Aunty Ollie: A Little Bit of Lovely

Psssst.... come closer you...

2012-01-09T21:00:00.000+11:00

Hey you. Yeah you at the computer. Come a little closer, I gotta secret for ya.
The blog is moving and has a great new name Mrs Quince's Business

Go on, check it out. Under construction but posting has started. Go on, go!

Peace & Love

2011-12-23T11:02:00.000+11:00

From our families to yours, have a peaceful, restful holiday season.

Thank you for supporting us through 2011 and we look forward to a cracking 2012!

Through your support, we've been able to send some big boxes of lovely new clothes to our friends at All As One in Sierra Leone.

We're going off air for a while. Today it's some homemade gifts, perfecting roast potatoes, rum ball batch #3 and Bing Crosby on repeat. Back in a fresh new year.

Peace and love and here's to 2012 xxx

Mr T: 6 Year Old Birthday Boy Interview

2011-12-18T22:29:00.001+11:00

Mr T turned 6 this month. Awwww. I love the idea of these little interviews to remember the little details that get blurred in time. Introducing Mr T...

What is your favorite book?
Transformers. [Is that a book? Yes, do you mean a colouring book?]

What is your favorite craft?

Christmas stuff and decorating the Christmas tree.

What is your favorite thing to wear?

These cool clothes, these ones. [For the record: skinny jeans and Quince T]

What is your favourite colour?

Brown

What is your favourite sweet?

Candy cane

What is your favorite song?

Lady Gaga, Justin Beaver (sic), Tonight's Going to be a Good Night, I'm Sexy and I Know It (aagh!)

What is your favorite animal?
Tiger, cheetah, lion

What do you love?
Food.

What is your favorite movie?
Puss In Boots. But you haven't seen it. I know but I want to.

What do you want for your birthday?

A Transformer.

What is your favorite flavour of ice cream?

Vanilla

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Uh, a teaching runner and a sumo wrestler and catching a tiger. and doing kung fu. and I'm going to be a policeman and Im going to be a fixer to fix houses and I'm gonna be a builder and a light fixer.

Yes

And I'm going to go underwater and catch a lion, I mean a shark. A swimmer teacher and drive a boat. And I'm going to be a boss of a house and a boss of a shop. and a supermarket and i'm going to be an artist. and make a light and a celing. that's all.

What did you learn this year?
Ummm. Reading.

What's been fun this year?
Movies. When we went to disneyland and paris and england. thats all

What do you think being 6 will be like?
Nice. Because I'm so big now!

Mr T played Bert in his Kindergarten end of year mini concert: Mary Poppins....
He was fab of course and now does a mean dance with a broom

You are so big now Mr T, we love you x

How To Eat Ice Cream

2011-12-18T21:40:00.000+11:00

Goodness me, lady...

Wow. Look at that icecream.

If I look cute, can I have some...

There is no way this is ever going back. Attack. Inhale. TAKE. NO PRISONERS.

Throw your prize aside when you spot a bigger one.

New Stockist: Baby Bebe Boutique

2011-12-18T21:37:00.000+11:00

We're very pleased to welcome the gorgeous Baby Bebe Boutique as a new stockist, with pieces from our AW11/12 range. Owner Katherine has within the last month had a little baby girl, how on earth she has managed to launch an online shop at the same time I have no idea!

She has a lovely selection of winter layers here: www.babybebeboutique.co.uk and here on Facebook.

Inaugural Stockist Interview: Julia from Chocolate Freckles

2011-12-11T19:58:00.003+11:00

One of the loveliest parts of my business is the relationships formed with the retailers we supply: we are lucky to work with some really inspiring people. I thought you might like to get to know some of the great places that stock our label. And I know many of you have aspirations to run your own business - so many of us do, whether fulfilled or latent, so I'm hoping that these will be inspiring for you!

Julia Mendola from Chocolate Freckles, in Melbourne's Essendon, was one of our very first stockists and we have worked together now for a couple of years. I know for sure that most labels consider Julia a favourite, she is a gorgeous person full of energy and optimism and her shop is just as lovely as she is. Thanks Julia for being our first interview subject!

Tell us about Chocolate Freckles? I set out to create a little haven full of colour and lots of interesting things that couldn’t be found other than in online stores. I feel it’s a happy and unique place to be.

Where does the name Chocolate Freckles come from? From my brainstorming of all things child related…I love eating them and so do my kids..voila!

How long have you been running Chocolate Freckles? Just over 2 years now.

What do you like most about running your business? Seeing new ranges, meeting people and them coming back to tell me how pleased they are with their purchases!

Least? Doing books, paperwork, putting orders together and budgeting..bad at it, very bad!

What makes a successful businesswoman? I think just being willing to take risks, stay focused and keep up to date with new things are what has so far worked for me. Also I think excellent customer service is exceptionally important.

What are the biggest challenges you face? Economic concerns and peoples spending habits and also balancing work and children.

Hopes and dreams for your shop? I would like for the shop to grow into an online business and I hope that it reaches a point where I can pull back from the day to day running a little more.

How do you balance life? It is very difficult! But I try to keep a daily routine as much as possible..Though I always think it is just important to adapt to life changes quickly so that they soon seem normal. I make sure the weekends are for the children.

If I weren’t running this business, I’d be…In my dreams I would be in the legal field but I need the Degree first! (In between running her business and parenting her two little ones, Julia has recently commenced a Law degree!)

What did you want to be when you grew up? Always wanted to be a Solicitor…all I can remember wanting. Am not there yet but I hope to be in the (very) long term future!

What do you do when you’re not at work? Hang out with children, friends, go out for dinner, movies. Study!

You can take 5 things to a desert island, what are they?
1. Wine
2. Computer
3. Iphone
4. Chocolate
5. OK..better say my children!

Today I am thinking about…Christmas Shopping!

Wearing…Jeans, wedges and a new Country Road T-shirt

Listening to…Michael Buble Christmas CD

Talking to…Customers, good friends, mum etc!

Dreaming about…That desert island you asked me about!!

Chocolate Freckles, 194 buckley street essendon vic 3040 03 9004 5241

Images from babyology's gorgeous feature on Julia and Chocolate Freckles.
Click here for more lovely pictures...

New Stockist: Flourish

2011-12-06T21:33:00.000+11:00

If you have ever worked in Sydney city and have an eye for beautiful things, you will know the beautiful store, Flourish, that has been just next to Australia Square as long as I can remember.

Some very exciting things to note: they have just moved premises to
Flourish Flower Merchants
Shop 5, Deutsche Bank Place
126 Phillip St
Sydney

And they stock a select range of kids clothing and we've just sent off a big bundle of our Summer range!

If you are a cityslicker, do drop in and tell them Aunty Ollie sent you!

Superhero Party!

2011-12-04T10:03:00.000+11:00

Without doubt one of the most fun parties we've organised to date... So easy to make really graphic. Mr T is 6 next week so we celebrated in superhero style and all the kids got into it. Awesome...

Making Stuff

2011-11-29T22:32:00.000+11:00

No matter the busyness of the week, we love making stuff here. Mr T made this robot totally solo. And the doily wreath was inspired by something I saw in a magazine but adapted. Can't wait til December 1 to put it on the door!!

Have you been making anything?

The Weekend

2011-11-27T22:07:00.000+11:00

After a few weekends that were a bit meh, finally a weekend lovely in it's normalness.

A day of baking and party bag stuffing and making things super hero inspired in preparation for Mr T's superhero birthday party next weekend.

My baking assistant. Her new favourite is cocoa.

After the water bombs ran out...

And a picnic with my mother's group to celebrate all the babes turning 1 - I have not been able to go much the last few months so was so lovely to see how grown up and cute they all are! I took Miss 8 and Mr T for the ride, kind of expecting heavy parenting as per our last few weekends, but they were a delight and not only behaved well but played with all the babies and even encouraged one little man to take his first steps! Awwwww.... One thing that struck me talking to all these mums is we are all trying, the best we can, to balance it all. We are all doing just great. Some days feel anything but though, don't they...

New Online: Bow Dresses

2011-11-24T20:28:00.002+11:00

Finished with a bow, like a little present. In the softest, cuddliest, totally machine washable baby cord. Shop here.

Bow Dresses (0 - 12 years, US$39/$49)

Parenting: What I've Learned #1023 - The Garden Centre

2011-11-23T22:16:00.000+11:00

When it's a gorgeous day out, the family are happy and jolly, and it's time to finally buy some plants for the long neglected back yard (yard is generous: patch?) do NOT, and I mean under no circumstances, take the family to the garden centre. Even if it has Toby's coffee.

It is a place for old people with time on their hands, just marrieds with time on their hands and loving looks, and not really anyone else.

Do not try and infiltrate this place. You and your running, shouting children will not be welcomed with open arms. They will be frowned upon.

Mostly by you.

Yes, I know, I know, you are thinking that the garden centre has to be peaceful with all that greenery, fish ponds and water feature action. Me too. Wrong. So wrong.

I cannot even put into words adequately what happened when we went there as it sounds like nothing much. Fights over pushing the trolley, fights over pushing the pram, pushing the trolley over expensive plants, pushing the pram into expensive plants and abovementioned old people and loved up youngsters. It was not pretty. I was on parental high alert the whole time.

I had thought the coffee shop would be nice, a little time to relax after our jobs were done. Mr Quince and I could not get a minute to discuss what we were buying without taking them for a milkshake within about two minutes of arriving. Baby was very unhappy and screamed the whole time.

I verged on hysteria. It changed me, that place.

I have memories of mini golf outings doing the same to us when we were little kids.

No garden centres, no mini golf. Trust me on these.

Cutie Pie in Florence Romper

2011-11-22T21:04:00.000+11:00

Isn't she a little button? Florence romper is online here or see our lovely stockists here...

