hiplittleone

May 022013
 

Bean and Me

When our little lady arrived 10 weeks ago she surprised us all by weighing in much heavier and measuring a massive 5cm taller than her siblings did. She is still a tall baby and that is proving to be quite tricky when it comes to clothes, I can’t go just by age anymore as the garments would be too short for her. The lovely Rochelle at Bean and Me fully understands that every baby is different which is why she carefully measures every single piece of clothing in her webstore just so that you can shop with confidence, how awesome is that?

Wilson & Frenchy PinkBean and Me is a gorgeous store filled with a fantastic range of eco friendly, Australian brands handpicked by Rochelle. As a mum she knows to look for excellent quality, style and fit and she loves supporting local businesses and the environment, a fabulous combination. She is the queen of customer service, delivering friendly and fast service and happy to answer any questions. Australian mamas near Clayfield, Brisbane, can also meet Rochelle in person at the Rock a Buy Boutique Markets.

Wilson & Frenchy OwlOne of those popular Australian brands in store is Melbourne based Wilson & Frenchy, their garments are flying of the virtual Bean and Me shelves. The soft cotton pieces feature unique hand illustrated prints, how cute is this Wilson & Frenchy Owl Top ($26.95)? If you are shopping for a sweet little munchkin make sure you check out the Wilson & Frenchy range, designed for boys and girls and available in sizes 0000-0.

BabyjoThe beautiful bamboo clothing and accessories by Australian label Babyjo have only just arrived in store but are already selling like hot cakes. The organic bamboo/cotton fabric is so soft and comfy, it’s perfect for delicate newborn skin. The neutral colours of the Babyjo Footed Kimono Romper ($29.95) make it suitable for both genders and I think my little girl looks pretty adorable wearing it, no cold feet for her this winter!

Babyjo Footed Kimono Romper

Babyjo Footed Kimono Romper

Until May 31, 2013, Hip little one readers can enjoy 10% off storewide at Bean and Me, simply enter the code ‘HIP’ at checkout.

To find out more about Bean and Me, to browse the range and to order online visit www.beanandme.com.au.

For your chance to win a Wilson & Frenchy garment of your choice visit www.beanandme.com.au and answer the following question: Which Wilson & Frenchy product would you choose if you were to be our lucky winner?

Submit your answer by leaving a comment below, your email address will not be published.

If you really want to win you can earn up to ten additional entries, please leave separate comments for each entry:

Competition ends June 2, 2013. Sorry, Australian entries only. By entering you agree to our Terms & Conditions.

May 012013
 

Mini Treasure KidsMini Treasure Kids
What? 25% off storewide
How? Enter the code ‘TAKE25′ at checkout
When? Until May 3, 2013
Where? www.mtkboutique.com

Baobab
What? Save 40-50% Specials & Sets
How? Prices as marked
When? Until May 3, 2013
Where? www.baobab.com.au

My Cute Baby Clothing
What? All Smafolk shirts $25
How? Prices as marked
When? Until May 3, 2013
Where? www.mycutebabyclothing.com.au

Raindrops & Roses
What? 25% off storewide
How? Enter the code ‘SALE25′ at checkout
When? Until May 7, 2013
Where? www.raindropsandroses.com.au

La Mode BebeLa Mode Bebe
What? 50% off organic cotton collection
How? Enter the code ‘hipdisc’ at checkout
When? Until May 31, 2013
Where? www.lamodebebe.com

Silver Cross
What? Up to 53% off selected Silver Cross strollers and prams
How? Prices as marked
When? Until further notice
Where? www.silvercross.com.au

Apr 302013
 

Microsoft Word - Dokument1

Two weeks of school holidays is a long time when you are four. While we had lots of fun and did plenty of nice things together the twins are very happy to go back to kindy today and I’m glad they love it there. One of the biggest hits these holidays was this Little Town Puzzle ($19.95) by Bamboletto, the kids can’t get enough of it. In fact, it pretty much lives on our kitchen table as someone is always playing with it.

bamboletto puzzle 22 - Copy

bamboletto little townjpgThe talented designers behind Bamboletto, a Polish husband and wife team, have done an amazing job creating a puzzle that is beautiful, fun and challenging at the same time. The twins (4) and I have had many great chats while exploring all the different buildings, houses, shapes and colours, there is lots to see in this Little Town. The attention to detail is just divine, it is so much nicer when every puzzle piece is interesting in itself, not just some vague shapes that only come together in the end.

