beautiful shop in Woodend, if you are ever venturing up that way - I highly recommend "dropping in for a shop".

Pictured below, Enchanted Closet recently opened the doors to their lovely new High Street shop and what a beautiful, enchanting store it is! I must say, that even though I couldn't make the opening, I did see the gorgeous pink striped feature wall when I took our stock in, and I can't wait to go back and do some serious shopping when I have a spare moment.
Step into the Enchanted Closet and you immediately fell a sense of calm and "enchantment" - from the very beautiful dressing rooms, to the "little people's corner". There is something for Mum and something for the little ones - all beautifully displayed amidst the gorgeous design of this charming store.

Of course, you will find Babyjo Bamboo wear in this seriously divine store, and I am so proud that our products are displayed along with beautiful creations from Little Bubble and Tree, Heavenly Creatures and the absolutely beautiful Monday's Child Pyjamas! With many more wonderful labels to chose from soon, I highly recommend a visit, if only to look around at the beautiful range of clothing and goodies!

Should you be in the mood to shop for yourself and not your little one, there is a stunning range of clothing and accessories from the Doll's Boutique, Green Eyed Monster, Luxe Acessories and Piper lane (to mention a few). You really need to visit Enchanted Closet to experience the charm and delights of Mia and Kate's hard work - 1087 High Street Armadale, Melbourne.

Congratulations to you both on such a wonderful store, wonderful location and gorgeous designers that you have on board! I look forward to visiting again soon.

Lunchbox Love

2009-09-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

So - I LOVE all things cute and practical, especially when it comes to buying for my little one Mia, who is (as she will proudly tell anyone who asks) "two and ahalf".

One of my favourite online purchases this week comes from Monkey Caboose, a gorgeous, gorgeous site with some super funky products (including some lovely bamboo clothing from a well known company! Ha ha)
Whoever thought that buying a "lunchbox" could be so exciting. Simone from Monkey Caboose is the exclusive stockist in Australia for the ever-so-funky Milkdot Stoh lunch tote.
Available in Cotton Candy Pink (above), or Robins Egg Blue (below)These totes are the best way to pack for your little one when out and about. The Milkdot is fully insulated, has pockets to secure small items, is completely PVC free, lead safe and what's more, it folds flat when not in use. I love the little name tag holder (you could also get creative and pop a photo in there) and the tote is strong and durable - lasting for many lunches I am sure!
Mia was so excited last night when we received her new "lunch box" and this morning we went out early for a special breakfast at our fave cafe (really, it's just an excuse for mummy to not have to organise and clean up breakfast dishes, and to be able to sit quietly with a perfect latte and allow someone else to wait on me!). You can imagine how cute she was, with her little Milkdot tote swinging in the breeze and she was proud as punch to show anyone in the cafe who would look. (She actually unzipped it and showed the barista the "little pocket" inside that she had tucked her scissors into.) he he.

Retailing at $44.95, the tote may seem pricier than other usual plastic lunchboxes, however I assure you that it is money well spent. Not only will you have one stylish poppet, you are ensuring that your child's food is kept safe and securely packed. The stylish look of the Milkdot also perfectly compliments the modern, funky child - and I have to say that Mia took it to play group today, and now I am not so sure it will be that unique as everyone was asking where to get them! He he - you can't win sometimes, but I would love for every child to have one, they are so so cute!
Thanks to Monkey Caboose for bringing us such a gorgeous product!

What comes first? The Chicken or the Egg?

2009-08-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

It’s the age old question that no one can answer.... and I am sorry to say, I still haven’t worked it out either.

However, I can tell you that I did discover a gorgeous brand of childrens clothing in my endeavour to solve the riddle – Cheeky Chickies – Free range Clothing.

Forget traditional baby blue, baby pink or pastel green – Cheeky Chickies have designed the most gorgeous collection of organic clothing in bright, bold and daring styles.

Completely complimentary to today’s colourful fashion trends, you will find gorgeous items that mix and match perfectly and accentuate your little chicken’s playful nature.

I am totally in love with the 3/4 length bubble pants (below):

And a great addition to these is the Rise and Shine Short Sleeve Tee (below):

I know that when I look for clothes for my little one, not only is organic important, style is paramount and Cheeky Chickies has it all! If you want your funky little one to stand out in the crowd, then these gorgeous designs are surely the way to go. What I love about the Cheeky Chickies Range is that all of their clothing is Australian Made from 100% Certified Organic Cotton.

I think you will absolutely adore this fabulous label - and urge you to head over to see what all the fuss is about! www.cheekychickies.com.au

Feeling Cheeky?

2009-08-26T04:46:00.000-07:00

I so love a good name for a shop - " A little bit of Cheek" says it all and their logo is just as cute...

I tend to waste hours of valuable working time looking at everyone else's sites, and often making frivolous purchases for my little one, as I just CANT resist.

A little bit of Cheek is one funky site for your little one, stocking "only the coolest threads around".
I have already found my favourite piece, "The Greatest Jumpsuit" by Two Belles - I just have to wait for the weather to warm up so that Mia can wear it with pride! (How cute is this cheeky little model by the way!)

