Baby Skin

My baby is now 9.5 months old. I love his chubby rolls. I love kissing his chubby cheeks and stroking his face as he lies in my arms.

When my eldest was born the midwife insisted that I didn't wash him for 3 days. As a first time mum I did whatever I was told (well, there were a few things that I raised my eyebrows at - but lets not go there!!). She told me not to use the (insert brand) baby wash that was in the bottom of the baby trolley. I was given the name of a brand of soap that she insisted was the only one that she believed was good enough to put on this precious soft skin. Mrs Beales was a great natural soap but was very hard to find.

When Henry was born last October I used Billie Goat Soap Soak. The water felt beautiful even running my hand through it checking the temperature. Compare the ingredients to what you will find on your typical supermarket bought baby wash. It says that one sachet lasts approx 4 baths, but I made it last at least 10.

Ingredients: Powdered goat's milk, colloidal oatmeal (avena sativa kernel flour), cocoa butter (Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter), Epsom salts (Magnesium Sulfate), Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (mild preservative), tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Now that he is a little older I use the bath wash which I also use for mr 6 and miss 3. It goes on beautifully and my kids have never had issues with their skin.

I'll have 3 of those....

My husband is a wonderful person. I love him to bits. Infact, he is the one who comes up with some of our best ideas.

He looks at our orders each day and noticed one come through this week that surprised him. The customer had bought three of each Alimrose product. I understood why. He presumed they were gifts. I knew that the customer is a fan of Alimrose and knows that their products are limited editions. Once the fabric runs out there is no more of that doll, bunny, rattle etc. I should know, I have missed out on a few of my favourite designs!

I also knew that this mummy was buying them for her daughter knowing that once attached to a favourite friend, if that friend ever gets lost or accidently destroyed, then it can be handy for her twin to be hanging around in the cupboard waiting for her chance to be cuddled. Sounds like something out of Toy Story doesn't it!!

Flatout

Isn't the name FLATout a great name for a teddy bear?! He is flat. He is flatout being cuddled and carried around. Too cute. What else is too cute are these photos:

My kids love their Flatout bears. Thomas (6) has the Flatout koala who he calls Kenny. He uses him as a pillow. It reminds him of a holiday that we had where there were koalas in the street where we were staying. Milly has Rosie because she is pink (of course!) and Henry ... well Henry has yet to be given one. Maybe this Christmas. I am yet to decide on a colour. Maybe the chocolate. ..

All wrapped up ...

One of the many things I love about this job is the gift wrapping. There is the writing of the cute / fun / cheeky / beautiful messages that customers want sent - that is a lovely job but before any of that can happen - the gift wrap has to be purchased and that is my job. Lucky me!

Today was one of the days that I got to buy wrapping paper but it was so hard choosing!! I deliberately choose one roll at a time so that we get to have a new one every couple of months. This was our last design which I loved and not sick of yet:

And this is our brand new design:

Can you see the theme emerging ... blossoms ... pink & chocolate brown :)

Some others that I came a very close 2nd and 3rd:

Aren't they delicious!

Here is our kids design - tied up with gorgeous orange ribbon....

and here is the one that I would love to use next - but probably won't. I am hopeless for anything London ...

[new product] S-K-W-I-S-H

I love saying SKWISH - it is fabulous! Skwish Skwish Skwish Skwish Skwish. Aren't words great?

My kids are rather lucky to have relatives who travel around the globe and bring them back great toys which we then track down and bring to you! This one can be Skwished, rattled and rolled...

Thank you S, L & M for this one :)

Moveables TM

It is no secret that I LOVE Little Chipipi wall stickers. Milly has the butterfly design in her bedroom and I will often find her re arranging the butterflies according to where she thinks they should be. Part of me inwardly grrrs because I like them to be a certain way, but outwardly I am proud of her and ask her why they are where they are ... "to be with her friends, Mummy".

Sam has changed the Little Chipipi name to Moveables TM for this reason - they are moveable and kids can enjoy them being on their walls and a piece of moveable art. Hey, they are only young once!

How beautiful are these images! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

To read our earlier interview with Sam, click here

It's a pink thing...