Introducing a new style: the Pippa Pinafore

2011-11-22T20:44:00.002+11:00

We have some beautiful brand new pieces from our AW11/12 range for your winter bunnies. These dresses are really super...

The Pippa Pinafore is a sweet little dress in warm and cuddly baby cord, it goes with everything and features adjustable straps and piping detail. My baby has worn the samples of these at least twice a week over our Australian winter. Really cute! The Pippa Pinafore is perfect over one of our long sleeved Ts.

The Weekend

2011-11-14T22:11:00.000+11:00

Hello dears

It was one of those weekends where I wished I could run away. Do you ever have those?

Nothing serious, just too much parenting and not enough relaxing.

I know, I know, with 4 kids the chances of them being off on any one day are very high. And baby has learnt that squealing is effective as are throw yourself backwards tantrums. Am feeling a bit run ragged with high demands from lots of parts of life at the moment...

Anyway, you all have enough of this stuff in your own lives...as you were...

The Weekend

2011-11-06T22:09:00.000+11:00

Was just lovely :) Hope yours was too!

1 on 1.1.11

2011-11-01T20:06:00.000+11:00

Well, would you look who is now 1 year old?!

Heavenly baby, you are so adored. You are growing fast before our eyes.

I remember your salty newborn smell. I remember nights watching internet tv as we rocked, you fed, cried, figured out this brand new world. Remember how we tried to keep life as similar as possible for the other children but nothing's been the same since and we all love it.

I remember you smiling, sitting up, making a sound, saying your sisters' name, dad, uh oh. Still working on your name and your brother's, and there ain't much mama action, you cry for me instead.

We remember your first swing, your first spoonful of food, your first tiny taste of a frozen juice.

I remember the day you were born, the jacarandas had just come out, just as they are this week. The night you were born, it rained and your sisters and brothers came to meet you and learn your name, all excited. I was so full of excitement I was awake all night, while you and your dad slept.

If I look inconspicuous, they won't notice I GOT THE CAKE!

It's working! I GOT THE CAKE!

OH YEAAAHHHHHH!

We think the universe sent you as a little present for our family, something to join all of us. We love you more than you'll understand baby girl.

Boo!

2011-10-31T20:14:00.000+11:00

The kiddos love Halloween! The school had a Halloween disco at the weekend which was a blast. Mr T was an uncommitted vampire (couldn't be bothered with the teeth which he held most of the night) and Miss 8 was a devil/angel.
Mr T was waking up a lot last week with dreams of skeletons and "mongsters".

We did trick or treat tonight with a little group of small ones up our street. The kids had fun and it was very cute and people were very sweet but I felt a bit apologetic to disturb people's evenings with kids asking for sweets. About half the people who were home looked embarassed and apologised for not having anything. The other half were well prepared. Not sure if I'm a trick or treater...

New Stockist: Lou Lou's

2011-10-30T21:10:00.000+11:00

While all my stockists are special, and I truly love getting to know each of them, this new one holds a special place in my heart.

My dear cousin Penny, who I grew up with, decided that it was time to do something different. After many months of planning, dreaming, designing, creating with her talented husband Peter and sister Rachel, and a little trip to Sydney where we tackled a trade show together, her new shop Lou Lou's opened last week.

It's a beautiful shop that her and her husband have put their heart and soul into, and I think they've done an awesome job. She is going great guns so far with sales and customers.

The shop is in my hometown, Bombala, in the Monaro district in south eastern NSW so for that reason it is also close to my heart.

It is also named after Penny's mum, Lyn, who died unexpectedly a few years ago, who was nicknamed Lou Lou.

I really am very proud of my cousin for taking a risk, doing something different, offering something new and exciting to our little town and am so impressed with her business nouse.

Striped Serenity

2011-10-23T22:10:00.000+11:00

I adore this photo. We always match our prints, don't you?

But seriously, what I love about it is how characteristic this is of me and my mothering approach.

People often comment that I am quite calm and chilled. Not sure the kids would agree. Or my family (no, they definitely would not) or people who spend lots of time with us. But I seem to have developed a serene face in spite of the chaos. It's not intentional, I'm often swearing on the inside.

So here I am, mum enjoying a relaxing afternoon at the park, right? Perhaps a slight frown but could just be the sun?

Wrong. Here I am watching Mr T scale the rope pyramid thing at the park with lots of other children climbing underneath. I'd already said to watch out for the other kids (he is not that spatially aware when busy or trying to get to the top of the tower). Not to jump up and down. Leave your sister alone. Now it was just silent prayer: please do not drop onto that little girl underneath you. Please.

This & That

2011-10-23T22:01:00.000+11:00

Hello my friends

Gosh I feel I've been mostly absent lately. It's been super gorgeous weather so we've been out enjoying that. And I've been working hard which does limit blogging time.

But we've just had the most lovely weekend so I wanted to share some pictures here with you!

On Friday, Mr Quince, Baby Quince and I had a really relaxed day at home. It's rare for us not to work but we went for coffee, which ended up being with friends from the kids school. We schemed about babysitters. Mr Quince and I have not been out for dinner alone since January 2010. We are going to sort that out.

We went to see this movie by my much-adored Woody Allen. I was thinking Owen Wilson was a strange choice but he was fabulous. We walked home in the sunshine.

Saturday the middle two and I went to our local Food Fiesta. They enjoyed running on the road. That was the highlight for them. Personally, I thought this caravan was all sorts of wonderful.

In the afternoon we visited a Sydney beach we've not been to before. New favourite. Helped by the Thai restaurant across the road. Home by 8pm after a beach day with tired kids, everyone fed, no washing up :)

Today, I've squeezed in some work while the kids watch star wars for the millionth time. And we're fixing up our back yard. It is really taking shape. Will share pics soon xx

New Stockist: Little Miss Hope

2011-10-23T10:47:00.000+11:00

Welcome to another lovely new stockist: Little Miss Hope! Eleni has chosen some lovely babies and kis items and her taste is gorgeous. I am in love with her website design and am off now to have a proper look through her site!

www.littlemisshope.com.au

First SA Stockist: Boo & Child

2011-10-23T10:19:00.000+11:00

We've got a gorgeous new stockist to share with you: a brand new shop Boo & Child in Stirling, South Australia (in the beautiful Adelaide Hills).

The owner Belinda (Boo) has put together a truly beautiful store that features some of my favourite brands and the shop just looks divine. Just opened last week, if you're lucky enough to live in that part of the world, you'll love it!

Boo & Child
Shop 8, Stirling Mall
28 Mt Barker Road
Stirling SA 5152

Check out the Boo & Child Facebook page here for some stunning pictures!

New Stockist: Plum Interiors, Potts Point

2011-10-23T10:03:00.000+11:00

We're delighted to be hitting Sydney's Eastern suburbs with a gorgeous new stockist, Plum Interiors!

Plum Interiors
87B Macleay St,
Potts Point 201
Ph: (02) 9368 0547

The lovely owner, Jenny, told me she'd had our little boy's shirts in the window and was getting great feedback. Do drop in and take a look, they've got a good range across boys, girls and babies!

Way back when, I used to live in Potts Point. I can't wait to pop in and visit this area, I love it!

New Stockist: Mollisons, Kyneton

2011-10-19T22:23:00.000+11:00

Another gorgeous new stockist for you: the beautiful Mollisons in Kyneton.

116 -118 Mollison St
Kyneton VIC Australia
If, lucky you, you are in the area, do pop in and tell them Aunty Ollie sent you!

Towards a Cure: Malaria

2011-10-19T21:11:00.000+11:00

Did you see this awesome news? Yesterday, the first successful vaccine against malaria was unveiled. The research scientist responsible has been working on it for, oh, just 24 years. What an amazing outcome!

Can you imagine what it's like to lose your child to malaria?

I can, kind of. One of my children came home to us in Dubai with very serious malaria. Being from Australia, it took me a while to realise. A few days in hospital and two (cheap) little white tablets and it was all over.

It was that simple. And 780 000 people a year are still dying from this disease? Mostly babies and children.

So wrong. And a vaccine: so right. Let's hope politics and economics doesn't get in the way of getting this to sub-Saharan African and other malarial regions around the world.

Distraction...

2011-10-17T12:20:00.000+11:00

I have seen this little video pop up on many of my favourite blogs but only just looked at it last night.

Today, as my blackberry beeps its little red light while I try to finish some production schedules before the baby wakes up but can't stop checking the blackberry, it makes perfect sense to me. It is very sweet.

Baby Girl Crawling, Big Girl Turns 16!

2011-10-14T12:32:00.000+11:00

We definitely have it going on in all directions at our place.

On the long weekend, baby started to crawl properly. Just like that. We walked in to my parents carpeted loungeroom, I plonked her down and off she went. Mum thought she'd been doing it for ages until I shrieked... We've thought for ages she's known what to do and made a half baked effort at home, but put her on carpet and off she went. Too cute. She drags one leg behind a little but generally is getting some speed up. She stands up all the time and is super mobile now...

And this week, our biggest baby turned 16. While it is before my eyes every day, a milestone birthday like that reminds you that they are really their own person now, not much child left but always your child. I really do genuinely try to enjoy the different stages they are all at, they all have their lovely parts.

We are all hands on deck preparing for her birthday party this weekend. A disco party for 50 of her nearest and dearest. Thankfully we hired a local hall. But today I am dipping strawberries, icing cupcakes, packing up platters and figuring out how much soft drink will teenagers actually drink?! Have a great weekend xxx

36. Years. Old?

2011-10-11T22:18:00.000+11:00

36 ain't that bad. I am happy. I love and am loved. I am doing stuff. I feel very very blessed.

