START at the Gallery

Need to get out of the house after all the Christmas revelry, but don't want to battle the crowds viewing Wang Wang and Funi? Why not take the children along to the Art Gallery of South Australia and experience the START at the Gallery program. Held on the first Sunday of every month, and suitable for children aged 5-10, the free START program includes tours, art and craft sessions, family trails, live music and entertainment. See here for this Sunday's (3 January) program.

Families will also be able to view the John Brack exhibition or the Bravura exhibition for the special entry price of $10 (2 adults and children) this Sunday.

free art from Feed Your Soul

With hubby only having a week off from work over the Christmas break, we are in full decorating mode for the new baby (6 weeks to go 'til she arrives!). I have been madly sourcing art works for the walls / bookshelf displays, and recently stumbled across Feed Your Soul: the free art project. Jen Wallace, the writer behind the blog Indie Fixx, has put together this forum for sharing free art where. Artists are invited to contribute one work each which you can download and print on cardstock FOR FREE!!!

Some of the artists will be well-known to you (for example, Mandy Sutcliffe and her Belle & Boo collection), others less so, but there is plenty to choose from (new art is added each month).

I had great difficulty whittling my selection down to 3 prints for my daughter's room, but am buoyed by the knowledge that if I get bored with my choices after a while, I can easily change them without spending a fortune!

Thanks Jen for your wonderful idea and generosity!

product of the week - concealer

Exhausted already from multiple functions in the lead-up to Christmas and dealing with a toddler whose sleep patterns have taken a beating thanks to afore-mentioned functions, I have to admit that I'm not looking my "freshest" at the moment. Not exactly how I want to appear in all the family photos that are part and parcel of the holiday season.

Thankfully the makeup industry provides us with a wide array of concealers to (hopefully) provide cover for those tell-tale signs of fatigue (and ageing!). To cover dark circles, you need a yellow or peach toned concealer.

My all-time favourite concealer (Sue Devitt Automatic Camouflage) is not available in Australia, but here are my two alternatives that are readily available in Adelaide ...

Splurge on:
Touche Eclat Radiant Touch by Yves Saint Laurent
This award-winning concealer claims to be "8 hours of sleep in a pen" and I've certainly found that it effectively covers dark undereye circles. Available at David Jones Rundle Mall, this concealer will set you back $78.

Save on:
Concealer by Napoleon Perdis
Okay, so at $30 it's still not the cheapest concealer on the market, but it does work, and lasts a long time. You may want to use a brush to apply it from the pot, but I must admit that I just use my finger (freshly washed of course so as not to introduce bacteria into the concealer ... when I remember!). See here for South Australian Napoleon stockists.

great summer toy - scrunch bucket

I love these scrunch buckets from Sun and Snow. The last trip I made to the beach with my toddler was exhausting to say the least - all by myself, and about 5 months pregnant, I dragged my McLaren stroller, nappy bag and beach bag all down onto the beach whilst grappling with S who wanted to run headlong into the waves! Needless to say, after that experience, anything that lightens the load is a winner in my books. The scrunch bucket does exactly that - no need for a separate bag to carry a bulky bucket, just wrap this one up and stick it in the nappy bag or, as the website suggests, in your pocket!

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea #6

Don't panic if you still haven't completed the Chrissy shopping - I call the next list of Christmas gift ideas the "give yourself a break" list. They do not require wrapping, and can be organised at the last minute! Well suited for members of busy families, the following items may not be overly glamorous, but they are sure to be well-appreciated by their recipients, and may result in extra time available to spend with family. So why don't you give someone dear to you a break, or, better yet, if you're stuck for an answer when someone asks you what you would like for Christmas, provide them with the following list to consider:

• for the gardener of the house - a job usually (but not always) falling to the man of the house, why not "give them a break" from mowing the lawns and tending to the garden and pay to have a gardener give the garden a decent once-over. Also arrange to have the lawns mowed professionally for a couple of months;
• for the cleaner of the house - there's nothing like a big spring clean to rejuvenate a house - I know how much happier and calmer I feel in a beautifully clean and tidy house (even if it only stays that way for the length of my toddler's nap!). Why not pay for a professional to give your house a good spring clean. While you're at it, why not consider a professional window clean as well?
• for the care-giver of the house - need a break from the children and have some time to yourself (or time with hubby)? Organise for a babysitter to take the kids for a few hours (or better yet, overnight!) and use the time wisely! (see this previous post for a Christmas babysitting special);
• for the chef of the house - if you are responsible for cooking, why not ask hubby to cook for a week to give you a break. If he doesn't usually get home from work until late, suggest he cook up big batches on a weekend and freeze enough portions to feed the family for a week. If hubby is the chef in the house, offer to take over the cooking for a week.

