Whimsy Child

New Generals

2012-01-18T21:46:00.001+08:00

In just a one year New Generals has become known for doing things differently than the established kidswear industry. New Generals is cool - unashamedly fashion cool. Yet at the center of the cool, black exterior beats a green heart. New Generals is certified organic from the cotton fields to the shop floor with ethical production throughout. To New Generals this is not a contradiction - they call it being ethicool. And it works.

Lots of black, quirky detailing and crisp graphics are at the core of the New Generals signature look. Oversized pockets, extended backs, pointy pockets, pleat shoulders, high-cuffed leggings, narrow cuts, edgy prints and lots of black and grey with a few splashes of a beautiful pale lilac.

Restrained cool yet playful and quirky, the collection spans 0-10 years

take a sneak peek of what is to come to Whimsy Child

New Generals... new to Whimsy

Three Little Trees Summer 2011

2011-10-03T17:42:00.000+08:00

it's coming very soon

*stalking the postie*

full of fun, light & a few feathers :)

Three Little Trees have presented another child friendly collection,

one that will delight both you & your child this Summer.

take a peek of some of my favourites- there's more on the site

(available for pre-order now!)

New Coco & Ginger coming to Whimsy Child very soon!

2011-08-07T18:53:00.000+08:00

Coco & Ginger is always a Summer favourite!

The combo of gorgeous lightweight fabrics, bright colours & beautiful hand-stitched details prove to be a winner again & again.

Summer is coming (apparently!) & so is our eagerly awaited shipment from Coco & Ginger.

Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect to see!

remember, Coco & Ginger always sells out quickly- if you have your eye on something, don't wait!

Ada Ada comes to Whimsy

2011-07-28T12:44:00.000+08:00

I have a very long wish list @ Whimsy, very, very long if the truth be told,

but one can only grow so fast!

One which has been on the 'wish list' for a while now, is

I think it perfectly suits our store-

it ticks so many of the boxes that I have in the back of my mind when trying to choose

beautiful clothing, with of course a little touch of Whimsy!

the clothes are so child friendly, but still stylish & made in a quality to last.

Here's a peek of what will be hitting our shelves very soon!

The collaborative work of three very creative sisters –

Miriam, Ada and Ayelet Bernstein, based in Israel,

Ada Ada features warm neutrals, with gorgeous, quirky attention to detail...

visit Whimsy now to see exactly what we have available

she's baaaaack!

2011-07-09T15:39:00.001+08:00

after a quite extended (ok monumentally mammoth!) leave of absence, I figure I need to get back into this blogging thing!

the problem with finding the time to write regular blog posts is...

well for me anyway, "finding time" :)

I looked to see when the last post was that i published, & realised that it was actually just before we moved- (oops!) which has been the biggest spanner for this year,

I have to say, we've only just begun to recover from it now!

after years of renovating our last house, we finally got to the point where it was pretty much completed... only to decide that although we loved our little house,

it just wasn't big enough for a family of 5, plus an excitable horse

(& by horse I mean Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy!)

back when she was small... & innocent... & hadn't eaten a couch :(

so... we moved! YAY!!! to another do-er upper! BOOOOOO!!!

so honestly, in between moving, teaching, running the business, working as a muso, trying to start on the reno's on this house... well there just hasn't been a lot of time! but I'm really going to try to write a little more often about the comings, goings & happenings at Whimsy.

The latest thing... which I have to say I'm really very chuffed with... very!

is the spunky new makeover done by Morris Bear. better functionality, a cleaner look, & the front page is now such a wonderful showcase for our new products as they come in!

check it out... you'll see what I mean, hopefully you'll love it as much as I do!

signing off for now... & not for too long :)

Shampoodle Feb 2011

2011-02-27T15:03:00.000+08:00

I just love Shampoodle. I really do!

There's something about their "Childishly Comfortable Clothing" that just gets me,

& I must admit there's a little smile everytime someone comments on how cool my kids look when they're wearing it!

Here are some of the latest arrivals... should be up on the site in the next day or two...

these awesome trackies will last for around 3 yrs!!

they have scrunchable legs & arms so they 'grow' with your child! Cool huh?

and the winner is....

2011-02-20T12:36:00.000+08:00

well, just to keep you in suspense for a wee bit longer, I just wanted to apologise for how long this announcement has taken.

In case you haven't seen elsewhere, we're about to move, in 3 weeks time actually & well, there's just so much to do. Back to school (for the kids) back to school (for us) trying to get this moving 'thing' happening.... there's soooooo much to do!

anyway, you've probably seen some of the entries here, but there were others- emailed in, so the judges (offspring) have been negotiating with each other.

They ended up with three choices (& I have to say, all the entries were great!) but I told them that like all judges, they had to come to an agreement about 1 entry. This has seen a fair bit of negotiating going on- nice to see actually! good use of reasoning skills evident *proud mumma* & some experimentation!

anyhoo, you probably just want to know who won?

the winning entry is:

Hi there!

As a busy Mumma to 3 young boys finding quick healthy snacks can sometimes be tricky - I used to over think recipes way to much! Now, we have gone back to basics at our home so the kids can enjoy not only cooking, but eating healthy.
We started by letting the boys grow & nurture their own vegies (with assistance) Mister 5 whom started school this year gets so excited about cutting his own cos lettuce straight from the garden each morning to help make his sandwiches/wraps. It's great!

One of our favorites are what we like to call our bread baskets. They are super quick to make, the boys can do most of it themselves & add there own creativity :)

I've attached some photos of my Mister 2½, Jack, making his lunch!

Bread Baskets

1) Take a piece of bread & trim off crusts

2) Place bread in a lightly greased muffin tray (1 piece of bread fits perfectly into a regular sized muffin tin!)

3) Fill with your favorite ingredients such as

- mashed vegies

(save some from the night before's dinner)

- banana

- baked beans

- chicken & avacodo

(my personal favorite with some rye bread! Yum!)

4) Top with a small amount of grated cheese

5) Bake in a moderate oven for approx 7 minutes (Or until the bread is slightly toasted & cheese melted)

6) Enjoy!!

here are the reason the judges chose this entry (if you're interested??)

"They're easy to make, & nearly all of it kids can just do by themselves."

"It's not just one thing that you make over & over, you can vary it & put in whatever you want & make it savoury or sweet"

Daily Tea...

