mumspiration

mumspiration hiatus

2010-05-13T10:43:00.000+09:30

If you've been popping over to my blog lately, you will have noticed that I have not been posting for some time now - unfortunately life has gotten in the way and blogging has unfortunately dropped to the bottom of my list of priorities. Juggling a toddler who has suddenly developed sleeping issues, plus still adapting to life with two kidlets, plus some home projects = just not enough time to devote to this blog. Thus I have decided to leave blogland for a while to take a breath, regroup, and direct all my energies (what's left of them at least!) into being the best wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister, home decorater etc that I can be. So adios for now - I've had a wonderful time with this blog and perhaps one day I will return to it, although with returning to work on the distant horizon, plus perhaps adding another child to the fam (if I can convince hubby AND solve toddler's sleeping probs), it may be a long time until I do. Thanks to all my readers, followers and those who have left me comments. xox Eira

little winter wonders - walnut desert boots

2010-04-21T14:24:00.000+09:30

For both the little miss and the little master in your household, these desert boots from Walnut are chic yet sensible footwear for keeping cute sausage toes warm (a quick aside - I absolutely adore children's feet - they are so adorable and chubby!). Available in an array of colours and in suede or leather, every child's wardrobe should include a pair of these this Winter.

See here for South Australian stockists (boots can also be purchased online through the Walnut website, but I think you're safer to try on before you buy).

delicious design - kaiku collection

2010-04-14T13:48:00.000+09:30

Rolling Toy Pushpull

Rolling Toy Strollkart

Super Wagon Zen

Aren't these wagons and push alongs from Kaiku just fabulous? Designed by Northern Californian couple Scot and Amy Herbst, these "playthings" are beautiful to look at and functional for both kids and parents. Unfortunately they are not currently available in Australia, but I recently contacted Scot who informed me that Kaiku are in the process of finding an Australian/NZ distributor. Fingers crossed this happens sooner rather than later - I'd love one of the Super Wagon Zens, as I'm sure that it would provide a novel and fun-filled way to transport the little ones around the markets and shops, or for a walk with a difference to the park!

Images from Kaiku

etsy find - personalised world map print

2010-04-14T13:30:00.000+09:30

I have blogged about My Sweet Prints previously (see here) and I was very excited the other day to discover they have added a customised world map print to their collection. Maps make an educational yet beautiful addition to any child's nursery, so why not consider treating your budding Christopher Columbus to his or her own personalised map?!

the gruffalo - live at dunstan playhouse

2010-04-13T13:06:00.000+09:30

A musical adaptation of the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo, is being staged at Dunstan Playhouse this week.

Suitable for children aged 3 and up, the stage show is running from 12-17 April. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $20 for children, and can be purchased through BASS. See here for a video preview of the show.

Image via modernhood

little winter wonders - crochet beanies from pink apple

2010-04-13T12:52:00.002+09:30

The cool Autumn nights are upon us and have got me thinking about all the things that I love about cold weather - electric blankets (I thank my husband for our fabulous blanket with 10, yes 10, heat settings!), hot chocolates, ugh boots, warming glasses of a good Shiraz at the end of a day, and last, but certainly not least, the fashions!

Stores and magazines are already overloaded with the most adorable cool-weather fashions this season - beautiful little knits, traditional fabrics (think corduroy), and hip desert boots (more on those to come), so I have decided to start a series for this blog titled "Little Winter wonders" - cute clothes to keep the littlies warm this Autumn/Winter.

These gorgeous crochet beanies from South Australian online store Pink Apple are my first must-have item for your little princess. So mini-Ali McGraw in "Love Story" - too cute!

Photo by Kelly Dyett, Black Sheep Photography for Studio Bambini

exquisite fairy bedroom

2010-04-13T12:39:00.000+09:30

I recently discovered the interior design and architecture website called freshome, and am under no illusions that I've just found another way to while away the children's naptimes!

The pictures below are of a fairy bedroom featured on the site in March. The detail is incredible - the room includes an indoor tree, birdhouses, flower-shaped lamps, a heavenly bed (take me there now!), and giant mushrooms (no wonder I was drawn to it!). Pure fairytale extravagance. I'm not too sure about the practicality or longevity of such a room (in my experience, young children tend to outgrow fads pretty quickly), but it's certainly an amazing room, and I must admit that I'd quite enjoy having it as my boudoir for a bit of fun!

Images via freshome

see "grug live" by windmill

2010-04-12T14:27:00.000+09:30

The much-loved picture book character "Grug" is being brought to life by children's theatre company Windmill. Commencing on Wednesday this week, the live show is being staged at The Forge, Maryatville High School and runs until 24 April. The show is suitable for children aged 1-5 (and parents, of course!).

Ticket prices are $19 each (babies under 1 enter for free) or $14 each for group bookings of 6 or more. See the website for show times and to purchase tickets.

Image from Windmill

semaphore to fort glanville steam railway

2010-04-10T09:09:00.001+09:30

If you've run out of ideas for how to entertain the kiddies during school holidays, here's a great outdoor activity to check out (despite the grey clouds this weekend, next week is meant to bring back the sunshine).

Operated by the National Railway Museum, the 457mm gauge railway departs from the Semaphore jetty and runs for 2km, adjacent to The Esplanade and through the sand dunes, before arriving at the historic Fort Glanville.

The railway operates daily during school holidays and on weekends, from the commencement of the September school holidays until the end of the April school holidays. A steam locomotive operates on the railway between 11am and 4pm and departs roughly on the hour every hour, depending on demand.

Prices are as follows:
Adults $6
Children $4 (3 years to 15 years old)
Family $18 (2 adults with 2 children)

Further information can be obtained from the website.

Image via National Railway Museum

beautiful family kitchens at ohdeedoh

2010-04-09T14:58:00.000+09:30

The lovely people over at ohdeedoh have compiled photos of some beautiful family kitchens. From decorative accents such as bunting, to practical yet stylish features such as blackboard walls, these kitchens are worth checking out. Click here for some kitchen inspiration ...

Image from House Beautiful via ohdeedoh

button art

2010-04-08T14:48:00.001+09:30

I'm currently a little obsessed with the blog Made By Joel (you may recall my recent post about Dress Up Drawings). Joel Henriques is an American artist and his blog is full of fabulous arts and crafts projects that he has come up with for his two young children.

Here's another one to try out ... art using buttons. A great way to use up random buttons that I seem to constantly collect from newly purchased garments but never end up needing to use!

Images from Made By Joel

darling invitations from Blonde Designs

2010-04-08T14:24:00.000+09:30

I swore I would never do it, but I have succumbed this year to using commercial invitations for my toddler's upcoming 2nd birthday party. This was partly due to the ease of buying a Thomas the Tank Engine party pack from Spotlight vs making DIY invitations/party accessories (my very sweet hubby wisely advised that I didn't need another project whilst still adjusting to life with two under two) and also to cater to my little man's ever-growing obsession with "Thommy".

However, if I could have had things way, I would have commissioned Blonde Designs to make me a Thomas-inspired "party in box" pack. Check out below what they managed to come up with when asked to design Mickey-Mouse inspired invitations: elegant but age-appropriate, yet still undoubtedly "Mickey" themed. I just love what these girls come up with (I have previously blogged about them here).

Image from Blonde Designs blog

delicious design - p'kolino klick desk

2010-04-08T10:25:00.001+09:30

Following on from my recent play room post, I thought a mention about this desk and chair set from P'kolino would be a perfect postscript!

Image from Zac and Zoe

perfect playrooms part 1

2010-04-06T14:37:00.002+09:30

Towards the end of last year, with baby number 2 on her way, I decided to transform our seldom-used study/formal lounge into a playroom. This was in the hope that I would be able to contain the children's mess to one room - this outcome has not actually been successfully achieved, however I am happy with how the new playroom turned out.

In researching colour schemes/layouts for the playroom, I came across many many gorgeous, creative and covetable playrooms andthought that I would share a couple of them with you today.

1. Modern Indoor Treehouse by Jennifer Ward at minor details

2. Blue & red playroom via Ohdeedoh

Images from minor details (top) and ohdeedoh (bottom)

mushroom obsession

2010-04-04T13:59:00.000+09:30

I have to agree with my good friend over at the beautiful blog hummingbird - mushrooms as a decorative feature are to love. I just think mushrooms/toadstools add a touch of whimsy to a child's room. They also conjure up memories of two of my favourite literary works, The Magic Faraway Tree and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Above are three of my current favourite mushroom decorative features. From top to bottom they are:
1. Mushroom toadstool pouffe from Habitat Baby
2. Dainty toadstool wall decals from Love Mae
3. Mushroom/toadstool lamps from Heico Germany

great eco-friendly toy shop

2010-04-02T09:40:00.000+10:30

My cousin recently put me onto this fabulous online store - Eco Toys. The store specialises in ethically-made toys made from natural, sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable and/or recycled materials. Definitely worth checking out!