Image from http://www.babble.com/

friday focus hiatus

This is a little late, but you may have already noticed that there was not a "Friday Focus" last week - I have decided to take a break from this over the Christmas/New Year's period so that I can dedicate more time to family and friends, but never fear, it will be back in 2010 with lots of more interesting items and interviews. At this stage, I anticipate the next Friday Focus post will be on January 8.

product of the week - baby jogger city select

With only 2 months to go until I become a mother of two (!) I have attempted to get out and purchase the final required items for baby’s imminent arrival.

Top of my list – the perfect double pram. After much research and advice from friends, I thought that I had found it – the Baby Jogger City Mini Double. However, I found out this week from a mother of four (who obviously has a wealth of knowledge of all things pram-related - thanks Bronny!) that Baby Jogger has just released this little number. Upon seeing the City Select Twin, I just knew I HAD TO HAVE IT!!!!

Due to hit Australian shores in March 2010, this pram has been likened to “the double Bugaboo if Bugaboo made one!” – the City Select can start off as a single pram, with either a bassinet or seat, and then allows for either a double seat or single seat and bassinet combination. The bassinet and seats can be attached in a variety of positions (see photo for just some of the combinations).

I spoke with the Australian distributor for Baby Jogger this week, and was advised that current Baby Jogger stockists should be able to stock the City Select. I have put in a call to Baby Bunting to place my order, and am currently waiting to hear back from them.

You can view a demonstration of the City Select here.

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea # 5

This post should also be titled "Gifts that keep on giving", as today's Christmas gift suggestions are all about charitable gifts.

These have become quite popular over the last few years, and are such a wonderful concept and in keeping with the true spirit of Christmas. I know that I have been the happy giver and receiver of such gifts in recent times.

My picks for this year's charitable gifts are as follows:

• World Youth International Australia - a not-for-profit, non-religious and non-political international development organisation based in South Australia that provides for programs and projects in Australia and overseas.
• Oxfam Unwrapped - the gift arm of Oxfam Australia, a not-for-profit organisation working to fight poverty and injustice around the world.
• The Smith Family - Visit the shop of this national, independent children's charity that helps disadvantaged Australian children. I particularly like the Art Workshop and Materials gift.

help your child to be sunsmart this summer

With the weather heating up again this week, I thought it would be an idea to post a reminder about how to help your little ones (and, of course, yourself) stay SunSmart this Summer.

You can't go a moment these days without reading or hearing about the high risk to Australians of skin cancer, and rightly so - more than 440,000 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer every year (source: Cancer Council SA). The biggest culprit? The sun.

Long gone are the days when children roamed free throughout summer wearing little more than their birthday suit. Damage to a child's skin begins with their first exposure to the UV radiation from the sun, and skin damage caused by this exposure builds up over the years, increasing a child's risk of developing skin cancer (source: Cancer Council SA).

Luckily, there are simple ways to help protect your child's skin, and many resources available to help parents to access information about being SunSmart.

delicious design - kitchen of my dreams

Image from Velvet and Linen

I have to admit that ever since I married and started my family, redecorating has become something of an obsession of mine - not that I'm not thankful for my lovely house as it is, but I can't help but dream of all the improvements I can make. I guess when you're at home as much as mums are, it's hard to always look past the flaws when they're constantly in your face!

Anyhoo, I don't usually write posts like this one, but I've just seen this kitchen from Brooke Gianetti's blog and imagined how lovely it would be cooking for the family in this kitchen - look at the size of the stoves and fridge! I might even offer to do the washing up as well if it meant more time in this gorgeous room!

Happy weekend readers! Only 14 sleeps til Santa comes!

etsy find - bedtime bus roll

If you haven't yet discovered etsy, you absolutely must get on to it NOW! It's a great place to find unique handmade and vintage items from around the world, and there is a large and talented Australian contingent selling their wares.

My latest must-have item - this Bedtime Bus Roll from Sydney based My Sweet Prints. It is inspired by the vintage bus roll prints that seem to be everywhere these days, but has a great twist for your little one! I'm thinking it would look perfect in S's new big boy room ...

Image from My Sweet Prints

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea #4

I think that these poncho towels for 2-8 year olds from Teeny Me would be great for the beach AND for that wet, sandy car ride home! Available in navy, red or pink.

friday focus - the nanny webb

Choosing to leave your child in the hands of another, whether for regular child care or casual babysitting, is one of the biggest and often stressful decisions a parent has to make. It is vitally important that you feel confident in the knowledge that your child will be well looked after, in a safe and nurturing environment.

