As the leaves of the large oak trees lining my street start to turn from vibrant green to warm yellow and orange, my mind turns to The Present.

Earlier this year we showed you The Present, an extraordinary ‘seasonal’ clock. The single hand on the clock moves slowly – in fact, so slowly you won’t notice it. The hand takes an entire year to make a single revolution and the colours on the clock face signify the passing seasons.

The Present was designed by Mssng Peces and was originally created for the Northern Hemisphere. Due to demand (and I was quite possibly the most demanding), Mssng Peces have now created The Present for the Southern Hemisphere.

Buy The Present for the Southern Hemisphere directly from Mssng Peces for US$299. Mssng Peces ship internationally.

Day nineteen’s Prizeapalooza prize will see your child’s name (or your own!) up in lights!

No extraordinary acting talent is required to see your name in lights with today’s prize – the creators of amazing Mylight personalised lights are giving not one, but two lucky readers a voucher valued at $150 to spend on designing their very own personalised Mylight.

Children of all ages will love to have their very own Mylight light box – it casts a beautiful ambient light as a night light in the nursery or for older kids, it’s just plain awesome to have your very own name up in lights! Designing your Mylight is easy, with a step-by-step process guiding you through colour selection, font choices and so forth – all to finish in a completely personalised and unique light that will be cherished for many years.

To enter, leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section, telling us who in your home really needs their own Mylight and what colour and font you would use in your Mylight design. You have seven days and entries close, 25 May 2013.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

A school curriculum based around Lego? Bring it on, says my seven-year-old!

It’s billed as the world’s first ‘Lego school’, although it’s a bit more serious than that sounds. You may have visions of a school environment not unlike the colourful Lego hotel and school days filled with building and brick-work. However, while exercising creativity and imagination underpins much of the curriculum at the International School of Billund, the school will also incorporate Denmark’s state education system requirements with an International Baccalaureate curriculum framework. The curriculum is being developed for students aged three to sixteen years old.

So what does a curriculum based around Lego really look like? The Lego System is characterised by ‘playful’ learning – allowing students to immerse themselves in what they are doing, explore ideas, tinker, make and re-make things. In addition, the Lego System incorporates ‘Systematic Creativity’ – a combination of logic and reasoning with playfulness and imagination.

Interestingly, the school was initiated by the Lego Foundation, as a way of attracting highly-qualified international employees to Denmark (and more specifically to the LEGO Group as well as to other companies in the Billund area). In times when education is often left off the agenda, it’s impressive to see a school as a prominent part of social and economic planning.

The International School of Billund opens in August this year. The school is currently accepting applications.

(via I Heart Chaos)

It’s not unusual for kids to have an obsession with a particular animal – in my house we’ve done elephants and lions, and my nine-year-old son is into his fifth (!) year of being interested in sharks. But there is one particular animal that I think dominates the interest stakes – horses. Whether you have a simple piebald pony dream or fancy yourself tearing away on a silver brumby, horses capture the imagination of kids and grown-ups alike.

Saddle up for Cavalia! It’s billed as an ‘equestrian extravaganza’ but my first thought when I saw a snippet of the amazing Cavalia was Cirque du Soleil-meets-horses (in fact, Cavalia was created by Normand Latourelle, one of the co-founders of Cirque du Soleil).

Stunt riding, acrobatics, aerialists and forty-four magnificent horses come together for Cavalia. It’s a unique mix of equestrian and performing arts, multimedia and special effects and the show has thrilled audiences around the world. Cavalia, originally based in Canada, has arrived in Australia and is touring Sydney and Melbourne over the coming months.

Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse is in Sydney from May 15, 2013 until June 2, 2013 at The Showring at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park. Following that, Cavalia moves to Melbourne where it will open on August 7, 2013, under the gleaming White Big Top at The Docklands. Tickets are priced from $44 – $164 and are on sale online at Cavalia or by calling 1800-765-955. For truly horse-mad fans, a Horse Lovers Package ($144 – $325) lets patrons tour Cavalia’s stables after the show (special pricing is also available for children).

