Exciting... Free USA guide from Lonely Planet

I found this while avoiding doing my study...
Go to the Lonely Planet website to get your free USA guide! 

While searching for Melissa & Doug product stockists in Australia I found this very cool Australian kids website - Happy Little Hippos. Cute, easy to navigate website with flat rate shipping.

Happy freebies, oh and shopping!
xo S

Images from - Lonelyplanet.com and happylittlehippos.com.au

Toddler Clocks...

I first became aware of the toddler clock last year. But that was when Little O was still waking 3 times a night to feed and the idea of a full nights sleep was just a dream. Now she sleeps through the night, and mostly begins her day at a respectable hour.  Some days she likes to start at four or five am - and we are not a happy family then.  So I am beginning to research a toddler clock... there aren't too many on the market, but there is some choice.

Here's what I've found (so far!)

My Tot Clock 

Pros: It has has customisable faces - Nine to choose from.
It also has five colours so you can set it for Bedtime, Wake time, Nap Time, Encourage (like picking up toys, potty training anything you want to time in a positive way) and finally red for time outs.  Plays lullabuys, and stories - and you can buy more of them.

Pros:      Options, options, options! Multi functional, portable.
Cons:     Runs on AC power, as well as batteries... I'm guessing it isn't dual voltage?!
Cost(s):  The clock is US$49.95 plus shipping.
               Custom face plates are $9.95each and
              Additional stories and lullabies "treasures" are $9.95 each

Click on the image to see the picture at its original size.

It's about time Children's Clock

Uses 'colour' to let the little one know if they can wake up or not.
Pros:    Comes in pink and blue. It is inexpensive.
Cons:   It doesnt tell time. I don't think it's cute!
Cost:    $28.99 + shipping on Overstock.com


Teach me time! Talking alarm clock and nightlight


An analog and digital clock, using colour to help tell time as well as ok to wake times.  It is a nightlight as well as letting kids know by changing colour when it is ok to wake clock. Has an interactive game.

Pros:      Helps teaching time, grows with your child - can be set like a regular alarm clock with snooze function.
Cons:       For ages 3+, it talks. Currently out of stock at Fat Brain Toys. AC and battery operated, again I guess it isn't dual voltage.
Cost:       $39.95 (plus shipping) from Fat Brain Toys

Ok to wake children's clock

Appears to be a different version of the one above.... it does slightly less but fares slightly higher in my liking!

Pros:      Has a nap timer, has either a bug or a flower bezel - included.
Cons:    Does not help to teach time, digital only.
Cost:     $29.95 (plus shipping) from Fat Brain Toys

KID’Sleep

Three functions - sleepaid, night light and alarm clock.

Pros:     Is a cute night light. Comes in pink and blue.
Cons:    The clock face has no numbers or clock hands. It’s just the illuminated picture of a cute sleeping bunny.  Is just a a wake up clock, does not teach time.
Cost:    The cost is £35.00 including postage and packing. From Arft Kids
For customers in USA there is an extra cost of £6 to cover postage.

Also from Arf Kids...

Kidsleep Globtrotter

The Kidsleep Globtrotter is the travel version of the Kidsleep above.

Kidsleep V Globetrotter functions

	Kidsleep	Globetrotter
Time indicator function	Yes	Yes
Alarm function	Yes	Yes
Battery powered	No	Yes
Mains powered	Yes	No
Changeable plaques	Yes	No
Diameter of display	12cm	9cm
Nightlight function	Yes	No
Price	£35	£25

Finally (because I am rapidly losing interest)...

The Good Nite Lite

It's a 6inch light that glows bright and sunny when it's ok to wake, and blue at night time.  The night light function dims after 1 hour.

Pros: Ships from the USA

Cons: It is just a light, doesn't grow with the child or help child to learn to tell time.

Cost: $34.99 plus $8.99 Shipping

Well... I think I like the first one! What do you think?

xo Sam

Images from: mytotclock.com, overstock.com, thingamababy.com, goodnitelite.com, arf-kids.co.uk

Toy storage & play mats...

Little O has this great toy from the UK's Early Learning Centre - which is available in Australia too, it just happens to be British.  It's called "Happyland" I've pictured the next piece I desire - the fun fair (right)!  Though honestly, we probably have enough of the set now.  Any more and I'll have to buy more storage!

I should credit our British friends here for this find. It was only after watching their lovely little girl play with Happyland that we desperately wanted to buy it!
One of the best things about it is that you can buy (yes, a nice upsell really) a play mat, that zips up into a box.  So the whole thing packs up into itself.  It is fantastic.