2011-02-05T09:59:00.002+08:00

Daily Tea has arrived & as usual it is bursting with colour & funky patterns.

If you're not familiar with the range, then the easiest way to describe it is to say it is

a range of mix & match ultra wearable clothing, affordable, high quality & stylish.

Pretty much everything works with everything else within a collection/ season...

gotta love that!

For inspiration for this season, Tea has travelled to Old World Hungary,

a land of vibrant color, dazzling artistry and rich folk traditions.

For centuries, the Old World Kingdom of Hungary ruled much of Europe, including the modern-day countries of Romania and Croatia. From the wild woods and gothic castles of Translyvania to the artful opulence of Bucharest, Tea discovered a place of great history and beauty…and incredible inspiration.

Keen to take a closer look? Click here to see all New Daily Tea

Vapur Drink Bottles

2011-01-27T09:01:00.000+08:00

I thought I'd done this post...

but obviously my too-busy brain had done it, but forgotten to actually erm, do it!

This is another great product I've had my eye on for quite some time...

The Vapur Anti-Bottle

They were featured a while back in Babyology & I thought they were an excellent idea!

so... I set about looking into bringing them to Whimsy & of course sometimes these processes take a little longer than you expect, but they're here!

So far they've been an absolute hit!

(so there's another shipment on it's way, just in case you've already missed out).

things I love about them?

they're Reusable

Vapur Anti-Bottles are completely BPA-free, constructed of three layers of ultra-durable plastic. The innermost layer is made from FDA-approved polyethythene, which is then bonded to two layers of nylon for strength and durability. They're designed to withstand everyday use and regular cleaning & the inner layer is odor, taste and stain resistant, so it can be reused again and again!

they're Foldable/ Portable

It's designed to stand when it's full, but can be rolled, folded or flattened when it's empty, making it easy to use and carry everywhere you go. Unlike traditional water bottles, that are bulky when empty, the Anti-Bottle can be easily tucked away, conveniently fitting into pockets, purses and bags. How's that for portability!

Washable

Too easy! The Vapur Anti-Bottle is dishwasher safe - top rack of most dishwashers. First, remove the cap and carabiner, blow a little air into the bottle to inflate, then simply turn upside down and insert the spout over the prongs on the top rack of your dishwasher.

Freezable

Perfect for lunchboxes! You can freeze your Anti-Bottle for icy cold water or use it as an icepack! Fill it half-way, put it in the freezer overnight and then fill it the rest of the way with water in the morning.

Attachable

It comes with a convenient carabiner, making it easy to clip on... pretty much anywhere! (think school backpacks) Vapur Anti-Bottles don't crack or dent either, so there's not as much worry as with traditional rigid bottles. Just clip it and go.

Identifiable

There's a white name-space on the back of your bottle, just write your name in there.

Interested?? if you'd like to buy one, head over to Whimsy Child,

we'd love to see you!

Kids Can Cook!

2011-01-21T11:36:00.002+08:00

It's easy...

Just submit a recipe for an Easy, Healthy, Kid-friendly meal,

something that primary age kids can make with just a little help.

You can submit your entry in a couple of ways-

email to whimsychild[at]bigpond[dot]com or post on facebook, or you could submit your entry as a 'comment' here on the blog!

*feel free to include/ send in photos!

I'd love to see some photos of your mini-foodies!

We'll contact the winner to find out which size/ gender you'd like for your prize.

It is a condition of entry that your submission may be published on
Whimsy Child's Blog, Facebook page & twitter.

the Winning entry, as voted by Whimsy Child's team of food critics

(my trio :)

will receive a Tommy Rocket or Two Belles fashion pack.

*entries close 10/02/2011

* competition only available to Australian Postal Addresses

http://whimsychild.blogspot.com/2011/01/kids-can-cook.html

Lunchskins

2011-01-16T19:04:00.000+08:00

I've been meaning to get some of these for a while!

Besides the obvious environmental benefits, I just love the groovy patterns & colours!

well it's about to become a whole lot easier for me to get my hands on some- in fact inexcusable to not :) because we're about to start stocking them here at Whimsy

stay tuned- they should be here soon, but in the meantime, start coveting!

I know I have :)

wow! so neglectful!

2010-12-29T09:56:00.000+08:00

I knew it had been a while, but honestly didn't realise it had been this long!!!

a whole 2 months (nearly) has passed & I haven't written a single thing!

& it's not like nothing new has happened, in fact, i guess it's just that there have been too many 'new' things going on. busy, busy, busy!

on hols now, & I promise I'll try to keep a little more updated (I did say *try*)

but I guess the most newsworthy thing going on right now is our boxing day sale.

Discounts on nearly everything across the store... & still loads of Summer left to get wear out of them (there's even some super-duper bargains from Winter that you could take advantage of to stock up).

Happy Shopping!

I'll be back soon :)

lots of new things to tell you about... soon!

Melissa

oh... a little pic of our recent holiday- long overdue & much needed!

ahhhh...

Loving... Little Crew iPhone app

2010-10-31T21:13:00.000+08:00

it seems that everyone has an iPhone these days,

I've had some very serious iPhone envy as of late,

but finally I have joined the 21st Century.

Yay! I have an iPhone!

much excitement (yes I'm a geek :)

& much playing with my new toy & I have to admit, the very first application

I downloaded was the Little Crew application.

I've been reviewed a few times now, & knew I had been fortunate enough to be selected, but until now hadn't been able to actually see the app in use...

I must say, very impressed!

I was already most impressed by the business ethic of those at Little Crew- they actually do 'road test' the products they review- yes really!

but to see the app at work was the icing on the cake.

It's really simple to use, which of course is important, but I love the way the reviews are presented (& not just because Little Crew says nice things about Whims Child :)

down to earth, practical, detailed without being impersonal- it's the perfect balance!

If you have an iPhone- I recommend getting this handy little app...

it's only going to get better with time!

little crew

Loving... the Lunch Punch.. even more!

2010-09-29T10:25:00.001+08:00

We're on holidays over here in WA,

& I must admit, again, I've been a bit remiss in blogging,

both this holidays & in the lead up to them!

anyhoo, I have finally found a pocket of time to tell you a little more about the lunch punch.

You may recall I posted about these a while back...

because I thought they were awesome!

look how easy they are to use (& how cool!)

& if it's possible, they've just got better!!

