This cosy collection of cute critters is just the thing to get the kids through the cold days ahead.

There are some terribly crafty people who turn me green with envy – and Charity Savage is one such person. Her store Savage Seeds is bursting at the seams with some of the most sublime forest creatures, crafted into cushions.

Her latest addition is this adorable Three Toed Sloth, who is part of the Rainforest Critter collection. He has a red heart on his back which can be personalised with initials. He’s made from environmentally friendly wool felt and eco felt and stuffed with Bamboo Nature Fil Fibre. He costs USD$34.

Also new to the Savage Seeds store is the Woodland Cushions. The acorn, mushroom and oak leaves group is just gorgeous. Cuddly and cute, a choice of three cushions is USD$74.

Some terribly dapper foxes also make an appearance in the collection, as does this very handsome coyote (USD$34).

The detailed and very beautiful owl costumes make a change from the usual dress-ups available in stores. Layered wings and an owl hat complete the woodland look. The costume costs USD$78 and is available in a couple of different designs.

Everything in the Savage Seeds online store is handmade, and shipping to Australia is available.

The post Get cosy with cuddly critters and cute dress ups from Savage Seeds appeared first on Babyology.

Children’s bed linen can be so gaudy, so predictable, so very boring. And then there’s this amazing New Zealand company proving kid’s bedding can be extraordinary.

It’s pretty rare that I can browse a children’s range of anything and think how incredibly androgynous it is. But as I scoured the beautiful linen for children from Citta Design I could see nothing particularly feminine or masculine about it. And that’s an unexpected joy.

Citta Design draws inspiration for its collections from across the globe, and the range of linen is almost as vast as the earth itself. Geometric shapes, animals, graphic prints and colour blocking all make an appearance on cushions, throws and duvet covers.

I’m usually bower bird-like in my attraction to bright and colourful things, but surprisingly my favourite design in the collection is Zoo. The reversible duvet cover is inspired by the menagerie on show at the Barcelona City Zoo, and is mainly monochromatic with subtle splashes of orange. The single duvet price is NZD$119, but it’s also available in king single, queen and double. A matching pair of pillow cases costs NZD$49.90.

If you’re keen on some colour for your child’s bedding, the Heath duvet cover has just the right amount of blue interspersed with drops of red. The single duvet cover is NZD$129.

Now for the sad part. Citta Designs usually only ship within New Zealand, but if you contact Citta Design directly (and ask very, very nicely) they may be able to help you with international orders. Thankfully, there are a bucket load of Australian Citta Design stockists.

The post Children’s linen gets a facelift from Citta Design appeared first on Babyology.

I simply can’t deny the allure of a beautiful child’s blanket or wrap – and have many a drawer stuffed full of them to attest to it. This new company has launched its own gorgeous line, featuring Australian flora and fauna.

A brand new babe in a gorgeous wrap – ah, it just doesn’t get any sweeter. And these subtle but striking organic cotton wraps make the perfect, warming hug for babies. Little Flourishes focuses its unisex designs on Australian native animals and plants.

I love how unique the choice of flora and fauna is. There’s the Australian Quail, the Black-Necked Stork, the Queensland Firewheel and Australian Bush Berries. The colours are beautifully muted, but the images are bold and entrancing. Baby wraps are $34.95, small blankets $79.95 and large blankets (perfect for throwing on a small child’s bed) are $119.95.

The brand is but a newborn itself, and is currently producing organic wraps, blankets and swaddles. There are plans to soon make bibs, smaller blankets and bloomers. Purchase directly from Little Flourishes.

The post Little Flourishes – organic baby wraps and blankets with a stunning Australian twist appeared first on Babyology.

My baby is obsessed with his ErgoPouch ErgoCocoon. We were given a few by close friends when he was born and he hasn’t spent a single sleep out of them. Seriously, these swaddles keep baby so snug and happy I don’t know how we ever did without them for our older children.

