Our First Photo Shoot With Babies: The Aftermath

This was about as messy as it got. I am shocked and stunned. I had anticipated a hard time keeping two little wrigglers amused and happy throughout multiple outfit changes, not to mention vaguely still.

I had a gorgeous little boy and a super cutie little girl to model, both under one. They were absolute superstars. Their mums were relaxed superstars who were so helpful. I can't believe it was lower stress than a "big kids" shoot.

I think our lovely photographer Katrina Butterworth had the hardest time trying to get the shots when the bubs were still... Sneak peak pictures soon but I can tell you the Baby range is supercool...

How To Wear It: Summer Into Winter

A lovely European customer forwarded this picture of her girl in a summer dress, adapted for cooler climes.

She says the recipe for success is "...just to add a warm long sleeve shirt, some jeans and obviously some cool boots and you're ready to go. For some additional edge just add a...let's call it a peculiar hat...:)))) Hope you like it!"

Like it? We love it - thanks!

The Brunch Dress is also fab with long sleeves and leggings under and a cardi over....

Festive Picks for the Girls

I love it when a customer asks me to help them out - in this case, a lovely Dubai customer asked for some festive ideas. Here's what I came up with for girls, from top to bottom:

Tea Party Dress Cherry $39

Brunch Dress Retro Sundae $39

Boho Skirt Red $35

Lunch With Gran Dress $45

Little Lady Wrap Dress $45

While You're Counting Down To Christmas, Here's Where We're Off To!

People keep laughing when I saw we're having Christmas in Egypt. I guess they're not obvious partners.

As most of you know, we're on the move back to Australia. I simply cannot return without visiting the pyramids.

When we've finally packed up our house and moved into our Aunty Ollie office, we'll start getting really excited!

I predict lots of existential discussions with Miss 6 about death and mummification. We already have discussed it this week. She says she'd like to be a mummy. I said I thought it would we weird to have people looking at me in 1000s of years. To which she said - Mummy, be happy and proud of who you are... Thanks dear

And Father Christmas knows we're moving so will visit a little later this year. Ah, the pressure is off!

Sad Day: Giving Things Away

I am all melancholy after a short session sorting through the little kids' clothes.

I found this picture I took over two years ago while we were waiting for them to come home. All so new and cute and small. And slightly daggy but hey, this is where Aunty Ollie sprang from...

All of it given to friends except for one or two things for sentimental reasons.

Please, can you stop growing up so fast my babies?

Highlights from Mr Titanium Head's Dinosaur Party

I always feel like I've passed an exam when a child's birthday party is done and dusted. Aahhh.

The cake: number 4 with some dinosaurs. This was a mum + kids creation. I am happy that they'll definitely be able to make the trickiest cakes in the AWW book by the time they are parents! They love to decorate the cake but we are still learning about less is more...

The party bags: great little inexpensive puzzles from new Dubai online toy shop http://www.sandypants.com/, a couple of sweets and a plastic dinosaur, all in a cool little fabric bag. Methinks that will be my party signature...Always well received and I see the kids with them afterwards for a loooong time.

The activity: digging for dinosaur bones and sweets at the beach. Great entertainment for small kids who can't handle much in the way of party games.

The birthday boy. Well happy.

Now that's done, the teenager is having an unknown number of friends to sing her fish happy birthday and go to see Twilight today. The deal was that we didn't have to do very much...Apart from drive and pay for things. Of course!

And the Winner Is...

Thank you for your patience - I've sprained my back and been really out of action.

The winner of our Facebook fan competition is Ms S from South Australia - who has selected a gorgeous Winter Tea Party Dress which is now on its way!

And as for the winner of our little Aunty Ollie fans competition for US$200 to spend online. Oh my. It has been so hard to decide but I've decided to split the prize between a gorgeous girl and a very handsome boy - see their pictures here. There were so many other cuties, thank you for entering! I'll get in touch with the lucky mums of these two tonight! Thanks for playing with us...