It seems we all wanted a closer look at what’s happening on the inside during April. Here’s a quick rewind of our most popular posts for last month.

Expectant parents and those who already have kids can appreciate the excitement and anticipation of that first ultrasound, so it’s no wonder that our post on advancements in 3D ultrasound imaging proved the most popular post for April. The pioneer of the 3D ultrasound technology, Dr Bernard Benoit, has recently developed new 3D imaging software that shows the foetus in incredible detail, including colour and skin texture – the images are remarkable.

Sticking with our interest in all things ‘on the inside’, readers loved Cute Fruit, the pregnancy app that tells you (and your friends) what type of fruit your growing bub is comparable to!

It was party-time mid-April when we did a quick round-up of some of our favourite Show Us Your Parties. The themes included an Hawaiian luau, dinosaurs, Lego, ballerinas and a truly inspired Scandinavian fox birthday party.

Of course, we all wish we could be the first to test drive the brand new all-terrain Bugaboo Buffalo – luckily our editor Mandi was available to jet off to Amsterdam to give us the low-down. And the verdict? It’s fabulous!

Finishing on a sleepy note, readers couldn’t resist the gorgeous range of cot linen from The Land of Nod. Combining modern colours and simple graphics, I’m sure we’ll see The Land of Nod popping up in some of our future Show Us Your Nursery posts!

Day ten of our Prizeapalooza is bringing one of you the chance to win the ultimate in classic accessories – this oversized brown leather handbag. 

This timeless beauty from State of Folly has me salivating just a little bit… okay, a lot.

The Australian designed One Tan buffalo leather tote bag has a canvas lined interior and adjustable leather strap with brushed metal details. It measures 42cm high and has two deep compartments plus a smaller zipped section so that it works as a handbag as well as a mum’s treasure trove.

If you want to be the one to win this beautiful prize worth $329, just leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section, telling us which of the State of Folly products you adore most. You have seven days and entries close midnight, 16 May, 2013.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

We’re hooked on Prizeapalooza, are you?

All puns aside, I personally love a practical prize and today’s Prizeapalooza suits the needs of kids of all ages – we’re giving away a Maze hook prize pack from Funkis Swedish Forms, valued at $117.

The prize includes three sensational Scandinavian flavoured metal hooks – the cute and petite Maze Flower hook, the Maze The Ark Snaily hook and (the one that has me hooked) the Maze Car and Caravan hook, all designed by Malin Lundmark.

Not only are these metal hooks a practical storage solution for hanging everything and anything, but they’re also a funky piece of wall art – the Maze Car and Caravan hook measures a generous thirty centimetres long!

To enter, leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section telling us which other two products from the vast range at Funkis best suit your style and why you love them so. You have seven days and entries close midnight, 15 May, 2013.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

There’s saving some for later… and then there’s saving some for later in a more ‘unique’ way.

US designer Allicia Mogavero set up Mommy Milk Creations after wanting to create a lasting memento of breastfeeding her children.

Mogavero ‘plasticises’ breast milk samples, moulds them into miniature shapes such as hearts, moons, stars or leaves and then turns the pieces into keepsake jewellery including pendants and bracelets. Names, various coloured backgrounds and even locks of hair can be added to your truly unique piece.

Buyers are instructed to send two tablespoons of their milk in a zip-lock bag to Mommy Milk Creations, after which the milk goes through a complex preservation process. No two pieces are ever the same – the colour and fat content of breast milk varies considerably between women, ranging from bluish-white to creamy yellow.

Mommy Milk Creations are priced from US$64. Orders take ten weeks to complete and can be shipped internationally.

Over to you, Babyologists – would you wear your own breast milk on a pendant?

If ever there was a perfect gift to hand over to a gorgeous new bub, it has to be today’s Prizeapalooza prize!

It’s day four of our May Prizeapalooza and today we are giving away a stunning winter warmer prize pack courtesy of Fawn and Milk, valued at $190!

Fawn and Milk is home to all things pint sized and beautiful – it’s here you will find exquisite pieces of clothing and darling toys you will want to pass on from one child to the next and then tuck away for a keepsake.