Staring down the barrel of a Sydney winter in an old house with a three-month-old baby and I began to panic about retiring the lightweight ErgoCocoons. I told myself there had to be a cold weather swaddle option that would work just as well and keep him just as comfortable.

I wasn’t disappointed! I found the organic ErgoPouch Hybrid Swaddle Bag and, as you can see from the pictures above, it’s a swaddle which then allows you to train your baby to sleep unswaddled. From the chest up, it’s a 1 TOG swaddle; from the chest down, it’s a 2.5 TOG sleep bag, keeping baby toasty in the colder months, in a room which is ideally between eighteen to twenty-two degrees celsius.

In gorgeous single colours of grey, blue, pink and natural, they won’t clash with your nursery and are available in 0-3 month and 3-12 month sizes (after that, baby graduates to an ErgoPouch Sleep Bag) for $64.95 from Baby Bedding. Check the Store Locator to buy near you.

The post Swaddled & snug in the ErgoCocoon Hybrid sleepbag appeared first on Babyology.

It’s with a fair bit of regret we’re showing you these cloud lamps knowing that you have no hope of buying them.

In fact there’s so little information about them, other that they’re a concept product by Polish designer Gabi Malacha, that it’s tempting to just exclaim how pretty they are and move on without showing you. After all, who couldn’t want them upon first seeing them?

Show you we must, however, and we suggest you pop them on a Pinterest board so you can remind yourself to check up on them at a later date.

I will most certainly be on the lookout for any word that they’ll be in production. What perfect children’s lighting they are. Serene and joyous; perfectly heavenly in fact!

(via Weird Creative)

The post Heavenly Cloud Lamps by Gabi Malacha appeared first on Babyology.

Colder days mean colder nights, and little people don’t always keep their covers on. Come on through for our roundup of the best sleeping bags to keep toes and tummies toasty warm, and help everyone get a better night’s sleep!

First off the plate is the is the beautiful merino wool wrap (at top) for the tiniest of little people is a beautiful soft luxury for your new baby. This one is the Cocooi wrap, and if you’re swaddling your little one at sleep time, you’ll be sure they’re cosy and snug in one of these.

These Love to Inventa Sleep Bags have breathable mesh under zips at the front and back, it allows you to regulate your baby’s temperature along with fluctuations in the night time temperature. Whether you have a back or a tummy sleeper, if you think they are getting too warm you can unzip them to cool down without waking them up. It has a hypoallergenic bamboo lining too.

We love the gorgeous colours and designs in the very affordable Wee Dreams sleep sack. They’re made from the softest bamboo and organic cotton and they look so comfortable I wish they made them in adult sizes! Perfect for all seasons, they come in sizes to fit from birth to age three.

No amount of cold weather will wreck your little one’s day when they’re wrapped up in the Baby Barolo sleeping bag! They only make them big enough to cover till about four months old, so this is another one for adults to feel envious about.

It could hardly be a post discussing sleeping bags without mention of Grobag. Well known for their great range of designs, Grobags have become synonymous with baby sleeping bags. If you’re finding it hard to choose which ones you need, you’ll applaud their new night and day packs which contain one lightweight and one winter weight bag in coordinating fabrics. They’re a great way to have both naptime and night time covered.

We love Eeni Meeni Miini Moh here at Babyology – they have always gorgeous sleepwear and clothing, but did you know they also make sleeping bags? The one in this picture looks so soft and cuddly I can almost feel it in my hands! Everything’s in the gorgeous soft range of colours that EMMM are so well known for.

How about something a little bit European in a sleeping bag? This is one of the lovely French linen range of La Cerise sleeping bags which have only recently become available here in Australia. The eclectic collection is not just paisley and polkadots, but whimsical black and white illustrations to give it a touch of something special.

While we’re getting spotty – who could go past the mod designs of the CoZi Sacs from CoZibugs? They’re made from lovely cotton with a handy two-way zip, but it’s the gorgeous bright and fruity colours that really make them a must have.