2009 saw the launch of the Adelaide branch of the nanny webb, a bespoke child care placement service. Already established in Sydney (by ex-Adelaidean Yurana Webb), the nanny webb offers long term and temporary nannies, as well as babysitting services.

I caught up with Holly Auld, Manager of the nanny webb's Adelaide branch, to discuss the agency and the joys of nannying!

How did The Nanny Webb start? Why was it launched?
The nanny webb started in Sydney four years ago by Yurana Webb. Yurana had worked as a nanny for quite some years and saw a niche for a personalised, boutique nanny placement agency. After returning from working as a nanny in London, I approached Yurana about starting a branch of the nanny webb in Adelaide. This was a life-long dream of mine. She thankfully agreed, and the Adelaide branch was developed.

What services do you offer?
We are a placement agency and therefore provide nannies and babysitters for families. We provide quality nannies who all have their First Aid Certificate, DECS or Police Clearance, current references and an adequate amount of experience. I interview the nannies, check their references and meet with them on a regular basis at nanny team building sessions to discuss their progress.

What do you think separates you from other nanny agencies?
Definitely our personal service and high calibre of nannies. I personally meet with the families, assess their needs and discuss the desired qualities that they are seeking in a nanny. This is all noted on their file and regularly updated as the child/children develop and grow older.

How did you get involved in nannying?
From a very young age I always had a child on my hip, whether it was one of my younger brothers, a family friend or a neighbour in need. I started babysitting for family friends when I was about 13 and have never stopped! I had a great opportunity four years ago when I was employed by Darcey Bussell [former prima ballerina with The Royal Ballet in the UK] to nanny her children in London. Initially it was a 12 month assignment, but I ended up staying for three years! This is where I learnt the most about being a nanny, as there is such an established and successful nanny network over there.

How can potential clients contact The Nanny Webb?
The best way is to check out our fantastic website.  This provides both mine and Yurana's contact details, and gives you a lovely insight into the ethos and business of the nanny webb.

Once a family contacts the nanny webb, it receives a Parent's Information Pack which highlights certain things that are required from an employee of a nanny. It also inculdes insurance information, suggested questions to ask when interviewing a nanny, and an example letter of employment.

What should parents look for when hiring a suitable nanny for their children?
I am a strong believer that it is very important for a family to be matched with the nanny right for their needs. Families and nannies have different expectations, beliefs and morals, and these need to be discussed and confirmed at the initial interview stage to enable a consistent, loving and caring environment for the children at all times.

After speaking with many mothers over the years, their most treasured nannies have been those that love and treat their children like their own and, in turn, become an important member of the family.

What do you enjoy most about working with children?
Everything! Children are so rewarding and give so much joy and love. The one-on-one care that is provided by a nanny is like no other. Children are able to form a very close relationship with their nannies, while still respecting their authority.

I am fascinated by children's developmental stages, diet, sleep routines (or lack of), attachment and learning through play, and I regularly attend information sessions and training sessions on these topics.

I never wake up in the morning and think, "I really do not want to go to work today". I think I have the best job in the world - who wouldn't want to play in a park, build sandcastles or make a space ship out of a garbage bag and playdough!

The nanny webb is currently offering a special Christmas gift package, providing 3 hours of night-time babysitting (including placement fee), and a hand-made Christmas decoration from All The King's Horses (includes postage and handling) for $65. Email Holly for enquiries and to place your order.

product of the week - kiehl's nurturing baby cream

I love this product - it's the only unmedicated cream I can use on my toddler's skin when it's inflamed with eczema without causing him pain and discomfort. With the key ingredients of shea butter, apricot kernel oil and purified honey, and currently available from David Jones in Rundle Mall, Kiehl's Nurturing Baby Cream for Face and Body is this week's "product of the week".

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea # 3

Perfect for a friend, mother or mother-in-law, these exquisite "Vintage Rose" letterpress notelets are hand printed in duck-egg blue and are available in a pack of 6 from Bespoke Press.

christmas catering mumspiration-style

Christmas can be one of the most hectic times of the year for a family, so I have been thinking about ways in which we as mums can keep our sanity whilst still providing a fun-filled, special Christmas for our children and partners.

One easy time-saver is streamlining the catering for Christmas Day. Whether you're catering for 4 or 40, a wonderful luxury of living in this era of consumerism is that most courses can be pre-ordered and purchased, saving yourself time and a lot of effort (and often stress). Moreover, there are some absolutely beautiful products on the market that mean you do not have to compromise on taste and quality just because they are store bought rather than home-cooked.