Included in today’s prize pack is a sublime brush and comb set, a pair of booties, a beanie, a scarf, a blanket and a rattle. The winner can choose from a set suitable for a girl or a boy and it will be delivered beautifully gift wrapped!

To enter, leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section telling us if it’s a girl or boy pack you’d prefer along with which Fawn and Milk products you think make the perfect gift and why. You have seven days and entries close midnight, 10 May, 2013.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

I like to think that my kids are globally-minded but the fact is that they have their fair share of ‘me, me, me’ moments. In an effort to encourage the concept of giving back to society, I did a little research and came across an organisation tailor-made for getting kids involved in philanthropic activities.

Kids in Philanthropy (KIP) is a non-profit fund, focused on building social awareness, social conscience and the practice of giving in the kids of Australia. That may sound lofty however KIP has lots of activities and projects on the agenda to get kids, their parents and their schools involved in ‘giving’.

From second-hand toy and bake sales to ‘change-making’ workshops, KIP assists kids to identify a charity or a cause that they are interested in working with and helps them develop strategies to ‘harness their giving-power’.

The focus is on raising awareness of areas of need in their own city and so far KIP participants have achieved some terrific results.  These include an eight-year-old Sydney boy’s organisation of a walk-a-thon to raise money for an educational program for the disabled, a group of kids holding a market stall to raise money for a literacy project and another group of kids who have set up an online business, Share and Inspire, which raises money for a variety of charities.

Of course, the benefit isn’t simply one way. As anyone who has been involved in philanthropic or volunteer activities knows, there is a great sense of personal happiness and fulfillment achieved by being involved. Foster these feelings in kids and they will grow up as more understanding, empowered and empathetic adults.

KIP workshops and activities are aimed at children aged five to eighteen years. Most KIP workshops are run in Sydney however other Australian cities are being included in the program. Check the KIP calendar for the latest events.

What things do you do with your children to encourage giving back?

Teaching kids about safety is tricky – there’s a fine line between scaring them with unnecessary detail and making sure they know the difference between right and wrong.

Maddie & Matt’s Safe World is a free app designed to equip children with sensible tips that they can apply to potentially dangerous situations. The ‘dangerous’ situations included in the app aren’t the Bear-Grylls-hanging-down-a-ravine variety. Rather, they’re common scenarios that children are likely to encounter such as understanding warning signs and basic ‘stranger-danger’.

The cartoon-style app includes a story (titled Rough Day) and a number of simple games. The safety tips described in the story range from very simple things such as washing your hands before you eat and not sharing food at school to the more ‘advanced’ such as what to do when someone hurts themselves playing in the yard or what to do when confronted by an aggressive dog. Some of the situations are extreme (such as spotting a snake and what to do in an earthquake) however if they’re likely scenarios for your child then they must be discussed.

Note that there are some aspects of Rough Day that you may not feel are appropriate for your child and therefore it should be ‘read’ independently by a parent first.

The best part of this app are the simple games. There are four including one about safety signs, road safety and safety equipment. One of my boys was obsessed with road signs when he was a toddler and would have loved the game which describes the meaning of fifty common road and safety signs.

Maddie & Matt’s Safe World is suitable for iPads and is available free from iTunes. It’s suitable for children who can read.

Does the thought of a full set of brand new kitchen appliances make you go a little weak at the knees? Me too. It’s our May competition and we have two fantastic prize packs from Kambrook to give away to two lucky Babyology readers!

Kambrook, an Australian company, has been a leading provider of kitchen and home appliances since 1964. The ever expanding range encompasses appliances for the entire home, from the kitchen to living room, laundry and bedroom. And here’s a little competition trivia – did you know that Kambrook invented the world’s first power board in 1972?!

Kambrook have put together an amazing prize pack which includes some kitchen essentials as well as the latest gourmet gadgets. Our two May competition winners will each receive a prize pack containing:

• One Soup Simple Soup Maker ($99.95)

• One Pressure Express Pressure Cooker ($99.95)

• One Power Drive Direct Food Processor ($99.95)

• One Size Select Bread Maker ($99.95)

• One Ceramic Tower Heater ($109.05)

• One Little Chefs Soft Scoops Ice Cream Maker ($39.95)

The total value of each prize pack is $550 and will be shipped anywhere in Australia. The total prize pool is valued at $1100.