Below are just a few examples of what's on offer:

more easter crafts

2010-04-01T13:14:00.001+10:30

Wow, I've actually managed to log onto the computer twice today (that's twice more than in the last two weeks!!). Obviously this has left me very excited and I'm trying to blog as much as I can, as who knows when the next opportunity will arise.

Anyhoo, if you're after some more fabulous Easter crafts for the weekend, head on over to Kids Craft Weekly for some cute and simple projects, including the miniature Easter buckets pictured above.

Image from Kids Craft Weekly

ride-on model steam trains at Millswood

2010-04-01T09:11:00.001+10:30

I have been meaning to take my toddler to visit the South Australian Society of Model and Experimental Engineers (SASMEE) Park (try saying that quickly!) in Millswood for some time now, but always seem to remember on the weekends when it's not open. The Park offers rides on model steam trains, as well as having stationary steam engines on show, and a pond in which model boats can be seen.

Open from 2 until 4.30pm on the first Sunday and third Saturday of every month, the Park is located at Millswood Crescent, Millswood. Admission costs $5 for adults and $3 for children 3 years and up.

The park does not have an official website, but you can go here for more information. Also keep an eye out on the "What's On" section of Saturday's Advertiser for details of when the trains are running.

Easter crafts

2010-04-01T09:01:00.000+10:30

If you're not heading away for Easter this weekend, and are looking for crafty activities to keep the little ones occupied, here are a few I've found in blog-land:

Bunny masks by Khali at little.lovely (found at Bloesem Kids)

Easter egg rocks from This Little Project

Paper mache eggs and Easter bonnets from Lottie Lulu

Images from little.lovely, This Little Project and Lottie Lulu

make your own silhouette cards

2010-04-01T08:34:00.002+10:30

These silhouette cards made by book designer Brooke Reynolds over at the lovely blog inchmark are just exquisite. Brooke was a former Senior Art Director at Martha Stewart Kids and Martha Stewart Living and her blog features some beautiful projects that she has undertaken.

I love the simplicity of the silhouettes, and it's a delightful alternative to the usual photo cards. See here for tips on making your own family silhouettes.

Images from inchmark

missing in action!

2010-04-01T08:34:00.001+10:30

I can't believe I haven't blogged for almost 2 weeks - I must admit I've been missing it desperately, but have been unable to find any time to sit down and concentrate on blogging recently as my 7 week old baby likes to be held constantly and I have not yet taught myself how to type efficiently using only one hand!

Luckily I have found a few spare minutes this morning to finally jump online and complete a few posts. Sorry for the delay, but I hope you stay with me!

pregnancy, babies & children's expo this weekend

2010-03-19T14:06:00.000+10:30

Just a quick note - the Pregnancy, Babies & Children's Expo is on this weekend (starting today!) at the Adelaide Showgrounds, Wayville. Open 10am-4pm today and 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, the Expo includes stalls showcasing products and providing expert advice. See the website for full details.

nurseries to make you swoon!

2010-03-19T14:00:00.000+10:30

I have been neglecting my blog this week and I apologise - things have been very chaotic with multiple appointments and still getting used to life with two littlies!

I have also had very little time to check out my favourite blogs, but have just had a few minutes to myself during which I lept over to my fave design blog table tonic and found these gorgeous nursery photos. Bliss.

Here a few of the nurseries featured, but I urge you to follow this link and check out the other 11!

Images from iheartbaby

juice box boats

2010-03-19T13:47:00.001+10:30

I'm loving this juice box boats craft project from gorgeous blog inchmark. I can just imagine making these and then floating them in our wading pool.

Image from inchmark

delicious design - table and chairs from kidsonroof

2010-03-16T13:58:00.000+10:30

I'm always on the lookout for interesting children's furniture, and it was love at first sight when I came across these wooden tables, chairs and benches from Dutch company Kidsonroof.

product of the week - hug a bub baby carrier

2010-03-12T14:44:00.001+10:30

Shortly after bringing my new daughter home from hospital, I discovered that she is a baby that will often only settle when she is held. Obviously this poses a bit of a problem when also trying to care for ,and play with, a very active toddler. I already had a Baby Bjorn Active carrier, but, just as I had experienced with my first child, this felt a bit unsupportive for such a tiny baby with very little head control! After a lot of research and an afternoon spent trying out slings at my local baby mecca Baby Bunting, I settled on the fabulous Hug a Bub carrier. Basically, this is just a very long piece of lycra that you wrap around your body in a specific way as demonstrated on the dvd that accompanies the carrier (at first this tying technique is a bit time consuming, but, trust me, it quickly becomes second nature).

The beauty of the Hug a Bub is that you can carry your baby close to your body, and it feels very secure and comfortable. By tucking my baby's head under one side of the sling (called the "Peapod" method), I can even bend over without worrying that she will fall out or hurt her neck. There are four carrying positions that are demonstrated in the DVD.

Retailing from $79 upwards, the Hug a Bub comes in various colour combinations, and can be purchased with or without a front pocket. See here for stockists.

Image from http://www.hugabub.com/

delicious design - fabulous bunk beds

2010-03-12T14:19:00.000+10:30

I can't remember where I came across this photo recently (it may have been ohdeedoh), but I recall instantly loving the symmetry and clean lines of these bunk beds - they make great use of a small room, and would be perfect for multiples! The addition of drawers under the bottom bunks add practical storage space.

last weekend to visit 'amococo'

2010-03-12T14:10:00.000+10:30

If (like me) you haven't yet taken the kiddies to visit Amococo at the Fringe, this weekend is your last opportunity. Based in Rymill Park, 11am-7pm until 14 March, Amococo is a giant inflatable "luminarium" of interconnecting tunnels and domes illuminated by light and colours created by Architects of Air. Suitable for all ages (children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult), Amococo has received rave reviews, not least from my cousin who recently took her two little ones (aged 2 1/2 and 1). Entry is $2 per person. Arrive early as lines will undoubtedly be long, and it may be worth taking along a harness for any toddlers who may try to run off!

Images from http://www.fringefever.com.au/

interesting read - "should toddlers do chores?"

2010-03-10T19:46:00.000+10:30

I found a link to this article at A Magical Childhood and I thought it was timely given that my toddler is heavily into playing "cleaning". The article discusses the benefits of introducing household chores into a child's life from an early age and suggests a number of chores that toddlers can do around the house. As I read the article, I was especially drawn to the comment that, by incorporating chores into a toddler's life early on, toddlers "get the benefit of having a routine where doing household tasks comes naturally".

I'm hoping that if I nurture my toddler's current obsession with sweeping and wiping spills up with a sponge that I will one day be able to leave all the housework up to him as I put my feet up with a well-deserved cup of tea!

Image from http://www.squidoo.com/businessideasforkids

dress-up drawings

2010-03-09T15:46:00.000+10:30

I found this cute art activity over at Made By Joel. It makes a nice alternative to the usual drawing and colouring, and if you're anything like me, you'll have plenty of fabric scraps to use from all your sewing projects! If you don't have anything handy, the fat flats available from quilting stores or Spotlight are an inexpensive way to purchase the necessary fabric.

Images from Made By Joel

delicious design - book plates by Blonde Designs

2010-03-05T13:49:00.001+10:30

Whatever happened to the humble bookplate? I love flipping open my childhood books and seeing the beautiful labels inside the cover decreeing that the book belongs to me, written lovingly in my mother's cursive script.

I'm currently coveting these delightful bookplates from Blonde Invitations and Stationery, a beautiful stationery company founded by two graphic designers (and mothers) formerly of Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings magazines (great pedigree!).

Whilst visiting their website, be sure to check out their other products - sublime!

For international orders and shipping enquiries, email info@blonde-designs.com.

Images from Blonde Designs

reminder - mathilda's market in adelaide this saturday

2010-03-05T13:18:00.000+10:30

Just a quick reminder about Adelaide's first Mathilda's Market being held tomorrow (Saturday 6 March) from 9am to 1pm at Loreto College, 316 Portrush Rd. Marryatville. Entry and parking is free. . I have already blogged about this niche market that offers unique, stylish and affordable baby & children's goods that are handmade or of limited production. Most of the retailers do not have a shop front, so you know you'll find something which is not widely available.

For a sneak preview, have a look at the website (http://www.mathildasmarket.com.au/) and enjoy a browse through the photos of all participants. Be sure to check out the Little Luv, Sassilu (formerly All The King's Horses), and Pink Apple stalls at the market - I have blogged about all these local mum's gorgeous products in the past.

friday focus - claire richards, children's artist

2010-03-05T12:58:00.000+10:30

Today marks the return of "Friday Focus" after a longer than anticipated hiatus. I am excited to feature local Adelaide artist Claire Richards, who specialises in producing children's artwork. Bright, beautiful and often quirky, Claire's products include greeting cards, handmade toys, and portraits. She has also illustrated a number of children's books and was commissioned last Christmas to create the Christmas banners along Jetty Road at Glenelg.