So why don’t you buy yourself some more time with the family and order in this Christmas? Here are my picks for purchasing Christmas lunch items for 2009:

Seafood
What Australian Christmas lunch is complete without seafood? There is nothing like starting your Christmas Day feast standing around a table outside, clambering for a share in the cray and prawns (all bets are off – it’s every man for themselves).

If you’re not lucky enough to have a fisherman in the family, put an order in for South Australian crayfish and whole cooked prawns at Malvern’s Gulf Seafoods.

Ham

My pick for a ham this year - Saskia Beer’s The Black Pig range available through Lucia’s Fine Foods. Take your pick from Berkshire, Suckling or Champagne and enjoy some of the best local ham!


Turkey
These days you can buy a pre-stuffed, trussed turkey ready for roasting at just about any butcher or poultry shop. However, if you don't want to slave over a hot oven at all, order yourself a cooked, stuffed turkey from The Black Olive at Rose Park - just send hubby out Christmas eve to pick it up! Too easy. 

Pudding

Newcastle-based Pudding Lane offers award winning, home-made puddings, including a gluten free option. My favourite is the traditional Christmas pud, but if you’re more adventurous, why not try one of the chocolate varieties or the macadamia and brandy option? Purchase online from Puddings SA.

Cherries
Fresh cherries are one of the simple delights of Christmas, and you can pick your own in the Adelaide Hills. Why not download the Cherry Map from cherriessa.com.au and make a family outing of it? Otherwise see here for Shed Door sales.

One final tip – get your orders in by mid-December to avoid disappointment!

dear little deer hooks

I love these quirky Dear Little Deer Hooks from my friend Kimberlee at Brown Button Trading - something a bit different and fun to add to my toddler's new "big boy" room.

You should also check out Kimberlee's gorgeous blog - it's full of inspiring photos and reviews of all things beautiful (a lovely place to visit when the children are asleep and you just want to feel good!).

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea #2

Your little one could really make his or her mark with a personalised stamp from Imprintables. There are 6 design choices and 40 colours to choose from when customising your stamp. Gorgeous!

party season accessory

With the pre-Christmas party season well and truly underway, I am actually venturing out to some parties, despite my constant state of exhaustion thanks to an active toddler and second pregnancy!

To perk myself up, I have been searching for the perfect party bag - something that does not in the slightest resemble my usual enormous nappy bag! Think I've found it in the Mickey Weave Clutch from Witchery - cute, petite, and in a fab festive colour without being too glitzy.

make your own advent calendar

If you're a bit late off the mark, and still don't have yourself an advent calendar, why not use this weekend to make your own? It's another great activity to do with the littlies, and you can avoid that cheap and nasty chocolate that usually comes in them (try a sticker or little toy if you don't want to go the chocolate option, but I know my toddler loves a bit of Haighs!).

Here are a few DIY advent calendar ideas:

1. Paper cup advent from Well I'll Be A Monkey's Mama

2. Paper envelope advent from Kids Craft Weekly

3. Box advent from Full Circle

4. Glass jar advent from Fuse Interiors

friday focus - all the king's horses

I am constantly in awe of my talented friends who combine motherhood with running a small business. Today's Friday Focus features All The King's Horses, a locally handmade toy business created by an Adelaide mum who was inspired to offer unique toys that can be passed down through generations of children. I caught up with owner (and avid sewer), Lysia May-Jamieson, to discuss her business.

Why did you launch All The King's Horses and how did you get started?
For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to make toys. As a mother in a world filled with mass produced imported toys, I found it difficult to find timeless, keepsake toys, that were lovingly created with the intent to be passed down through generations.

My passion for sewing, second-hand toys and books and vintage clothes, coupled with exposure to costumes and design during several years of performing in the arts throughout Australia, provided me with the inspiration to establish "All The King's Horses”.

I started sewing on Good Friday this year, when my mother gave me her old sewing machine and I was desperate to have a sense of achievement which did not involve my toddler, nor how many Haighs I had just eaten!

What products do you offer?
Currently I offer a range of ‘softies', using fabric from Kristen Doran and Aunty Cookie. My dolls include Rag dolls, Sassilu dolls, and themed dolls such as cowboys, clowns, pirates, fairies, Liberty fabric dolls, and robots. I'm expanding my range soon to offer Milly and Molly dolls whose 1950’s faces are so striking you can’t help but stop and look at them. Soft animals are also a work in progress with dogs, cats, pandas, owls and birds currently available.

Where can we buy All The King’s Horses products?
Out of The Cot on Magill Road currently stocks the Rag dolls, Sassilu dolls, owls and dogs.

Dulwitches, the gorgeous craft haven and co-op in Linden Park, stocks not only dolls and animals, but also crowns, building blocks, drummer boys and Matroyshkas, and boy and girl door stops. The new Milly and Molly dolls will also be stocked there in the near future.