I had two requests: a tidy house and nice kids. Wishes were granted. Thank you dear husband for the gorgeous cake x

New Stockist: Sweet Thing Children's Wear

2011-10-09T17:37:00.001+11:00

We're very excited to introduce a new stockist for SS11 in North West Sydney: Sweet Thing Baby & Children's Wear!

They have some beautiful labels and we are very pleased to be joining them!

Sweet Thing
Stanhope Gardens Shopping Village
Shop 16a, 2 Sentry Drive
Stanhope Gardens NSW 2768

Phone: 02 8883 0649

A Long Weekend

2011-10-04T22:01:00.001+11:00

Hello dear friends. Did you miss us? The three small kiddos and I went down the coast to see my mum and dad. It was lovely. While I was happy to see Mr Quince and Miss Teenager I am a bit sad to come back to the city. We like it down on the south coast. And I like it when I don't turn the computer on.

Here is some of what we got up to...We did so much more than this but I was light on the snaps...

Her first phone. Yes, of course she loves it!

Have Uno, will travel...

Happy birthday to a dear cousin x

Getting ripped off by an aggressive bubble lady (surely an oxymoron?!)

She loves being a big sister

My little Cabbage Patch Doll

2011-09-28T21:16:00.002+10:00

Alternative title: the many hairstyles of baby CC, continued...

What, you don't do this with your babies? Just us then...

New Stockist: Bon Bon Tresor

2011-09-26T19:24:00.000+10:00

I am delighted to introduce a new stockist, Bon Bon Tresor who have just received a lovely package of Aunty Ollie baby SS11.

Bon Bon Trésor
283 Rocky Point Road
SANS SOUCI NSW 2219
AUSTRALIA
ABN: 87 440 501 425

P: +612 9529 4401
Email: sales@bonbontresor.com.au
You can also find them on Facebook here. If you're in the Shire, and I know many of you are, tell them Aunty Ollie sent you! x

Incredible India...

2011-09-26T10:45:00.000+10:00

The middle kiddos school had a Bollywood night for the last night of term. We are massive lovers of all things Indian in this house so we were very excited!

This sari that I am wearing is from Varanasi, one of the most amazing place I have ever visited. It is the place on the River Ganges where many Indians wish to be cremated, on any given day visitors are privileged to witness cremations - beautiful, spirited ceremonies with drums and a celebration of life. Compared to our avoidance of death, it is very in your face in India, especially Varanasi. I remember shrouded bodies strapped on to tuk tuks, making their way to the river. Totally amazing. I will return to that place.

The sari Miss 8 is wearing is "vintage", I bought a parcel of used saris off some young ladies sitting on the side of the road outside a market in Jodhpur.

If you love India, you must must must watch Devdas (the old and the new versions, the most beautiful cinematography ever) and read Rohinton Mistry...

And kudos to Mr Quince/Uncle Ollie for his sari technique (thanks Martha Stewart for the instructions!)

The Ups and Downs of (Almost) Springtime

2011-09-20T22:04:00.000+10:00

The upside: gorgeous warm days lolling about outside.

The downside: babies and children falling asleep eating their breakfast, at the dinner table, anywhere really as they are waking up at 5am.

Wondering, why here in Australia does spring start officially on 1 Sept while everywhere else it starts around the Sept equinox? And then, why is daylight savings not til early Oct? Confused yes, tired, most definitely...

My birthday is around the October long weekend, but I think this year I am more excited for the clocks to change!!

New Stockist: LBT Kids, Newtown

2011-09-12T21:31:00.000+10:00

We love new stockists and we especially love it when they are in our 'hood!

Opposite Made590 that stocks our ladies dresses, is a new kids store LBT Kids.

Rebecca the owner has opened this new store to focus on fashion and accessories for the often neglected TWEEN 6-14 years. We know Rebecca plans to open this week and I can't wait to go and check it out! She has lots of our SS11 lovelies in store in the larger sizes...

The website is coming soon, but for now you can Like LBT Kids on Facebook here.

LBT Kids
541 King Street
Newtown NSW 2042

ARBN A-Go

2011-09-12T21:21:00.000+10:00

I didn't realise that I was that bothered, but today I got a certificate saying our company was registered with ASIC as a foreign company which meant I could get an Australian Registered Business Number and all the fancy pants things that result from that.

Given that most people don't know a lot about the UAE-based Free Trade Zone where we are set up, we are pretty happy about this. I think some of our retailers will be too...

Not quite as exciting as the day the three eldest kiddos got their Australian citizenship, but pretty exciting!

Stand Up!

2011-09-12T21:17:00.000+10:00

This little one just wants to stand and walk. Forget crawling. She does a bit of that, mostly backwards and seems to get her legs stuck under the sofa each time!

We each spend sooo much time holding her as she practices standing and taking a few steps. She is so close to being able to stand and she gets so excited and starts clapping and then of course falls down...

Our relaxed days are numbered, this baba is on the move soon....

This was the day she figured out how to climb up the box and get her toys. She was pretty impressed with herself...

Corners are not her strong point.

The Weekend

2011-09-12T21:06:00.000+10:00

Meet Gbessey, Our Beautiful Sponsor Child from Sierra Leone

2011-09-09T09:41:00.000+10:00

We have been wanting to up our charitable actitivies for a while here at Aunty Ollie/Quince. While as a family, we are involved and support as best we can a number of charities focused on children and sustainable development, we wanted to start to do the same through the business.

The business is still young, and in this stage funds are always tight as we grow. Accordingly, we are taking it slowly but are very pleased to introduce our first sponsor child Gbessey.

The organication we have chosen to work with, All As One, told us this about Gbessey: Gbessey (pronounced Beh-SHAY) came into All As One’s care at the age of 3 days old. Her mother died that morning from complications of childbirth and by the afternoon Gbessey was in our care. She was very small and needed round-the-clock care, but she soon began to progress and grow well. Gbessey is now a beautiful "almost" two-year-old girl who is happy, active, and developing on target. She is the darling of the staff and older kids, who love to dote on her!

All As One is a grass roots organisation working tirelessly to help the children of Sierra Leone. Through the passion and dedication of two amazing people, one Sierra Leonean and one American, and the support of many more all over the world, All As One provides support for abandoned and orphaned children where no other facility exists. The government sends children to AAO - there is no government care. I have visited Sierra Leone three times and can assure you that things are tough in a way most of us can't imagine. The financial climate doesn't just affect those of us in the first world: think of the flow through to a place like All As One as people's financial situations get tighter.

Sponsoring a child through AAO is easy and not a large financial commitment and they are set up in the US, UK and UAE, see the website for more details.

You might spot a "vintage" Aunty Ollie dress on little Gbessey. We work with a good friend of ours who organises a Christmas shipment to the children each year, and we send off clothes for the children. I'm already thinking about what they might like this year.

The Many Hairstyles of Baby CC

2011-09-06T11:11:00.000+10:00

The curl

The Beatle

The Jarvis Cocker

The Javier Bardem (or alternately, the Kramer)

The Twister

The bedhead

The cutie clip

Based on the contents of this post, you would be perfectly entitled to say that despite four kids, a business and a host of commitments, I still need some hobbies. Perfectly entitled...

A Sunny Father's Day

2011-09-05T11:08:00.000+10:00

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there doing their share of cuddling, cooking, driving, loving, homeworking, nappy changing, computer fixing, dad-joking and whatever it is the dads in your life do. The dad in our house really is the glue that keeps things together. He is awesome.

And my dad, he is awesome so we called him bright and early to tell him so. And managed to get presents and cards down the coast to him on time. A new record. Happy father's day dad and poppy

There were presents, but all he wanted was a car wash.
(I don't have to tell you that he ended up doing most of it himself, do I?)

Miss 8 made homemade lemonade. MMMmmmm

Mum made streusel cake and we had a tea party.

Baby got on her first bare legs of the season...

10 Months Old

2011-08-30T22:37:00.000+10:00

Dear Baby

You are getting so fun: a little person now, not so much a baby. You have a big personality already...

The last month you have been focused on getting very vocal, very mobile, and Miss Independent.

You are impressing us with your language skills, you can say each of our names bar poor Mr T, his is a hard one. You say hello, uh oh, eat, ta, and you use your language to get what you want which is very clever. We are working on your brother's name as he feels a little left out. I had to laugh the other day when, bored with your mum as playmate, you looked up the stairs and screeched Miss Teenager's name, hoping she'd come and play :) Sometimes when we put you down to sleep you start screaming out Miss 8's name, hoping she'll come to you. And yesterday, your Dad came in to pick you up out of the cot, saying Hello Baby. You looked at him and said Hello Dad. Seriously?

While you're not quite crawling, you are excellent at the backwards crawl, getting your legs stuck under the sofa and you love to stand more than anything, and are just starting to cruise around.

You want to do everything yourself- feeding especially. I have visions of you as a 2 year old...Scary.

We love you little bear, you are so much fun

Mama xxx

A Spring in Our Step

2011-08-28T21:08:00.001+10:00

The weather has been beautiful and bright and sunny. Life instantly rachets up a notch as we all head outside, virtually skipping to school and dreaming of sunshine and springtime birthdays (mine, Miss Teenager and Baby, in that order) and summer holidays. I even saw the Christmas display up at a local shop the other day.

Time to think about homemade icy poles and salads.

To clear up the yard after what has seemed like a long winter.

Everyone seems a bit happier and there has definitely been more dancing in the kitchen :)

Spring/Summer 11 Smilebox: Turn your speakers on :)

2011-08-24T15:43:00.000+10:00

This free slideshow design personalized with Smilebox

On Eccentricity

2011-08-22T11:20:00.001+10:00

I got thinking about eccentricity when I took the kids to the park yesterday. I like being outside and I most definitely like the weekend to feel different to the week (this weekend I decided the computer doesn't go on anymore til Sunday night) so I do like the park. But when it's the local that you've visited many, many times, it can get a bit stale, right? Tell me it's not just me?