Also by Two Belles, and high up on my purchase list are the " Best Shorty Shorts" - I have a pair of denim shorts that Mia has worn all last summer, and all through winter with Baby Legs or leg huggers, and they are just so funky! Great value for money and these are simply the cutest I have seen around.
To be fair, I should also point out that there are loads of funky boys clothes as well, I am loving this little tie singlet by Blink Designs (Australian Made) and just now while I am typing this blog post, I reckon it would be pretty cute on boys or girls!

Throw this on with a pair of Pocket Rocket by Tommy Rocket Denim Shorts and your little man will be the coolest on the streets (or in the playground!)
A little bit of Cheek also stock ultra funky labels such as JettRoc and Itch Designs along with Baobab for little ones. Clothing sizes range from 000 up to 14 yrs so you will be guaranteed to find something for the little one in your life!
Happy Shopping everyone.......

Purple Cow? No thanks! Pink Giraffe

2009-08-18T05:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever stumbled across a store that is just loaded with gorgeously girly clothing that makes you so excited that your credit card literally "jumps" out of your wallet and lands on the keyboard in front of you?
Having a little one of 2.5 years who is just discovering the delight of dresses and skirts, I have to admit, that I have taken a new look at her wardrobe which up until now has consisted of funky, stylish, cute but practical clothing.
You can imagine her delight as I start adding beautiful little dresses that she can dress herself in (as she is "miss independant" these days) and can be worn in the middle of winter with stockings/leg warmers and a long sleeve.

Pink Giraffe have the most gorgeous, amazing range of Vintage inspired handmade dresses, pinafores and skirts for your little one.
I am loving this one - the "spotty chicken dress" with gorgeous choc tie ribbon waist - how cute are the "spotty chickens"!

For something a little quirky, yet super, super cute, you can't go past this gorgeous denim skirt with braces and funky Robert Kaufmans "Metro Market Apples" pocket!

Perfect in Winter with long sleeves and funky leggings, or wear it in the warmer months with a tee or cute singlet underneath!
And if your little one is like mine, and loves to wear some funky pants every now and then, Pink Giraffe has this covered also. All of their items have postage included, and for a lovingly handmade garment are so well priced, anyone can afford to dress their little princess in vintage style. To make life even better - Pink Giraffe are 1 year old, and are having a wee little birthday party with 10-20% off selected stock, so it's a great time to shop!

Ah - I am off to do a spot of shopping me thinks! Thanks Belinda for having such gorgeous products that are so beautifully unique and fun!

Just for your little Princess!

2009-07-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

Having a 2.5 year old girl has brought out the "princess" in me. Don't get me wrong, I was never one to be running around in a pink tutu when I was little, it was more pants and a tee and playing on my bike with my older brother and his friends. I was what you would call a "tomboy" (not to the extent that I cut my hair super short or anything) and proud of it!

Since having Mia, I have found joy in dressing her in many different outfits. Being on the computer all the time, and loving online shopping - this can be dangerous.

Her most favourite clothes to "hang out in" are usually practical and comfy - babylegs under shorts or under tees to get loads of wear out of the favourites are always good and cute, and she loves her trackies too - we spend a heap of time outside, so warmth (during our cold Melbourne winter) is super important as is functionality.

On the other hand - if we go somewhere, she adores wearing something pretty, and girly - and I have to say, I enjoy helping her create her outfit.

Which brings me to a gorgeous brand I have discovered - Little Diva Designs, who create unique clothing to make your gorgeous girl stand out among the crowd. All clothes are handmade in Australia using cotton fabrics to ensure they last and most can be worn through changing seasons.

Above is one of my favourites - the Little Diva Dress - How gorgeous and summery is it?

These dresses are fantastic all year round. Wear as a gorgeous summery dress or in winter with jeans or leggings underneath and a long sleeve top. The dresses can also be worn as a tunic top once they become too short as a dress and eachdress comes with a matching fabric covered hair clip.

Little Diva Designs also do gorgeous skirts (and I love the bright, bold colours and funky styles) - this is a favourite also.

Also new in their range are the "Snigglebottoms" a gorgeous range of softies which are perfect for any age. They are the perfect size for little hands and great for cuddles. Each Snigglebottom has their own name and they are made from wool-blend felt and 100% medium-weight cotton fabric. How cute! (Do they come in sizes for adults - he he)

You can visit Little Diva Designs here to buy for your little princess, or follow there blog to keep up to date with new arrivals.

What a gorgeous brand, and one that I will have to stock up on!

Time to get Healthy again

2009-07-11T15:25:00.001-07:00

Well - Here I go, blogging about tomorrow, which is going to be the start of a new me (again!)
Late last year, I embarked upon the "84 Day Body Challenge" to change my body shape and get healthy.
After having Little Mia, I had put on a few extra Kilos and never really got rid of them. (who says that Breastfeeding miraculously helps you shed your pregnancy weight?..... Grrrr)
I have never really had success from diets, fitness regimes or promises to myself to get healthy, however - I stuck to the challenge, and lost almost 8kgs in total (over the 84 days) and felt amazing. Since then, I have continued to eat well for months, however the excercise has dropped off with the cooler months, and the kilo's are starting to creep back (maybe this has something to do with my love of chocolate and wine?)

