Witchey Kids Launched today.

Too exciting, a much loved adult brand has launched their kids collection today.
It's cute. cute. cute.
And, you can buy online.

Go to the witchery.com.au site for info.

I'd like to welcome Australian retailers to the wonderful world of online shopping!
Hooray! That's two great stores this week!!

Happy Shopping
xo S
Image from witchery.com.au

Country Road - online store...

Well it's almost three years too late for me but Country Road are finally selling their goods online.

On the upside, I might be able to make purchases if I'm too busy to get out when we move home in just a few short months!

Happy Shopping!

xo S

Lark 2 day sale...

I love Lark. I love Kath Kidston. I love a sale.
I needn't say anymore. Except hurry, it's only on for 2 Days.

Image from www.larkmade.com.au

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

Sites Stuff and Finds

Here's another Embassy posting...

For grownups...

It's mothers day next Sunday!!We're probably out of time to buy and send something from here in the US to send home to Australia, but here are some suggestions... 

My number one suggestion is Roses Onlyfor anyone who has ever been lucky enough to receive a package from Roses Only you'll understand why. Packaged to perfection and delivered when they're meant to be. What else can you ask for? Oh, yes the most beautiful flowers ever.

You can still create your own personalised mothers day card at Hallmark.com.au (yes they now have personalised cards for the Australian audience - hooray). But I recommend hurrying that order through to make sure it gets there in time!

There's Tesora for all kinds of gifts.  Adrenalin.com.au have 'experience gifts' from flowers to massage, ballooning, or High tea... Magazine subscriptions at isubscribe.com.au or Magshop. Always one of my favourites Top 3 by Design

For more ideas click on the "Australian online stores" label at the bottom of the blog for older posts with Aussie sites.

That ought to do it I think! Good luck, hurry and happy Mothers Day if it applies to you! 

For the Kids

Belive it or not I'm a bit short on kiddy ideas this week. I've been so busy with my studies and helping a friend to move that the internet is really a distant memory. 

That said apparently I have a thing for sandwich cutters, luckily I'm not the only one. Mamista posted these crafty cute ones this morning available from Fawn and Forest.

And a rainy day activity for the kids from my favourite blog - Made by Joel - he posted a free cut of of a cowboy to print and colour in... Cute. He's also been busy making woven card/paper baskets, pillow dolls, and walnut boats. Check out the blog for some ideas. 

Happy crafting! 

Sam

images from: 

rosesonly.com.au, mamista.com and made by joel.

Australian Sale Website & Newsletter

Found a new one!

Kids Confidential and a sister site for grown ups.  Subcribe to the weekly email and you'll be 'in-the-know'... with online savings up to 70% off retail prices, It's free and you'll receive email with the coolest kidstuff and hottest maternity sales discounts, special offers and shopping events.  They claim to be a VIP Guide to bargain hunting - so enjoy!

The site for grown ups - is Missy Confidential and tells a similar story for being in the know for sales.

Best of all both sites break it into Sydney Sales, Melbourne Sales, National Sales and Online sales. So there's something there for everyone.

Happy bargain hunting (but remember its not a bargain if you don't need it!)

xo S

Keeping in touch - Part 1

There are so many ways now to keep in touch with family and friends at home.  I thought I'd share some ideas about how to do it easily and a bit differently, so that your family and your friends can see what you're up to, what the kids are up to and what it really looks like when there are 18 inches of snow around.

Here are just a few ideas...

There's the old Fashioned...

Postcards, letters and the phone (I'm young enough to believe the phone is old school).
This can be fun, postcards from the places you visit are fun for people to receive especially if you travel somewhere super cool like New York, London or Paris.

You could also create custom postcards to send on photo gift websites like Snapfish - in the US you can do this for as low as $0.75 each.

Regular sized photos make great postcards too - you can buy appropriately sized stickers to place on the back to turn your regular print into a post card. Somewhere like The 2 Buds buy the sticker, put on the back of your photo, write, add a stamp and you're done. I've also seen the stickers in photo stores. You could also print your own sticker too - Avery have a few options and templates on their site.

Here's a thought for those of us with kids we could have our Picasso paint or draw their own art, scan it into the computer print onto postcard sized card and mail that to family back home. Doesn't come much more personlaised than that does it?

Letters are a great way of sending (non urgent) info home. It can also be quite cathartic I think to write rather than using more modern means. I think too it can be great fun to write on beautiful stationary or note cards. It feels a little special and a little decadent, especially if you go for some personalised stationary, like this note card (left) from Tiny Prints. Everything from Thank you cards, to Address labels and note cards...