How would you describe your artwork and how did you get started?
I illustrate picture books and quirky greeting cards. I try and put a little bit of humour in all of my artworks. My favourite card I have made says ‘Jack ran out of presents so he gave his brother the neighbour's cat.’ I like making hand made things and telling little stories in my paintings. I enjoy painting portraits.

I started by studying art at TAFE for three years. I wasn’t sure what medium I wanted to do and it was fantastic because I could try a bit of everything - photography, print making, pottery and digital art. I still use clay to make models to draw from. I kept doodling little stories in the back of my art journals. At the end of my studies I had a little exhibition of my cartoons about children and funny looking pets.

When and why did you launch your business?
I launched the business in 2005 because I wanted to share my stories. It gave me the opportunity to develop my style and experiment with paintings. It has led to working on creative projects such as collaborative murals.

What do you enjoy most about being a children’s artist?
I can read picture books and watch Shaun the Sheep as ‘research.’ I really like seeing children’s reactions to my work.

Children are notoriously impatient – how do you manage to get them to sit for portraits?

I make sure they can see what I am doing. Some children like to watch as I paint them. Children are good at observing details and often remind me ‘don’t forget there are pink AND purple stripes on my socks’. Others stay still because their parents have bribed them with food or are jumping up and down and juggling. Because my style is quite loose, it is actually fine for children to be running around while I paint them.

Where do you work?
I work from a home studio in the garden. This is great because I don’t have to pack everything up each time I make a creative mess. I am quite proud I have built a light table, a rack for drying paintings and use an old cutlery draw to organiser my brushes and pencils.

What do you love about living in Adelaide as an artist?
I like living in Australia because our animals are fantastic for drawing - you can’t find any part of them that is not completely strange! I like working in Adelaide because we have some great little galleries and bookshops. I don’t know if it’s because we are kind of small, but I have found people are very encouraging of young artists.

Where do you find inspiration?
I like spending time in the children’s section of the library. I always feel compelled to create when I come home from looking at an art gallery.

What is your favourite children’s book?
My favourite book for this week is "Dairy of a Wombat" by Jackie French, illustrated by Bruce Whatley. There are lots of picture books I love to read over and over.

Where can we buy your products from?
I have artworks at a couple of galleries including Urban Cow on Frome Road in the city and Gallery M at Marion. I have cards in a few shops including the Ivy Room at Glenelg and Out of the Cot at Magill.

To contact Claire and view more of her work, visit her website:

http://clairerichards.com.au/

Images courtesy of Claire Richards

abc for kids online - the playground

2010-03-02T10:19:00.001+10:30

Have you discovered The Playground on the ABC for Kids website yet? I'd been meaning to try it for a while, but only finally checked it out last week when I was looking for something new to do with a toddler who had been incredibly patient with me feeding my newborn and deserved a treat!

This website is a great introduction to computers for young children, and is also a wonderful resource for parents. The website contains games and activities associated with a lot of the shows and characters featured on ABC for Kids, as well as characters created specifically for The Playground. Games vary in complexity and there are lots of downloads such as colouring in pages and party packs! It also has links to parenting information.

Our current favourite pages are Play School, Olivia, the Wot Wots and Chuggington.

Image from ABC Kids

cozy quick blankie project from the purl bee

2010-03-02T10:18:00.001+10:30

The last few nights have been cooler in Adelaide, and this got me to thinking about cozying up with luscious blankets. Blankets are a bit of an obsession of mine, particularly baby's and children's blankets. I just can't seem to resist a beautiful pattern or a splendid fabric.

Although I have very little spare time now that I have two under two, I still dream about new sewing projects. The Purl Bee is a beautiful shop/website out of the USA, and I often visit it to check out their latest tutorials/projects.

Here's a beautiful one that I hope to get around to completing before the cold weather really hits ... a cozy quick baby blankie. The tutorial has detailed instructions and helpful photos, so I'm hoping that it won't be too hard to tackle in the evenings once the children are asleep and I'm still at least half-awake!

Image from The Purl Bee

product of the week - clarins beauty flash balm

2010-02-27T13:48:00.000+10:30

Had one of those nights last night - you know, the type where your 3 week old baby doesn't want to sleep because she's slept all day, so you end up cat-napping in your feeding chair between 2 and 5am whilst holding a wide-awake baby, only to be waken by a screaming toddler in the next room. After negotiating with hubby, you agree that after the next feed you will deposit baby and toddler out in the family room with hubby so that you can grab a few hours of catch up sleep, which you know will not make up for the night you've just had, but at least it saves you from breaking down in tears at the thought of getting through the day on so little sleep!

All of this is really just an introduction though to this week's product of the week (a bit belated I know, but I figure I have a decent excuse at the moment!) ... Clarin's Beauty Flash Balm. The mother of all rescue products, I have long been a fan. It used to come in handy after a big night out, now it is invaluable after a night like I endured last night (oh how times have changed!!!!).

Beauty Flash Balm is an instant pick-me-up for the skin - I can actually feel my skin firming after I apply it, and it provides much needed radiance to sallow/tired skin. I can't recommend it enough for tired mums!!!!

Available from Clarins stockists throughout South Australia.

toytastic - decorate your own range from villa carton

2010-02-24T11:54:00.001+10:30

This range of cardboard toys and costumes from Villa Carton are fantastic. Based on the premise that young children usually prefer the box a toy came in than the actual toy themselves, these products are the initiative of two dutch artists and are made out of cardboard that is left blank, ready for decorating.

Available in Australia exclusively through online "emporium" Ball and Skittle, the range includes a rocking chair, castle, dollhouse, costumes and textas specifically for decorating the items.

Images from Ball and Skittle

another painting idea - string painting

2010-02-24T11:27:00.000+10:30

Image from A Magical Childhood

As you would have guessed by now, given my frequent posts about painting, I am constantly looking for new and inspiring ways to entertain my toddler with painting activities. Here's another one from A Magical Childhood - string painting.

delicious design - boys bedroom

2010-02-21T11:54:00.000+10:30

Here's a little inspiration for a sophisticated take on decorating a boys room. I came across this photo of US designer Tory Burch's sons' room at my new favourite design blog Habitually Chic. I love the boldness of the black and white - it's mature but the striped walls somehow soften it so that it still looks suitable for young children. The bunk bed is gorgeous. Kidzone do a similar one called Billie Bunk.

toytastic - doll's house furniture from plan toys

2010-02-21T11:31:00.004+10:30

I am lucky enough to still have a beautiful wooden doll's house that my grandmother made for my sister and I. I have been searching for suitable furniture to kit it out for my little ones, and have finally found it in the form of the PlanToys dollhouse products. The beautiful furniture and accessories on offer are made from non-toxic, natural materials and can be purchased online from retailer of eco-friendly products, Black Eyed Green.

Images courtesy of Black Eyed Green

heart hand stamps craft project

2010-02-20T18:08:00.000+10:30

I had grand plans to make one of these with my toddler for hubby this Valentine's Day. However, I think I'd underestimated how time poor I would be having a newborn and toddler at home, and unfortunately didn't get to undertake this project from Khali at Little.Lovely via Bloesem Kids. These Heart Hand Stamps are so simple, yet so effective ... think we'll have to make one soon "just because".

great gift idea for new mums from case of cravings

2010-02-20T13:03:00.000+10:30

Image from Case of Cravings

When I had my first baby, my brother-in-law and his girlfriend (now wife) brought into hospital a gourmet platter filled with prawns, smoked salmon, camembert, proscuitto, and other nibbly bits accompanied by vast quantities of champagne. What better way to celebrate our new arrival than to indulge in all those foods that I had studiously (hubby might say "obsessively") avoided for the previous 9 months?

A friend of mine recently advised me that a clever little South Australian company has tapped into this "end-of-pregnancy" market. Case of Cravings is a gift company specialising in gourmet hampers ladened with a selection of food and wine from Australia, with a particular focus on South Australian produce. Starting at $95 + postage and handling, hampers are available for delivery to Adelaide suburbs. See here for the range of hampers on offer and start salivating!

(Thanks Sarah for the tip!)

product of the week - oops-a-baby! couch covers

2010-02-18T14:38:00.000+10:30

I have to admit that, thus far as a mother, I have deprived my toddler of his own little fold-out couch. It's not so much that we don't need another piece of furniture in the house (although this is probably true), but more to do with the fact that I haven't wanted to introduce such a large piece of cartoon imagery into my lounge room!

Teeny Me offers gorgeous alternatives to the Thomases and Doras, but at $249.95 a pop, I just can't justify one knowing that it will end up covered in yoghurt, watermelon juice and who knows what other culinary delights!

Luckily a friend of mine recently put me onto these flip out couch covers from oops-a-baby!. They are made to fit onto a child's foldout couch and come in an assortment of non-offensive colours (shown above in Chocolate)! Retailing at $49.95 each from oops-a-baby or $59.95 at Out Of The Cot on Magill Road, they make a less cost-prohibitive alternative to the Teeny Me sofas for keeping Thomas on the tv rather than on my furniture!

fabulous furnishings - book rack from pottery barn kids

2010-02-18T08:19:00.002+10:30

I'm always looking for new and interesting ways to display my little ones' books, so I'm loving this book rack from Pottery Barn Kids in the US. It's classic, provides ease of access and makes for an eye-catching display simply by being filled with colourful books. Now if only they shipped overseas!!!

