Here's three words I thought I'd never use together ... wool, machine wash and tumble dry. Yes, sigh a sigh of relief there's no handwashing to be done here. This 100% New Zealand Merino wool can go straight in to the washing machine, and from there, if need be straight into the tumble dryer (I heard you gasp!). When on Earth did wool get so easy?
Baby Love Merino is simplicity at it's best. We all know how great layering is for kids - especially those with skin allergies that can't be dressed too hot, yet shouldn't be exposed to the cold. The fabulous thing about Merino is that it's as light as a feather and can be worn in both summer and winter so you get great mileage from these little gems! Baby Love Merino has come up with the easiest range of kidswear featuring long sleeved tees, lace trimmed leggings and comfy pinafores which of course can all be worn together or alone. I absolutely love the idea that your little girl can start out wearing the pinafore, and as she grows it can be worn as a vest. Talk about fabulous bang for your buck there! The tees are also fantastic with the envelope neck that makes dressing tiny babies and wriggly toddlers that so much easier. It's also worth mentioning that Baby Love Merino also do baby wraps that look great - they stretch to engulf any little Houdini in warmth!
You will be amazed by the colour selection of the tees - 15 colours! I dare you to try and pick just one. The pinafores are a steal at $31.95 you can buy them, along with the other pieces here at Baby Love Merino and shipping is only $6.00.
I don't know about you but I absolutely love pink and red together on a little girl (and big girl too) and the new range from Australian based The Hip Infant Basics collection covers this perfectly with their cute as a button stripey baby basic collection. The super sweet baby grows are perfect for everyday wear, ensuring a stylish look while providing the confort little babies require. Featuring an evelope neck for slipping over heads and easy access crotch poppers these funky baby grows are an essential addition to the wardrobe.
I love the handy Nighties at $29.95 in a range of colours these stylish nighties make nighttime nappy changing a breeze. They have super long cuffed sleeves that can be adjusted as baby grows or folded over to keep little mitts warm. The essential buggy blanket is a stripey statement featuring double thickness cotton jersy with contrast trim. Cool enough to throw over bubs in warmer months and warm enough to wrap babes in the cold these 90cm x 90cm blankets would make a perfect new bub gift.
The Hip Infant Basics range includes nappy covers, singlets, t-shirts and easy pants all co-ordinated in these striking stripes. The Hip Infant has a gift registry to pop these on for a new bub and are offering free delivery for forwarding two new friends to the store.
We first mentioned these adorable baby shoes in December last year and there are some gorgeous new designs we wanted to show you. Evie lala have a beautiful selection of handmade baby shoes
in unique fabrics and designs – all of which are reversible – what a
bonus! So unique are their baby shoes, they now have international
demand for their one-off designs. With a constantly changing range,
you will easily find something to suit a boy or girl, all in the
knowledge that is a true one-off designer piece.
If you do
happen to see something that you like but has already been sold, simply
email design duo Sarah and Tarsh (the sisters behind evie lala) and
they can have something similar made for you – what great customer
service! Available in sizes from 0 to 12 months. Brown Dandy Shoes, pictured above, are made with designer fabric
created by the very talented Australian artist Kristen Doran of Cheeky
Beaks.Black Trinkets Shoes, pictured above, are made with designer fabric created by the very talented local artist Shannon Lamden.
Priced at a very reasonable $34, order online. Larger sizes can be made on request. I have always been very impressed with their packaging and gift wrapping, tis all so stylish and elegant, with the use of tissue paper, buttons and ribbons to match the gift.
US label
Speesies aims to support and
protect all living things on earth and has just arrived in Australia through Mini Eco. The garments are made from 100%
organic cotton using low-impact dyes, pvc-free prints, nickel-free
snaps and no formaldehyde or dioxin.
The clothing is made by people working in ethical employment
conditions. It's interesting to read the stories behind the label and
how the owners visited their cotton growers in India and got to know
them. Every step of the processes involved in creating Speesees
clothing has been carefully considered regarding environmental impact
and the welfare of workers. Not only does Speesees boast two levels
of organic certification, they use well-paid labour, and also donate a
part of their profits to the local communities of their workers.
It's important to support brands that are willing to go that extra step in ethical and organic trade.
I've started making small changes to the way I live and what I buy so that I can be a model for my children. I'm never without
my reuseable bags these days and setting up a compost bin is next. I'm off to see what sizes they have in that lamb jacket
at Mini Eco. I'd team it with the fresh aqua seal pup body suit for a beautifully fresh winter look.
Get your Speesees at Mini Eco. The pup bodysuit is
$29.95 and the lamb jacket is $34.35 plus post with limited stock left. Be sure to check out the rest of the range!
Memories are precious. I can see my three kids squawking and chasing seagulls on the beach and gobbling fish and chips straight from the paper it's wrapped in as we watch the sun set at the Gold Coast. Now I have discovered a range of practical children's clothing that reminds me of such golden times.
Red Chalk's winter theme of scavenging animals that wait for crumbs to fall from the mouths of munching children is illustrated best by the charcoal seagull dress found at Jive Baby.
I think they're great teamed with newspaper print leggings that scream humorous headlines like 'Mice tell their tale in court' which is accompanied by a scribbling of three blind mice. Red Chalk mother and daughter duo Di and Kate Perry have produced durable and quality clothes inspired by childhood memories and original stories. Each garment has a swing tag story that parents can share with their child. All Red Chalk Australian printed and made designs are born from cut paper, poptato stamps, sticky tape, paint and silk screens. Red Chalk's blackboard designs on its website are funky but easy to follow.
I'm also loving the designer's eco label Green Chalk that uses fabrics mixed with hemp which is stronger than cotton.