If you have a little one who suffers with eczema or other related skin conditions, you’ll know that night times can be a long way from peaceful. You’ll be looking for something really specific to help your child have a good night’s rest, and the Bamboo Bubby Bag may just fit the bill. As the name suggests, it’s made from breathable bamboo, to help stop your child overheating and exacerbating their condition, while clever adjustable sleeves help stop night time scratching.

If it’s organic credentials you’re after, then look no further than the Organic Baby Sleeping Sacks from Tookee Kids. Made from hemp and organic cotton, they’re even quilted for extra softness and warmth.

What about a sleeping bag in oh-so-snuggly cotton velour? That’s the material in the winter weight sleeping bags from Apple and Bee. Velour is so delicious on the skin that I’ve always thought it a pity that it seems to be mainly the domain of elderly women in jogging suits, but now at least our children can enjoy it (and you can too, while snuggling with them)!

This one’s not a sleeping bag, but we wanted to include something for those children who are getting a bit big for a bag, but still kick off the covers. It’s the fabulous BedSOK, with zips up each side to keep older children snug and warm all night. Stretch ribbing means there’s plenty of wriggle room, even for very active sleepers, and they come in sizes all the way up to king single.

The post Baby, it’s cold outside! Babyology’s top twelve sleeping bags for tots appeared first on Babyology.

Ah sleep, it evades so many of us in early parenthood, it’s a wonder we ever survive. I’m in the midst of sleep deprivation again with my new baby. After a long hiatus, it’s a bit of a shock and I’ll be aiming to get my full night of snooze back as early as possible.

I’m liking the look of this clock by Bacookie, which is only a concept at this stage. My middle son used to get up at five in the morning and be raring to go, with mummy and daddy most certainly not open to this idea.

Kids simply wake, look at the clock and if the bed is illuminated, it’s not time to get up. They can get up when the human figure lights up. Whether they ignore it or not is another thing altogether. When they’re old enough to read the time, there’s a regular digital display on the other side of the clock. Loving it!

Because this one isn’t available yet, and of course you may be needing it now, check out the Gro Clock we wrote about.

(via Weird Creative)

The post Keep kids in bed longer with the Bacookie clock appeared first on Babyology.

May was all about the nursery! Proving that Babyologists love to be first with the latest news, our most popular post in May was our sneak-peek review of the brand new Pottery Barn store at Bondi Junction, Sydney.

It’s the first time the interiors megastore has opened anywhere other than North America and while those of us living outside of Sydney may be feeling a teensy bit jealous, we all benefit from online shopping via Pottery Barn’s first Australian store.

There must be some serious nesting going on amongst our readers because two of our ‘Show Us Your Nursery’ features were in this month’s most popular posts. The first was Jude’s serene and modern nursery. Jude’s mum, Mina, an interior designer by trade, combined a calming palette of grey and white with some stunning pieces of designer nursery furniture to create a beautiful space.

Sunday’s gorgeous nursery showed readers that you can squeeze a lot of style out of a small budget. Cool grey and peachy pinks were the focus for Sunday’s nursery and mum Briar Stanley shared lots of tips for finding a designer bargain.

Readers keen to co-sleep with their baby were thrilled by the news that the Bednest bassinet has arrived at Australian retailer, Danish by Design. The Bednest allows for co-sleeping without many of the concerns that go along with having a baby in a parent’s bed but can also be used as a traditional bassinet.

Lastly, our post about breast milk pendants attracted lots of discussion. In case you missed it, a US designer creates lasting mementos of breastfeeding by turning your breast milk into pieces into keepsake jewellery – they are certainly a conversation piece!

The post Top five Babyology posts in May appeared first on Babyology.

In the nineties, if you mentioned wall prints of inspirational quotes, your thoughts would turn to those monstrous, black-bordered pieces featuring nature photography and a single confrontational word – Strive! Compete! Persevere!. They may have had a place in the boardroom but were certainly not the kind of thing for the living room, let alone a nursery.