Woot Woot *new shapes!!!

check these out...

&... it gets even better!

we've got a set of the VrrRRmm! lunch punches to give away!!

actually, we also had a set of sandwishes, but they were nabbed by my daughters the moment they were opened...

I highly, highly recommend them :)

If you would like to win the VrrRRmm lunch punch set,

(the blue ones just above) just become a follower of this blog

& leave a comment telling me which is your favourite lunch punch set.

go have a look at the lunch punch site to see them all.

giveaway closes 8th Oct 2010
*comp extended till 10/10/10

available from Lunch Punch

& very soon from Whimsy Child

Loving... Watchawant

2010-09-15T21:21:00.000+08:00

the Watchawant is yet another piece of Swedish genius through simplicity

(i think!).

Swedish design duo, Charlotte Ryberg & Johanna Strand have created the Watchawant.

Simply by pulling the rope, different possibilities are enabled, encouraging active & imaginative play for children.

I love the conscious move away from the "wear out then throw out" culture.

endless possibilties arise from a simple, small bench in plywood, a rope covered in leather with a tail-tip in solid wood.

[kidsmodern]

Loving... Three Little Trees Summer 2010

2010-09-09T21:11:00.000+08:00

I've just realised I've made a dreadful oversight!

Some time ago, I shared a 'sneek peek' on facebook... well, it was actually a pretty good look at the gorgeous range that would coming in for this Summer from Three Little Trees.

Somehow, I had it in my head that I had done the same on my blog & I've just realised that NO!

there has been no 'sneek peek'

so...

time to rectify that.

I was so enamoured with the range for this Summer, that I ordered nearly the entire range,

in fact during the process of trying to decide what to order, I actually had a dream that I won lotto...

was there a new car? a new house? a trip round the world? diamonds?

no, in my dream I placed an order for the entire collection :)

Priorities!!

there's a few things I didn't order, but there's a pretty hefty selection, all available for Pre-Order now at Whimsy Child. I've had word that it should be sent out next week, & some styles have already sold out!!

so, if there's something you like, don't hesitate!

here you go... you'll see what I mean!

(there's more on the site... go see :)

Project Underpants!

2010-09-01T21:26:00.002+08:00

It's Easy to make a difference!!

& just in case you didn't notice, the major prize is AWESOME! ;)

please tell me if you donate a pack undies to this worthy cause,

I'd love to know!

let's share this with as many people as we can!

Ready, set, Go!

too funny!

2010-08-29T20:14:00.000+08:00

& if the "Dad" in your life has one of those "Dad" senses of humour,

he might just like this for Father's Day....

made me chuckle!

available from Think Geek

where they have some truly awesome gift ideas :)

amazing!

2010-08-21T20:38:00.002+08:00

my son has a new pen friend...

well I guess strictly speaking she's an email friend,

she sent these images through to him, & I find them really amazing!

I have no idea where she found them though, so I can't credit them??

if anyone knows, please post below or let me know,
so I can give credit where credit is due...

Just had to share!

* we have an update!!
these incredible sculptures were made by Dalton Ghetti
he's been working on his collection for some 25 yrs!
thanks to Alana :)

Green Man Etsy Shop

2010-08-10T11:07:00.003+08:00

A friend of mine told me about this Etsy store some time ago...

& I just had to share it with you.

Green Man

The most gorgeous, truly gorgeous range of handcrafted toys.

I have seen them in the 'flesh' (my friend's)

they are so beautifully made!

& now I'm eagerly waiting for my order to arrive.

It's my youngest's third birthday very soon...

so I bought these two items for her.

(i think my wings have a slightly different pattern on them, but they are a similar green- obviously they're gone from the Etsy site now :)

Was very, very tempted to get the peas-in-a-pod too, but thought I'd leave that one for Christmas :)

Loving... Ikea play food

2010-08-08T13:38:00.000+08:00

Available now!

they're all on the website, but I don't think you can order them online???? not 100% sure about that,

but I'll be looking for them next time I venture to IKEA.

Do you love Itch???

2010-07-30T18:08:00.000+08:00

we do!

& check this out... you could win, big time!

Refer your friends, and have them and their friends LIKE the ITCH DESIGN facebook page, follow Itch's blog and subscribe to their email list. When you subscribe to subscribe@itchdesign.com.au put your name and phone number and the name of the person who referred you in the email with I FOLLOW ITCH in the subject heading, and then go into the draw for a chance to win the entire Summer 10/11 collection for ONE of your style conscious small fry.
Comp closes August 31st 2010. Email info@itchdesign.com.au for any Q's

Loving... Glug

2010-07-27T12:11:00.002+08:00

I know... I've been terribly neglectful of late,

& to be honest, there are Soooo many things that I've 'happened' upon recently that I'd love to share,

but time isn't really in surplus at the moment... maybe soon!

but I had to give you a quick peek at this...

Glug.

Now because we're on the other side of the world, seasons don't really match up that well, but we all know that even in the height of Summer, there are times when you need some long sleeves, & Glug has the funkiest, vibrant tee's around!

If you've bought Glug before you'll know how super soft their fabric is...

it really is divine!

anyhoo, so much of the Summer range has already gone!

but we have some brand new arrivals coming soon!

check these out...

Shampoodle...

2010-07-20T21:09:00.000+08:00

it's coming sooooooon...

but not soon enough I hear you say!

well all good things to those who wait,

but to whet your appetite, take a look at these. I'm so excited about these arrivals!

Shampoodle

available soon at Whimsy Child

Quite!

2010-07-13T14:43:00.001+08:00

Danni Monogue Delights in the Wonderful World of Nanny Pickle

Nanny Pickle are proud to announce that Danni Minogue's newest little bad bunny Ethan, has been introduced to the world via twitter, sporting the divine Nanny Pickle signature flocking beret!

Ms Minogue also posted a picture of Nanny Pickle’s signature flocking onesie in icecream, printed with the cheeky slogan “One never kisses on one’s first playdate” accompanied by the caption “Quite!” on her twitter page to sit alongside the first picture of her new family.

Silent saturday...

2010-07-10T14:52:00.000+08:00

La Petite Princesse

2010-07-07T14:28:00.001+08:00

I do like to support Australian products

& I do like to support hand-made

& you know that I have a 'thing' about Quality.

So when I discovered these gorgeous hair clips by La Petite Princesse,

it was a win-win-win!