It’s simple to enter – if you’re already a Babyology newsletter subscriber, just wait on tomorrow’s newsletter – within is your first chance to enter this competition. If not, follow the instructions below and you’ll receive a newsletter tomorrow!

Submit your entries by midnight, 30 May, 2013. To be in the draw, follow the instructions found in the ‘Babyology Weekly’, which is sent via email to our mailing list each week. If you haven’t subscribed to the mailing list yet, just fill in the form below:

For competition Terms & Conditions, click here.

Last month we celebrated our sixth birthday and this week we’re popping streamers and champagne corks all over the Babyology office again because we’ve just hit 100,000 Facebook followers!

That’s right – 100,000 of you officially like what we do… and we like each and every one of you right back! What’s more, because we like you all so very much, we’re celebrating this exciting milestone with some very special offers from Baby Village and Kids Lifestyle just for our friends on Facebook!

Thanks to you, our loyal fans, we’re now officially Australia’s most popular parenting page on Facebook social media, with tens of thousands more following us on Twitter and Pinterest too. We think that’s an achievement worth shouting about!

You’ll have plenty to shout about too, because our Facebook likers can save a massive fifteen per cent store wide at Baby Village (excludes Olli Ella nursing chairs) until May 6 and twenty per cent off most products at Kids Lifestyle (excludes Stokke) until May 13. There’s big savings on plenty of products that you may have even “liked” right here. To activate the special offers, just click on the images below and they’ll take you straight to each online store, where you can use your special discount code at checkout.

Look to Baby Village to save on our favourites including baby carriers and slings from Ergobaby and Minimonkey, beautiful BabyBjorn cradles, Bugaboo prams, Maclaren strollers, Leander cots and Il Tutto nappy bags right down to Sophie the Giraffe teething toys. Kids Lifestyle is offering Babyologists generous discounts on brands and products including brand new to Australia Difrax dummies and baby bottles, toys from Bobles and Flatout Frankie, Lunby bean chairs, Flexi Baths, Trunki cases and Skip Hop everything, so get liking and start shopping!

We love interacting with you all on Facebook, whether we’re showing you our latest finds, sharing a funny joke or reading your spirited comments on the news of the day or a parenting tip. We’ve also taken heart at the way you’ve supported our charity drives, allowing us to donate more than $14,500 to help children and families in need, both here in Australia and overseas since we joined Facebook in 2007.

So please, raise whatever beverage it is that you happen to have in your hand – whether it’s a baby bottle, a glass of water, a cup of tea or even a glass of wine (for the non-breastfeeding or not-pregnant amongst us, of course) – and join us in a giant toast to our wonderful Facebook community – you!

You can never have too many gorgeous bags right? Of course not, especially when it’s as stunning as this latest offering from Isle of Charlie!

Isle of Charlie know all about creating magnificent bags for modern mums with a stellar nappy bag collection catering for all the demands of a mum on the run. While all of their bags are a sublime mix of style meets function, the jewel in the Isle of Charlie crown has to be the launch of their latest nappy bag – Finlay. Made from premium grade leather, the Finlay nappy bag is available in two colours, fashion forward Vintage Red or timeless Almond.

Its clean, streamlined design is a dream to carry with adjustable shoulder strap, change mat, dummy safe and insulated bottle warmer, but it’s more than just a baby bag. The Finlay bag doubles as a luxe handbag (or work bag) with room for most laptop sizes and a single external pocket for easy access to your own personal items, allowing you to find your phone and keys in an instant.

Finlay nappy bag is priced $299 and is available from Isle of Charlie.

That’s right, bagging yourself an amazing Silke Bonde art print has never been easier!

These geometric prints from the talented Copenhagen-based illustrator Silke Bonde are now available right here in Australia at Minibots.

