Birthday candles

I'm in the planning stages for the first birthday party for my daughter and I'm obsessed with all things birthday-related at the moment. I'm loving these candles that burn with coloured flames. Amazing! I was thinking about having a colour-themed party for my daughter and these are pretty tempting. There's even a down under stockist... bonus!

Sharon Montrose prints

I love these prints by Sharon Montrose... I'm looking for pictures to go on the nursery walls in our new house. We move in a few weeks! So rather than delve into the serious business of packing or arranging for the utilities to be transferred I'm thinking about fun things... like decor! There are so many choices out there but these are pretty high up on my shortlist. I like the idea of having real animals on the walls and am thinking about a triptych along one wall... I think it could work! Now... I suppose I should look for some packing boxes.

Organic Lightening tshirt

Something for your little bright spark... this hand silk-screened organic tshirt is very appealing, especially if you're looking for a little relief from the usual fare of Thomas the Tank Engine or Dora the Explorer. I think even the most dedicated fan of cartoon characters would find this tshirt decidedly wearable. And the lightening effect is super realistic!

Voila giant dollhouse

Alert! Alert! Attention grandparents and wealthy philanthropists... this is what my little one wants for her birthday. Well, its what I want anyway... I saw it last weekend in the Edex toy store on Thorndon Quay in Wellington. It's a huge doll house... completely made of wood and containing the most incredibly detailed furniture. Its made by Thai company, Voila and is uber stylish. It's so big your wee ones can actually climb through it and while its not cheap if you look at it as a family heirloom piece it starts to look fairly reasonable... So come on grandparents... don't you just love it?

Picture Me growth chart

There are plenty of height chart options out there but I think this one offers something new and quite clever. The chart has slots to add pictures of your little one as they grow. What appeals to me is that its something you can take with you if you move... I love the idea of marking up a doorway with my daughter's height but we are just about to move house and if I didn't use a height chart I would lose those memories. This is my solution!

Fairy door

Do you have a wee one who is entranced by all things fairy-like? Then check out this amazing fairy door! I love this idea... a teeny tiny door you can quietly install at the bottom of a wall and see how long it takes for your little ones to find it. It's not a "doing" sort of toy... it doesn't open or make noise or anything like that. But it will inspire the imagination, I think. You could suggest they write a note to the fairies and then perhaps the fairies could leave gifts... You can design your door any way you like, choosing from a range of styles and colours. Each door comes with a little key and some fairy dust. It's ace!

Haba doctor's kit

What child doesn't want to play doctors at some point? I think this might be the perfect doctor's kit... everything about it super sweet. I particularly like the little tube of ointment... I have visions of my wee one wrapping us all in bandages. It's so much better than the usual plastic versions I think I'll have to grab one, although knowing my daughter she will be absorbed by the case and ignore the contents.

Fairytale magic glasses

Looking at Vogue for inspiration is probably not very sensible... everything is a bit on the pricey side but I did find these rather perfect water glasses by Japanese design company D-bros. They feature fairytale images which look almost 3D when filled with water. Only for the older kids I think as you might get a bit peeved if your toddler threw one of these A$75 glasses on the floor.