Loads to choose from!

Renee the clever gal behind La Petite Princesse has a little princesse of her own, who was born with the most beautiful dark hair...and lots of it, she saw the opportunity to design hair accessories & with this in mind, the Princesse Clip range was born.

You just know when a mum starts out making a range inspired by her own children that there's more than just a little thought that goes into it.

Renee says:

the Princesse clips had to be safe- totally lined so I wouldn’t stab her in the head!

easy to put in- especially when in a rush or if missy is on the move,

they must then stay in- thanks to our non-slip grips

& most importantly...

it absolutely, positively and totally must have a touch of sparkle!

this 'sparkle' embellishment comes in the form of a Swarovski crystal.

I have to say- non-slip is pretty important to me, & these actually work!

tried & *tested* on our 2 year old!

we have a set of gorgeous Princesse Hairclips to give away,

all you have to do is go through the site & tell us which style of La Petite Princesse hair clip is your favourite- just leave a comment below.
ends 17/7/10

Loving... Itch Summer 2010

2010-07-07T09:26:00.000+08:00

coming soon... can you believe it!

Seedling

2010-06-22T10:03:00.001+08:00

At Whimsy Child, we strive to stock quality, interesting products.

Things that maybe you won't find everywhere,

that have something special about them.

We just love great quality toys, and are so proud to introduce the Seedling Range.

The seed was planted in 2006 when we the clever NZ team couldn't find a meaningful and inspiring gift for children. There are plenty of mass produced toys that are played with for 10 mins and then discarded, but they yearned for a good old-fashioned experience that meant time shared, skills gained and something that kids could really dig their teeth into.

& so, as all good stories go, Seedling was born!

Seedling began with 4 products...

in a short period of time that has grown to over 50! (& counting :)

Here now!
check out the play & create section @ Whimsy Child to see exactly what fantastic products we have in stock!

here's a taster...

Jnr Gardening Kit Russian Doll Kit

Volcano Kit Drawing Kit

Loving... Taga

2010-06-20T17:52:00.000+08:00

combining style, environmental concern, practicality...

available from Taga

check website for stockists

the Recycled Rhino

2010-06-16T21:08:00.003+08:00

the mission (should you choose to accept it)

is to create an animal of your choice,

using only...

newspaper, wool & glue

...this mission, delivered to mister blister's class by their [awesome] teacher when she discovered the school had been delivered (not sure why???)

four, 3 foot high, stacks of newspapers.

and why not ;)

Come play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up

Loving... Kid's Republic book store

2010-06-12T12:17:00.000+08:00

It's no secret to those who know me/ know us that reading & literacy are things we love in our family, so when this article appeared in my inbox, I just had to share!

What a fantastic way to stimulate kids imagination & to inspire them to read!

This book store is filled with wondrous, magical colours to stimulate fantasy & little imaginations, I love that it reminds me of Dr Seuss book illustrations :)

The Kid's Republic book store, developed by Beijing POPLAR Culture Project Co is the first specialised picture book store in China.

for more info, visit Kid's Republic (or just visit to look at more great pics!)

thanks Child Mode!

but what do you do???

2010-06-10T20:18:00.000+08:00

sorry there's been a bit of a gap between posts... it's reporting time at school!

I'm often found remarking to my husband that many of the people around me (family & friends) don't really 'get' what I do.

if I had a penny for every time I've picked up the kids from school & heard "Oh, so you had the day off?"

uhuh?

well I thought maybe I'd share what it is that I "do" on my "days off" :)

I should clarify that I still teach music- a couple of days a week at school & a couple of afternoons a week at home. I also do gigs- of course that varies week to week.

but a typical "day off" may consist of any of the following:

Uploading new products. not too hard to do, but always incredibly time consuming! the hardest bit for me is coming up with something interesting to write about the product- you know describing it in an interesting & accurate way - I understand with online shopping you can't see it, touch it, so description is a must!
Answering emails. Some days I receive 100's of emails. Many of these I can simply scan through & delete, but a lot require some sort of response or action.
writing up orders. sounds simple, but it can be really hard!! most of the time I really struggle to stick within the budget I've allocated for myself, so I start with an order that is WAY bigger than I can afford, then have to whittle it down to acceptable levels. It can be really, really hard to think ahead to what will be popular in 6 months, or the case of northern hemisphere suppliers a whole year ahead!!
trying to 'tweak' SEO. online businesses are becoming so competitive these days. there are more & more popping up all the time, particularly in the baby & kids industry (all those WAHMS) so you really need to keep on your toes with regards to making your website run as smoothly as possible. this has been such a learning curve for me. I don't have the budget (can be thousands!!!) to employ someone to make my website SEO friendly, so I learn as much as I can & then apply it. of course things change all the time with SEO, so you can't just 'set & go' it takes constant tweaking & changes to get it happening.
of course there are always the mundane day-to-day business running elements- account keeping/ paying bills/ organising advertising etc etc
then there's always that little thing of picking & packing orders & getting them down to the post office on time. I take pride in being able to get my parcels out as quickly as I can & will always get them into the post the same day they are ordered if it's at all possible, but this takes time!

So that's a typical day off for me. Sometimes it's all of those things in one day, sometimes just a few.

I guess the hard part for me is juggling that with my 'day job' and my family, but for now... I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Mibo

2010-06-04T16:26:00.006+08:00

If you have been following this blog for a wee while, you may have noticed our very slight obsession with Mibo.

We LOVE Mibo in this family & always eagerly await new ranges & designs.

I have to say they just keep getting better!
plus, this time, there's an added bonus-
Mibo's first animation, so cute! you have to check this out :)

amongst the new designs are the 'stars of the show' so now you can make your own...
Eat & Bleat

or just go wild with... err, um

The Wild Bunch

Each animal only takes about 5-15 minutes to make.

All you need to start is some scissors, a ruler and some glue.

The animals range from 7cm-12cm high when made.
available from Mibo

go get crafty :)

Loving... Eames House Blocks

2010-06-01T10:46:00.000+08:00

read loads more about them on Babyology

take that... sock monster!

2010-05-29T13:55:00.000+08:00

Do you suffer from the visits of the sock monster like we do?

How it is possible to have so many single socks I don't know!

