gives you daily information on unique and fabulous childrens products from around the globe. We also provide a place for you to discuss kids gear with other parents and help you choose and compare major products.
These cute little critters are just my style and the ticket for adding that instant touch of fun and character to any kitchen or even the big kids' tea set collection.
I introduce you to Pepe and Friends. These creations from Vinila UK are designed by Camila Prada and though they are playful looking, they also have a certain posh flair. There are salt and pepper shakers, cookie jars, eggcups and honey pots to name just a few. They are made from porcelain and all have diverse personalities characterised by their decidedly groovy names and interesting faces. Let's see, we've got 'Big Daddy' the cookie jar who will look after your biscuits - no little fingers will get through this guy. Then there's 'Pablo' the honey pot ,who is mad over sweet jams and honey. I think 'Bonnie and Clyde,' the oil and vinegar decanters, are very funny too.
I have already singled out my favourites with my daughter perched on my lap pointing out the ones that take her fancy ('Momo' the butterdish and `Big Daddy') and have figured out where they will best sit in our kitchen. I already know that I'm going to have a tough time keeping them out of little hands in our house.
I can also imagine these pieces being a wonderful medium for engaging older kids in kitchen adventures - such as helping out with dinner preparation. "Pass me 'Rif & Raf' the salt and pepper shakers, please."
To add to your kitchen collection (or your child's), go to the Pepe and Friends website. Prices range from £10.00 to £25.00 plus £12.00 flat fee postage to Australia.
A lot of little girls want to be just like Mum and spend hours trying
on your shoes and clothes. Some of our best childhood photos
are of us doing exactly the same thing - me in Mum's '70s
cork-heeled platforms wearing large Mu Mu-style dresses extending
into a long train behind me. I also liked to have my toenails freshly
painted and looking glam, but nailpolish isn't a substance
I want my kids having too much exposure to, with all its harsh
chemicals and harmful fumes.
Melanie Hurley, mother of two polish-loving little girls, is the bright spark who invented
Piggy Paint. When one of her daughters accidentally spilt conventional nailpolish onto a plastic plate, she saw the way it bubbled and eventually ate through the plastic. The hunt was then on for the perfect recipe for nailpolish especially for kids, who don't have the knowledge or motor skills to handle polish the way toxic substances need to be handled.
Piggy Piant is non-toxic, odourless, and environmentally
friendly. It's 'as natural as mud', using a water-based formula which
dries to a durable finish. Now your little people can paint their nails to their hearts' content, and you can all breathe easy!
Piggy Paint
will ship internationally. Each bottle is US$9.99, with gift packs of three different colours available for $26.50. There is also toxin-free nailpolish remover for $10.50 plus shipping.
How important is water? Very. It's crucial to our bodies and most important that our little people drink plenty of it. It nourishes, refreshes and gives vitality, so of course carrying water for ourselves and our children when out and about is vital. Enter KOR ONE, fabulous water vessels that are adult and kid friendly and made with green living in mind.
KOR is one of those rare companies that I used to think were a myth. They define themselves as 'advocates for water' and their 'S.E.T.' values (sustainable, ethical and transparent) are not just words but action.
There are four different coloured KOR ONE water bottles, each representing a different charity. KOR donates an amount from each bottle sold to non-profit organisations dedicated to protecting the world's water. The Ice Blue bottle's cause is ocean protection, the sawgrass green bottle relates to watershed protection, the sunrise orange is for bottle recycling and finally the orchid pink bottle supports the global water crisis. What better way to pass the pertinent knowledge of how to care for our planet onto our children.
After doing my research I think KOR water bottles are beyond remarkable, not only in terms of the company's complete devotion to our earth but also the incredible design of the bottle itself:. They're sleek and BPA-free with a hinged cap and no irritating threads on the mouthpiece. I love the KOR 'Stones' which are little tokens that fit in the bottle cap and spout affirmations such as 'Laugh Often', 'Never Settle' and 'Water never looked so good.'
To snap up these 750ml bottles for the whole family, head to the KOR website. They are US$29.95 each and shipping is available to Australia.
Living in a rented apartment, I'm all about decorating the nursery without permanently altering anything lest I don't get my bond back. So it when it came to decorating my own nursery, I chose accent pieces such as carefully selected throws, pillows and artwork similar in idea to the beautiful ones here from Idea + Ink.
For $55, you can order one of the gorgeous, vibrant baby name canvases available on the website but if you have your own design in mind, custom creations are also possible. Just contact them direct with your idea in hand for a price. Don't know about you but I just love the red bird canvas. It would match my red nursery perfectly!
The baby name canvases are 300mm x 300mm in size but again, if you wish to have a larger size made up, Idea + Ink are also flexible. Got to love that!
Once placed, orders take up to a week to be processed.