I also have my products for sale on my blog thekingshorses.blog.com.

What is your favourite item from your range?
My favourite item would have to be the crowns. Any reason not to have to wear one of those paper ones on Christmas day is a winner in my eyes!

Where do you find inspiration?
Just to name a few sources ... vintage toys, second hand books, vintage fabric (don’t you just love the smell of second hand books and vintage fabrics??) costumes, ballets, paintings, craft blogs, Cath Kidston, Rosalie Quinlan, Meet me at Mike’s, Purl Bee, Dick and Dora, Belle and Boo, Loobylu, Martha Stewart, magazines and, of course, my mum!

And finally, how do you manage juggling mum duty with running a small business and sewing such a wide range of products?
Badly! Thankfully I have a very supportive husband and a wonderful nanny, so I have two full days to sew. I try not to do any projects during the day when I am with my son, only once he has gone to bed. It is quite amazing how much you can accomplish at 3am!!

All The King's Horses

Lysia May-Jamieson

Ph 0411 115 960

thekingshorses.blog.com

Out of The Cot

322 Magill Road, Magill

Ph 8431 5501

Dulwitches

97 Devereux Road, Linden Park

Ph 8379 1664

product of the week - mia bossi 'tobey' nappy bag

I love the 'tobey' nappy bag from mia bossi for a quick outing when you don't want to lug around your usual, full-to-the-brim, weighs-a-ton nappy bag! It fits a bottle, a nappy and wipes, mobile phone and some cash. The 'tobey' certainly brings a whole lot of style to the old bum bag! Available in Australia through metromum.

LittleONE baby magazine

Have just discovered this fabulous new Australian baby magazine. Glossy and gorgeous, Issue 2 is now out. I especially love the real-life nurseries that are featured. You can find your closest SA stockists here.

mumspiration christmas gift guide - idea #1

I can't believe it's only 23 sleeps 'til Christmas - with this in mind, I'm commencing a regular post for gift ideas.

My darling mum has always been a big believer in Christmas stockings, and I've found them to be just as much fun to open as wrapped presents on Christmas morning. I'm therefore kicking off the mumspiration christmas gift guide with a suggestion for a "stocking stuffer" for a little girl ...

I'm loving the adorable yo-yo hair clips at Pink Apple, an online shop run by a Peninsula girl. They come in a variety of colours and are only $6 each! Here's a photo of my current favourite, but I encourage you to visit the website and check out the entire range. Too cute!


(A big thanks to my friend Teesh for putting me onto Pink Apple.)

fairy's wishing wand closing down sale

The Fairy's Wishing Wand (aka the Fairy Shop) on Unley Road is closing down due to the owner retiring. Unless someone takes over the business, the last day of trading will be Christmas Eve.

The store is currently having a "retirement sale" with 30% off the original price of all items in-store...just in time for Christmas presents!

The Fairy's Wishing Wand

240 Unley Road, Unley SA

Ph 8373 2433

o tannenbaum, o tannenbaum

As many of you will know, decorating safely for Christmas can pose a bit of a challenge once you have children. From housing a Christmas tree inside a playpen, to no Christmas tree at all, I have heard lots of mums discussing the options, so I thought I'd post a few ideas I've come up with/found.

Usually I go all out with my Christmas tree, but this year I have decided to go for a more minimalist look with safety in mind. On a trip to Lincraft, I came across some paper mache 3-D stars made from cardboard - they were cheap as chips ($1.99 for lge, $1.49 for sml), have a Scandinavian-vibe which I love, and will not smash if pulled off the tree. I've combined them with red and white grosgrain ribbon bows, as well as some fabric decorations that I picked up at Ikea last year.

Some other possibilities for safe decorations include:

• making your own paper decorations - cut out the shapes of baubles, stars etc and have your child decorate them with drawings, pictures cut from Christmas wrapping paper and stickers;
• these recycled card decorations, pictured below, from Polli - safe AND environmentally friendly!

If you're looking for a quick and safe Christmas tree alternative, I don't think you can go past this fabulous wall decal tree from Love Mae. It's too gorgeous for words!!!

Alternatively, if you're feeling crafty, why not try making your own Christmas tree wall decoration? Be inspired by this idea by Khali from Little Lovely at Bookhou Craft Projects.

Happy decorating!

friday focus - little luv

With a cute name, and even cuter products, Little Luv is a new South Australian business specialising in handmade and vintage goodies for children.