I mean it's not like we only wear one sock at a time, so how does only one sock make it out of the washing machine???

this is one of life's mysteries, but we, in the Shubiwah household

(Shubiwah is a story unto itself... one day!)

we believe we have found an answer, it doesn't exactly solve the problem, but you know the saying about when life hands you lemons make lemonade...

when the sock monster eats one of your socks, turn the other one into a,

well... a sock monster.

we had soooo much fun the other day creating these sock puppets.

some 'bits' from the craft box, a needle & thread & a hot glue gun was all it took.

not only was it fun to create them, the kids have had loads of fun since then putting on little plays & making up stories with their puppets- they're already planning their next ones!

Grrr... arrrgh!

2010-05-26T11:09:00.000+08:00

so much fun!

every week Spoonflower runs a fabric design competition, this week's comp was for a design for hand puppets & the winner was this fantastic design by Milktooth
Grrr... arrrgh!

there are a bunch more, well worthy of perusal check them out-

available through Spoonflower

Big Ben, Little Ben

2010-05-24T08:20:00.000+08:00

I've shown you some of the fantastic range by Funky Little Darlings in the past, but I wanted to introduce two products, one 'established' one new!

meet:

Big Ben

& Little Ben

& how's this for uber cool?

both of these awesome clocks have real, moving clock hands!!!

NEW "silent sweep" Quartz movement metal hands

you can find out more about them on the site, you just might like to check out the rest of the range too!

Laminghogs

2010-05-21T08:19:00.002+08:00

Yup, you read right.

I'd like to introduce you to Laminghogs

you may ask, what is a Laminghog?

A Laminghog is, in fact, a cross between a hedgehog (the kind you eat) & a lamington.

well, actually, that's probably stretching it a little, but it's what my children have named a 'concoction' that we have created, which is basically a hedgehog slice, with some coconut thrown in.

why?

who knows, but it tastes pretty good, so I thought I'd share the *recipe*

(I use the term recipe quite loosely, because it seems to depends a little on what we have in the house,
me not exactly possessing the 'baking' gene)

so, in the simplest way (as instructed to 8-10 yr olds)

take a packet of granita biscuits

& a packet of milk arrowroots

Bash them up

-whether you do this by hand or in the food processor is really up to you!

just make sure there are 'chunks' of biscuit left.

then add in some shredded coconut. as much as you want really :)

now take about half of a small packet of butter

(around 125 grams, although sometimes you need a bit more)

Melt this & start stirring in Sugar- about 2/3 of a cup.

I think really it's supposed to be castor sugar, but we never have any so we just use raw & stir it lots to make sure it dissolves.

then add in about a 1/3 of a cup of Cocoa.

to be honest, I think we always end up putting a little more than that??

You need to take it off the heat now, & let it cool just a bit.

enough time to break up the fight over who's turn it is to
break the eggs...

you need two,
so if you only have two children you're in luck- one each & all.

the eggs need to be lightly whisked with a fork, then mixed into the mixture, which then needs to be combined quick smart with the
biscuity-coconutty stuff.

nearly done!

just push this into a slice tray/ square pan, which was supposed to be already greased or lined with baking paper (but of course we always forget that bit) then put it in the fridge while you do the next bit.

then for the yummo topping.

melt about 1/2 the remaining butter (60 grams) with a whole block of dark cooking chocolate.

we cheat & use the microwave hehe

*nice tip for the adults- a tiny 'slosh' of rum works beautifully with this.

of course, we never have Rum either,
so Scotch makes a pretty good substitute :)

tip it over the top of the slice, & tip the tray to make it run- it gives a really nice glossy finish (thanks Stephanie Alexander)

put it back in the fridge for a while then enjoy!

if I can do it, anyone can....

oh, that's right, I don't my kids do :)

Loving... Story Book land playset

2010-05-19T22:17:00.000+08:00

I can't take the credit for finding these- my 2.5 yr old daughter clicked happily away on my laptop then said look mummy, I like that one.

& so do I

(but I don't even know how she discovered them!)

available from Black Eyed Green

Little Innoscents

2010-05-17T13:01:00.002+08:00

Just recently, I was asked if I would review a product from the Little Innoscents range.

Well, sure!

& perfect timing it was too, because my little parcel arrived end of last week, & my entire weekend (plus the end of last week) was spent at a Music Camp.

Fantastic for the band kids & you get soooo much done, but honestly it takes it out of you... phew!

Lots of conducting & standing over a music stand certainly took its toll on my shoulders & neck, so I asked ever so nicely :) if hubby would 'test' out the new massage oil by Little Innoscents.

it is sooooo good.

Personally I don't like heavily perfumed lotions & potions & this one smells divine!

It has that essential oil kind-of smell about it... funnily enough because that is exactly what it contains-

Sweet Orange, Lemongrass, Spearmint & Lavender to be perzact!

the Little Innoscents range is all organic & designed for babies & small children,

(although I think I'm keeping this one for me!)

I'm so impressed that I'll be looking into incorporating this range at Whimsy Child in the future.
Great price for such a great product!

& you know, the peoples at Little Innoscents have kindly given me an extra, full size massage oil to pass on to a lucky follower...

If you'd like to try it out (seriously good!) just leave a comment below telling me what you look for in baby / kids skincare.

giveaway closes end of May

oh- & if you'd like an extra entry, then you could:
become a fan on my facebook page
become a fan on Little Innoscents facebook page
refer a friend to follow on either facebook or this blog

just make sure you leave a post somewhere for each of these so I know!

Three Little Trees

2010-05-15T21:29:00.002+08:00

You know I just Lurve Three little Trees
(see our earlier post for much adulation)

but now they've just launched the best comp!

well maybe not the best comp, because to be honest I'd rather like to win a house, or a car, or a million dollars... but hey, it's pretty good!

anyway, to find out more just read below...

happy shopping!

Blister Origami

2010-05-10T09:46:00.000+08:00

A while back, I wrote about my son's interest in Origami,

I said I'd try to take some photos of some of the pieces he had made recently, well things have been a tad busy, so I haven't really managed to take new photos, but thought I'd share a couple from the past- I will get to the more recent ones!

I love dragons, so he made me this one- which actually ended up being his 'practice run' because he went on to make one from gold origami paper which now sits in my office/ store-room.

the project below was part of my niece's 1st B'day present...

& it's not a great photo, but actually looks quite beautiful-

he went on to have some similar pieces commissioned :)

not bad for a 10 yr old...