Perfect for any modern nursery, these prints won’t be outgrown thanks to their sophisticated yet simple geometric design. Silke Bonde only allows herself to use triangles for the amazing Raccoon print – such cleverness which simply astounds me . I’m pretty sure this monochrome beauty will be making its way to my seven-year-old’s bedroom, not to mention the Fox print to my lounge room!

Silke Bonde prints are available in two sizes – A4, priced $35 and A3, priced $45, available from Minibots.

Without a doubt, my most treasured possessions aren’t high-end, designer or flashy. They are the trinkets, paintings and all manner of unidentifiable objects that my children have made for me. Here are some ideas to get the children in your life crafting for Mother’s Day – there’s no doubt these beauties will trump any pair of slippers!

How amazing are these rainbow roses? Kids will absolutely love making this colourful bunch for mum – it’s part science experiment, part Mother’s Day bouquet. It takes a little planning, as the white roses need about twenty-four hours to soak up the colour. It’s as simple as splitting the stem and letting the roses soak up water soluble colours.

We recently showed you how to create these personalised keepsake gifts, by letting your child be the artist. We think these would also make a very special present for mums and grandmas.

Along the same line, kids with an artistic flair (or just a love for drawing) can also put their talents to great use with this Mother’s Day craft idea. Any drawing can be turned into a tea towel – something mum is sure to use day in and day out. There’s a great step-by-step guide on Setting for Four.

This gift will continue giving throughout the year. Get the kids to decorate a terracotta pot, and paint part of it with chalkboard paint. They can either write their names, a message to mum, or label the pot so mum knows what’s planted inside.

Finally, if the mum you’re crafting for is a sweet tooth – this home-made beauty is for her! Decorate a jar, add the ingredients for Sunshine Cookies, and pop on a label. Not only will mum love the effort – but the kids get to indulge in the spoils too!

I’m in the ‘drop-some-very-broad-hints’ camp when it comes to Mother’s Day gifts and as such, I might just have to send a link to this post to the main present-buyer in my house! Read on, we’ve got lots of great gift suggestions for mums.

Some mums shy away from the thought of kitchen appliances for Mother’s Day. I say if they look as slick and as super as the MUM5 Kitchen Machine from Bosch, then bring it on! The Kitchen Machine does it all – it’s a mixer and a kneader plus it comes with a range of accessories that turn the Kitchen Machine into a blender, citrus press, mincer and continuous shredder. The MUM5 Kitchen Machine is priced from $699. Now I hope my husband is reading this post because he’ll note that the Kitchen Machine shown above is in Yellow Passion and yellow is my very favourite colour…

Once you’ve got your hands on the very nifty MBrand iPhone Cover with Mirror you’ll wonder how you ever did without it. Suitable for the iPhone4/4S, the hard shell slides down to reveal a mirror – no more trying to catch your reflection on your phone screen! Available from Hard to Find for $25 (including shipping).

Looking for a Mother’s Day keepsake? The simple elegance of silver jewellery from Koolaman Designs is sure to please. The modern shapes of Koolaman pendants, including basic squares, circles and ‘dog tags’ are hand stamped with all the important ‘little’ details in your life. Koolaman pieces are also a gorgeous gift for grandmas. Prices begin at $45 and the Mia pendant (shown above) is $170.

For a colourful keepsake with a subtle nod to your precious baby’s birthday, discover the stunning Motherlove birthstone pendants from Shashen Jewels. Following the traditional birthstones of each month – from January’s deep red garnet to December’s cool blue topaz, these handcrafted pendants are designed to be handed down from generation to generation. Pendants are $180 each – visit Shashen Jewels to discover the ancient meanings behind each of the birthstones.

For a gift with a real difference, treat mum to a membership at Mum the Photographer. Mum the Photographer is an online program giving you unlimited access to tricks and tutorials to help improve the photos you take of your children (and you can never have too many snaps of your kids). A lifetime membership to Mum the Photographer is US$69.95 – a small investment for a lifetime of beautiful memories!

If you receive sleepwear for Mother’s Day it gives you license to stay in bed all day long, reading and drinking cups of tea, doesn’t it? Yes, especially if you’re lucky enough to receive gorgeous sleepwear from Miss Gifted. Stocking a range of pyjamas and nighties from leading brands, Miss Gifted is your one-stop-shop for stylish hampers and gifts for women, mums and bubs. Sleepwear is priced from $19.95.