So while helping the kids figure out a new skipping rope game with a new friend and taking baby for a swing, I was happy for the distraction of the men in knights costumes and jousting sticks that are a regular Sunday fixture at our local.

And I wondered at the conversation to the wife. "Er, love, you know you've been saying it's good to have a hobby? Well, my mate Bill is getting a group of guys together to joust and pretend swordfight at the park. Yes, we have shields. And do you know where I can get a knight's costume, complete with chainmail?"

Image from here

I can imagine many of their partners are a bit embarassed by their man's hobby. And yes if my husband walked over to the park in full knight regalia I'd probably be a little shy. But why?!

Really though, don't you think getting obsessed over crazy little hobbies one of life's great pleasures?

I always imagined that I might take up fly fishing in my old age. You?

Guest Post: Aye from MyLittleMuse.com

2011-08-17T16:49:00.000+10:00

Enjoy this lovely post on our St Tropez shorts (almost out of stock online at our place but available at stockists including MyLittleMuse.com) - thanks for letting me share, Aye!

Hello Sailor - Vintage inspired clothes you will want in your size

Singapore is a shopping mecca, right? Well how come we are so limited when it comes to cool kids clothing…?

We don’t ask for much, but we really do love dressing up our little one in some funky threads, because let’s face it you are only going to have this influence on their wardrobe for a limited time. And who knows, maybe you might be able to pass your style-prowess onto your little one… Here’s hoping!

Whilst there are good basics on the market, it is really oh-so-fun to have your little tot dressed in something you wished came in your size. Like the range from Quince Clothing.

The quirky name belies a fantastic range. We love love love the sailor pants for little girls (that come in a cute-as-a button cupcake print and versatile lightweight denim), the retro red and white polka dot bloomers for little ones (perfect for crawling) and the must-have-now vintage inspired Maxwell shorts for the boys. Even Dad would wear these if he could!

Shorts are an absolute staple in our wee-one’s wardrobe, as this is not only a great way to hide unsightly nappies, but in the case of my little muse, it also prevents nappies being removed … which can be nasty… (say no more!)

My little muse (MLM) has already put the St Tropez shorts to the test. They are perfect for this climate as they are super lightweight, and have washed well, maintaining their shape (washing is done more than frequently in this nicely serviced household)… the quality fabric is the secret here. I am also a big fan of the adjustable waist, as MLM has just turned 2 and he is comfortably wearing a 2-3yr – so I know I have a year of wear to get out of them.

Now the challenge is finding room in his wardrobe as there are so many yummy arrivals with the new Autumn/Winter season collection … but more on that next week…

8 Year Old Disco Party

2011-08-16T22:15:00.001+10:00

Birthday parties are only every second year in our house, so we do try to make them rather special.

Miss 8 wanted a disco party as she LOVES to dance. So a disco party she had. It was purple. It was in a community hall. The food was retro. The girls from her class and a few extra friends came. We hired a DJ who was fantastic though very very noisy so poor baby had to stay outside most of the time she was so scared!

I really enjoyed arranging this one. She had a blast. One of the best parts was when the DJ made them stand still for the opening bars of a pumping dance tune, building it up, building it up, then shouted GO! and the girls just went crazy. It was so refreshing to watch 20 little girls just go wild, so free and uninhibited. Dancing is so good for the soul...

The invites came with a disco ball keyring. Thanks China.

Miss Teenager did a gorgeous job setting up. She likes things to look nice :)

Miss 8 in birthday wig, doing her thing

Mr T won his first ever dance off. He was sooo cute.

The very fun and silly DJ

The rainbow layer cake. Idea from all over the web. Cake bunting idea from here

A side note: have you noticed the new trend for "dessert tables" at kids parties where the food looks right out of a magazine. I find it a bit creepy. I am no food stylist. My cakes have lumps and bumps...

There'll Be Days Like This...

2011-08-16T15:23:00.000+10:00

So after a busy week with my parents here last week, then Miss 8's birthday and her mega disco party on Saturday, then a day out of town yesterday, I had a big to do list today, including sharing some pictures of her fabulously fun party.

The first phone call came at 10am. Miss Teenager was sick. This is rare, so we went to get her right away and got her settled on the couch with all the accoutrements of a sick day.

Then an hour or so later, I saw the primary school's number flashing as I caught up with an old friend on the phone. My two middle ones are always injuring themselves. Sure enough, Mr T had fallen over and hurt his arm and banged his head. "He seems fine though". Errr, so do you want me to get him. Yes please, and you can get Miss 8 while you're here. Can't exactly say to the school: is it bleeding, no, then back to work, can you?! He is 100% fine. Totally. Has not said a word about his injuries and is enjoying an excuse for weekday afternoon tv, a treat usually reserved for the weekends and school holidays.

So we are all here in varying states of health. And it's rather nice. But the biggest to do for today is to push back the list to tomorrow. I love having everyone here.

8 Year Old Birthday Girl Interview

2011-08-12T08:30:00.000+10:00

I saw this lovely idea on this blog and thought it would be nice to do to remember the kids at different stages, if they're happy to answer.

Miss 7-so-close-to-8 loves an audience so here goes, questions from the blog with a few additions...

What is your favorite book?
Ummmm... Fancy Nancy!

What is your favorite craft?

Painting and drawing: art.

What is your favorite thing to wear?

Fancy clothes, just like Fancy Nancy.

What is your favourite colour?

Aqua

What is your favourite sweet?

Push Up Pops.

What is your favorite song?

What's that lady, gogo or gaga? Lady Gaga? Yes, any of her songs!

What is your favorite animal?
A zebra. A penguin I meant, I really like penguins!

What do you love?

My family.

What is your favorite movie?

The Penguin move (Mr Popper's Penguins)

What do you want for your birthday?

Love. (It's OK, you can say toys!) Toys. A baby you can feed.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Pannacotta

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A popstar: so you can be famous and it would be very fun

What did you learn this year?

I learnt how to do maths. I learnt how to write better.

What's been fun this year?

Going to visit Nan and Pop. It's been lots of fun getting a baby sister, she's so fun! The best baby. I don't mind that she screams.

What do you think being 8 will be like?

I think it will be all grown up and you can do much more stuff.

Happy birthday my first baby xxx

20 Best in Show: KidStyleFile

2011-08-09T20:30:00.000+10:00

We are delighted to have been chosen by KidStyleFile in their 20 top picks for the recent Kids In Style trade show. That's us there with the red candy striped Butterfly dress!

This is what they had to say: "You would well remember Jodie of Aunty Ollie who has been a top pick from past coverage of KIS events. Well she was back being her wonderful self, ready to show off not one, but two babies: photos of her newest daughter (which we got all clucky over) and her brand new baby Quince Clothing. Yes Aunty Ollie is being relaunched as Quince soon, with the same striking prints and lovely smooth lines, but a fresh approach. We are convinced the KSF love affair has been sealed."

Aww thanks KidStyleFile!

Images and quote from www.kidstylefile.com.au

Kids in Style: Au revoir...

2011-08-09T20:00:00.000+10:00

I've been a bit quiet.. I miss my blog, writing is a very lovely habit for me and far healthier than my rather out of control Turkish Delight habit. Somehow I normally find time to do it amidst the chaos.

So late last week I had two days at the Melbourne trade show, Kids In Style. We got super feedback on our lovely new range Vintage France, and caught up with our gorgeous stockists and also met some new fab stockists! More to come on that...

I loved chatting with colleagues in the industry which is always such a highlight. I was next to Grasshoppers (fair trade beautiful cotton knits, handknitted by a women's co-op in Zimbabwe - beautiful baby gifts) and Broken Tricycle (a new fair trade baby knit label, with some really cool prints).

And can you believe, I stressed and worried about leaving baby behind. I've never left her more than a few hours. She slept from....wait for it... 8pm til 5am for her Dad. Never before. And now I'm home, she is feeding all night, like a newborn. I feel like moving to the cubby house. You with me?

Baby Girl: 9 Months Old!

2011-08-02T19:57:00.000+10:00

Listen up! Someone is 9. Months. Old. Seriously.

So you wannaknow who? Come closer... Closer...

Hurrah, it's me!

I tell you, I just keep getting better and better with age...

9 months old must officially be big babydom? Unofficially it seems to be a high maintenance age: whacking/headbutting everything in sight, throwing anything within reach off the table, squealing just cos you can, nosediving into toys. At the same time, she has never been so utterly adorable.

Baby CC is full of verve. She knows what she likes and it's music, food, going out, cuddles and baths. Oh and Kewpie Dolls. She rocks along to music all the time, even if that "music" is a dishwasher or hairdryer. She mimics our words: zip, mama (hurrah, at last!), huro or something like it. She is a little pudding with the squishiest little legs and feet. She laughs at random things now. Sometimes sleeps a lot, sometimes not so much.

We each of us have a different relationship but this baby has been glue for all of us. The older kids adore her like you would not believe. We are a family and we had a baby, all of us.

Coming Together: AW12/13

2011-08-01T14:13:00.000+10:00

This week I have been putting together the concepts for AW12/13 (can you believe I now think that far out, when I can barely decide what to have for dinner tonight?!)

I am enjoying the luxury of time. The first range that is being designed on time, with time to spare.

I am enjoying that each season gets easier with more experience of what works, what should be tweaked, what fits well, what sells well...

I am enjoying the theme immensely. See if you can guess it from these cryptic pictures.

It is going to be a goodie...And we have applied for Bubble London again, as well as Playtime Paris(!) And of course Kids in Style in Australia...