In the USA there is also Shutterfly, Snapfish, The Stationary Studio, Zazzle, Vista Print, and  even this store on Etsy offer options for personalised stationary. Also, American Stationary, Fine Stationary and Crane & Co. to name just a few!

In Australia there are just as many options, though in my opinion it can be a little more expensive to go personalised. Shutterfly ship internationally, Snapfish have an Australian online store, then there's this beautiful collection from Lily and Cino which I found on an Aussie blog called 'A Natural Thread'. More about that later!  Big W have some surprisingly good prices and options in their photo store, though not quite stationary as such.
Kikki-K have some lovely things (not personalised), Note Couture is divine and I also found Personality Stationary not so polished but an option none the less.

Then there's the phone, enough said? Not quite, but that crosses into New Fashioned - tune into Part 2 when you've got yourself a nice cup of tea and a few moments.

xo S

A day for online sales and indoor crafts.

Apparently all I am finding lately is sales for kids things.  Here is a great one, and a new website I plan to watch!  This came via KidStyleFile, if you haven't checked out their newsletter, Facebook page and you have children, or are expecting a child then you absolutely should. In their words its "daily bargains, news and inspiration"... so today the announcement was the introduction of Trunk Show Kids samples, seconds and end of season sales. I'm in love.  If only I needed the Elizabeth Storksak bag, it's half price and surprisingly it is actually cheaper in Australia than it is in America.

It's raining in DC again so as a mini project today Olive and I will be making some play doh to play with. I'm not sure if she is too little but I figure it can't hurt right?

Here is a recipe I found on an Australian Website called Best Recipes which I think I may spend some time looking at a little later on. The recipe keeps in the fridge for months, has tons of reviews and almost all rated 4 or 5 out of 5 stars. Oh and even for me all the things I need are in the cupboard.

Failing that I have some soy crayons and tons of paper for her to draw with!  The soy crayons are something I've written about before here - Clementine Art Products. They have all natural soy crayons, and soy crayon rocks for little hands as well as modeling dough, paint, glue and markers.

We'll see how I go I guess!

xo S

Last minute shopping?

Paperartzi Boutique have FREE Express Post (For Australia) on Pre Xmas Orders - so there is still time to buy for the little ones in your life.

They have a great range of toys and gifts for babies, toddlers and mummies. As well as stationary and scrapbooking needs.

My pick for a baby or toddler would be the Alimrose Monkey Rattle. He's cute, and his limbs are the perfect size for little hands, and he comes in pink, red, navy and baby blue.  Of course, Aussie brand Alimrose Designs have tons of other really beautiful toys for babies and kids! 

Another Aussie favourite is top3 by design, they too are boasting that there is still time to order before Christmas. They're offering free wrapping!

They have the design best of everything from key fobs, to baby bottles, beach towels, watches and jewelry trees.

And finally, Kiki-K's (beautiful stationary & gifts) members only 20% off exclusive offer ends Thursday midnight. Enter code santa09 at the checkout - and yes there is still time to post things to loved ones.  But maybe if you've left it this late might be time to buy yourself something to get organised? I know I will be!

Good luck with the shopping!

So, 10 weeks until Christmas?! Eeek!

In the interests of fairness here are my gift ideas for a boy.  I have three nephews all around the age of two so there is some need for this research!

First, and probably what I will go with is the Bilibo.  It's is designed for Children age two to seven, and it is an award winning Imagination Toy.

KidStyleFile reviewed the toy in 2008, you can read the  review here. Probably the most important part of the review -

"Pros - Encourages imagination. Can’t get much safer. Not battery operated. No moving parts. High quality, lasts well. Can be used indoors and out. If you have more than one, they stack, and you can store things inside them. Good range of colours. They look cool!

Cons - None"

There are also some cute videos on YouTube of the toy in action... there really are no limits!

So what does a toy that has no limits cost? In Australia it will cost you approximately AUD$39, in the US it is approximately USD$30

Where do you buy?
Australia: You can buy from Urban Baby, metro mum and IQ Toys and many others. Urban Baby are giving a free bag to go with the toy.
USA: There are a stores in and around DC that stock the toy - Giggle (Friendship Heights, MD) Toys R Us & Target (online only) and Home Rule at 1807 14Th St NW (not available on their website).  There are of course plenty of other sites/stores that stock it.