I'll try to get those photos of more recent pieces done soon!

jus' singin'

2010-05-07T18:41:00.001+08:00

jus' singin

a friend of mine recently made a post on his facebook page, he said something like-

"my girlfriend's singing the cheesecake song...

you don't know it, coz she just made it up"

I nearly wrote back, she should move in with us- there's a song about everything!

& it got me thinking about families & how they do things differently, & how music is such a strong part of our family.

My husband & I are both professional musicians, I think I've mentioned that before, but whilst we certainly don't 'push' music onto our kids, it's definitely a big part of our lives- there actually is a song about everything in our house, & the part about that, that I love the most is the silly songs that the kids make up.

The squidget's favourite game at the moment is to replace the words in songs... funny because that's one of her dad's favourite tricks to play on vocalists at gigs :)

Mister Blister has perfected the 'art' of singing the Wallace & Gromit theme song to the words Wallace & Gromit.... repeated... over & over!

He can actually sing entire melodies- pitch perfect, using just the title words!

(he somehow manages to sing all the backing parts, using the title words at the same time!)

the Chookin' is quite happy to perform an entire piece of music, learnt that day (Vivaldi's Spring theme melody included) at the drop of a hat!

It's something we take for granted, & I know that we have friends who are visual artists, whose kids produce the most amazing artwork, just because they are surrounded by art, but probably more importantly, a different way of thinking about art!

Do you 'do things differently' in your family, or do you know a family that does?
I'd love to know!

sneak peek at new Llum arrivals

2010-05-03T09:03:00.000+08:00

I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at some of the range that will be coming to Whimsy Child very soon from Llum.

Llum creates gorgeous, colour filled clothing for kids that looks fantastic, but is imminently wearable!

Llum's range is made from comfy, breathable fabrics & all have that element of quirkiness that we love at Whimsy Child. You know- something that will stand out from the run-of-the-mill.

My personal favourite? this one

We've restocked the very popular vintage red pipe pants-

& also ordered the very funky 'Stax' version

I also LOVE this dress, the Bertoia

& how cute is this one! (check out that red feature button)

there's more coming too! but that's a taste for you.

Check out the site soon- should be arriving towards the end of this week, or beginning of next (you never can tell with these things!)

news... & news!

2010-05-02T09:52:00.000+08:00

firstly- the competition has been won...

& there were a few comments that felt 'worthy' of winning, so I had to call in the 'expert' help of my husband hehehe...

Luckily, he chose the same comment that I had, so in the end the winner was clear -

congrats S. Franssen!

enjoy :)

My other news is that the new Whimsy Child store is now 'GO'

very special thanks to the wonderful & talented Andrea from Design & PR Girl

& of course the lovely & oh-so-patient Emma from Morris Bear Designs

I really can't recommend them highly enough!

chat soon!

Melissa

Loving... little design horse

2010-04-27T10:46:00.002+08:00

32 x 36cm - why not upcycle that old lampstand in the garage or nanna's house and make it into a piece of art! Price $240. Little Design Horse take telephone orders and can ship anywhere in Australia... cool!

silent saturday...

2010-04-24T08:48:00.000+08:00

Glug.

2010-04-22T09:49:00.003+08:00

In the Northern Hemisphere, things are just starting to warm up.

This can present some problems as a retailer in the Southern Hemisphere who sources clothing from all around the world, you know, our seasons just don't quite line up with the introduction of new ranges.

Luckily for most of us in Australia, we tend to have -sorry Victoria & Tasmania ;) short lived, moderate Winters, which means that you can still buy & take full advantage of the gorgeous new arrivals from Glug Baby.

Glug is perfect for layering, t-shirts over long sleeves, skirts over leggings...

I personally love the muted brights (does that make sense?) that they use, plus, their fabric is sooooo soft to touch!

browse through these pics of the new range.

available from Whimsy Child.

Loving... la petite magazine

2010-04-20T14:52:00.002+08:00

If you love reading blogs, you may well have stumbled across the gorgeous blog Kenziepoo

As if that's not enough, Rachelle, the talented writer behind the blog has recently launched an online magazine full of gorgeous photographs & tales about... well about kids!

La Petite Magazine

says...

"We’re bubbling with excitement to share with you everything extraordinary for the little one in your life…including fashion, design, DIY projects, unforgettable stories, and other helpful ingredients to make your life even more rich!"

Make yourself a cuppa & take some time to indulge in this whimsical experience...

La Petite Magazine

Origami

2010-04-17T19:56:00.003+08:00

Origami.

ori meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper"

is the traditional Japanese folk art of paper folding.

Most people are familiar with the story of

"Sadako & the thousand paper cranes"

but origami can, & does, go so far beyond the traditional crane.

These pics are from one of my son's favourite sites.

He was inspired to begin experimenting with origami after discovering Robert J. Lang a bit over a year ago. Take some time to look through his site & I'm sure you'll see why.

I wanted to show just a few examples of what can be done with Origami, the diversity & skill evident here will blow your mind!

bear in mind that these are made from one piece of uncut paper!

yes, really!

The one below is the one that got my son hooked, 9 yr old boys & all that

although this one takes just a little more than one sheet of paper,

it's actually 16!!

perhaps I'll do a mini-post & show you a few things mister-blister has made, he's really getting pretty good, not quite at the stage of life-size Allosaurus replicas, but you never know!

Warming up Winter!

2010-04-15T09:03:00.000+08:00

So, how's this for killing two birds with one stone!

Yunginz are offering a FREE pair of Agoo Bamboo Leg Warmers with every purchase of shoes over $49.95

yes, free!

Agoo Legwarmers are a fantastic product, great for tran-seasonal dressing & for littlies who are have that on-again, off-again approach to dressing!

great for crawlers, great for toilet training, & not just great for legs, they're great for arms too!

Yunginz shoes are quite simply; cool shoes, designed in Australia for cool kids!

check out their extensive range of shoes for boys & girls.

C.P.W.

2010-04-12T17:10:00.004+08:00

Cost Per Wear.

simple really, but something I seem to be having a lot of conversations about recently.

for me the true value in an item of clothing comes from how much wear you get out of that item- or, C.P.W.

of course there are variables in that equation (it is fashion after all!) but generally speaking I would rather have one pair of great fitting, flattering jeans in my wardrobe than 4 pairs that don't fit, don't look good, don't feel comfy & then don't get worn!
(of course I'd rather have 4 great pairs!)

some of the best examples I have of this working for me are a pair of $400 Camper boots, worn to death!

seriously, so comfy, so well made & so cool!
($400 8 years ago was a lot for me to spend!)