DIY stencil project for furniture

2010-02-15T14:33:00.001+10:30

I recently saw this stenciling project over at the happy home blog and fell in love ... I doubt I'll have the time to undertake such a project, but I'll definitely be keeping it in mind for the future! I think it would be perfectly suited to dressing up the Ikea Malm drawers. Follow the links from the happy home post for the stencils and instructions.

Image from Lena Corwin's Printing by Hand via Etsy courtesy of the happy home

just a quick note ...

2010-02-15T14:32:00.001+10:30

I am back at home with our new little addition to the family (welcome little miss!) but will not be blogging much in the next week or so due to dealing with a newborn as well as a toddler with scarlet fever! Yes, when it rains it pours. Hope to be back online soon, but 'til then, will post a couple of things I drafted before I went into hospital.

mathilda's markets coming to adelaide!

2010-02-02T21:23:00.000+10:30

Exciting news for those who love a good market - Mathilda's Market is coming to Adelaide in 2010! Already an institution on the East Coast, Mathilda's Market showcases and sells handcrafted and limited production baby and children's goods. Most stallholders do not have a shopfront, so the markets are a great way to source unique items, from clothes and accessories to bedroom furnishings and toys. The Adelaide launch is set for 6 March and will be held at Loreto College in Marryatville. See here for further details and 2010 dates.

Image from http://www.mathildasmarket.com.au/

another painting idea - stamping with erasers

2010-02-02T07:58:00.000+10:30

I saw this post over at a small bite of mondo cherry about stamping wrapping paper using old erasers and a fork! It got me to thinking - why stop at making wrapping paper? You could really get the kids to go to town with creating interesting artwork if you cut out all sorts of different designs from old erasers.

Image from a small bite of mondo cherry

just cubbies - new store now open in adelaide

2010-02-02T07:48:00.001+10:30

After reading my recent post about cubby house inpiration, my husband informed me that Just Cubbies has opened a store on Goodwood Road at Kings Park. Selling a range of timber cubby houses, forts, and accessories, the store features working displays so that you can take the children along for a try-out before you buy. Check out their website for photos and explanations about their current range.

Just Cubbies

259a Goodwood Rd, Kings Park

(south-side of the Goodwood subway)

ph 08 8357 7796

Open Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm.

Images from Just Cubbies

pirates! skullduggery at the maritime museum

2010-01-31T08:39:00.000+10:30

This week signals the final week of the Pirates! Skullduggery at the Maritime Museum exhibition at the South Australian Maritime Museum, located at Port Adelaide.

If you didn't visit over the school holidays, this is your last chance. The exhibition is hands on, so for once you don't have to worry so much about constantly saying "no touching" whilst in a museum! Entry is $8.50 for adults and $3.50 for children (there is also a family rate).

delicious design - cubby house featured at ohdeedoh

2010-01-30T16:29:00.000+10:30

Have just been reading about this cubby house over at ohdeedoh - just amazing! Yes, I admit it may be a little OTT, but it's gorgeous nonetheless.

letter and mail crafts

2010-01-30T09:20:00.000+10:30

I don't know about you other mums out there, but my toddler loves collecting the mail from our letterbox, and posting letters into the postbox at Kindergym. Rather than forking out for yet another toy that will no doubt be out of favour within a few months, I was fortunate enough to stumble across these crafts at Kids Craft Weekly, including instructions for how to make your own play mailbox and letterbox.

Images courtesy of Kids Craft Weekly

pick your own strawberries at beerenberg farm

2010-01-30T09:07:00.000+10:30

Looking for a fun family outing? Why not try strawberry picking at Beerenberg Farm? The strawberry picking season is halfway through, and reports from the Beerenberg blog indicate that the produce is great at the moment. My sister recently took two young children (ages 4 and 1) visiting from overseas and a great time was had by all. This is a cheap activity ($3 entry for people aged over 14 plus price of strawberries per kilo) and is nice and close to Adelaide (the farm is located in Hahndorf).

See here for full details / opening times.

Images courtesy of www.beerenberg.com.au

"the parent's guide to play"

2010-01-29T08:40:00.000+10:30

I have been meaning to write about this book for a while now, especially over the Summer, where the heat often prohibits too much outdoor playtime but parents are still looking for activities to stimulate the little ones! Gymboree - The Parent's Guide To Play is filled with over 170 activities to stimulate imaginations, expand vocabularies and build physical and mental skills. The book is organised by age groups (eg, 3 months and up, 6 months and up etc) and has provided me with lots of new activities to undertake with my growing boy. Almost all of the activities utilise materials or toys that you will probably already have around the house, and there are explanations as to how each activity develops a particular skill.

I bought my copy from Big W, but it is also available from Amazon.com.

changes to mumspiration

2010-01-27T17:01:00.000+10:30

Just thought I'd quickly let all you lovely readers out there know that there have been, and will be, a couple of changes to mumspiration over the next month or so. These changes are due to the fact that we will be welcoming another member into our family next week, and I have realised that I won't be able to commit as much time to this blog as I have been able to recently. Thus, you may already have noticed the lack of recent "Friday Focus" posts - I have decided to make this a monthly feature which will be published on the first Friday of each month. Furthermore, I give you forewarning that I won't be able to provide as many posts due to juggling a newborn, a very energetic toddler, hormones, and an ever-increasingly jealous cat! Never fear though, I have no intention of giving up on this blog as I am enjoying it so much and love all your feedback!

In the meantime, I'd love you to consider signing up as a follower to the blog, as well as leaving any comments/suggestions on posts that you've enjoyed or would like to see.

delicious design - 1 2 3 soleil convertible bed from castor & chouca

2010-01-27T10:06:00.000+10:30

You have to hand it to the French - they certainly know how to make stunning children's furniture (think Ouef). I'm loving this baby bed that converts into a desk from French brand Castor & Chouca! You can also purchase a matching cradle.

australia day crafts for kids

2010-01-26T09:38:00.000+10:30

Australian Flag Collage from Activity Village

Fingerprint sheep from Activity Village

Happy Australia Day! Just thought I'd post some links to sites featuring Australia Day kids' crafts for those of you who don't have many plans for the public holiday ...

Activity Sheets for Kids from Australia Day Council of NSW
Line drawings for colouring from National Australia Day Council
Australia Day crafts from Activity Village

Wooden spoon crocodile from Activity Village

Line drawing for colouring from National Australia Day Council

product of the week - "a book about me"

2010-01-26T08:31:00.000+10:30

Image courtesy of Milestone Press

I must confess to being a bit of a journal fanatic ... not only do I have a baby book for my toddler, I have also kept separate journals documenting my pregnancies. I only wish I had had this journal from Milestone Press! Designed by mothers, "A Book About Me" is a journal designed to record memories from pregnancy through to age 5. I love the flexibility of this journal, including the ability to remove unwanted pages. See here for further details. This would make a great gift to someone who has just fallen pregnant, so that they can record all the special moments from conception!

desiring this bag ...

2010-01-26T08:20:00.000+10:30

Images Rachel Ruddick (top) & http://www.cedarleaf.com.au/

Words cannot describe how totally in love I am with this Bronte Baby Bag in Domino Watersnake (yes, that is the actual colour name!) by Rachel Ruddick ... if I didn't have to fork out for a speeding fine, the airconditioner getting fixed, council fees for a development application, nappies, and other such mundane yet necessary expenses, I would seriously consider purchasing this little slice of bag heaven (then again, if I didn't have to buy nappies, I would have no excuse for purchasing this bag ... such a conundrum).

delicious design - inspired by alphabet wall decals

2010-01-22T08:27:00.001+10:30

I have recently finished decorating my toddler's new "big boy" room. Finding appropriate artwork for his walls became a minor (although my husband might argue "major") obsession, as I was determined to source pieces that would grow with him so that I would not need to be spending a lot on updating his room every year. I was very keen to find an alphabet wall decal that would be educational, but that appeared modern and not too "babyish". I was keen to avoid cartoon characters, pastels, and certain fonts.

My search was long - I discovered that there are an infinite number of alphabet wall decals on the market - but fruitful. There are some wonderful designs out there if you have the time to browse the multitude of web sites offering wall decals (what did we do before google?).

I finally settled on a vinyl alphabet (pictured top) from tasty suite at etsy.

I also love a similar one (pictured middle) available from from Harmonie interieure, a beautiful French company (you must also check out their other gorgeous decals!).