Kindness...

2011-08-01T09:59:00.000+10:00

Doesn't it just warm the cockles of your heart when you see your kids looking out for each other. (After all, isn't that one of our biggest motivations to give a child a sibling?)

A kind act interspersed amongst the bickering reassures me that all will be well when they have finished negotiating the tv remote, the biggest piece of cake, the cd, the toys...

The little two set this up for the teenager, late for dinner as she was working.

The note: You are welcome.

C ést Bon: Quince Clothing Autumn/Winter 11/12. Love this...

2011-07-28T14:28:00.000+10:00

Create your own free picture slideshow

Doll-drums

2011-07-27T20:15:00.001+10:00

Oh my do you know how hard it is to get a black baby alive doll in this country? Miss 8 is, inspired by the fun (?) of seeing me changing real life baby poo, desperate to have one of these all singing, all dancing creatures. The kids don't have a lot of toys and I am happy for her to have this, especially given she has a baby in the house, it is natural to want to mimic us as we care for her. She never had anything like this when she was smaller...

I searched all the places in Australia but was running out of time, all I could find was the blonde, blue eyed version. I double checked with Miss Almost-8: she wanted her baby to look like her.

I bought it in the US via the very handy ishop to get around the fact most US sites won't dream of shipping anywhere else. The shipping cost me three times the price of the doll.

Image from here

Now, for a baby bed. I am thinking these Lale suitcases from Lark will do double duty as a cool suitcase when she is over the doll, as she inevitably will be.

And on a random side note, I saw these dolls while undertaking the Great Baby Alive search. It says something about my current state that I looked and saw vacuum Barbie and broom Barbie...Ho hum.

Images from here.

A Pudding of A Weekend

2011-07-25T22:43:00.000+10:00

So we ended up having a pudding themed weekend. Inadvertently. Hopefully that would be obvious?

First up, dear husband was despatched to the shops to bring home some Friday night cheer after a week of downpours that left our souls a bit sodden. (Have you seen Sydney rain - you are soaking wet in the 5m from front door to car!) He returned with a selection of steamed puds for one, the kids and I were much happier.

The next day after grabbing a couple of hours at the park where the middle two rode bikes and both kamikazed into 10cm of mud (and still kept going - so tenacious!) and we were attacked as we picnicked by the world's most aggressive and stealthy pigeon posse, I needed another pick me up. So decided to tackle the self saucing pudding myself. So easy to make and the kids were in heaven. Talked about feeling all warm in the tummy going to bed. Nice.

And then Sunday, a bit jaded with all this poor weather, we hotfooted it to the Blue Mountains to the Norman Lindsay gallery at Faulconbridge. Even if it rained, we knew we'd be OK. It was lovely, really lovely. Wasn't sure what the kids would think of all the nudes. Thought they'd be all bashful and giggly but actually they were a bit confused - so why doesn't he paint anyone with clothes on, mum? And of course, Norman wrote the Magic Pudding book, as a bet apparently. His place was divine, I would love to have my domestic set up so perfect for creating. Little studios for this and that. The big lovely house in the middle. Grounds to get lost in. Ah, a girl can dream.

And of course, the whole weekend spent enjoying this little pudding as she gets more and more grown up....

New Stockist: Belle Armoire in Orange

2011-07-25T22:09:00.000+10:00

One of our newest stockists has just taken delivery of their Spring Summer 2011 Aunty Ollie lovelies, and I would so love to visit this shop! I've only been to Orange once en route to Ayers Rock on the mega drive camping holiday of a lifetime and thought it was lovely (it snowed the day we were there!)

Belle Armoire, 215 Lords Place Orange NSW 2800 T: 02 6360 0661

You can see them on Facebook here. The ladies have a fantastic range of for kids and lots of cool brands for the ladies!

If you're in Orange, say hi to Kimberly and Rebecca and tell them Aunty Ollie/Quince sent you!

Remembering 4 Years

2011-07-21T11:43:00.000+10:00

Wow I thought it was only a few months ago I wrote this post. But no, the months are flying past and last week we remembered 4 years since this gorgeous little girl started our family. She was divine then and still. We love you...

Happy Holiday Memories

2011-07-20T21:36:00.000+10:00

Gosh doesn't that title sound like a cheesy greeting card? And haven't I been away a while? Not sure exactly why, the days kind of rushed past...

We had a lovely, relaxing holiday. We toured the parks of the inner west. Hung out. Played.

Lowlight: I was running out of ideas so we went to the local shopping centre and had Dunkin Donuts.

Highlight: kicked into gear by the donut outing the previous day, we followed that with a trip to the Art Gallery of NSW where there were some great performances about expression and creativity, and the kids trail in the new contemporary gallery (we only went down at the end of our visit and it is AMAZING - can't wait to go back!)

I hate the holidays ending...

Baby Girl: 8 Months (and a bit)!

2011-07-13T21:41:00.000+10:00

Now I know I have drama queen tendencies (only in writing, in the flesh I am laid back actually) but overnight, literally overnight, someone took my little baby and left me with a big grown-up baby!

I cannot believe how kids wake up different (like a less shocking version of after you have a baby, how big the other kids seem, which my mum prepared me for - thanks mum!) than they went to sleep.

This week, baby CC seems to have grown up a stage. Her comb-over curly fringe is long enough to put in a little hairband, she munches on bread whenever she can, she even seems to respond to our conversations with her.

It is weird, but sometimes I think she repeats our words back to us.

Now I know I've written about wanting to slow time down. A lot. But I am feeling OK. Alright, I am feeling good.

Want to know why? Because she has started sleeping through the night, some nights. And she is mighty cute and super interactive. I have visions of what she might be like toddling around the house (she is sooo close to crawling!) The further you get from small-babydom, the more it seems like a cruel and murky world, though one with so much love and happy hormones you survive!

Here's to sleeping through though!

A Bad Influence?

2011-07-12T15:33:00.000+10:00

Confessional time.

You know this isn't me, right? Image from here

Today I stayed in my pajamas til. Erm. Now. It's 3.30pm. There's not much point changing now, right?

Am I setting my kids a bad example? Are they destined to become PJ wearing bums? I asked them and they laughed yes.

In my defence:
- I did get up at a normal hour, shower and brush my hair. I didn't dress as baby was sleeping and didn't want to wake her pulling our clothes
- I didn't go out anywhere (come on, I have some standards) or see anyone aside from my family
- The kids did go out and get some playtime, and they changed out of their PJs at lunchtime
- I did work, cook, clean, play with my kids
- I didn't watch daytime TV or file my nails or drink

Hey, my life is busy. Got to take these moments, I say.

Behind the Scenes AW11/12 Quince

2011-07-10T20:02:00.001+10:00

We had another (yes, another!) shoot yesterday. I loved the look we got. I'll post proper images soon but here are some of my behind the scenes and out takes.

So won't meringues be a great idea for the French themed shoot. Er, no, actually...

Some of the bits and pieces ready to be packed

TV break

Say what?

Little cuties...

Sunny Day in the Park

2011-07-07T20:42:00.000+10:00

I love this photo from this week.

I am the family documenter - some in words, here, and most in pictures, everywhere. I often lament this to my husband who then tries a bit harder to include me in an occasional picture but it does not come naturally. And I feel like a total narcissist handing him the camera and asking him to take a photo of me.

Perhaps that is why I am so happy to take weird pics in front of the mirror of a growing belly, a new haircut, a new dress. So the kids don't say, what did you look like mum, when we were small....

New Ladies Dress: The Ella gets Sleeves!

2011-07-06T21:06:00.000+10:00

I was so excited today to receive one of my favourite dresses, the Ella, in 5 prints/fabrics, with long sleeves. I will wear little else when I am out and about this winter!

They will be online soon. So being the obliging lady I am, I did a little fashion parade for you. In fact once I started I could not stop.

Some things I note:
- I should be more shy about posting images of myself untouched, barefaced and in baggy leggings
- I wish I could find pairs of shoes when I need them. This was the only fancy shoe that also had a mate. Totally wrong for this wintery weather.
- The dresses really do suit all of us with lumps and bumps, wherever they may be.
- I can't wait til we photograph still images of these babies at the weekend (a professional, not me!) and then I can wear them again.
- My mirror needs a clean. One of them there kiddos on holidays, there's a job for you dear

Black and red spot baby soft cord. Mmmm

Vintage Travel Print. More lovely than this image.

Lightweight Denim

A very awkward pose in red tulips.

Military green baby cord. Good with brown accessories. Me like very much

New Stockist: MyLittleMuse.com in Singapore!

2011-07-04T20:08:00.001+10:00

We're really excited to welcome our first stockist in Singapore: MyLittleMuse.com!

Owner Aye has collated a gorgeous selection of gear for littlies (in fact, my littlest one has the beautiful cream romper on the far left of her home page!)

Aye is hosting an event this week so if you are in Singapore, or have fashion loving friends with little people, please direct them to the site!

www.mylittlemuse.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/mylittlemuse

Slow Down... It's the Holidays

2011-07-04T14:37:00.000+10:00

Here it's 2 weeks of holidays. In fact, for most of you, wherever you are, it's holiday time I think.

It's the middle of winter here. This time last year we had a little time in the country.

These holidays, we're staying home. After our world travels at Easter, we won't go far for a while.

So what's on?

- finally, some playdates are being arranged with the kids. Gotta say, making friends here is soooo slow compared to the expat openness of Dubai.

- a drive to Wollongong to celebrate an Uncle's 80th birthday!

- a drive to the Blue Mountains for a walk about.

- the bulk purchase of cardboard for some invitation making. We've a disco party coming for Miss 8!