The gorgeous Anastasia (daughter of Coccinella owner Renata) loves Bamboletto too

The gorgeous Anastasia (daughter of Coccinella owner Renata) loves Bamboletto too

Bird and TreeThe Little Town puzzle has 60 pieces, a good size for our twins but too difficult for miss 2. She didn’t mind though as she had her own Bamboletto puzzle to play with, the Bird and Tree Puzzle ($19.95) which is actually two puzzles in one box (1x 12 pieces/ 1x 8 pieces). The puzzles are made with strong, thick cardboard for extra durability and come in a handy box for storage. You can find these and other Bamboletto puzzles in store at Coccinella.

To find out more about Coccinella, to browse the Bamboletto range and to order online visit www.coccinella.com.au.

For your chance to win a Bamboletto puzzle of your choice (subject to availability) visit www.coccinella.com.au and answer the following question: Which Bamboletto puzzle would you choose if you were to be our lucky winner?

Submit your answer by leaving a comment below, your email address will not be published.

If you really want to win you can earn up to ten additional entries, please leave separate comments for each entry:

Competition ends May 30, 2013. Sorry, Australian entries only. By entering you agree to our Terms & Conditions.

Apr 292013
 

Maileg

With four young children in our house we have a big supply of toys. We have the smaller, cheaper kind of toys that they play with for a while until they break and end up in the bin or they go to op-shop. We also have a few beautiful, bigger toys that are a bit of investment but are made to last and hopefully will be enjoyed for a long time, like the wooden play kitchen and the teepee. If you are looking for a toy to fit that last category and want something truly original I have found the most stunning addition for your child’s nursery or playroom:

Maileg-Circus-Toys

maileg-lionDanish designer brand Maileg creates divine toys for tiny people (a bit for big people too), I have been dreaming of the My Little Circus collection ever since I first saw it. The attention to detail is just amazing and little eyes and hands will love exploring the gorgeous mix of colours, fabrics and textures. Lions and elephants, clowns and acrobats, all your favourite circus artists are ready to perform in the gorgeous striped circus tent.

maileg-circus-tentYou can find the My Little Circus collection in store at Tiny People and all the different components are sold separately so you can build your circus as your child grows. To give you a better idea: the Maileg Circus Tent measures a generous 47cm high, so it is a decent size. I know my kids (and I) would love to use this for story telling/pretend play and I can see how it would make a very unique keepsake for later too. I think I better start saving!

To find out more about Tiny People, to take a closer look at the Maileg My Little Circus collection and to order online visit www.tinypeople.com.au.

Apr 282013
 

Safety 1st

With the kids going back to school tomorrow many parents will be cleaning out backpacks, checking lunchboxes and ironing the school clothes. If your child has grown a lot last term it is not only time for a new school uniform, it is also time to give the car restraint a big checkover.

Troy Jones, well known from the Being Dad book, DVD’s and movies, has stepped up as Safety Dad and will be sharing his hot tips and tricks for travelling with children on the Safety 1st Facebook page. If your child’s safety is important to you make sure you give this page the thumbs up, it could just save a precious life!

Before you put your kids in the car for tomorrow’s school run please go through the following checklist:

S1_Car Restraint Checklist

Apr 272013
 

Mum's Night In

I don’t know about you but I always look forward to Mother’s Day, much more than to my own birthday. This year it will be my 5th Mother’s Day and the first one with our little baby Sybil. Yes the days of staying out late, weekends away and going out for dinner are over but I don’t mind, I love being at home with my beautiful family and wouldn’t change it for the world. Instead of going out we have a lovely meal at home and enjoy a relaxing movie on the couch, the perfect ‘Night In’.

To help you relax on your next ’night in’ we have four great new movie releases to give away:

People Like UsIn ‘People Like Us’ Sam’s father suddenly dies and Sam is left with a bag full of money to give to a woman he doesn’t know. As he didn’t care much for his parents anyway he is tempted to keep the money himself but first he decides to find out who the woman is. It turns out he has a half sister and a nephew he never knew about and without telling her the truth he finds a way into her life. Over time he starts to like her, but is it to late to tell her who he really is? And will he keep the money?

