Winter 2013 - Part I

Can you believe it's nearly 2013 already? Where did the last year go?

While your all enjoying the summer sales, it's about this time of year that I start getting in the new winter stock and I thought you might like me to share what's up and coming in kids fashion. Who wants a sneak peak?

Lets start with shoes.....

Skeanie Ugg Boot in Red

Skeanie's Ugg Boots are a classic addition to any childs wardrobe and an essential footware item for those really cold months. Their new design is fantastic with a more structured boot and velcro fastenings to ensure correct fitting and stability. We totally love them in red, but they also come in navy, chocolate and pink. 

WALNUT Melbourne's Cruise Shoe in Charlie Denim with Navy Sole

We love WALNUT Melbourne's new navy sole. No more muddy white soles on their classic cruise shoe. They will be available in a range of colours and also in the canvas Mary Jane range. Think Chilli Red, Navy, Denim and Apple Green. 

Bergstein Gumboots in classic red

All kids need gumboots for wet weather and I love a classic wellington. These Bergstein Gumboots are available in a range of colours. We couldn't go past red and yellow, but they also come in lime, pink, ice blue, purple, slate grey, orange and navy! 

Wondering what colours are in this season.......

Remember the days of Maroon and Forest Green for winter? Here's the 2013 variation. 

Pantone colour of the year for 2013

This is a great colour for both sexes. I've always believed that winter is the time to add colour since it's such a wet and cold time of the year. Brighten the kids up with this lovely emerald green and you won't loose them in the crowd! 

Magenta

Magenta is huge this season. Mix it with charcoal, cream, emerald green or even clash with a raspberry red to make a statement. We've seen some great jeans in this colour for Winter 2013. 

Tangerine Tango

Tangerine Tango is still in this Winter. I love that Orange has made such a strong impression. Mix it with navy or purple or even clash it with pink!

We always support Australian made and owned labels and Oishi-m is one such label. Australian owned, designed and manufactured in Torquay, Victoria. Oishi-m is quirky, clashy and totally divine! Their new Autumn range comes out at the end of February and just in time to add a splash of colour to the cooler months. Here's a sneak peak of their Autumn range:

Somebody was a bit over the photo shoot!

Waiting, waiting, waiting.....

Oishi-m hoodies are so versatile and a total statement piece in your kids wardrobe!

We love the stripey sleeves and clashing fabrics this year.

New trackies for big kids!

Baobab is so hip (am I showing my age using that word or what?) this year. They've made full use of the new trend for Emerald Green and incorporated the lovely tangerine orange into their Winter 2013 collection. The entire range is very mix and match and the emphasis this year has been on wear-ability  Check out their fab new collection which utilizes organic cotton and is manufactured under ethical work conditions in India.

 

Stay tuned for more updates as they come through. We're loving this new season of colour and we just know you will too! Bring on Winter!

My Favorite Things from 2012

There are so many things in 2012 that I have loved. Opening the new store meant lots of shopping and finding lots of wonderful labels and products. These are a few of my favourites...

Aden & Anais Serenity Star

This is the ultimate night light, feeding diary, clock, room temperature gauge and musical all rolled into one portable stylish star. I can't think of a nursery style that this wouldn't go with. 

Skeanie Sandals

When my daughter started walking a year ago I began looking for affordable, well made footwear that didn't inhibit her growing feet and looked after her soles whilst she explored new found freedom. Skeanie hit the mark immediately. Under $50 for their junior range of shoes, recommended by the Australian and American Podiatry Associations and stylish to boot! So many styles to choose from and keep your eye out for new ugg boots, sneakers and Mary-Jane's in the new year. 

The Letter M - for 6-14yo's

The Letter M is one of those labels you just fall in love with the minute you lay your eye's on her exquisite range. She designs exclusively for 6 to 14 year olds and her range is classic and age appropriate. She's a designer to watch out for in 2013!

Baobab

What I love about Baobab is that they design wearable, funky clothing for babies and kids and most of their range is Organic Cotton. Made under ethical working conditions, this label ticks all my boxes for cool design, functionality, environmentally friendly and ethically made.  

Toosh Coosh

I cannot tell you what a life saver this booster seat has been for our very tall 2.5yo. Too big for a high chair and not quite big enough to sit on a chair by herself, I started looking for something safe, durable and inexpensive for her to sit on so she could enjoy family meals without having to sit on phone books! Toosh Coosh came to the rescue. I love that they come with a carry bag so when we go to restaurants or my parents place we can bring it with us. It doesn't break the bank at only $49.95 either! 