Launched by my very talented friend and fellow mum, Little Luv had an unusual start - owner Mardi Zeunert literally found a sewing machine in hard rubbish and began to sew reusable shopping bags. She soon progressed to sewing mobiles, and Little Luv was born!

Little Luv currently stocks "birdy" and "save the whaleys" mobiles, nonite owls, nanna teddies, domino to go brooches, and vintage children's books.

I caught up with Mardi this week to discuss her business for the first feature in my new weekly post "Friday Focus".

Why did you start this business?
I launched this business because I felt there was a gap in the market, and wanted to start something from home that I could do as a hobby and unleash my creative side. I love markets and shopping and thought it was a great opportunity to fulfil that dream.

Where do you find inspiraton?
I find inspiration from magazines, online, markets, and retail shops. I am a magazine junkie and shopaholic - scary! Nature also inspires me.

Where do you work from?
I work from home in our spare bedroom.

How do you manage juggling mum duty with running your business?
It's not that easy, but I manage to find the time. You just have to be organised with your day - and hope that no tantrums erupt! I also work part-time for the 2010 Adelaide Festival in their PR team, so I am finding my time is stretched, but when you are doing something you love you make the time, even if it is at 9 at night! I also have a very supportive husband which is a godsend!

What is your favourite item from your range?
My personal favourite item is the first product I made, the birdy mobiles. All kids love birds and they really enhance a room. All my items are handmade and one-of-a-kind which is special.

Where can we purchase Little Luv products?

You can view my products online at my website. For orders and enquiries, please contact me on:
Ph: 0438 886 522
Email: pezed@adam .com.au

Little Luv will be at the Goodwood Christmas Market this Saturday, 28 November, from 9am - 3pm. The Little Luv stall will be located on the Goodwood Primary School Oval.

I will also be at the next Norwood Baby and Child Market on Sunday, 13 December, from 9am-3pm at Norwood Primary School.

Little Luv

http://www.littleluv.com.au/

liquidation auction - just kidding children's store

According to today's Advertiser Business pages, the children's store Just Kidding is in liquidation, only a year after relocating to its Mile End location!

I was saddened to hear this, as it's never nice to hear about local businesses closing down, and I've always found my shopping experience at Just Kidding to be very pleasant - the sales people were very helpful, and the store was well-stocked with beautiful products, in particular a wide range of wooden toys (including Brio trainsets, Pintoy kitchenware, Sirch ride-ons).

Two auctions are being held under instructions from the liquidators - one is an online auction, and can be accessed here (closes 30 November), and the other is a traditional auction taking place tomorrow (26 November). Details for the traditional auction can be accessed here. It's worth taking a look as there are plenty of products up for sale.

I wish all the staff of Just Kidding all the very best in their futures.

homemade play dough

Whilst I realise there is pre-made Play Dough on the market, I really enjoy making the homemade kind! It is so simple to do, ad you can involve your children in the task of making the dough as part of playtime.

I use the following recipe which was provided by my lovely Playgroup leader, Di. It's a no-cook method, and only takes about 5-10 minutes to make!

No-cook Homemade Play Dough

(makes about 2 cups)

2 cups of plain flour

1 cup of salt

1 tablespoon of Cream of Tartar

splash of oil

boiling water

food colouring - I use the liquid kind

Mix all of the dry ingredients together, making sure that the salt is mixed in well.

Add oil and hot water.

Add food colouring - let your children's imagination roam free here. This is a great way to explore the mixing and creating of new colours.

When adding liquid ingredients, be guided by consistency. The Play Dough should not stick to your hands. If it does, add more flour until you achieve the correct consistency.

Store in air-tight containers when not in use (otherwise the Play Dough will dry out). Plastic containers or zip-lock bags work well.

There are lots of other homemade Play Dough recipes out there to try, including cooked methods (see Cream of Tartar packet for one cooked version), but I prefer the no muss, no fuss, no cook one, as I can involve my young son without worrying, and don't feel like I'm slaving over a hot stove more than I already do!

You needn't buy the commercial brand Play Dough accessories either - you can find plenty of tools around the house to make shapes from and decorate your home made Play Dough eg, egg cups and tea cups (for cutting out small and large circles), cookie cutters, toothpicks for making arms for your Play Dough people (perhaps not for the littlies with oral fixations!), rolling pins, etc etc, you get the picture!

I've just made a fresh batch today while my son sleeps, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes up with this afternoon.

I hope you and your children enjoy home made Play Dough as much as we do in our house!

 

Image from Art Nest

little moo shoes

I've just stumbled across these gorgeous shoes for babies and children - am loving the red and white mary janes for little girls, and the navy and blue sandals for boys (pictured above).

Little Moo shoes are currently only available over the internet through the following stockists - Little Moo, Little Bare Bear, and Soda Pop Kids.