My husband works in the automotive industry - big, blokey 4WD type of automotive. A far cry from the beautiful products found in Mummy's Favourite! We have had more new cars in the 12.5 years we have been married than most people would have in a lifetime. As long as mine is silver and clean inside and out I am happy. I am even happy to drive a manual :)

But a pink car - now that would be fun! When I saw these I fell in love instantly. What little girl wouldn't love one of these by Automoblox (there are other colours for the boys). They are much larger than I anticipated and beautifully crafted. I am just a little tempted to pop one on my desk ...

Q & A with Renna from Mum to Be

Mum to Be products are scrumptious! I love that pregnant women can use products with confidence that they are safe for both them and baby. Renna has been trying to convince me to use the candle as a "candle & hand lotion, dip your finger in the residue and rub your hands, cuticles and feet!". She did suggest that my hubby does the feet :) Until this morning I had no idea that soy wax doesn't get hot. I love learning new things & I am off to try my candles wax as a hand cream now. Apparently it is great for men as an after shave moisturiser!!

How long have you been running your business? Launched March 2008 after 2 years of product research and development.

What were you doing prior to your current venture? Full time mum & a part time Real Estate Agent

If you had to choose your favourite product from your range, what would it be & why? I just love making and using my 100% natural soy candles. I think it is one of my main products that everyone can enjoy, and a perfect gift for someone that has everything....

What do you do to relax? I love to soak in my bath every night before bed with my relaxing melon & cucumber candle & cucumber face mask on. Just a quite, relaxing and calm way to close a busy day.

If you were able to go wherever you wanted to this weekend, where would it be? If anywere and it was possible I would love to go back to paris for just a weekend and watch the city from the Eieffel tower with an unlimited credit card for shopping afterwards...:)

What was the last thing that you purchased? Hmmm for my 2 year old I purchased this beautiful cute and decorated skivvy and let me think.. my last purchase for my self was a beautiful oversized mustard leather bag from Escada, love it!

Who lives at your place? My handsome loving husband Paul, my 2 beautiful daughters Izel (15) and Melissa (2) with our hairy pet beagle son lui (5).

Q & A with Camilla from Tummy Tie

I love receiving emails from Australian women who have a new product that they want us to sell. Camilla's email along with the photos of her product convinced me immediately that the Tummy Tie will transform pregnant womens lives (well, that of their wardrobes which is an important factor!). I love the photo of the pregnant belly. I love being pregnant and I want to rub the tummy in the Tummy Tie picture. In saying that, I have never rubbed another woman's pregnant tummy. Personal space is a good thing!

How long have you been running your business? almost 4 years in the making with patents, Trademarks, graphic & web design, sourcing a reputable manufacturer etc; but 3 weeks since the stock arrived! so I have a solid foundation on which to move forward.

What were you doing prior to your current venture? I'm a wife & mother of one beautiful girl who is almost 3, prior to that I've done a few different things all customer focused. Fashion store manager for many years since finishing university, Sales rep, & a beautician for a few years until I had my daughter in 2006. I just love being around people and sales oriented roles.

If you had to choose your favourite product from your range, what would it be & why? We only have the TummyTie & I love it because it is discreet, simple, comfortable, super effective and a very affordable solution to every pregnant woman's growing tummy!

What do you do to relax? in my non-work time I stay in my pyjama's and play with my daughter; we love to read, paint, play puzzles & instruments and watch movies. on the weekends we like to chill out around the house as a family maybe have a BBQ, read the papers & play in the garden - its the simple things & spending time together that we enjoy most.

If you were able to go wherever you wanted to this weekend, where would it be? Probably to a warm beach somewhere up north with my family.

What was the last thing that you purchased? very boring, but marketing material last night online :)

Who lives at your place? me, my husband our daughter and our dog (who was a pre-wedding present from my husband, and is very much a part of our family)

Q & A with the girls behind b.box

We have only been selling b.box for a few weeks and we have been blown away by the response we have had to them. They are a fabulous concept, very well made and of course, the girls behind them are Australian mums!

How long have you been running your business? Dannielle and Monique have been friends for 10 years and joined forces two years ago to create b.box, which launched to the market in May 09.

What were you doing prior to your current venture? Monique was an expert in operations, risk management and finance. Dannielle was a copywriter and strategic communications adviser.