And if you are planning on lounging in bed, make sure you have the comfiest, most snuggly sheets available – these cotton jersey sheets from Whiteport will fit the bill. Sleeping in jersey sheets is like being wrapped up in your most comfortable t-shirt and these Whiteport sheets are even finished with a touch of aloe vera for supreme softness. The set includes one flat and one fitted sheet and two standard pillowcases, and is available in queen ($249.95) and king ($279.95) sizes.

Get personal this Mother’s Day with cute gear from Hippo Blue. There’s nothing wrong with wearing your heart on your sleeve (or your bib!) when it comes to showing mum how much she is loved and the fun Mother’s Day gift range from Hippo Blue will let the whole world know who is number one! Personalised ‘I Love Mum’ bibs and t-shirts begin at $14.95.

Mums on the go needn’t sacrifice style for comfort – simply invest in a pair of Fold-up Flats from Shoe Empire! Available in a range of colours and patterns, the handy folding design means you can slip a pair of these fab ballerina flats into your handbag and pull them out when you just can’t walk another step in heels. Of course, they are stylish and practical enough to wear everyday as well. Prices begin $29.95.

Naturally you’ll need a new bag for those fancy ballerina flats… and all the other stuff that mums have to carry! Our pick is the gorgeous Il Tutto After Baby bag. For mums that have graduated from carrying a nappy bag, the Il Tutto After Baby bag offers a stylish but roomy alternative. It has oodles of room for your gear as well as anything you need to carry for the kids and of course shows off Il Tutto’s signature style. The After Baby bag is $349 and is available in three colours.

Also brand new for Mother’s Day is Il Tutto’s signature wallet. Like all Il Tutto products, the wallet combines style with functionality. A fun polka-dotted lining and silver trim plus room for twenty-eight cards, two photo windows to showcase your loved ones, a zipped coin compartment and several compartment for notes and or valuables. Best yet, the wallet is large enough to hold a slimline smart phone. It’s available in black or cream and is $129 – find it online at Il Tutto.

It feels like Mother’s Day rolls around faster and faster every year. And while we always treasure the gifts that come home from preschool, daycare and that odd stall at school, sometimes it’s nice to be given something that you will, ahem, use. Come and see the first part of the gift list we’ve rounded up to suit mums of all ages and stages.

Why should the kids get all the cutest bags? Nobody has more paraphernalia to lug around than a mum, and you could do it with a spring in your step with the enchantingly named Mushroom Mountain Tote (at top) from Curly Top Creations. It’s large enough to fit all you need, plus plenty of extra things slipped in there by the kids, and you can pick it up from Curly Top Creations for $65.

Although there are mums out there who definitely don’t want any household gear for Mother’s Day, we know there are plenty who do. If you’re in the market for a new kitchen apron, there’s hardly a better day in the calendar to receive it. Kick up the wow factor by making it hot pink, for a bit more life in the kitchen. We love the subtle nod to the i-devices too – kitchens are different places these days than they were ten years ago! It’s $39 from Pinklily.

While we’re in the kitchen, let me ask – is your kitchen a place that seems to collect everything? If it’s like mine, your benchtops are strewn with things that your family just left there for a minute and never returned for. You might not be able to clear it all out, but you can store it with a bit more style and purpose with these woven bowls from Annabel Trends. Handcrafted in Mexico, they are available in three sizes and six colour combinations, and will look great whether holding fruit or unpaid bills and a lonely sock. Prices begin at $29.95.

You’ll need to keep those feet warm once you eventually roll out of bed, and Mother’s Day is almost synonymous with new slippers. But these are slippers with a twist! First of all, they’re actually boots, and they’re made from felted, upcycled woollen and cashmere jumpers. That’s guaranteed to make it a whole lot easier to get out of bed. Prices begin at $85 from Woolby & Co.