The Little Moo website has a handy sizing guide so that you should be fairly confident of ordering the correct size (I always worry about this when buying over the net).

At around $49, these may not be the cheapest leather shoes on the market, but you will be supporting an Australian brand and they are still cheaper than most Clarks!

product of the week - Ikea Expedit shelving units

Ok, so it's not a new product, but I like to think of it as an "oldy but a goody". I have 5 of these throughout my house, and whilst that may seem a little excessive on initial thought, they're all currently put to excellent use.

Reasons why I love the Expedit? Here are but a few:

• variety - the Expedit is currently available in a number of sizes, ranging from a 1 cube x 4 cube style (narrow and tall) to a 4 cube x 4 cube style. It is also available in white, birch and walnut colours;
• value for money - priced from $89 - $249 per shelving unit (depending on size), the Expedit is a relatively inexpensive piece of furniture, and yet my experience is that it doesn't appear cheap or to be of poor quality (compared with some other similar units I have purchased from bargain shops);
• versatility - pre-children, my husband and I utilised a 4x4 Expedit as a kitchen cupboard. It now lives in the nursery, housing toys, books, blankets, and clothes;
• appearance - simple, sleek lines scream Scandinavian design, and allows for your own creativity and displays to become the focus point;
• ability to customise - from the drawer and door inserts available in white, red or black, to a large array (does Ikea ever do anything to a small extent?!) of baskets and storage boxes that fit into the cubes, the Expedit's appearance can easily be altered, depending on its required function or your desire for something different!

I've also recently stumbled onto Grippiks Surface Accents, a Sydney-based company that manufactures and sells online a range of pre-measured, pre-cut graphic prints that stick to Ikea furniture. There are currently 6 designs available for Expedit drawer and door inserts - they're worth checking out if you want something a bit different for the nursery or playroom, without the hassle of cutting wallpaper yourself! Now why didn't I think of that?
I could go on all day, but, in summary, if you're looking for a relatively easy Ikea piece to put together (I have actually managed to put one together without help from my husband!), that provides a space for housing all manner of children's gear, I highly recommend the Ikea Expedit.

christmas markets

The Credit Union Christmas Pageant's come and gone, and Santa's well and truly ensconsed at the Magic Cave. This can only mean one thing - time to start the Christmas shopping!

Whilst we may not boast Christmas markets quite as spectacular as those in Europe (think Frankfurt or Cologne in Germany), Adelaide will host an array of markets featuring childrensware and crafts in the lead up to Christmas this year. Whilst not all exclusively stocking Christmas items, they will no doubt offer a wealth of opportunities to pick up some unique presents for your children, loved ones, or yourself!

Here's a rundown of the upcoming markets in Adelaide:

• Mums & Bubs Market - preloved and handmade items - 28 November, Alan Scott Park, Morphetville (Race Park)
• Goodwood Christmas Market - 28 November, Goodwood Road Precinct
• Christmas Earth Fair - 4-5 December, Adelaide Showgrounds, Wayville
• Norwood Child & Baby Market - 13 December, Norwood Primary School, Osmond Tce, Norwood
• Gilles Street Market - 29 November, 6 December, 13 December, Gilles Street Primary School, Adelaide

If you know of any other markets in Adelaide, or better yet, regional South Australia, I'd love to hear from you!

kidzone - new shop on king william road

This just in - Kidzone opened a new premises at 101 King William Road (between Mary and Arthur Streets) today!

I'm told that whilst this location will be more focussed towards furniture, it will still stock accessories and other children's products.

I think it's great to see the emergence of a children's store on King William Road, which I've felt has lacked this shopping element for some time now. And if it's anywhere as jam packed with goodies as its Unley Road counterpart, you're sure to find something there to love and purchase.

i love tiddles and chich

It's official, I am totally in love with the Adelaide and Melbourne based children's clothing brand Tiddles and Chich. If you haven't already discovered it, watch out, as it is utterly addictive!

Founded by two mums, the French-inspired clothes are designed and made in Australia, and are available in sizes 000-10. Currently the label produces two collections a year. Their Summer 2009 collection is currently available and it is completely covetable!

Having a son, I am so thankful to see a label producing beautiful and classic clothes for boys, historically the poorer cousin in children's clothing. I'm not the only one either - I happen to have a friend who has bought almost everything available this season for her gorgeous boys (and I don't blame her!). Of course, the Tiddles and Chich girls' range is equally as stunning!

I unfortunately missed their recent trunk show in Adelaide, but luckily for me (and unluckily for the credit card) Tiddles and Chich is now available online at their website, as well as being stocked by Adelaide stores Baby Bien on Melbourne Street, and Plume Petite in Grange.

