Birthday gift for girl... age 2?

So we have been thinking about what to buy Little O for her birthday. She (like many her age) are into helping in the kitchen, pretending she's Mum or Dad for that matter, tending to her people (Happy Land) playing with Lego and of course making cups of pretend tea.

Hours and hours of pretend tea. She has this very cute little tea set she was given last year for her birthday and she loves it.

It's by Playskool and sells on Amazon.  The tea cups change colour when cold water is added.
Olive loves it.  There are loads of other tea sets for kids out there and I think it'd make a great gift.

Here are some of the things I looked at,but didn't buy this time round for Little O's birthday...
 
Some Lego Duplo... Little O has one set of Lego and currently loves that too. She has the Toy Story 3 train set with Woody, Buzz and Jessie. It is pretty cool the train pulls apart and of course her favourite hero, Buzz is there to put things back together. If they only made a Handy Manny set we'd be good to go. Oh, and the zoo the Lego zoo is super cute. Super Cute.

Ok, so I also had this bowling set on my list of things I almost bought... We have friends who have an adorable set they found at the zoo, which I haven't ever been able to find.  But this monster bowling is pretty cute. It's Melissa & Doug and available just about everywhere for roughly $25.

There were a bunch of other Melissa & Doug things that I had added to a wish list at the height of my obsession!

And then there's the Happyland wishlist... Fire Station, Farm, School, Vet, Police Station, Cherry Lane Cottage, Fun Fair, Roaming Rose Caravan and toy shop...  Not that we're fussy. Just disappointed that Diapers.com began to stock my favourite things right before we pack up to go! Though to be honest, I think Olive probably has enough and she will never know she's missing all of the other parts of the land! It's more of a Mummy wishlist I think!

We did buy the Chocks Away airport (right) - so that she can play with it before we fly, and perhaps even when we're on the plane too. This is more a travel gift really, and not for her birthday. Rather something new to play with as all her things get packed into boxes!

The real present is the dolls house... and some furniture for it.

I did realise this morning that I neglected to buy any people for the dolls house. But I think we can get by with the people we have for now.

 Hope this has given you some ideas for your Miss Two's gifts... Christmas is right around the corner!

Happy Shopping

xo S
Images from: Amazon, Diapers.com, LeToyVan.com

Culinary Brilliance... Cookbook/Restaurant Review

At my house there are moments of culinary brilliance, usually followed the next evening with a fairly average curry. While on our holiday in the UK we found 'Ottolenghi' possibly the greatest cafe ever. Big call I know, but with it's crisp white interiors and designer chairs - complete with designer high chairs its exactly what we've been craving and exactly what America is missing - a great cafe. And that was before we tasted the food.

The food was fresh and delicious and I've never had french toast that tasted so good. Oh, and the coffee! It had been 2 years since our last flat white and it was delightful.

The place was so good we ate there twice - in under a week.  Oh, how I wish we could go back for breakfast... maybe tomorrow?

More excitingly they have a cookbook which we purchased and read as though it is the holy grail of cookbooks. You can - and should - get one from www.amazon.com

Happy Cooking!

xo S

Images from: Amazon.com and www.ottolenghi.co.uk

Rail Sets...

I was looking around for a gift for my three year old nephew and came across these Brio train sets.  This one is the Brio my first railway -

 Amazon sells it for $59.99

And... It's fully compatible with other neat Brio bits...  Like the Classic Engine ($5.95), Red Engine ($6.99), BRIO Mighty Red Locomotive ($36.99) Car transporter ($17.99), Zebra Wagon ($15.99)... the list goes on!  Check out Amazon.com for more

Too cool - I wonder if Little O will get into trains?


Some stockists for the Aussies -
Yogee Toys, Toot Toot Toys, Always on sale (currently has one set), Toy Barn, Entropy I'm sure there are some others - Let me know in the comments field if you've found some others...


Happy Shopping
xo S

PS. All images from Amazon.com

Early Learning Centre - On Diapers.com

I am so excited, I've just been told that Early Learning Centre toys - including our favourite 'Happyland' are available on Diapers.com...

They've got wooden fruit too (which Olive just loves) as well as instruments, microphones, cash registers - the list really does go on! 

And best of all its at American prices - cheaper than Australia and the UK.

Happyland = HappySam

Happy Shopping!

xo S

Images from diapers.com

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

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

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

Too excited for words!

I am just to excited for words so I'm just going to post this from Babyology.com.au:


"British Designer Cath Kidston comes to Australia

One of the things I miss about living in the UK is the weather! Just joking, it’s actually the opportunity to easily get my hands on these beautiful retro homeware products.Well no longer, because the wonderful people at Lark in Daylesford are the first in Australia to stock a wide assortment of Cath Kidston’s coveted creations.

The Cath Kidston story started with the designer opening a small shop in London in 1993 selling vintage inspired fabrics and wallpapers. Now her name is an international, iconic, lifestyle brand..." (You can read the rest on the babyology blog)

Ever since I found the beautiful catalog in a friends house in London, I've been in love. And now, when I'm almost ready to go home, Cath will be there. Almost. I'll still have to order things online, but I wont have to pay the £30 international delivery fee from the UK.

I followed the links in the Bablology blog to the Lark store and blog. I love it so much I'm considering a little holiday to Dalesford, Victoria when we get home! Seriously though - the store and the blog are awesome, check it out!

xo Sam
(Picture from Babyology.com.au)