If you live somewhere a bit warmer than I do, all this talk of cosying up won’t grab you. You need something luxurious that works in warmer weather too, or indeed, all year round. We’ve found it – and isn’t it lovely? This beautiful floral robe from Langdon Ltd is available in either a silk/cotton blend, or in pure silk, and in two lengths as well. Just the thing for a lazy morning while the kids bring you tepid cups of tea! Prices begin at $199.

While curled up in your new robe, it’s a perfect time for reading stories with the kids. Here’s one that will tug on the heartstrings and remind you of everything that’s lovely about being a mum. It’s the aptly named I Love My Mum by Anna Walker. Everyone in the family is sure to enjoy the story about zebra Ollie and his mum, as they go about all the ordinary activities that mums and kids do daily, and show the way that even a very normal day can be special when families love each other. It’s available from Story Mama for $12.74!

What about a cool little gadget? They’re not just for dads – go retro with this silicone headset from Pinklily. At $49, it comes in black or pink and has a universal attachment which makes it compatible with all your devices – just plug it into a standard headphone jack and you’re away. The kids won’t have any idea what you’re up to, but it’s a good chance to educate them about how we used to talk to people in the olden days!

For me, a present giving occasion is never complete unless I end up with something to play with. This fruit ice cream maker from Yonanas would certainly fit the bill. It works a bit like a juicer, but instead, you use frozen fruit to create something with the texture of soft serve ice cream, but which is entirely fruit. With those credentials, you can give yourself a little treat every day. It’s $89.95, and postage is free until the end of June.

If you find that Mother’s Day is just not complete without a special piece of jewellery, have a look at these personalised charm necklaces from Merci Maman. They are available either gold-plated or in sterling silver, with a main (larger) charm for a message, and up to five smaller charms for the initials of your children. Prices begin at £59 for the most basic configuration (main charm plus one initial charm). Merci Maman have advised us that in order to be sure your necklace arrives in Australia in time for Mother’s Day, they have set an ordering deadline of 2 May for all orders to Australia.

Or perhaps the beautiful Love Loops are more your style? I know they already grace the necks of a few of our writers here! Available in sterling silver or solid nine carat gold, Love Loops are an exquisite and understated way to symbolise special people and events in your life. Just the thing for a significant date like Mother’s Day! They can fit up to thirty characters per side, so there’s lots of room to say all that you want to, and there are plenty of ways to customise them and make them even more special. You’ll have to decide quickly though – the order deadline for Mother’s Day is today!

Congratulations to all the new mums on your first Mother’s Day with your little cherub. Click through to find out what fab finds we have gathered for you!

Breastfeeding is hard enough to master without the fear of an unwanted exposed midriff creeping in to set you at unease. For this reason alone, we think a Breastvest in every colour makes the perfect gift – who knew a garment could deliver such reassurance and instil confidence in breastfeeding your baby anywhere and any time!? Distributed by Oz Baby Trends, the Breastvest is priced $29.95 from Upsy Baby.

We’re all loving MummaBubba Teething Jewellery (even those of us without teething babies), the chunky colourful designs are perfect for pepping up any outfit! Bangles and beaded necklaces are plentiful and perfect for wearing stacked. The hardest decision will surely be what colours to kickstart your collection with! Priced from $14.95, you can get your dribble and chew-friendly accessories from Aussie Bubs.

If you are yet to invest in a sweet ride to push your little one around in, you must take a look at the uber cool and super stylish Mamas and Papas Urbo Pram. It’s a super lightweight pram weighing only nine kilograms, is suitable to use with babies from birth and comes in just about all the colours of the rainbow. This awesome set of wheels retails for $649 here in Australia – see the Mamas and Papas international stockist page for a local stockist near you.

What better way to spend Mother’s Day (and every day thereafter) than lounging around in a super supportive Snug Jugs gown? Snug Jugs gowns keep everything right where they should be and come in a maternity style with clips for easy feeding access. Those not breastfeeding don’t miss out – there’s a fabulous original design too. Priced from $60, you will be hard pressed to choose just one from the amazingly gorgeous designs!