Celeste and Jesse ForeverCeleste and Jesse are in the middle of a divorce but they are still best friends, do everything together and all is going well, until they start seeing other people… When Jesse’s new fling falls pregnant he decides to give the new relationship his best shot and Celeste is struggling to accept that what they had is really over. It seems that saying goodbye is the only option, or is there a way for it to be ‘Celeste and Jesse Forever’ after all?

Now Is GoodA little warning: if you are a sleep deprived, emotional, hormonal mess like me get out the tissue box when watching ‘Now is Good’. Teenager Tessa is terminally ill and determined to make the most of the time she has left. While Tessa is busy ticking off her bucket list her family tries to come to terms with the upcoming goodbye. Then she falls in love with new neighbour Adam, which is both sad and happy at the same time. The best moment is when he makes her wish of becoming famous come true.

Won't Back DownWhen Mum Jamie and teacher Nona feel let down by an outdated, unsupportive school system they decide to join forces in an attempt to make a difference and change the school for the better. Not everything goes smoothly and at times giving up would be much easier but quitting is not an option when it comes to your child’s future. These two strong women ‘Won’t Back Down’ until they reach their goal.

For your chance to win a fabulous movie pack containing these 4 titles on DVD enter the following question: How do you and your hubby love spending your one-on-one time?

Submit your answer by leaving a comment below, your email address will not be published.

If you really want to win you can earn up to ten additional entries, please leave separate comments for each entry:

Competition ends May 27, 2013. Sorry, Australian entries only. By entering you agree to our Terms & Conditions.

Apr 262013
 

Little Bento Shop

Sadly the rain kept us stuck inside on quite a few days these holidays and after a while the familiar books, games and puzzles got a little boring. It may have been raining outside but inside we were nice and warm, so I decided to bring some outside fun indoors and put together an inside picnic. With school going back next week it was the perfect opportunity to try out a real Bento lunch and although we will clearly need some more practice (and a fuller fridge) the kids loved it!

Our first try at a Bento lunch, a lot left to learn!

Our first try at a Bento lunch, a lot left to learn!

Bento Lunch Box CatTo create our Bento lunch we used some products from Little Bento Shop, a gorgeous Australian online store run by mum Yvette (or should I call her ‘expert Bento lunch maker’?). In store you’ll find a fabulous selection of products that will help you make the most fabulous Bento style lunches for your kids. Once you’ve seen Yvette’s creations you will be determined never to serve your child a boring lunch anymore. A good Bento lunch starts with the basics: a cute lunchbox with different compartments.

Sandwich CuttersMy kids are quite traditional eaters and love sandwiches so they really enjoyed transforming their ordinary slices into different animals with these CuteZCute Sandwich Cutters ($12.50). You can make a pig, frog, cat and panda shape with just one kit, almost enough for a different animal every weekday! Cutting through the bread is really easy and you can use the little panda stick to add details and to poke out the small bits that get stuck.

Egg MoldsI thought creating those adorable bunny shaped eggs would be really tricky but it was actually super simple, I will definitely do this more often. Simply hard boil an egg like usual and peel while still hot (under the tap so your fingers don’t burn), then pop it into the Bunny Egg Mold ($6.95 for a set of two different molds) and that’s it! Once cooled your egg will come out in the shape of your choice, there are lots of different shapes to choose from.

Food PicksThe great thing about the Bento movement is that it inspires parents to create unique meals for their children that are both fun and healthy at the same time. The kids added some fruit to their lunch boxes with these sweet Little Duck Family Food Picks ($6.95, 10 picks per set). All we had that day was apple and pear but that didn’t bother them in the slightest and it did look really adorable.

To help you create fabulous Bento lunches for your kids this term Hip Little One readers can enjoy 15% off storewide at Little Bento Shop. Simply enter the code ‘hiplittleone’ at checkout, offer ends May 11, 2013.

To find out more about Little Bento Shop, to browse the range and to order online visit www.littlebentoshop.com.