& one of my absolute favourite designers- Morrison.

Being a Perth-girl, I discovered Morrison years ago, & honestly the quality of their clothing is sooo great, I still wear the first pair of pants I ever bought from them.

(if you haven't heard about the 'good butt pants', you need to check them out!)

I try to apply the same principle to my kids clothes too, & of course to the clothing that I choose to stock.

Perfect example? this dress, by Willow & Finn,

worn as a flower girl dress for our beachy-wedding...

gorgeous linen & fantastic quality, & is still being worn as a top over jeans 4 years later!!

how's that for getting the most out of an item of clothing!

the Shampoodle tracksuit is probably our latest example of how to get great wear out of a clothing item~

these trackies look fantastic, but better still they will 'grow' over 3 sizes.

Dan Dan consistently produce clothing that grows or can be adjusted for different sizing, like this gorgeous dress, that can be adjusted to become a top as your daughter gets bigger.

& Llum is another label we're proud to stock, containing adjustable & versatile kids clothing.

there's more to great value than just how many years your child can wear something, there's also how well it wears. My youngest daughter was fortunate enough to be our guinea-pig for the divine Nanny Pickle range. Silky soft bamboo, the quality of the fabric & the production of this clothing is so beautiful that after being worn (excessively) it has been handed on to my sister's baby in perfect condition!

I work really hard to only stock high quality ranges, you can be sure that everything we sell is chosen not only for it's funky, whimsical style, but for the quality it represents.

C.P.W. is far more important to us, than just 'cost'.

Shampoodle

2010-04-08T08:42:00.004+08:00

Basics for kids... especially lil' kids are essential to get busy mums with busy families through the day.

basics like leggings, tee's & tracksuits... but boring??

I recently had a customer-now-friend who told me about some great trackies she had purchased for her children. She raved about how soft they were, how well made, in her words-

"the quality is just divine & the presentation is gorgeous!"

Thanks C :)

I had to check them out... & although I had promised that I wasn't taking on any new labels for a wee while, I um, err....

well, introducing:

Shampoodle

now how cool is that for a tracksuit!

so here are some of the things I love about Shampoodle~

Shampoodle is:

Childishly comfortable clothes~ because that is what our kids want to wear.

As organic as the financials let them be, but never ecological bandits.

Never standard, but often basic.

Value for money- much of the collection is designed to 'grow' with your child & can be worn over many sizes. plus, washable at 60 C & you can tumble dry!

We have a limited range coming in very soon, (so get in quickly) & more from the new range arriving late Aug/ Sept stay tuned for another update closer to then.

Awesome April Giveaway!

2010-04-07T09:16:00.002+08:00

Clearly it's time I did a giveaway on this blog...

For a while now, I've been wondering about~

what to give, why to give it, & who I would give it to.

Lots of wondering hey?

& today, as I took the shelves off the wall in my office/ storeroom so I could replace the screws & plugs with heavy duty industrial strength screws & plugs I came across an 'awesome giveaway'

as an aside, the reason that I had to do a spot of fix-it work is because the shelves which have so handily held my stock up off the ground & in convenient reach were threatening to dump my oh-so-carefully selected range of kids clothing smack bang in the middle of the floor, no doubt with an almighty crash!

in fact the only thing really holding my heavily-burdened shelves up....

were the overstacked shelves below.

anyhoo, I digress, & the shelves are now sturdy & strong once again ;)

so... the awesome giveaway?

one of my most loved designers is Dan Dan.

A Japanese word for "gradually" "step by step", Dan Dan is a New York City based children's clothing line launched in Fall 2008.

Dan Dan is designed to grow with the child providing adjustable and expandable features for growth and reversible features for versatility.

I just stumbled across... 're-discovered' a

Zoe bubble skirt & matching Zoe reversible jacket in approx size 1.

These items are brand new, & perfectly made, but, labelled as sz 2-3.

If you would like to win this gorgeous set, all you have to do is become a follower (if you're not already) & make a comment on one of the posts on my blog.

it's that simple-

how awesome is that!

oh... I'll decide the winner at the end of April ;)

*if you like something in the Dan Dan range, but it's not in the size you need, check back soon, there's more coming in.

Loving... the Lunch Punch

2010-04-06T12:51:00.002+08:00

You may have seen these before- if you haven't take a look!

Make lunchtimes just that bit different with the Lunch Punch.

you know, Kids just love anything that can take the ordinary & turn it into extraordinary, how easy are these!

the puzzle shape is bound to be a hit- imagine how that plate of sandwiches would go down at a party!

& new to me, I've just discovered the range of animal shapes~

you can have your very own set just by visiting here

Silent Sunday...

2010-04-04T08:06:00.000+08:00

Happy Easter... Camping

Whimsy Child website update...

2010-03-31T11:46:00.001+08:00

a quick update on the new Whimsy Child Website...

it's coming along... step by step

Taa-daaaa! we now have a logo!

not just any logo, but the perfect logo!

if that doesn't suggest whimsy & magic then I don't know what does!

who is a mind-reader & amazingly talented

thank you x

the Easter Bunny

2010-03-29T08:30:00.002+08:00

Probably a little late to organise for this Easter, but honestly, these are so divine they'd make the perfect newborn gift anytime!

Hand made by Nina at Dragonfly Creations.

She has a range of other gorgeous designs available, but you'll have to be quick (or send her a message if there's something that takes your fancy)

these sweet pic's taken by Sweet Serendipity Photography

silent saturday...

2010-03-27T08:29:00.000+08:00

those shelves can store anything...

loving... Presso

2010-03-25T13:03:00.001+08:00

there's one of these backstage for WASO & it makes the best coffee!

& it really gets a workout (all those caffeine deprived musicians!!! haha :)

check it out- you can get your own from Presso Australia

what does this have to do with kids you ask???
coffee....
mnnn, coffee

Three Little Trees

2010-03-24T12:02:00.004+08:00

Three Little Trees is one of my absolute favourite labels.

For me it ticks all the boxes-

it's Australian,

it's child appropriate,

highly versatile, yet fresh & funky

& I love that each new season really shows depth & development.