So - last night, lying in bed, I thought to myself, I really need to get back on the challenge and motivate myself to make some changes again. I have been eagerly awaiting medication from New Zealand (not available in Australia) for a crappy allergy that I have issues with, and the lovely side effect of this is considerable weight gain. ENOUGH!! - I will not have extra kilo's piled on just because I need to get well - I have made the decision to beat this medication at it's own game, and get in first.

About the challenge.
Some good (and beautiful) friends of mine, Matt Thom and Monica Wright are the most amazing people you could ever come across. Completely focused, super healthy, lovely, caring and considerate - they have the whole package. It's no wonder that they run a highly successful Gym/Training Centre in Flemington, Melbourne - they are also the "World's fittest Couple" , holding the champion title an amazing 7 times! (You can understand why I trust them with my health and fitness!)
After many years of hard work and research, they have released their book "Change your body, Change your life" and their 84 day Body Challenge manual. I followed these (as best as I could) and had a fantastic result. My health improved 10 fold, my energy levels shot up and I lost almost 8kgs (and lots of cms off problem areas) - I couldn't be happier.

Don't get me wrong - this isn't one of those "you cant eat anything other than cabbages and lemons" diet - it is more a way of learning how to eat healthily and exercise to improve your body and health. Sure - there is some lovely supplements that you can take to improve your wellbeing (and yes, they do taste like lucerne chaff that you would feed to a horse) however I have never felt and looked as good as I did at the end of the 84 days (I actually weigh less now than before I was pregnant, so that's a bonus).
The good news is, that after the first 2 weeks of healthy eating, you can indulge on 1 day of every week. Eat what you want, when you want and not feel guilty at all. I can still have my wine and chocolate, as long as i do it on the same day!

This being said, I am looking forward to embarking on this journey again, and sticking to it with the same enthusiasm as last time. Why am I blogging about this I hear you ask - well, I really need to commit to myself, and so thought it best to let you all know. Next time I reach for the chocolate, I hope to think "Can't let all of those friends and followers down!" and this will be good motivation for me!

GO CHALLENGE! - If you are interested in joining me (yup- 3 whole months), you can read more or purchase the book and manual from Fitness Kick online - it has all of the eating plans, weekly checklists and food and excercise suggestions. A lot of things, you can do with toddler or baby in tow (I used to do a workout at the park when Mia was playing - you can do chin ups on the bar - tricep dips on the step near the slide, push ups anywhere and other assorted stuff after a huge walk or run with the pram) - I also take her swimming a lot and have devised a range of stuff i can do while supervising her in the pool. I am so looking forward to starting again - it will mean that I have to go out and buy yet another wardrobe (but who doesn't love an excuse to go shopping!)

Wish me luck - I will keep you updated as to how it is going. Tonight, I may just sink a bottle of wine and eat (another) block of chocolate in preparation (LOL).

Petit - A gorgeous shopping experience

2009-07-10T05:25:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, you find a store that has so much "gorgeousness" to offer, and as you would know, this is so very dangerous in the world of online shopping!
Petit is the importer/distributor of so many gorgeous brands. They have a luxurious range of clothing, accessories and toiletries for children of all ages.
I am loving their latest additions:
Bright colourful organic clothing from Organic Beginnings,
Natural Silk and Organic cotton clothing from absea baby,

gorgeous boyswear from Bobinette and beautiful organic style from Angel Dear.

Not only does Petit stock all of these gorgeous garments, they have a fabulous range of luxury fragrances for little ones. (Having a little daughter, you can imagine which range I like!)

"Do you have little girls who constantly use your favourite (and very expensive) perfume? How many times have you gone to put perfume on and it's down to the last drop because your little princess has decided she wanted to "smell nice"!

Well now they can have their very own. Petit has a range just for them. Every little girl should have a bit of perfume to call her own, a bottle or two to spritz or dab on when she pleases. The Petit Amour range of colognes is the perfect cologne for girls who want to "smell nice".

Chriss tells me that for their age group, delicate florals are a better choice, as these frangrances are more subtle and gentle than heavier scents, which can become a bit overwhelming and not really appropriate for their age group. Perfume for youngsters is meant to be light and fun, the perfect accessory for divas in training. Petit's perfumes contain delicate floral notes mixed with a touch of sage leaves and galvano with delicate sprinkles of Italian Jasmine, narcissus, musk, moss and lilac.

Fragrances make a great gift for youngsters especially since kids often love the idea that they are "all grown up". Giving kids their own perfumes to play with will keep them from getting into Mommy's stash of fine fragrances -- we hope. Petit's colognes also come in gift packs with a Body Spray / Deodorant (non aerosol; no aluminium) which are also suitable for girls who are slightly older and who are just starting to try perfume for the first time."

Petit will also be exhibiting at the upcoming Kids In Style trade fair in Melbourne, so make sure you drop past and browse through their range, I will be making a special trip to have a look myself!

Petit's new website is currently being redesigned to incorporate all of these amazing products, however I am sure that you will love browsing through their range as much as I did once its ready to go! Be sure to follow their blog - they are often in the press for their gorgeous collection and celebs worldwide are using many of their products. Thanks for bringing us such a gorgeous amount of goodies Chriss!

Great Cost Saving Idea

2009-07-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

Ever thought of joining a Fruit and Vege Co-op?
I haven't done this yet, however I am seriously considering starting one of my own in our local area.