If you had to choose your favourite product from your range, what would it be & why? Well, b.box is our first product and we love all the gorgeous colours and designs. The thing we love most about b.box is the easy access to wipes and the fact that it fits into any handbag. We’ve reclaimed so many handbags – it was like going shopping again in your own closet.

What do you do to relax? Thanks, we knew there was something we needed to add to our to do list.

If you were able to go wherever you wanted to this weekend, where would it be? To a secluded island with our families. Good food, wine and absolutely no phones, Blackberries or computers.

What was the last thing that you purchased? Dress ups for our little princesses

Who lives at your place? Monique lives with her husband Rohan and two girls, Jasmine (3yo) and Tara (1yo). Dannielle lives with her husband Ben and two girls, Noa (5yo) and Sofia (2yo)

[at home] sounds of childhood

Life can be strange can't it. I worked in a nursing home whilst at uni. I remember being told each and every shift by someone aged 90 + that they don't feel their age. That they may look 97, they may depend on help from others but their minds were still 18, 27 .... I loved my time there. It was such a privilege caring for the men and women who called the aged care facility home. I now understand what they were saying. I am 33. I love being 33. I love that I have had 33 birthdays and hopefully will have another 67! But where have they gone!!

Scents can take you to another place - the scent of my sons antibiotics for a middle ear infection tonight made me remember having it on a spoon. Thomas dancing to Thriller today made my leg count in the beats before my year five dance version took over!

The sound of lego being poured out of its box (or cube as we called it when younger) takes me home playing with my brothers and sister on the floor of our holiday home on the Central Coast. I loved designing the homes, not so much into the trains etc. I loved those plastic flowers!

If you have been reading this blog for a while you will know that I love kids shoes. Lego have released a range of their own shoes. I am not sure if they are what I imagined lego shoes to look like but they are cool all the same :)

Q & A with Georgie from Beep Beep Slings

Georgie Armstrong is the mum of six gorgeous kids and the designer of the BEAUTIFUL beep beep slings. She is an amazing! Oh, I wish I knew about these 10 months ago when Henry was born!

How long have you been running your business? 2 years

What were you doing prior to your current venture?
Full time mum, part time graphic designer, part time singing teacher (from home)

If you had to choose your favourite product from your range, what would it be & why?
Well, it's top secret. One of our newest designs to be released in the next week or so"Taiko."

What do you do to relax? Relaxation? I've heard of that...

If you were able to go wherever you wanted to this weekend, where would it be?
I'm actually very happy right here for now... but Greece is definately on the cards for 2 years from now when my babies are older.

What was the last thing that you purchased?
A gorgeous pair of Italian leather boots for Mollie (11yo) reduced from $200 to $50! bargain

Who lives at your place?Josh (husband) Georgie, Mollie 11, Tobias 9, Bonnie 7, Charlotte 4, Poppy & Sadie 20months (identical twins)

[success!]

Sent a tummy tie to my sister in law when she posted on facebook issues with her jeans now that she is pregnant :) ie they were no longer fitting.

Today I received an email from her saying that she is wearing her favourite jeans again today. Yay!

[new product] Mum to Be range

One of the many bonuses of this job is the 'hard' task of sampling many yummy products. My favourite for this week is the delicious candle pictured above. Mum to Be have 3 pregnant mummy friendly soy candles. The japanese grapefruit fragrance is my favourite. Although ask me tomorrow and I might say the baby powder. Sunday and it will be melon & cucumber. They are fabulously fragrant and burn beautifully.

My husband who thankfully can appreciate a candle, gave this one the thumbs up. Yay! :)

[instore] b.box

At the beginning of the year we were contacted by the designers of bbox. Here is a snippet of their letter:

"On behalf of b.box for kids, I’m excited to introduce you to our innovative new product - b.box® - the essential baby box. b.box® is the go everywhere change system that fits into your lifestyle and your handbag! Unlike other nappy wallets on the market, it’s the first all-in-one system made from durable polypropylene plastic, so it holds its compact shape, even when fully packed. It’s practical and stylish and is a must have item in every nappy bag, handbag, stroller and car. It also makes the ideal baby gift."