My favourite item from this season's collection? These beautiful Liberty-fabric cotton shorts for girls - I have a baby daughter due in February 2010, and I couldn't resist buying her a pair for next summer! Like I said, I'm in love!














(PS, Suri Cruise has been photographed wearing this label - praise indeed from the world's best-known mini-fashionista!)

christmas pageants

Yes, it's that time of year already (where did 2009 go?), and in South Australia we are fortunate to have a number of Christmas pageants to take the children to.
It's only one sleep until the Credit Union Christmas Pageant in Adelaide - I doubt any of us expected the scorching heat that is forecast for tomorrow (39 degrees Celcius), but for those of you who will still be brave enough to attend, click here for details of the route, hot weather tips, and start and end times. I have such fond memories of attending the pageant as a child - all of us cousins used to pile onto the back of my grandfather's flat-bed truck which my uncle would have parked in a prime position earlier that morning. I'm now looking forward to creating similar memories for my children!

South Australia is fortunate enough to have a number of other pageants on offer - here is a list of some other pageants on offer this year:

• Murray Bridge Christmas Pageant & Fireworks display - 21 November
• Glenelg Pageant - 22 November
• Norwood Christmas Pageant - 28 November
• Port Pirie Christmas Pageant - 5 December
• Meningie Christmas Pageant - 6 December
• Port Broughton & District Community Christmas Pageant - 12 December
• Tailem Bend Christmas Parade - 18 December

This list is not exhaustive, and I'd love to hear from you should you be aware of any other pageants on offer in South Australia this year.
The Adelaide Christmas Pageant also marks the opening of the Magic Cave in David Jones - I didn't take my little one last year until the week before Christmas ... big mistake! We lined up as soon as DJs opened, but still had to wait in line for 2 hours. I must admit that I still prefer the old John Martin's Magic Cave, but perhaps that's because my memories of it are through the eyes of a child. My tip - if you really want to experience the Magic Cave, try and get there earlier than the week before Christmas when the last minute rush begins. Try and take hubby (I called mine to duck out of work and meet us there) or a grandparent as support, as inevitably your child will need a toilet-stop/nappy change/run around whilst waiting to see Santa, and having someone to hold your place in line (or, better still, do the running around with child!) will make the visit all the less stressful.

Also remember that a lot of local shopping centres have a Santa in attendance for photos - this can often be a less stressful option than the Magic Cave or other department store Santas.

Let the countdown to Christmas begin!

image from www.planbooktravel.com.au/

colouring and sticker fun!

During these sweltering days, I have been trying to come up with activities to keep my toddler occupied inside and out of the heat. Yes, I must admit that I have resorted to the odd DVD, but mostly we've been getting creative with our colouring in and "stickering".
My little man is nearly 18 months, and adores these activities. It's amazing how much time we can spend on the one pasttime, when normally he's bored after 10 minutes of something.

I have discovered the joys of the Cheap As Chips craft aisles as a result of this latest obsession - they sell great colouring-in books and pads of stickers (180 stickers!) for $2 each! At that price, I'm not caring that we go through a sticker pad every few days.

Crayola also have a great website from which you can print free colouring-in pages.

As for our tools, it's washable crayons for now. After the little man ate or lost nearly the entire first set of Crayolas we bought, I opted to purchase the cheaper Dora the Explorer crayons on our next trip to Big W. On arriving home, however, I realised the error of my ways - I have learnt that a higher price does, in fact, equal better quality when it comes to crayons. We have found the Dora crayons to be a lot messier and harder for a toddler to use as they require more pressure to show up on paper. So now it's back to the Crayolas!

product of the week - woolly wugs sleeping bags

A heatwave has well and truly hit South Australia this week, with temperatures soaring into the high 30s. Luckily for me, my dad and stepmum gave my toddler these fabulous new sleeping bags from Woolly Wugs just in time.

Made from 100% cotton, these light weight sleeping bags have kept my little man comfortable all night despite the heat. I've been dressing him in a short sleeved onesie and just popping him into the bag with no other covers over him in his cot.

The sleeping bags come in packs of two, and and are sized for newborns to two year olds.

I love the design, the fact that they dried in less than half an hour after their first wash (!) and that they are Australian-designed. In fact, they are the brainchild of two mothers from right here in South Australia. It's always great to know that you can support local companies whilst also benefitting from a great product.

I have already seen them in Kidzone on Unley Road, but you can also purchase directly from the Woolly Wugs website.

With the predictions for a long, hot summer, I know that these sleeping bags will be getting a lot of use in my household!

image from Woolly Wugs