For those who may not have heard of this, a Co-op (Co Operative) is a great way of pooling resources and money and saving time and money in the long run.
It goes a little something like this:

*Get 10 or so families to join/commit.
*Each family pays an amount each week or fortnight (say $20)
*1 Family each week/fortnight has the responsibility of going to their local produce market (not the fruit and veg shop, I mean the BIG markets)
*The "shopper" uses the $200 combined money to make their purchases (eg, bulk bags of carrots, boxes of apples/avocados/mangoes etc
*The "shopper" comes home with the "loot" and divvies it all up between 10 boxes
*Each family gets their box (depending on the co-op, members may collect it, or the shopper may deliver)
*Money is collected for the next run when veggies and fruit are delivered or picked up.

So, in short - by getting together and doing some smart shopping, everyone benefits. The overall cost for the produce is reduced and items are always so very fresh (as the middle man or chain supermarket) is cut out of the equation and profits go directly back to the grower via the market.

A good co-op can run for years with the same members and quite often new ones join as they hear about the benefits.
Some rules must be laid down, as to payment, collection times or delivery etc and most importantly, in a large group, there needs to be understanding that each week will bring differing produce as different shoppers make their purchases. It is a good idea for groups to work out "staples" such as apples, onions, potatoes etc, however the bonus items over and above these can keep you on your toes coming up with new recipes and food for the family. Great for households with kids, or those who are time poor, as you only have to go fruit and veg shopping every 10 weeks! (Albeit that you may need to be up at sparrows fart) to get to the market!)

Take the rest of the family with you and have fun shopping in co-op style!

For anyone interested in setting up their own co-op, here are some major markets around Australia that are a good starting place:

Adelaide Produce Markets
Brisbane Produce Markets
Sydney Produce Markets
Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market

Encouraging your toddler to be Green

2009-07-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

While many of us may struggle to make changes in the home, workplace or everyday life, if our children are brought up being taught by example and by understanding impact, future generations will surely benefit.

As a 30 something first time mum, I have found that I have the “best of both worlds”. I grew up knowing how much fun it was to run under the sprinkler on a warm day, to stand and water the plants until they are floating in a pool of goey mess (not sure if this was my best gardening feat) and to run a bath so full that it overflowed all over the bathroom floor!

Nowadays, I find myself congratulating my family that we have managed to meet the governments targeted water usage of 155 L per day. I bathe my daughter once a week, and bath time is a special occasion and one to be enjoyed. Every other day, it’s a quick jump in the shower to save water, but still fun nonetheless

We have fun playing with the big bucket in the shower, (this collects the shower water that not only our indoor plants, but half of our grass “patch” as well!) and we take turns bucketing water from the bath to the garden to ensure that the bath water is recycled as well. By involving Mia in this process, she has learnt that water is precious and needs to be used wisely.

Now that my parents have retired, they spend an amazing amount of time in their super-dooper “organic patch” at the bottom of their garden. It is always a trip to look forward to when visiting, as Mia enjoys a special trip to the “Patch” with Grandma and Grandpa” to find hidden delights! Some of her favourites are the Raspberries, Strawberries and baby carrots. She not only understands at the age of two and a half, that fresh foods come from plants or in the ground, she has started to grasp the concept of “seasonal” and loves going to hunt around for the best of the crop.

(Oh– it was a sad day when the raspberry canes stopped offering their succulent berries though!)

Another favourite is Grandmas 3 chickens. A warm egg that she saw drop straight from the bum of a chook soon set her straight as to whether eggs “materialize on the supermarket shelf each week in their little boxes, or whether they come from somewhere else….” in fact, if you ask her where eggs come from, she proudly tells you that its from a chickens "bot-tom"

You may not have your own chickens, veggie patch, or parents who have the time to maintain one, yet there are many ways we can introduce this concept to our little ones—Many communities offer a “Municipal or community garden”. Our council has set one up with around 6 large garden beds, full of a mix of herbs, veggies and fruit, along with a big wood fire oven and other areas to cook. Take your child for an outing, meet new people and lend a hand in the garden! In areas with strong multicultural groups, there is a lot to be learned in relation to gardening, preparation and cooking. Other great day trips can be farmers markets or berry/fruit picking in outer regional areas. Your child will love the fresh air, the amazing taste of organic produce and the boundless knowledge that is to gained from visiting these places.

Think about ways of teaching your munchkin to recycle. Every 2 year old will love taking their empty containers (eg: yoghurt cups/sultana packets) and placing them in the “special” bin. Make these important steps in learning to recycle and talk about the various items that are suitable for recycling. Another great idea is to make a “recycled” projects—but more about that next time!

We set up a worm farm around a year ago—not because I need bait for fishing but because, like everyone, we have loads of food scraps, a garden that is sorely deprived of water, and a daughter who is intrigued with all things animal!

Where possible, our food scraps form the basis of dinner for these little beauties, Mia squeals with delight when we get out a worm and “play” with it in the garden, and our “liquid gold” worm wee has greatly improved the quality of our soil and plants. Worm farms can be purchased at Bunnings, and many other garden centers and are great fun to set up in any size backyard.