- the purchase of a Fuji Instax camera for the party and no doubt all parties to come

- a photo shoot (yes, another!) for Quince Clothing AW11/12

- preparations for the Kids In Style trade show early August (my first night away from baby, sniff...)

- a visit to Alliance Francaise in town to see if I can snag some French newspapers to decorate said trade show stand

- a toy and book tidy up

- a read of Annabel Karmel. Who thought baby food would be so hard. I am likely to have baby on purees til she is 20 I am so afraid she'll choke.

And no doubt lots more visits to the park!

So really, my dears, a barrel of excitement. I am very happy to have holidays and not too many plans :)

Time, time....

2011-07-01T20:44:00.000+10:00

Look who is 8 months old today. I feel like time is slipping through my fingers. Determined to drink it all in. Seeing the change in a little babe makes me feel the change in each of the children all the more. With each new phase I love who my little ones are becoming. But oh how I wish time would slow.

Going Dotty...Red Spots In Stock

2011-06-28T21:23:00.000+10:00

I know you were all mad for the red and white spots from our SS11 range.

Well da da da, they are starting to make themselves known online.

You can have red spots for your baby, like this romper, this flouncy dress and this classy little dress.

For your bigger girls, how about the playsuit in red spot? Or the summertime dress? Or the dress up day dress?

Dress Up Day Dress US$49

Florence Romper US$39

Imp Playsuit $49

Summertime Dress US$59

AW11 Sneak Peek

2011-06-26T21:43:00.000+10:00

Do you love these sneak peeks? One thing you definitely get a sneak peek at is how bad a photographer I am...

I like spots. New raincoats...Soft too.

I like spots too. And butterflies.

Mum, I'm getting bored now. How many more?

Oh but I really like this Mum. It looks good with my pajama top.

I want to poke my tummy out Mum. Enough.

Wow Baby CC. It must be so nice to wear all the new clothes you want, you are so lucky.
Mum, get lost, no more no more no more.

I need more kids as these sneak peeks are hard. Photo shoots involve bribery but for snaps around the house, I want them for love, kiddos. You heard me. Love.

The Weekend

2011-06-26T20:56:00.000+10:00

Did you have a good weekend?

My kids were nice this weekend so all was well in my world.

- I read Frankie my favourite real life (rather than online) magazine

- I started to read Matilda by Roald Dahl to the kids

- Cooked a lemon slice from The Victoria Room cookbook. My brother said it tasted "funny". Ditto my husband. Damn you Victoria Room. It was a bit salty...(Actually I take it back. I made two (I double everything, I think I have 14 not 4 kids). The second one was divine...)

- Started going through the orders from our first Bubble London. Some lovely, lovely new stockists coming in the UK and farther afield!

- Tried the AW11 samples on the kids and loved them. Hardly any adjustments which we like :)

- Miss 7 and Mr T both slid over about 5 times a day and cried. They are obsessed with sliding on our new wooden floors.

- Miss Teenager started her first part time job (aww, she's getting so grown up!)

- Baby bear got her first top tooth and was very very sad about it

- Baby bear discovered the joys of karaoke and was very very happy about it

So I'm leeeeaving, on a jet plane....

- And I spotted one of my all time most awesome dad outfits: driving back from the park I saw this man with his wife and three kids IN LEATHER PANTS. Him, not the kids. He was not a skinny jeaned, oxford shoed, sideburned rocker looking guy. He was a normal suburban dad. He paired it with a navy fleecy top. Thankfully he was skinny. Gotta tell you, it was so wrong, it was right. I love you Mr Suburban Leather Pants. Call me.

Image from here

Dancing Baby

2011-06-24T21:29:00.000+10:00

As of a couple of weeks ago, from the moment she is brought out of her cot til the moment she is put back into it, she dances. She doesn't have many moves yet, just varying levels of jiggling. Too cute.

Baby CC says have a rocking weekend friends x

What are you wearing this summer? Ella Dress Reductions!

2011-06-23T09:47:00.000+10:00

Ladies of the northern hemisphere - do you need some great holiday gear? Yes, for you! Not for those children that you spend all your money on...

I noticed yesterday the Ella dress (now our most popular dress style - I have seen it on so many bodies and they all look just FAB), is almost sold out across all prints.

If you're a size 8, you're in luck as there are some last ones left, now reduced, here.

And we've also reduced the purple circles and green stripe dresses down to US$45 here.

The cotton is our usual high quality, not at all flimsy, machine washable, you can wear it for a hundred years variety. Wear it with a little cardigan on long summer evenings. Or over a long sleeved T in the winter months.

And guess what's coming?! Long sleeved Ella dresses in wintery prints. Hurry up factory I am desperate to have some of these!!!

Quince Clothing at Bubble London!

2011-06-22T22:08:00.001+10:00

I have been so excited and, for the first time in a LOOOONG time, a little nervous to be part of Bubble London! Our first show as Quince Clothing!

I didn't go myself but was represented by the fabulous Charlotte and Samantha of one of my first ever stockists, Charlie Barley in Brighton. Charlotte and I met in April and I knew our show was in excellent hands! You would think arranging a trade show from half a world away would be complicated but not at all. (Thank you so much Charlie!)

We've new stockists, new press, lots of new things coming but you'll have to wait a little while to hear more on that. And now I can stop nervously eating all the chocolate ginger biscuits I made last week. Emotional eater? Moi?

Dubai Fans: bubsboutique house sale!

2011-06-20T09:37:00.000+10:00

To all our lovely friends in Dubai - our mates at bubsboutique are opening their doors to a fabulous house sale - stock up on fabulous new and sale goodies before you head off to cooler shores, or batten down the hatches for the Dubai summer. Plenty of Aunty Ollie for those of you keen to try before you buy - do pop in and say hi to Paula and Kirsten!

New Music

2011-06-20T09:33:00.000+10:00

No weekend pics today. No siree. The kids drove me bonkers on Saturday. Then yesterday we went to Kung Fu Panda 2 and helped hubby in his 4 hour marathon to took Miss 8's braids out. Oh and baby is sick and has started squealing at me. Exciting day it was not!

A blog I read, sorry, can't remember which one, got me onto this website: stereomood. It is coooooool. Click on your mood and enjoy the playlist. Good for those of us too lazy to get CDs out, or bored with the CDs you've got... Today I am Working. But at the weekend I was dreamy, felt like crying and Lost in Jamaica.

Am looking forward to Gangsta, Vintage, Paris and Balkankan.

Try it, you'll love it, promise x

My Cure-All

2011-06-16T15:49:00.000+10:00

I'm a worrier by nature. Thankfully, with a busy life my worrying tendencies have been pushed to the side. When I feel them surfacing though, my cure-all is cooking.
Forget the work, the washing, the TV, this is what does it for me. Baking especially.

This batch of chocolate ginger cookies were just the business. I didn't realise there was a little faffing about with cooling them, I cooled them for 10 minutes and I also didn't roll them out and cut them with a cookie cutter. I rolled them in a ball and flattened with a fork and topped some with crystallised ginger. Oh and used half wholemeal flour.

I've eaten three already this afternoon. And am feeling much happier about life. Try it xx

HUGE Sale on Boy's Long Sleeved Shirts

2011-06-16T11:37:00.000+10:00

Friends - we have been guilty of neglecting the boys a little of late. That, and the fact Wilma can hardly fit in the office with all the lovely stock ready to send to stockists has meant that we need to move some of these fabulous Winter shirts.

All are $15 - $19. If you're a newsletter subscriber you can even take 10% off with your usual code.

You are getting the inside running - we'll send out a newsletter late next week. Sale items are always popular. Shop our Winter shirt sale here...

Striped Shirt was $40 down to US$19

Sixties cars Shirt was $40 down to US$19

Stars, Plaid Shirts were $40 down to US$19

As a manufacturer, I have noticed and also heard from my retailers that mums stop spending on boys when money is tighter. So enjoy these great prices to keep your little men looking funky!

Baby Girl 7 Months...

2011-06-14T20:01:00.000+10:00

Our baby bear is 7 months old. Wow. Actually, 7 1/2 months old now I've gotten around to writing this.

She is amazing to watch - within a couple of days she started to clap, to dance, and when we weren't paying her enough attention while out at the weekend she started playing peekaboo with her pram blanket. Such a cutie. She is full of beans now (so pleased we went on our big overseas trip before she got all active!)

She is bottom up, wiggling side to side, desperately trying to crawl. She loves anything that involves standing up. She screams and shouts at us. She even sleeps from 8pm to 7am most nights this last week with just a wake up for a nappy change.

How many Baby Mum-Mums is too many???

Look who can clap!

Her first peekaboo! How awesome are the blankets: top one crocheted
by my cousin Di and bottom one knitted by my friend Jackie.

Clever clogs little bear xx

Random Weekend Fun

2011-06-14T09:27:00.000+10:00

Been raining lots here in Sydney. As soon as it clears up we race outside (or more to the point, send the kids outside). But there's not been much chance to do that. And today it's raining again!

Welcome a new UK stockist: Mabel & Milo

2011-06-13T20:35:00.000+10:00

Welcome to a lovely new online stockist in the UK:

www.mabelandmilo.com

Mabel and Milo is a beautiful new site (with a blog attached that I love!) focused on contemporary products with a nostalgic twist.

Imp Playsuits now ONLINE!

2011-06-10T21:03:00.001+10:00

Can you think of a better summer holiday outfit for your little miss? These Imp Playsuits are one of those childhood outfits your girls will look back on and smile :)

Summer 2011 stock is starting to come online, this is one of the first styles in. Some sizes already sold out but more coming in June/July. Contact us to reserve your size.

New Stockist: Spruced Goose

2011-06-10T15:34:00.000+10:00

We love welcoming new stockists: Spruced Goose is an Australian online website dedicated to kids swimwear, rainwear and beachwear!

www.sprucedgoose.com.au

Something Exciting: Introducing Quince Clothing!