In May we introduced you to Kids in Philanthropy and mentioned the philanthropic efforts of Share and Inspire, an online business developed by three sisters (aged five to eight) that raises money for a variety of charities.

Share and Inspire create canvases of inspirational images and messages. The canvases are the work of a number of different graphic designers and all feature beautiful, gentle messages to put you in a happy place. The illustrations are cheerful, colourful and relevant to children – it’s hard to resist ‘Life is Good’ when it’s printed over an icy-pole or the thrilling idea of starting every day like it’s your birthday.

The canvases are perfect for the nursery or kids bedrooms however I have ‘Live, Swim, Drink‘, with the simple but true message – ‘Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air’, hanging above my desk. Swimming is one of my favourite activities and this print really resonated with me – a nice reminder of good things when I’m inside on a gloomy winter’s day.

Canvases are $29.95 each and all profits are donated to worldwide not-for-profit organisations to support children, their families and education. The girls behind Share and Inspire research and engage with the organisations they support and share the details on their blog.

The post Be inspired by Share and Inspire canvases appeared first on Babyology.

Well, I just found my new favourite thing ever. It’s just so pretty, and clever, and simple and…ahhh. Let me just take it in for a moment. This is the Owyn Toy Box and I’m gobsmacked by its charm. It reminds me of the beautiful handcrafted nature puzzles you find in Montessori classrooms and I think I’m in love.

In the interest of little heads not getting shut in toy boxes (a good thing) it is hard to find toy boxes with lids. This means creating the classic neat little play area with toy storage that doubles as a bench seat for a reading nook is really hard.

The Owyn Toy Box, available at Mantha & You, has two leaf shaped lift-off lids that fit like a puzzle. The inside of the box is separated into two compartments, one under each lid. It is made from eco-friendly birch plywood and is handmade in the US. Measuring about 40cm tall, it’s the perfect height to double as a little seat. This toy box will set you back some $615 and postage is $20.

The post Owyn Toy Box – where serious style meets genius design appeared first on Babyology.

How many times have you been madly searching the back of the car or beneath the pram for some form of rug or blanket to lay out in the park for the little ones to sit on? You’ll never be caught short again with one of these beauties in the boot.

We just love this new Australian product, which is the brainchild of a mum of two. It’s a simple concept, but many parents would agree something like this has been sorely lacking on the local market. Pixie Rugs are large waterproof, washable picnic rugs that can double as playmats both indoors and out.

The rugs have a thick cotton topside, are lightly padded and measure a large 2.3m by 1.7m. They also come in a handy mesh shoulder bag that easily fits over the handle of a single or double pram.

With all the practicalities aside, I can now talk about how beautiful these rugs are. If classic is your style, there’s traditional black with white polka dots. On the modern end of the scale, there’s a gorgeous teal mod circle option as well. Retro prints and stripes are also available. The rugs cost $79 each and are available directly from Pixie Rugs.

The post Washable playmats with a designer edge from Pixie Rugs appeared first on Babyology.

If your little one is begging you for a pet – in particular a feathered friend, perhaps you can ease their need with one of these cute critters. 

Toys don’t need to be incredibly complicated to entertain kids – that’s what imaginations are for. And I love toys like this that can start off life as a decorator item, then a huggable friend, and years later will still be loved as a plaything.

The Stuf Bird collection includes an aviary of flightless toys, including the Yellowbird, Owl, Greenbird and Robin. Each bird has a pellet-weighted base so it can stand upright.

The birds are made from natural canvas and have a bell inside as a little surprise when they’re shaken. They are available locally from Ruck Rover at $20 for the smaller birds or $30 for the larger, and while you’re there, have a look at the pirate versions.

The post Stuf Birds – beautiful flights of fancy appeared first on Babyology.