If I hadn't been so set on a decal, though, I think I would have chosen a plywood alphabet (pictured bottom) from bookhou - maybe I can justify purchasing one of these for the playroom!

crafty use for old magazines from "a small bite of mondo cherry"

2010-01-20T08:54:00.000+10:30

Image courtesy of A small bite of mondo cherry

The weather forecast for tomorrow in Adelaide ... 38 degrees! This will no doubt mean a day spent indoors searching for interesting activities to keep the littlies occupied. Crafty blog A small bite of mondo cherry recently posted this threading activity using magazines. If you're anything like me, you'll have a lot of old mags lying around waiting to be sent to the recycling bin, and the only other items you'll need are string/wool/pipecleaner and some stickytape. Cheap AND cheerful!

help haiti

2010-01-19T16:36:00.000+10:30

I thank my lucky stars every night as I'm watching the news that I have such a blessed life - my family and friends are all safe and sound and have beds to sleep in, and food to eat. My heart goes out in particular to the mothers in Haiti - how heartwrenching it must be to wonder where your child is, or whether or not they will miss yet another meal.

To help the Haitians, there are a number of Australian aid organisations to which you can donate. Here are but a few:

Australian Red Cross - Haiti earthquake appeal
Oxfam Australia - Haiti earthquake appeal
World Vision Australia - Haiti earthquake appeal
UNICEF Australia - Haiti emergency appeal

holiday art and craft program at the art gallery of south australia

2010-01-19T16:12:00.000+10:30

I have already blogged about the START at the Gallery program at the Art Gallery of South Australia, but just thought I'd remind you about the Holiday Art & Craft Program that is being run at the Art Gallery this week (ending 22 January). Titled "Summer at the Water's Edge", the hour-long program is run daily at 10.30am, 12.00 noon and 1.30pm, and costs $5 per child. With all materials supplied, children are able to make sea-inspired jewellery or a fish and rod to take home. Suitable for 5-10 year olds. Bookings are essential. See here for further details.

product of the week - commemorative jewellery from uberKate

2010-01-19T15:59:00.000+10:30

With baby number 2 due to arrive in less than 3 weeks, I've been dreaming about ways to commemorate her birth (I know that having her in my arms will be enough, but a girl can always fantasise about more jewellery can't she???).

There are a number of artisans out there who are producing what I like to call "commemorative" jewellery - items that celebrate and commemorate family members - but my favourite would have to be the Combination ubercircles from uberKate (are you reading this hubby dearest?!). I love the idea of having a large circle for my husband and me, and a medium circle for each child. Designed by Sydneysider Kate Sutton, the uberKate range is sleek and contemporary, yet classic. See here for uberkate products and to order online.

how to make a beach collage

2010-01-18T19:00:00.000+10:30

Wondering what to do with all those shells and pieces of cuttlefish collected by the kiddies during strolls along the beach? Don't just throw them out en route back to the car ... take them home and create a beach collage using these instructions from Kids Nature Spot.

I think that this is a great way to commemorate summer exploration, and will provide you with an indoor activity when it's just too hot to still be playing outside.

pom pom decorations

2010-01-17T11:16:00.000+10:30

I went to a wedding last weekend (yes, it was a bit rough being 8 months pregnant in 43 degree weather but worth it!) and was totally inspired by my friend Kathryn's beautiful decorations - colourful tissue paper pom poms and table decorations which beat the heat AND looked gorgeous.

I had already been considering making some pom poms for the impending arrival's nursery after seeing them in this nursery at ohdeedoh, but was unsure where to source them or how to make them.

Image from ohdeedoh

Luckily, the universe responded in the form of a recent post at little.lovely - see here for instructions on how to make tissue pom poms. Martha Stewart Weddings also has a tutorial for making hanging pom poms, with a few more photos than at little.lovely - handy for those of us who require more visual instructions.

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings

fringe festival 2010 - family events

2010-01-16T09:45:00.000+10:30

It's almost that time of the year again - the Adelaide Fringe Festival hits town on 19 February, and this year there are 37 "Family" events in the program. If you missed the release of the Fringe guide in last week's Advertiser, never fear, click here for a rundown of the "Family" events, which appear to cater for a variety of tastes and ages.

free amy butler patterns

2010-01-15T14:14:00.003+10:30

I am currently obsessed with Amy Butler fabrics, patterns, books etc and I just found these free patterns that you can download in pdf format.

And here are some simply beautiful fabrics from Amy Butler to swoon over ... enjoy!

Images courtesy of Modern Retro Textiles

free theatre show by windmill - the whale's tale

2010-01-15T08:46:00.000+10:30

Windmill, the Adelaide-based theatre company that caters for children and families, is presenting a free outdoor family show these school holidays.

The Whale's Tale is being staged in Murray Bridge, Adelaide and Victor Harbor. See here for dates and times. Suitable for children aged 3-12, this is an unseated event and no bookings are required, so get yourself some picnic rugs and enjoy the show!

For the full 2010 Windmill season, see here.

a little mumspiration from ohdeedoh - norah's sweet & sunny nursery

2010-01-14T09:06:00.001+10:30

I am totally loving this gorgeous nursery featured at ohdeedoh (if you haven't checked out the kid's room tours at this site - a subsection of apartment therapy - you must do so NOW!). The yellow/pink combination is so sweet. I will admit to poaching a few of norah's mum's decorating ideas for baby number 2's nursery but, alas, I am not brave (or talented) enough to paint a cot myself, and hubby has declared himself to be over DIY projects for the time being! See more and read about it here.

product of the week - family planners from kikki.k

2010-01-14T08:36:00.000+10:30

With the family continuing to expand, I am loving the 2010 family diary and 2010 family calendar from kikki.K. Each provides space for each family member's commitments, activities and events so that you (and hubby) can keep track of what everyone's up to and when. Essential for keeping organised!

P.S. Does anyone out there know what happened to Sorted Space on the Parade? It used to stock lots of kikki.K products and was a heavenly store for obsessive organisers like myself!

sew your own baby burp cloths

2010-01-11T08:37:00.001+10:30

With only 4 weeks to go until baby number 2 arrives (!!!!), I have been in full nesting mode. This has included borrowing my mum's sewing machine and attempting to sew for the first time in 15 years! Having loved sewing at school, I have felt inspired by my many crafty friends and fellow bloggers to take up the activity again.

My first project was making sheets for my toddler's new room - a simple exercise which allowed me to practice simple straight stitch and hemming. I am now onto baby burp cloths - another fairly simple project that I found at chikaustin's beautiful blog. You can find the tutorial here.

I bought a pack of 12 "softies" cloth nappies at Target and some fat flats from Spotlight for the decorative fabric. I'm not sure I'd go the fat flats option if I were to repeat this project, as they were not wide enough for the nappies - this meant I had to cut the nappies smaller and then hem them again, which was more work than I'd anticipated when I started this project. Next time I think I'll just get fabric cut for me.

blackboard piggy bank

2010-01-08T08:53:00.000+10:30

Just spotted this on Kimberlee's blog - loving it to save my gold coins up for something special in 2010! Available from Brown Button Trading, Kimberlee's fabulous Adelaide-based homewares/gift online store, for $39.95 (comes with chalk!). What do they say? You have to spend to save!!!

friday focus - the white shed

2010-01-08T07:43:00.000+10:30

Regional South Australia has a number of must-visit homewares stores (think Balhannah By Design), and now, thanks to mother-of-two Letitia Linke, the Yorke Peninsula can boast its own homewares store to rival anything on offer in Adelaide. The White Shed, located on the Linke's farm just outside of Maitland, is a homewares and gift store which offers an Interior Design consultancy service. I caught up with Letitia to find out more about her new venture, which will officially open on 5 February.

Why did you launch this business and how did you get started?
I have always had a huge interest in beautiful homes and interiors and decided that I would like to do what I love. I undertook an Interior Design course by correspondence, which involved designing a retail space - that was how The White Shed was born. There are so many amazing homes and beach houses on the Yorke Peninsula, but there was a major lack of stylish, modern homewares available locally.

What items/services do you offer?
The range includes Modern and French inspired cushions, throws, clocks, ceramics, wicker, glass jars, hurricane vases, picture frames, tea towels, placemats, mirrors, baby's bibs, boutique baby singlets, hair clips, jewellery, olive oil, soaps ... just to name a few! I offer colour and decorating consultations which can be for just one room or an entire home. I can also source items for clients to meet their personal requirements. Mail orders are welcome.

How do you manage juggling mum duty with running your business?
I am lucky to have two very low maintenance boys! Ollie is now at Kindy and Tommy in day care on Tuesdays, which is the official day that the store is open. I am also open by appointment, and this works well as other mums can ring up and make a time when I am here with the boys, and they are more than welcome to bring their children with them.

What do you love about living on the Yorke Peninsula?

The beautiful countryside, beaches, easy going lifestyle and the fact that we are so close to Adelaide, yet far enough away! There are great people here too.

Where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration comes from some amazing stores that I have bought from in the past! I have tried to pick all of the best items (in my opinion) I've seen and bring them together in The White Shed.

What is your favourite room to decorate/design?
All rooms ... even a bathroom can be changed dramatically with a few accessories!