Modern Cloth Nappies and Eco Friendly finds

2009-07-05T04:28:00.000-07:00

Another site i am loving at the moment (of course I love anything that is eco friendly or earth conscious!) is Scamps Eco Boutique
Louise created Scamps after she had her first child and found the wide choice or cloth nappies was somewhat confusing. Having discovered that there was a lack of affordable, eco friendly products for babies and children, she set to the task of creating Scamps, one of New Zealand's first stores to sell cloth nappies on line - and she hasn't looked back since!

Specialising in New Zealand made cloth nappies, babywearing wraps and slings, cloth mama pads, natural baby skin care and hand made wooden toys for all ages, there is something here for everyone. For all of you Australian readers, don't be afraid to buy from New Zealand, they have some of the most fantastic products and shopping on line has never been so easy!

I particularly love the Merino Snuggle Wrap (pictured above) and at $35 NZD it is extremely affordable. Why Marino?

Merino is a super absorber, it can absorb up to 30% its own weight in moisture before feeling damp.
Merino is lightweight and doesn't give the wearer that "clammy" feeling.
Merino has natural odour resistant properties.
Merino naturally resists soiling as well, so you have a chance to wipe up any spills.
Merino is also a natural, renewable fibre making it an important choice in these times where we are all trying to reduce our footprints on this earth for our children.

Scamps Eco Boutique also have a wide range of Cloth Nappies to chose from, including Rudey!Nudey!, Bummis, Fancy Pantz, Honey Child and Karma Kidz.
If you have any questions about Cloth Nappies, Louise will be more than happy to answer them, so don't be afraid to thy them out. A great option for our environment and for the health and care of your little one.

Other great finds at Scamps are the Honey Sticks - NZ Beeswax non-toxic Crayons for kiddies. All natural and super safe - these crayons even smell like honey! Your little "scribbler" won't be able to break these, they are perfect for all ages.
Soap Nuts (no, I am not being rude here) are a wonderful eco friendly alternative to doing your washing - pop them in with the clothes, and hey-presto! 100% Organic Soap Nut Berry - No added chemicals, fragrances, or fillers. a 500gm bag ($24.90 NZD) will give you around 190 washes worth, and soap nuts are Non Allergenic - Kind to humans & pets and great for allergy, eczema & psoriasis sufferers.

Head over to Scamps Eco Boutique and have a browse, I am sure you will find it is refreshing to see a store with such a heavy emphasis on environmental awareness and stocking goods that make life easier as a parent!

Another Great Idea

2009-07-04T02:29:00.000-07:00

If you are anything like me, you've occasionally (well, ok maybe a bit more) had a night where you just cant be bothered cooking. You may be sick, your husband may be sick, the kids may have been sick and kept you up all night, you may have had a telephone call at 3am only to find it was the wrong number and they were calling from Germany or you plain just cant find the energy or time!

Anyhow - I will get back on track - I was chatting with a friend on another forum and discovered she has the most fabulous business - Annika's Favourites - based in St Kilda, Melbourne.

Basically, Katie understands that not every parent is able to concoct gourmet purees, bite sized bits'n'pieces or tempting toddler treats every single night of the week.... Let's face it - we are all only human!
Annika's favourites offer an affordable and convenient solution - Frozen trays (conveniently in 6 portions) of super meal choices for any baby or toddler. To support the theory of freezing, numerous studies have shown that frozen fruit and vegetables are equally or more nutritious than the fresh equivalent (Journal of Food Quality, Choice Magazine), this is because the produce deteriorates over the length of time that it is picked to when it arrives in a store (Choice Magazine 2007). Annika's Favourites pick the very best produce from local farms, so food will always be that of which is currently in season. They then prepare their delightful meals and freeze them immediately to conserve the fantastic nutrition levels.

So, on those nights when you just can't face boiling the broccoli and carrot and pureeing it until smooth in consistency only to find that it goes untouched - simply break out a favourite of Annikas, and ....... who loves ya baby!

The thing that i totally adore about this idea is the names on their menu - worth having a look at, but here are just a few - I know Mia would love it if i made up names like this for her each night.

Starting out Menu (4+ months - puree)
Penguin Pumpkin and Polar Bear Pear

Now Im Eating (7+months - Textured and tasty)
Ralphs Dahl with Brown Rice (sounds delicious)

Eating with Gusto (9+months - lumpy)
Sea Lion Bolognese Pasta

So, as you can imagine, your freezer can hold a veritable delight for your little bub, established eater or fussy toddler - and you dont have to worry about a thing! No shopping tonight - no cooking either...... Maybe an ideal moment to put your feet up and have a wine.
Annika's deliver, so even if you are unprepared, you can call in the morning and have dinner "on the plate" in no time. I urge you to check out Annika's Favourites and try some on your little one today.
Katie has also kindly shared one of her special meals on her blog, I hope she doesn't mind me sharing it with you, it sounds perfect for winter and little hungry tummies!

SCALLOPED TUNA

This is a tasty dish and a bit of a variation on standard scalloped potatoes. A good crowd pleaser and (quick) comfort food during this chilly weather.

375 g tin of tuna, drained
2 cups of white sauce (equal parts of butter and flour then add milk to achieve your desired consistency)
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
3.25 cups cooked sliced potatoes
1 cup of chopped onion

Make the white sauce. Add seasonings. Layer potatoes, tuna and onions in a lightly buttered oblong baking dish. Add sauce, bake at 190C for 45 minutes.