Daju Balloon Ball

Daju are bringing back the fun with balloon balls and chalk mats. Perfect for holidays and travel, these fun toys will fit on your handbag and can be pulled out for play whenever the need arises. 

I'm always on the lookout for original  exciting and helpful products for Mum's and Dads. If you have some you'd like to share I'd love to hear about them. 

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and see you in 2013!

The Work Christmas Party

What do you do when you work for yourself and you have little to no employees (my casual is currently unable to drink due to a certain physical condition *read up the duff**)?

You go to a Virtual Christmas Party with a whole bunch of other self-employed, WAHM's and Dads, bloggers and general gatecrashers of course!

I have been a fan of Veggie Mama's for quite a while. I love her Meatless Mondays and I love that she's vegetarian but not preachy about it. If you haven't read her blog, head over and take a look.

Anywhoo, Veggie Mama threw the most amazing Blogger Xmas Party last night and I went along not knowing what to expect. I logged into Twitter and followed along like the awkward newbie in the corner not knowing anyone. There was virtual punch and rum balls, Karaoke and a DJ, butt copying on the office photocopier and lots of sarcasm and innuendo.

Sounds totally nerdy doesn't it? But you know what the best part of the night was? I made a whole bunch of new contacts, found a whole lot of blogs I'd never otherwise heard of and now I even know a fellow blogger that lives within driving distance from me (I was wondering if I was the only one in these parts).

Reflecting back on last night with my virtual hangover today (so much better than an actual hangover!) I think it may well have been one of the best parties I've ever been too. I made a heap of new contacts including some international ones, I didn't need to buy a new dress and get my hair done, the ride there and back was totally free and nobody saw my underwear (I have a tendency to fall over OK)! 

Have you had your Christmas Party yet? Do you have a strategy for staying out of the office gossip the next day? 

Toddlers and Shoes

This morning started with my 2.5 year old insisting on wearing "twacksut" pants and socks. Rightfully so as we had a cold snap and with the wind and sleet rain you'd think we were back at the beginning of Spring.

We went through the usual rigmarole of negotiating which top was appropriate to wear to childcare today and what would go with the slightly too short navy trackies. In the end we chose a lovely pink and white striped long sleeve tee that only had a few old stains on it and would be perfectly suitable for painting sans smock and play acting doctors and nurses with her current bestie "Audy".

Lastly we got to the shoes. It was definitely not the weather for sandals so I grabbed her usual multi-spot WALNUT Melbourne canvas Mary-Jane's out the wardrobe. We only got these in August so surely they would be fine. To my horror her toes were scrunched up and she was already complaining that they were too small. This is when it comes in handy having a children's clothing shop.

A quick stop by the shop on the way to childcare and problem sorted. She's always happy to try shoes on and I think sometimes she's turning into the Imelda Marcus of toddlers!

Getting your toddlers feet properly measured and investing in good fitting quality shoes is so important. Until they are 3 years old, or there about,  their feet are still developing. Most toddlers are actually flat footed when they start walking because their muscle strength and ligament stiffness are still to catch up to the rest of their physical development.

So here's a few tips about what you should look for when buying children's shoes. They don't have to cost the earth, but they do need to allow for growth and comfort.

• Select shoes that have lots of room for toes to move freely. Picking shoes that force the toe to taper in towards the middle toe can cause bunions later in life. 
• Have about a fingers width, or approximately 1cm, of space free at the front of the shoe. This allows for comfort and growth. You don't want too much or your child can trip over. 
• Look for a flexible sole for children under three years. Skeanie's range of infant and junior shoes have a flexible sole and are recommended by the American and Australian Podiatry Associations. My personal tip is that if you can't touch the toe to the heel of the shoe, don't buy it. 

• Look for natural, breathable materials such as leather and canvas. These materials are soft and pliable and allow your child to feel the ground underneath them whilst still protecting them. 
• Wherever possible, try to allow your children to go as barefoot as possible. It's the best thing for growing feet. 

My only other rule with shoes is that they must be ethically made. I wouldn't let my daughter work for $0.02 per piece in shocking conditions for over 80 hours a week. So I won't support someone else's child working in those conditions.

So that's it. Shoes sorted, for another couple of months at least! Now if only I could sort out this two year old not wanting to sleep thing as easily!! I'll take any tips you can give me.....