What items in a room do you think are splurge-worthy?
Definitely cushions - they can have so much impact. Also, good quality fabrics.

What kind of questions should a potential client ask before hiring a designer?
Ask to look at some photos of their previous work. The most important thing for a designer to do is capture the client’s likes and style, rather than force their own style on them.

The White Shed

Lot 805, Clinton Road

Maitland SA 5573

08 8832 2936 / 0439 532 836

"Wildlife of Gondwana" exhibit at Marion

2010-01-06T08:55:00.000+10:30

Image by Peter Trusler, via SA Museum

The SA Museum's "Wildlife of Gwondana" exhibit is visiting Westfield Marion these school holidays, with the following features:

Dinosaur Exhibit - Thursday 7 January, 10am-2pm in the Event Cinemas Foyer

fossil display and touch table
fossil rubbing
skeletal material
hands on fun making dinosaur masks
singing performance
Gondwana gardens plant talk

Dino Hunt - Monday 4 - Sunday 17 January, throughout Westfield Marion

take the 'dino hunt' activity trail through the Centre, follow the footsteps and spot the dinosaurs hiding out at Westfield Marion.

product of the week - play kitchens

2010-01-05T15:33:00.003+10:30

I have to confess to a "thing" for play kitchens - I think it harks back to cooking up weird and wonderful concoctions in my cubby house utilising Mum's herbs and spices, flour and water.

However, finding a decent one amongst the offerings can be difficult. I was adament that I would avoid anything too plasticky or garish, and thankfully there are some companies out there who have taken the initiative and produced play kitchens with sleek, modern lines whilst avoiding cartoon characters.

Here are my two current favourites:

Ikea Duktig play kitchen (part of the Duktig range)

I love the Scandinavian simplicity of this kitchen, and my son loves the stove top that lights up at the touch of a button! The microwave and top unit are an add-on that need to be purchased separately.

The Duktig play kitchen is not currently featured on Ikea's website, but is available in-store (I purchased one about a month ago). You may wish to call the store to check availability and avoid disappointment, as they are selling like hot-cakes. I had to wait for a new shipment before making the treck down to Adelaide Airport (Ikea do not take personal orders).

$139 without add on
$60 for add on

Plan Toys Kitchen Centre

My eco-friendly choice, this kitchen is two-sided, with one side featuring a cooking centre, and the other a washing up space. Featuring an oven, sink and dishwasher, the entire set is made from recycled rubberwood.

It can be difficult to find Play Toys in-store in Adelaide, but there are plenty of online retailers that stock the Kitchen Centre (just Google Plan Toys Kitchen Centre for results).

This kitchen retails for around $400.

painting projects

2010-01-05T15:27:00.000+10:30

With most regular activities on hold over school holidays, I've been searching for inspiring projects to do with my toddler to keep him entertained - this is especially important on the hot days when we can't be outside all day. Here are my current favourite painting projects sourced from other blogs:

Water colour resist painting from BloesemKids

Animal portrait from BloesemKids

Glue prints from The Adventures of Bear

Vegetable printing from Domesticali (pictured above), Make-Stuff and BloesemKids (pictured below)

I also adapted the methods for vegetable printing to make my Christmas wrapping paper this year by using household sponges cut into shapes as prints. Here was the result:

After an afternoon of painting yesterday, I have the following tips for keeping it as mess-free as possible (I emphasise "possible", as painting with a toddler will inevitably involve some mess, make no mistake!):

lay down plastic tablecloth over the surface on which you are going to be painting - if you are sitting over carpet, I also suggest putting something protective over the carpet as well. Spotlight sells plastic tablecloth material cut to measure in an assortment of colours and patterns, as well as clear/colourless;
blue tac or sticky-tape the paint pots or plates (I use old yoghurt and butter containers) to the table/surface on which you are painting. This will prevent them from falling over everytime a paintbrush or stamp is placed into them (usually with a large amount of vigor!);
keep a wet chux/kitchen sponge handy to wipe up any spills as they occur - this will save you heavy handed scrubbing at the end of the activity;
I highly recommend purchasing a painting smock from Ikea - these are the only ones I've found that have adjustable arm lengths and therefore can be made to fit even young toddlers.

product of the week - chux magic erasers

2010-01-02T09:25:00.000+10:30

My cousin recently put me onto the Chux Magic Erasers after I complained to her about my toddler's crayon artwork that had suddenly appeared on my kitchen wall! They are great for removing most marks (crayon and ink included) and scuffs fom hard surfaces.

If you haven't already tried Chux Magic Erasers, they are definitely worth a go. You should be able to find them in the cleaning aisle at your supermarket.

START at the Gallery

2009-12-29T20:57:00.000+10:30

Need to get out of the house after all the Christmas revelry, but don't want to battle the crowds viewing Wang Wang and Funi? Why not take the children along to the Art Gallery of South Australia and experience the START at the Gallery program. Held on the first Sunday of every month, and suitable for children aged 5-10, the free START program includes tours, art and craft sessions, family trails, live music and entertainment. See here for this Sunday's (3 January) program.

Families will also be able to view the John Brack exhibition or the Bravura exhibition for the special entry price of $10 (2 adults and children) this Sunday.

free art from Feed Your Soul

2009-12-29T09:44:00.000+10:30

With hubby only having a week off from work over the Christmas break, we are in full decorating mode for the new baby (6 weeks to go 'til she arrives!). I have been madly sourcing art works for the walls / bookshelf displays, and recently stumbled across Feed Your Soul: the free art project. Jen Wallace, the writer behind the blog Indie Fixx, has put together this forum for sharing free art where. Artists are invited to contribute one work each which you can download and print on cardstock FOR FREE!!!

Some of the artists will be well-known to you (for example, Mandy Sutcliffe and her Belle & Boo collection), others less so, but there is plenty to choose from (new art is added each month).

I had great difficulty whittling my selection down to 3 prints for my daughter's room, but am buoyed by the knowledge that if I get bored with my choices after a while, I can easily change them without spending a fortune!

Thanks Jen for your wonderful idea and generosity!

product of the week - concealer

2009-12-24T10:04:00.000+10:30

Exhausted already from multiple functions in the lead-up to Christmas and dealing with a toddler whose sleep patterns have taken a beating thanks to afore-mentioned functions, I have to admit that I'm not looking my "freshest" at the moment. Not exactly how I want to appear in all the family photos that are part and parcel of the holiday season.

Thankfully the makeup industry provides us with a wide array of concealers to (hopefully) provide cover for those tell-tale signs of fatigue (and ageing!). To cover dark circles, you need a yellow or peach toned concealer.

My all-time favourite concealer (Sue Devitt Automatic Camouflage) is not available in Australia, but here are my two alternatives that are readily available in Adelaide ...

Splurge on:
Touche Eclat Radiant Touch by Yves Saint Laurent
This award-winning concealer claims to be "8 hours of sleep in a pen" and I've certainly found that it effectively covers dark undereye circles. Available at David Jones Rundle Mall, this concealer will set you back $78.

Save on:
Concealer by Napoleon Perdis
Okay, so at $30 it's still not the cheapest concealer on the market, but it does work, and lasts a long time. You may want to use a brush to apply it from the pot, but I must admit that I just use my finger (freshly washed of course so as not to introduce bacteria into the concealer ... when I remember!). See here for South Australian Napoleon stockists.

great summer toy - scrunch bucket

2009-12-24T09:05:00.002+10:30

I love these scrunch buckets from Sun and Snow. The last trip I made to the beach with my toddler was exhausting to say the least - all by myself, and about 5 months pregnant, I dragged my McLaren stroller, nappy bag and beach bag all down onto the beach whilst grappling with S who wanted to run headlong into the waves! Needless to say, after that experience, anything that lightens the load is a winner in my books. The scrunch bucket does exactly that - no need for a separate bag to carry a bulky bucket, just wrap this one up and stick it in the nappy bag or, as the website suggests, in your pocket!

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea #6

2009-12-20T08:54:00.000+10:30

Don't panic if you still haven't completed the Chrissy shopping - I call the next list of Christmas gift ideas the "give yourself a break" list. They do not require wrapping, and can be organised at the last minute! Well suited for members of busy families, the following items may not be overly glamorous, but they are sure to be well-appreciated by their recipients, and may result in extra time available to spend with family. So why don't you give someone dear to you a break, or, better yet, if you're stuck for an answer when someone asks you what you would like for Christmas, provide them with the following list to consider:

for the gardener of the house - a job usually (but not always) falling to the man of the house, why not "give them a break" from mowing the lawns and tending to the garden and pay to have a gardener give the garden a decent once-over. Also arrange to have the lawns mowed professionally for a couple of months;
for the cleaner of the house - there's nothing like a big spring clean to rejuvenate a house - I know how much happier and calmer I feel in a beautifully clean and tidy house (even if it only stays that way for the length of my toddler's nap!). Why not pay for a professional to give your house a good spring clean. While you're at it, why not consider a professional window clean as well?
for the care-giver of the house - need a break from the children and have some time to yourself (or time with hubby)? Organise for a babysitter to take the kids for a few hours (or better yet, overnight!) and use the time wisely! (see this previous post for a Christmas babysitting special);
for the chef of the house - if you are responsible for cooking, why not ask hubby to cook for a week to give you a break. If he doesn't usually get home from work until late, suggest he cook up big batches on a weekend and freeze enough portions to feed the family for a week. If hubby is the chef in the house, offer to take over the cooking for a week.