Three Little Trees doesn't just churn out the same-old-stuff,

they really are an evolving line ~ & growing from strength to strength!

Here's a sneak peek of a few of my favourites from Winter 2010,
arriving very soon.

loving... Little Design Horse

2010-03-18T17:27:00.001+08:00

seen in North Perth...

giraffe

In one of my many marketscapades, (I'm sure that must be a word :)

I met the fab designers behind Little Design Horse.

Based in North Perth WA, Little Design Horse create illustrations, textile & surface pattern designs for clothing, t-shirts, products, packaging for pretty much anything, anywhere that needs a surface pattern!

I wanted to share just few things I love, but there's so much more, so I'll save that for another post

but you could have a look-see now.

MPO

2010-03-16T20:27:00.004+08:00

I've been quiet in the last week & a bit, because I haven't been around!

For those of you who followed my previous blog, or who know a little about me, you would know that I am a musician.
Being a musician for the most part sounds a lot more glamourous than it actually is! but every now & then something comes along which makes you remember why it was that you started the journey.

For me, one of those times was last week when I was invited to play with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. (MPO)
A fantastic experience, a truly multi-cultural, multi-national orchestra.

I met wonderful people from all around the world,
played great music, ate great food...
best of all...

this is my job!

I know this blog is supposed to be about all things 'kids' but really I just wanted to share with you why I was a bit remiss in posting.

(I did manage to get one post up while I was away- thank you free wi-fi)

& I'd love to say that I discovered some great kid-related 'things' while I was away, but between rehearsals, performances, eating out... there wasn't a lot of time, not even for shopping...
ok there was a bit of time for shopping ;)

I did buy myself a new laptop bag, a Crumpler Laptop bag to be perzact.
I love it!

I was also very, very nearly tempted by the kiddy size backpacks they have- the Baby Pea.
Knowing of their reputation for longevity & style, I nearly succumbed, just big enough to carry a water bottle, snack & maybe a favourite toy/ spare nappy, but still small enough for a wee-one to wear, I thought they were pretty much perfect. ah... next time!

been so quiet...

2010-03-15T21:43:00.000+08:00

sorry I've been so quiet... tell you all about it very soon, but till then~

see you there??

silent saturday

2010-03-13T11:49:00.000+08:00

seen in Northbridge, Perth

Zzzoolights... for good Zzzzzz's

2010-03-07T20:36:00.004+08:00

I recently discovered Zzzoo lamps

& immediately fell in love with them!

easy to see why isn't it?

Zzzoolights are available from Bubba Bling,

along with loads of other great ideas for decorating kids rooms,

make sure you take a look around the site.

ZZZOOLIGHT, is the lamp that helps your children dream. Enchanting animals will watch over your children's sleep, as friendly guardians of light. The magic of animals is encapsulated in these original designs.

Made from polypropylene sheet, and designed by Italian architect Ramin Razani, these white lamps are virtually unbreakable.

silent saturday

2010-03-06T09:08:00.004+08:00

what to wear... tweens & teens

2010-03-05T08:15:00.002+08:00

How to, & where to find clothing that is age appropriate,

with enough Funky Style to be given the 'stamp of approval' by that fickle age group, the tweens & teens

mini-treasures up to size 14!

not only for the mini's, here are some of the items you can find at
ele-ahbaant

Parlour Games for Modern Families

2010-03-02T19:50:00.010+08:00

‘Who knew you could have this much fun without power cords?

I love this book.’ — Catherine Deveney

There is much talk these days about getting back to basics, about reconnecting as a family. Simple things like playing games as a family go a long way towards this, but sometimes, finding a place to start can be daunting.

Parlour Games for Modern Families aims to provide a starting point...

Written by Myfanwy Jones & Spiri Tsintiziras, this book sets out to revive the tradition of indoor family games: push aside the consoles, turn off the telly, and bring some mental stimulation, silliness and laughter, joy and connection back into your living room.

This book is bursting with games of logic and memory, wordplay, card games, role-play, and rough and tumble. Not a single game requires equipment that you won’t find in your average home:

a pack of cards, a dictionary, an hourglass, dice, paper, & pen.

You can play to your heart’s content without wasting a single natural resource— except perhaps the delicious jam tart recipe found herein.

Myfanwy Jones is a games-obsessive and, as mother of two and aunty of 17, she has many great excuses to play. She has also published numerous articles and short stories, and her debut novel, The Rainy Season, was released by Penguin in March 2009.

Spiri Tsintiziras, along with her tribe of young and not-so-young research assistants, has re-discovered the joy of games in the writing of this book. When she is not playing, she writes for work and pleasure, and has had numerous articles published in The Age.

RRP $35.00 (AUD)

Easter Fun

2010-02-27T14:56:00.000+08:00

Easter is coming soon, it's just around the corner,

& I wanted to share this great Easter Project with you.

We've had great fun in our family with some of the other creations by Mibo & were really excited to see their latest offering!

in the theme of Easter we now have:

the Carrot Crew

& the Yolk Folk

easy for kids to make themselves, with minimal help from an adult,

ours just love them!

and how's this for affordable fun?

only £4.00 for both sets- purchase them through the Mibo site

while you're there, have a look around, lot of fun stuff!

Organise your kids with Cubeo

2010-02-27T08:39:00.001+08:00

If you have school aged children, you are probably familiar with the early morning chaos that can accompany getting ready for school.

I saw this product recently & was immediately impressed by both the idea & the quality of the product.

An Aussie invention, the Cubeo™ is a revolution in organisation! It attaches easily to backpacks, the compact colourful Cubeo™ helps children remember what they need to bring to school each day of the week.

How Does it Work?

The front window displays items needed every day and the clever drop-down cards ensure that children remember the things they need on specific days of the week. It’s fun and simple to use. With over 80 re-useable stickers featuring common schoolbag items for all school grades and extracurricular activities, the Cubeo™ makes remembering what to pack, and bring home easy.

available from ele-ahbaant

Valentines Day

2010-02-15T01:00:00.000+08:00

Upcycled (recycled) crayons by Chase Dreams

made from recycled, non-toxic crayons.

loving... Funky Little Darlings

2010-02-10T08:44:00.001+08:00

Funky Little Darlings...

Gorgeous Art Prints:

Funky WallPaper:

Wall Stickers:

& the Best Wall Scenes!

available through ele-ahbaant