The Bilibo also comes in mini (above right, approximately US$10 for two)...

Green Toys have a great line of classic children's toys constructed from recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. The dump truck has a workable dumper, no BPA, no coatings, is non toxic and durable. See Green Toys for a list of stockists both in the USA, Australia and beyond.
They also have many many other designs - Frisbee, Tea Set, Bucket & Spade sand set...

For the little traveler how about a Trunki? UK designed Trunki is the ideal luggage for a little person. It has a hard shell, wheels and a lead, why you ask? Well, that's easy - it is the world's first ride on luggage. Yep, ride on. So load them up with all the gear the little one needs on the plane, wheel the Trunki and the child through airports and stow the Trunki safely in the overhead locker. 

Trunki's come in many colours, er, sorry Characters... Harley the limited edition Ladybug, Tipu (right), Trixie, Terrance and Towgo.  This is perhaps less a 'boy' specific gift and more gender neutral.

There is a Trixie (hot pink, green ears) living in little O's room anxiously awaiting our holiday.
How much? Approx USD$50-$60 (depending on character) the USA and around AUD$80-85 in Australia.

Where from? (USA) Giggle, Target, Amazon...
Australia - Mummy's Favourite, metro mum, Haggus and Stookles, Ekidna Kidswear and The Hip Infant

Practical and fun, what more do you need?

If you're looking for more Mummy's Favourite have a list of gifts for boys...

I'll keep thinking, but I think I'm done for today!

Sam's sites - October Newsletter

Having a spooky halloween party?

Try Walmart, Target and Pottery Barn/ Pottery Barn Kids for party essentials and costumes!

• www.walmart.com 
• www.target.com 
• www.potterybarn.com  
• www.potterybarnkids.com

I think you know you have officially become a mother when you begin thinking about Christmas gifts in September.  So here are some ideas...

Australian Based Sites:

Let's save on the shipping and handling and just have something shipped straight to the recipient. You say lazy, I say eco-friendly! My plan is to ship everything to the mothers and have them do the distribution on the big day.

• Western Australian based "The Good Store" prides itself on its useful present ideas. Believing that "to be genuinely cool, things worth owning should last for ages, do something worth doing, look good and provide a simple pleasure in their everyday use", and that concept works for me!. www.thegoodstore.com.au

• An awesome concept, Top 3 By Design stock the top three items in many many categories www.top3bydesign.com.au

• Myer has a 'limited' range of products for sale on their website too. I wonder if we can still earn Myer One points? This is probably a good starting point for those who really don't know where to start, as it's split into categories: Gifts for Home/Him/Her etc. http://gifts.myer.com.au/default.aspx

• BigW have some online items too - http://www.bigw.com.au/onlinestores.html
• Then there are the old favourites - www.wishlist.com.au and
• www.petersofkensignton.com.au

For the kids...

• www.urbanbaby.com.au/
• www.littlestyles.com.au especially if you're looking for shoes now worn buy Suri Cruise.
• www.mummysfavourite.com.au a great collection of toys including the very cute stuffed Australian Animals.
• www.kidscentral.com.au/elc Everything from Lego to Snow Queen Palaces.

At the risk of going overboard I have a huge list of Australian Baby and kids blogs and online stores. Let me know if you'd like to see some (more) of those.

American websites...

Of course there are plenty of other sites, here are just a few.

• Perhaps a good place to start the search for the perfect gift might be: www.gifts.com/ you can search by occasion, recipient, personality type or take the easy road and look at the top 10 gifts.
• Looking for something a little different? Maybe handmade? Try http://www.etsy.com/buy.php I don't think there is anything you couldn't find here.
• www.Amazon.com 
• www.saksfifthavenue.com 
• www.barneys.com

For the kids

• www.babyearth.com
• www.diapers.com - yes they have more than just nappies, toys & gear
• www.csnbaby.com
• www.kidonyc.com/ very cool toys.

Photo gifts 

Have you given any thought to those? It's a guaranteed Grandparent pleaser... Here are some of the sites I know about -

• www.Shutterfly.com (This is my personal favourite, I find it quick and easy to navigate the books are a great quality and production and shipping is fairly quick) 
  
• www.snapfish.com and www.snapfish.com.au
• www.bigw.com.au
  
• www.mypublisher.com
• www.smilebooks.com
• www.momento.com.au
• www.albumprinter.com.au

Hope this very long list helps! If not, I might be available as a personal shopper!

Samantha