We were convinced and now having b.box on our shelves, we know that they are true to their word! What we are also loving? That they are another Australian mum design. Woo hoo :)

Q & A with Dione from Fish lilly

Hanging the washing out the other day I stood back and smiled at the site of all of Henry's clothes, wraps and towels on the line. It looked fabulous and I enjoyed the light coloured, soft fabrics flapping about in the breeze. One day it will be full of rugby jerseys that have spent hours soaking in buckets before being washed!

One of the wraps was a Fish lilly giraffe print. It matches Sophie! Henry is 8.5months now, is still wrapped when I settle him for a sleep and despite being a big big healthy boy, the Fish lilly wrap covers him and holds him snug!

Today we meet Dione, the super sweet and chic designer from Melbourne, Australia.

How long have you been running your business?Since nov 2005

What were you doing prior to your current venture?Juggling between an interior designer and mum to two girls

If you had to choose your favourite product from your range, what would it be & why?Always loved the cowboy hats and boots design – a bit quirky and i am originally from the country!!

What do you do to relax? I love to read...watch the waves at the beach....cuddles with my girls....and paint a picture

If you were able to go wherever you wanted to this weekend, where would it be?A beautiful beach resort....anywhere really!!

What was the last thing that you purchased?For my girls i bought some beautiful clothes from my friend Fiona at Monstar clothing; for me....I have to think about this!! My last big purchase was probably a nancy bird handbag a few months ago...which i just love!!

Who lives at your place?My beautiful husband Craig, my gorgeous girls, Madeline who is eight years old Bronte who is five.

[in store] bruno

I don't think I have ever seen so much publicity for a movie before as this past week for Bruno. When I first heard the title of the movie, I instantly thought of the soft cuddly blue teddy that my son adores that I came across in a giftstore in Pukekohe, NZ whilst pregnant and now sell in our store. Just a little different to Sascha Baron Cohen's creation!!

[Behind The Scenes] Express Post

Up until now we have been using the express post satchels when a customer needs a gift urgently. I am very pleased that now we offer this on all parcels under 500g at no extra charge. Express Post has been integrated into our tradional eparcel service. Australia Post offers a fantastic and efficient service. We work very hard at finding ways of keeping the postal charge to our customers at a minimum without compromising on the service.

[sharing] Miss Scarlett

Sometimes new ideas and services come across our inbox that we must must share. www.missscarlett.com.au is a fabulous email invitation service from Karen Miles who wrote our popular the real baby book you need at 3am. Beautiful designs, clever girl!

[new product] Cocoon Couture Wall Art

Those clever girls over at Cocoon Couture keep on producing stunning and fun designs as well as completely new products. Their wall art falls into all of those categories. Made from lovely timber, these wall arts come with repositional stickers so that children can rearrange and create the own piece of artwork. Fabulous!

[new product] Beep Beep Slings

I love stylish baby slings. It might have to do with the fact that none of mine were content in a pram as newborns so I carried them everywhere. It did make life a lot easier. I remember the day that I first carried my now 6 year old in one and suddenly felt like a free woman - getting out the door was a reality - until then a crying baby hindered any shopping trip! I even put the washing on the line with him snuggled into me.

Beep Beep Baby Slings are fabulous.

[new product] Il Tutto Nappy Bags

It seems wrong to call these Nappy Bags. They are beautiful mummy totes. Stunning. Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts and Sarah Murdoch all have one. The owner /designer of Il Tutto Lucie was the Head of Design at Oroton. Enough said.

[new product] Tummy Tie

It has been a busy few weeks here & this blog has been a little neglected. For good reason though - instead we have been uploading lots of new products and there are still more to go. On top of that, I have been playing with some of the various 'looks' on the site. I hope you like them :)

When Camilla, the creator of Tummy Tie contacted us I placed an order straight away. These are a pregnancy must have. It is one of those products that should be the first thing you buy, for that day that you wake up and discover that the favourite jeans no longer fit! This is an issue that I faced back in 2002 when I got dressed ready to join my friends at a holiday home at North Avoca Beach. My waistline had rapidly expanded overnight and not one pair of jeans fit. I improvised with an elastic but I spent that whole day worried that it would snap or be exposed!!

It also won't break the bank at only $16.95. Find them here