Limited space is an issue in so many children’s bedrooms and becomes much more stressful when children are close in age (or you have multiples!). What if you need two cots at once? What if you need to put a cot and a toddler bed in a room where there’s really only space for one?

This is the amazing Convertible BunkCot, which is suitable for babies and children up to six years of age. It can be configured as two cots (below), a cot and a toddler bed (above) or two toddler beds (bottom).

Made from beechwood, with white melamine panels, the BunkCot is available in either a natural or white finish. The base of the top bed is height adjustable, and can be altered to suit your requirements, depending on the age of the child sleeping in it. The package includes all of the cot rails and valances needed for each configuration, as well as a ladder and two mattresses.

When in the two cots configuration, the top cot side slides up and down like a standard cot, while the bottom cot side pushes outwards to lie down flat on the floor. You can check out all the specs and sizes at Island Edge, which sells and distributes the Convertible BunkCot in Australia. It is priced at $965 and delivery throughout Australia is free. What do you think? Is this the perfect cot/bed combo for families with children close in age?

Check out our Cot Chooser and cot Pinterest board to see what else is on the market.

The post Convertible BunkCot really stacks up! appeared first on Babyology.

When there is a little one in the house you can never have too much storage and this is why I am putting in an order for one of these little guys as soon as I have finished writing this post.

I’m a big believer in the second nappy change station. Upstairs the change table is stocked to the max and set up to handle the bigger jobs but I like to have the necessities handy downstairs too. These Diaper Caddies from Etsy’s Creat4usKids are perfect for this. Made in the USA, they are one hundred per cent cotton, double stitched and machine washable.

Although specifically designed to hold nappies, wipes and creams, they could be used for just about anything in the nursery and around the house, from books to toys to tiny little outfits. They would also work as a great base for baby shower hampers and you can tweak the design to fit any theme using the customised caddy option. They cost US$40 and shipping to Australia is US$17.75.  I am actually thinking that these would make a great car boot baby bag. Maybe I’ll get two.

The post Cute, handmade nursery storage – the diaper caddy appeared first on Babyology.

We loved it, you loved it and now it’s available locally! Snurk bedding from The Netherlands sure captured our imaginations in March and the wonderful Incy Interiors have snapped it up for an Australian audience.

Available now in both astronaut and princess designs for $159 in a single size, the fabulous news is that soon both will be arriving in double ($229) and queen ($259) sizes! Now little Aussie boys and girls can dream of rocketing into the stratosphere or twirling in a princess gown from their very own cosy beds.

To pre-order the double and queen sizes, simply contact Incy Interiors, or buy the single size online using the links above.

The post Update – Snurk bedding now at Incy Interiors appeared first on Babyology.

We’re finishing off our May Prizeapalooza with a bang! If there’s a new baby in your future you won’t want to miss the chance of choosing an amazing nursery prize pack – click through to enter.

Thanks to the gorgeous team at Bebelicious, one very lucky Babyologist will get to choose their own prize pack from the Bebelicious range, up to the value of $546. You could choose a Moses basket, Rocking Moses stand and some stunning accessories, including a change pad cover and customised artwork. The choice is yours!

Bebelicious is the home of sublime designer Moses baskets, and there’s a style to suit every taste and decor. If natural is your thing, there’s a selection of organic and natural baskets that exude calm and serene. If you’re wanting to inject some colour into your nursery, the Canary or Kasbah liner Moses baskets are sure to make an impact. The Bebelicious range now also includes some gorgeous customised prints.

The post Prizeapalooza day 31 – Bebelicious Moses basket prize pack appeared first on Babyology.

Stop whatever you are doing, and click through to see some of the most adorable and unique toys and children’s decor. You’ll never guess where they hail from (but you’ll be ever-so-grateful you can find them in Australia).