Image from http://www.babble.com/

friday focus hiatus

2009-12-20T07:52:00.001+10:30

This is a little late, but you may have already noticed that there was not a "Friday Focus" last week - I have decided to take a break from this over the Christmas/New Year's period so that I can dedicate more time to family and friends, but never fear, it will be back in 2010 with lots of more interesting items and interviews. At this stage, I anticipate the next Friday Focus post will be on January 8.

product of the week - baby jogger city select

2009-12-17T12:49:00.001+10:30

With only 2 months to go until I become a mother of two (!) I have attempted to get out and purchase the final required items for baby’s imminent arrival.

Top of my list – the perfect double pram. After much research and advice from friends, I thought that I had found it – the Baby Jogger City Mini Double. However, I found out this week from a mother of four (who obviously has a wealth of knowledge of all things pram-related - thanks Bronny!) that Baby Jogger has just released this little number. Upon seeing the City Select Twin, I just knew I HAD TO HAVE IT!!!!

Due to hit Australian shores in March 2010, this pram has been likened to “the double Bugaboo if Bugaboo made one!” – the City Select can start off as a single pram, with either a bassinet or seat, and then allows for either a double seat or single seat and bassinet combination. The bassinet and seats can be attached in a variety of positions (see photo for just some of the combinations).

I spoke with the Australian distributor for Baby Jogger this week, and was advised that current Baby Jogger stockists should be able to stock the City Select. I have put in a call to Baby Bunting to place my order, and am currently waiting to hear back from them.

You can view a demonstration of the City Select here.

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea # 5

2009-12-16T08:42:00.001+10:30

This post should also be titled "Gifts that keep on giving", as today's Christmas gift suggestions are all about charitable gifts.

These have become quite popular over the last few years, and are such a wonderful concept and in keeping with the true spirit of Christmas. I know that I have been the happy giver and receiver of such gifts in recent times.

My picks for this year's charitable gifts are as follows:

World Youth International Australia - a not-for-profit, non-religious and non-political international development organisation based in South Australia that provides for programs and projects in Australia and overseas.
Oxfam Unwrapped - the gift arm of Oxfam Australia, a not-for-profit organisation working to fight poverty and injustice around the world.
The Smith Family - Visit the shop of this national, independent children's charity that helps disadvantaged Australian children. I particularly like the Art Workshop and Materials gift.

help your child to be sunsmart this summer

2009-12-14T13:48:00.000+10:30

With the weather heating up again this week, I thought it would be an idea to post a reminder about how to help your little ones (and, of course, yourself) stay SunSmart this Summer.

You can't go a moment these days without reading or hearing about the high risk to Australians of skin cancer, and rightly so - more than 440,000 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer every year (source: Cancer Council SA). The biggest culprit? The sun.

Long gone are the days when children roamed free throughout summer wearing little more than their birthday suit. Damage to a child's skin begins with their first exposure to the UV radiation from the sun, and skin damage caused by this exposure builds up over the years, increasing a child's risk of developing skin cancer (source: Cancer Council SA).

Luckily, there are simple ways to help protect your child's skin, and many resources available to help parents to access information about being SunSmart.

I have found the Cancer Council SA website to be really useful - it spells out the latest 5-step approach to being SunSmart (yes, gone also are the days of merely "slip, slop, slap"!) and has a great fact sheet "Skin Protection and Young Children".

I know that many young children (my toddler included) suffer from sensitive skin, and this fact sheet has some tips for buying sunscreen for such skin. After trialling a few myself, I have found the Hamilton's range (both the Toddler and Sensitive skin versions) to be the least irritable on my son's eczema-prone skin. We're currently using the roll-on versions, as my son thinks it's fun to "paint" his body with the sunscreen. I'd love to hear from you about other brands you've found to be low-irritant for your little ones.

There is a decent range of protective swimwear now available, and it's not all cartoons and garish colours! Once again, the Cancer Council is a good source of this clothing, stocking UPF50+ outfits and accessories which are fairly plain. Another good online retailer of protective swimwear is Sun + Snow.

Broad brimmed hats are a must, with a brim of 6cm for children. I'm currently loving the Oobi Baby range for girls (pictured is the Red Dot Bridgette Sunhat). A huge range is available online at Baby's Got Style, and Kidzone also stocks selected items in store. For boys, I can't go past the star hats from Parade.

For trips to the beach, a cabana is also a good idea. The Cancer Council stocks them, but I've also seen them at Ray's Outdoors, Big W and Target in the past.

delicious design - kitchen of my dreams

2009-12-11T16:23:00.002+10:30

Image from Velvet and Linen

I have to admit that ever since I married and started my family, redecorating has become something of an obsession of mine - not that I'm not thankful for my lovely house as it is, but I can't help but dream of all the improvements I can make. I guess when you're at home as much as mums are, it's hard to always look past the flaws when they're constantly in your face!

Anyhoo, I don't usually write posts like this one, but I've just seen this kitchen from Brooke Gianetti's blog and imagined how lovely it would be cooking for the family in this kitchen - look at the size of the stoves and fridge! I might even offer to do the washing up as well if it meant more time in this gorgeous room!

Happy weekend readers! Only 14 sleeps til Santa comes!

etsy find - bedtime bus roll

2009-12-11T09:00:00.002+10:30

If you haven't yet discovered etsy, you absolutely must get on to it NOW! It's a great place to find unique handmade and vintage items from around the world, and there is a large and talented Australian contingent selling their wares.

My latest must-have item - this Bedtime Bus Roll from Sydney based My Sweet Prints. It is inspired by the vintage bus roll prints that seem to be everywhere these days, but has a great twist for your little one! I'm thinking it would look perfect in S's new big boy room ...

Image from My Sweet Prints

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea #4

2009-12-11T08:31:00.000+10:30

I think that these poncho towels for 2-8 year olds from Teeny Me would be great for the beach AND for that wet, sandy car ride home! Available in navy, red or pink.

friday focus - the nanny webb

2009-12-11T08:30:00.000+10:30

Choosing to leave your child in the hands of another, whether for regular child care or casual babysitting, is one of the biggest and often stressful decisions a parent has to make. It is vitally important that you feel confident in the knowledge that your child will be well looked after, in a safe and nurturing environment.

2009 saw the launch of the Adelaide branch of the nanny webb, a bespoke child care placement service. Already established in Sydney (by ex-Adelaidean Yurana Webb), the nanny webb offers long term and temporary nannies, as well as babysitting services.

I caught up with Holly Auld, Manager of the nanny webb's Adelaide branch, to discuss the agency and the joys of nannying!

How did The Nanny Webb start? Why was it launched?
The nanny webb started in Sydney four years ago by Yurana Webb. Yurana had worked as a nanny for quite some years and saw a niche for a personalised, boutique nanny placement agency. After returning from working as a nanny in London, I approached Yurana about starting a branch of the nanny webb in Adelaide. This was a life-long dream of mine. She thankfully agreed, and the Adelaide branch was developed.

What services do you offer?
We are a placement agency and therefore provide nannies and babysitters for families. We provide quality nannies who all have their First Aid Certificate, DECS or Police Clearance, current references and an adequate amount of experience. I interview the nannies, check their references and meet with them on a regular basis at nanny team building sessions to discuss their progress.

What do you think separates you from other nanny agencies?
Definitely our personal service and high calibre of nannies. I personally meet with the families, assess their needs and discuss the desired qualities that they are seeking in a nanny. This is all noted on their file and regularly updated as the child/children develop and grow older.

How did you get involved in nannying?
From a very young age I always had a child on my hip, whether it was one of my younger brothers, a family friend or a neighbour in need. I started babysitting for family friends when I was about 13 and have never stopped! I had a great opportunity four years ago when I was employed by Darcey Bussell [former prima ballerina with The Royal Ballet in the UK] to nanny her children in London. Initially it was a 12 month assignment, but I ended up staying for three years! This is where I learnt the most about being a nanny, as there is such an established and successful nanny network over there.

How can potential clients contact The Nanny Webb?
The best way is to check out our fantastic website. This provides both mine and Yurana's contact details, and gives you a lovely insight into the ethos and business of the nanny webb.

Once a family contacts the nanny webb, it receives a Parent's Information Pack which highlights certain things that are required from an employee of a nanny. It also inculdes insurance information, suggested questions to ask when interviewing a nanny, and an example letter of employment.