Mmmmmmm - enjoy!

Babyjo in Shopping for Baby 2009

2009-07-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

I am so proud to have our beautiful "Little Miss" Striped bamboo/organic cotton blanket and longsleeve footed romper in this edition of Shopping for Baby.

The blanket appears on Pg 15 under "Buzz- Cool bits and pieces for bub" and the romper features on Pg 120 in "Insie Winsie Onesies"

Make sure you pop out and buy a copy of Shopping for Baby - there are some gorgeous finds in there, and I am amazed at the amount of choice parents have in this day. I love, love, love it!

Retro Van Makeover

2009-07-03T05:04:00.000-07:00

Well, its taken me a while to blog about this (it has actually been finished for a while now - but I have been procrastinating) the Retro Van is finished! Well almost - we still have to do the outside, but that's another story.

Basically, it went from "crappy" to "snappy", "lime green" to "gotta be seen" and personally, I'm lovin' it. I can't wait for the weather to get warmer again, so that we can go away and do some camping in it, and Mia loves to go out and play in there for hours at a time.

Yes - that is a disco ball you can see in the photos - it is the perfect addition to our little van, and you can even change the colour to red, green, yellow or blue - great for those impromptu parties while you are away.......

Lollipop Baby - Cute and Quirky

2009-07-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Another gorgeous site that i had trouble closing down before bed last night is Lollipop Baby - where you will discover funky, quirky and cute designs that you can personalise with your name, or leave as are and choose your garment. Short sleeved Tee, Long sleeved Tee or Short Sleeved bodysuit - your choice!

What a great idea - often you find the top you love (and desperately want to buy it because it is so cute) however it is the end of winter and you just know that the long sleeves arent going to be any use over the 35 degree days of impending summer. So - visit Lollipop Baby and take your pick!

There are so many to great choices, that it would be hard to narrow it down - but i think that Mr Giraffe is the coolest!

With a great selection of prints (and for sizes 3 - 18 months) your bub can be the grooviest around with their own Lollipop Baby Tee!
A special mention must go to the one here on the right "baby bonus" as it really is very clever and will get most people you meet chuckling at the sight of it! Visit Lollipop Baby today to check out their wonderful range, and pick one for yourself (well, your bub anyhow!)

Mee a Bee Messenger Bags

2009-07-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

I have a tendancy to be really indecisive at times ~ don't get me wrong, I am often involved in compulsive buying sprees, but usually at the shops and when I am rushing. However - this is not the case when it comes to Mee a Bee! I have pored over her gorgeous Messenger bags many, many times and just can't work out which one to buy for Mia.
If you toddler is anything like she is, they will love playing "dress ups" and using any or all of your bags to transport a wide array of toys throughout the house, car and through the shops.
I have since become a collector of a wide variety of bags that she loves to take out, and so my need to invest in a Mee a Bee bag for her. How could I not? They are absolutely divine, made from gorgeous material and quirky prints for kids. This is one of my favourite - Froggy Fun and is a Green canvas bag, lined with green and blue striped cotton. The flap is lovely turquoise with green frogs and white polka dots. Strap is cotton in a bright kelly green. Mia goes "nuts" over frogs at the moment and i know she would take this everywhere!

The other one i totally adore and i know Mia would too - is the "Hide and Seek" bag for girls. This is one of those gorgeous over the shoulder style bags, and is perfect for odds and ends that you take everywhere (or should I say that our darling children like us to take everywhere!) The lining is the cutest yellow printed cotton, cars and other French street scenes. French phrases are written in a lovely hand script.
A little flower button on the front is a cute accent and the best thing is that you can reverse it! How fantastic is that!

One of the things that I love the most about Mee a Bee's creations are that they are made in Japan (I actually resided in Osaka where they are based, for a short while for work, and it is absolutely gorgeous to live there - I can see where the inspiration comes from). You can be sure that your child will look stylish and funky with one of these cute bags.
Also on offer is a gorgeous amount of "cool bags for boys" like this one with gorgeous farm animals for your little man.

Mee a Bee will be showcasing their gorgeous range of bags at Mathildas Markets in Sydney on July 5th - so if you are lucky enough to be able to go, I highly suggest a trip to check them out.
(I think I have finally made up my mind to buy the Froggy Fun messenger bag, so I am off to secure my very own for the little Miss!)

You can purchase your own Mee a Bee bag on Etsy - Meeabees Shop or you can join their blog at Blooming In Nihon(Japan)

Festoon Bunting - A rare and gorgeous find!

2009-07-01T03:09:00.000-07:00

Its amazing how many talented designers and inspiring people you come across in your travels. One that i have just had the pleasure of meeting is Jenny from Festoon - a family run business who create the most gorgeous handmade fabric bunting. Perfect to use in any nursery, or playroom - Festoon's bunting will add that "special something" that is often ellusive! I love their Kimono Bunting (check out the dolls - they are so cute!) and i think i may just have to schedule a redecoration for Mia's room now that i have seen these - you know i love all things Japanese!

I also have my eye on the Yee-Hah cowboy bunting - I am helping a girlfriend do up her nursery soon and have so many ideas - i can see this fitting in nicely!