The other great thing about Happyland is that you can buy as much or as little of it as you like.  It's not the cheapest toy-land on the market but it's well built, the sound effects aren't overly annoying and it's not massive. It's perfect for little hands say 18 months to 4 years! It's an investment I'm happy we made. 

I'm happy to report that Australia's Early Learning Centre is having a sale until July 4.  And some pieces for Happyland are on sale! Hooray!



I digress though; my point for this post, was that I've found another fold up play mat storage item!  I found it on the Alex Toys website. And it's cool - it becomes a storage box/bag with an open top. I like. I may buy one. We'll see. Pictured right.

Of course there are more... Such as the range from ZipBin®. There's the Lego City Bag ($17.95) (left)... and there's a neat castle box too...  I must admit, I don't think the maps are as cool as the Alex Toy one above. But it has a lid, so I guess it just depends on your needs.  They're available for sale at Glamma Toys, and are really reasonably priced.  Member pricing is slightly better also.

I also love this idea, but I think it's one of those things I'd have to see before I buy.  A ZipBin® Backpack! The one left is the doll house pack ($19.95).

I do quite like this one - the ZipBin Lego head toy box, right.  Little O has just discovered Lego and I fear it's going to get out of control in no time... Daddy likes Lego too!

Toys R Us have an Animal Planet Toy Mat/Storage bag at $15 it's priced about right, but honestly doesn't make me want it like the others I've found.

If you're into a DIY project I found a tutorial for a (limited) storage mat here on craft gossip.com

Whilst cruising around the Alex Toys site I found the Learn to dress Monkey (left) and the learn to dress kitty.  The Hopscotch Rug - great for those days like today where going outside is not an option!

So Alex Toys, I think you might be my new favourite!

Happy Shopping

xo S


Images from: Alextoys.com, zipbin.com and Kidscentral.com.au

Best piggy bank - ever!?

via coochicoos...

This might just be the greatest piggy bank ever... pop the photo of what you're saving for in it and start saving.

While I don't think I'll be saving for my next holiday in here, I think it's a fab idea for kids.

It's available from the Photojojo store for $27 or $50 for two.
There's some other nifty gift ideas in the store be sure to check that out while you're there!

Happy Saving!
xo S

Image from: Coochicoos.com

Alphabet Art...

So this came via Mamista this morning and I love it.  Actually LOVE it.   Of course I think I might order and then spray paint it a bright fun colour!

How cute is this laser cut alphabet from Bookhou?  I do love the idea of the alphabet as art for little O's room. Somehow this seems like a better idea to me than just having Olive's name.

It's only $50 plus $15 shipping, so as far as 'art' goes it's not to expensive at all!

KSF (a favourite of mine) let the world know about Mini Chatterbox's sale and I think there may be a few things coming my way from there! The sale has discounts on so many cool brands, like Moppit, Cocoon Couture, Sooki Baby and Pure Baby (see right)...

Best of all for those of us living off season... there are some summer pieces at great prices - I love this Moppit tank (left) and it's only $24.46 with 30% off code - 'style'. 

And for the grown ups... Kikki-K are having a sale...
Gosh I love Kikki-K!

Happy shopping
xo S

Images from: Bookou.com, Kidstylefile.com.au, Kikki-k.com.au, and minichatterbox.com.au

Father's Day (USA)

Ok, so Hermes sent a Father's Day email.

No the Husband is not getting anything from there, and neither is my dear old Dad. But Again the illustrations just make me happy!

Image from: http://ems6.net/a/?F=am7qjasf4242vnvspyz64pfll3d8rpkfhkjutamrmmq2jt4sekqxs52-1586680

Splat/Splash Mats...

I was recently asked where I found my splat mat... for the uninitiated it's the piece of Oil Cloth under Little O's high chair stopping the food hitting the carpet! And a marvellous job it does of it too!  I decided I'd share my favourites here.

I have this one (left), which is obnoxiously bright pink but I was too impatient to look for something 'better' online at the time. I got it from my favourite store - Giggle.  It's by Mimi the Sardine and it really is lovely. It comes in a blue with airplanes and a cute white & jungle theme. I'd have bought the jungle one if it had been in stock! It is organic cotton too which is a bonus!

I remember some time after buying ours that Daily babble (another blog I love) wrote this article about the Vintage Alphabet collection from Sugarbooger.

From there I discovered the range of splat/splash mats Sugarbooger have. They have everything from the adorable, unisex, modern and un-the-baby-has-taken-over-every-inch-of-the-house-like Vintage Alphabet that led me there to the very cute prehistoric range, lady bugs, fairies, the list really does go on! Check out the designs on their website.

They have other matching items on the site too (left)... fun!