What should parents look for when hiring a suitable nanny for their children?
I am a strong believer that it is very important for a family to be matched with the nanny right for their needs. Families and nannies have different expectations, beliefs and morals, and these need to be discussed and confirmed at the initial interview stage to enable a consistent, loving and caring environment for the children at all times.

After speaking with many mothers over the years, their most treasured nannies have been those that love and treat their children like their own and, in turn, become an important member of the family.

What do you enjoy most about working with children?
Everything! Children are so rewarding and give so much joy and love. The one-on-one care that is provided by a nanny is like no other. Children are able to form a very close relationship with their nannies, while still respecting their authority.

I am fascinated by children's developmental stages, diet, sleep routines (or lack of), attachment and learning through play, and I regularly attend information sessions and training sessions on these topics.

I never wake up in the morning and think, "I really do not want to go to work today". I think I have the best job in the world - who wouldn't want to play in a park, build sandcastles or make a space ship out of a garbage bag and playdough!

The nanny webb is currently offering a special Christmas gift package, providing 3 hours of night-time babysitting (including placement fee), and a hand-made Christmas decoration from All The King's Horses (includes postage and handling) for $65. Email Holly for enquiries and to place your order.

product of the week - kiehl's nurturing baby cream

2009-12-10T07:43:00.000+10:30

I love this product - it's the only unmedicated cream I can use on my toddler's skin when it's inflamed with eczema without causing him pain and discomfort. With the key ingredients of shea butter, apricot kernel oil and purified honey, and currently available from David Jones in Rundle Mall, Kiehl's Nurturing Baby Cream for Face and Body is this week's "product of the week".

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea # 3

2009-12-09T08:59:00.000+10:30

Perfect for a friend, mother or mother-in-law, these exquisite "Vintage Rose" letterpress notelets are hand printed in duck-egg blue and are available in a pack of 6 from Bespoke Press.

christmas catering mumspiration-style

2009-12-09T08:58:00.000+10:30

Christmas can be one of the most hectic times of the year for a family, so I have been thinking about ways in which we as mums can keep our sanity whilst still providing a fun-filled, special Christmas for our children and partners.

One easy time-saver is streamlining the catering for Christmas Day. Whether you're catering for 4 or 40, a wonderful luxury of living in this era of consumerism is that most courses can be pre-ordered and purchased, saving yourself time and a lot of effort (and often stress). Moreover, there are some absolutely beautiful products on the market that mean you do not have to compromise on taste and quality just because they are store bought rather than home-cooked.

So why don’t you buy yourself some more time with the family and order in this Christmas? Here are my picks for purchasing Christmas lunch items for 2009:

Seafood
What Australian Christmas lunch is complete without seafood? There is nothing like starting your Christmas Day feast standing around a table outside, clambering for a share in the cray and prawns (all bets are off – it’s every man for themselves).

If you’re not lucky enough to have a fisherman in the family, put an order in for South Australian crayfish and whole cooked prawns at Malvern’s Gulf Seafoods.

Ham

My pick for a ham this year - Saskia Beer’s The Black Pig range available through Lucia’s Fine Foods. Take your pick from Berkshire, Suckling or Champagne and enjoy some of the best local ham!

Turkey
These days you can buy a pre-stuffed, trussed turkey ready for roasting at just about any butcher or poultry shop. However, if you don't want to slave over a hot oven at all, order yourself a cooked, stuffed turkey from The Black Olive at Rose Park - just send hubby out Christmas eve to pick it up! Too easy.

Pudding

Newcastle-based Pudding Lane offers award winning, home-made puddings, including a gluten free option. My favourite is the traditional Christmas pud, but if you’re more adventurous, why not try one of the chocolate varieties or the macadamia and brandy option? Purchase online from Puddings SA.

Cherries
Fresh cherries are one of the simple delights of Christmas, and you can pick your own in the Adelaide Hills. Why not download the Cherry Map from cherriessa.com.au and make a family outing of it? Otherwise see here for Shed Door sales.

One final tip – get your orders in by mid-December to avoid disappointment!

dear little deer hooks

2009-12-06T10:03:00.000+10:30

I love these quirky Dear Little Deer Hooks from my friend Kimberlee at Brown Button Trading - something a bit different and fun to add to my toddler's new "big boy" room.

You should also check out Kimberlee's gorgeous blog - it's full of inspiring photos and reviews of all things beautiful (a lovely place to visit when the children are asleep and you just want to feel good!).

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea #2

2009-12-05T12:57:00.003+10:30

Your little one could really make his or her mark with a personalised stamp from Imprintables. There are 6 design choices and 40 colours to choose from when customising your stamp. Gorgeous!

party season accessory

2009-12-05T07:44:00.001+10:30

With the pre-Christmas party season well and truly underway, I am actually venturing out to some parties, despite my constant state of exhaustion thanks to an active toddler and second pregnancy!

To perk myself up, I have been searching for the perfect party bag - something that does not in the slightest resemble my usual enormous nappy bag! Think I've found it in the Mickey Weave Clutch from Witchery - cute, petite, and in a fab festive colour without being too glitzy.

make your own advent calendar

2009-12-05T07:35:00.001+10:30

If you're a bit late off the mark, and still don't have yourself an advent calendar, why not use this weekend to make your own? It's another great activity to do with the littlies, and you can avoid that cheap and nasty chocolate that usually comes in them (try a sticker or little toy if you don't want to go the chocolate option, but I know my toddler loves a bit of Haighs!).

Here are a few DIY advent calendar ideas:

1. Paper cup advent from Well I'll Be A Monkey's Mama

2. Paper envelope advent from Kids Craft Weekly

3. Box advent from Full Circle

4. Glass jar advent from Fuse Interiors

friday focus - all the king's horses

2009-12-04T07:28:00.000+10:30

I am constantly in awe of my talented friends who combine motherhood with running a small business. Today's Friday Focus features All The King's Horses, a locally handmade toy business created by an Adelaide mum who was inspired to offer unique toys that can be passed down through generations of children. I caught up with owner (and avid sewer), Lysia May-Jamieson, to discuss her business.

Why did you launch All The King's Horses and how did you get started?
For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to make toys. As a mother in a world filled with mass produced imported toys, I found it difficult to find timeless, keepsake toys, that were lovingly created with the intent to be passed down through generations.

My passion for sewing, second-hand toys and books and vintage clothes, coupled with exposure to costumes and design during several years of performing in the arts throughout Australia, provided me with the inspiration to establish "All The King's Horses”.

I started sewing on Good Friday this year, when my mother gave me her old sewing machine and I was desperate to have a sense of achievement which did not involve my toddler, nor how many Haighs I had just eaten!

What products do you offer?
Currently I offer a range of ‘softies', using fabric from Kristen Doran and Aunty Cookie. My dolls include Rag dolls, Sassilu dolls, and themed dolls such as cowboys, clowns, pirates, fairies, Liberty fabric dolls, and robots. I'm expanding my range soon to offer Milly and Molly dolls whose 1950’s faces are so striking you can’t help but stop and look at them. Soft animals are also a work in progress with dogs, cats, pandas, owls and birds currently available.

Where can we buy All The King’s Horses products?
Out of The Cot on Magill Road currently stocks the Rag dolls, Sassilu dolls, owls and dogs.

Dulwitches, the gorgeous craft haven and co-op in Linden Park, stocks not only dolls and animals, but also crowns, building blocks, drummer boys and Matroyshkas, and boy and girl door stops. The new Milly and Molly dolls will also be stocked there in the near future.

I also have my products for sale on my blog thekingshorses.blog.com.

What is your favourite item from your range?
My favourite item would have to be the crowns. Any reason not to have to wear one of those paper ones on Christmas day is a winner in my eyes!

Where do you find inspiration?
Just to name a few sources ... vintage toys, second hand books, vintage fabric (don’t you just love the smell of second hand books and vintage fabrics??) costumes, ballets, paintings, craft blogs, Cath Kidston, Rosalie Quinlan, Meet me at Mike’s, Purl Bee, Dick and Dora, Belle and Boo, Loobylu, Martha Stewart, magazines and, of course, my mum!

And finally, how do you manage juggling mum duty with running a small business and sewing such a wide range of products?
Badly! Thankfully I have a very supportive husband and a wonderful nanny, so I have two full days to sew. I try not to do any projects during the day when I am with my son, only once he has gone to bed. It is quite amazing how much you can accomplish at 3am!!

All The King's Horses

Lysia May-Jamieson

Ph 0411 115 960

thekingshorses.blog.com

Out of The Cot

322 Magill Road, Magill

Ph 8431 5501

Dulwitches

97 Devereux Road, Linden Park

Ph 8379 1664

product of the week - mia bossi 'tobey' nappy bag

2009-12-03T11:59:00.001+10:30

I love the 'tobey' nappy bag from mia bossi for a quick outing when you don't want to lug around your usual, full-to-the-brim, weighs-a-ton nappy bag! It fits a bottle, a nappy and wipes, mobile phone and some cash. The 'tobey' certainly brings a whole lot of style to the old bum bag! Available in Australia through metromum.