2011-06-07T10:13:00.000+10:00

Dear customer, stockist, friend

We are about to start rebranding our company. We will be waving goodbye to Aunty Ollie, rebranding as Quince Clothing. This is a change in name only and otherwise business will continue as normal.

You may or may not know that Aunty Ollie was a highly personal name to me, see here for the background. I loved it, really I did!

However, as our company grows we needed a name that would support all of our lines going forward. We found it hard to envisage our cool new organic printed boys Ts with Aunty Ollie labels on the outside! We also have a growing ladies range that needs a more distinctive name. And while we absolutely take inspiration from vintage and retro trends, we feel our brand is more old fashioned than we actually are!

Quince is simple, quirky and feels right. We hope you grow to like it as much as you liked Aunty Ollie.

We will introduce Quince to the wholesale market from the Bubble London tradeshow in June, and the Kids In Style tradeshow in August. These ranges will be marketed as Quince. Ranges up to and including Spring/Summer 2011 will remain under the Aunty Ollie name.

You will see both Aunty Ollie and Quince websites and supporting sites/emails/blog etc running side by side for quite some time.

We have lots of work to do and are very excited about the future for the range. We've just got the sampling through for AW11 and SS12 and you are going to LOVE them!

We will miss Aunty Ollie though when the time comes for her to retire. Farewell lovely lady, we've had fun!

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions or feedback. We'll be setting up new facebook pages, changing our blog URL and so on over the next 6 months and will let you know as these are up and running!

No KPIs. No Fancy Titles. No Bonuses.

2011-06-06T20:45:00.001+10:00

At mother’s group this week a friend was talking about her potential promotion to partner at her firm. And it got me thinking about the downside of self employment. The downside, that is, in addition to not getting paid for the first few years while working extremely hard ;)

I felt a bit wistful as when I left London for Dubai I was on a “career path”. I was no investment hotshot but I was doing well. I was good at my job and I liked it. I was well paid and enjoyed the small perks of working in investment (oh how I wish I’d been around for the greed is good 1980s, they sound like good times...) like lunches at Claridges, meetings in Paris, 5 star hotels and sometimes business class travel. When we left London for Dubai I was happy to leave - I’d been close to leaving my then employer for a new opportunity so leaving the country was totally OK with me. We flew off to Dubai with me never having visited it before, moving there indefinitely.

I settled us in while my husband started work. My intention was to start work. Then, we found out that we could adopt children while living in Dubai. We had dreamed of an adopted family since before we were married so were ready to jump at this chance. And one child became three children and three children became four and amongst all that a business was added. Now, I think of the business as an alternative to me going back to outside work. In this business I work the equivalent of a full time role but on my terms. Much of my work is done at night. Little is done from 3pm – 8pm or when the baby is awake. Dinner is cooked, washing is done, the house is cleaned, kids are hugged, homeworked and picked up and dropped off. Not by me alone I must add.

But when you work for yourself, there are no special dinners to celebrate achievements. Because they always seem, well, a bit small. I am hugely goal oriented especially on the financial side as I stretch towards profitability (not yet, soon, soon...) so I set a budget target for the recent SS11 season from wholesale stockists and met that target on Friday. I felt really happy but I am already well onto thinking of the next targets. Small business is a constant hustle to survive. And when you do survive there’s no one to tell you that you did a great job. You don’t really celebrate your little achievements. I know I should more. Perhaps I might promote myself or give myself a grand new title? Actually, when I become profitable and draw some salary (any salary!) I think that is worth celebrating... I so look forward to that day. That is step 1 of my master plan. Mwah ha ha...

Our Birth Story: Part 3 (Promise, the Last One!)

2011-06-04T19:00:00.000+10:00

So off we drove to the RPA and checked in. I knew some of the midwives from my prior night. I was relaxed, I had a series of Brothers and Sisters to watch and was happy. I had the gel put in, in a little pessary. It was scratchy and really hurt. But having never had it before, I thought it was normal.

And I started to walk. Up and down the three or four flights of internal stairs at RPA Women and Babies. And the pain started to come. Hurrah! I knew that it would have to go somewhere now. I settled in with my DVDs and enjoyed the contractions.

Trouble was though, I had a bad allergic reaction to the prostaglandin (sp?) gel that I was in agony down below. It hurt so much just to pee that I had no idea how I was going to birth a baby. But being a novice, I thought it was normal. An hour or two later, a couple of horrified midwives realised it was not. (I am not shy, I had mentioned it...) Worst of all was the internal while I was in so much pain.

So really, not off to a great start. But the gel was removed and I felt a million times better. I called in my husband around 9pm and he timed the contractions (I still have the piece of paper he wrote it on). We were excited that they were getting bigger and closer. Really, I was not scared at all. I loved it. As they got more intense I started to hallucinate a bit about Brothers and Sisters characters, we called Jen our doula to get ready and I was deemed ready to go down to the labour ward. I was in a decent enough state to walk down with some stops for contractions (and I was earlier than they usually allow, it was a quiet night. My empathy to the ladies who are full blown and trying to sign in oh my).

We got comfy in the labour ward, assisted by a lovely young midwife Brooke. I moved around lots and ended up under the shower leant over a birthing ball. In between I'd sit on the ball by the bed or lie on the bed (I actually liked that position) while my husband and Jen held heat packs on my back. My back really really hurt as baby was still posterior. I could feel literally nothing different on my front side. And there I laboured on and off for twelve hours. I was in good spirits. But then Brooke said she was concerned as the contractions were not speeding up, and that baby's heartrate was a worry. She asked if she could break my waters and I agreed.

Whoah then it all went strange. The labour intensified to such lengths that I wanted to jump out the window. To run. I was very sorry to all my loved ones, but I honestly wanted to be dead. I thought I was breaking. Sorry I don't know how to describe it and that part was so fast and so awful it's best to skip over it.

The short story is - I asked for an epidural *NOW PLEASE THANK YOU* (yes, still polite in labour) and was totally happy with my decision. Turns out, and we all should have known including ms natural birth and learn about birth to empower yourself but I was only 1cm on the last examination, that I went from 1 to 9cm in one hour. And baby (big baby, let me remind you) turned at the same time.

Can you blame a lady for looking for a window to jump from?

So the epidural was fabulous, the anaesthetist a sweet blonde lady, pregnant herself, in my mind's eye an angel from heaven. The midwives said we could all have a rest and then I had to push baby.

So hubby and doula had a bite to eat, a little sleep. Do you think I could? No, I knew that I had to get this baba out and I was scared.

The pushing was weird. I had to be monitored by this point so had to go on the bed and frankly, I wanted to be there. The midwives, by then two gorgeous young ladies who barely left, turned on some spotlight and I felt extremely exposed but was so relaxed I could care less. The epidural was turned off, and they gave me very careful instructions on how to push.

Trouble was that I'd read all the natural birth books about breathing baby out (now, I have to say, what the?) so was a bit shocked at how hard it was. And I kept not quite hitting the spot. I suggested to the midwives a 5 point poster with some clever acronym as I was struggling to remember all the bits. They started to look worried and told me what time I had until. So I decided that, after all this, there was NO way I would not give it my all. And I did. And it was hard but not too hard, just kind of weird. I laughed a lot in the birth about the weirdness of it all. I think the epidural made me tell jokes too.

And then at 1.22pm on Monday 1 November 2010 our baby was born. I was worried if she was ok. Yes baby was ok. And it's a girl. I was so surprised as I was sure she was a boy. And she was 4.365kg. Wowsers. She looked all squished up and dark haired and was divine. I was in a state of disbelief for days. Like who let me have a baby and take her home. And I breathed her in and I loved those early days. Hard as they were, I was on such a high.

I'd do it all again tomorrow. Thanks for reading. Sorry I tried to edit myself a bit but to no avail - I think I only get to tell my birth story once so thank you for induging me!

Our Birth Story: Part 2

2011-06-01T10:04:00.000+10:00

So where were we? Accepting that we had no idea where our birth could take us. Yes.

I had baby under the public health system in Australia. We have private insurance but as we'd been abroad for over 5 years, we had to wait again for our cover on some things. Pregnancy and birth was one of them. I remember sitting at my dining table crying that I would have to pay some ridiculous figure for an obstetrician. Please remember I had just returned from Dubai and still had slight expat princess tendencies ;)

However, it was a blessing in disguise. I got myself a fab GP and booked into the Labour Ward at RPA, one of Australia's best hospitals that we were lucky enough to be in the area for.

On one of the later appointments I had, a midwife told me baby was posterior (basically her back was to my back, but her head is down so it's different to breech). I of course went off and googled it and figured out that I could have chiropractic treatment to move her. So I did. And it hurt. A lot. A lot. A lot. But she did turn. Then turn again. Then turn again. I had a treatment a week, sometimes even two a week, but got to the point that I was so sore afterwards that I decided my body was too stressed to labour well and chances were, baby would turn in labour. I knew though that posterior baby meant "back labour" and that the chances of needing intervention were higher.

Anyway, I digress. From the time I knew I was pregnant, I knew I was going to be early. I just knew. How? No idea. Just a feeling. A pregnant mama's intuition. I got excited when I had false labour pains from about 36 weeks or so, the first night of it on the eve of my 35th birthday. Some nights getting very regular contractions for hours but they'd stop as daylight approached.

Well, I went to 41 weeks. And was not going anywhere. While my pregnancy had been really really low risk, I was developing high blood pressure in the last few weeks. I was getting headaches and had a night in the RPA a week or so before I was due. (It was actually a lovely rest...) I had an ultrasound at the hospital, having not had one since 20 weeks or so, where the technician said baby was big, perhaps 4kg.