For example... There's a splat mat, table top splat mat, divided suction cup plate, silverware set, sippy cup, bibs and finally closet dividers...

Of course the most customisable option would be to make your own. And it's a project even I could tackle - buy a metre or so of the oil cloth fabric that best suits your decor and you're done.  But if you ask me that takes ALL the fun out of all the matching fun from Sugarbooger!


Oh I forgot to mention - the best bit about the mats is that you can either wipe them down or throw them in the washing machine. Genius.

Happy shopping!

xo S
images from: giggle.com, and oreoriginals.com

More fathers day ideas

(via Kate Spade)

Head to Jack Spade for a great list of ideas.... love their ad pictured below!

Sites, Stuff & Finds - June

Hi there,

A short one this time because I'm busy studying, studying, studying...

Last time I mentioned Mothers Day, this time it's Fathers Day in the US (not in Australia) so you should either celebrate now, or buy a card and keep it to send home to Oz in September!
If you're celebrating now & not later... try the Spoon Sisters for ideas including this "Sportula" (left) or maybe the Golfbag Umbrella is more his style? They have a Father's Day list of suggestions to make it really easy too.  The Spoon Sisters have plenty of gift ideas for everyone... Mums, babies and kids included!

This isn't new but it's an incredibly cool... and well, make me want a pie just looking at it.  I found it on the Museum of Happiness blog but it was food flags designed for the the Sydney International Food festival in 2009.  You can see more of the pictures on the Daily Telegraph website here, some are just incredible. Not only are they food, but they're also the food of the country the flag represents.

The Container Store are having a travel gear sale ( I'm not sure when it ends... but it looks good!)

6pm.com have some amazing sale stock and a new deal everyday... over the memorial Day weekend they had adult's converse sneakers for $28 and kids for $13... they also have Marc Jacobs... like this Marc Jacobs weekender bag for $208 (left) - please tell the husband I want it/need it. They have everything from high end brands like Missoni & Chloe to more accessible brands like Converse and Steve Madden. Fun shopping for all (men, women & kids).

More luxe, for less more your thing? Try - The Outnet. 200+ of the best high end designers and oh my gosh are they serious prices.  Like the Emilio Pucci silk blend kaftan (right)... normally $1500 on the outnet it's 65% off only $558.25 not your everyday shopping site, but fun. Yes very fun.  I'd like to say yes please to this one too, but I know a $500 kaftan is not in my future.  It just wouldn't look good with a Vegemite hand print. Or that's what I'll tell myself.

Wish me luck! 

Sam

Liberty of London for Target

A quick update... it's back in stock!

Also exciting is the 1600 one of a kind bags they're planning to make from the billboards hanging in New York's Times Square. Pre-order now for delivery in September. Example pictured below.

Explore the range here...

Looks like much of it is online only, so hurry!

Exciting!

Images from: Target

My Mum's Tuna Mornay...

So it's not really the right weather here in DC for a hot casserole type dish but I occasionally (regardless of whatever she would tell you) ask my Mum for this recipe from my childhood....

Tuna Mornay

She recently emailed it to me so I thought I'd share it here with you. It came from her high school home economics text book, which I'll inherit sooner or later, but she added her own notes here and there.

Hope you like it.

Tuna or Salmon Mornay
1oz butter
1 rounded tablespoon plain flour
1/2 pint milk
1 level teaspoon of salt. (I just shake the shaker over it)
2 ozs grated cheese (I use more, because you like it cheesy)
1 tin of tuna, (salmon or you could use chicken, cooked and cut up)
1 tin of sweet corn, or asparagus, or both (use fresh asparagus or frozen peas, broccoli)
1 cup breadcrumbs toasted
Method.
Make melted butter sauce, add remainder of ingredients except 1/2 cheese and breadcrumbs
which later are sprinkled on top of the casserole and browned under grill or in the oven. Mornay can be covered and kept until next day before using.

Melted Butter Sauce
1ozs butter or marg
1/2 pint of milk
2 level tablespoons plain flour
pinch salt
Method.
Melt butter, add flour, and mix with wooden spoon until quite smooth. Add the milk gradually (about a 1/3 at a time) and stir well until it boils and thickens.

Variations
Use 1/4 pint milk and 1/4 veg stock
or
Add finely chopped parsley
or
Add finely grated cheese.

Then she says... I just bung it all in together and saves making it separately. It's up to you, do it the proper way first and then you will see.

It's better the next day as you know. But, it never lasts that long. Its yummy comfort food. Good on toast and in toasties.

Enjoy xxxx

Wonder if she'll find that banana cake recipe for me too?

xo S

Image from the apartment thearapy blog.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/house-tour-chris-green-homephiladelphia-078883