Our Colourful Christmas Gift Guide

It's all about colour this week! There is less than 6 weeks until the big day so if you haven't already, get those fingers tapping because before you know it the turkey will be on the table. 

Looking for ideas......

Acorn Reversible Yellow Hat, Rock Your Baby Camera Bag in Yellow, 3 Sprouts Giraffe Hanging Wall Organizer, Walnut Melbourne Ruby Sandals in Yellow, Three Times Blessed 4pk Hair Clips, OUCH Clothing Citrus Ruffle Skirt

Ouch Clothing Ready to Rock Tee, Oishi-m River Racket Tee, Acorn Arki Bucket Hat, Oishi-m Waffle Shorts, Ouch Clothing Blue & White Stripe Board Shorts, Oishi-m Capture Shrug, Skeanie All-Terrain Sandals in Blue

 Rock Your Baby Pom Pom Tee, Ouch Clothing Fairy Floss Cardigan, Acorn Reversible Hat in Candy, Skeanie Pink Loafers, Nini La Duchese Pink Cloud Musical Mobile, Rock Your Baby Pink Camera Bag, Rock Your Baby Pink Pavlova Skirt, BLAFRE Deer Thermos

Ouch Clothing Ready To Rock Tee in Green, Daju 2pk Chalk Placemats in Chevron, Oishi-m Grasshopper Tee, Skeanie Green Canvas Gym Boots, Oishi-m BBQ Happiness Shorts, Ouch Clothing Green & White Stripe Board Shorts

Ouch Clothing Slub Dress in Watermelon, MOGO Orange Sunglasses, Oishi-m Racey Macey Tee, All About Eve Shorts in Hot Coral, Ouch Clothing Cardigan in Guava, Ouch Clothing Tulle Layered Skirt in Blush, Minifin Balloon Girl Singlet, Minifin Coral & Peach Stripe Tee

Don't forget free shipping for all orders over $50 and make sure you 'Like' our Facebook page to hear all about our up-coming 12 gifts of Christmas! Ho, ho, ho..... 

The Crazy Week of Oishi-m and Rock Your Baby

What a huge week it's been. Not a moment to myself and my list of things to do just gets longer and longer. Did you know its only 60 days until Christmas?! Have you started shopping yet? 

Here's how my week went down......

The new Oishi-m Summer 13 range has arrived and I think I actually squealed with delight as I opened the boxes this week. I really think this is their best season ever and when you see the gorgeous Every Dress and Fairy Bread tee's I'm sure you'll agree. Here are some of my favorites:

Fairy Bread Tee and Nerissa Skirt

Sun Ray Chubba Jeans - totally unisex!

Steady Freddy Shorts and Grasshopper Tee - another brilliant unisex combo!

The Every Dress which every little girl should have!

So you'd think that was enough excitement for one week? Well then along came Rock Your Baby with the coveted Carmen Bead and Nina Dresses! 

All three colours of the Nina Dresses are available. Which is your favorite? 

How many will you collect? Does anyone know where to find more purple necklaces? 

It's been a huge week and so much more to come. I'm planning a Christmas gift guide sorted into age groups, and we have even more styles of sandals, hats, Oishi-m and Rock Your Baby still to arrive so stay tuned peeps! 

New Digs - A look at the new shop!

Our new store has been open for almost a month and I can't believe it's taken me this long to pop up some pictures! 

Moving into City Walk in the heart of the shopping precinct in Albury has been wonderful. So many new customers and all the regulars have made my risky move worthwhile. I can't tell you how nerve racking the decision to move was!

We have put a lot of work into the new locations look, keeping the colour pallet very neutral so the clothing and products really stand out. There are still so many things I want to do and need to do, such as extra signage, some colour and photo's on the back wall, plus a few new racks and stands. But for the most part I'm happy with how it turned out. 

If you live in Albury Wodonga or you're passing through,pop in and say hello. We'd love to see you! 

Meanwhile here's a look at our new digs.... 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on our new location and look. We still have so many plans for the future of Petit Armoir and this is just the beginning so stay tuned! 

There's a difference...and not just the price!

Recently I was invited to join a Facebook fan page of one of the labels I stock. These fans post pictures of their children wearing their favourite label, they buy, swap and sell pieces on the page and have generally good spirited conversations about why they love this particular label so much. They are fiercely protective of said label and go to extreme lengths to grab their favourite items and add to their collection. 

One fan posted a question today and it made me think......I need to write about this! It's something I am fiercely passionate about. 

This fan stated that she likes to dress her children well however a family member thinks she wastes her money buying boutique labels when she could buy trackies from chain stores for $5.00. 

When you buy a $5.00 t-shirt or $8.00 pair of jeans, ask yourself where did it come from, who made it, what pay did they receive, did they work a standard week and under fair conditions? Could you really make a t-shirt for $5.00 and tick all the fair and ethical work conditions boxes?

Child labour in China and many other parts of the developing world is a huge problem and reports show that it's increasing at a rapid rate. It's estimated that of the 10 million children out of school, 5 million of them are working in factories. Many of these children are forced to work over 10 hours a day and they are as young as 5 years old! Can you imagine your own 5 year old picking cotton or packing boxes for over 5 hours a day with very little pay and virtually no breaks? The conditions they work in are horrid and beyond belief. Child kidnappings are on the increase and it's believed they are being sold to factories as slave labour. 

My challenge to ALL the major chain stores is to show consumers that they don't support child labour and that they do manufacture under fair and ethical working conditions. 

Next time you go to buy the bargain pair of coloured jeans or cute tee, think about how much it cost to make it, who made it, where was it made and was it made under ethical conditions for fair pay. My theory is, if I wouldn't let my daughter work under those conditions, why would I pay for someone else's child to do it. 

Labels we trust are ethically made under fair working conditions include Oishi-m, Baobab, Skeanie, Uh-Oh! Sleepwear, Gaia Organic Cotton and Silkberry Baby. Let us know your favourites. 

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!