Great for use in nurseries, then later on to tie in with themed parties or get togethers. Such a gorgeous concept that is earth friendly and reusable - you can even have personalised bunting! Just contact the lovely team at Festoon and they will be more than happy to help out.

Make sure you visit Festoon and have a look at their range - www.festoon.com.au

My little "inspiration"

2009-06-27T05:03:00.000-07:00

So - I am in the process of cleaning up our PC files, and transferring everything i need over to my laptop (PC is very very sick and has to go and have a "hospital" visit with my brother), who just so happens to be a PC Doctor!
I was flicking through some (unorganised) photos, and found this one:

I thought I would share it with you~ a close friend (who is an amazing photographer) took it on her 2nd Birthday, and she had the biggest smile all afternoon (which could have actually been a result of the sugar rush from her first ever cupcake!).
I never thought I would be one of those "mummy's" who post millions of pictures (or email them) to anyone and everyone.......... But it's so hard not too when you are so proud!
Have a fabulous week everyone!

Babyjo joins Trifle along with others!

2009-06-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to have been asked to join Trifle!

Babyjo is proud to team up with so many other amazing designers (these can be seen on Trifle Notebook and we can't wait to get our product out to the rest of the world.

Trifle is an online shopping experience like no other in the world. Customers will be able to shop from a collaboration of over 50 hand picked designers - all in one place from all over the world. Customers will have a choice to buy from different designers, from different parts of the world, in different currencies, all with one click. Trifle is made up of designers from various sectors of the kid's product industry.

To discover the great new concept of shopping and read all about the great designers joining Trifle please visit blog http://triflenotebook.blogspot.com/.

Look what I found Mum!

2009-06-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

"Look what i found Mum - funky wall art for my bedroom! I simply MUST have it......."

"Any bedroom (especially mine, Mum) has to have these beautiful Russian Nesting Doll Wall Decals. They appear to be a modern twist on the traditional favourite Matryoshka or Babushka Dolls, and I REALLY want them! Puhleeeease......."

After closer inspection, I find that she has handed me a gorgeous set of these exclusively designed *for Lola & Ben NZ decals. The creative talent behind them, just so happens to be one of my favourites ~ StikyTiki Wall Graphics from New Zealand.

"But mum, look ~ there are five Nesting Dolls in total and they are sooooooooo cute, i just have to have them! Dont worry - they can be removed from the walls heaps of times, without causing any damage, and they will look so good next to my bookcase!"

I am just about to tell her no, that she doesnt need any more anything in her bedroom (it's hard enough to keep clean as it is) when i see that eco-friendly inks have been used on a fabric decal base, and i am sold. She knows, and you know too, that i am all for eco friendly and organic, so i was sold!

The more i looked at these gorgeous Nesting Dolls, I thought hhmmmmmm I could actually take them off her walls, and use them in the lounge room or my bedroom, they are so cute! The set comes with 14 flowers that can be used to create a special scene and add flair and at only $79 (NZD) they are a great option for lifting the mood in any room (I know where they will stay though if the little miss has anything to do with it!)

I say, "Oh, Darling, lets pop them back on the shelf though, I see here that Lola & Ben are offering free postage on all Decals throughout June, and I know that I will want to buy more pretty things from them, so lets do some online shopping when we get home! Trust me - these are just gorgeous, and will look beautiful in any little girls room....

For more information and sizing details, visit www.lolaben.co.nz

"Look what I found Mum!"

2009-06-08T15:27:00.000-07:00

I am sure that you are all familiar with this scene:

Mum and child are in shop. Mum is trying to actually buy something (not just browse) child is hiding under clothes. Child is playing with things they shouldn't be. Child is putting sticky fingers all over nice clean windows and blowing raspberries at the shoppers outside.
When it comes time to pay your credit card is stuck in your wallet, forcing you to wrestle it out in front of the super cool retail assistant, (not to mention that when you pulled your purse out of your bag, there was something squishy and unrecognisable stuck to the front of it which you quickly brushed off and hope no one saw!)
Just as you think you are homefree and about to finalise the purchase you hear....."Look what i found Mum!" and know that it's not over yet.

So - here goes our latest blog additions - bringing you "Look what i found mum!" - reviews of all kind from a child's perspective! Enjoy!

Babyjo at Mathilda's

2009-05-14T03:06:00.000-07:00

Babyjo is proud to be a stall holder at Mathilda's Market in Melbourne on June 21st 2009 - make sure you drop in to say hi, have a browse through our gorgeous new range of bamboo clothing, blankets and gifts and enjoy yourself in a room full of amazing, talented and creative people!

Mathilda's Market is a fabulous niche market that offers unique, stylish and affordable baby & kids goods that are lovingly handmade or from limited production line. The retailers are hand pick to ensure an exciting product range, and most of them do not have a shop front, so you know you'll find something special, not available anywhere else. Mathilda’s Market is coming up in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth in June & July. With up to 70 gorgeous stalls, yummy food, free kids entertainment, this is a fantastic day out for young & old. For a sneak peek, have a look at the gallery on Mathilda’s Market website (www.mathildasmarket.com.au) and enjoy browsing through past markets.