The nappies, wipes, change of clothes, breast pads, dummies and wraps aren’t going to carry themselves – every new mum needs a bag to carry all the baby things in when heading out. The Stylish Little Me Stroller Bag carries all this (and more), it easily slips on to stroller handles and has a shoulder strap for easy toting when leaving the stroller behind. The Stroller Bag is priced $199 from Stylish Little Me.

Imagine putting your favourite necklace in the dishwasher for a clean. I kid you not, that’s how user friendly the sublime turquoise Sofia necklace is. Perfectly safe for children to mouth and perfectly safe to just toss in your dishwasher when it gets a little too grubby for wearing (though we suggest trying a face washer and warm soapy water first), this silicone beaded gem is perfect for both mamas and their babies! The Sofia necklace is priced $39.95 from Bon Bon Bella.

If it’s a deliriously luxe bag you’ve been on the hunt for, the Singapore Sling bag could just be it. Made from amazingly soft premium grade leather, it’s a bag that’s as luxurious to touch as it is to look at! The generously wide zip opening means that your chances of losing that rusk or dummy in the depths of your nappy bag are limited. Priced SGD$649.00, the Singapore Sling bag is available from Tribe Bags.

If you prefer a ‘less is more’ approach to your accessories you will really appreciate this teething necklace from Jellystone Designs. The Fan Necklace has a simple black cord that can be adjusted to your desired length and boasts three deliciously plummy coloured angular cut beads, perfect for that winter outfit that needs just a hint of colour. The Fan Necklace is priced $25 and is also available in pretty autumn tones, from Jellystone Designs.

Stay tuned for more fantastic Mother’s Day gift guides over the coming days.

When it comes to Mother’s Day there is nothing like a nice pampering gift. We have put together a few little things that will help you make the mum in your life feel a little bit like a princess (or maybe a real housewife of Beverly Hills) this Mother’s Day. 

First up are these Annabel Trends Pedi Slippers which turn any quick-paint-over-the-top-of-the-last-colour home pedi into something a bit fancy, for only $19.95. They are made from a super soft microfibre with a memory foam base so you will never want to take them off.

We love this Rose Blossom and White Lilly Diffusion Set from Pinklily. At $15, it’s a great alternative to a candle for those who have little people with curious hands. And could you get a more girly flavour combo?

Pampering works so much better when done in a new pair of pyjamas and with winter coming, I can’t go past this leggings and jumper set from Sleep’n Round. These are pjs that I would be happy to answer the door in or pop out to the shops in. Okay, let’s be honest, I would probably never take them off. The set costs $100.

Here’s another pamper delight by The Aromatherapy Co. The Fuchia and Gypsy Rose Candle, available from Pinklily, is made from natural soy way and pure essential oils. It is also an awesome shade of fluro pink and comes in a really lovely mini hat box. So we have pretty smells, girly colours and packaging that makes you go ‘ooohhh’… yup, that’s me sold. Plus it’s also only $25.

These Apple & Bee Bath Salts are perfect for the mumma who likes a good soak. They are Australian made, all natural and carbon neutral, but most endearingly, Apple & Bee are committed to helping raise money and awareness for the health of bees everywhere. They cost $22.95 from Apple & Bee.

Jacquline Evans’ Argan and Rosehip Moisturising Cream is my can’t-live-without-it beauty staple. It contains Centella oil to rejuvenate and essential fatty acids to moisturise. It also smells amazing. As far as I’m concerned, it’s well worth the $46. Grab it from Down That Little Lane.

Flowers are a lovely gift, and it sounds terrible, but anytime I have been lucky enough to receive a huge bunch of flowers I always wonder how much said bunch cost and then inevitably think of cooler things that I could have bought with that money. Like this awesome Tin Flower Jug from Little Paper Lane for $59.95. My vote is; fill this little pretty up with hand picked daisies and mum will feel pampered with a gift from the heart and will also get some new funky homewares.

Mums with a sweet tooth may appreciate a Delish Candle in a tin that smells like her favourite dessert. There’s Lemon Meringue, Blueberry Crumble, Peach Sorbet and Apple Pie scents and each costs $14.95 from Little Paper Lane. Just quietly, I find this pretty exciting.