I had read about induction and knew I didn't want it. But I also knew that with high blood pressure I would not be able to wait indefinitely for labour to start spontaneously. So I was doing every thing in the book to start it. Walking especially helped and I walked and walked and walked, pain would start, and then stop. I started taking homeopathic treatment to induce labour, and they did seem to bring pain on, but we just kept stalling.

So we were booked in for an induction. I was sad. Then I recalibrated and was OK again. I remained relaxed and thought that I could have a good try to work with the gel they'd give me on Sunday night (Halloween night) to try to avoid the syntocinon. I played with the kids and felt happy that by early the next week we'd have our baby. I was relaxed to the point that I forgot what time the appointment was booked and we ended up rushing to get into the car.

I kissed the kids, left last minute instructions for our friend who was staying with the kids, and off we went.

And I am writing so much we are going to do Part 3. Wow. Epic.

Gosh I am wordy. I am sorry. I think this is a post for me, this blog is my memory keeper. I totally understand if you skip these ones!

Our Birth Story: Part 1

2011-05-31T08:49:00.000+10:00

Guys, this is so long I've put it into two parts. I've been waiting so long to write it I had a lot to say...

It took me a long time to decide I wanted to have a baby. A long time. It always felt like a more natural thing for me to do, personally, to adopt our children. So it was quite a change to start thinking pregnancy and babies early last year. And a surprise when Baby Elvis came on board very quickly.

I have always been really, really afraid of childbirth. Why? Not sure. My mum bore four children like a champion and her mother, four children. I have been surrounded by friends and family having babies for years and years. So an unfounded fear, but a fear nonetheless.

So for quite a lot of the pregnancy, I did not think about the birth. I blocked it out.

But as it got closer, when I was around 30 weeks, I realised I needed to do something. I guess, smart lady I am, I finally got that the only way this baby was coming out was through me. D'oh.

So in those last ten weeks of pregnancy, I educated myself. And in doing so, to my eternal surprise, empowered myself. I googled, I read. But as well as the standard chapters I'd been flicking past in the pregnancy books, I read some of the natural birth classics. And decided that if I could, I would birth naturally. I was always very realistic about it. My view was, I've never done this before, but if all goes smoothly, and if I can, I'll birth naturally.

I read loads more natural birth stories. I read birth stories on mama blogs. I did pregnancy yoga. I had hypnobirthing sessions. I bought some weird German device I forget the name of but it freaked me out so much that it didn't really get much use. I hired a doula Jen, which by the way is a fabulous thing to do. I mean, by the end of this educating myself, I was even thinking that if I ever did it again I'd have a home birth.

And through all of this, I turned my fear into empowerment. I looked forward to the experience of giving birth. When I was full term, out came the raspberry leaf tea, the labour and hospital bags were packed, and I felt excited to meet our baby soon.

But I always maintained that I'd be open minded and not be a woman devastated if the birth turned out different to her hopes and dreams. Just as well...

The Weekend in Pictures

2011-05-29T21:06:00.000+10:00

Nuclear cake stall contribution, decorated by Miss 7 and Mr T

Pineapple & Ginger Jelly

Gorgeous on the way to a party. Dress from SS12...

You can tell by the way I use my walk....

Omelette with jam. Kids love it.

Slow cooked as always with relaxed family time. The weeks are so busy I can't bear to do much else. My little sister and her boy were here from NZ Friday night and we ventured out en masse for a local dinner, wish I'd taken the camera...

I Started A Joke

2011-05-26T20:25:00.000+10:00

My husband told the kids a joke at dinner a few weeks ago. He has totally started something and now most dinnertimes involve lots of jokes from each of us.

My favourite kiddo jokes:

"What's brown and sticky? A stick."

"How do you fit four elephants into a mini? Two in the front, two in the back."

"How do you fit two giraffes into a mini? Take two elephants out."

Boom boom.

What's really exciting to me is it shows how the kids' English language skills have developed. It takes a lot to understand double meanings and nuance. Fabulous...

The Weekend

2011-05-24T15:12:00.000+10:00

Uncharacteristically short of words so am hoping you'll like the pictures instead

Outtakes from the Photo Shoot

2011-05-24T15:09:00.000+10:00

So busy on the days I only had time to take a few snaps. Thanks to our 7 gorgeous models and their mums and dads who were all so relaxed and so hardworking... Glamorous it ain't.

Yes Mr T did look a touch Elton,
a touch Gaga with these glasses. We took them off!

Photo Shoot...

2011-05-22T11:05:00.001+10:00

It's been a bit quiet around here this week. One of the reasons is our photo shoot for SS12, partly done yesterday and the rest tomorrow. I love love love these and I love the clothes, all seaside themed.

Hi, I'm Bernice

2011-05-17T22:33:00.000+10:00

I like bus trips, cruise ships, Mills & Boon and a nice gin & tonic in the afternoon. Pleased to meet you.

Baby Bear: 6 1/2 Months Old

2011-05-17T12:08:00.000+10:00

Baby bear you are getting big when I have lost count of the weeks.

The last few weeks you have changed the most that I can remember. It is literally like POW your brain has switched on. You are busy, busy, busy all the time. One toy in one hand, another in another and then another next to you. Love the blackberry and laptop, the blackberry calms you when you're out of sorts. Guess it's the light?!

You are also dirty, dirty, dirty all the time as we spend more time giving you solid food and you get it everywhere - both of us have a few changes a day. You dribble all the time as well. We sit you in your Bumbo and feed you and you chew on your rusks for ages, watching the busy household. You cannot get out yet which is great, we love those lady thighs that wedge you in! You had your 6 month check and you're not as tall as you were - only 75th percentile now. I wonder what will happen there?

You yell at us a lot and today you said Umumumum. I think. And bababababa.

You are a cutie patootie.

Slow Cooked Weekend

2011-05-16T14:35:00.000+10:00

I thought nothing compared to Summer. But actually, Autumn in Sydney is pretty nice too.

You know, when I was a new mama I used to haaate the weekend. Not sure if it was parental ineptness (if that's a word) and not knowing what to do with the kids for the whole weekend, or not knowing what to do in the insane heat of Dubai. But I adore the weekend now, the slow rhythm.

Here's what we got up to (crazy devils we are):
- Read the kiddos the end of the Astrid Lingren book we started last week when I started the "great TV ban of 2011". (We have these every few months when the kiddos argue too much about who wields the remote).
- We went slipper and PJ shopping, followed by Japanese for lunch
- The little kids cleaned a bathroom each in exchange for a lollipop. Not the best trade when I have to do the loos and help them as well :(
- Somehow found myself in their rooms and you know when you start to tidy up and then an hour later you're a crazy lady flinging bits of kid detritus all over the place and ranting about putting things away and taking care of our things? Yep, did that.
- Went 1990s and made a Mud Cake, then pizzas
- Drove down to the Royal National Park for a picnic and run about with hubby's lovely cousin and gorgeous wife and their twin boys.

Was a nice one. Hope yours was super duper too.

Our Enid Blyton-esque English Summer Days

2011-05-10T17:38:00.001+10:00

I read a lot of Enid Blyton as a kid. Too much probably. So when I go to rural UK I feel like I have stepped straight into a childhood novel.

We had picnics by the river with lashings of ginger beer, got lost in forests, ate lots of icecream, got licked by cows (Mr T seems to be a cow whisperer), watched lambs bounding and jumping along the drive to our farmhouse, itched from stinging nettles, watched pheasant boys fight over pheasant girls and ate gran's scones with jam and cream. I love England. I really, really do. It is one of my favourite places in the world.

Lovely cows, right before they went in for a friendly lick...

A week before the Royal Wedding, the shops were full of Union Jacks.

My mother-in-law let me video her explaining her secret scone recipe. To report back soon...

Our country house in the Yorkshire Dales. Complete with pool room,
clawfoot bath in bedroom, and pheasants & lambs in abundance.

My long love affair with London is temporarily over til my baby is bigger and doesn't need a pram but the countryside is much underrated. I fancy us a farmhouse in the country. But ask me that in the snow and I might give you a different answer... I think I'm done on holidays posts now. As you were.

First Dutch Stockist: RetroKids

2011-05-10T17:18:00.000+10:00

So excited to have our first Dutch stockist: Retrokids!

Store owner Anouk has some to die for products and we're honoured to be one of her first non-European suppliers. We love the site. She has some baby products with more kids on the way soon!

http://www.retrokids.nl/
0031(0)611433688

Baby Bear: 6 Months Old

2011-05-10T16:53:00.000+10:00

Oh baby bear. 6 months old my big girl. As much as I try to, I sloooow it down. Breathe. Take you in in all your baby gloriousness. Try to remember things when I know how much I've already forgotten. I want you to slow down. I want you to sit next to me, still and babbling quietly. But of course you have other ideas!
My first and last small baby. It's lovely and bittersweet at the same time as you are so divine I sometimes wish for another. And think of all I've missed with your sisters and brother.

You have changed really quickly these last few weeks. On your 6 month birthday you got your first two teeth, at the bottom. More to come it looks like.

You had your first swing and see saw at the park on the same day.

We heard your little voice for the first time: "nananananana" and "dadadadada" and occasionally, always at your biggest sister, something that sounds like "HEY!" It is really cute - kind of husky and not too much screaming as yet, just babbling.

Only a few weeks ago in London, our friend went to get some baby toys out for you and I said not to bother, that you weren't that interested. Now, you sit for hours with a toy in one hand, book in the other. Busy, busy, busy. A spoon is your favourite toy - a soft one to chew on.

You have literally lit us up, all of us, and joined us even more together a family. We love you

xx

PS 6 months down the track, think it's time I wrote your birth story before I forget. Onto the to do list.