Do you have any idea what the Portuguese word for soft, cute and cuddly is? No, neither did I, but apparently it’s “fofo”. Hence the title of new Australian online store So Fofo – which is the local distributor for amazing Portuguese label PinkNounou. This gorgeous label is positively heaving with amazing products for kids and parents. Soft toys, pillows, baby blankets, wall decor – the list literally goes on and on. And So Fofo has a great selection of what this label has on offer.

For babies there’s a beautiful range of soft furnishings and toys, including this adorable Happy Cloud pillow, which is $40.

The cotton bibs are so clever and lovely, I’d just hate to see them get smeared with pureed pumpkin! They each have a charming printed fairy tale to read while baby’s munching away – what a great idea. They cost $22.

The softies are also a great nursery decorating item, and look just gorgeous with their very rustic charm. They start at $36 each.

Likewise, the paper cut out illustrations would work beautifully in a nursery or child’s room. They cost $18.

Finally, there are some very special soft toys available for purchase from So Fofo, including the sublime Ludovico the elephant. He’s an impressive forty-seven centimetres tall and made of felted wool, cotton and linen. He costs $150. Shop the collection at So Fofo, or take a look at the other stockists of PinkNounou.

The post Decorate your child’s world with playful Portuguese wares appeared first on Babyology.

Occasionally a project comes to Kickstarter that, for whatever reason, grabs the imagination – it far exceeds its funding goal and is set to become a sure thing well before the pledge period is over.

The magnificent Constellation Quilt is one such project. Designed by the Haptic Lab in New York, a studio that creates beautiful things that explore the sense of touch, the Constellation Quilt lets you touch the night sky.

Using traditional quilting and embroidery techniques, the Constellation Quilt shows the October night sky in the Northern Hemisphere and includes constellations such as the Big and Little Dipper, Gemini, Orion, Leo, and Taurus. Each star is embroidered in metallic gold thread and the vivid turquoise night sky is complete with a Milky Way of tiny French knots that provide a tactile field sweeping diagonally across the quilt.

At the time of writing this post, almost all the opportunities to back the project and be the first to get a quilt were gone , though there were plenty of pledges still available for a DIY guide to making your own Constellation Quilt (shown below). A US$45 pledge buys you a DIY kit complete with a single use map template of your choice of the Northern or Southern Hemisphere night sky and instructions for completing your own quilt. The Constellation Quilt Kickstarter project ends on June 10, 2013.

Make sure you take a look at the other quilts created by Haptic Lab, including their gorgeous baby quilts in a range of maps of major US cities as well as London and Paris. The baby quilts are priced at US$145 and would make a special (and useful) keepsake.

The post Snuggle up under the stars with the Constellation Quilt appeared first on Babyology.

Co-sleeping parents can soon get their hands on this amazing product locally, click through to find out where you can get one in Australia.

The Bednest drew plenty of oohs and ahhs when we first featured it on Babyology three years ago, but the cost of shipping was a little too steep for some. The great news is that the fabulous Danish By Design will soon have these handsome sleepers available for local purchase.

The Bednest allows for co-sleeping without many of the concerns that go along with having a baby in a parent’s bed. It’s height-adjustable and clips to the side of the bed. The sides can be adjusted up or down, so it can also be used as a traditional bassinet.

The Bednest will be available from Danish By Design by mid-June for $599.95.

The post Update – Bednest to land in Australia appeared first on Babyology.

Day twenty of our May Prizeapalooza makes me sad. You see, as a Babyology writer I’m not actually allowed to enter these giveaways and on days like today, it hurts a little bit. 

Incy Interiors is giving away one of their coloured cots, expertly crafted from strong iron and available in a range of colours. These beautiful cots are the perfect balance between vintage style and modern design.

If you want to be the lucky reader who wins a gorgeous cot worth $599, just leave a comment below with your full name in the Post a Comment section, telling us which other items from the Incy Interiors range you would choose to accessorise you new cot. You have seven days and entries close midnight, 26 May, 2013.

For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

The post Prizeapalooza day 20 – an Incy Interiors cot appeared first on Babyology.