We've featured the divine designs of Cocoon Couture many times before. Gorgeous bean bags, wall tiles, height charts and various styles of bags, have been thrilling parents and children alike since its launch.
The lovely Ingrid over at Cocoon Couture has given Babyology readers an exlusive sneak peak at her very exciting new range, Monster Couture. My boys both trotted over to the computer screen when they caught sight of the images seen here from the new Monster Couture range. Adorned with the most appealing monsters ever, little people will flip for this new bean bag range in beautifully soft, stylish chunky cord.
Monster Couture bean bags will fit with edgier personal style and decor and have been designed for all cheeky little boys and girls that love to use their imagination in the spooky world of monsters. These first releases feature the new characters of Bat Star and Captain Shaggy. Stay tuned for more kooky designs.
Look out for the launch in September. We'll remind you closer to the date.
I've got two little boys who keep me running all day long, from the second they're awake to the moment their eyes close at night. I wouldn't change their vibrant, spirited natures for anything but there are days I wish they were the placid type, simply because I get so exhausted.
I had the same energy as a child and my most loved plaything was my trampoline. I was on it night and day jumping, having picnics with my teddies underneath, or just gazing at the sky and contemplating the awesomeness of the huge expanse above me. Until recently I missed that special place terribly, and wished for one for me and my boys. I have an inner city backyard, large by most standards, but I thought a trampoline would render the space unuseable. The amount of trampoline-related injuries also concerned me.
I started researching trampolines to see what was available. Friends and family had been raving about Springfree trampolines in terms of quality and safety, so I went to their website and also canvassed other brands available at retail outlets. It soon became clear Springfree were the standout and that for a bit more money, we'd have a trampoline that's the safest anywhere in the world.
Fibreglass rods are installed underneath the mat and the frame. Your child doesn't even run the risk of falling on springs because there are none. The padding found over springs of conventional trampolines and on the metal support poles can often degrade within a year or two. Springfree took padding out of the equation entirely, providing a clean, supple edge all the way to the flexible netting. In fact all of the hazards common to trampolines were eliminated, leaving one that is clean-lined, safe and of industrial quality. You will find them at playcentres and they're the only trampolines on the market endorsed by Kidsafe.
Now that ours is installed and in full use, I can honestly say our Springfree has revolutionised our home life. By adhering to the safety advice of one child on at a time, I really do get some peace and a break from running after them all day. The kids are happy, comfortable and safe, and they're expending a lot of energy and getting fitter. I have enjoyed some bounce time myself and in those moments have felt blissfully child-like again. My four-year-old and I go 'night bouncing' each night when little brother is in bed, and we star gaze, tickle and laugh on our elevated bouncy bed. Yep, it's love!
I don't know what they put in the water in New Zealand, but some amazing products continue to be designed over there and this is one of them. Check out this comparison video about why Springfree are the safest.
Choose from three sizes - two large and one small. We have the small one which goes perfectly in our compact yard - even city dwellers have a Springfree option! The large round model is $1495, the large capsule shape is $1545, and the small round trampoline is $945 plus shipping.
Springfree can arrange delivery and installation. Our trampoline was installed inside half an hour by a cheerful representative. By not having shopfronts or agents, Springfree keep the costs down, making these state of the art trampolines accessible to many. They even have layby for Christmas so jump in now and make your own payment plan!
For more technical information (of which there is plenty), please see the Springfree site. It's evident that years of research has gone into this amazing design.
I treasure the professional portraits I’ve had taken of my children. The photographers captured certain expressions and looks that are ‘so them’. However, mainstream portraits are not everyone’s style. The current trend to black and white images, portraits that are really close-up or gathering all the kids together for a photo session in the park, certainly produce beautiful results but they aren’t the only way to capture childhood moments. All Pop Art has turned portraits into art by giving candid photos a modern treatment.
Why have a standard portrait when you can have Warhol style panels of repeated images in colours that pop or a Lich style portrait that looks straight from a retro comic book? I like how the bold use of colour and strong styles make these pieces a work of art as well as family mementos. While I'd be unlikely to hang a huge photograph above the fireplace, I would certainly use a piece from All Pop Art, simply because they are so striking.
Also in the range is the Manga, or Japanese fantasy style. The playfulness and cartoon quality of the Manga portraits make them a perfect choice for kids. I particularly like the silhouettes. Whilst a silhouette portrait may sound terribly old-fashioned, the result is simple, beautiful and perfectly at home in modern decor.
To really appreciate how the designers do their magic at All Pop Art, have a look at the gallery images. There are lots of examples of the photos that were used as the starting point and the portraits that were created, giving you a good idea of the different styles and artistic treatments.
Prices for portraits vary depending on size, mounting and frames. The Warhol style portraits begin at US$120, silhouettes at US$50 and Manga style at US$135. All Pop Art delivers to Australia.
When you're a tiny munchkin, most scrapes and bumps are quickly soothed with a quick kiss and a comical plaster (if only it were so simple for adults!) If you're keen to avoid tantrums and tears, try distracting them with this cool first aid kit for kids. Ow! First Aid Cheeky Monkeys kit is just the thing for kids. Not only will they love owning their own stylish kit, it contains a forehead thermometer, plasters, wound pad and bandage, antiseptic wipes, cooling get sheet and star stickers (to credit bravery, of course).
The kit is just one of four available from Ow! First Aid. For £5.99 each, you can purchase a kit for travel, for adventure or for the home. You can order online or if you find yourself in the UK any time soon, head for Boots where they are also stocked.
Just remember the golden rule when it comes to taking off plasters. The quicker you do it, the quicker the pain subsides! I wish someone had told my mother that...
A friend on mine has the most beautiful handwriting I have ever seen. The Fontifier would be perfect her and her brood, who will no doubt grow up with the same level of fastidiousness about printing as her. Mine, not so much, but if you want to preserve your children's very first writings, get them to write on Fontifier's template print-out, then scan the sheet. Fontifier then works its magic and turns the writing into a truly original font.
It would be handy for adding that personal touch to Christmas letters and for relatives far away to have a snippet of your children's handwriting without them having to reprint every letter. The sample up there was done by Grant capturing his daughter's writing. I think it looks awesome!
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.