2009-05-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

I have spent the last few days getting paint out of my hair and from under my fingernails, but now that i have removed the last few traces, I have had time to post a few photos of our latest renovation project! (The last few included houses and subdivisions, so this is a lot smaller and so very exciting....) - Sorry about the date stamp on the photos)

We recently bought (off ebay of all places) a superb 1960's Bondwood caravan. Andrew has always wanted a caravan - I am a camper, always have been and always will be (so you can imagine my disgust when he mentioned that we should start looking for one) WHY? What's wrong with a tent? There is the fun of finding a little frog, ant, spider etc lurking in the far corner, it takes forever to assemble and then even longer to take down, It NEVER packs up to the same size as it started (and what's with the bags they give you to pack it all away in - could they make them any smaller?) and if it rains, well that's an entirely different story! So - long story short, i love camping - he he (No - really, i do!)

I had conjured up images of those old 1980/1990 Jayco pop ups, and was not happy at all....
When Andrew came across the "retro van" I was actually very excited - here was a van with style, class, funk and more importantly - scope to give it a facelift. It had been beautifully hand crafted, kept snug in a large shed and rarely used. There is still the original gas burner lamp above the table area (haven't used this yet - i am sure the result is that it will blow up or the van will catch on fire!)
We've been on 2 trips with it now - It tows beautifully, and is fun to live in while we are away. Mia has her own bed (double) as do we. Its all set up for a cozy holiday and its so simple to have it permanently stocked and to just throw in the last minute things before heading off. Oh - did I mention it has one of those "old school" striped annexe's in a funky yellow, orange and green stripe -it's great for extra storage and room.

After our last trip, i couldn't stand the lovely light lime green walls anymore. My head has been crowded with ideas and thoughts on making it super stylish, modern (yet still retro) and f-u-n-k-y!

We've taken off all the cupboard doors, (don't mind the stuff that's actually in the cupboards) and i have selected the new material for our curtains - see!

With a lick of fresh, crisp white paint, the Retro Reno has begun! I have one more coat (yes - that makes a total of 3) before i can start on the cupboards. I am thinking i will replace the old "woodgrain" with a spanking new coat of red to match that in the curtains. A new floor will go down soon, beautiful black and white lino tiles and i know its going to look great.

Check back again - i will keep you all updated on the progress and I cant wait to "unvail" the final product. (Oh - by the way - if anyone has any fabulous design suggestions - feel free to let me know!)
We are thinking of hiring it out afterwards for special occassions - friends and family can hook up, drive off and enjoy the retro lifestyle....

Mia's fave blanket!

2009-04-21T03:49:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy lately, that i took some time out to take some photos of my little one, Mia. She just adores her stash of babyjo bamboo blankets, so i thought it fitting that i share some of the 101 photos i took of her with you~
I never imagined that a 2 year old would love posing so much - and when i asked her to look out the window and think of her favourite things, this is what i got!
Of course, she has a few of each colour in the blankets (so i can rotate them around when washing and just because i can't seem to say "no" to her when she flutters her eyelashes at me) but the pink is always her fave~

Just in case you are all wondering, I don't just take photos of bamboo blankets and babyjo stuff - here is another of my favourites - taken just a few weeks ago at Royal Melb. Zoo (Oh, and i love love love their bamboo plantations there! he he he)

2009-04-07T04:45:00.000-07:00

Well - the time has come! We have just committed to our new range of babyjo designer bamboo clothing.
Estimated to be available in store in around 45 days - this new range is simply beautiful.
As soon as we have imagery, we will post it on our blog (and all products will of course be displayed on our site) for all to see.
________________________________________________________________
A little tidbit of information for you though.......
The new range is "gorgeously organic feeling" and consists of new bodysuit styles, new footed rompers, beautiful bamboo singlets, a gorgeous new style of bamboo blanket, and the best part - a stunning set of bamboo/organic cotton pyjamas. These will be available in both summer and winter weight (depending on where you live!) and they are divine!
There is an additional sizing option (6-9months) in the current styles, and the PJ's will go up to a size 3......

________________________________________________________________

Our current bamboo/organic blankets are selling so well - we will have to re stock shortly... but let me get over this order first!

We look forward to bringing you our new range of bamboo wear, and hope that you and your bub are out there lovin' it!

Beautiful Bamboo Blankets for your Bub!

2009-02-04T16:50:00.000-08:00

Check out the new range of Babyjo Bamboo Blankets.
Made from Organically grown bamboo (70%) and Organically Grown Cotton (30%) they are the softest of soft choices to wrap up your bub in!

With a choice of 3 funky colours (dusty pink, funky blue and cocolatte stripe) I cant wait to see bubs Australia (and NZ) wide wrapped up in these beauties. Generously sized at 85 x 90cm, they consist of 2 layers and feel DIVINE.
(The first time i felt them, i wanted to go away somewhere and curl up in one with a good book - and not come out for a very long time!) and surprisingly, i have had requests from people asking if they come in "adult sizes" He he he......

For those who are not so familiar with bamboo - it is organically grown, eco friendly, 100% biodegradable and sustainable. With anti fungal, anti bacterial and odour resisting properties, it is perfect for use in baby wear, and has shown to be the softest material for babies with eczema or allergies. (The fibre structure is smooth and round, and non irritating for the skin)

Added to this, bamboo is also highly breathable and thermo regulating, keeping the wearer 2-3 degrees cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

By TwitterIcon.com